On September 25, we proudly celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day! This special day recognizes the rich culture, heritage, and contributions of the Franco-Ontarian community in our province.
Let’s come together to honour the Francophone spirit that is an important part of our Board community. Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens! (We are proud of our francophone heritage!)
For more information on Franco-Ontarian Day and its significance, please visit the following resources below:
This September, St. Anne School kicked off the school year by celebrating their incredible school spirit! Students and staff came together to proudly wear their school colours, showcasing the pride and unity that make their school community so special.
“At St. Anne, our faith reminds us of the importance of coming together as one family, supporting and uplifting one another in all that we do,” said Principal Megan Murphy. “Our school spirit celebration was a joyful reflection of these values, as we demonstrated our love for our school and the community we’ve built together.”
The school would like to thank everyone who participated and made this celebration a success. The enthusiasm and vibrant spirit of students truly brought the school to life! St. Anne hopes to carry this energy and sense of togetherness throughout the rest of the school year.
Although current students were not yet born when Terry Fox ran through Sudbury on August 4, 1980, his spirit lives on at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB), where his legacy is honoured each year through the Terry Fox School Run.
The Terry Fox School Run is an annual nationwide event, allowing students across Canada to participate in non-competitive runs or walks to celebrate Terry Fox’s legacy as a cancer research activist and athlete. Fox’s 1980 “Marathon of Hope” continues to resonate, encouraging physical fitness, community involvement, and charitable giving, with donations supporting vital cancer research.
For the 2024-25 school year, seven Sudbury Catholic Schools will proudly continue their tradition of holding their own Terry Fox School Run. This includes:
St. Albert
St. Francis
Holy Trinity
St. James
Marymount Academy
St. Paul
Pius XII
Superintendent of Education, Erica Raymond, expressed her gratitude for the continued support: “As a Board, we acknowledge the impact of the Terry Fox Foundation. We are immensely proud of our students and staff who have supported this important cause year after year. In 2023, our participating schools raised over $4,000, contributing to an impressive grand total of $115,000 in Sudbury Catholic School donations over the past 19 years.
Not only is it about the fundraising aspect, but Erica also explains how educators have used the event as a catalyst for a wide range of classroom discussions and activities. “It incorporates Cross-Curricular Learning, as the run can be linked to various subject areas, such as social studies, history (learning about Terry Fox’s journey), and physical education and health. In addition, it provides an opportunity for schools to help students build emotional intelligence. Through Terry Fox’s story, students learn about empathy, kindness, and the human capacity to overcome challenges, contributing to their emotional and moral development.”
Among the 7 schools participating this year, St. Paul Catholic Elementary in Coniston stands out as it marks its 12th consecutive year taking part in the Terry Fox School Run. Over the past 11 years, the school has proudly raised more than $23,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation, and this September, they aim to add $800 to that total during their event on Thursday, Sept. 19th, 2024.
St. Paul School
“I’m incredibly proud to join St. Paul this year as we take part in the Terry Fox School Run,” says Principal Derek Radey. “The energy and enthusiasm that our staff brings to this event is truly inspiring. It means so much to our students and their families. Having already raised over $23,000, I’m excited to see that number grow as we continue to teach new generations about Terry Fox’s remarkable legacy.”
To support this great cause, St. Paul will be collecting donations starting Monday, September 16, leading up to their walk on Thursday. To add a bit of fun and motivation, the school has promised that if they reach their fundraising goal, selected students will have the chance to throw a pie at a few volunteering teachers.
A St. Paul student shared their excitement: “I am excited to participate in the Terry Fox Run. I like seeing how our school is making a difference.”
Terry Fox continues to represent the best qualities of Canadians—courage, determination, and resilience. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the potential we all have to make a lasting impact. To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $850 million, providing hope and essential support to cancer patients and their families. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to play a part in keeping Terry Fox’s dream alive through our continued support of the Terry Fox School Run.
Today, we join in celebrating National IT Professionals Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of our Information Management Services (IMS) team. In our increasingly digital world, the role of IT professionals has never been more crucial. Their expertise ensures that our technology runs smoothly, our data remains secure, and our students and staff have the tools they need to succeed.
Our IMS team works tirelessly behind the scenes to support our mission of providing a safe, innovative, and effective learning environment. From managing complex systems and networks to providing immediate technical support, they play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of our schools and offices.
Please join me in expressing gratitude to our IMS professionals for their dedication, problem-solving skills, and unwavering support. Their hard work significantly impacts our ability to deliver quality education and services.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to congratulate 2024 graduate Alexis Teixeria from St. Charles College, who has been awarded a $1,000 bursary by the Greater Sudbury Police Services Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC). Alexis has shown exceptional dedication to promoting diversity, inclusive practices, and cultural acceptance in her school and community.
Thank you, Alexis, for your inspiring efforts to make our world a more inclusive and welcoming place. Your commitment motivates us all!
Alexis Teixeria
“I would like to thank the Diversity Advisory Committee for choosing me as the winner of their Diversity Bursary; I feel honoured to have been selected as the Sudbury Catholic District Schoolboard recipient. I will continue prioritizing diversity and equity throughout post-secondary years, and even more so as a teacher someday.” – Alexis Teixeria
Thank you to Greater Sudbury Police Services and Gurpreet Singh Broca, Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee, for recognizing and fostering leadership in our community.
Sudbury Catholic Schools hosted a Family Outdoor Play session at Holy Trinity Catholic School on June 13, 2024. New Kindergarten students (beginning school in September 2024) and their families had the opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on, outdoor experiences that they can bring to their own back yard this summer. The evening was a fun way to foster curiosity and connection with the natural world. From exploring the flow of water to building ramps and runs, it was an evening of fun and learning in the great outdoors!
In honour of Earth Day, students at Pius XII, including those in the Full-Day Kindergarten program, are participating by picking up garbage in their schoolyard. Students wore protective gloves and disposed of the collected trash with the help of our educators. This initiative reminds us that no matter how small we are, we can make a big difference in protecting the environment by working together. By participating in such activities, we nurture meaningful lessons and discussions about the importance of sustainability and conserving natural resources for future learners.
Today, as we celebrate our beautiful planet, we reflect on how we can protect and preserve it for future generations. Every action counts, from reducing energy consumption, recycling, planting trees, cleaning our local neighbourhoods, or spending more time outdoors.
Thank you to Pius XII for nurturing an insightful lesson that will support their school community’s efforts to keep the planet clean and beautiful.
In partnership with Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that St. Charles College has enhanced its learning facilities with cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art equipment to help support student development in the skilled-trades.
In February, the school welcomed new equipment funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited. The donation included three multiprocessor welders, two fume extractors, two pallets of welding consumables, safety gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), and four SMART TV monitors. In addition, the school also received six new garage bay doors for both automotive and construction shop areas that were recently installed over the March Break. These contributions will bolster the school’s learning programs and ensures students have access to state-of-the-art equipment that supports their engagement in areas such as welding, metal working, construction, automotive, and more.
Felix Lopes Jr., president of Lopes Limited, passionately encourages today’s youth to get into the trades, “As leaders in the trades industry, we believe it’s our social responsibility to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways for our youth to pursue a career in the trades.”
The newly added equipment aims to ignite an interest and passion amongst students in the skilled trades, potentially shaping the career paths of tomorrow’s workforce. The initiative, organized and generously funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, will help support students to engage in further hands-on learning opportunities that could potentially lead them to choosing a career in the skilled trades.
“St. Charles College is proud to work with such amazing local partners and is committed to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the skilled trades. The new resources installed at our school this year will make a massive difference in the learning experience for our students. We extend our deepest gratitude to Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited for their generous contributions.” Says Principal Aaron Barry.
Enhanced Promotion of Skilled Trades in Ontario schools:
The Ontario Government is taking proactive steps to boost awareness and engagement with skilled trades in schools, aiming to provide students with opportunities to cultivate interests and skills that pave the way for successful careers. Currently, there are more than 140 skilled trades in Ontario. They fall under four sectors: construction, industrial, transportation and service. The skilled trades present a compelling array of fulfilling and financially rewarding paths for students. Through specialized training and hands-on experience, these professions offer secure employment, excellent compensation, and personal satisfaction. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades-ontario-schools for more information about the promotion of skilled trades in Ontario schools.
“The ongoing promotion of the skilled trades within our schools is essential. By 2026, one in six job openings are projected to be in the skilled trades. This inevitable outcome means ensuring we have cutting-edge learning environments to promote the skilled trades within our secondary schools is now more important than ever.” Says Dan Levecque, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Specialist High Skills Major Secondary Consultant with Sudbury Catholic. “The newly added resources will encourage students to cultivate a genuine passion and skills for the many thrilling opportunities awaiting them in the skilled trades sector.”
Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education adds, “Not only will these new resources enhance the facilities in one of our largest school communities, it will further support our students in reaching their full potential, which always remains a top priority.”
Canadian Parents for French Ontario is offering FREE French enrichment programs funded by the Ministry of Education for FSL (French as a Second Language) students from SK to Grade 12. The program is offered after school in May at 4:00pm, 5:00pm or 6:00pm, featuring a daily 45-minute class over a two-week session. Virtual Programs will be led by OCT certified teachers or Teacher Candidates in an Ontario Bachelor of Education program. Register here for our programs in May today!
