As a result of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School’s successful Memorial Walk fundraiser in memory of former student Mackenzie Rooney (a student who died tragically in an ATV accident) and Dennis Dechaine, (a former teacher who lost his battle with cancer), both the principal and vice principal of the school had to honour their part of the challenge. Cassandra MacGregor and James Michaud, the school’s admin team showed up in their best ballerina wear as a result of the students fundraising exceeding their goal of $8000. To date, the school has raised over $9000 so far to go towards several different scholarship funds in both Rooney’s and Dechaine’s names, as well as to support several activities within the school that both Mackenzie’s parents and Dennis’s wife are involved with. To raise the money, the students canvassed the valley area over the past few weeks and the day of the walk involved a live broadcast from KICX radio, a prayer service, a Zumba warm up for the whole school, and an 8 km walk to celebrate the togetherness of the entire Bishop Carter school community. Joining them on the walk were members of both Mackenzie’s and Dennis’s families, as well as members of the Greater Sudbury Police Services. Principal Cassandra MacGregor was thrilled with the efforts of her students and staff. “We are a small school community with an enormous heart,” explained MacGregor. “We set our expectations really high when it comes to our students and staff, and they continually exceed these expectations! We are extremely proud of our students for surpassing our fundraising goal and it is wonderful that we can honour Mackenzie and Dennis, and their families with our outstanding efforts!”
Category: Schools
Memorial Walk Held at Bishop Alexander Catholic Secondary School
Prayer, celebration and remembrance was the theme of the day on September 25th at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School. The school held their Memorial Walk in memory of Mackenzie Rooney, a student who died tragically in a ATV accident and Dennis Dechaine, a former teacher who lost his battle with cancer last year. The day started off with a live broadcast from KICX radio, a prayer service and zumba warm up by Zumbavibe. The 8 km memorial walk was an opportunity for students to celebrate the “togetherness” of the Bishop Carter community. The family members of both Mackenzie and Dennis participated in the event. The afternoon students enjoyed karaoke and a flag football team with the girls team competing againstt the teachers. It was an amazing day! Thank you to all the sponsor who helped in this event including the Sudbury Police, Tim Hortons (Val Caron and Hanmer), Neil Independent Grocer and Kings Sportswear. Proceeds from the walk go towards scholarships in Mackenzie and Dennis’ honour, KICX for kids campaign and other activities that support the interests of Mackenie and Dennis.
St. David Catholic School Gladly Welcomes Full Day Kindergarten
This September, St. David Catholic Elementary School implemented full-day junior and senior kindergarten. It is the fifth and final year of full-day kindergarten in schools across the province. “We are very excited to have the FDK program at St. David. It is a wonderful addition to our school community,” said Jennifer Gran, FDK teacher.
This new kindergarten program employs not only classroom teachers, but also early childhood educators. The teachers and the ECE’s work as a teaching team to support child development, behaviour and improved academic achievement. “Our goal is to give each child the best start possible in school. We work together with the community to build our student’s confidence and provide a solid foundation for their learning.” states Angela Ross, St. David School ECE.
The FDK program encourages children to learn through play and small group instruction. Learning through play and in small groups assists children in developing positive self regulation skills, age appropriate problem solving strategies and a general love of learning.
St. David Catholic School invites all FDK students and their families to meet their new teachers and early childhood educators at the school’s open house on September 30 at 4 pm.
Grade 9’s Go “Full Steam Ahead” with Community Service Hours
This year’s group of grade 9 students at St. Charles College were offered some added incentive – do community service hours over the summer and be eligible for a $100 gift certificate for the mall. The winner is Reggie Bonhomme. Reggie worked at the Canadian Legion over the summer months and while he has garnered over 30 hours, he doesn’t plan to stop there.
Students must obtain 40 hours of community service during their high school career in order to graduate. Principal Patty Mardero says “the message has always been to start early and use the community service as a means of exploring career options.”
Principal Patty Mardero along with Guidance Department Head Silvia Faggioni presented Reggie with his prize this week.
St. Charles College Students Trapping Bugs for Guelph Research Institute
The grade ten Science classes are taking their studies outside by trapping insects. Teacher George Fritz has partnered with the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph to sample the insect community in the St. Charles College school yard.
One of the classes set-up what is known as an “insect malaise trap” to collect specimens. The students will now spend the next two weeks monitoring what is caught in the trap. Fritz says “students will also have to note environmental conditions and the number of insects caught.”
After the sampling period, the specimens will be returned to the BIO facility in Guelph where the DNA of the insects will be barcoded for species recognition, and added to the Institute’s database.
Later on in the semester, the class will receive a report on the insect specimens. Fritz is hoping that the process leads to new information being added to the database.
St. Charles College To Host University Information Program
St. Charles College will host representatives from all of 21 of Ontario’s universities on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 7:00 – 9:00pm. The University Information Program (UIP) is free and all secondary school students and their parents/guardians are welcome to attend.
Students who are considering university will be able to speak to university representatives and learn more about different admission requirements, scholarships, residence the application process, campus life and much more. The University Information Program is designed to help graduating students make an informed decision before they apply to universities in January 2015.
“We are proud to offer this information program for students and parents in our community,” says St. Charles College Program Lead of Guidance Silvia Faggioni. “ It is important that students make informed decisions regarding their future. This is a perfect opportunity to explore universities across Ontario, meet representatives and ask questions – all while not having to leave Sudbury.”
At this event, students and their parents/guardians will be able to attend three 30-minute university presentations. A question and answer period will follow. After the presentations, students will be able to visit all Ontario university representatives for the remainder of the evening.
International “Speak Like a Pirate” Day at St. Andrew
On International “Speak Like a Pirate” day the staff and students at St. Catholic Elementary Andrew School donned their eye patches, bandana’s, three cornered hats and secret treasure chests to celebrate all things pirate. Pictured are teacher Mandy Waugh with students Kenzie, Braxton, Joel and Leah.
SCDSB Thrilled with Newcap Donation
Students at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board are on the receiving end of a very generous donation from Newcap Radio for the sixth year in a row. Newcap Radio Sudbury Director of Programming, Rick Tompkins stopped by the Sudbury Catholic Board office on September 16, 2014 to present Director of Education, Joanne Bénard with a cheque for over $7,500 from the New Hot 93.5 radio station to help support music programming for students. The cheque is a result of Newcap’s commitment to supporting music programming and education in Sudbury as part of an agreement between Newcap Radio and the CRTC. Through this agreement, the station helps foster youth musicianship in the area. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board was thrilled with the donation. “On behalf of the students and staff, I thank Newcap for their continuing support of our music programming,” Cameron stated. “It is with this type of additional funding, we can enhance our already outstanding instrumental and vocal programming in both our elementary and secondary schools, and continue to engage students through the arts.”
Opening Mass at St. Charles College
Opening Mass at St. Charles College
More than 900 students as well as staff members gathered on September 17, 2014 in the school gymnasium with Celebrant Father Sam D’Angelo from St. Andrew’s Church to ring in a new year. The theme of the mass was for students and staff members to love one another this year and throughout their years of high school and beyond.
The choir was composed of Ms. Coyle’s music classes and her choir ensemble.