Sudbury, Ont. — The Sudbury Regional Science Fair Committee annually recognizes a local educator who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to student participation in the science fair and to science education.

On April 12, 2026, Marymount Academy teacher Tessa Jewell was named this year’s recipient of the Sudbury Regional Science Fair Ambassador Award during the fair’s awards ceremony at Laurentian University.

Jewell was recognized for her work supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, including organizing science clubs, developing classroom initiatives and mentoring students preparing for science fair projects.

“This recognition means a great deal to me, as it reflects the hard work, curiosity, and dedication of the students at Marymount Academy throughout the science fair process,” said Jewell. “It’s incredibly rewarding to support them as they explore their ideas and grow in confidence as young scientists.”

Marymount Academy principal Stephanie Venturi said Jewell’s approach extends beyond regular classroom instruction and provides students with additional academic support and encouragement.

“What sets her apart is the extraordinary level of dedication she brings to her students. For over two months, she gave up her lunch every single day to run workshops and one-on-one conferencing sessions, helping students refine their ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and elevate their projects,” Venturi said. 

“Tessa’s passion for science is evident in everything she does. She creates opportunities for students to explore, question, and discover, all while nurturing confidence and excitement for the world around them.”

“She is more than a teacher—she is a champion for science education and an inspiration to students and colleagues alike. She is, without question, exceptionally deserving of this award.”

Seven finalists from Greater Sudbury were selected to advance to the Canada‑Wide Science Fair, including Simoné Thompson, a Marymount Academy student taught and mentored by Jewell. Thompson was recognized for her project, GO! Multi Sport App.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Director of Education Morris Hucal said the work presented by students throughout the science fair reflected a strong commitment to inquiry‑based learning.

“We are proud of all Sudbury Catholic students who participated in this year’s regional science fair and demonstrated diligence in developing and presenting their projects,” Hucal said. “The passion for learning was clear in the way students spoke about their work and the care they displayed in sharing their ideas.”

“We are also truly honoured to have educators like Tessa Jewell among our staff. STEM education plays an important role in preparing students for the future, and it is a source of pride for all of us in the Sudbury Catholic community to see her leadership and commitment recognized at the regional level.”

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Sudbury, Ont – On March 26, Marymount Academy students participated in a Science Engineering, Trades, and Technology (SETT) focused career fair, titled “Ready SETT Go!” 

The event, organized by Grade 12 Marymount Academy student, Margot Poirier, featured 35 industry professionals and offered students hands-on opportunities to learn about a wide range of careers. Inspired by women working in STEM-related industries, Margot wanted to bring that focus to an all-girls school. 

“I started planning this event because of my personal experience with overcoming limiting beliefs and stigma as a woman in SETT,” said Margot. 

The event featured keynote speaker Jamie McMillan, a Skilled Trades Professional and motivational speaker at Made in the Trades, who spoke of her journey in SETT, mental health, and the different stages of growth she encountered along the way.

“I hope students see that everyone faces challenges, even me. Life will throw obstacles at you, but it’s possible to get through them,” said McMillan. “Don’t give up, even when it feels hard. You can rise above your struggles.” 

“My struggles have become my biggest wins because I can help people learn from my mistakes. That’s the most rewarding part of this journey.”

Students then collaborated on two hands-on challenges: an electric car build and a water filtration design. Working in teams, they used their provided materials to construct a functioning electric car and develop an effective water filtration system. These challenges encouraged collaboration, sparked creativity, and highlighted the fun in SETT, with prizes awarded for the fastest car and most effective filtration system.

The success of the event was met with praise from school staff, who highlighted both its impact on students and the strong leadership demonstrated by its student organizer. Marymount Academy Principal, Stephanie Venturi, reflected on the significance of the initiative.

“It brings me joy to see the leadership and opportunities Margot has brought to our school through this event,” said Venturi. “As an all-girls school, it’s an honour to have such strong female voices leave an impact on our students.” 

Drawing from her own experiences navigating barriers in traditionally underrepresented fields, Margot emphasized the importance of visibility, mentorship, and support in shaping her path forward.  

“I would never have pushed through the barriers that kept me from these fields without the support of Women in Science and Engineering Sudbury,” she said. “By attending their Career Café event, the trajectory of my life changed. That night, I met female engineers, tradespeople, and scientists, and for the first time, I saw myself represented in these roles.”

“It’s not to be underestimated how empowering it can be to know that you have a community of people supporting you and rooting for you. That is the kind of community that was created at Marymount. I think that Regals will leave Ready, SETT, Go! with newfound confidence, inspiration, and hope.” 

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School Transportation Update – For Tuesday, March 24, 2026:

📢 2nd School Transportation Update – For Tuesday, March 24
Please note that the following SECONDARY MORNING RUNS will resume tomorrow March 24:

• N309
• N401
• N444
• N448
• N470
• N515
• N518
  And the following SECONDARY AFTERNOON RUNS will also resume tomorrow March 24:
• N350
• N403
• N429
• N448
• N449
• N511
• N521

URide: We are pleased to confirm that URide transportation will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24.

Parents in outlying areas: If your child resides in an outlying area where service is running normally and transfers to a connecting bus in the City of Greater Sudbury, please be assured that those transfer buses in the city will be running.

All other school bus routes: Tuesday’s runs will mirror what was operated today, Monday, March 23. If your child was picked up today, the same service applies tomorrow.

mTransport routes: Please note that some runs will be operating through mTransport. However, these vehicles will only be running in the outlying areas — they will not be picking up students within the City of Greater Sudbury.

Areas running as usual: Manitoulin Island • Massey • Espanola • Alban • French River • Monetville • Killarney • Noelville • St. Charles • Warren • Markstay • Hagar

Bus stops suspended – City of Greater Sudbury: Sudbury (all areas) • Coniston • Garson • Falconbridge • Skead • Capreol • Hanmer • Val Caron • Blezard Valley • Azilda • Chelmsford • Levack • Onaping • Dowling • Cartier • Whitefish • Lively • Copper Cliff • Estaire • Wahnapitae • Wanup

Secondary school morning runs – City of Greater Sudbury: We are actively assessing which stops we will be able to resume for secondary students in the city. As soon as runs are confirmed, automated telephone calls will be sent to parents with the details.

Good news on sidewalks: We have been working with the City of Greater Sudbury, and can confirm that many sidewalks near secondary schools have now been cleared to help students walking to and from school.

We know this has been an incredibly challenging time, and we are deeply grateful for the patience and understanding you have shown throughout. Our teams are working hard every day to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.

School Transportation Update – Monday, March 23, 2026:

Following assessments of road conditions across the region in the wake of the recent significant weather event, the Consortium has the following update for families:

SERVICE RUNNING NORMALLY

Bus service will operate as usual for all elementary and secondary students with an existing bus stop in the following areas: Manitoulin Island • Massey • Espanola • Alban • French River • Monetville • Killarney • Noelville • St. Charles • Warren • Markstay • Hagar

SERVICE SUSPENDED

Due to road conditions that are too narrow to safely accommodate a school bus, oncoming vehicles, and students waiting at bus stops, service is suspended for students with a bus stop in the following areas:

Sudbury (all areas) • Coniston • Garson • Skead • Capreol • Hanmer • Val Caron • Blezard Valley • Azilda • Chelmsford • Levack • Onaping • Dowling • Cartier • Whitefish • Lively • Copper Cliff • Estaire • Wahnapitae

WHAT’S NEXT

The consortium is actively working to restore and modify bus runs wherever it is safe to do so. Parents and schools will be notified as service resumes or modified runs are confirmed.

For updates: businfo.ca

Due to inclement weather, all Sudbury Catholic District School Board operations, including Daycare operations, will be closed on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday March 17, 2026. Please stay safe.

After more than a decade, Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School continues to host Sled Days, a unique program that blends outdoor recreation with important lessons in safety, responsibility, and environmental stewardship. The annual snowmobile experience gives students a hands-on opportunity that reflects the lifestyle and landscape of Northern Ontario. 

Delivered as a free, two-day experience, the program combines classroom learning with a real-world riding component, allowing students to develop practical skills while exploring the region’s extensive trail system. 

In partnership with the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS), students completed the in-class portion of their snowmobile training, learning essential topics such as snowmobile laws, trail etiquette, survival techniques, and the importance of staying on marked trails before heading out on their ride. 

“This year’s event was a huge success. We had 37 sleds participate in this year’s ride,” said Paul Mailloux, Sled Days program lead and teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School. “Students were able to put their training to the test while exploring unique features along the trail, including visiting a safety shelter built by the students themselves. The enthusiasm from the students was outstanding, and we’re already looking forward to next year.” 

Students also received expert instruction from a lineup of guest presenters, including a Valley Trail Masters Director, an Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources, a CPKC Officer, and officers from the Greater Sudbury Police Service. Their real-world insight and hands-on knowledge provided students with a meaningful understanding of safe and responsible riding. 

The program continued on February 25 when students took to the trails for the riding portion of the experience. Participants brought their own snowmobiles, providing an opportunity to apply what they had learned in a controlled and supervised environment. 

This year’s event was further enhanced through the generous support of Polaris Snowmobiles, which donated thousands of dollars in prizes, ensuring that every participant went home with Polaris swag to remember the experience. 

“We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Greater Sudbury Police Service, Polaris Snowmobiles, and Mid City Motorsports for their continued support,” added Mailloux. “This event simply wouldn’t be possible without them.” 

“The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is incredibly proud that Sled Days has remained such a cherished experience for our students over the years,” said Director of Education Morris Hucal. 

“Thanks to the dedicated staff at Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School and our valued community partners, this program shines a light on a uniquely Northern sport while blending outdoor education, skill development, and real-world safety training in a way that truly inspires and engages our students. We are grateful to everyone involved for providing such a meaningful and memorable experience.” 

For more information on programming at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, visit: https://baccss.sudburycatholicschools.ca/ 

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MORNING AND AFTERNOON TRANSPORTATION CANCELLED IN ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND SUDBURY DISTRICTS

MORNING TRANSPORTATION CANCELLED ON MANITOULIN ISLAND – TRANSPORTATION WILL RESUME THIS AFTERNOON

Due to poor road conditions and in the interest of student safety, school purpose transportation is cancelled for the entire day in the Espanola, Massey, and Sudbury Districts. This includes all areas such as St-Charles, Noëlville, Monetville, Markstay, Hagar, Warren, Wahnapitae, Coniston, Killarney, Whitefish, Whitefish River First Nations, Onaping, Chelmsford, Capreol, Valley East, Garson, Chelmsford and Azilda. All schools will remain open, however, NO transportation will be provided.

Parents in the Espanola, Massey, and Sudbury Districts who bring their children to school this morning are reminded that they will need to arrange pick-up at the end of the day.

On Manitoulin Island, transportation is cancelled this morning but will resume this afternoon. Parents on Manitoulin Island who choose to bring their children to school this morning will not need to pick them up at the end of the day.

Science North was buzzing with creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork today as our elementary students competed in the first-ever Robot Builder Showdown

Grade 4–6 students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board joined peers from the Rainbow District School Board for a full day of hands-on robotics at Science North. In teams of three, students took on a fast-paced build challenge using LEGO Spike Essential kits, designing, building, and programming robots to complete mining-inspired coding challenges.

With 20 teams competing, the event showcased incredible collaboration, innovation, and critical-thinking skills. A huge congratulations to all of the students who participated and brought their ideas to life!