Sudbury Catholic District School Board

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Marymount Academy hosts “Breakfast with Parents”

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s all-girl Grade seven to twelve school, Marymount Academy hosted a “Breakfast with Parents” on October 15, 2009. The school received Ministry funding to support parent involvement at the regional level. Marymount decided to host a breakfast to allow parents to come and meet their children’s teachers and also network with community partners such as the United Way, Cambrian College, the local Health Unit, and the Marymount Catholic School Council. Cassandra MacGregor, Vice-Principal of the school was pleased with the excellent turn out from the school community. “Breakfast with Parents provides parents with the opportunity to see their children in their school setting,” says MacGregor. “Not everyone can attend meetings and other school events in the evening and this is just another way to welcome parents into our school and engage them in their daughters’ education.”

Board staff: Jennifer Connelly Technology Integration Mentor, Dawn Wemigwans Aboriginal Lead, and Joan Yawney, Religious Education and Faith Consultant were on hand to highlight programs offered at Marymount such as the Grade seven and eight One to One Laptop program, Native Language and the Virtues program. Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy was also very happy with the turnout. “It is inspiring and energizing to see hundreds of parents turn out for the breakfast. We are so pleased with the response from our parents and plan to continue to build on this positive relationship,” stated Cullen.

Many parents expressed their wishes for more of these opportunities to start the day off with their daughters’ educators. This event was so successful that the Marymount School Catholic School Council is planning another “Breakfast with Parents” in the spring. The staff at Marymount Academy would like to thank all those who helped make the event such a success as well as all the parents who took the time to attend this special school event.

Autumn Through the Eyes of a Trustee and JK Student

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Autumn is a colourful season where one simply has to be in awe of the wonders of nature. The students of St. Michael’s Kindergarten class enjoyed an autumn nature walk to the home of Trustee, Estelle Scappatura, where they observed the Maple leaves change to some of the most vibrant colours of red, yellow and orange. Trustee Scappatura taught students how to preserve the leaves by showing them how to wax them and the students were thrilled to return to school with preserved Maple Leaves as a keepsake of their excursion.

In addition to the science exploration, the students also had a brief history lesson on the meaning of the Maple leaf and how it is the prominent feature of the flag of Canada.

St. Charles College Creates New Aboriginal Award in Honour of Grand Council Chief

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A visit from Grand Council Chief John Beaucage has inspired St. Charles College to dedicate an award in his name at its most recent graduation ceremonies. The Chief John Beaucage Award is presented each year to an outstanding graduating student of Aboriginal ancestry who demonstrates leadership, a positive attitude, extra-curricular involvement, and pride in cultural identity. The student must also exemplify the St. Charles College motto of “Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge” and holds in high regard the Seven Grandfather Teachings- Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility and Truth.

St. Charles College is proud to announce that the 2009 Chief John Beaucage Award was presented to Brent Toulouse. Brent is both a football player and a basketball player at St. Charles College and demonstrated his dedication to extra curricular activity by coaching his little brother’s football team in the Joe MacDonald football league over the summer.

Brent is a graduate of the Mkwa Police Mentorship Program offered at St. Charles College, and aspires to be a police officer. He is also a strong advocate with respect to restoring and resurrecting his Native culture and heritage by stating very strongly and humbly that he would like his language, Anishinabemowin, taught in his school. He is a leader in his Native Studies and Outdoor Education classes. Brent Toulouse is truly deserving of the Chief John Beaucage Award.

Chief John Beaucage was deeply honoured to have the award presented in his name. The school is planning to set up a visit with John Beaucage and the students again in the fall.

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary Parent Interview Night and Book Fair FUNdraiser

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St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will be hosting a “Parent Interview Night and FUNdraiser,” on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, 2993 Algonquin Road, Sudbury.

The evening will be devoted to celebrating the achievements and activities of staff and students of the school. At the same time, the school will be encouraging and supporting the students in their love of reading through a Book Fair. With every purchase on this special evening, a percentage will be donated directly back to the school library.

There will be prizes, as well as a showcase of books and much more. Please join St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in promoting this literacy and community event.

Pius XII Students Try Out New Sports

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Students at Pius XII Catholic School participated in the “Try-it” Parasport Clinic recently.

During the clinic students were provided with a specific sport and an equipment demonstration of different types of sports activities, such as basketball, hockey, bocce and curling. The importance on being “physically fit” was also emphasized throughout the clinic.

Susan Levesque with SportLink Greater Sudbury Sport Council lead a Parasport clinic with the Pius XII students. Numerus classes including the Special Education class participated in wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, bocce and curling.

The Pius students were able to experience what it feels like to be in a wheel chair, and they quickly realized that it was possbile to participate in many sports activities through the use of a specially designed equipment.

Pius XII Catholic School would like to thank Susan Levesque with SportLink for providing the students with the equipment which allowed them to participate in this unique sports activity.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board to Celebrate “First Nation Day” Friday, September 25, 2009

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Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be celebrating First Nation Day on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic School, 8 St. Paul Street in the township of Killarney, and the startup of the Board’s Outdoor Education Program for the 2009-2010 school year at the Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor Environmental Education Centre (KSOEEC) at the same location from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of the day is to actively promote an increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of the rich histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples to all staff, students and families in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Students will also learn about the Board’s Outdoor Environmental program.

Schedule of events:

9:00 a.m. – Students / teacher /community participants meet in circle (around fire pit)

9:15 a.m. – Students and participants help build a small tepee

10:00 a.m. – St. James Catholic School Classes arrive at KSOEEC for Outdoor Education Program

11:00 a.m. – Student dance demonstration (inside school)

11:30 a.m. – Lunch served – Indian Tacos

12:00 p.m. – Students will have their regularly scheduled lunch hour

12:40 p.m. – St. James students split into two groups, (Group A to erect tepees, Group B to participate in outdoor activity)

2:30 p.m – St. James students depart from KSOEEC

Thank you! Miigwetch!

Sudbury Catholic Schools Continue on their Journey of Success, EQAO

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On–The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the school-and board-level results for three of its assessments, as well as Ontario Student Achievement: EQAO’s Provincial Report on the Results of the 2008-2009 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division, (Grades 1-3) and Junior Division (Grades 4 -6), and the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics.

Officials at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board are pleased with the results of their Grade 3 and 6 students with both grades demonstrating gains across the grid or maintaining close to the previous year’s scores. With respect to Grade 3, student scores improved in reading (from 57 percent to 58 percent), writing (from 58 percent to 69 percent) and in mathematics (from 61 percent to 63 percent). The Board’s Grade 6 students performed almost on par to the previous year scoring 69 percent in writing , 74 percent in reading and 59 percent in mathematics.

A close examination of the Board’s secondary school scores, (Grade 9 math component) reveals slight gains in the academic component (from 74 to 75 percent) with huge gains in the applied program (moving from 29 to 44 percent).

As part of the public reporting, the Education, Quality Accountability Office is profiling schools that are using EQAO data to improve teaching and learning. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that St. James Catholic School in Lively is one of 18 schools from across the province selected and profiled as an example from the English-language school boards. “These profiled schools are at various stages in their journey of learning and are notable for their demonstration of leadership, proactive initiatives, data-driven strategies and the whole-school approach to helping every child succeed,” says Robin Dafoe, EQAO’s Director of Corporate and Public Affairs.

St. James staff implemented many ideas that have contributed to the ongoing success of the school and its students. Examining their EQAO results in conjunction with classroom and board-level assessments, the St. James teachers led by Principal, Lucie Cullen developed their School Improvement Plan and pinpointed areas that required more work and specific student learning needs. “The key to ongoing school success has been the consistency of staff and the development of common anchor charts, assessments and teaching strategies, and a consistent language throughout all the grades,” said Principal Cullen. In addition the St. James staff visited two “schools on the move” which allowed teachers to share strategies, skills and expertise. Teachers also participated in a weekly Literacy Lunch where discussions centred on teaching strategies, student progress and literacy resources and webcasts. For the complete story visit the EQAO website.

Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is encouraged with the recent test results. “Our board continues to trend upward with respect to the number of our Grade 3, 6 and 9 students who have met or surpassed the provincial standards in reading, writing and math thanks to the hard work and commitment of our teachers and staff,” states Cameron.

Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is equally optimistic with the latest data. “The recent EQAO results truly portray our Board and our students in a positive manner,” says McCullough. “We are especially pleased that the results of the 2008-2009 provincial assessment reflect the inclusion of our multi-grade, communication and life-skills students.”

Donation is music to our ears, says Sudbury Catholic Board

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board enthusiastically welcomed a cheque presentation from Newcap Radio’s Director of Programming, Rick Tompkins, at its first regular board meeting of the 2009-2010 school year. The cheque in the amount of $4,665 was donated to the Board to purchase and/or repair musical equipment in the Board’s family of schools.

The presentation also honours Newcap’s part of the agreement wherein if the Sudbury Catholic District School Board wrote a letter to the CRTC supporting Newcap Radio’s application to launch a new FM Radio Station in Sudbury; if Newcap was successful in that bid it would in return donate monies to the Board’s music program. The CRTC did in fact sanction Newcap’s request for a new radio station which led to the subsequent launch of the company’s new “Top Forty” radio station “the new Hot 93.5” a couple of weeks ago.
Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is very pleased with the donation. “We truly appreciate Newcap Radio’s support for our music program,” stated Cameron. “This money will allow us to enhance the compliment of instruments and the music program in our schools. Newcap Radio has established itself as community-based radio station that will go to great lengths to support many of the City of Greater Sudbury’s and our Board’s local initiatives and charitable events, such as our annual Big Daddy Food Drive with St. Charles College.”

According to Rick Tompkins, Director of Programming for Newcap Radio, there is a definite need for a TOP FORTY format focusing on new music here in Sudbury. The new music will also attract many new radio listeners including students of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board in both the elementary and secondary schools. Tompkins believes, “Before the launch of the new Hot 93.5 there really was no radio station in the City of Greater Sudbury that played a format that catered to an audience that wants new music. Sudbury deserves a radio station like the new Hot 93.5, we welcome our listeners to reach out to us by inviting us into their homes, cars and events.”

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