Students at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Elementary School set out a goal to raise $1500 for Jump Rope for Heart and soared above that goal by raising $4105. 

To wrap up their successful campaign, students showcased their creativity and dedication with a high-energy jump rope performance. The routines were self-choreographed and tirelessly practiced during recesses in the weeks leading up to the event. 

“We practiced a lot!” said Adalyn, a Grade 3 student. “At first we were going to perform at the talent show, but then we decided to do it for this instead.” 

“It was really fun, and I’m happy we were able to help people,” added Bethany, also in Grade 3.

Two students stood out for their exceptional fundraising efforts: Eleanor, a primary student, raised $600, and Benjamin, a junior student, raised $541.  

“I’m incredibly proud of our students,” said Principal Derek Radey. “They didn’t just meet their goal—they blew it out of the water. It was amazing to see how eager they were to support a good cause. The energy and enthusiasm they put into both the fundraising and the performance was inspiring.” 

As a special reward for surpassing their fundraising target, students will enjoy a movie day with snacks. Every student also received a free jump rope to continue promoting healthy, active play. 

When asked if they’d like to participate again next year, the question was met with cheers as every student’s hand shot up. 

“Keep on jumping!” said Grade 3 student Hope.  

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) welcomed families, educators, and community members for an engaging and informative evening at the Carousel Event, held on Wednesday, April 9 at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. 

Designed to support the mental health and well-being of children and youth, the event featured a series of expert-led workshops and presentations focused on fostering resilience, building healthy habits, and strengthening relationships.  

A highlight of the evening was a keynote address from Dr. Stephanie Price, clinical and school psychologist at MNDFL Collective. Dr. Price shared insightful, evidence-based strategies to help families and educators navigate the challenges of parenting in a digital world, with a focus on developing healthy tech habits and nurturing emotional wellness. 

“Dr. Stephanie Price really connected with our audience—everyone was fully tuned in from start to finish. Digital concerns are so common among parents and guardians, and her insights felt timely and reassuring. I hope our attendees walked away feeling more confident about supporting their kids in today’s digital world,” said Paola Stefanuto, Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee. 

Following the keynote, participants took part in two rotating workshops delivered by local professionals. These interactive sessions offered practical tools and strategies families and educators can apply in their daily lives to better support children’s mental health journeys. 

“Our goal was to bring together parents, educators, and community partners to share knowledge and strengthen the support systems around our children and youth,” said Amanda Dittrich, Vice Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee. “Events like this empower families with practical tools and help build meaningful connections within our school communities. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!” 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Parent Involvement Committee extend their sincere thanks to all presenters, volunteers, and attendees who helped make the evening a success. 

For more information on upcoming events and mental health resources, visit https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/inclusive-schools/mental-health-hub/. 

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Grade 8 student Mercia Thompson has earned a first place title at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair, securing her spot to represent Marymount Academy at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, set to take place on May 31 at the University of New Brunswick. 

Mercia’s winning project, an innovative anti-pull collar for dogs, offers a creative solution to a common challenge faced by dog owners. The collar features a custom-built device that includes a small pressure switch within a container. When the collar tightens due to the dog’s pulling, the pressure activates the switch, emitting a sound that encourages the dog to stop pulling. 

Inspired by her own family’s cocker spaniel, Zack, Mercia’s project aims to improve the safety and comfort of walks, especially with the ice and snow during winter months. 

“My oldest dog, Zack, is five years old, and we’ve been trying to get him to stop pulling for a while. He is a small dog, but pretty strong, and the pulling can be dangerous especially in the winter,” Mercia said.  

“The biggest surprise with Zack was he went from pulling for four minutes and 20 seconds to an average of just 51 seconds with the new collar, which was a massive drop.”  

Though she didn’t expect to win, Mercia was thrilled to receive a first-place title among so many impressive projects. 

“I was really surprised I won. There were a lot of great projects—like drones that help with forest fires—that I thought would win,” she said. 

Equally impressed with the level of dedication and hard work from students was Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Michael Bellmore.  

“I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the incredible student projects at this year’s Science Fair. The level of innovation, curiosity, and craftsmanship on display was truly impressive. Congratulations to all who participated—your passion and hard work were nothing short of inspiring,” said Bellmore.  

“I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you as well to our dedicated teachers, whose guidance and encouragement are key to our students’ success,” he added.

Joanne Bénard, Director of Education, commended Mercia’s accomplishment, noting the impact of her innovation on other students.

“Mercia’s success at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair is a testament to her creativity, dedication, and passion for problem-solving,” said Joanne Bénard. “As she prepares to showcase her innovative project at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in May, her achievement serves as an inspiration to students everywhere. We wish Mercia the best of luck as she continues to make strides in science and engineering and look forward to seeing her future accomplishments.” 

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TRANSPORTATION CANCELLED, SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN  – SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN DISTRICTS

Due to the significant winter storm forecast for today, including heavy snowfall, poor visibility, hazardous road conditions and in the interest of safety, all school related transportation services for English Catholic, English public, French Catholic and French public schools, operating in the districts of SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN, (this includes all areas such as St-Charles, Noëlville, Monetville, Markstay, Hagar, Warren, Wahnapitae, Coniston, Killarney, Whitefish, Whitefish River First Nations, Manitoulin Island, Onaping, Chelmsford, Capreol, Valley East, Garson, Chelmsford and Azilda) are cancelled today. All schools will remain open, however, NO transportation will be provided.

Parents who transport their children to school are reminded that they must pick their children up at the end of the school day.

All staff are expected to report to work.

Due to the freezing rain, icy conditions and in the interest of safety, all schools in the Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board are closed today – Monday, March 31, 2025.

Childcare services in these schools are also closed.

There were no classes scheduled for students today as this is a professional learning day.

The school boards thank childcare partners and parents/guardians for their understanding, with safety first and foremost.

Schools will re-open for classes and childcare services on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

MORNING TRANSPORTATION CANCELLED, SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN  – SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN DISTRICTS – TRANSPORTATION WILL RESUME THIS AFTERNOON

Due to the road conditions and in the interest of safety, all morning school related transportation services for English Catholic, English public, French Catholic and French public schools, operating in the districts of SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN, (this includes all areas such as St-Charles, Noëlville, Monetville, Markstay, Hagar, Warren, Wahnapitae, Coniston, Killarney, Whitefish, Whitefish River First Nations, Manitoulin Island, Onaping, Chelmsford, Capreol, Valley East, Garson, Chelmsford and Azilda) are cancelled this morning. All schools remain open.

Buses will run this afternoon.

All staff are expected to report to work.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) invites parents, guardians, educators, and community partners to a night of collaborative learning focused on supporting the mental well-being of children and youth. The Mental Health Carousel Event will feature expert-led workshops designed to equip families with practical strategies for fostering resilience and overall well-being in children and youth. 

This interactive evening begins with a complimentary dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by a keynote presentation from Dr. Stephanie Price at 6:00 p.m. A clinical and school psychologist at MNDFL Collective, Dr. Price will share evidence-based strategies for helping children build healthy tech habits while fostering strong relationships and overall well-being. 

Following the keynote, attendees will participate in two rotating carousel-style workshops led by mental health professionals: 

• 6:50 – 7:20 p.m. – Carousel 1 (Workshop) 

• 7:25 – 7:55 p.m. – Carousel 2 (Workshop) 

The event offers families valuable insights, a chance to connect with the community, and actionable tools to support their child’s mental health journey. To support participation, free childcare and dinner will be provided. Water stations will also be available, and attendees are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles. 

Event Details: 

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 
Time: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. 
Location: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School | 2993 Algonquin Road 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from mental health professionals and build on your toolkit in supporting the mental well-being of our children and youth.  

Register for free at https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/carousel-event-2025/. 

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Marymount Academy (MMA) Regals made their mark at OFSAA Skiing, securing an impressive 6th place overall in the High School Girls’ Giant Slalom. Leading the charge, Kate Bouchard delivered a stellar performance, capturing gold in the Individual High School Girls’ Slalom, while teammate Alexys Wagemann also delivered a strong performance, finishing 15th overall. 

Coach Dan Bartolucci had high hopes for his team this season, knowing they had the talent to compete at the highest level. 

“Alexys is in her final year of high school and has skied better year after year,” said Bartolucci. “I was so proud to see her dominate at both the city championships and NOSSA, medaling in both and earning her place among the province’s best at OFSAA. That’s where she belongs. She is an incredible athlete.” 

Bartolucci also praised Bouchard’s exceptional talent and leadership. 

“The best part of helping to coach Kate is that I get a front-row seat and can just be a fan— and I am a big fan,” he said. “She is one of the smoothest, most naturally gifted technical skiers I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. I am so proud of her accomplishments this season and the leadership she has shown to our amazing Regals’ Ski Team.”  

Though skiing is often seen as an individual sport, both athletes agreed that the camaraderie of competing as a team made the experience even more meaningful. 

“When I placed gold at the end of my race, it was so awesome having my teammates there cheering me on,” said Bouchard.  “You really have to cherish those moments. I’ll probably never forget that for the rest of my life because, in any high school sport, it’s your teammates who make those memories that you will remember 20 years from now.” 

She added that the support extended beyond just their team. 

“Even coaches from other schools cheer you on. When you reach OFSAA, it feels like they are cheering for Sudbury as a whole, so you are getting support from all angles,” she continued. 

Wagemann echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the significance of the team’s success. 

“I’m really proud of how our team finished. Everyone was so happy no matter how they placed,” she said. “Of course, I’ll remember the race and my placing, but what I will remember most are the memories I made with my friends.” 

Now in her final year of high school sports, Wagemann had a piece of advice for future Regals competing at this level: 

“It’s up to you to do your best, and no matter where you finish, remember that you still did amazing,” she said. “You made it to OFSAA. Even if you come dead last, you still made it there—and that’s an accomplishment.” 

With a season full of achievements and unforgettable moments, the Regals have proven they are a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. 

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TRANSPORTATION CANCELLED, SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN – SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN DISTRICTS (Thursday, March 6, 2025)

Due to the road conditions and in the interest of safety, all school related transportation services for English Catholic, English public, French Catholic and French public schools, operating in the districts of SUDBURY, ESPANOLA, MASSEY AND MANITOULIN, (this includes all areas such as St-Charles, Noëlville, Monetville, Markstay, Hagar, Warren, Wahnapitae, Coniston, Killarney, Whitefish, Whitefish River First Nations, Manitoulin Island, Onaping, Chelmsford, Capreol, Valley East, Garson, Chelmsford and Azilda) are cancelled today. All schools will remain open, however, NO transportation will be provided.

Parents who transport their children to school are reminded that they must pick their children up at the end of the school day.

All staff are expected to report to work.