🗓️ October 10: World Mental Health Day

Caring for Ourselves and Each Other

On October 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us that our minds need care and attention, just like our bodies. At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we encourage students, staff and families to take time to check in with themselves and one another, talk about mental health and remember that it is okay to ask for help.

Rooted in our Catholic values of compassion, dignity and care for others, this day is an opportunity to consider how we can help every student feel supported, connected and valued. A kind word, a listening ear or a conversation with a trusted adult can be a meaningful place to start.

Building awareness through everyday learning

Age-appropriate activities offer opportunities for students to explore feelings, practise coping skills and learn how to seek support. Educators and families can use the following ideas to begin these conversations:

• Kindergarten–Grade 3: Read stories about feelings, try a simple feelings check-in, create a kindness jar or practise breathing by imagining “smelling a flower and blowing out a candle.” Explore School Mental Health Ontario’s Grab & Go Tools.
• Grades 4–6: Discuss what helps us feel calm, create a personal coping toolkit poster or write encouraging notes to classmates. Explore stress-management and coping activities.
• Grades 7–8: Reflect through journaling, discuss healthy ways to manage stress or create a mental health awareness display. Explore Connect Quest.
• Grades 9–12: Open conversations about mental health and stigma, develop student-led awareness materials or explore strategies for managing stress. Access School Mental Health Ontario’s Secondary Virtual Field Trips.

Support is available

Students and families do not have to navigate mental health concerns alone. Speaking with a trusted adult at school can help start a conversation and connect students with support. Families can also explore these resources:

• School Mental Health Ontario: Mental health information and practical resources for students, educators, parents and caregivers.
• Compass: Child and youth mental health services for families in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.
• Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub: Mental health, substance-use and wellness supports for youth ages 12–25. Call 705-280-7581 or visit 65 Larch Street, Unit 103B, Sudbury.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Health Sciences North’s Crisis Intervention Services at 705-675-4760. For suicide crisis support, call or text 9-8-8. Both services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This World Mental Health Day, let’s continue building caring school communities where asking for help is encouraged and everyone knows they have someone to turn to. Be kind, be patient and care for yourself and others—today and every day.

If You Need Support

You are not alone. If you need support, please reach out to your doctor, family member or a trusted adult. You can find a variety of mental health and well-being resources and supports available at school and in the community highlighted on the Mental Health and Well-Being section of our website.

Mental Health Hub

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Safe & Accepting Schools

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Mental Health Newsletter

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Think Safe. Share Safe. Stay Safe Together.

October is Cyber Awareness Month! At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are encouraging students, staff and families to explore how everyday choices can help protect personal information, strengthen online safety and support healthy technology use. Technology connects us to learning, creativity and one another. Knowing how to recognize suspicious messages, communicate respectfully and make informed decisions helps us use these opportunities safely and confidently.

Throughout the month, the Sudbury Catholic DSB plan to share practical tips and public resources from the Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO). Its K–12 Cyber Awareness campaign includes four themes, with videos, infographics and conversation starters to support learning at school and at home. In addition, as we embrace our yearly theme, “We Are Building,” we are working to build a cyberaware culture across our school communities—one where everyone understands that their everyday choices contribute to online safety.

What does being Cyber Aware mean? Being cyberaware means pausing before clicking, protecting personal information, treating others respectfully and asking for help when something feels suspicious or unsafe. It also means keeping conversations about technology open so that students, staff and families feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns.

Through this month’s awareness campaign, we will highlight resources from the Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO) to support learning at school and at home. By sharing information and encouraging small, consistent actions, we can help make cyber awareness part of everyday life, throughout October and beyond.

Digital Me: Protecting Your Information

Build confidence in protecting your accounts, devices and personal information. Explore strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, privacy settings and ways to recognize phishing and online scams.

Try it together: Discuss what makes an email or text message suspicious and how to check it before clicking a link.

Explore Digital Me resources.

Digital Us: Connecting with Care

Our words and actions matter online. This theme explores respectful communication, social media safety, safer gaming and cyberbullying prevention. Showing kindness and looking out for others helps create digital spaces where everyone feels welcome.

Try it together: Ask, “What would you do if you saw someone being treated unkindly in a group chat?”

Explore Digital Us resources.

Digital Families: Building Healthy Habits

Open conversations can help families navigate screen time, online challenges and digital well-being. Explore ways to set shared expectations and make room for sleep, physical activity, hobbies and time together.

Try it together: Choose one family technology habit to practise, such as putting devices away during meals.

Explore Digital Families resources.

Digital Minds: Thinking Critically About AI

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of how we learn and create. This theme encourages students and families to ask questions, check information, protect privacy and use AI thoughtfully to support their own learning.

Try it together: Discuss why a confident-sounding answer from an AI tool still needs to be checked against trusted sources.

Explore Digital Minds resources.

Free Resources for School and Home

ECNO’s resource collection includes downloadable posters and infographics, along with short videos covering passwords, phishing, privacy, social media, gaming, digital well-being and AI. Families and educators are invited to use these materials to start conversations and continue learning beyond October.

Explore all Cyber Awareness Month resources.

ECNO Resources

Cyber Security Ontario Resources

K-12 Zone – Ontario Resources

Keep the Conversation Going

Invite your child to talk about the apps, games and digital spaces they use. Let them know they can come to you or another trusted adult if something online feels confusing, uncomfortable or unsafe.

For additional guidance, visit ECNO’s Help and Support page.

Watch our website and social media channels throughout October as we share resources to help our community build safer digital habits.

Together, we are building a community that is informed, respectful and safe—at school, at home and online.

Your Presence Matters: October Is Attendance Awareness Month

Every school day offers students opportunities to learn, build friendships, discover their strengths, and feel connected to their school community.

This October, Sudbury Catholic Schools is recognizing Attendance Awareness Month with the theme “Your Presence Matters!” Together, we are celebrating the importance of regular attendance and helping students feel safe, welcomed, included, and supported at school.

As students and families settle into the new school year, strong, trusting relationships between home and school help create a sense of belonging. When students know they are valued and that their presence makes a difference, they have another reason to feel connected and ready to learn.

Throughout the month, our schools will share encouragement, resources, and activities to promote regular attendance and support students who may be experiencing barriers to attending school. Parents and caregivers are valued partners in this work. Families are encouraged to connect with their child’s school to discuss attendance concerns and explore support together.

Did You Know?

Need Support with your Child’s Attendance?

We’re here to help! Sudbury Catholic Schools’ attendance counsellors can work with you and your child to address attendance challenges and support regular school attendance. Connect with your child’s school today to learn more.

Email: AttendanceSupport@sudburycatholicschools.ca

List of Schools

Guidance for Parents & Guardians

The Importance of School Attendance

2026 Campaign Initiatives

Attendance Awareness Poster Contest

Students across Sudbury Catholic Schools are invited to participate in our annual Attendance Awareness Poster Contest!

Inspired by the 2026 theme, “Your Presence Matters!”, students are encouraged to create an original poster showing what being present, connected, and part of their school community means to them. The contest offers students a creative way to share their perspectives and celebrate the people, experiences, and opportunities that make school meaningful.

2026 Contest Form

Check out Last Year’s Winners!

Attendance Spirit Week Celebrations

Sudbury Catholic Schools are invited to bring Attendance Awareness Month to life through Attendance Spirit Week celebrations, featuring five attendance theme days.

Schools can participate in one or all five days, using the activities to encourage attendance, strengthen connections, and celebrate belonging within their school communities.

Whether through a creative poster, a spirit day, or a welcoming conversation, every effort helps reinforce a shared message: you are an important part of your school community, and your presence matters!

Attendance & Other Helpful Resources

Attendance Works Resources

The Importance of School Attendance

Guidance for Parents & Guardians

SCDSB Mental Health Hub

The start of a new school year also marks the return of school sports, clubs and other activities. Whether students participate in team sports, physical education, dance, performing arts or recreational activities, their safety and well-being remain our priority.

Rowan’s Law Day

Monday, September 28, 2026

On Monday, September 28, 2026, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will recognize Rowan’s Law Day, joining communities across Ontario in raising awareness about concussions and the importance of responding safely.

Rowan’s Law Day Poster

Signs of a Concussion Poster

Hit. Stop. Sit.

Concussion Safety & Awareness Resources

Check out the following information and resources to learn the signs of a concussion, speak up and know how to respond. Together, we can increase awareness and help protect the health and well-being of every student.

Ontario’s Rowan’s Law and Concussion Safety Resources

Concussion Awareness Digital Resource Card

Ontario Concussion Awareness Videos

Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 10 and Under

Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 11 to 14

Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 15 and Up

Ontario Government Concussion Awareness Resource E-Module

Sudbury CDSB Concussion Protocol

Staff members, coaches and volunteers do not diagnose concussions. However, we all share a responsibility to recognize and report possible signs and symptoms, remove students safely from activities and ensure they receive appropriate medical attention. Following a concussion, students may require temporary adjustments and support as they gradually return to learning and physical activity. Open communication among the student, family, school and healthcare team is essential to supporting a safe recovery.

View our complete Concussion Protocol and applicable forms below:

Sudbury Catholic Schools Concussion Protocol

Sudbury Catholic Schools was pleased to welcome Ontario’s Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, for a special visit highlighting the positive impact of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program in local schools. 

Joined by representatives from the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), the Sudbury Police Association, and members of the Greater Sudbury Police Service’s Community Mobilization Unit, Minister Calandra visited St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School to see firsthand how School Resource Officers help foster safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environments. 

Throughout the visit, students and staff had the opportunity to engage with School Resource Officers, who play an important role in building meaningful relationships with students, promoting positive decision-making, and strengthening trust between youth and police. 

“The School Resource Officer program is about far more than safety, it is about connection,” said Morris Hucal, CEO and CEdO for Sudbury Catholic Schools. “Our officers are valued members of our school communities who take the time to build relationships with students, offer guidance, and create opportunities for positive interactions. We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Greater Sudbury Police Service and for the positive impact this program continues to have in our schools.” 

The visit highlighted the collaborative efforts between schools and police to support student well-being through education, mentorship, and community engagement. By working together, schools and police are helping create environments where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to succeed. 

Sudbury Catholic Schools extends its sincere thanks to Minister Calandra, the Police Association of Ontario, the Sudbury Police Association, and the Greater Sudbury Police Service for taking the time to recognize the value of the School Resource Officer program and its lasting impact on students and school communities. 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is committed to helping every student reach their full potential within a welcoming and inclusive Catholic learning community. Through partnerships like the School Resource Officer program, the Board continues to strengthen relationships between students and police officers, fostering trust, promoting positive engagement, and creating safe, supportive learning environments where students can thrive. To learn more about Sudbury Catholic Schools, visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca.