Nominate an Outstanding Employee at Sudbury Catholic Schools
Deadline to Nominate: March 31st
To help us honour the incredible staff who go above and beyond, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Chairperson’s Awards, recognizing Sudbury Catholic team members who make outstanding contributions to our Catholic school system and positively impact the lives of students, staff, and families.
Step 2: Please send the completed form to the Office of the Director of Education by e-mail at monique.paquin@sudburycatholicschools.ca or fax, (705) 688-1781 no later than March 31st.
Today, staff at the Catholic Education Centre (CEC) gathered to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a delicious pancake breakfast! From flipping pancakes to sharing a meal, it was a wonderful way to come together before the Lenten season begins on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
In addition to the Catholic Education Centre, students and staff across our schools are marking Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally, this day is a time for reflection, reconciliation, and preparation for the Lenten journey. The word “shrove” comes from the old English word “shrive,” meaning to confess and receive absolution.
Pancakes have long been a symbol of this day, as people historically used up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter before the Lenten season of fasting and prayer. As we gather to share in this tradition in our own unique ways, we are reminded of the importance of faith, repentance, and renewal.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated school volunteers who help bring this tradition to life for students! May this celebration prepare our hearts for the solemn and prayerful season of Lent.
Last week, the Immaculate Conception Catholic School community came together to celebrate the virtue of the month; Compassion, recognizing students who exemplified kindness, empathy, and a commitment to helping others.
Students were honoured for their meaningful actions, whether through offering a helping hand to a classmate in need or sharing words of encouragement. Their gestures, both big and small, reflected the true spirit of compassion and the values at the heart of our school community.
A special thank-you goes to Mrs. Mailloux’s Grade 3/4 class, who led the school in a moving reflection, inspiring all to continue fostering a culture of care and support.
“At Immaculate Conception, we believe that by uplifting one another, we strengthen our community. Together, we continue to grow in faith and service.” Said Principal Jodi Cunningham.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Indigenous Education Team proudly hosted its first Round Dance at Marymount Academy, bringing together staff, students, families, and community members for an evening of ceremony, unity, and celebration.
The event created a welcoming space for participants to connect through song and dance while fostering a deeper appreciation for Indigenous culture. Guided by the wisdom and leadership of Elders, a Pipe Carrier, a Stickman, an MC, Singers, and dedicated volunteers, the gathering honored the spirit of community and reconciliation.
“We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this special event,” said Ginette Toivonen, Indigenous Education Facilitator for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “The Round Dance was a meaningful opportunity for learning and connection, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate and support Indigenous education by hosting more events like this in the future for our community.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board remains committed to promoting cultural awareness and creating inclusive spaces where Indigenous traditions are honoured and shared.
Chi miigwech to all who attended and supported this event. The Board looks forward to future opportunities to engage with the community through Indigenous education initiatives.
The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon (CSC Nouvelon), Rainbow District School Board (RDSB), Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) and Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord have approved the School Year Calendar for 2025-2026.
The four school boards have worked together to produce a common calendar for many years, facilitating the co-ordination of services such as student transportation. Each board adopted the calendar following its own consultation process. The calendar will now be submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Education for final approval.
The 2025-2026 School Year Calendar will be the same for all English and French-language schools in Greater Sudbury, Espanola, Manitoulin Island and Sudbury East (including Warren, Markstay, Noëlville, St. Charles and Killarney).
The 2025-2026 school year for students will begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, following the Labour Day weekend. There will be no early dismissal. (Please note that Tuesday, September 2, 2025 is a professional activity day.)
In addition to the first day of school, the School Year Calendar includes the dates for the Christmas Break, the March Break, statutory holidays, secondary school examination days and professional activity days in 2025-2026.
Overview of the 2025-2026 School Year
Elementary and Secondary Schools
Labour Day
September 1, 2025
First Day of School for Students
September 3, 2025
Thanksgiving
October 13, 2025
Christmas Break
December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026
Family Day
February 16, 2026
Mid-Winter Break
March 16 to 20, 2026
Good Friday
April 3, 2026
Easter Monday
April 6, 2026
Victoria Day
May 18, 2026
Last Day of School for Students
June 26, 2026
Examination Days for Secondary Schools
1st Semester Exams
January 23 to 29, 2026 (5 days)
2nd Semester Exams
June 22 to 26, 2026 (5 days)
Professional Activity Days
Seven days for professional development activities will also be held during the 2025-2026 School Year, as follows:
September 2, 2025
September 26, 2025
October 20, 2025
November 28, 2025
January 30, 2026
February 27, 2026
June 5, 2026
The Draft School Year Calendar for 2025-2026 is available on the school board website here.
This week, students across Sudbury Catholic Schools embraced democracy in action by participating in Student Vote Canada! This hands-on learning experience provided students with the opportunity to engage in the electoral process, practice informed citizenship, and cast their own ballots in a parallel election.
By taking part in Student Vote Canada, students gained valuable insights into how elections work, the importance of voting, and the impact of their voices in shaping the future. Through this initiative, they not only learned about government and leadership but also developed critical thinking skills to make informed decisions as future voters.
We extend our gratitude to CIVIX Canada – FR and Elections Canada for making this enriching experience possible in our schools. Their efforts continue to empower young Canadians with the knowledge and confidence to participate in democracy.
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!
