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.
Category: Programs
Two SCDSB Teachers Named Apple Distinguished Educators
Leann Laframboise and Marlene Lee from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board were honoured to be two of twenty-six teachers in Canada to be chosen by Apple Canada this year to be named an Apple Distinguished Educator. They join their colleague, Jennifer Connelly, who became an ADE last year. They are three of 86 teachers in Canada to hold this title. They join the approximately 1400 ADEs across the world who share and have access to the knowledge, tips and expertise the members post on the Apple Distinguished Educator community site. Teachers are required to submit a video of how they use technology in the classroom as part of the application process. All three attended the Apple Institute held in Ottawa from July 2nd to July 5th, 2010. Here they were given the chance to attend sessions on the use of technology in the classroom, listen to motivational speakers and to meet other ADEs across Canada. All three teachers are even more excited about integrating technology into their classrooms next year.
St. Benedict Students Take to the Lake
Students from St. Benedict’s A.S.D. class had the opportunity recently to try the sport of rowing. They started off by training indoors all second semester at the ILRC downtown with the help of Carla John, who works at the ILRC, and their coach was Thomas Merritt, from the Sudbury Rowing Club. When the weather got warmer and the students felt more confident with their rowing skills, they got to row on the lake. The coach got other members from the rowing club to volunteer so that the students had experienced rowers along with them the first time. The indoor training was very physically demanding as the students worked up a quite a sweat but when they got to go out on the lake, it made it all worth it. The class hopes to continue the rowing next year.
Sudbury Catholic Lifeskills Students Take Part in Annual Special Olympics
On Friday, June 18, 2010 students from both the elementary and secondary lifeskills classes gathered together at Pius XII Elementary School for the board’s annual Special Olympics event. Two sessions were arranged for the students with the secondary students participating in the morning and the elementary students participating in the afternoon. The day involved several different events for the participating students including an obstacle course, hockey shoot-out, soccer shoot-out and a basketball challenge. At the end of both sessions, all of the staff and students gathered together and all of the participants were applauded for their valiant efforts.
St. Charles College Student Receives Significant French Immersion Scholarship
Alison Hunt, a grade 12 student from St. Charles College found out recently that she was the successful grant applicant for a $20,000 French Immersion scholarship from the University of Ottawa. After applying to the University for their International Development and Globalization program, Hunt received news that she was going to be receiving $5,000 a year for the next four years as long as she takes 60% of her courses in French. A French Immersion student for all of her schooling, Hunt didn’t really think about applying for any sort of French Immersion related scholarships. Her teacher, Rick Emond suggested to her that she might want to consider this option. Thankfully Hunt took his advice and her parents couldn’t be happier. “They are really excited for me,” Hunt said. “They know this is a fantastic opportunity for me and are really proud of me, especially since neither of them even speak French.” Hunt attributes a lot of her scholastic succes to Mr. Emond. “ He (Emond) has been there for me right from day one in Grade 9 and has encouraged me to stay in French Immersion right into Grade 12”. Emond says that he has always been very proud of Alison’s accomplishments as she has always been a very mature student who always went beyond what was required and always took extreme pride in her work. “Allison has always seen the importance of the Immersion program and never complained about the work that was involved,” Emond said. “She deserves this and part of me is envious of the opportunities that lie ahead of her as there is no doubt in my mind that she will make a difference in the world – when people talk about our students being our future, Alison will be one of the ones leading the way.” Hunt hopes to eventually work for a global charitable organization such as “Right to Play” and feels that continuing in her French will allow her more successful career opportunities.
SCC Junior Boys Soccer Win AA NOSSA Championship
The St. Charles College junior boy’s soccer team took the AA NOSSA championship in North Bay this past month. The Cards were made up of some very talented soccer players this year and cruised along during the regular season until they lost in the semi-final game 2 – 0 to Lasalle in the city finals. The Cards expected a much better fate with the team they had. However, the boys finished high enough in the standings to qualify as the AA NOSSA representative. The boys avenged last year’s loss to West Ferris in NOSSA by beating them to capture the championship this year by a score of 2 – 0. Brad Guthrie scored the opener for the Cards while Chriss Rossi clinched it with a goal in the second half. The defence was solid being anchored by Peter Khouri and Blake Leclair who move up to senior while defensive standouts Walter Kosher and Brad Williams return to junior next year. Goalkeeper Michael Michelle kept a clean sheet in net. The boys look forward to the opportunity to defend their NOSSA championship next year and capture the city championship as well.
Sudbury Catholic Students Rock Out “En Francais”!
Elementary French Immersion students from the Sudbury District School Board were treated to some special musical performances recently. M. Roland Bibeau, a singer/songwriter from Windsor, Ontario was in Sudbury this past week performing several French songs for many of the Sudbury Catholic Schools. With videos and words projected on the wall behind him, the students were able to participate by singing along with the Bibeau as well as clapping and dancing to the music. All who took part in the concerts enjoyed Bibeau’s performances and felt that it was a great way to end the school year.
Immaculate Students Chat Live with Olympic Athlete
Over the past year, Immaculate Conception teacher Tania Lacroix has given her students the amazing opportunity to be penpals with a true Canadian Olympian. The grade 1/2 class has been following the training and athletic performances of Kristina Groves, a Canadian long track speedskater who won both a silver and bronze medal at the 2010 Olympic Games. Approximately eight years ago, Lacroix had a friend that worked at the Calgary Training Centre and she asked if there were any athletes who would be willing to be penpals with her class. Groves volunteered and has been communicating with her classes ever since. Groves has connected with this year’s class since September through letters, and the hope was that she would be able to visit the class. During the Winter Olympics, Groves even held up a sign that had the name of the school on it for all of Canada to see. Due to scheduling conflicts, Groves was unable to come to Sudbury to visit the students but they came up with the next best thing. On Friday, June 10, the entire school gathered in the gym to take part in a a Skype call with Kristina in Calgary. The students were able to see and hear Kristina describe her races as a digital projector projected the video on the wall of the gym. Groves answered questions asked by the students in all of the different grades and even showed the group both her bronze and silver medals. It was evident that Groves was having as much fun with the call as the students in the gym as she commented on the great questions the kids were asking and smiled and laughed as the entire group clapped and screamed for her. Lacroix was happy that Groves was able to communicate one on one with the school and was pleased that they were able to finally connect live.
Sudbury Catholic Schools’ Employees Ride the Big Bike for Heart & Stroke
Sudbury Catholic District School Board “Holy Rollers” staff took on the challenge of riding the “Big Bike” to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. On Friday afternoon, 20 of the Board’s employees mounted the monster bike and peddled through the streets of downtown Sudbury during hot and muggy weather. Spirits were high on the bike as SCS members rattled their noisemakers and waved to everyone as the peddled past them. Cheered on and encouraged by pedestrians and motorists alike, the SCDSB staff did their best to complete the route in record time and raise more than $1,900 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Encouraged by the turnout, the fun and the camaraderie, Sudbury Catholic Schools will be back again next year with even a more impressive group.