St. Andrew students and staff opened their hearts to help children in third world countries receive some Christmas joy. Each class filled five or more shoeboxes full with small presents like soap, toys, pencils, crayons and hard candy. These gift boxes will be delivered by the organization known as Samaritan’s Purse to children in some of the most destitute parts of the world. This is the third year St. Andrew School has participated in this Christmas project. Pictured here are school volunteer Claire Olivier with Braxton, Viktor, Mary and Zoe as they hand over the school’s contribution to Joan Henderson our local Operation Christmas Child representative.
Category: Programs
Students share feedback and strategies with St. Charles Elementary Safe Schools Team
During National Bullying Prevention Week at St. Charles Elementary, students Valerie Lowes, Kira Gouchie and Daniella Lowes shared feedback and suggestions with the safe schools team. Principal David Soehner asked the students about their ideas on how the school can be improved, and if they feel welcomed and safe. Valerie, Kira and Daniella enjoyed the chance to share their ideas. Kira Gouchie stated that “St. Charles is a really good school. We can tell the staff if there is a problem and they listen”.
Kelso’s Choices moves up to Junior classes at St. Charles Elementary
At St. Charles Elementary, the primary students have been using Kelso’s Choices for a few years with great success! During Bullying Awareness Week, students in junior classes learned about Kelso’s Choices and the KC conflict management program. Vice-Principal Laura Stirrett went to junior classrooms to lead students through a variety of activities to explore the difference between minor and serious problems, and how to approach each. For example, with minor problems, students can choose 2 strategies that are either verbal (talk it out, apologize, tell them to stop or make a deal) or non-verbal (wait and cool off, walk away, go to another game or ignore it) to resolve a conflict, and then tell an adult if that doesn’t work. With serious problems students would tell an adult right away.
St. Bernadette students stand up for peace
To celebrate anti-bullying week St. Bernadette students wore blue to signify that they Stand Up! for La paix! St. Bernadette School’s motto is “La paix c’est notre priorité.”
Making a Difference at St. James School
Thank you to Sergeant Hotson from the Greater Sudbury Police Service who came to St. James School to remind us that our actions can make a difference. The book that Sgt. Hotson read to students during National Anti-Bullying Week addressed the theme of bullying and strategies that all of us can use. Stand Up to Bullies, Be a Friend, and You are not Alone were reinforced to students as part of the discussion regarding the book and making connections to our own lives.
St. Andrew shares anti-bullying message
On Tuesday November 18th, Officer H. Wilmount visited St. Andrew School and shared her message that it is okay to be different. We all need to stand up and be a friend. She took time to read Og and the Gruffalo to the primary children and My Secret Bully to the junior children. She also brought the school a beautiful banner with the school Thunderbird logo and the words “Take the Pledge…The Writing is on the Wall…Stand up Be a Friend…You are not Alone.”
All the students in the school will have an opportunity to sign the banner and then it will be placed in a strategic spot in the school.
Director Joanne Bénard in the hot seat at St. Bernadette
During her recent visit to St. Bernadette Catholic School, Director of Education Joanne Bénard sat in the “hot seat” with students in Grades 3 through 6.
The Director joined in as students used an application on their iPads called Puppet Pals to practise their French language oral communication skills. Students recorded themselves interviewing each other and they asked and answered questions “en français”. Once the interviews were over, students shared their creations with their classmates using the SmartBoard. Mme Perron (Gr. 3), Mme Chevrier (Gr. 4) and Mme Therrien (Gr. 5/6) have been team-teaching with a focus on increasing self-confidence, motivation and engagement for second language French Immersion students for the past school year. “Students are always enthusiastic to participate in authentic opportunities to use their oral communication skills. Using technology to enhance their performance is a very successful approach!”, stated Mme Perron. Mme Therrien said, “The students were thrilled when Mme Bénard partnered with Grade 5 student, Sabrina Crossthwaite! Interviewing the Director of Education, en français, a great opportunity to showcase how well our students are able to communicate in their second language!”
We all have a responsibility to look out for each other to prevent bullying
In celebration of bullying prevention week, a group of students gathered in the St. Charles College chapel at lunch today to speak about the challenges and pressures facing youth. Natalie Robert will be presenting about her teenage experience thus far at the Antioch weekend retreat this weekend. Natalie will be talking about building a community of faith and how we all have a responsibility to care for each other and ourselves.
Antioch is a weekend retreat to build relationships and spirituality. It is being held this weekend and is held twice each year for incoming grade 9 students.
Deacon Steve Callaghan who leads the retreat says Natalie’s topic is fitting given this is bullying prevention week. “If we are taking care of each other, that means we are saying no to bullying of every shape and form”.
Board celebrates faith community on PA Day
On Nov 7 2014, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board came together as a faith community. The PA Day began with a mass celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe and many priests from the area. The day continued with the unveiling of the SudburyCatholicSchools mental health strategy – “Sudbury Catholic Schools… where your well-being matters”. The logo for the mental health strategy is a combination of the sun and a dandelion. The dandelion is regarded as a weed, despite it’s many beneficial health properties. A weed is to dandelion as words like crazy are to mental health. The warm colour and sun-like qualities promote positivity, brightness and growth. At the centre is a cross to symbolize how our faith is at the centre of all that we do.
The staff was also addressed by a current student who shared their own struggles. Student Rilie spoke from her heart and helped the staff understand what a caring adult can do to help students. The afternoon continued with Psychologist Adele Robinson whose topic was Emotional Coaching: Supporting the Emotional Health of Youth in Schools. SCDSB wants to thank each and every staff member who helps make a difference in the lives of our students everyday! Sudbury Catholic Schools… where your well-being matters