The Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury unveiled the Learning Disabilities Section for Resource Material during a “special partnership announcement” held at the Main Branch of the Greater Sudbury Public Library recently. Recognizing the importance of early identification of students with Learning Disabilities, trained and qualified educators provide strategies and programs to promote success and self esteem to students with Learning Disabilities in all Catholic and elementary and secondary schools.

The impetus for the creation of the new Learning Resource Section was spear-headed by the Lions Club of Sudbury who donated $1,029.00 towards this special initiative which will allow the library to house a variety of resource materials on learning disabilities, including books, videos, and audio cassettes. These materials will be catalogued, maintained and stored in the designated section for free accessibility to the community via the network of 13 library branches throughout the Greater Sudbury region. “This marks the first partnership of this type in Ontario,” stated Carole Paquette, President of the Learning Disabilities Association, (pictured at left) noting that in other parts of the province these resources are available to members only. Paquette also pointed out that one of the benefits of this partnership is that it provides parents with free access to resource materials in order that they can become informed knowledgeable advocates who can successfully partner with teachers and school boards.

In her address to the media, municipal officials, school board representatives and advocates of the Learning Disabilities Program, Paquette stated that, “It may be easy for some of us here today, to take the enjoyment of these many books and the process of reading for granted….For the 10% of the population with a learning disability, the highest percentage has a primary problem with reading and related language skills. It is said that when we develop partnerships we send the message that…We are all in this together…As a local Chapter, our mission is to support all individuals with learning disabilities in reaching their full potential, within a society that values their unique contributions and abilities. As partners here today…we are offering that support together.”

The Learning Disabilities Association would like to thank the members of the Lions Club of Sudbury and the Greater Sudbury Public Library, and recognize their efforts in the establishment of this “New Partnership.”

The Marymount Junior and Senior Volleyball teams went undefeated in Round Robin action finishing first overall at the Northern Ontario Secondary School Association (NOSSA) volleyball championships held in Sturgeon Falls this past weekend. The Junior girl’s team defeated team

Central Algoma Secondary School in the final, two games straight, to capture the NOSSA “A” championship while the Senior team established themselves as the team to beat, showing that the road to gold would go through them. In the finals, the Marymount Senior Regals defeated the Manitoulin Mustangs in straight sets to be crowned the 2004 NOSSA “A”champs.

Marymount Academy Junior Volley Ball Team:

(Front row, L-R); Colleen McHugh, Sam McLelland, Lyndsay Wandziak, Shawna Moore, Melaine Fenton, (Back row); Kristine Dost, Maelynn Deroy, Michelle Pelot, Teresa Parada, Rebecca Williams, Natasha Smith, Coach – Tammy Jutila, Assistant Coach – Kenzie Jermey, (absent).

Marymount Academy, Senior Volley Ball Team:

(Front row, L-R); Brittany Goldsborough, Tessa Skot, Marisa Talarico,(Back row, L-R); Alexandra Paventi, Krysten Scott, Meagan Jamieson, Mackenzie Golka, Christine Roy, Deidre Urso (absent), Head Coach: Michael Margarit, Assistant Coach: Nikki Cambridge, (absent)

Congratulations Regals!

Grade 4, 5 & 6 students at St. Theresa Catholic school enjoyed the opportunity to explore the many aspects of their Canadian Heritage and present their projects to fellow students and judges at the Heritage Fair held at the school recently. The classroom evaluation in the French Immersion Program includes “les science sociales, communication orale, and redaction.” Grade 4 students, Daniella Mardero (left) and Alanna Skot give a brief presentation on the history of Marymount Academy to Rossella Bagatto, Superintendent of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The students selected this particular project because Alanna’s two sisters attend Marymount and as Daniella stated, “My mom is in charge of the school and my dad works there,” referring to the fact that Mrs. Patty Mardero is the Principal of Marymount Academy and Eric Mardero is the teacher for the Gifted Students Program at the school.

“La petite Italie,” by Scott Fleury and “Marymount” by Alanna Skot and Daniella Mardero were chosen to represent the Grade 4 class while Jennifer Donnelly’s project, “Ma famille,” and Peyton Pressaco’s project , “Sudbury Cherche et Sauver,” from Grade 5/6 were selected to represent their school at the Regional Heritage Fair to be held May 6th and 7th at Laurentian University. St. Theresa Catholic school would like to thank the following judges for taking time to help with the Heritage Fair; Councillor, Ron Dupuis, Mme. Annette Blais-Laforge, Mme. Denise Massimiliano, Mme. Maureen Lacroix, Mme. Marthe Poirier. Mme. Lorraine Sahadat and M. Gerry Robillard.

Marymount Academy students have undertaken a 25 hour fast to promote this year’s theme, “ THIRST FOR JUSTICE.” The fast started this morning at 7:00 a.m. with students having their last meal together at the school. The students will not eat again until Friday morning, April 2, 2004 at 7:30 a.m. The purpose of the 25 hour fast is raise awareness about issues of injustice in the world.

Participants will spend this time together focusing on issues facing people in other parts of the world such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. Students recognize that people in these countries are thirsting not only for the basic necessities in life such as clean water but also education, health care and even the right to vote in elections. THINKfast is designed for youth from 16 to 25 years in age.

St. Charles College will be exhibiting the religious artwork of Jason Flammini, a Grade 12 student at St. Charles College along with vestments and Church furnishings on Friday, April 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the St. Charles school Chapel, 1940 Hawthorne Drive.

Jason Flammini began his artistic career at St. Charles College in Grade 9. Over the past four years Jason has created many beautiful and awe-inspiring pieces of artwork which have to be seen to be appreciated. Some of his artistic masterpieces include; the Last Supper, (done in Italian Renaissance style), (Cavaggio), Deacon’s Dalmatic, Cope, and a seventeen foot alter screen depicting the Annunciation as the central focus and many saints and believers paying homage to the Christian Faith. These and many other items will be on display for this show.

Jason will graduate from St. Charles College this June and plans to study art at the University of Ottawa. The main purpose of this event is showcase the work of one of Sudbury’s own, a fine young talent and a rising star.

For additional information please contact Deacon Steve Callaghan at St. Charles College, ph. 566-9605.

Peter Williams, (back left) master of ceremonies for the Art For Heart Billboard Contest and Mayor David Courtemanche, Honorary Chair, cheer on the students of St. Bernadette during a “fitness for heart demonstration” held at the school to kick off the event recently. Cardiologist Dr. Ron Baigrie, and superintendents of Education Rossella Bagatto and Brian Slychuck of the Sudbury Catholic and Rainbow District School Boards were also in attendance to celebrate the 5th annual Art For Heart Billboard Contest.

The contest runs from March 23rd to April 29th, and invites students to design a unique billboard that helps demonstrate what you can do to stay physically fit. The grand prize winning poster will be prominently displayed on a City of Greater Sudbury Billboard for three months. The school represented by the grand prize winner will receive 5 tricycles for the kindergarten class.

St. Charles College made their second annual appearance at the Kiwanis Music Festival in Sudbury this year and quickly established themselves as a leader in the performing arts. Under the direction of music teachers; Mrs. Stephanie Van Druenen, Mr. Carlo Pastre and drama teacher Mr. Mike Dagastino, students performed in 19 categories, winning a total of 2 double gold awards, 25 gold awards, and 2 silver awards. Major group performances included the Senior Stage Band, Senior Concert Band, Saxophone Quartet, Percussion ensemble, A Capella Quartet, and Junior Band. Several soloists also received awards in a variety of categories including voice, percussion, guitar, and speech arts. Kiwanis judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of performances exhibited by all the St. Charles College students.

In addition, a number of St. Charles students received a range of scholarships and awards presented at the Highlights Concert. The drama department received the Annette Watkins Memorial Scholarship and both the percussion ensemble and bands were awarded the Beverley LaPierre School Music Scholarship. Also in drama, Julie Falconi and Erin O’Reilly received the Beverley Lapierre School Music Scholarship, Brennan Chislette received the Gwen Robbins Award, while Seth Mann took home the Gaye Schmidt Memorial Award and Jacob Greene won the Steven Leonard Memorial for International Guitar. A number of St. Charles College students were recommended by the adjudicators to take part in the Provincial Music Festival to be held at McMaster University in Hamilton in the spring.

The annual Sudbury Regional Science Fair will be held in the 2nd floor Science Cafeteria, Fraser Building at Laurentian University, April 2 to 4, 2004. The fair is open to the public on Saturday, April 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 and on Sunday, April 4 from 12:00 to 1:30. Presentations will follow from 1:30 until 4:00. The event is a fun and educational way for families to support the great work of our local junior scientists.

The full itinerary follows:

Friday, April 2

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

– Registration in Fraser Auditorium Entrance

– Project setup -2nd floor, Science Cafeteria

Saturday, April 3

9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Judging takes place

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Open to the Public

Sunday, April 4

12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Open to the Public

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Presentations in the Fraser Auditorium

For more information please contact, Pauline Therrien at the Catholic Education Centre by phone at 673-5620 Ext. 405 or by email at therrip@scdsb.edu.on.ca.