Sudbury Catholic District School Board

The Little Students That Could Tackle “The Little Engine That Could”

Early Learning Kindergarten students at St. Raphael have been getting hands-on while learning to retell stories in their own words.

This month, the class read “The Little Engine that Could” by Watty Piper. Afterwards, they recreated the story on a bulletin board using elaborate pop-out pictures and words.

Classroom teacher Mrs. Tripodi says “This activity helped them to solidify their understanding of retelling stories.”

Early Childhood Educator Mr. Vicedomini says the lesson had a two-fold purpose because the students also learned the values of optimism and hard work.

SCDSB Elementary Schools Host Kindergarten Info/Registration Night

Parents and students had the opportunity on Tuesday, January 25to visit all Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools to learn more about the Kindergarten and Early Learning programs being offered for September, 2011 Each school hosted an Information and Registration night and staff and Principals were on hand to answer questions about the English and French Immersion Programs in the schools and assisted in the registration process. Families went on tours of the school and learned more about the unique programming offered at all Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools. Parents are reminded that registration is always ongoing and can contact either their local Catholic school to enrol their child(ren) or the Sudbury Catholic Board office at (705)-673-5620. They can also visit the Board website at www.sudburycatholicschools.ca for more information.

Sudbury Catholic Teacher Named Elementary Teacher of the Year

“It is still surreal to me…I keep expecting a phone call saying there has been some sort of mistake and they have picked someone else.” Early Learning French Immersion Teacher Alice Desormeaux still cannot believe that she has been selected to be the recipient of the 2010 OTIP Teaching Award in the category of Elementary Teacher. The Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF), in partnership with the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP), honours educators each year whose commitment, creativity and energy result in a superior experience for students. This initiative began in 1991 and over the years the honourees have covered a wide range of disciplines, teaching methods, age groups and geographical locations. Up to four awards are given annually to outstanding teachers in the categories of elementary, secondary, francophone and beginning teachers.

Desormeaux, who is just starting her twenty-first year of teaching with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been at St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School since the beginning of her career. The bulk of her teaching has been in the Primary division and this year she is teaching in the school's Early Learning French Immersion classroom. “To be recognized by my peers, as well as provincially, it is a true honour,” Desormeaux stated. “With this honour, also comes a huge responsibility in that I know I have to always make sure that I am living up to this expectation.” According to her colleagues, she is more than up for that task. As several of her co-workers nominated her for this award, they also had to submit testimonials as to why they thought she was deserving. Jody Odaiskey, also a teacher at St. Anne's knew that Alice was the perfect fit for this award. “Alice has a gift that makes her approachable in every way,” Odaiskey said. “She has impacted more lives than I think she is aware of as she always treats all students with the utmost respect and always finds their shining qualities.”

Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy had the opportunity to work with Desormeaux as her principal at St. Anne's several years ago and also feels that she is deserving of this award. “I have known Alice for over 20 years, as a colleague, friend, and fellow parishioner. Her positive attitude, her love of children, her passion for student success, her dedication to literacy and numeracy initiatives and her insatiable hunger for personal and professional growth are reflected in the outstanding quality of her work as a teacher.” Cullen said.

Over twenty different submissions from co-workers and parents were sent on Desormeaux's behalf and it is clearly evident that she is truly deserving of this award. On St. Anne's website, it speaks to the school providing a safe haven for children, instilling a sense of pride and respect for themselves, others, and for their environment, where students are continuously encouraged to strive to achieve their own personal potential in every aspect of their spiritual, academic, social and physical growth. Alice Desormeaux does just that each and every day with all students and staff that come into her life.

Catherine McCullough, Director of Education expressed her joy regarding Desormeaux’s win. “On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, I would like to congratulate Alice on this tremendous accomplishment and it is with great pride that we call her a Sudbury Catholic teacher, and consider her an integral member of the Sudbury Catholic family.”

Desormeaux travelled to Toronto for the awards ceremony on Thursday, September 30 at which time they bestowed her with the award as well as presented a documentary that was filmed by TV Ontario reflecting a day with Desormeaux in the classroom. The Toronto Star has also done an interview with Desormeaux along with the other recipients that will be a part of their weekend edition story on the awards.

CBC Radio Visits Sudbury Catholic Schools

Students and staff at both St. Andrew and St. Raphael Catholic Elementary Schools had the opportunity to take part in an interview with CBC radio recently. Erik White, a reporter with CBC visited both schools on September 9, which was the first day of school for both the Full Day Junior Kindergarten and Early Learning students. White approached the Board to set up some interviews as he was working on a story on the Full Day Learning and Early Learning Programs newly available this year. His story was focusing on the differences between the two programs and how the staff, students and parents felt about what was offered for their children. The students were also joined by their teachers, Principals and Catherine McCullough, the Director of Education in welcoming White to their classrooms. Rosemary Tripodi, one of the Early Learning teachers at St. Raphael was excited to show off her classroom to White and was thrilled with the opportunity to showcase how the Sudbury Catholic Board has embraced this new program. “It is very important that we are letting people know that this is a real team approach,” Tripodi said. “It is a complimenting and collaborative effort that we strive for to really meet the needs and interests of the students.” Both Tripodi and Mandy Waugh, the full day J.K. teacher at St. Andrew spoke with White about the different programs and allowed him a glimpse into a day in the life of a four year old beginning school for the first time. White felt it was interesting to see both options and commented that it truly takes a dedicated, passionate teacher to be a part of either program – whether it be Early Learning or Full Day J.K.

St. David Holds Welcome to Kindergarten Event

New registrant Bella and her mother learned all about letters and numbers at St. David Catholic School’s annual Welcome to Kindergarten event. Parents and the future St. David’s graduating class of 2019 had the opportunity to take a school bus ride, read books together, make a craft and practice writing their names during this introduction to a day in the life of a JK student. Starting in September JK will be offered full time every day and new registrations are always accepted at any of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s elementary schools.

St. Francis S.K’s Sing Ole

The French Immersion Senior Kindergarten class at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School recently participated in a group activity in which they learned the e sound. The students learned a song that incorporated this sound – the song “Ole ” As well, they reviewed the letter C and the letter H. In order to review all of these lessons, their teacher, Lise Mallette thought that they could pull all of these together by supporting a great Canadian Hockey team – the Montreal Canadians. The students also integrated, cutting, pasting writing, singing and drama by decorating Montreal Canadian headbands and then visiting a few classes to perform what they had learned.

St. Mary’s Kindergarten Class Goes Shopping

As part of the Community Theme, the kindergarten students of St. Mary Catholic School in Capreol recently visited the local grocery store, Capreol Foodland. Using their shopping list, students picked up and paid for all the ingredients for Strawberry Smoothies. Back at school, students made and enjoyed the nutritious snack. They even shared a cup with the Principal. Yum!

One Room School House Opens its Doors to Welcome Full Day Junior Kindergarten

Located in the small village of Killarney, St. Joseph Catholic School welcomed junior kindergarten registrations by planning a student run Winter Carnival afternoon with help from the Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor  Education Center.  The seven current students and their teachers welcomed the new registrations  and their families by organizing an afternoon of fun – Olympic games in the gym, First Nation drumming and singing with an Elder, peer story telling, healthy snacks, bird feeder construction and an outdoor scavenger hunt. Teacher Irene Dembek explains, “It is important to integrate the new kindergarten children and their families into a welcoming and safe school environment”.  Students, parents and grandparents all celebrated this special school welcome with current staff and students.  Fun and education went hand in hand during the “welcome to kindergarten” afternoon at St. Joseph Catholic School.

St. Anne Catholic Elementary Students Celebrate the 2010 Olympics

The English and French Immersion Junior and Senior Kindergarten children of St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School celebrated the opening of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics holding their own torch ceremony within the school. Ava DeVos and Owen Moxam led their classmates with the relay through the St. Anne hallways.

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