What are you doing this summer?
Students at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board are sharpening their skills in literacy and numeracy with hands on learning and aboriginal teachings. Students begin the program with an assessment to confirm their level of proficiency and then work towards improvement for three weeks. This is the fifth summer camp run by the school board and each year students show a marked improvement from the first day until the last. This camp has helped students with the “summer learning losses” that happen each year for all students in Ontario schools. Research shows that over the summer months students loose some of the gains they made throughout the year. This three week intense program helps combat the summer loss.
Pictured below are Christopher and Cody who are creating a Tower of Power and reading sight words.

Youth counsellors working at Sudbury Catholic School’s summer camp were given many opportunities for professional development while at work.
One of these opportunities happened just today when the Sudbury District Health Unit provided a workshop on understanding the brain and the benefits of a growth mindset. In addition, they spoke about how the media influences body image, self-esteem and how to become a positive role model. And finally, students were taught about health and nutrition.

Pictured with the SCDSB’s counsellors are Paula Ross, dietitian for the Sudbury District Health unit, Loryssa Bilinkshi & Christina Ashawasegai Public Health Nurses for Sudbury District Health Unit who made smoothies using tofu for summer camp counsellors to taste.
A big thank you to the [ https://www.Facebook.com/SDHealthUnit ]Sudbury & District Health Unit.

There’s a lot of learning going on in SCDSB teacher Meredith Allen’s classroom this summer. There are 15 students and three employees, Meredith the teacher, the classroom tutor Mme Lavalle and the camp counsellor Brendon Easter working with the students every day to increase literacy skills. Meredith explains the day, “We work together in small groups and have different activities happening throughout the day. Students seem excited to see and experience what’s next. The fun never ends!”

Providing rich summer programs helps to reduce summer learning loss and in some cases, increases student achievement but research also shows that teachers & support staff gain experience in teaching literacy/numeracy and First Nation Metis expectations and outcomes.
This year, Sudbury Catholic District School Board was fortunate enough to hire 3 tutors who are aspiring to work as teachers. Tutors are partnered with experienced teachers who act as their mentors.
Nathalie Lavalle, a recent graduate from Laurentian University’s French Teacher’s College Program has been working as a classroom tutor for the last 3 years. Nathalie states, “this experience is invaluable to me as a new teacher because it taught me to connect with my students in a fun learning environment”.
For Sebastien Papineau, a first time tutor and second year psychology student at Laurentian University, this hands-on classroom experience has confirmed his desire to become a teacher.
Alina Micelotta has recently come back to Sudbury after teaching for two years in Cambridge, England. Having her own class and participating in the Summer Learning Program proved to her how much she enjoys teaching and can’t wait to teach in her hometown.
Pictured from left to right: Sebastien Papineau, Lynsie Royer, Nanette Shonwise, Alina Micelotta, Nathalie Lavalle and Meredith Allen.