Immaculate Conception School Raises Over $10,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

On June 16, 2023, the Immaculate Conception Cougar Family participated in the Crush Cancer/Relay for Life Event. Their fundraising goal was $5000 and the school is ecstatic to announce that this amount was doubled!

Through the sale of Crush Cancer t-shirts and hoodies, collecting pledges and the sale of luminaries, our Cougars stepped up to the task we set out for them just a little over a month ago.

The day started off with a superhero-themed ‘Playday with a Purpose’. Students enjoyed the outdoor stations and the school spirit was amazing.

The Relay for Life took place in the afternoon as staff and students gathered for an important assembly. Student-decorated luminaries lined the front of the gym to pay tribute, honour lost loved ones and support those living with cancer. What a touching tribute!

After recognizing the efforts of all the organizers, student volunteers and everyone involved in planning this day, they acknowledged our important guests of honour, the Cancer Survivors, who are family members of our school community. They so courageously led the walk outdoors. The Immaculate school community followed, cheering on our Survivors and then joined in by walking big laps around the schoolyard. We topped off the day with Crush freezies for all to enjoy.

A final big THANK YOU goes out to the many volunteers, the Survivors, the students, parents & staff at Immaculate Conception!

National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day

Posted on May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 by Erin Kendall

May 28 to June 3, 2023, is National AccessAbility Week!

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an annual initiative that celebrates, promotes, and showcases the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our country, and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an accessible Canada. Since 2019, Easter Seals Ontario has recognized the Wednesday of National AccessAbility week as the Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt to raise awareness for accessibility and disability inclusion and make a pledge to help remove physical, attitudinal, and systematic barriers in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The following educator resources are available:

Elementary: English | French

Secondary: English | French

Red Shirt Day

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. The 2023 Red Shirt Day takes place on Wednesday, May 31. Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Red Shirt Day to promote messages of support for people and families living with disabilities.

About Red Shirt Day

Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada. Learn more!

Resources

Red Shirt Day Resources

Easter Seals Website

Rick Hansen Website

Poster

Handout

Pledge

Pledge Examples

Colouring Sheets

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Films & Documentaries for Adults

Ted Talks

Pius XII Community Gives Generously Through Smile Box Campaign for Sudbury Women’s Centre

Posted on May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

This year during Catholic Education Week, the focus is “We Are Many, We Are One”. To demonstrate this, students and families at Pius XII School donated new and unused toiletry items. Students in grade 5 and 6 decorated shoe boxes and filled them with these toiletry items. The “Smile Boxes” were then donated to the Sudbury Women’s Centre.

“I am forever grateful to have so many students and families at Pius XII that were giving of their time and supportive of this initiative. It is very important to me for our students to understand how integral community partnerships can be,” said Amanda Schiafone, Grade 5/6 Teacher at Pius XII.

The Sudbury Women’s Centre was so appreciative to the community at Pius XII and the generosity they showed during this fundraiser!

“We are incredibly grateful for the many shoeboxes donated by Pius XII Catholic School this past week. Our clients have shared with us the impact these boxes have had on them. In particular, the various inspirational quotes and sayings in the boxes have left clients feeling cared for. We are so grateful for community partnerships such as these that provide our clients with dignity,” said Giulia Carpenter, Executive Director of the Sudbury Women’s Centre.

Holy Cross Students Prepare for Catholic Education Week

Posted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

It was “buddies day” at Holy Cross School ! In preparation for Catholic Education Week next week, classes decorated their own fish art. Like a school of fish, we are many, we are one!

This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes:

When we see
When we listen
When we reflect
When we learn
When we act

Catholic Education Week: We are Many, We are One

Posted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes:

When we see
When we listen
When we reflect
When we learn
When we act

OCSTA Resources

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.

Access CEW Resources Here

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

Board-Wide Celebrations

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.

Toonies for Tuition Day

On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.

Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Live Stream

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.

St. James School Celebrates Holy Thursday with Mass

Posted on April 6, 2023April 28, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

Staff and students at St. James school came together in celebration of Holy Thursday.

Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His institution of the priesthood. The holy day falls on the Thursday before Easter and is part of Holy Week.

Holy Cross Students Learn About Forgiveness Through Collaborative Art Project

Posted on March 13, 2023March 13, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

As we continue our journey through the Lenten Season, we have been reminded of the transformative power of FORGIVENESS.

Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School students had the chance to deepen their understanding of this vital lesson by exploring the story of Joseph and his coat of many colours alongside their classroom buddies. This unique experience not only allowed students to deepen their understanding of forgiveness but also to build meaningful connections with one another while working on an inspiring art project. We’re proud to see our students stepping up as leaders and embracing the values of compassion and empathy.

Marymount Academy Student Receives Outstanding Youth Award for Her Work with OSAID

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

Morgan Sheppard, Grade 12 student at Marymount Academy has received the Outstanding Youth Award which was presented to her at the Committee Of Youth Officers of Ontario (COYO) Conference on February 24, 2023.

The Outstanding Youth Award is given to those aged 12-25 for their outstanding interaction with youth in their community. This recipient makes a positive difference in their community through advocacy and actionable work focused on youth issues. The award is given out annually at the COYO Conference in Niagara Falls.

Morgan has been involved with Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) both at the local and provincial level for two years. Currently she is the only member of OSAID in Sudbury who is part of the youth advisory team for Ontario. She is incredibly passionate about the cause and supporting her local community. In addition to her work with OSAID, Morgan is also a member of the Student Senate at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and is heavily involved in various charity events and fundraisers at Marymount Academy.

Morgan is proud of the work she has accomplished and is thrilled to be a recipient of this year’s Outstanding Youth Award.

“I am incredibly honoured to have received the Outstanding Youth Award at the 2023 COYO Conference and would like to extend my thanks to the Committee of Youth Officers as well as Matt Evans and everyone else on the OSAID team!” she exclaimed.

“Morgan is very passionate about supporting this organization and its cause – and sending the important message to her fellow youth that driving impaired, high or distracted can have a serious impact on their future,” said Cassandra Tenbergen, Principal of Marymount Academy.

For more information about the Committee of Youth Officers of Ontario and the Outstanding Youth Award, please visit https://coyo.on.ca.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Welcomes Bishop Dowd for Ash Wednesday Service

Posted on February 25, 2023March 1, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board began our Lenten Journey! We celebrated this occasion through prayer services led by our incredible parish partners. This year we also had the privilege of welcoming Bishop Thomas Dowd to our celebrations!

One of the highlights was a prayer service at Marymount Academy, where our Catholic Education Centre staff joined students to pray alongside Father Raymond, Deacon Roland, and Bishop Thomas Dowd. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Church of Christ the King, school organizers, families, and student volunteers who helped arrange this fantastic event and make it a success. We also thank all our Parishes for helping welcome lent together with our schools. It is a pleasure to have you celebrate with us in person once again!