A number of our grade 11 students at St. Charles College attended the “Push For Change” Youth Event held at the Steelworker’s Hall this week. Our students met Joe Roberts who is pushing a shopping cart across Canada to support the end of youth homelessness. Joe shared the story of his success which our students found very compelling and inspirational. So far, Joe has walked 4800 km of his 9000 km journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver. This message ties into graduate expectations and the essential theme of global solidarity.
Category: Faith
Leadership students at St. Charles College delivering baskets again this season
For the last few years, Holy Redeemer church has relied on the leadership students at St. Charles College to deliver baskets to those who need help at Christmas. The students load and deliver baskets of canned food items, fresh food and gifts for the children.
This past week, the students delivered those baskets. Their teacher, Mrs. Bev Belanger says “each year at this time the students ask about this initiative. They say there is nothing that brings greater joy to them than seeing the faces of those on the receiving end of these care packages.”
The parishioners create the baskets to support one hundred fifty families in the Sudbury region. Some of the canned food items in the baskets comes from the St. Charles College fall drive which saw 121 thousand cans raised for the Sudbury Food Bank this year.
Immaculate students donate to Infant Food Bank
Students in Mrs. Lotter’s Grade 2/3 class organized a “baby drive” of formula, diapers, clothing and other necessities. Many from our school community donated and the items were offered during our 4th week of Advent celebration in the gym. All donations will be brought to the Pregnancy Care Center and Infant Food Bank in Sudbury. Thanks to all for their generosity and kind spirit.
St. David School runs the Santa Shuffle
The students and staff of St. David Catholic School once again participated in the Salvation Army’s Santa Shuffle and Elf Run. The students and school staff raised funds to support the run. The event assists the Salvation Army support families in need during the Christmas season and throughout the year. All pledges raised for the Santa Shuffle and Elf Run help people in our community who struggle to make ends meet. St. David School raised $634.65 for the Salvation Army.
“The Santa Shuffle is a fantastic way to support those in need during the Christmas season as well as have fun promoting healthy living with our students. Our grade 3 teacher, Terri Lynn Lepage, and other staff members organize an after school running / reading club for the months leading up to the event as a way to train and promote good health through exercise. We are appreciative of all the support and encouragement of our families – and want to thank them for their generous donations. Merry Christmas!” states Lindsay Michel, St. David School FDK teacher.
Immaculate Conception Put a Sock on Bullying During Bullying Awareness Week
This year at Immaculate Conception School we decided to do something a little different in showing our support towards Anti-Bullying Awareness Week. Today we celebrated our differences by “Putting a Sock on Bullying.” Students and staff arrived to school wearing their most colorful, tallest, wildest socks over their pants. Putting a sock on bullying gave the students and staff an opportunity to express their individuality and show the importance of embracing our uniqueness.
Anti bullying event returns to St. Charles College
Every year Mrs. B. Belanger’s Leadership class puts on a fall event to tackle the issue of bullying with the grade nine students. This year was no different. The students watched a video and listened to student speakers in the amphitheatre and then proceeded into smaller group discussions with the student leaders.
Mrs. Belanger feels that the activity is worth revisiting every year because “the grade nines have the power to change the culture at St. Charles College for years to come.”
The grade nine students participated in a four corners activity where they had to answer questions about respect and bullying, and more importantly standing up for bullying.
St. Charles College Elementary Cards fill shoeboxes with love
Looking to answer the Essential Question “How are we church in the world?”, Mrs. Kathy Belanger’s 8A class and Mr. Thomson’s Grade 7/8 Life Skill’s class participated in Operation Christmas Child this year.
Operation Christmas Child is a special Christmas project affiliated with Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational Christian organization. With donated proceeds from an in-school Dress Down Day at St. Charles College, students went shopping at Dollarama and then had the opportunity to fill close to 70 shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items, toys and other gifts for children, ages 2-14, in less-fortunate countries around the world.
Mr. Thomson says “Every gift-filled shoebox is given unconditionally, regardless of religion, gender, or race, in a way that practically demonstrates the love of Jesus Christ around the globe.”
National Collection Week is Nov.14-20th with shoeboxes from Canada being shipped to places like the Ukraine, Haiti, El Salvador, Senegal and New Guinea.
‘To whom much has been given, much is expected in return’…Luke 12:48
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’…Matthew 25:40
Pink Shirt Campaign at St. David School
As part of the St. David School and Sudbury Police Services shared commitment for the well being and safety of our children, Krystle Beausoleil, the Police Youth Safety Coordinator attended St. David School. She delivered the message that is takes ‘courage to stand’ up against those who try to bully and hurt others. Her message focused on positive action and standing up for each other. Her message also focused on treating one other with respect and dignity, allas part of the ‘Pink Shirt Campaign’.
All students at St. David School will be standing together against bullying and will be signing the Sudbury Regional Police Services “Pink Shirt” to demonstrate our commitment to “stand up” together.
Hello God!
During recent months, several classes at St. Francis School have been participating in making beautiful “God Boxes” out of cards. The children then had the opportunity to fill them with tangible things that remind them what to thank God for as well as what to pray for.
Many boxes have been made, along with bible verses given to them. The verses tell us of God’s unending love for all his children. The students have been very eager to decorate their boxes. Each student personalized their own box, and were encouraged to bring it home, continuing to fill it with new hopes and prayers.
Many thanks to Sheryl Taylor (Registered Child and Youth Worker/Educational Assistant) for her help with the activity.