Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens!

We are proud of our Francophone heritage.

On September 25th, 2022, Sudbury Catholic Schools celebrated Franco-Ontarian Day! This celebration is an annual opportunity to learn about Franco-Ontarian culture and history in real life and bring awareness to this wonderful community on an occasion that combines education, fun, language, and history. As the number of FSL students and families continues to grow, it is important for Sudbury Catholic to infuse French Culture into the classrooms.

In our video that highlights our Franco-Ontarian celebrations, we use the phrase, “Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens!”, which translated from French means, “We are proud of our Francophone heritage!” 

In addition to annual celebrations, FSL teaching and learning is being further supported in our community through our FSL Plan. One of the most important goals of Sudbury Catholic School’s three-year FSL Plan is improving student confidence and proficiency. We’re committed to providing french language learners with the support they need, and to continue to offer programming that is evidence-based and engaging.

“With what we currently know about how kids learn to read, our Board has committed to shifting from a balanced to a structured literacy approach. Structured literacy provides explicit instruction of the key components of literacy so that students develop excellent pre-reading and reading skills. This approach also guarantees early identification of students at-risk through assessment. The best interventions can then be used to support and move students along. With purposeful reading instruction and interventions, students will demonstrate increased achievement in the FSL program. Literacy leads to proficiency, confidence, and an enthusiasm for life-long learning. And that’s the best gift of all” – Camille Heaton, FSL Consultant. 

Students and Staff Embrace Franco-Fun Day

Staff and students took part in Franco- Fun Day: a day dedicated to celebrating French language and Franco-Ontarian culture! Here are just a few ways our schools joined in on the fun:

  • St. Charles College students were treated to a live concert by Steph Paquette!
A man plays a song on-screen.
  • Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School staff and students got into the spirit by wearing white and green in honour of the Franco-Ontarian flag.
a collage of students and staff wearing white and green.
  • Immaculate Conception Catholic School students participated in a workshop by Ariko. They loved learning how to play the spoons and learning the dance steps. They listened to the song Mon beau drapeau and discussed the meaning of the Franco-Ontarian flag. The students then drew their own flag while listening to les chansons à répondre!

Canadian Parents for French Offering Programs This Spring

Canadian Parents for French Ontario is offering free French virtual programs for students from Grade 1 to 12 funded by the Ministry of Education from May to August to support French as a Second Language students.

Click the link below for more information about this exciting opportunity!

Free French Virtual Programs

Staff and Students Celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day!

Students and staff across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board celebrated Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25, 2020. Named to honour our community and history, September 25th was officially named Franco-Ontarian Day in 2010. The Franco-Ontario flag flew for the first time on September 25, 1975 at the University of Sudbury. It was created by history professor Gaétan Gervais and political science student Michel Dupuis.
Schools celebrated the day through various activities and lessons with students both in-class and those who are participating through the Remote Learning School. Activities included arts and crafts, creating announcements for their school communities, video projects showcasing the Franco-Ontarian culture and completing an ‘Escape Room’ filled with activities highlighting the French culture in Ontario.

“Franco-Ontarian Day is a day for celebration. Our students enjoy learning about the French culture and understanding why it is important to acknowledge this day in history,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “I am always amazed at the level of creativity our teachers show when highlighting the French culture and our history as a Province and it is remarkable to see the level of enthusiasm that students put into their work.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is committed to offering robust and engaging French as a Second Language programs for all of our schools.

Students attend Pathways to Bilingual Success Conference!

Students from grades 7-9 attended the Pathways to Bilingual Success conference presented by Canadian Parents for French on October 3 and 4. The students completed workshops geared toward working on their French skills in an interactive and engaging session. Students networked with each other, as well as community partners and learned about the the benefits of bilingualism.

Students at St. Charles College celebrate St. Jean Baptiste Day

Grade 7-8 French Immersion students at St. Charles College opened this week by celebrating St. Jean Baptiste Day with a vanilla ice cream and maple syrup party to emulate “la tire d’érable” a French Canadian tradition of pouring maple syrup on snow. The festivities will continue with bubble soccer, swimming, French movies and music.

St. Jean Baptiste Day is celebrated annually on June 24th. It is the feast of St. John the Baptist who is known as the patron saint of French Canada. Sudbury Catholic Schools honours this day annually with “Franco-fun” days celebrated in a multitude of ways in a variety of their schools. St. Charles College students are proud of the vast cultures that flourish within their school and are pleased to celebrate Canada’s second official language.

Photographed are: Grade 7 & 8 French Immersion Students at St. Charles College: (left to right) Jonas, Michael, Jacob, Alex, Mackenzie

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