Did you know? Halloween originates from All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day, when Catholics honour those we acknowledge as Saints who have passed on to their heavenly home. Following this, on November 2, the Church observes All Souls Day to remember all the other faithful departed and offer prayers on their behalf for the Angels to lead them safely to their heavenly home.
St. David School recently hosted Joan Yawney-Matz, Religious Education and Faith Consultant for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, to discuss the Catholic significance of Halloween. Joan engaged students in a presentation, highlighting the connections between Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.
Her presentation focused on the importance of saints in the Catholic Faith, paying particular attention to St. David, the school’s namesake. Overall, the session enriched the class’s understanding of the holiday and deepened their appreciation for the saints who have preceded us.
Thank you to Ms. Yawney-Matz for contributing to our student’s learning experience and holiday celebrations!
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to participate in the Annual Christmas Artwork Contest. Create artwork in any medium (drawing, painting, etc.) that reflects our Catholic faith and the joy of Christmas.
All submissions (whether in hard copy or e-mailed) should have the following information included in addition to the artwork:
Student first and last name
Grade
School
Submissions can be e-mailed to webmaster@sudburycatholicschools.ca in a JPG/PNG or PDF format. Or mailed to the Board office at Attention: Christmas Card Contest 165A D’Youville street Sudbury, Ontario P3C 5E7
CONTEST DEADLINE:
Artwork must be submitted no later than Friday, November 22, 2024, to be considered for the contest.
What Can I Win?
Two winning designs (one elementary and one secondary) will be featured on the annual Christmas cards sent to Board Trustees, school administration, and community partners. Winners will also receive a package of custom Christmas cards featuring their artwork!
You can submit multiple entries up until November 22, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. For more contest details, please refer to the attachments below. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the season through art!
Read! Read! Read! Write what you know! This morning, the Grade 5/6 class at Pius XII was treated to an educational and entertaining presentation with Canadian Author, Paul J. Toffanello. Students have been reading his book, Popchuck’s Ghost, and were thrilled to meet him! Many questions were answered, and students are motivated to keep reading and writing.
Mr. Toffanello grew up in Timmins, Ontario. He studied at Ottawa’s Carleton University and North Bay’s Nipissing University. He was a high school English teacher, a Vice Principal, a principal at two different high schools, a Superintendent of Education and finally a Director of Education. He was also a part of the original group of Directors of Education who helped to bring the Ontario Literacy & Numeracy Secretariat to life.
Mr. Toffanello has presented to over 400 schools in Canada and the U.S. and continues to look for opportunities to engage with kids and teachers.
Thank you, Mr. Toffanello, for coming to Pius XII!
On Friday, October 25th, students and staff at participating Sudbury Catholic Schools are invited to join Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario in supporting Dress Purple Day. This province-wide initiative highlights the importance of our collective responsibility to protect children and youth.
By wearing purple, students and staff at SCDSB schools will show solidarity with families facing challenges, demonstrating that we care and are here to help. Dress Purple Day, created by Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies, raises awareness about the supports available to vulnerable families and encourages all Ontarians to take action within their communities.
In addition to wearing purple, we invite you to explore the resources below to learn more about the significance of this day and how you can get involved. Together, we can make a difference!
What is Dress Purple Day?
Led by Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario, Dress Purple Day is a day to advocate for the safety, well-being, and rights of children and youth. It’s a reminder that it takes a community to care for and protect our young people. To learn more, visit the OACAS Dress Purple Day website.
Getting Involved
What can you do? Help spread the message! Show that you are part of the community that cares for children, youth, and families. Here are some simple yet impactful ways staff & students can participate according to the Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin:
On October 25th, wear purple clothing or accessories to show your support! Share your photos with the hashtags #IDressPurpleBecause or #DressPurpleDay2024. You can email them to info@sudburycatholicschools.ca, and we'll be happy to share them for you.
Help spread the word by sharing campaign visuals and messages on social media and public forums to raise awareness. As we approach Dress Purple Day, encourage others to get involved by displaying campaign posters and referring people to learn more and visit the OACAS Dress Purple Day website.
Dress Purple Day offers an opportunity to talk with students about their right to safety and well-being. To support these important conversations, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) has developed classroom resources designed to help educators guide discussions on safety, advocacy, and identifying support networks.
This year’s Dress Purple Day campaign advocates for stronger social services and more accessible community resources. The OACAS has published an open letter on behalf of various organizations, including municipalities, child welfare groups, and youth service providers, calling on the Ontario government to increase funding and staffing for community-based organizations that support children, youth, and families.
Be an Advocate! The Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin invites you to take action by using the below campaign template to write to your local MPP. Together, we can advocate for enhanced services that support children, youth, and families in our communities.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that St. John School raised an impressive $4,174.20 in support of the Garson Food Bank. This initiative reflects the incredible generosity and community spirit of St. John students, families, and staff, along with the broader Garson community.
We would like to highlight the exceptional contributions from Mme Galipeau’s Grade 5/6 FI class, which collected an outstanding $1,183.35, and Mr. Martin’s Grade 2/3 FI class, raising $409.00. Both classes were rewarded with a pizza party in recognition of their efforts.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to this cause. Your generosity makes a lasting impact on the community.
St. Paul Catholic Elementary School’s Grade 2/3 class celebrated World Mental Health Day with a nature walk scavenger hunt. The students guided by Ms. Pigozzo enjoyed fresh air and physical activity, while learning how nature can reduce stress and boost mood.
During the walk, students worked together to find different items, sparking curiosity, teamwork, and observation skills. Back in the classroom, they wrote about what they saw, heard, and felt, then shared their stories with their classmates, fostering a sense of connection and enhancing communication through storytelling.
This activity raised mental health awareness while giving the class a chance to reflect, connect, and learn in a fun, hands-on way. Well done, Panthers!
October 2nd is National Custodial Workers’ Recognition Day! A day to acknowledge and celebrate the essential work and vital role our custodial team plays in maintaining the health, safety, and cleanliness of our schools and facilities.
The custodial team includes many hardworking professionals, including custodians, assistant custodians, cleaners, BSTs, and maintenance staff.
Their tireless work often happens behind the scenes, but the impact is felt by everyone who enters our facilities. Whether it is ensuring classrooms are ready for learning, keeping hallways and common areas clean, or going the extra mile during special events, their dedication makes a significant difference in the daily lives of our students, staff, and the broader community.
On behalf of Sudbury Catholic Schools, we extend our heartfelt thanks for all that you do!
On the morning of September 30, before the sun had risen, Ms. Trudeau, along with the dedicated staff and students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, came together to set up a heartfelt display in honour of Orange Shirt Day. This day, recognized as a key moment in the ongoing journey of Truth and Reconciliation, serves as a reminder of the commitment to support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
The display not only highlighted the significance of “Every Child Matters” but also symbolized the school’s collective efforts to promote understanding, respect, and unity. Ms. Trudeau is the Indigenous Support Worker at St. Benedict and took the time to share an important message with students, reminding them that “the work we are doing here is just as important as what you are learning in the classroom. You don’t need to be Indigenous to make a difference—Truth and Reconciliation is about all of us working together with respect.”
This event underscores the school’s broader commitment to promoting inclusivity, awareness, and education regarding Indigenous history and culture. A heartfelt Miigwetch to Ms. Trudeau for providing this opportunity for staff and students on this day.
On Friday, September 20, Marymount Academy kicked off their annual Walk for the Terry Fox Foundation with an inspiring speech from their very own Regal Lily Yeomans. As a cancer survivor, Lily delivered a powerful message of hope, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own challenges.
“Perhaps you have your own obstacles,” she shared. “As you walk today, I hope you reflect on Terry’s Marathon of Hope and that it gives you the strength and perseverance to help you get through whatever obstacles come along your path.”
A heartfelt thank you to Lily for inspiring her peers and reminding us all of the power of hope and resilience!
In addition, thank you to the Greater Sudbury Police Service for their incredible support during the walk for Terry Fox.
