Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School students created a Peace Rainbow during Bullying Prevention Week. At Holy Cross School, they focused on the positive and proactive strategies that students can use to prevent and to resolve conflict. For the Peasce Rainbow, students were asked to use their five senses to describe what Peace means to them. Then, each student was asked to indicate, either by drawing or writing, what Peace feels like to them on a coloured dove. Each dove corresponds to a colour of the rainbow and to one of the senses. The Peace Rainbow is displayed in the main foyer so that parents and visitors can easily see what peace means to students at Holy Cross School.
Category: Schools
Pledging to be Bully-Free at BAC
At Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, teachers and students promoted anti-bullying week. This year’s theme was “Peace”. Students created the “Tree of Peace” where students pledged to be bully free by placing their palm print on the tree. Other events during the week included a presentation to grade 9 students on the effects of cyber-bullying and the role that bystanders can play in decreasing incidents of bullying. Students also posted myths and facts about bullying in each of the classrooms. A new group of students at BAC will soon be trained to become leaders within their school in developing programs and presentations for their fellow classmates.
Learning About Setting Goals and Self-Esteem at Pius XII
Pius XII Catholic Elementary School was honoured to have Amber Konikow talk to the students about smart goals, self-esteem and motivation. The students learned about practice, being prepared, hard work, and dedication. Amber spoke about her difficult times in school and how she was picked on, however, having the support of close friends, family and teachers allowed her to make the right choices in her life. She reminded students that people will always remember you for your kindness, friendship and support – and that is what is important and how we should act with one another.
Amber Konikow is a registered nurse, endurance runner, Olympic style boxer, stunt actor,membero fhte Canadian Esteem Team and motivational speaker. She has been nominated for the Premier award under the Health and Sciences category for Ontario. Amber is also the 2011 winner of the 40 under 40 ward.
Teamwork and Partnership are the Basis of a Safe, Friendly School Environment
At St. David Catholic Elementary School it takes a community of parents and teachers working together to create a safe, friendly school environment. The St. David School Catholic Parent Council believes that a positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted, and all members of the school community actively promote positive behaviour and respectful interactions. Theresa Roussell, Parent Council Chair says, “All students, parents, and school staff have the right to be safe, and to feel safe, in their school community. But with this right comes the responsibility to contribute to a positive school climate”.
During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – November 18-22, 2013 – students, school staff and parents were encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
St. David School would like to thank all community partners who work to make St. David School a safe and accepting school: Greater Sudbury Police Services, Child and Family Center, Sudbury Health Unit, Skakoon Hardware, Men’s Club at Christ the King Church (Holy Trinity), Breakfast Clubs of Canada, Better Beginnings Better Futures, Aboriginal Best Start HUB, the DEWCAN and White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge. “When we work together in true partnership our children are the beneficiaries”, states Theresa Roussell.
A Needle in a Haystack
On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, St Paul witnessed a true expression of joy and family togetherness! Charli, a grade 2 student, came into the school after recess with a flood of tears…she had just lost a tooth somewhere in the school yard that had come out earlier in the day. However, this was not just any tooth, it was her First lost tooth!! Despite the incredible odds againstt finding the little tooth – like finding a needle in a haystack – teacher Tammy O’Shaughnessy’s Grade 7/8 French Immersion class set out with Charli back to the school yard in search of the prize. Sure enough, the tooth was found, and a great big smile back on Charli’s face….less one tooth of course!! Great job Panthers!!!
Students Teaching Students About Bullying
Talking to or at students doesn’t always get an important message across to kids or teenagers. That’s why students in the senior Leadership class at St. Charles College were in charge of this year’s grade 9 anti-bullying retreat.
Grade 11 student Owen Krystia created a 40 minute highlight video featuring popular You Tube videos including Amanda Todd and Emily Osment who experienced cyber bullying.
The students then reported to their second class of the day and discussed a series of value statements with the leadership students to generate discussion and debate relating to issues such as social media and bullying.
Teacher Beverley Belanger who teaches the Leadership class says “the students teaching students approach works because kids can relate better to each other and feel more comfortable when opening up especially with such a sensitive topic like bullying. Just allowing the kids to watch this video is eye opening – there was not a dry eye in the house and no one needed reminders to be quiet.”
Grade 9 students were also encouraged to sign an anti-bullying banner and to think twice the next time they find themselves in a situation where they have the choice to “stamp out bullying”.
St. James Students Winners in Community Writing Contest
Local newspaper Walden Today held a writing contest for their students about helping the environment. St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently notified that four of their students were winners in the contest. In Gr. 2 Lucas Mullaly took First Prize, Gr. 4 Jackson Drigo took Third Prize, Gr. 6 Claire Niemelainen took Second Prize and Patricia Deschenes took Third Prize. The students will attend a formal celebration at Tom Davies Arena to receive their prizes. Congratulations Bears!
St. Ben’s Robotics Team Mentor Rookie BAC Team
On November 14th, 2013, seven St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School students along with the teacher lead, Julianne Falconi, conducted grade level presentations to Bishop Alexander Carter students.
St. Benedict was the first school in the Catholic Board to participate in FIRST Robotics, an innovative competition that combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams are challenged to raise funds, hone teamwork skills, design, manufacture, and program robots to perform prescribed tasks againstt a field of competitors (www.usfirst.org). Last year, team ‘RoBenedicts’ attended a regional competition in Toronto as well as the World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri.
St. Benedict is excited to announce that there will be two new schools joining in on the robotics program: Bishop Alexander Carter and St. Charles College. St. Benedict will be mentoring and guiding these two teams throughout the off-season, robot build-season, and competitions. “We are happy to be mentoring other schools that are participating in FIRST Robotics. The experience is incredible and it’s exciting to see more people getting involved,” said Team Captain, Mark Abantao.
The goal of the presentation was to spark student interest and recruit members for the newly formed BAC team. Overall, it was very successful, and the St. Benedict students will be attending St. Charles on Monday November 25th.
In attendance from St. Benedict were Mark Abantao (Team Captain), Max Bennett and Brendan Sullivan (Engineering Leads), Elisa Basik and Francesco Modesto (Business Leads), Carter Bourette (Programming Lead), Owen Sarmatiuk (Strategy Lead), and Ms. Falconi (Teacher Lead).
“Check….mate!”
Students in Grade 7 and 8 at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School have come up with a great way to spend part of their lunch break. Several of the students have formed a Chess Club and each Tuesday and Thursday they battle againstt each other for chess board supremacy. New students can join, and all skill levels are welcome. The students in the chess club would like to thank Richard Ouellette, the grade 8 French Immersion teacher, for helping them get this club started and making sure they have everything they need for this game of strategy.