November 10th, 2011 – Aboriginal students at St. Charles College took part in a university and college fair on November 10 in the school gymnasium. The information sessions allowed students to choose their post secondary options with the help of each school’s Aboriginal Recruitment Officer. There were twenty-two post secondary institutions from across the province taking part.
The event was arranged by the school’s Native Studies department. Native Studies teacher Jennifer Petahtegoose has been organizing the event for the last three years. She says students from grades 10 to 12 are being included.
Melvin Peltier, a Native Student Recruitment Officer with Sault College says, “Aboriginal students don’t always go to the big university and college information nights. These students much prefer a small setting and more of a one-on-one experience.”
Category: Programs
Immaculate Conception Students “Remember”
The students at Immaculate Conception School honoured and remembered
all of the men and women who served and continue to serve our country
during times of war, conflict and peace. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion
and the Knights of Columbus in full uniform helped our young Canadian students
understand and appreciate all those who have served our community and
died for our country so that they could leave us with the gift of peace, freedom,
community and democracy. Students understand that we all have a responsibility
to spread the Word of God, love, compassion, justice and forgiveness so that never again
do we allow violence and war be the means to solving our differences.
Newcap Radio Gives Generously to Sudbury Catholic Schools Once Again
Newcap Radio Director of Programming Rick Tompkins visited the Sudbury Catholic District School Board recently to present them with a significant cheque. For the third year in a row, Newcap gifted Sudbury Catholic with a generous donation of over $7,500. The cheque is a result of their commitment to supporting music programs and education in Sudbury as part of an agreement between Newcap Radio and the CRTC. Through this agreement, the radio station promised to help foster musicianship among area youth, particularly through providing support of local school board music programming – including the purchase of instruments.
Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Catholic Board expressed her gratitude for the donation. “ We are so pleased to have such a supportive partner in Newcap radio,” McCullough stated. “Our music programs are an important part of our board, and through this type of monetary support, we are able to further enhance and build this programming. We are very thankful to Newcap as they continue to show their commitment to our community partnership.” Over the past three years, the radio station has donated close to $20,00 to the Sudbury Catholic Board’s music programs.
Who is Teaching Whom?
Students and teachers might know each other, they see each other each day in their classrooms. But what happens when a visitor arrives?
Every visitor brings with him something to be offered, something to enrich, something new to be learned. But those lessons will only be learned if they are presented in a way that is interesting and attractive to the audience. Students at St. David Catholic Elementary School had the unique opportunity to share in their learning with a familiar guest to the school. Father Tony Man-Son-Hing from Christ the King Parish, who is a regular guest to St. David, had a chance to interact with the students and, along with the students is also learning how to be comfortable with technology.
Every Wednesday, Father Tony Man-Son-Hing shares breakfast with one of the classes at St. David Catholic School. On Wednesday, November 2, coffee cup in hand, he arrived in Ms. Gran’s grade 4/5 class to share raisin toast and grapes almost the size of clementines. Almost immediately students were willing to engage. They were excited about challenging the priest to “Find Jesus” in the iPad app by the same name. They also wanted to know how well he would do with the “Catholic Quiz”. At level 1, Father Tony scored 10 out 11 questions right and the computer said he was “genius”.
Firing up the smart board, the children then were eager to demonstrate to this newcomer their expertise in naming and locating all the provinces and territories of this vast land. They did well. Much better than the computer did. Somewhere between Saskatchewan and British Columbia there was a crash. Was the computer de-railed or was it challenged? We will never know. Thinking fast, Ms. Gran chose another alternative and thus the students were introduced to Father Tony’s blog (www.aaog.blogspot.com). After a brief tour of the site, the students then helped Father Tony to compose his post — all about his visit to their classroom (http://aaog.blogspot.com/2011/10/technology-in-classroom.html).
Father Tony left the students of Ms. Gran’s class with the message, “ipads and blogs are tools for today to find Jesus, to find faith, to find something to inspire and to feed the heart and soul”.
Technology in Action
Grade 1 students in Mme Perrin’s class at St. Bernadette Catholic School have been working on descriptive short stories with the help of the Sudbury Catholic Schools Technology Integration Mentor, Ginette Toivonen. The students recorded their stories into Garage Band and turned them into short movies that included an illustration of their imaginary characters. Pictured here are Graciella Ngwana and her Grade 6 peer helper, Stephanie Lagrandeur, as they put the final touches on Graciella’s story. Mme Toivenen stated, ” This is a great way for teachers to integrate literacy, art and technology and best of all, student are very excited to learn!”
St. Charles College Student Hoping his Music Goes Viral
Two years ago, Brandon Langella found his niche. He started high school and when he wasn’t doing school work, he began making music on his home computer. Brandon discovered he had a knack for drumming up beats and writing the lyrics to go along with them. Next week (Nov. 7), the grade 11 student at St. Charles College is unveiling his latest song, “Video Star” in video format on YouTube. The audio file is already available on ITunes, along with two of his previous releases. He collaborated with Toronto artist Dreams Brown for the video and song. Brandon is known as DJ Gella in music circles. He’s also recently joined forces with another Toronto artist named Rebecca Nazz – to form a group called The Futuristics. DJ Gella says his parents have been very supportive of his musical aspirations and for that he plans on giving back to his community. “I want to open a local recording studio in collaboration with my parents to make it easier for people my age to produce music.” His musical prospects have also forced Langella to explore music as a career option after high school. For now, he is focused on AAA hockey and looks forward to hearing himself on one of the local radio stations.
Donovan Area Catholic School and Best Start Hub Work Together to Serve Community’s Needs
The Best Start Aboriginal Hub and the teachers of St. David Catholic School have partnered to meet the needs of the Junior and Senior Kindergarten students. Eileen Creasely and Nakina Stevens, two HUB employees facilitate monthly hands on lessons based in Aboriginal culture and tradition that are closely linked with the new kindergarten curriculum. Each class is invited to the HUB once a month for a fun, culture based lesson. Many of the lessons include song and dance opportunities as well as the opportunity to new a word in the Ojibwe language.
Lindsay Michel, St. David School Kindergarten teacher states, “this not only benefits all our students, but also benefits the teachers and educational assistants in the school. New learning is good for everyone. As teachers, it is important for us to model to our students that we too are lifelong learners and open to new ideas and the learning of a different culture. This program really helps to build connections between the school and the HUB. The students see us learning together, laughing together and working as a team”.
The school and the HUB plan to continue this program throughout the school year. “We appreciate the support and team building opportunities the HUB offers the school”, states Michel. “We have a lot of fun working together”.
Zoom Zoom Zoom to Zumba
The primary and junior students at St. Mary recently participated in a Zumba class on October 27th. The class was especially designed for younger children. “The smaller children have to approach the class at a slower pace because their co-ordination skills are just developing,” said instructor Renee Rainville Fong. Primary students were taught how to move their arms and legs to the music as their instructor taught them age – appropriate steps. Parents, teachers and the whole community received more than their usual allotment of Daily Physical Exercise. “Zumba is an excellent workout,” said teachers Becky Waern and Dante Merigioli. A grade 3 student, Rayden Recollect remarked, “Zumba is even harder than playing hockey!” The whole school is eagerly awaiting their next Zumba session.
Giving St. James School a BIG Bear Hug
Students, teachers, parents, school staff, clergy and educational partners held hands together to literally form a “human circle” and gave St. James School a BIG Bear Hug on October 26, 2011. Forming a circle by holding hands recognized that everyone makes a difference and plays an important role in the education of the St James students.
Prior to going outside to form a circle, Bishop Noel Simard addressed the students and explained how hugs are a sign of welcoming and acceptance of everyone.
This simple hug created such a positive synergy and was a visible sign of the fondness for St. James School. Giving St. James a BIG Bear hug was a special and memorable moment and as one Grade 8 student summed it up “This is the coolest thing we ever did at school”.