Ten students from Bolivia are in Sudbury until the end of January on an exchange program through an organization called Canada World Youth. Ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-six, the students arrived in Canada on November 1 and Sudbury on November 3 and are taking part in St. Albert’s Adult Learning Centre’s English as a Second Language Program to better adapt their communication skills while in the city. The school was contacted by the organization to see if they would be willing to accept the students into their E.S.L. class and the staff at St. Albert readily agreed.
The students are living with host families and, as well as school, also do volunteer work in the community three times a week. Their volunteer work allows them to learn about themselves and their new community, increases their involvement in local and global issues and give them tools to contribute to the well-being of the city as well as taking them back with them when they return home. Some of the volunteer locations for these students include Habitat for Humanity, Eat Local, the Friendship Centre and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SACY).
Mai Hellak, the ESL teacher at St. Albert was thrilled to learn of the students’ arrival in her class. “I have been teaching ESL with the Catholic Board since 1996 and it is always so much fun,” Hellak said. “When you have students learning English as a second language, you are teaching at multiple levels and it makes for a lot of hard work but it is very rewarding. I also have another teacher named Claire Kamber who volunteers in the classroom and helps with the workload tremendously.”
Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of St. Albert was also excited to learn about the Bolivian students taking part in classes at their school. “We are delighted to have these students here as it allows us to learn about their culture while we are supporting their learning – and it also promotes diversity in our community.”
Exchange student, Cecilia Montalvan is the Bolivian co-ordinator and said that the group is really happy with the weather here so far as it is very hot in Bolivia and they can’t wait for snow. As well, even though they have been in Sudbury only a short time, they are thoroughly enjoying themselves, their host families, and are looking forward to exploring the city. “We have planned group activities every Wednesday afternoon,” Montalvan said. “ This is the time that we get together and take part in a more organized events and we are really looking forward to all of the different opportunities open to us.”
Author: admin
Pyjama Day at St. Bernadette
It was a day of comfort and fun for the students and staff of St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School as Friday, November 12 was pyjama day. Students were encouraged to come to school in their comfiest pyjamas for the St. Bernadette spirit day as well as to promote bedtime reading. “What better way to celebrate and promote bedtime reading for the students with their parents than with a pyjama day?” asked Diana Salvador, Principal of the school. “We always encourage students to read with their parents and guardians at home and know that the students really benefit when this shared reading takes place.” When asked if they enjoyed the day, several students responded that they wished everyday was pyjama day!
MMA Bringing Music to the Community
Recently, the Senior Brass Ensemble performed a short set at the Knights of Columbus fundraiser for struggling families in Sudbury. Cindy Coleman, Emma Kyle, Jessica Pugliese and Cassie Apolloni did a great job with their performance. It was a great evening with dinner and beautiful music. Hooray for music in the community!
Facility Services Hold Open House
Staff at the new Facility Services building located on Traverse street invited board office staff to an open house barbeque on Friday, November 12, 2010. CEC staff were given a tour of the new building as Facility Services have settled in and wanted to show off their new “digs”. The entire group enjoyed a fantastic meal and all were made to feel very welcome in the new location. Denis Faucher, manager of the department thanked everybody for coming and let everyone know that they were all more than welcome to visit again. CEC staff were grateful for the invitation and wonderful meal and plan to take Denis up on his offer often.
St. Mary Students Take Part in Health Awareness Workshop
Students at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School had the opportunity to attend a Health Awareness Workshop on Friday, November 12, 2010. With flu season here, Gen Waszczylo, Principal of the school felt that it was important for her students to be reminded of healthy hygiene practices. “We want to instill in the students proper hygiene habits and are very fortunate to have established community partnerships with experts in this field, willing to share with us their knowledge.” Waszczylo said. Ashley Laperriere, a Public Health Inspector with the Sudbury and District Health Unit spoke to the students about avoiding germs as well as the importance of proper handwashing. As well, Sheryl Sasseville, owner of Sudbury Dental Hygiene demonstrated the technique for correct tooth brushing. At the end of the presentation, all of the students receive a “goodie bag” of personal hygiene products promoting all that they had learned from the two demonstrations.
SCDSB Celebrates Employees
On November 2, 2010, Sudbury Catholic District School Board staff gathered together in the gym at Marymount Academy to take part in a new teacher and employee recognition celebration. New hirees were introduced and congratulated on their new positions and board employees that have reached yearly milestones were recognized for their dedication and service to the board. The evening began with a prayer service and ended with a social at which time the employees and administration had the opportunity to catch up with each other and congratulate one another on their commitment to the Sudbury Catholic community.
Years of service- 2010
Lucy Wardrop St. Charles Elementary 40
Angele Crepeau Education Centre 35
Patricia Condotta St. James School 35
Katherine Baldan St. Benedict Secondary 30
Angela Corelli St. James School 30
Linda Mackenzie St. Charles College 30
Michel Thibeault St. Benedict Secondary 30
Lise Anne Mc Elree St. Raphael School 20
Caroline Belanger St. James School 20
Cathy Boyer Bishop Carter Alexander 20
Ann Brisebois St. Albert Learning Centre 20
Francine Brouse Education Centre 20
Lise Callahan Marymount Academy 20
Daniel Charbonneau OECTA SECONDARY 20
Yves Cote Facilities Services 20
Alice Desormeaux St. Anne School 20
Richard Emond St. Charles College 20
Denise Fraser St. John School 20
Aline Gaulin St. Theresa School 20
Joseph Houle Facilities Services 20
Joyce Lachance-Charlebois St. Francis School 20
Lucie Lapalme-Cullen Marymount Academy 20
Paulette Melancon Bishop Carter Secondary 20
Jane Rodrigues St. Charles College 20
Lisa Samuels Education Centre 20
Paul Stevens St. Charles College 20
Brian Thompson St. Benedict Secondary 20
Cindy Watson St. Benedict Secondary 20
Michel Dubois Marymount Academy 15
Erin Duguay Immaculate Conception School 15
Victoria Lachapelle Education Centre 15
Lorraine Petryna St. Francis School 15
John Vautier Marymount Academy 15
Madeleine Albert St. Benedict Secondary 10
Beverley Belanger St. Charles College 10
Monique Blais St. Theresa 10
Dennica Burns Pius XII 10
Denise Filipovic St. Paul School 10
Rosemarie Hall St. Michael School 10
Tammy Jutila Marymount Academy 10
Ronald Leclair Education Centre 10
Christina Lucciantonio St. Raphael School 10
Guy Mathieu St. Anne School 10
Dario Pandolfo St. Anne School 10
Robert Pappin St. Benedict Secondary 10
Carlo Pastre St. Charles College 10
Laurie Peterson St. James School 10
Eva Scola-Lawryshyn Corpus Christi 10
Steven Villeneuve St. Benedict Secondary 10
Graziella Visentin St. Michael 10
Chad West St. Michael School 10
Brenda Barbe Pius XII School 5
Lisa-Anne Cameron St. Charles College 5
Melinda Charbonneau St. Raphael School 5
Jennifer Connelly Education Centre 5
Catherine Cormier St. Charles Elementary 5
Shannon Coyle St. Charles College 5
Liane Dutrisac St. Anne School 5
James Eaton St. Francis School 5
Steven Facchini Bishop Carter Secondary 5
Angela Fowke St. Raphael School 5
Jules Guenette St. Anne School 5
Camille Heaton Pius XII 5
Kristy Hebert St. Charles College 5
Timothy Kingshott St. Charles College 5
Kevin Krystia St. Raphael School 5
Lois Lambert St. Anne School 5
Shirle Landriault St. Charles College 5
Kelly-Anne Lavallee St. Benedict Secondary 5
Anne-Marie Machum St. James School 5
Caroline Mansourian St. David School 5
Jeannette Mazerolle St. Anne School 5
Jean McHarg Education Centre 5
Leo McLaughlin St. Francis School 5
Samantha Onuska St. Benedict Secondary 5
Ron Patterson St. Charles College 5
Gino Posteraro St. Benedict Secondary 5
Dyan Pyott St. Andrew School 5
Kaelne Ratushniak St. Michael School 5
Renee Read-Murray St. David School 5
Lissa Sanchioni St. Raphael School 5
Werner Scherzinger St. Charles College 5
Kristine Shewchuk St. Paul School 5
Patrizia Shewring Marymount Academy 5
Nanette Shonwise St. Anne School 5
Jennifer Swearengen St. James School 5
Harry Taskinen Marymount Academy 5
Gaston Theriault Education Centre 5
Tina Timpano St. David School 5
Serena Troscinski St. Paul School 5
Leanne Urso St. Francis School 5
St. Raphael Students “Making Change” for Kids with Physical Disabilities
For three weeks, the students at St. Raphael have been graciously donating their pocket change to help kids in their community who have physical disabilities. The final total has yet to be tabulated by Easter Seals but the results are expected to be tremendous.
Each class was given a bucket to fill as part of the Nickels for the North challenge.
It’s the perfect fundraiser for the students because they see students with physical disabilities in their building everyday. There are three Life Skills classrooms at St. Raphael School.
The campaign also heightened awareness of those who must rely on costly devices such as walkers, ramps and wheelchairs everyday.
Stay tuned for their results!
St. John Catholic Elementary School Shows They “Can” Do It!
The students of St. John school are extremely proud to announce that they collected over 22,000 cans for the Garson Food Bank during its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year, the students set their sights on trying to meet last year’s total (16,000) and ended up surpassing it by an overwhelming 6,000 cans. All students and staff of St. John school should be very proud of their good deed in support of the Garson Food Bank.
St. Benedict Teacher Honoured with Rotary Club of Sudbury Community Leadership Vocational Award
Libby Marinilli, a teacher librarian from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School was honoured on Monday, October 25 by the Rotary Club of Sudbury with a Communnity Leadership and Vocational Award. Libby exemplifies professionalism in the area of education as well as self-development and reflects her expectations of her students which is having them reach their full potential. Over the years Libby has continued to stay current in her profession by taking numerous additional Ministry of Education courses in Guidance, Mathematics, English, Special Education Specialist, Computer Specialist, Principal Qualifications & most recently Library Science just to name a few.
Her dedication to her students & profession included expanding their horizons in this global village by forming an Educational Travel Club. Over the past 20 years, thanks to Libby’s efforts, students have been exposed to the global classroom with trips to Egypt, Russia, Japan & Western Europe. Here, in our own country, she has organized Youth Exchange with students from Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador. Libby has given of her personal time over the years by providing athletic training of sports teams after school, organizing the annual winter carnival & working with student council as well as the Literacy Across the Curriculum Committee as the staff representative. In attempting to incorporate relevant experiences as a way of enhancing student learning, Libby’s Gifted Grade 10 English class had their full-sized newspaper published by the Sudbury Star. Her passion for literature & the understanding of the importance of literacy in our world has brought her to her latest position as teacher-librarian. In this position, she has introduced e-books (electronic) to the library & students. She has organized authors from the Writer’s Union to speak to students about the writing process which in turn could motivate them to become future authors.
By organizing Chapters book fairs, she not only brings the community into the school, but as a result, this action has lead to the formation of a school Book Club. Libby has also been involved in ESP- Empowering Student Participation in various anti-bullying activities & campaigns.
In addition, Libby has found time to contribute to her community by volunteering as an executive member for the Joe MacDonald Football League for the past 16 years. The league encourages young boys & girls from ages 8-15 to learn skills, develop self-confidence & move on to high school prepared with the skills of the game.