Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Grades 7 to 12 Cardinals Celebrate Mass All Together as One

The St. Charles College student body grew by more than two hundred this fall when grades 7 and 8 students were introduced into the campus mix. 

On Thursday, September 17, 2015, students celebrated their first mass together in the gymnasium with Father Jim Ketzler of St. John the Evangelist in Garson presiding.   

Under the direction of teacher Shannon Coyle, the new 7-12 choir helped to beautify the mass with their voices.

Students from the senior boys’ football team helped with the procession and the Prayers of the Faithful.

“Why Yes, it’s HAT DAY at St. David School!”

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This is a great time for schools and families to create awareness about pediatric cancers.

St. David Catholic Elementary School started its year off right with a fun-filled HAT DAY at the end of the first week of school. The students and staff wore crazy hats and ball caps during the school day to emotionally and financially support a former student battling synovial sarcoma cancer. Students donated funds for the privilege of wearing their hats during the school day. The school raised almost $400.00 to help provide support for the family. The school would like to publicly thank everyone who participated in this event!

Dylan Fay, a former St. David student, now a St. Charles College grade 8 student, was diagnosed this summer with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. His family spent most of the summer at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. This fall, Dylan will be going back and forth from Sick Kids to the Sudbury Cancer Center for treatment. During the month of September, St. David School will continue to support the Fay family through pray and fundraising efforts. “It is important that we support our school families in every way possible. We are asking for donations to support Dylan’s family during this time, but more importantly we are praying for his full recovery. We know every little bit counts and want to provide as much support as possible — in any form they need.” stated Lindsay Michel, kindergarten teacher at St. David School.

Saying Goodbye at St. Andrew

St. Andrew School staff and students said good bye to Mrs. Lesia Sawkiw (resource teacher) and Mrs. Melody Henry (principal) on Wednesday June 24th. A beautiful farewell prayer service was led by all the teaching staff. The two retirees were gifted with roses, homemade cards and a beautiful painting that incorporated a thumbprint of each student from the school. Pictured are Rachel Walker, Mrs. Sawkiw, Mrs. Henry and Joe Gouchie.

Bears in Action

Mr. Geoffrey Lougheed spoke to the Gr.9 Religion classes at St. Benedict during Catholic Education Week. After his visit the grade 9 Religion students became inspired to do one more thing before the end of the school year; and that was to raise some money for the Sudbury Food Bank. One thing that stood out to us during his presentation was that the Food Bank does not get a lot of donations during the summer months because school is out and families are on vacation. So after 7 weeks of bringing in money along with a pizza day fundraiser, the students in Ms. Skelly, Mrs. Adler and Ms. Dowdall’s classes were extremely proud to present a cheque to Mr. Lougheed on Friday, June 19th for $654.05. We hope that this will bring some comfort to the families in need this summer.

11 Years and Running for the Johnathan Hetu Walk at St. Charles Elementary

This year’s students and staff at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School may not have had the opportunity to meet Johnathan Hetu, a student who passed away in 2004 after a two year battle with leukemia, however his memory continues to live on each year as the school holds its annual Johnathan Hetu walk. Teacher David Nicholls felt compelled to do something to honour Johnathan’s memory and so he started the Johathan Hetu walk 11 years ago, and has continued it every year. Funds are collected and donated to the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. Principal David Soehner was overwhelmed with the support that his school brings forward. “Johnathan’s spirit is our inspiration each and every year,” explained Soehner. “We are so proud of our students and staff for their outstanding efforts once again in fundraising for such an important group, as well as honouring Johnathan and his family. We are overwhelmed with gratitude as our school community has once again showed its tremendous Ram spirit, and allowed us to give back to an outstanding organization that is the N.O.F.C.C. as well as remember and celebrate Johnathan.” This year’s the school collected over $6200 bringing the grand total to over $65,000 in eleven years.

Coffee Drive at Pius XII to Support Elgin St. Mission

Kathleen Donnelly, Resource Teacher at Pius XII Catholic Elementary School has initiated an urgently needed “coffee drive” to assist the Elgin Street Mission, who are in short supply of the popular beverage that helps many people get through a rough day and provide some comfort. In the spirit of helping our community, Kathleen has inspired the students and their families to help support the organization by donating such items as coffee, coffeemate creamer, tea bags, disposable cups, coffee filters and sugar.

St. David School “Planting for the Future”

Together with St. David students and staff, Local Ojibwe artist and educator, Will Morin conducted a planting ceremony at the school to support the students transition to the new school site. Fifty two planters were filled with sweetgrass seeds. The newly planted seedlings will be cared for over the summer by Mr. Morin and his family and in the fall will be transplanted at the new St. David School site.

As part of the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Mr. Morin was selected as a Project Impact recipient. This project included involving students in the regreening of a native species plant, sweetgrass. Sweetgrass is also a First Nation traditional medicine.

As part of the ceremony, the outgoing students in grade 6, 7 and 8 were honoured by the school community. Mr. Morin stated, “We all plant seeds to prepare for the future. It is only together that we can nurture their growth and ensure their success”.

St. David School Proudly Supports Student Well Being Through Tae Kwon Do Lessons

St. David Catholic Elementary School continues to offer grades 3 – 5 students Tae Kwon Do lessons every Monday for an hour at lunch. The program focus remains the 5 tenets that Tae Kwon Do practitioners live their lives by:
Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self Control
Indomitable Spirit

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s CCAC Health Nurse, Roland Dutrisac, uses Tae Kwon Do as an effective strategy to encourage students to live healthy lives through physical activity as well as learn such important skills as: focus, concentration, discipline, self control and perseverance. The Tae Kwon Do program also stresses the importance of confidence and how to deal with conflict in a proactive manner.

Next year, the school will move from its original location on Jean Street to a brand new home at 459 Frood Road. The program has seen such success that it will continue to be offered at the new location. The school hopes all returning students and new registrants will continue to take advantage of this inter disciplinary opportunity. The school would also like to take this time to thank Mr. Roland Dutrisac for his wonderful contribution to the St. David School community!

Larocque and Taylor-Horeck – 2015 Chairperson’s Award Winners

Every year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board of Trustees selects a recipient for the Board’s prestigious Chairperson’s Award – someone who embraces Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity, and contributes positively to the lives of students and staff. On May 28, at the Board’s Retirement Dinner and Celebration for 25 year employees, two Sudbury Catholic employees were presented with this year’s Chairperson’s Award -Jean-Gilles Larocque, a teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, and Kim Taylor-Horeck, the Board’s Attendance Counsellor.

Jean-Gilles has been with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for over 12 years, and has been a teacher at Bishop ACCSS beginning September, 2003. He was nominated by staff for being a leader within the school, and for his dedication and ambition in setting the school apart. Larocque is also an outstanding coach and mentor, and encourages students to become involved in sports and extra curricular activities in the school. According to the school’s principal, Cassandra MacGregor, “Jean-Gilles fosters the search for meaning as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest in our students – he consistently encourages students to think, reflect and fully evaluate situations when solving problems. He models being a lifelong learner and encourages students to set and reach their personal goals and beyond.”

Taylor-Horeck, began with the Sudbury Catholic Board as an educational assistant in 1986 and then took on the role of Attendance Counsellor in 1993. Marymount Academy principal, Lucie Lapalm-Cullen nominated Taylor-Horeck as “Kim always has a very positive and compassionate way of dealing with our most sensitive students. She never gives up on them and is very patient, positive and professional. She will drop everything she is doing to help a student get their life back on track…” According to staff, Taylor-Horeck is quick to help line up students with the services and supports they need and does not “close” their file when she is done. Kim stays in touch with the students, checks in on them and continues to advocate for them.

Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board of Trustees presented both Larocque and Taylor Horeck with their awards. “ Jean-Gilles and Kim are very deserving recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award,” Cameron stated. “These two employees truly exemplify staff who embraces Catholic values, demonstrate initiative and ingenuity, and contribute positively to the lives of students and staff. We thank them both for their outstanding contributions to the Sudbury Catholic Community, and congratulate them for receiving this year’s award.”

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