On October 31st, all students from St. James Catholic Elementary School participated in different Halloween activities. There were many different costumes throughout the school but Avery Blanchard, a grade four student used the metaphor “a fork in the road” to create her unique costume.
Category: Programs
Giving Comes Naturally to St. Anne Angels
Students in grade 6, 7, and 8, celebrating the virtue of Justice, had the opportunity to give to students in under-developed countries. St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer worked with Our Lady of Peace Parish in Capreol to fill numerous shoeboxes that will be sent away through Operation Christmas Child.
Students watched videos to understand how Operation Christmas Child works and to see young children who received these gifts in previous years. The students were excited to fill their boxes and ultimately make a difference in the life of a child they do not know. “It was an honour to help out children who are not as fortunate as we are. Our small donations can brighten a child’s Christmas,” said Jamie Poulin-Fortier.
“Our students were so excited to fill these shoeboxes. They were happy to know that they were able to give to others across the globe,” said Jody O’Daiskey, a teacher at the school.
St. Anne Catholic School participates in a number of different charity events throughout the year. At the end of November, the school will host the Q92/TD Bank Toy Drive. Students will also take part in the “Socks, Mitts, and Hats for the Homeless” campaign in conjunction with St. Kevin’s Parish in Val Therese and the annual St. Anne Christmas Food Drive with St. Jacques Parish in Hanmer.
It is clear that St. Anne Angels have a huge heart for others in need. Every year, charity fundraisers are more successful than the last. Students have every reason to be proud of their accomplishments!
Sudbury Catholic Principal Keynote Speaker at L.U. Event
Sudbury Catholic principal, Cassandra MacGregor, was asked to be the keynote speaker at a Laurentian University event recently. As part of the Community Stars Celebration, MacGregor was asked to address students in the concurrent education program to speak to the importance of connecting to community in the education field. This event was an information fair for the students, and MacGregor was asked to speak as a principal who is making a difference in the community. Reflecting on her past experience as principal of St. Albert Adult Learning Centre, her lecture, Connecting to Community, spoke to the importance of building positive relationships with community organizations, and the positive outcomes from creating these connections. Students were encouraged to seek out these alliances as they allow for better opportunities for students and schools alike. As well as the keynote address, the Laurentian University students also visited several booths and displays set up by numerous community organizations that support their learning and the community as a whole.
Hands On Learning with Shakespeare
Students in Marymount Academy teacher Allison Cameron’s grade 9 English class had a unique lesson on Shakespeare recently. In order for the students to become more engaged with this unit of study, Cameron had each of her students create a mask reflecting their book study on Romeo and Juliet. As part of this lesson, students brought in different sorts of crafts and decorations that would be used to create unique masks. “When you give students the opportunity for hands on learning, they are much more likely to connect to the lesson,” Cameron stated. “The students have fun and get to be totally creative, all the while they are really learning on a deeper level. It is a great way to engage the student and make the lessons come alive!”
Water Walk at Holy Cross
On Friday, November 2, Holy Cross teacher Shanna Whalen’s Grade 3/4 class and teacher Eva Scola’s Grade 3 class, set off to obtain some understanding of how difficult it is for those living in Africa. They took with them their water bottles, one huge jug, and a jerry can, to collect water from the water filling station on Countryside. Both classes have been learning about the poor water conditions in Africa, and how children there need to walk for 2 hours and 10 000 steps to get water- dirty water. Upon arriving at our destination, Ms. Scola lead the students in a water prayer, a prayer for those who do not have the wonderful, clean water that we do, and usually take for granted. On the way back to the school, the students took turns carrying the heavy containers of water. The two classes have been introduced to Ryan’s Well, and have been given the task of educating the whole school about the water conditions in Africa and how we can make a difference. They want to make others realize that they can be kids and think about Africa too.
Stepping Into Grade 9 Night -St. Charles College – Nov. 7
St. Charles College will be hosting their Stepping into Grade 9.
This is an information session for parents and students focussed on the transition from elementary to secondary school.
Topics will include:
Course selection and pathways, graduation requirements and electives, academic services, resource and student success, athletics, extra-curricular and community.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
St. Charles College
1940 Hawthorne Drive
705-566-9605
www.scc.scdsb.edu.on.ca
St. David School Participates in “Take Me Outside Day”
‘Take Me Outside Day’ is a day to raise awareness about the importance of unplugging from daily technology and getting outside in nature. The “Take Me Outside” campaign was created by Colin Harris in 2011, after he spent nine months running from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia. Along the way, Colin Harris visited over 80 schools and spoke with students about the importance of spending more time outside rather than in front of a screen.
Colin’s final day of his cross Canada run was October 25th. To mark the day, more than 150 schools across Canada pledged to spend 45 minutes outside during class time. St. David Catholic School accepted this challenge and the students and staff spent time outdoors at their “new school” environment.
“At St. David, we believe in the importance of outdoor experiential learning for our students. We consider nature is an important element in our teaching practice. Our students learn to respect nature and take care of the environment they live in. Taking care of the natural environment is something that we embed in our daily lessons. Today we visited our new school location to witness the beauty that God has planted all around us,” stated Christina Vrbanic Kilby, St. David School grade 8 teacher.
Physical activity outside promotes good motor development and good mental health. Sunlight can boost vitamin D levels, which help form strong bones. Going outside in nature can give students a mental boost.
“Nature is fuel for the soul,” said Richard Ryan, author and professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “Nature is something within which we flourish, so having it be more a part of our lives is critical, especially when we live and work in built environments.”
The students and staff of St. David School plan to visit the site of their new school during the year and will continue to explore and reap the benefits of outdoor education in their “backyard”.
Pumpkin Decorating at St. Bernadette
St. Bernadette Catholic School Grade 5 French Immersion student, Parker Farstad, and his mother proudly show off their scary creation. The parents of grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 students joined their children in class to decorate pumpkins for use this Halloween. Parker created a spooky spider pumpkin and his classmates were just as imaginative: there were haunted houses, mummies, ghosts and skeleton pumpkins. Happy Halloween!
St. Anne Students Explore Design Techniques through Winter Landscapes
Teacher Serena Troscinski’s Grade 6 class has some very talented artists who have been working on principles of design (balance). In this particular Art project, students created a winter landscape using some paint and straws to portray a cold and wintery scene. “I liked this assignment because I like Art, especially painting. Using the straws to create the trees was fun because it was something I’ve never tried before. I also felt really proud to be recognized with other students in the class for doing a good job,” said Kelly Mazerolle, a grade 6 student at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer.