Staff at St. James Catholic Elementary School had music playing outside as the parents and potential new students approached the school. They were greeted at the door by the Principal Cara Soehner, Vice Principal Dan Stargratt and Superintendent Jean McHarg. St. James teachers had different stations set up for the children throughout the school as the parents sat down to begin filling out the registration forms. It was evident that quite a lot of hard work went into the planning of the J.K. open house evening and the parents who visited were quite excited to see the school in action. As well as visiting the J.K. classrooms and meeting their teachers, the children had their picture taken with the St. James’ mascot and even got the chance to hang out with the St. Ben’s mascot after receiving a school T-shirt from the fish pond. The new students were very busy visiting each station and it was evident by the laughter and squeals of delight that they were having a ball. Carter, one of the new J.K. registrants said it best when asked if he was having fun at the event. “Of course.” said Tyler, ” ’cause I’m fun!!!” Parents and potential students visited each of the SCDSB elementary schools on January 18, 2010. Many of the schools had different activities planned and worked very hard in preparation for the evening. As well, several of the board office academic services staff were also on hand at each school to help out where needed. Congratulations to all of our elementary schools and staff for a very successful J.K. open house night!
Category: Kindergarten
Early Learning Kindergarten Program Open House at Pius XII
Louisa Bianchin, Principal of Pius XII Catholic School welcomed parents and families to the school’s “Open House and Kindergarten Registration Night.” Mrs. Bianchin was especially pleased to announce that Pius XII was one of three schools selected by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board to offer the “Early Learning Kindergarten Program” or ELKP as it is more commonly referred to. “I am very excited about the new full day Early Learning Kindergarten Program at Pius XII Catholic School,” stated Bianchin. “The Early Learning program offers the teacher and the early childhood educator the opportunity to team plan and teach. Together, they will provide a play-based program which will focus on the development of the “whole” child. Recent studies have shown that all children learn best through active involvement and play. I look forward to working with the kindergarten team and parents as we begin the development and implementation of a stimulating full day Early Learning Kindergarten program.”
SCDSB on Board with Provincial Government’s Full Day Learning Plan for September 2010
Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci held a press conference on January 12, 2010 to announce the provincial government’s funding of full day early learning in Ontario’s elementary schools beginning in September, 2010. “Creating an integrated day of learning and play will give children more opportunities for success,” said Bartolucci. “It’s a key part of the government’s plan to build a stronger school system and a well-educated workforce.” Bartolucci explained how it is a transformational moment in education as it gives four- and five-year-olds a stronger start in school and therefore a stronger start in life. Catherine McCullough, Director of Education also spoke at the press conference and announced the locations for the Sudbury Catholic Early Learning Schools which are St. Raphael Catholic Elementary, St. Anne Catholic Elementary and Pius XII Catholic Elementary. As well, McCullough reiterated the board’s previous announcement from December 2009, where the Sudbury Catholic Board, with full support from its trustees, will be funding full day Junior Kindergarten in all of its remaining elementary schools. “ Sudbury Catholic has led the province in its plan for full day J.K. implementation in the fall of 2010.” says McCullough. “Making this decision was simply the right thing to do for the children’s future, and that’s always our main consideration at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.” The Director has said that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and the board has already received many calls from parents who are also excited by the new full-day JK program and want to enrol their children. All of the Sudbury Catholic elementary schools are holding open houses on Monday, January 18th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The open houses will give parents the opportunity to get a jump start on registration for their child.
Sudbury Catholic Board Decides to Build Holy Cross Catholic School, JK to Grade 6
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board unanimously voted to make its newest high-tech green school a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school. The Board’s Trustees made the decision at the December 15, 2009 Board meeting.
The trustees decided the new Holy Cross Catholic School in Sudbury’s south end would be a separate Dual Track JK to Grade 6 School, located near St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The new school will also include an early-learning daycare facility and a 4,000 square foot gymnasium.
“Holy Cross is going to be a fantastic new school,” says Board Chair Jody Cameron, “It will be high-tech, offering the latest in educational technology – while being an intimate, safe and personable environment for children ranging from our new full-day junior kindergarten program to Grade 6. It’s an exciting time.”
Meantime, the Catholic Board also decided it will offer Grade 7 to 12 programming next door at the existing St. Benedict’s Catholic Secondary School. This will include the construction of new classrooms and a third gymnasium. The renovations will also include a new “cafetorium” (which is a combination of a cafeteria and auditorium) to serve both the elementary and secondary students. It could seat as many as 500 people for concerts, plays, presentations, guest speakers, and other special events.
“These two projects are exciting for students, parents, and teachers in our Catholic schools,” says Board Director, Catherine McCullough, “It’s a great decision which will continue to enhance our community partnerships. These students who already benefit from programs like our nationally-recognized laptop learning program will now have even more educational tools at their fingertips to help them have a balanced educational experience and go on to succeed in life.”
The Board Trustees made the decision after extensive consultation with the school communities impacted. The new Holy Cross Catholic School will open in September 2011. The new and improved St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will also be ready for the fall of 2011. Both projects combined are projected to cost $16.2-million with $11.7-million coming from the provincial government – while the Board has agreed to contribute $4.5-million.
Autumn Through the Eyes of a Trustee and JK Student
Autumn is a colourful season where one simply has to be in awe of the wonders of nature. The students of St. Michael’s Kindergarten class enjoyed an autumn nature walk to the home of Trustee, Estelle Scappatura, where they observed the Maple leaves change to some of the most vibrant colours of red, yellow and orange. Trustee Scappatura taught students how to preserve the leaves by showing them how to wax them and the students were thrilled to return to school with preserved Maple Leaves as a keepsake of their excursion.
In addition to the science exploration, the students also had a brief history lesson on the meaning of the Maple leaf and how it is the prominent feature of the flag of Canada.