Dozens of pumpkins have made their way to the St. Anne Catholic Elementary School’s French Immersion Full Day Kindergarten class! Children were so thrilled to learn about pumpkins that waves of the orange gourd made their way to the classroom to help students inquire into things such as how pumpkins grow and how they smell. Students discovered that the seeds inside the pumpkin can be used to plant and make new pumpkins grow. The students were sent to actively search for a place in the schoolyard where they could plant their seeds in the spring. Katelin Brouse was overheard saying, ”The best part of pumpkins is taking the stuff out of them.” Cameron O’Daiskey thought that, “Eating the seeds is pretty great!” The next part of the inquiry is a video a student found on YouTube about using pumpkins as a boat. Theories on floating techniques are sure to follow!
Category: Schools
Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins at St. Charles
JK/SKR students from St. Charles Catholic Elementary School have started an inquiry all about pumpkins. It all started when their teacher, Amy Malafarina, brought in some mini pumpkins as a decoration in the class. Students began to ask questions, so they decided to do an inquiry. They prepared questions along with the daycare children in the school, and set out to get the answers.
Students wondered such things as: if the seeds were the same size in different pumpkins; if the inside was the same colour as the outside of a squash; if a spaghetti squash really has spaghetti inside; if the bumpy ones were bumpy inside too, and many more. On Wednesday, October 24th, parent volunteers came and helped cut up the various sized pumpkins and squash to get to the answers. Most of the questions were answered and students made many more discoveries than they thought and new questions were created.
St. Andrew Students Visit Wagon Wheel Ranch
The children in the grade JK/SK and SK/1 class at St. Andrew School visited Wagon Wheel Ranch on Friday October 19th. While there they all enjoyed a horse drawn wagon ride, the petting zoo and every child was given a pumpkin to bring home. This trip was made possible by a generous parent group at St. Andrew who volunteer their time at Boardwalk Gaming Centre to support extracurricular events at the school. Pictured is Lucas Chenier and his pumpkin.
Poets Invade St. Anne Catholic Elementary School
Poetry has given over sixty students at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer a voice. Students from two Intermediate classes participated in a Poetry Café as a culminating task to their Literacy program. Poems focused on a variety of topics offering different points of view. The students’ messages, filled with wisdom far beyond their years, dealt with difficult topics such as bullying, The Children’s Aid Society, and the horse racing industry.
“This experience really made me realize how creative and different each and everyone of us is, and how if we put our minds to it, we can share who we truly are,” said Brayden Kramer, a Grade 8 student at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School.
These young poets actively listened to others while sipping on hot chocolate at the “Café.” They snapped their fingers in applause and hollered with approval to encourage fellow classmates. The Intermediate students truly demonstrated their inclusive nature as they encouraged those who were nervous to participate and congratulated everyone for a job well done.
“The quality of the work students produced blew me away,” said Julie Caissie, teacher at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School.
“This Poetry Café not only showcased the amazing students we have at St. Anne Catholic School, but also displayed their unique talents and gifts,” said Jody. O’Daiskey, a teacher at the school.
S.C.C. Students Show Support for Student a World Away
Students in St. Charles College teacher Rick Emond’s Grade 12 French Immersion Canadian and World Politics class got very frustrated when the class’ discussion focused on Malāla Yūsafzay, the young Pakistani student who was recently shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by Taliban gunmen while returning home on a school bus. Malālah is known for her education and women’s rights activism in the Swat Valley and most especially her outspoken views on promoting education for girls. When they began discussing this outrageous act of violence againstt a girl who was simply standing up for what she believed in for herself and others experiencing similar discrimination, the class felt compelled to do something. Cassandra Schlosser, a student in the class described her frustration. “What good would it do to just sit around in class and complain? We all felt that we needed to do more than just talk about it.” The rest of her classmates agreed. After discussing several ideas, the class landed on a letter. The decided to write a letter to the Pakistani High Commissioner expressing their concern and voicing their beliefs.
An excerpt from the letter reads:
“As proud Canadians, we understand the importance of a good education and we value equal rights. We decided to reach out to you because we want to express our concern for the young girl who took a stand for what she believed in.
Malala Yousafzai was simply defending her rights and the rights of females everywhere to an education. We admire her bravery and commitment, and commend her actions. Without education, we would not be able to move forward as a civilization. Equal access to that education should be easily accessible to anyone who desires it. Furthermore, one should not feel threatened or harmed, be it physically or emotionally while attending school.
We commend the Pakistani government for their efforts so far in dealing with the matter, and encourage them to continue their search in bringing those responsible to justice. We believe the message should be sent to those who try to curtail human rights, that their deed will not go unpunished and will not be tolerated by governments that value their children.”
The students then urge the High Commisioner to share this letter with all those who may be encouraged by it, most especially Malāla. It is their hope that this letter will reach her so that she knows she is not alone. The last line in their letter reads “Please pass on our message to Malala, her family and friends and relay that our thoughts and well wishes are with them during this difficult time. She is not alone in this battle.”
Knowing that the situation in their own community is very different, the students feel blessed to live in a country that believes in human rights and equality for all. “As a class, I am proud that my students have decided to use their voice,” teacher Rick Emond stated. “They have realized that they too can make a difference in their own way as well, and this letter voices their beliefs and shows support from across the globe for a girl who is very courageous and brave. They want her to know that they believe in her and are proud of her strength.” Emond hopes that they receive a response from the High Commissioner, and ultimately that their letter reaches Malāla.
St. John Student Poster Contest Winner
Students at St. John Catholic Elementary School gathered recently to celebrate with Grade 4 student Zoe Martin. Zoe created a poster last year that won the Legion Remembrance Day poster contest at both the regional and district levels. As well, it received an honourable mention at the provincial level. Legion representative Jim Young visited the school for the celebration to award Zoe with certificates and a cash prize.
St. Paul Students and Residents of Coniston Welcome New Walking Trail
On Friday, October 12th, students from Mme Gautheir’s 5/6 F.I, Mme Roy’s F.I. and Ms. Beneteau’s gr. 7/8 classes had the opportunity to attend the “grand opening” of the Jean Tellier Trail. The two kilometre trail allows pedestrians to walk in a natural setting without motorized vehicles. The trail runs from Edward Street to Rideau Street. The plan is for this trail to grow in the future. It is a way for the community of Coniston to join the trend of making Greater Sudbury a friendly environment for pedestrians of all ages. This project was endorsed by Coniston Community Action Networt (CAN) . The plan is for the St. Paul students to take advantage of the “backyard trail” during DPA.
Sparky the Fire Dog Visits Pius XII
In an effort to increase fire safety both at school and home and to building community partners , Pius XII school’s FDK students welcomed firefighter Mitch Theriault into their classroom. They learned about the importance of having smoke detectors and practicing their fire evacuation plan with their families. Teachers and Educators at Pius XII school understand the importance of repeating this message about fire safety and know that the kindergarteners also enjoyed meeting Sparky, the fire dog!
Cardinals Share Their ‘Goodness’ with the Sudbury Food Bank
The line ‘Teach me goodness’ is an integral part of the St. Charles College motto. This week, the students at the school learned about goodness and shared the fruits of their labour.
The secondary school students, coupled with children in the feeder schools canvassed together for the largest school food drive in the city. The goal was to raise 60 000 cans for the Sudbury Food Bank and the Cardinals surpassed that goal with a new all-time total of 125 080 cans. This is the single biggest contribution in history to the Sudbury Food Bank.
The secondary school has hosted a food drive for twenty-seven years. It is supported by students at St. Bernadette, St. Raphael, Pius XII, St. Andrew, St. David and St Paul and St. John.