At its Annual Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, November 20, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) re-elected Trustees Michael Bellmore as Chair and Ray Desjardins as Vice Chair, demonstrating continued confidence in their leadership and vision for the Board. 

Michael Bellmore, also the President of the Ontario Catholic Trustees Association, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fellow trustees on Tuesday, stating, “We are truly blessed with the Board and trustees we have here. Each of you is deeply committed to our values, professional in your approach, thoughtful in your deliberations, and guided by faith. We should take pride in the work we do here at Sudbury Catholic; it’s meaningful, impactful, and above all, a team effort. It’s an honour to have been re-elected. I am both proud and privileged to serve alongside the members of this Board.” 

Ray Desjardins reflected on his extensive career in education, sharing insights into the unwavering passion and dedication that fuel his continued commitment to the Board. He stated, “I have had a long and rewarding journey in education, and what inspires me to continue is witnessing the passion of our principals, staff, teachers, and students as they embrace new and innovative programs, inspire us with their talents and abilities, and remind us daily of the importance of supporting a dynamic and forward-thinking learning environment.”  

Director of Education Joanne Bénard expressed her support for the re-elections, stating, “Our Chair, Michael Bellmore, and Vice Chair, Ray Desjardins, are exemplary leaders in education, and I am confident that they will continue to do remarkable work for the Board throughout the school year. I also want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all our trustees, whose collective commitment to excellence makes our Board truly outstanding.” 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board operates 17 schools across Greater Sudbury and Killarney and is committed to realizing each student’s potential by nurturing and developing their mind, body and spirit. 

Board meetings for the SCDSB are held on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year and are open to the public. For more information, visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/board-meetings/. 

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Mme Gabriella and Mme Kayla’s students sweetened the holiday season by donating cookies to the Sudbury Food Bank. The cookies, which were creatively designed as melted snowmen charmed everyone who attended.

Thanks to the hard work and creativity of the students, the cookies raised a total of $110, which will go directly to helping families and individuals who are facing food insecurity. With the impressive buying power of $1 equaling $6, the funds raised will be able to provide much-needed support, potentially offering up to $660 worth of food to the local community.

Mme Gabriella, students and the Sudbury Food Bank would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Amanda Aitchison, whose generous donation helped families in need. Her contribution played a key role in amplifying the impact of this initiative, allowing the group to make an even greater difference.

The cookies were donated back to the school, where students had the chance to enjoy them while supporting a great cause.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Paola Stefanuto as Chair and Amanda Dittrich as Vice Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for the 2024-2025 school year.  

The PIC is composed of parent representatives from each of the elementary and secondary Catholic School Councils. Members are parents who serve as chairpersons or have been elected to sit on their respective Catholic School Council.   

Paola Stefanuto, who has over 15 years of dedicated service to the SCDSB, shared her thoughts on the upcoming year, “Parental involvement not only supports academic growth but also nurtures each child’s social, emotional, and physical well-being. As Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee, I’m excited to work toward even stronger connections with our school communities. By equipping parents with the support and resources they need to participate, we can help every child find their sense of belonging and build the confidence needed to succeed.” 

The PIC connects parents, school administrators, a trustee representative and the Director of Education, fostering the communication and collaboration needed to promote student well-being and academic success. This parent-led perspective is a powerful asset, enhancing educational environments and ensuring that every student’s needs are considered. 

Michael Bellmore, Chair of the SCDSB and President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustee’s Association shared his thoughts on the important role parents play in supporting a successful school year, “Parents play a pivotal role in shaping student achievement and success. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of individuals on our Parent Involvement Committee who are deeply committed to supporting our students and enhancing our school and Board community.” 

He added, “I am confident that our Chair, Paola Stefanuto, and Vice Chair, Amanda Dittrich, are a perfect fit for these roles and will do wonders for the committee throughout the school year.” 

For more information on the Parent Involvement Committee, visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/PIC. 

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On Saturday, October 26, St. Albert Learning Centre received the prestigious Michael Monk Award along with a $4,000 grant, in recognition of its inspiring educational initiative, Strengthening Connections: Engaging At-Risk Youth through Community Outreach and Catholic Teachings. 

This award, presented by the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario, honours a Catholic secondary school that exemplifies excellence and innovation in student learning. St. Albert’s program reflects that mission by offering students the chance to earn a religious education credit through dedicated community service, transforming learning into meaningful action. 

“We are deeply honoured to be recognized by the Catholic Education Foundation,” said Principal Christina Raso. “Our program not only serves the community but also addresses the needs of our students, many of whom are at-risk youth dealing with various personal challenges. It gives them meaningful ways to contribute, build confidence and feel a sense of purpose.” 

This year, St. Albert students will demonstrate their commitment to community stewardship by engaging in a range of impactful community activities. Students will provide companionship and support to elderly residents in local nursing homes, volunteer at the Blue Door Soup Kitchen, lead programs for students at St. Francis Elementary School, and craft items for sale, with proceeds benefiting Christ the King Church.  

The grant will strengthen St. Albert’s partnership with Christ the King Church, enabling the school to contribute more effectively to the Church’s events and activities. It will also support the creation of ‘blessing bags’ and food services for the homeless.

“Our students are incredibly proud of their work,” Principal Raso added. “This program has nurtured empathy, compassion, and a sense of social responsibility. We’re also seeing positive changes in their academic outlook and engagement as a result.” 

She added, “While there is still much work ahead, this recognition and grant has empowered our students and staff to continue their impactful work within the community, driving positive change and making a lasting difference in their own lives and of those they serve.” 

For more information about St. Albert Learning Centre, please visit https://st-albert.sudburycatholicschools.ca/. 

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Last week, the fifth graders at St. David Catholic Elementary School dove into the world of the skilled trades, and worked together in groups of five to build a set of hoverboards! From measuring and calculating in math to experimenting and problem-solving in science, they discovered how those essential skills weave seamlessly into their curriculum.

We would like to extend a big thank you to Mr, Mailloux for his encouragement and passion for hands-on learning. Mr. Mailloux, who also has carpentry experience, came up with the idea while searching for Science, Technology, English and Math (STEM) projects.

These young minds are not just learning; they’re developing 21st-century skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity! Whether they’re building, designing, or communicating their ideas, our students are gaining the confidence and competencies they need for the future.

Grade 11 students from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School spent a day in the chemistry labs at Cambrian College, conducting experiments and having some hands-on fun. 

The chemistry class at St. Benedict is equivalent to a course the students would take at the post-secondary level, and the college has opened its labs to the students so they can complete the requirements of their course. 

“We want to make sure students have the chance to experience what chemistry is like at the college level,” said Hadi Fergani, a professor and program coordinator for Cambrian’s chemical engineering programs. “This has been such a successful program, and the students really seem to enjoy the day in our labs. We hope it encourages more students to pursue careers in chemical engineering.” 

In addition to spending time in the chemistry labs, students also enjoyed lunch in Cambrian’s Student Life Centre, as well as other activities around campus to demonstrate what Cambrian has to offer.