St. Benedict Student Appointed as Sudbury Catholic Schools Next Student Trustee

Posted on April 26, 2024January 10, 2025 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that Grade 10 St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School student David Madiba Akero was appointed as Student Trustee for the 2024-2026 term by the Board of Trustees at their April 16th meeting.

David is a passionate student leader, with a strong work-ethic, determination, and desire to help others through leadership. He has served as the Grade 8 Valedictorian and has been the recipient of the RJ. McCarthy Award, the 2023 Grade 9 honour roll student and Soccer Coaches Award, the 2024 Milk-Up Ontario Soccer Leadership Award, and has been a NOBEEP Entrepreneur Feature. David is deeply involved in community service, volunteering over 70 hours of his time to support youth groups, and collaborating with the Kenyan Canadian Association to launch a new initiative that promotes community engagement through soccer.

David’s unwavering commitment to community service is further exemplified through his steady involvement in the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program (NOBEEP). In addition to being featured as an entrepreneur/client in NOBEEP, David is an active volunteer and continues to support their work of providing assistance and resources to Black entrepreneurs and business owners to help foster economic growth and inclusion in Northern Ontario.

David is a strong advocate for student voice and believes it is necessary for student development and growth. He hopes to bring more attention to elevating post-secondary support within schools in order to further empower students in building their post-secondary portfolios and navigating their educational and career pathways effectively.

“I am honoured to be chosen to represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as the next Student Trustee. I wish to serve as an example to people of all backgrounds and show how we as students, have both the capacity and the opportunity to shape their learning experience. I believe that student voice and involvement are crucial elements for an effective education
system. When students are engaged, schools have a better understanding of their needs and can continue to implement changes and updates that coincide with generational developments that help students excel in their education.” Said David Madiba Akero, Student Trustee.

“We are immensely proud to have David Madiba Akero represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as the Student Trustee,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “David’s exceptional leadership skills, dedication to community service and student involvement make him an exemplary ambassador for our community. We have full confidence in his ability to advocate effectively for the voices and interests of fellow students and are excited to have him join us at the Board table next year.”

David Madiba Akero will officially assume his role as Student Trustee alongside fellow Student Trustee Julia Parenteau on August 1, 2024. His appointment reflects the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s commitment to fostering student leadership and engagement, ensuring that student voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process.

David Madiba Akera and SCDSB Chairperson Michael Bellmore

Happy Administrative Professionals Day from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board!

Posted on April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 is Administrative Professionals Day!

Today, we celebrate our administrative professionals for their pivotal role in ensuring our School Board’s success. Their warm smiles, willingness to lend a helping hand, and exemplary service to others make them true role models for our entire community.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to all our hardworking, dedicated administrative professionals. We are grateful for your exceptional service and unwavering commitment to our staff, schools, and students. Each of you embodies our Board’s vision, mission, and values, and we appreciate your dedication to Catholic education. We recognize that your contributions are crucial to the growth and prosperity of our schools, and we value your commitment every day of the year.

Small Hands, Big Impact: Pius XII Students Celebrate Earth Day with Schoolyard Cleanup

Posted on April 22, 2024April 22, 2024 by Erin Kendall

In honour of Earth Day, students at Pius XII, including those in the Full-Day Kindergarten program, are participating by picking up garbage in their schoolyard. Students wore protective gloves and disposed of the collected trash with the help of our educators. This initiative reminds us that no matter how small we are, we can make a big difference in protecting the environment by working together. By participating in such activities, we nurture meaningful lessons and discussions about the importance of sustainability and conserving natural resources for future learners.

Today, as we celebrate our beautiful planet, we reflect on how we can protect and preserve it for future generations. Every action counts, from reducing energy consumption, recycling, planting trees, cleaning our local neighbourhoods, or spending more time outdoors.

Thank you to Pius XII for nurturing an insightful lesson that will support their school community’s efforts to keep the planet clean and beautiful.

Shaping Careers: Sector Partnership Enhances Skilled Trades Learning at St. Charles College

Posted on April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 by Erin Kendall

In partnership with Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that St. Charles College has enhanced its learning facilities with cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art equipment to help support student development in the skilled-trades.

In February, the school welcomed new equipment funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited. The donation included three multiprocessor welders, two fume extractors, two pallets of welding consumables, safety gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), and four SMART TV monitors. In addition, the school also received six new garage bay doors for both automotive and construction shop areas that were recently installed over the March Break. These contributions will bolster the school’s learning programs and ensures students have access to state-of-the-art equipment that supports their engagement in areas such as welding, metal working, construction, automotive, and more.

Felix Lopes Jr., president of Lopes Limited, passionately encourages today’s youth to get into the trades, “As leaders in the trades industry, we believe it’s our social responsibility to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways for our youth to pursue a career in the trades.”

The newly added equipment aims to ignite an interest and passion amongst students in the skilled trades, potentially shaping the career paths of tomorrow’s workforce. The initiative, organized and generously funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, will help support students to engage in further hands-on learning opportunities that could potentially lead them to choosing a career in the skilled trades.

“St. Charles College is proud to work with such amazing local partners and is committed to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the skilled trades. The new resources installed at our school this year will make a massive difference in the learning experience for our students. We extend our deepest gratitude to Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited for their generous contributions.” Says Principal Aaron Barry.

Enhanced Promotion of Skilled Trades in Ontario schools:

The Ontario Government is taking proactive steps to boost awareness and engagement with skilled trades in schools, aiming to provide students with opportunities to cultivate interests and skills that pave the way for successful careers. Currently, there are more than 140 skilled trades in Ontario. They fall under four sectors: construction, industrial, transportation and service. The skilled trades present a compelling array of fulfilling and financially rewarding paths for students. Through specialized training and hands-on experience, these professions offer secure employment, excellent compensation, and personal satisfaction. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades-ontario-schools for more information about the promotion of skilled trades in Ontario schools.

“The ongoing promotion of the skilled trades within our schools is essential. By 2026, one in six job openings are projected to be in the skilled trades. This inevitable outcome means ensuring we have cutting-edge learning environments to promote the skilled trades within our secondary schools is now more important than ever.” Says Dan Levecque, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Specialist High Skills Major Secondary Consultant with Sudbury Catholic. “The newly added resources will encourage students to cultivate a genuine passion and skills for the many thrilling opportunities awaiting them in the skilled trades sector.”

Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education adds, “Not only will these new resources enhance the facilities in one of our largest school communities, it will further support our students in reaching their full potential, which always remains a top priority.”

2024 Carousel Event Recap: A Night of Education, Connection, and Community

Posted on April 19, 2024April 19, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Earlier this week, on April 15th, 2024, parents, guardians, educators, and community members gathered at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School for the highly anticipated Carousel Event hosted by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Parent Involvement Committee.

The event, designed to engage, educate, and empower, featured workshops on Children’s Mental Health, Cyber Safety, The Foundations of Reading, Building Resilience, Autism Support, French Language Learning, Online Well-Being, Secondary Pathways, and more. With a diverse range of sessions, there was something for everyone to explore.

Before diving into the evening’s workshops, guests enjoyed a complimentary pasta dinner, fostering connections and anticipation for the educational feast. While parents, guardians, educators, and community members immersed themselves in learning, a dedicated team of early childhood educators treated attendee’s children to an evening of supervised activities and games. The free childcare ensured parents with young children and toddlers could fully engage in the workshops while their children remained close by.

Reflecting on the evening, one of the highlights was undoubtedly the sense of community and collaboration that radiated throughout the event. From the arrival, attendees forged connections, exchanged experiences, and shared invaluable strategies and ideas for supporting their children’s educational journey. Educators and fellow presenters seized the opportunity to engage directly with families, fostering deeper partnerships and a shared commitment to nurturing future generations.

Participants departed with actionable insights and resources to enrich their children’s learning and well-being as the event ended. The Carousel Event once again underscores the significance of collaboration between parents, educators, and the broader community in shaping the future and education for current and prospective students.

Thank you to the members of the Parent Involvement Committee, including PIC Chair Amanda Dittrich and Vice-Chair Paola Stefanuto, for their work in organizing a successful event. Thank you to Holy Cross School and the staff and student volunteers for ensuring a smooth and seamless venue for learning to flourish. Thank you to our external and internal presenters, who provided excellent workshops featuring valuable resources and handouts to allow attendees to explore relevant topics further.

To all who attended and contributed to the success of the Carousel Event 2024, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to thank you for your enthusiasm, participation, and commitment to education. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of students, families, and our educational community. Here’s to another year of learning, growth, and connection!

Holy Cross Admin & Student Volunteers & PIC Vice Chair

Dinner

Building Resiliency Session - Ana Santos

Welcome Table

Compass for Secondary Success - Monica Dailey

Secondary Pathways

School Based Mental Health Services - Laurie Milling

The Foundations of Reading - Stacey Copeland

Supporting Autism - Sherrie Belzile

Supporting Autism - Natalie Lippert-Murdoch

Supporting French Learners - Camille Heaton

Cyber Safety - Kathryn Howard

Welcome Table

Online Well-Being - Peter Prochilo

YMCA Booth

Student Volunteers

Childcare

Holy Cross Exterior

Thank you!

Did you miss this year’s Carousel Event?

Mark your calendars for next year’s edition. Our annual Carousel event normally takes place in the spring, but if you have questions, ask your school council chair for more information. Your presence and participation are invaluable as we strive to build a stronger, more vibrant community through education.

Boost French skills: Canadian Parents for French Ontario provides free programs for FSL students

Posted on April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Canadian Parents for French Ontario is offering FREE French enrichment programs funded by the Ministry of Education for FSL (French as a Second Language) students from SK to Grade 12. The program is offered after school in May at 4:00pm, 5:00pm or 6:00pm, featuring a daily 45-minute class over a two-week session. Virtual Programs will be led by OCT certified teachers or Teacher Candidates in an Ontario Bachelor of Education program. Register here for our programs in May today!

May Program Registration – Canadian Parents for French

St. Charles College Elementary Choir Wins Silver at Sudbury Music Festival

Posted on April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 by Erin Kendall

St. Charles College students showcased their skills and musical prowess at the 2024 Sudbury Music Festival. Among the standout performances, the Elementary Choir captured hearts and acclaim, earning a Silver Award for their performance. Congratulations to the St. Charles College Elementary Choir for their remarkable achievement, marking another milestone in St. Charles College’s rich tradition of artistic excellence.

Immaculate Conception Students Shine in Sudbury Young Authors Awards Writing Contest

Posted on April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to announce the outstanding achievement of several students from Immaculate Conception who have emerged victorious in the Young Authors Awards Writing Contest at the Sudbury level. This competition serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the remarkable writing talents and accomplishments of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Participants are invited to submit short stories, poems, and nonfiction articles in English or French.

The competition consists of three tiers: school, unit, and provincial. Winners at the school level progress to the unit level, and from there, first-place winners proceed to the provincial competition. Each year, a compilation of winning entries is published in book form, showcasing the creative prowess of young authors across the region.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the following Immaculate Conception students, who have demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity in their writing:

Olivia: First place in English short story
Ella: First place in English play
Neve: First place in French short story and English nonfiction
Rya: First place in French nonfiction
Andarielle: First place in English play and English poem
Arianna: First place in French poem

These talented students will now advance to the Provincial level, representing Immaculate Conception with their exemplary work. We commend them for their dedication and commendable achievements. Well done, and best wishes for the next stage of the competition!

St. Benedict Educator Receives Science Ambassador Award

Posted on April 10, 2024April 12, 2024 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that Erika Weber, a St. Benedict grade 8 teacher, was recently honoured with the 2024 Science Ambassador Award by the Sudbury Regional Science Fair.

The Science Ambassador Award recognizes educators who exhibit extraordinary commitment to promoting participation and excellence in science fairs among their students. Mrs. Weber’s continuous passion for STEM education has propelled her students to new heights of achievement, inspiring them to explore, innovate, and succeed in scientific inquiry.

Nominated by St. Benedict Vice Principal Mr. G. Kent Macneill, Mrs. Weber stood out specifically for her support in engaging students in scientific exploration beyond the classroom. She was celebrated at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 7, at Laurentian University.

This prestigious award underscores the importance of dedicated educators in cultivating a passion for science and inquiry-based learning. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends our congratulations to Mrs. Weber for her achievement highlighting her outstanding commitment to nurturing students’ scientific curiosity and critical thinking. Her efforts are instrumental in shaping future scientists and innovators. Congratulations!