St. Charles Catholic Elementary School is proud to celebrate the success of its Family Literacy Day Carousel, held last month in the school gymnasium. The event brought families together to enjoy interactive activities and foster a shared love of reading and storytelling.

Parents, guardians, and students engaged in a variety of literacy-themed stations, each designed to spark creativity and inspire a passion for reading:

• “Take a Crunch with Munsch”: Families shared apples while reading timeless Robert Munsch stories, making this station a crowd favorite.
• Chelmsford Library Read-Aloud: Attendees were captivated by engaging stories brought to life during a special read-aloud session.
• “Colour with Clifford”: Creativity was in full swing as students and families enjoyed colouring activities inspired by Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
• “Make Your Own Turtley (Franklin) Awesome Bookmark”: Families created personalized bookmarks, a keepsake to remind them of the importance of literacy.

“We are so pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm from both families and staff,” said principal Christine McCracken. “Family Literacy Day is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community and celebrate the joy of reading together.”

“I love Family Literacy Day because it’s so much fun! Reading with my family is special, and I like that we get to spend time together and enjoy silly books. We read Fancy Nancy, and I even made a bookmark! I can’t wait to bring it home and read more with my family.” – Nora Hotson, St. Charles Student

“Family literacy is very important in our home, so attending this event together was a wonderful experience. It was great for our kids to see us excited about reading and to share that excitement with their teachers and peers in a family-oriented environment. Our favourite part was reading stories along the caterpillar wall and enjoying apples.” – Elyssia Demeter, Parent Council Chair for St. Charles Elementary School.

St. Charles Elementary is committed to fostering literacy and lifelong learning, and events like this are an important part of that mission. The school extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants and partners, including Chelmsford Library, for helping make the event such a success.

Thank you to everyone who joined our schools in celebrating the power of stories and the joy of learning together!

A heartfelt congratulations to the staff and students at St. Albert Adult Learning Centre for their outstanding leadership in mentoring junior students at St. David School for the Meaning of Home writing contest.

The St. Albert learners guided and inspired students to reflect on what “home” means to them, encouraging creativity and thoughtful expression. The resulting poems beautifully captured each student’s unique perspective, showcasing the power of words to convey emotion and connection. This collaboration between St. Albert and St. David School is a wonderful testament to the importance of mentorship, community, and shared learning.

We are also proud to recognize the students at St. Albert Adult Learning Centre as past recipients of the prestigious Michael Monk Award, which celebrates their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to academic and personal excellence. The impact of St. Albert’s programs extends beyond the classroom, providing individuals with opportunities to overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and contribute meaningfully to the community.

We encourage all students in Grades 4 to 6 to participate in the annual Meaning of Home writing contest for the chance to win one of three $30,000 grants for their local Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, for every local student submission, $10 will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, helping families build strength, stability, and independence.

A sincere thank you to the students and staff at St. Albert for your unwavering commitment to education, mentorship, and community engagement. Your dedication continues to inspire, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact of your leadership.

Miigwech to St. Albert for their continued investment in building a strong, supportive community!

On February 10th, St. Francis students and staff marked an exciting milestone—100 days of learning, growth, and fun!

Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of creative and educational activities centered around the number 100. From counting exercises to hands-on projects, the celebrations highlighted the progress and accomplishments of our young learners.

“This special day would not be possible without the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the support of our families. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!” – Jennifer Connelly, St. Francis Principal.

Here’s to the next 100 days of learning, discovery, and success!

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School’s Business Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students are thrilled to have secured First Place at the Freelandt Caldwell Reilly (FCR) Accounting Competition for secondary students. 

The competition, which is known for its challenging case studies and real-world applications, welcomed students from all English-Speaking school boards on December 5th at the Northbury Hotel & Conference Center. The St. Benedict team made up of Rebekkah Johnson, Sullivan Smith, Wesley Wei, and Mauro Cusinato impressed judges by skillfully applying their knowledge of accounting principles, demonstrating strong analytical abilities, and excelling under pressure. 

“It was a great opportunity to meet people, including the FCR directors and owners, and to test my skills in business,” shared Grade 11 Business Student, Mauro Cusinato who reflects positively about the competition. “Giuseppe Politi’s business classes really prepared us for this experience. Competitions like these are great for us to explore whether a career in accounting or business is the right fit.”

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, teamwork, and dedication to their studies,” said Giuseppe Politi, Grade 11 Business Teacher and Business SHSM Lead at St. Benedict. “Their achievement highlights not only their commitment but also the exceptional education provided through our Business SHSM program. We extend our thanks to Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP Chartered Accountants for organizing this competition and hope to participate in more in the future.”

The Business SHSM program at St. Benedict equips students with specialized training in business, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship, providing the skills needed to excel in today’s competitive business world. In addition to participating in local business competitions, students have also had the opportunity to travel to Ottawa, Toronto, and Niagara Falls for workshops and university visits. The school has also partnered with local businesses, including FCR Chartered Professional Accountants, to offer valuable co-op placements. Such opportunities are vital in deepening students’ understanding of business concepts during their secondary education and inspiring them to pursue business studies beyond post-secondary. 

As part of their victory, St. Benedict’s team received a $2,000 cheque and secured a valuable career insights presentation for their class. The session was led by FCR professionals and St. Benedict alumni Curtis Carpino (CPA), Connor Vande Weghe (CPA), and Tori Vance (CHRP), who shared their expertise and career journeys.

Speaking about the competition, Tori Vance, shares “As an HR Manager at FCR, I’m thrilled to see the talent and enthusiasm showcased during this case competition. Events like these inspire the next generation of professionals, providing students with real-world experience and valuable skills for the future. These achievements celebrate their hard work and highlight the bright future of our industry.”

According to the school, this isn’t the first time St. Benedict students have excelled in accounting and business competitions. In 2024, they secured first place at the Laurentian University Startup Summit Business Challenge, and again at the Cambrian College Case Competition. These wins highlight the school’s strong academic programming, which prepare students for success in both the workforce and post-secondary education.

Looking ahead, St. Benedict’s Business SHSM students will continue to grow their understanding of the business landscape, with plans to attend the Ontario Business Educators Association (OBEA) conference in spring 2025.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to congratulate the St. Benedict Business SHSM students and their teacher for their achievements in 2024. The Board continues to look forward to seeing the growth of all students in the SHSM program. 

“One thing is certain,” adds Giuseppe Politi. “St. Benedict alumni are making their mark in the business world, with more graduates becoming Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) each year. It’s inspiring to see our students succeed in their careers, and when they return to the classroom, it brings these pathways to life for our current students.”