This past month, Immaculate Conception School organized a Family Numeracy Hour. Parents and grandparents were invited to come play cards with their children. Not only was it fun, but parents and grandparents became involved in helping their children learn math while they engaged in “hands-on learning” with playing cards. JK and SK students practiced number recognition, primary students focused on adding card numbers together and junior students practiced their multiplication skills by playing a new version of High Card. All students received a deck of cards to bring home so that they can play exciting “math” card games with their parents. Parents have a very important role in helping their child practice math skills at home, and when it is disguised as a math game, students enjoy it so much more!
Category: Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School is Drug Aware
On Wednesday, May 25, 2011- Immaculate Conception School held its first Drug Awareness Community Partnerships Night. James Bolan, Substance Abuse Counsellor, Brenda Stankiewicz, Public Health Nurse and Constable Julie Midena shared valuable information with parents and community partners about the different types of street drugs that are out in our community. James Bolan shared stories and information which captivated everyone sitting in the audience. His message is very clear when it comes to drug use, “Be aware of drugs, don’t start and say “No”. Nurse Stankiewicz and Constable Medina presented all the known drugs in the community. They spoke about the health and social consequences of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamines, crystal meth, datura, and even homemade drugs that are made to look like candy. Constable Medina explained the role of the police when they are called in regarding the presence of drugs and drug use. Nurse Stankiewicz encourages parents to talk to their children about personal safety, dangers of drugs use and keeping medication and alcohol out of sight at home.
After the formal presentation, parents had the opportunity to mingle with our guest speakers and ask questions. Constable Medina announced that a Drug Awareness Community Partnerships Night would be held this fall in November. Immaculate Conception Principal, Louisa Bianchin was pleased with the event and said that she “hoped that all parents and community partners learned a lot from the evening and that they find the time to attend the next information session.” She also expressed her thanks to the following people for attending and participating in the Drug Awareness evening – James Bolan, Brenda Stankiewicz, Constable Julie Medina and Trustee Michael Bellmore.
Immaculate Conception Students Lay Down the Cards
On Tuesday, May 17, 2011 Immaculate Conception School organized a Family Numeracy Hour. Parents and grandparents were invited to come play cards with their children. Not only was it fun, but parents and grandparents became involved in helping their children learn math while they engaged in “hands-on learning” with playing cards. JK and SK students practiced number recognition, primary students focused on adding card numbers together and junior students practiced their multiplication skills by playing a new version of High Card. All students received a deck of cards to bring home so that they can play exciting “math” card games with their parents. Parents have a very important role in helping their child practice math skills at home, and when it is disguised as a math game, students enjoy it so much more!
A Journey Through Time at Immaculate
As part of their Catholic Education Week activities, students at Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School have been working tirelessly for the past few months to prepare for their Journey Through Time event on May 4, 2011. The school’s gym was filled to capacity with students, staff, parents and a variety of family members who wanted to experience a “journey through time” and visit various different eras in our history. The grade 3/4 class focused on pioneer times and First Nation culture, the grade 4 class focused on medieval times and the grade 5 class concentrated on ancient times. Each of the students had on display intricate models representing their time period. Along with the models, the students created other crafts and researched various games and activities that were representative of their era. Almost all of the students were dressed from head to toe in costumes from their time period, and they enthusiastically showcased for inquiring visitors the games and activities that were typical to the time they studied. “It is a real highlight of our year,” stated Tammy Rychlo, Grade 3/4 teacher at the school. “ We have done it for several years now and our Journey Through Time really embodies the spirit of Catholic Education week in showing our appreciation for our historical roots.”
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.
Order in the Court for Grade 5 Students at Immaculate
The grade 5 students at Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School had an exciting opportunity on May 2, 2010 to take part in a “Law Day”. As part of the Grade 5 curriculum, students are required to learn about citizenship and government so Immaculate teacher Chantal Rancourt felt that having her students visit the courthouse would make the material much more meaningful and interesting. Two lawyers – Lucille Shaw and Trevor Kestle from Miller Maki visited the school to explain the judicial process. To give the students an even richer experience, the lawyers extended the program even further and booked the Sudbury courthouse for their mock trial and even arranged for retired judge Justice Michel to preside over their case. “The students have been very enthusiastic about the whole process and were quite excited to take part in the mock trial.” said Rancourt. “The students got really involved in the whole unit and were really looking forward to acting as different members necessary during the trial.” The students filled all of the roles required including lawyers for the defence, lawyers for the prosecution, court reporter, bailiff, court sketch artist, jury etc. Christopher Balaz, one of the students involved felt it was a great opportunity for their class. “This is just awesome!” said Balaz. “It is a great experience and makes me consider going into law.” Several parents were also on hand to watch the mock trial take place and said that their kids were really eager to experience the court room with real lawyers and judges on hand.
Another SMART Opportunity at Immaculate
Some of our French Immersion students had the opportunity to learn some new things about our SMART Boards. On March 30th, Mr. Reg Fitchett, Shelby’s uncle (Gr. 5/6F) was in to do a one hour presentation. Mr. Fitchett showed the students many new features that now can be implemented into SMART Board lessons. Mme Larrivière (Gr. 3/4F) and Mme Rancourt (Gr. 5/6F) are looking forward to trying new things with their SMART Boards to increase student learning and achievement. The students expressed much excitement during the hands-on presentation. What another wonderful way to include our community partners at Immaculate, Home of the COUGARS!
Immaculate Conception Students and Staff Full of Olympic Spirit
The students and staff of Immaculate Conception showed up to school on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 dressed from head to toe in red and white and Olympic gear. The entire group was excited to show their Olympic spirit as they gathered together for a picture showcasing the school’s enthusiasm and love of the Olympics. The grade 1 / 2 class also took it one step further as they held their own “mini Olympics” including bobsledding, speedskating biathlon and curling. The class created their own bobsleds in groups with the help of some of the grade 6 students. Tania Lacroix, the grade
1 / 2 teacher explained her students’ involvement with the Olympics. “Our class has been penpals with Christina Groves, one of Canada’s speedskaters at the Oympics.” said Lacroix. “ She has been writing back and forth with the class and even has one of the school’s banners with her at the Olympics and showed it on T.V. last Thursday. This experience has definitely had a positive impact on my students.”
Lacroix’s class is also responsible every day for reporting on the Olympic results and upcoming events on the school’s morning announcements. As well, there is a big bulletin board outside the class that keeps track of all of the medals that have been won by Canada. “It really is a big deal for all of the students.” states Lacroix. “They are having a lot of fun with it and are really showing their tremendous Olympic spirit!”
Celebrating 100 Days of School at Immaculate Conception
What does 100 look like?
February 8th marked the 100th day of school and staff and students at Immaculate Conception had fun celebrating this day.