Pius XII Catholic Elementary School was honoured to have Amber Konikow talk to the students about smart goals, self-esteem and motivation. The students learned about practice, being prepared, hard work, and dedication. Amber spoke about her difficult times in school and how she was picked on, however, having the support of close friends, family and teachers allowed her to make the right choices in her life. She reminded students that people will always remember you for your kindness, friendship and support – and that is what is important and how we should act with one another.
Amber Konikow is a registered nurse, endurance runner, Olympic style boxer, stunt actor,membero fhte Canadian Esteem Team and motivational speaker. She has been nominated for the Premier award under the Health and Sciences category for Ontario. Amber is also the 2011 winner of the 40 under 40 ward.
Category: Faith
Students Teaching Students About Bullying
Talking to or at students doesn’t always get an important message across to kids or teenagers. That’s why students in the senior Leadership class at St. Charles College were in charge of this year’s grade 9 anti-bullying retreat.
Grade 11 student Owen Krystia created a 40 minute highlight video featuring popular You Tube videos including Amanda Todd and Emily Osment who experienced cyber bullying.
The students then reported to their second class of the day and discussed a series of value statements with the leadership students to generate discussion and debate relating to issues such as social media and bullying.
Teacher Beverley Belanger who teaches the Leadership class says “the students teaching students approach works because kids can relate better to each other and feel more comfortable when opening up especially with such a sensitive topic like bullying. Just allowing the kids to watch this video is eye opening – there was not a dry eye in the house and no one needed reminders to be quiet.”
Grade 9 students were also encouraged to sign an anti-bullying banner and to think twice the next time they find themselves in a situation where they have the choice to “stamp out bullying”.
A Needle in a Haystack
On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, St Paul witnessed a true expression of joy and family togetherness! Charli, a grade 2 student, came into the school after recess with a flood of tears…she had just lost a tooth somewhere in the school yard that had come out earlier in the day. However, this was not just any tooth, it was her First lost tooth!! Despite the incredible odds againstt finding the little tooth – like finding a needle in a haystack – teacher Tammy O’Shaughnessy’s Grade 7/8 French Immersion class set out with Charli back to the school yard in search of the prize. Sure enough, the tooth was found, and a great big smile back on Charli’s face….less one tooth of course!! Great job Panthers!!!
Teamwork and Partnership are the Basis of a Safe, Friendly School Environment
At St. David Catholic Elementary School it takes a community of parents and teachers working together to create a safe, friendly school environment. The St. David School Catholic Parent Council believes that a positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted, and all members of the school community actively promote positive behaviour and respectful interactions. Theresa Roussell, Parent Council Chair says, “All students, parents, and school staff have the right to be safe, and to feel safe, in their school community. But with this right comes the responsibility to contribute to a positive school climate”.
During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – November 18-22, 2013 – students, school staff and parents were encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
St. David School would like to thank all community partners who work to make St. David School a safe and accepting school: Greater Sudbury Police Services, Child and Family Center, Sudbury Health Unit, Skakoon Hardware, Men’s Club at Christ the King Church (Holy Trinity), Breakfast Clubs of Canada, Better Beginnings Better Futures, Aboriginal Best Start HUB, the DEWCAN and White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge. “When we work together in true partnership our children are the beneficiaries”, states Theresa Roussell.
Shadow Day at Pius XII
Brodie Dionne, a student at Pius XII from the Care and Development class was thrilled to have Isaac Oliveira, Grade 9 Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School in his class on Nov. 6th for Shadow Day. Isaac shadowed his mom, Nancy Oliviera (Educational Assistant) for the day. Nancy states ‘I really do appreciate the opportunity to allow my son to shadow me at work. This allows me to share how interesting and exciting my day is working with these unique and special children”. During Shadow Day, Isaac was learning from Brodie how he communicates with his teacher, educational assistants and friends using his communication board. Isaac states “I loved working with the students and really enjoyed their great sense of humour. I had a great day at Pius XII and I hope to come back soon”.
St. David School Welcomes Bully Prevention Week in Partnership with a Message from Greater Sudbury Police Services
On Monday November 18, all schools throughout Ontario are celebrating the start of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. This is a week to help promote safe schools and positive learning environments. During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, students, school staff and parents are all encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
St. David Catholic School and the Greater Sudbury Police Services used the launch of this week to introduce students to the “THINK” bracelet. Special Constable Denise Fraser visits the students of St. David School on a weekly basis. Together with Greater Sudbury Police Services, St. David Catholic School has implemented a crime prevention and safety program to better support its students and their families. This program helps develop positive relationships between children and police, as well as provides access for students to reliable, accurate information about the law and how it protects them.
Through this program, Mrs. Fraser provides guidance and direction to students, parents and teachers as well as provides opportunities for students to form a better understanding of the role of a police officer in the community. The police liaison program’s topics include: bullying awareness and prevention, street safety, drug and alcohol education, internet safety, cyber crime and law awareness.
This week, the THINK program was introduced. The THINK program is a program sponsored by the Greater Sudbury Police Service. Each student was give a bracelet with the word “THINK” on it.
According to Mrs. Fraser, “we want children to THINK when they are addressing someone or talking to someone about someone. The first letter is T which stands for true. Truth is very important. If what a student is saying is not true and based on gossip it is not worth saying in the first place.
The next letter is H. H stands for hurtful. We are stressing to all students that they need to ensure their words are not hurtful to others. Calling someone names or gossiping about them hurts their feelings. I stands for illegal. Be aware of your actions. Words can be spoken verbally or electronically. On Facebook, twitter or in a text it is it illegal to threaten someone. Ask yourself, is what I am saying illegal? Is it defamation?
The N stands for is it really necessary. Life is too short. We should spend our precious seconds during the day doing things that bring joy and happiness to ourselves and others. Finally, K stands for kindness. Let’s start being kind to each other so that we can erase the bullying that exists in our schools.”
The students of St. David Catholic Elementary School embraced Mrs. Fraser’s message and proudly wore their THINK bracelets throughout the day. They hope all schools embrace Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week and start to live by the THINK bracelet motto.
St. Benedict Remembers
On Monday, November 11th, the staff and students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School paused to remember the thousands of men and women who fought and who fought and died, defending Canada. Using the monthly virtue of Justice as a theme, the students were invited to consider the connection between Justice and Peace. Without Justice there can be no Peace. There were poignant songs to remind the school community that even though the brave have fallen, we will see them again one day and we will have the opportunity to say “Thank You”. The school’s librarian, MaryBeth. Miller, read “In Flanders Fields”, which has a special significance for her as she is related to the author, Col. John McCrae. Through prayer and song, the entire school community offered thanks for the bravery of our Canadian Forces for the gift of freedom won for us on distant battlefields. To conclude the service, as students departed they were invited to place their poppy on the “Justice” banner between the crosses, as in the poem “In Flanders Fields”.”
St. Francis Students REMEMBER War Veterans
Students from St. Francis Catholic Elementary School in grade 2 and 3 eagerly wrote postcards to war veterans for Remembrance Day. The postcards were provided by Veteran Affairs Canada. The class put their friendly letter writing skills to use in order to compose a thoughtful message. Students in teacher Graziella Visentin’s class annually write postcards to thank veterans for being brave and courageous in order to protect others. The grade 2 and 3 students acknowledged the veterans’ efforts and their gratitude for the freedom we so much enjoy today. This year the postcards were sent to war veterans residing in Ottawa, Ontario.
Grade 2 and 3 students pictured above, participated in a Remembrance Day Service with their classmates and members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Students read an acrostic poem entitled, REMEMBER, after the laying of wreaths during the service.
St. James Students Connecting Globally
The Grade 7 and 8 students at St. James Catholic Elementary School have prepared care packages for an orphanage in Kenya this past month. Mary Crowder from the Rehena In Step Ministry came to pick up the goods and thanked the students for their generosity. Students also wrote letters and are hoping to Skype with them later on this year.