Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Programs

Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens!

Posted on by Erin Kendall

We are proud of our Francophone heritage.

On September 25th, 2022, Sudbury Catholic Schools celebrated Franco-Ontarian Day! This celebration is an annual opportunity to learn about Franco-Ontarian culture and history in real life and bring awareness to this wonderful community on an occasion that combines education, fun, language, and history. As the number of FSL students and families continues to grow, it is important for Sudbury Catholic to infuse French Culture into the classrooms.

In our video that highlights our Franco-Ontarian celebrations, we use the phrase, “Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens!”, which translated from French means, “We are proud of our Francophone heritage!” 

In addition to annual celebrations, FSL teaching and learning is being further supported in our community through our FSL Plan. One of the most important goals of Sudbury Catholic School’s three-year FSL Plan is improving student confidence and proficiency. We’re committed to providing french language learners with the support they need, and to continue to offer programming that is evidence-based and engaging.

“With what we currently know about how kids learn to read, our Board has committed to shifting from a balanced to a structured literacy approach. Structured literacy provides explicit instruction of the key components of literacy so that students develop excellent pre-reading and reading skills. This approach also guarantees early identification of students at-risk through assessment. The best interventions can then be used to support and move students along. With purposeful reading instruction and interventions, students will demonstrate increased achievement in the FSL program. Literacy leads to proficiency, confidence, and an enthusiasm for life-long learning. And that’s the best gift of all” – Camille Heaton, FSL Consultant. 

Sudbury Catholic Schools Give Back to the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Staff and students at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board raised $1,923.10 to support the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee. Leaves of Change: Binaakwe Giizis is a fundraiser which took place on October 14, 2022, to promote environmental stewardship.

The goal of the fundraiser is to engage in civic and environmental responsibility by bringing attention to climate change and better understand how we can protect the earth for future generations. Throughout the day and the month of October, students and staff are encouraged to make more sustainable efforts. This includes cleaning green spaces by picking up trash and litter, recycling, using a reusable water bottle and reducing day to day waste, where possible. 

In addition, October is known as Binaakwe Giizis – Moon of Falling Leaves. The fundraiser also served as an educational opportunity to understand, acknowledge, and respect Indigenous perspectives on caring for Mother Earth (Shkagamik Kwe). 

“As a school board, it is our responsibility to create opportunities that teach the importance of protecting the earth for future generations.Environmental degradation affects the health and well-being of all peoples of North America and the world in many ways. By participating in this fundraiser, and the many planned activities, we help our community engage in volunteerism and create hope through environmental restoration,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. 

Marymount Students Take First Place in Skills Ontario Challenge

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Grade 7 Marymount students Annabelle Richardson, Isabella Palladino and Mila Kidd placed first in the Popsicle Stick House Challenge; an event hosted by Skills Ontario as part of the International Day of the Girl Virtual Challenge Series. 

To celebrate International Day of the Girl (which was held on October 11, 2022), Skills Ontario hosted several events including the For Girls, By Girls conference, a virtual celebration, and the virtual challenge series. 

Students were assigned the task of building a house entirely out of popsicle sticks. Along with the structure, students were required to list and describe the various trades required to complete a project such as this. They then submitted a video of their project. 

“We really wanted to win! It was a lot of fun to work together and build our popsicle house. We worked hard all week on our submission,” said Annabelle. 

“The theme of this year’s event was girls can do anything – and I think we proved that! We really like completing these challenges because we’re given the opportunity to work on technical skills and collaborate as a team!” said Isabella. 

The three students also agree that partnering with Skills Ontario and participating in experiential learning opportunities helps prepare them for the future! 

“I want to be an architect – coming to Marymount has been awesome because there are so many opportunities and programs that focus on trades and technology. I really enjoy completing Skills Ontario Challenges and look forward to completing more in the future,” said Mila.

For more information about International Day of the Girl events, please go to https://www.skillsontario.com/idg. 

Student Senate Collects 127 Items for Their Annual Winter Clothing Drive

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

The Student Senate was able to collect 127 winter clothing items for their annual winter clothing drive! The campaign ran from October 7 – 21 and all four secondary schools and the Catholic Education Centre participated.

“It was a very successful campaign. Every school was able to contribute something, and we crushed our goal of 86 items by 41, with a final total of 127. It is always great to see what our school board community can accomplish. I would like to say thanks to our Student Senate members and Tracey Adams for helping promote this campaign. Also, a big thanks to those who were able to contribute,” said Jack Gouchie, Student Trustee.

“This coat drive is such an important campaign and is an amazing way for us to give back to our community. I am so proud that the Student Senate was able to donate 127 winter clothing items this year,” said Catena Hayden, Student Trustee.

St. Francis School Welcomes Bishop Dowd and Father Chad

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

St. Francis School welcomed Bishop Thomas Dowd and Father Chad Franklin to their community on October 26, 2022. While there, they visited several classrooms, toured the school and talked with staff and students.

Students asked Bishop Dowd questions, sang him songs and showed him the different projects they are working on! Some favourite student questions included:

  • What does a Bishop Do?
  • What languages can Bishop Dowd Speak?
  • How many countries has Bishop Dowd visited?
  • How many Churches does Bishop Dowd oversee?

Bishop Dowd and Father Chad thoroughly enjoyed their visit with the school and look forward to catching up with the staff and students soon!

  • The Bishop talks in front of a class
  • The Bishop talks with a student
Students asked the Bishop questions, showed him the projects they are working on and even
received a lesson on the origin of All Saints Day.

St. David School Participates in Take Me Outside Day

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

St. David School joined schools across the country and participated in Take me Outside Day on October 19, 2022. Take Me Outside Day helps to raise awareness about outdoor learning and encourages teachers to take their students outside. In 2021, 8,900 educators and nearly 400,000 learners across the country participated in the event. 

For their activity, St. David students had the task of building a structure that would keep a photo of a dog safe and dry. They had 10 minutes to find materials outside and the structure had to leave room for a water bowl and bed. Students learned how to collaborate, problem solve and be innovative.

St. David School regularly engages in outdoor learning as a pedagogical approach to enrich learning, enhance school engagement, and improve student health and well-being. The school believes that spending time outside playing, exploring, and learning should be a regular and significant part of every student’s day. St. David School is set against a backdrop of trees, trails and a structured outdoor classroom which significantly encourages teaching and learning opportunities, such as the Take me Outside program. Having a dedicated space for outdoor learning helps students to learn through imagination, play and inquiry. 

“Using our outdoor space provides opportunities for our students and teachers to interact and learn in an environment which stimulates enhanced teaching and learning. Through our connection with the land, St. David School intends on deepening our connections with Indigenous perspectives, strengthening our health and well-being, and increasing our knowledge on climate change, stewardship, and the environment,” said Dawn Wemigwans, Principal of St. David School. 

“Being outside is awesome because it’s fun to learn outdoors and get some fresh air. I think being outside makes me more creative, said Emmett, Grade 4 student.

“I really enjoyed the activity today. Building the structures wasn’t easy, but we did our best! I love learning outside and interacting with nature,” said Sophia, Grade 4 student. More information about Take Me Outside can be found online at: takemeoutside.ca

Secondary Students Explore Trades and Technology Through Unique Mobile Truck Experience

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

During the week of October 11-14, 2022, Sudbury Catholic Secondary students participated in the Trades & Tech events presented by Skills Ontario. The Trades & Tech Truck is a mobile unit equipped with 10 different activities and simulators, allowing youth to explore skilled trades and technologies in an engaging and hands-on experience. 

Sudbury Catholic Schools continues to provide innovative experiential learning experiences throughout the year. Experiential learning encourages students of all ages to participate in activities to develop transferable skills and help prepare them for the future. Partnering with Skills Ontario allows the Board to bring unique opportunities such as the Trades & Tech Truck directly to students and schools. 

“The Trades & Tech Truck provides students with a safe and hands-on experience. The truck is equipped with a welder simulator, heavy equipment simulator, painting simulator, electrical trainer, and several other interactive stations. Through this experience, we can help properly demonstrate the skilled trades and technologies, along with the message that they are viable, first choice career options,” said Hayley Mackay, Trades & Tech Truck Driver with Skills Ontario. 

“I think these skills are important to know not only for academic purposes, but also in our day-to-day lives. Participating in Skills Ontario events is beneficial to show students what career options are out there, as well provide life skills that will be used outside of school,” said Finlee, Grade 10 student at Marymount Academy. 

“The experience was very cool and realistic. It’s awesome to learn about the various career options and have an opportunity to try them out first- hand. I feel like I learned a lot at the Trades & Tech Truck,” said Santino, Grade 10 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. 

K-12 Cyber Awareness Month

Posted on by Erin Kendall

To help Ontario school boards promote safer and more secure practices across their school communities when using digital technologies and the internet, The Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO) has introduced a a campaign to promote cyber safety and encourage individuals to become better online cyber citizens.

The K-12 Cyber Awareness Month (CAM) campaign has been tailored for K-12 education and focuses on promoting cyber security, online safety and privacy in schools and the community. This campaign is an adaptation of October Cyber Security Awareness Month, which is often mentioned in the media.  

Campaign Resources

Each week in October, CAM will focus on a different theme related to cyber awareness. Please visit the ECNO website to access their complete toolkit.

ECNO Website

K-12 Cyber Awareness Calendar 2022-2023

For Girls, By Girls: Marymount Students Participate in International Day of the Girl Conference

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

In honour of International Day of the Girl, Marymount Students attended the ‘For Girls, by Girls’ conference on October 11 at Science North. The conference was designed for girls in Grade 6-8 and provided them with the opportunity to discuss the trades and technology and the various career options available to them. 

Heather Walinga (left), Roselyn Urena-Tejada (middle) and Jade Goodson (right) participated on the panel discussion of the For Girls, By Girls Conference.

The conference included a blend of workshops and panel discussions. The keynote speaker was Kendra Liinamaa, a local welder who has completed various apprenticeships with Vale. The panel discussion was moderated by Danielle Robb, a millwright apprentice, and included Marymount students Roselyn Urena-Tejada, Jade Goodson and Heather Walinga.  In addition, participants were allowed to participate in three different workshops. Workshop options included:

  • Boombox Kit Build, hosted by Skills Ontario (English)
  • Exploring the Skills Ontario Trade and Tech Truck (Bilingual)
  • Tools 101, hosted by Milwaukee Tool (English): Showcasing the latest Milwaukee innovation from hand tools to power tools including safety products. 
  • VEX Code VR (bilingual), hosted by Michael Frankfort
  • Electrical Bugs (Francophone), hosted by College Boreal 

Students left feeling inspired and motivated by the conference,  and are eager to further explore their career options. 

“I feel like I know more about jobs that I never would have considered before, “ Alana, Marymount Student

“I thought it was very hands on and interactive. I loved learning and being inspired by the women at the workshop“  Maddie, Marymount Student.

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