The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) Student Senate continues to demonstrate leadership, stewardship, and service through its involvement in meaningful community initiatives—most recently through its support of the long-standing pop-tab collection led by local philanthropist and Deluxe Hamburgers owner, Billy Zografopoulos. This initiative works to support the Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation and has brought lifesaving equipment to the Sudbury community.

Initiative Background & Senate Involvement: 

While a single pop-tab, may seem small, after more than a decade, Billy’s pop-tab initiative has collected over 38,000 pounds of tabs, raising nearly $20,000 for the HSN Foundation. The funds have helped purchase two Clarius handheld ultrasound devices for the Intensive Care Unit at Health Sciences North—providing critical, lifesaving imaging for patients across Northeastern Ontario. While Sudbury Catholic Schools once collected tabs individually on and off for many years, the Student Senate proudly unified the effort as a Student Senate campaign in 2022 to increase the Board’s impact for collections at al four Secondary Schools. Since then, it has grown into a valued annual initiative thanks to the leadership of the Student Trustees and the entire Student Senate team.

“Leadership is rooted in service,” shared Secondary Consultant, Brittany Goldsborough. “By getting students involved in community initiatives such as the pop-tab campaign, we foster learning that reaches far beyond the classroom and becomes lifelong lessons in compassion, civic responsibility, and the power of helping others.”

“We are deeply grateful for all that Billy does to support others; his acts of stewardship and kindness do not go unnoticed. Thank you, Billy, for being a true light of change for Sudbury,” shared SCDSB Student Trustees David Akero and Lily Yeomans. “A heartfelt thank you as well to the Student Senate members, whose dedication and hard work make everything we do as Student Trustees possible. We could not do this without you.”

What’s on the Horizon for Student Senate?

Pop Tab Initiative Re-Launch

In December, the Student Senate will re-launch its Can Tab Campaign, encouraging donations at Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools and continuing to support Billy Zografopoulos’ incredible efforts to give back to local healthcare. At this time, pop-tab collections at Sudbury Catholic secondary schools will only be open to students, staff, and families.

Members of the public can and are encouraged to support the overall initiative by dropping off pop tabs year-round at Deluxe Hamburgers on Regent Street.

Additional Senate-Led Initiatives: 

According to the Student Trustees, the pop-tab campaign is just one example of the many community-focused initiatives the Student Senate will be championing this year.

“This year, the Student Senate is putting a big focus on community, the environment, and parish involvement, paving the way for many exciting campaigns,” shared David Akero and Lily Yeomans. “Looking ahead, the Senate is developing a new initiative focused on environmental awareness and environmentally focused volunteer opportunities for students. There is so much happening behind the scenes with the Senate, and we encourage students to follow along on Instagram at @scdsbsenate for updates and fun, engaging content.”

• Partnership with Red Oak Villa
Senate members volunteer at Red Oak Villa, assisting with activities such as bingo, movie nights, decorating, carolling, and talent shows, creating meaningful intergenerational connections and spreading joy among senior residents.

• Winter Clothing Drive
In collaboration with secondary schools, senate members help collect winter coats and warm clothing to support families in need ahead of the colder months.

• SAID Day (Students Against Impaired Driving)
Senate members help coordinate SAID Day across secondary schools to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and promote safe decision-making among youth.

For more information about the Sudbury Catholic District School Board Student Senate, please visit https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/students-2/student-senate/.

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Last month, we were honoured to welcome Dr. Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and Executive Advisor Meena Deol to the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

Their visit included meaningful discussions with our Vice-Principals about the Right to Read and Dreams Delayed reports, followed by an inspiring conversation with St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s Diversity Student Union. Together, they shared reflections on human rights, inclusion, and the power of student voice to inspire positive change in our communities.

As we move quickly through the school year, visits like these—sparking meaningful conversations on equity and inclusion—serve as powerful reminders of our shared commitment to creating safe and welcoming learning environments. These reflections are especially meaningful as we enter Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.

We are delighted to share that Sudbury Catholic Students were recognized in OECTA’s 2024–25 Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains provincial winners’ anthology, which features the creative works of students from across Ontario.

Congratulations to Immaculate Conception Catholic School students Caden Matz and Ivy Blouin, who were awarded for their outstanding poetry submissions! Both students received recognition plaques during their school’s virtue assembly.

Sponsored by OECTA – Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, these annual awards celebrate the creative writing talents of students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 in both English and French. We are so proud to see our Sudbury Catholic students’ voices and imaginations shine through their writing.

Our winners shared their reflections on the experience:

“It was a very nice experience for young students to showcase their French writing skills.” — Ivy Blouin

“It was a fun and surprising experience to win at the provincial level for my French writing piece.” — Caden Matz