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.

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) called on Catholic schools across Ontario to participate in its Annual Short Video Contest by submitting student-created videos centered around the inspiring theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.” 

This year, St. Charles College (SCC) earned an impressive third place among nearly 100 school entries in the contest. Their video featured a warm message from Deacon Bruno Michel and highlighted how SCC’s passionate staff, talented and engaged students, wide range of classes and robust extracurricular offerings come together to foster a vibrant, faith-filled community. 

The video was the result of a collaborative class project led by Patricia Demore, a dedicated teacher at SCC and Grade 11 student Ravi Aguilar, who played a key role in production. 

St. Charles College has participated in the short video contest before, placing first in 2020. Demore credited this year’s success to her hardworking students and shared their excitement at being recognized as a top entrant. “What a fantastic way to kick off 2025. Earning third place this year is an achievement our students are truly proud of.” 

During last night’s board meeting, Patricia Demore received the third-place certificate from OCSTA President and SCDSB Chair, Michael Bellmore. 

Michael Bellmore, an alumnus of St. Charles College himself, expressed his enthusiasm, sharing, “It is a great honour to deliver this award to one of our schools here at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. There are some larger boards who enter the contest, and the competition is quite strong, so this accomplishment is a testament to the creativity and talent of our students here in the North. Congratulations to Patricia and her students on this well-deserved recognition.” 

The video can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23mmASYvxdc&t=1s 

School Bus Transportation Update

The School Bus Transportation Consortium would like to provide an important update regarding transportation services for today:
Morning transportation services are canceled for the following rural areas:
Estaire, Alban, French River, Hagar, Markstay, Warren, Noelville, St. Charles, Monetville, and Killarney. However, services for these areas will resume this afternoon.

Bus services are operating as usual in Manitoulin Island, Espanola, Massey, and the Greater Sudbury area.

Additionally, parents in the Greater Sudbury area who were provided an inclement weather stop yesterday are asked to bring their children to the same designated stops this morning.

This decision was made due to road conditions that are worse in some areas that are not maintained. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we prioritize the safety of our students and drivers.

Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) has announced her intention to retire on July 31, 2025. After 37 years of dedicated service in education, and 11 years served as the SCDSB’s Director of Education, she leaves behind a legacy of faith-forward leadership, a steadfast commitment to student success, and a lasting impact on the Sudbury Catholic community. 

Under Director Bénard’s leadership, the board has experienced substantial growth, reaching an enrolment of nearly 7000 students.  

During her tenure, she led transformative initiatives to promote leadership development, the enhancement of mental health supports, and the elevation of student achievement in numeracy and literacy, ensuring every learner has the tools to thrive both in the classroom and beyond. Her dedication to equity and excellence has profoundly impacted students and staff, cultivating a vibrant learning environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to realize their fullest potential. 

Michael Bellmore, President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) and Chair of the SCDSB, praised Bénard for her exemplary leadership during her tenure as Director, stating, “Under Joanne’s leadership, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has achieved historic enrollment levels, completed school renewal projects that support safe, healthy, and vibrant modern learning spaces, expanded Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs to provide students with enhanced learning opportunities, and demonstrated a strong commitment to technology renewal, ensuring our students and educators stay current with modern standards—to name a few.” 

“Joanne’s leadership at Sudbury Catholic, especially throughout the challenges of a global pandemic, has laid a strong foundation for the board’s future. She has built a dedicated team poised to carry forward the outstanding work that has been established, with a clear focus on student success and achievement. Her contributions are evident throughout the system, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering dedication to Sudbury Catholic schools. We wish her continued health, happiness, and well-deserved rest as she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her life,” he continued.  

Reflecting on her career, Director Bénard acknowledged the many people who contribute to the success of Sudbury Catholic, stating, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional staff for their tireless devotion to bettering our school communities, our dedicated trustees, who have shown extraordinary commitment to our board’s vision and goals, our families and community partners who play a vital role in shaping our Sudbury Catholic community, and most importantly, our students who have been at the heart of every decision made.” 

“At Sudbury Catholic, our vision is to be leaders in learning and faith. Throughout my time at Sudbury Catholic, I have witnessed this vision come to life through the kindness, generosity, and dedication of our students and staff — both past and present — who lead initiatives that promote innovation, growth, and a strong sense of community. Their consistent demonstration of stewardship has instilled confidence in the lasting positive impact Catholic education will have on the many generations to come. I am certain that our board will continue to flourish, guided by its commitment to excellence, amazing staff and governance rooted in faith.”  

The recruitment process for Director of Education will begin shortly and more information will be provided as the details become available.  

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Students in Mr. Duncan’s Shop Class at St. Charles College(SCC) recently received a generous donation from local dealership Cambrian Ford, offering parts like engines, steering components, turbo chargers, transmissions and more!

These valuable contributions will significantly enhance the transportation program at SCC, providing students with hands-on, real-world experience that is crucial for their future careers in trades and apprenticeships.

We deeply appreciate the support from Cambrian Ford and Ford Motor Company. Your dedication to fostering educational opportunities ensures our students are better prepared for success in the workforce.

For the month of November, students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School (BAC CSS) united to support men’s health awareness through a successful “Movember” fundraising campaign. Their efforts raised $2,500 for Health Sciences North, helping to spotlight critical men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer. 

The fundraiser not only encouraged monetary donations to support cancer care initiatives but also aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding men’s health. To inspire contributions and show solidarity, several teachers and staff members embraced the spirit of “Movember” by shaving their beards and proudly sporting moustaches throughout the month. 

“The students and staff at Bishop Alexander Carter are proud of what they have accomplished and look forward to continuing this initiative in the future,” said teacher and campaign organizer, Patrick Lezun.  

He added, “It’s not just about teaching students to excel in the classroom, but also about encouraging them to step up, make a difference, bring awareness to important causes and change their community for the better.”  

While the staff’s participation was a fun and engaging way to raise awareness, the true driving force behind the fundraiser was the students. Their generosity and enthusiasm were instrumental, with donations pouring in from all grade levels. Thanks to their efforts, the school not only met but exceeded the initial $1,500 fundraising goal. 

For more information on Bishop Alexander Carter, visit https://baccss.sudburycatholicschools.ca/. 

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The St. Charles College Cardinals hockey team went 7-0 and only allowed five goals on their way to winning the St. Michael’s Mustangs tournament for the third time.

The Cardinals have won the tournament at the Niagara Falls school three times, in 2018, 2022 and in 2024. This was the first year the team went undefeated.

Liam Judd was named tournament MVP, while the team’s goaltending tandem of Rowan McCann and Brody Mabbott only let in five goals in seven games.

Overall, the Cards’ record for the year is an impressive 26-1-1, including exhibition games, league games and tournaments. 

Way to go, Cards!

On Wednesday, November 27, students from Mrs. Trottier and Mr. Mailloux’s fifth grade social studies classes at St. David Catholic Elementary had the privilege of hosting Mayor Paul Lefebvre in their classroom as part of their studies on local government. 

Principal Dawn Wemigwans described the event as a truly unique experience for St. David Elementary. “Our students were delighted to meet Mayor Lefebvre, whose inspiring life journey and great sense of humour left a lasting impression. His words motivated and encouraged them, making it a memorable day filled with new learning and inspiration.” 

During his visit, Mayor Lefebvre shared his vision for the City of Greater Sudbury, discussed what inspired him to pursue a career in government, and provided insight into his responsibilities as the city’s leader. 

He then opened the floor to questions from the students, which ranged from “What is the hardest part of your job?” to “What is your favorite hockey team?” 

To conclude his visit, the students presented Mayor Lefebvre with a St. David’s T-shirt, officially welcoming him as an honorary Dragon. 

For more information on St. David Catholic Elementary School, visit https://st-david.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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St. Charles College (SCC) and Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School have wrapped up their annual canned food drive with remarkable success.  

This year, the campaign raised $20,933 for the Sudbury Food Bank, along with 129,263 non-perishable food items. 

“Our main lobby is overflowing with bins of non-perishable items, and students have spent days counting cans and donations. They are thrilled with the results!” said organizer and teacher Jessica Demore.  

“Significant time and careful planning go into organizing this fundraiser, and its remarkable success has inspired other schools to adopt similar initiatives—all in support of a great cause, “she added. 

The canned food drive, a beloved SCC tradition for over a decade, reached new heights this year thanks to a meaningful partnership with Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School. The combined efforts made an even greater impact on local families in need. 

“We are incredibly proud and deeply honoured to carry on this cherished tradition at St. Charles College,” said SCC Principal Aaron Barry. “This outstanding achievement is a testament to the incredible impact students can make when working together. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community members for their generosity. These donations will undoubtedly make a difference as we approach the holiday season.” 

For more information on St. Charles College visit, https://scc.sudburycatholicschools.ca/ 

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