Since September, ELK (Early Learning Kindergarten) students at Pius XII school have been engaged in play-based learning and loving it! Mrs. Heaton (classroom teacher) and Mrs. Monaghan (ECE) believe that carefully planned play centres focused on inquiry in the six areas of learning are key to students’ knowledge development and skill building.
For example, the house center was transformed into a fruit market last month and students were encouraged to write their grocery lists using classroom resources posted at eye level. This month, ELK students will write letters to Santa and family on real stationary in the kindergarten post office. An authentic way for young writers to practise printing skills!
Given the holiday season, the “Polar Express” center was recently added. Some ELK students re-enact scenes from the movie “The Polar Express” which they viewed the week previous to the center opening while others creatively add new scenes of their own. ELK students learn about taking turns, cooperation, and problem solving while engaged in meaningful play. These skills are key in helping students become friendly and positive group members!
The ELK team members are thrilled with the progress made by all of the students in kindergarten at Pius XII and congratulate them on a tremendous start to the school year!
Author: admin
SCDSB and Trillium Gift of Life Network – Community Challenge Launch
On December 13, 2010, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board issued the Greater City of Sudbury a challenge – give the gift of life. In partnership with the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Sudbury Catholic launched a Board-wide initiative to have Sudbury be the first city in the province of Ontario to have 50% or more of its residents be registered organ and tissue donors. Currently sitting at 40%, Dr. Frank Markel, President and CEO of the Trillium Gift of Life Network felt that Sudbury was the perfect place to issue this challenge. “I am proud to be working with Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the residents of Sudbury on this historical initiative. Tonight, we are challenging the Greater Sudbury Region to do something that hasn’t been done in Ontario before, register over 50 per cent of their community to consent to organ and tissue donation,” Markel said. “Sudbury is an inspiring community. My hope is that other Ontario communities follow their example and get their communities registered. Together, no one has to die waiting for an organ transplant.”
Catherine McCullough SCDSB Director of Education echoed Dr. Markel’s comments and expressed to the crowd her pride in the Board for embracing this initiative. “I am very proud of our Board for partnering with the Trillium Gift of Life Network for this very important initiative and I encourage the entire community to join us in this challenge to not only have Sudbury reach or even surpass the 50% registration for city-wide donation in Ontario, but more importantly, to recognize that there is no greater gift than the gift of life.”
The evening was dedicated to St. Benedict (and formerly St. James) student Ian Smyth who passed away in November and was the recipient of double lung transplants. Both of Ian’s parents, Susan and Phillip were on hand at the event and spoke about their belief in organ donation as well as their gift of more years with Ian as a result of his transplants.
Also on hand for the event were speakers Bishop Noel Simard, M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci, Mayor Marianne Matichuk, Community Advocate and Businessman Gerry Lougheed Jr, as well as several people who spoke of their life experiences as donors and recipients. SCDSB Trustee Paula Peroni shared with the crowd the anguish of losing her son in an accident as well as the joy of finding out a year later that he lives on in both a 23 year old female and 79 year old man who were given the gift of vision through the donation of her son’s corneas.
Other community partners on hand included the Irish Heritage Society, Sudbury Regional Hospital staff, several city councillors, any many more key city players who were asked to help spread the gift of life message.
An important part of this initiative included the next day in-servicing of several Civics and Religious Education teachers at all four of the Board’s secondary schools as organ and tissue donation will now be a part of the curriculum at Sudbury Catholic -making it one of the first Boards in Ontario to do so.
Samaritan’s Purse & Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child is a special Christmas project affiliated with Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational Christian organization. At St. Anne’s this year, Mrs. Belanger and Mr. Thomson’s Grade 7 classes partnered together to pack a total of 37 shoe boxes for needy children around the world. Students and their families generously donate their time and money to fill shoe boxes with a variety of special items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene items, etc. Every gift-filled shoe box is given unconditionally, regardless of religion, gender, or race, in a way that practically demonstrates the love of Jesus Christ around the globe. The boxes will be sent to children in countries in Central America, the Caribbean, South America and West Africa. Way to go Angels!!
St. James Student Proud Winner of “Teddy Bear Colouring Contest”
St. James Catholic School in Lively supported the fourth annual Teddy Bear Picnic– a fundraising event organized by the students at Cambrian College’s Police Foundations program in conjunction with the Sudbury and District Unit of Canadian Cancer Society. The St. James student council donated a bear to the teddy bear auction that raised funds for pediatric and childhood cancer research. Another part of the Teddy Bear Picnic campaign was a colouring contest and Ava Chenier, a Junior Kindergarten student was the grand prize winner of contest. Presenting Ava Chenier with a John Deere bike and a teddy bear is Patricia Clizia from the Canadian Cancer Society.
SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION CANCELLED, SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN – SUDBURY DISTRICT, ESPANOLA AND MANITOULIN
Due to weather conditions, poor visibility and in the interest of safety, all school related transportation services for English catholic and English public schools and French catholic and French public schools, operating in the Districts of SUDBURY, ESPANOLA AND MANITOULIN are cancelled today. All schools will remain open, however, NO transportation will be provided. Parents who transport their children to school are reminded that they must pick their children up at the end of the school day.
All staff is expected to report to work.
SCDSB Trustees Elect New Chair and Vice Chair
On December 7, 2010 trustees from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board gathered for their Inaugural Board meeting at which time Barry MacDonald and Paula Peroni were acclaimed as Chair and Vice-Chair (respectively). Both Chair MacDonald and Vice-Chair Peroni will serve in their newly elected positions for the 2010-2011 school year.
Barry MacDonald represents Zone 6 and is beginning his eighth term as a trustee with with Sudbury Catholic previously sitting as Vice Chair. In his address to the Board, MacDonald expressed his gratitude to the other trustees for having faith in him and “looks forward to working together with fellow trustees, community partners and all stakeholders to ensure that the Board is delivering exceptional Catholic Learning for all SCDSB students.” As well, MacDonald told the group that “previous Chairs have set the bar and is really looking forward to the challenges ahead,and working on them together as a team.”
Paula Peroni, representing Zone 5, brings to her role 13 years of trustee experience having served 2 years as Ontario Catholic Trustee Association (OCSTA) President, 2 years as OCSTA Vice President, 2 years as Canadian Catholic Trustee Association (CCSTA) Vice President and is currently sitting as CCSTA President. As well, Peroni has served several terms as Sudbury Catholic Chair and Vice Chair. Peroni also expressed her thanks to her fellow trustees for their confidence in her abilities and felt privileged once again “to be an integral part of such a dynamic, faith-filled system that influences so positively the community of which it serves.” Peroni also added that she happily accepts the position of Vice Chair. ”It feels good to be back in a leadership role at Sudbury Catholic and I am excited to be part of such a talented team. I am very optimistic that it is going to be a great year.”
Also in attendance were newly elected trustees Michael Bellmore (Zone 3), Ray Desjardins (Zone 2), and returning trustees Jody Cameron (Zone 4) and Estelle Scappatura (Zone 1). As part of the Inaugural meeting, all trustees, Senior Administration and invited family and guests celebrated with a mass with Auxiliary Bishop Noel Simard at which time they took their oaths and were officially sworn in as Sudbury Catholic trustees.
Corpus Christi’s Free The Children Club takes a Vow of Silence
Corpus Christi teacher Daniela Visentin has organized a Corpus Christi Free The Children Club for the school. On Nov. 18th, the students who are part of the club, took a Vow of Silence in order to raise awareness amongst students and staff, that would help give a voice to children around the world who suffer quietly due to poverty, war and oppression. The club hopes to embark on various projects throughout the year to continue to build awareness for this very worthy cause.
Marymount Academy’s Annual Goals for Girls – Another Outstanding Success!
Despite the cold, the snow held off for staff and students of Marymount Academy as they wrapped up another successful Goals for Girls Ball Hockey tournament this past week. The Goals for Girls campaign is held to encourage young women to be physically active and to help them recognize and become involved in the many activities and opportunities available in their school and community. As well, this tournament is also a fundraiser in which monies raised are used to sponsor young women who cannot financially afford to play sports, to purchase fitness equipment and to provide financial support to other community schools and programs whose female programs are severely underfunded. This year, Marymount raised over $4200 to support this campaign which is almost a $1000 more than they collected last year.
Dan Bartolucci, program leader at Marymount Academy and organizer of the event felt very proud of the girls for their participation and show of school spirit. “It is great to see such student engagement and I am proud of their enthusiasm,” he said. “This tournament helps encourage the young women of this community to set their own personal goals and strive to achieve them.”
St. Andrew’s Supports Nickels for the North
The students at St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School were thrilled to hear that they placed third for top fundraising school in the City of Greater Sudbury’s Nickels for the North Easter Seals Kids Campaign. With a total of $775.89 raised, Principal Carmela Pitman expressed her pride for their outstanding fundraising efforts. “Working together as a school, we are always dedicated to helping support such a worthy cause and I am very proud of all of our Thunderbirds!” Easter Seals raised a total of $16,008.82 through this year’s campaign to support children with physical disabilities.