As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our Sudbury Catholic parents, the SCDSB would like to provide a link to the latest newsletter from The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE).
This month’s newsletter comes in three parts:
This year’s students and staff at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School may not have had the opportunity to meet Johnathan Hetu, a student who passed away in 2004 after a two year battle with leukemia, however his memory continues to live on each year as the school holds its annual Johnathan Hetu walk. Teacher David Nicholls felt compelled to do something to honour Johnathan’s memory and so he started the Johathan Hetu walk 11 years ago, and has continued it every year. Funds are collected and donated to the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. Principal David Soehner was overwhelmed with the support that his school brings forward. “Johnathan’s spirit is our inspiration each and every year,” explained Soehner. “We are so proud of our students and staff for their outstanding efforts once again in fundraising for such an important group, as well as honouring Johnathan and his family. We are overwhelmed with gratitude as our school community has once again showed its tremendous Ram spirit, and allowed us to give back to an outstanding organization that is the N.O.F.C.C. as well as remember and celebrate Johnathan.” This year’s the school collected over $6200 bringing the grand total to over $65,000 in eleven years.
Parents and Grandparents flooded the hallways of St. David Catholic School to share their love of reading with the students in the school. Family members were welcomed into St. David School for breakfast and to read a book with their children. Parents and grandparents learned about the developmental reading assessment program (DRA) the school uses to assess student reading levels and skills they can use at home to support their children improve in reading.
As a parent, reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to ensure school success. Even after children learn to read by themselves, it’s important for families to read aloud together. By reading stories that are interesting, but alittle beyond a child’s reading level, parents can motivate their children to improve their skills.
“One of our school improvement goals is to motivate our students to read so they will practice reading and become fluent readers. This happens when they enjoy reading and continue to read for pleasure” states St. David Learning Strategies Teacher, Cathy Dore.
Kathleen Donnelly, Resource Teacher at Pius XII Catholic Elementary School has initiated an urgently needed “coffee drive” to assist the Elgin Street Mission, who are in short supply of the popular beverage that helps many people get through a rough day and provide some comfort. In the spirit of helping our community, Kathleen has inspired the students and their families to help support the organization by donating such items as coffee, coffeemate creamer, tea bags, disposable cups, coffee filters and sugar.
Together with St. David students and staff, Local Ojibwe artist and educator, Will Morin conducted a planting ceremony at the school to support the students transition to the new school site. Fifty two planters were filled with sweetgrass seeds. The newly planted seedlings will be cared for over the summer by Mr. Morin and his family and in the fall will be transplanted at the new St. David School site.
As part of the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Mr. Morin was selected as a Project Impact recipient. This project included involving students in the regreening of a native species plant, sweetgrass. Sweetgrass is also a First Nation traditional medicine.
As part of the ceremony, the outgoing students in grade 6, 7 and 8 were honoured by the school community. Mr. Morin stated, “We all plant seeds to prepare for the future. It is only together that we can nurture their growth and ensure their success”.
The staff, students and families of St. David Catholic School are preparing for a September move to a new building at 549 Frood Road. As construction continues on the new school, the staff prepare for the big move by packing books and school tools, resources and student technology.
St. David has been a constant in Sudbury’s Donovan area for over 70 years. The school has had many renovations over the years, but in 2010 received funding for a new building. The school’s new K – 6 building features a creative design blended into the natural environment and landscape that will surround the school. It will have generous daylight, warm wood features and a safe, green school yard for students to play with their peers.
The school recently hosted an open house. St. David School opened its doors to the community and former students to reminisce about years gone by and take home memorabilia that reminds them of their time at the school. Many former students stopped in for great conversation with former classmates, cake and coffee. St. David parent, Theresa Lalone, stated that all 6 of her children attended St. David School. Four of them, Stephanie, Amanda, Justin and Rebecca, are previous graduates and her two youngest, Noah and Nic, still attend the school.
The school staff would like express its appreciation to the community and to the many families who have made St. David their home over the past 70 years. It is with a heavy heart and great respect that the school prepares for their new, exciting home!
Students at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School are learning about the positive impacts of going green. Through funding from the TD Friends of the Environment (TD FEF) grant, (sand table), the Metro Green Apple School Program (the soil/ plants/ seeds) and Freskiw farms (provided discount prices and gardening education and guidance), the students created posters and media presentations informing their audience about human impacts (positive and negative impacts such as littering and the importance of eating local). Students gave back to these three organizations by giving them a planted bean in a recycled bowl or in a decorated Tim Horton tin can with two pictures of them in front of their garden and new school yard apple trees; which read “Thank you! from St. Mark School” on the pictures.
The Board is committed to utilizing its resources wisely, effectively and equitably.
Each year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board establishes priorities to reach its goals within the Board’s budget. These priorities are aligned with the Board’s Strategic Priorities and Operational Plan.
View budget information relating to the Sudbury Catholic District School Board budget process:
View the 2015-2016 Draft Budget:
If you would like to share your budget views with respect to our strategic priorities and goals for the upcoming year please email webmaster@scdsb.edu.on.ca
On Friday, May 22, Marymount Academy had Elder, Gert Nootchtai come and speak about her residential school experience. Students TiCarra Paquet, and Starr Trudeau, along with aboriginal support worker, Carla Petahtegoose coordinated the event. Students from Gr 9 – 12 were able to shed some light on a very dark part of Canadian history. Elder Nootchtai spoke about how she wasn’t allowed to speak her language, or practice her culture at residential school, there were punishments in place according to what you did. Elder Nootchtai shared most of the time she did what she was told to avoid punishments . She also touched upon the “1960’s scoop,” when aboriginal youth were taken from their families by Indian Agents hired by the government, and then put into the residential schools or child protective services. At times her memory is unclear if her guardians were aware of what was happening or if they just took her to school without consent. On a lighter note she did mention some fun activities for her at Spanish Residential School was when the Native teacher was hired and she took them outdoors for walks a lot and the kids would always sign up for this to get out of school. Following Elder Nootchtai’s shared experience, staff and students participated in an activity that allowed students to experience what it felt like to be removed from a community. of Residential School survivors. In recognizing the trauma and historical truths of Canadian history, it was a very educational day, and Marymount Academy looks forward to embracing more FNMI culture in the school.
