The Right to Learn, The Power to Achieve! October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. On Friday, October 16, 2015, Special Education Resource Teacher Martina Reynolds organized two workshops for students to highlight that everyone learns differently and that all students should use their unique abilities. Students in grades 2 to 6 were active participants in two presentations entitled “Be Cool in School” and “LD 101” delivered by Jarah Preston of LDAS. Deputy Mayor Joyce Landry-Altman was on hand to make the Official Proclamation, along with LDAS Board Chair Liz Brett-Dickie. Students also heard from Matthew Turcotte, a grade 11 St. Charles College student and Honorary Chair of LDAS. Matthew is an encouraging example of someone who has overcome a recognized learning disability.
Category: Programs
Pius XII Staff Supporting Students Through Outdoor Art
With a focus on the importance of having fun at school, the staff at Pius XII Catholic Elementary School decided to make the school yard more appealing to students. Staff put their artistic and creative skills to the test and painted the cement slabs, large rocks, and wooden ramps with dynamic colours and themes. While playing in the yard students can read positive messages promoting peace and cooperation. They can imagine themselves in a game of Minecraft or stand on a turtle’s back and go for a ride! The staff and students at Pius XII are definitely having fun!
Staff and Students at St. Charles Elementary Celebrate Jays Day
The St. Charles Catholic Elementary School RAMS showed their spirit as they cheered on the Jays! As the Toronto Blue Jays entered game 5 of the division series on Wednesday, October 14th, staff and students wore their Jays gear for a Jays Day. Since this is the first time in 22 years a Canadian team has won in the MLB playoffs, Jays fever is spreading!
“It was great to see the school’s support as they came together to cheer for the Toronto Blue Jays” says principal Dave Soehner. “Now that the Jays have won game 5 and have moved on to the American League finals againstt Kansas City, our support for the Jays will continue! Stay tuned for more school spirit throughout the playoffs.”
O-K, O-K. Blue Jays! Blue Jays! Let’s-Play-Ball!
Holy Trinity Officially Opens its Doors – October 15, 2015
The sun poured in the gymnasium’s windows on Thursday, October 15 for the official opening of Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School. Students, staff, parents, invited guests and community partners gathered for the official ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s newest elementary school. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board conducted an accommodation review process in 2009-2010, concluding that St. Andrew, St. Bernadette and St. Raphael Schools would be consolidated into a new dual track JK to Grade 6 school. The Ministry of Education approved the construction of the new facility on July 7, 2011. After this approval was received, a request for proposal for Architectural Services was issued, with Yallowega Belanger Architecture being awarded the contract. Construction documents were prepared and tendered with Build North Construction being awarded the construction contract. Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School open its doors for students on September 8, 2015.
The official opening started off with songs from the school choir and also had Bishop Plouffe celebrate the event with a blessing. Invited guests including M.P.P. Glenn Thibeault, Mayor Brian Bigger, Ministry of Education Regional Representative Irene Charette, and Amber Salach from Yallowega Belanger Architecture Sudbury. As well, SCDSB Aboriginal Youth Worker Carla Petahtegoose brought greetings from the traditional territory of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation. School Principal Diana Salvador, Superintendent Nicole Bédard, Board Chair Jody Cameron and Director of Education Joanne Bénard also addressed the crowd. All speakers expressed their joy in seeing the vision of the new school come together so beautifully.
“Today we celebrate together what started off as a vision – a new school for our New Sudbury area that would pull together three individual schools as one – with a brand new identity. I can say with confidence that Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School certainly fits that bill, and is a facility that is a positive asset to the collaborative nature of teaching and learning,” Stated Jody Cameron. “While we know that a building does not determine the quality of a student’s education, it can however be a facilitative factor in making the educational process a more effective one and a more pleasant experience for all. This beautiful school is a result of the collaboration of many different people, organizations and departments.”
Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School is a dual track English and French Immersion programming school from Kindergarten to grade six and has over 520 students currently enroled.
SCDSB Cheers on LU
Sudbury Catholic District School Board elementary students were invited to cheer on their local Laurentian University Voyageurs hockey team during one of their season games. Students from St. Francis, Holy Cross, St. David, Holy Trinity, and St. Benedict packed the arena as they cheered on the Voyageurs as they won a victory over Nipissing 3-2 in a shootout.
Celebrating and Giving Thanks at St. David
During the month of October, English Catholic schools in Sudbury celebrate the value of Faith. St. David Catholic Elementary School teaches that faith is an attitude that encourages people to involve and develop a relationship with God. The school staff and students marked this Thanksgiving season by gathering as a community and celebrating the Liturgy of the Word. Deacon Roland Muzzatti, from Christ the King Parish officiated the school wide service. Deacon Muzzatti stressed to the students the importance of giving thanks not only for our material possessions, but also for our freedoms, special gifts, talents and families.
Mrs. Melody Henry, a school volunteer and choir director lead the school in song during the service. “It was a beautiful celebration of our Faith. The students were extremely attentive and engaged in the conversation with Deacon Roland. It was especially meaningful when the students proudly shared what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving.” Teachers, Nancy Costanzi and Natasha Folino, with the help of student volunteers, organized the celebration with the intention of deeply discussing our gratitude for all good things in life and sharing the notion that hard things can happen, but through our resilience and belief in God we can overcome these obstacles with dignity and perseverance.
BACCSS Catches the Jays Spirit
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School staff and students caught the Blue Jays spirit! Students took a break from hitting the books to watch and cheer for their favourite baseball team. The gym was adorned with blue and white and transformed into a mini stadium with its very own TD Comfort Zone couch. In September, students in the Bishop Elite Sports Training (BEST) program, as well as students in the Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM) in Fitness were able to use the Blue Jays training facility and toured their locker room and medical facilities.
St. John’s Supports the Garson Community
Teachers Miss Bennett and Mrs. Allen, and the grade 2/3 class at St. John Catholic Elementary School helped in organizing the canned food drive for the Garson Food Bank. Students collected cans from the community from Oct 5th-Oct 9th. With the overwhelming support from staff, family and the Garson community, St John collected more than 6 500 cans.
“Thanks for Thanksgiving” at St. David School
St. David Catholic School, kindergarten students have been busy this week reading stories, poems, prayers and recipes all about the season of Thanksgiving. The class made homemade apple sauce and pumpkin pies while learning about measurement and procedural text. Angela Ross, early childhood educator states, “As a full day kindergarten team, we strive to cover the kindergarten curriculum in creative and meaningful ways for our students.” The week ended with the students enjoying a full Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes and of course the pumpkin pie they made as a class.