The Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be hosting the Ontario Catholic Schools Trustee Association (OCSTA) fall regional meeting on Friday, September 17, 2004 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre,165A D’Youville Street, Sudbury.

The morning session will include a report from the OCSTA President, Paul Whitehead, who will outline the critical issues that the OCSTA is
dealing with at this time. The presentation will be followed by an interactive session with participants discussing the impact of these issues on their boards and how the OCSTA can best manage the issues provincially.

The professional development component of the OCSTA will take place in
the afternoon and will focus on the Religious Education Program in Catholic Schools, particularly the trustees’ role in ensuring the faithful delivery of the program in each jurisdiction.

For more information please contact Ray Vincent, Chair of the Sudbury
Catholic District School Board at ph. 674-6839.

We wish to welcome back school personnel, volunteers, parents, and community partners of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The school bells have begun to ring, signalling the start of another fun-filled school year. A warm welcome to all students, parents, teachers and staff, especially those who are new to our Catholic system. We wish you the very best, and much success as you pursue your spiritual and academic journey.

Our sincerest thanks to each and every one of you for a very successful start to the 2004/2005 school year. Enrollment in our Regular and French Immersion programs continues to increase on a daily basis. This is a direct reflection of the quality people who we are so fortunate to have in our Catholic schools. High academic success, as well as the education of the whole person, is our goal. Your commitment to this goal is greatly appreciated.

The Board of Trustees wishes to acknowledge your dedication to the quality of Catholic education of our students. In your chosen profession or vocation, or in your role as a parent or community partner, you make a valuable contribution to the lives of students as well as the common good of society.

Each of you plays a supporting role in our Catholic education community, allowing our students- your children- to shine in a safe, caring and clean environment, while building character and instilling Catholic values through your example.

We wish everyone continued success and count on your support throughout the rest of the school year.

The Faith Day for the 2004-2005 school year will take place for SCDSB staff today at the Ramada Inn’s Palladium Room in the Rainbow Value Centre (formerly the City Centre). The day will run from 8:30 – 3:00 and will focus on the theme “Ministry: A Sacred Encounter”.

The facilitators for the day will be Brother Bill Carrothers and Sister Jacquie Keefe and the format will be group sessions. Each school staff will be seated together to make up their own group. Large staff groups will be seated at a number of tables as the tables hold a maximum of 10 people. Please contact Maria Santoro at 673-5620 Ext. 220 for more information.

The Sudbury Student Services in conjunction with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board presented its newly formatted First Time Rider Program aimed at children taking the bus for the very first time. Last year’s Safe Rider program with Buster the Bus, (a robotized miniature school bus) was such a tremendous success that the Intertrain in collaboration with the Consortium decided to revamp its First Time Rider Program in order to include Buster.

Along with Buster, other props were used to create imaginary bus stops and bus danger zones. All rules were explained, and the children got a chance to apply their new found knowledge on a real bus ride.

The sessions wrapped up with refreshments from McDonald’s restaurant, an accomplishment certificate and a loot bag.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s,”Noah’s Ark” will take part in this weekend’s Dragon Boat Races at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake. The first race will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 10 againstt stiff competition. The Noah’s Ark team has been practicing hard all summer with a united goal of improving their 5th place finish in the Division 8 consolation round last year in the recreation division.

This finely tuned racing machine will be made up primarily of employees of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board with spouses, relatives and friends rounding out the 23 member team. For most of the crew, this is the second year and third year that they will be participating in the Dragon Boat Races. They are no strangers to the competition, but there will also be some neophytes on board as well who will be experiencing the adrenaline rush of the races for the very first time. Win, lose, or capsize it promises to be a great day of fun and excitement for everyone!

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board hosted its Annual Conference for Custodial, Maintenance, and Warehousing Staff at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School recently. The one day conference included workshops on ergonomics, fire prevention, as well as sessions from the Sudbury and District Health Unit on health related issues. SCDSB administration saluted the staff for their hard work throughout the last school year and exemplary staff were also recognized for their outstanding collaboration in the Board’s recently implemented “Attendance Management Program.” The Director of Education, Mrs. Zandra Zubac and the Acting Associate Director, Corporate Services, Mr. Hugh Lee were also involved in the day’s events.

St. Michael Catholic School, Grade 5 & 6 students recently won the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Coed Soccer Tournament. The event was held at the Lily Creek Field with five schools competing for SCDSB championship. St. Michael school went up againstt St. Raphael Catholic School in the final match with the game being decided in sudden death overtime. Tyler Lavallie scored the winning goal for St. Michael’s. The team was coached by the school’s Grade 6 teacher, Ms. G. Visentin.

Over 85 graduates at St. Albert Adult Education Centre received their secondary school diplomas during their recent graduation ceremony. Valedictorian Jenna Brooks was recognized for placing first in eight subject areas and has been accepted into the Culinary Administration program at Canadore College in September 2004. St. Albert Adult Learning Centre offers credit high school courses to adults over the age of 18 who are seeking to complete their Grade 12 diploma. Courses offered include English, math, and computers, with flexible academic schedules allowing for continuous intake throughout the school year. The school also offers a non-credit program to help adults improve their math, language and computer skills to prepare for employment or to obtain credit courses. Students may also enrol in the English as a Second Language program. Attending the graduation this year were Karl Dregar, vice-principal St.Albert Learning Centre, and Mr. Michael Csinos, Superintendent of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

The latest results of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) have been released by the Education Quality Assessment Office (EQAO). The report includes the results of the test administered to Grade 10 students in October 2003. The percentage of SCDSB students who passed the test seems to have stabilized in the last two years at 75%. Provincial results have fluctuated more over the last several years, and stand at 77% for 2003. Individual school results are available in our EQAO Assessment section.