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!
Category: Schools
St. Anne Angels Make Some Perky Turkeys
Students in teacher Jennifer Bruneau’s grade 3 and 4 class at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer celebrated Thanksgiving by creating apple and gumdrop turkeys. These works of art were created using apples, a cut out head, and gumdrop sticks. Alexandra Tremblay, a grade 3 student said, “My family will really love to this beautiful turkey on our dining room table.” Students in the grade 3 and 4 class were fascinated with their perky turkeys and discussed how thankful they were for the many things they have.
Water Festival Enjoyed by St. Francis Students
On September 26, the grade 3 and 4 St. Francis Catholic Elementary students from teacher Graziella Visentin’s class attended the Sudbury Children’s Water Festival. Students ventured off to the festival held at the Anderson Farm in Lively. The annual event is an educational way of teaching students the importance of preserving and protecting the environment’s important resource, water. The Anderson Farm Museum was able to host the thirty-four activity stations in which the grade 3 and 4 students rotated throughout the day. Parent volunteers assisted with the supervision as students travelled throughout stations in small groups. Various stations included activities and information shared by the OPP Marine Unit, the Lake Water Quality Program and the Fire Department. Students took part in hands on activities such as putting together a wetland puzzle, washing laundry as an early settler, handling a fire hose, sorting and recycling garbage. The Water Festival was an interactive and enjoyable event for the grade 3 and 4 class and parent volunteers.
St. Paul Gives Big
Wow! St. Paul Catholic Elementary students demonstrated incredible enthusiasm and generosity during the S.C.C. Annual Food Drive Challenge. The goal this year is to collect 60 000 food items for local food banks in order for Mr. Jim Szilva to be let off of the city bus. Our students collected the equivalent of 10 000 cans! This included cash donations and non-perishable food items. The St. Paul Panthers were certainly eager to help out and support this wonderful cause. We couldn’t be any prouder of our students!
Bishop ACCSS Student Jumps to New Heights
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School student Leah Blanchette is quite a busy girl. Not only is she a dedicated student, she is also quite an accomplished equestrian whose dedication to her sport takes up quite a bit of her time outside of school as well. According to her mother, Kate Blanchette, Leah is a quiet girl and “knowing Leah, not many realize her accomplishments as she is so modest about her success.”
Leah completed on the “A” circuit national level the past season and that has meant a lot of time away from home and school with her coach Cathy Inch. Leah and her horse Jinjovan AKA “Joe” train out of Foothills Farm in Chelmsford. Most days involve at least 10 to 12 hours of practice, or showing in the ring and Leah spends at a minimum 5 days a week with Joe and her coach.
Leah and Joe have qualified for the Royal Winter fair, which is the Canadian Equestrian championships, to be held in Toronto starting Nov 2nd. Not only have they qualified, but they have managed to be pinned in all 4 of their divisions (Junior Hunter, A equitation, Junior Medal, and Jump Canada Medal) and they will go to nationals with finishing their qualifying season overall 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place standing. The Royal Winter fair is Canada’s premier equestrian show and is a platform for future Canadian Olympians as well as internationally known champions. Equestrian sport is the only Olympic sport where both men and women compete as equals.
Dave Soehner, principal of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School is extremely proud of Leah. “We are blown away by Leah’s dedication and passion for her sport,” Soehner said. “ We support her efforts 100% as she embodies the true Gator spirit, and wish her the best of luck with her upcoming championship.”
While she is competing, her trips in the ring can be watched on the Royal Winter Fair website, live feed. Leah and Joe will be in the ring on Friday Nov. 2, 3rd and again for Jump Canada finals on Nov 6th.
Small School With a Big Heart
St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School participated in the Saint Charles College Thanksgiving Food Drive for the first 2 weeks of October. Even though it is not a large school, they were able to collect 2341 cans or dried food items to support our local Food Bank. St. Andrew School is a school that understands what the Proverbs teach us: “A generous man will prosper: he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Pictured with the St. Charles Cardinal and Melody Henry, the principal, are a group of grade 2 students from the school.
Toonies for Terry at St. Paul
On Thursday, September 27th, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Elementary students and staff participated in the Toonies for Terry Walk/Run, Students were asked to donate at least one toonie for the Terry Fox Foundation. This is a very special fundraiser that is dear to the hearts of staff and students at St. Paul School. Lisa, a past graduate of St. Paul, who had osteosarcoma, the same cancer as Terry Fox, inspired staff and students with her courage and passion for life. She joined the children on the walk around Coniston. She certainly makes St. Paul proud!
Inquiry-Based Learning Thrives at St. Anne Catholic School
Over the past few weeks, students in the Full Day Kindergarten program at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer have inquired about turkeys and Thanksgiving. On October 5th, their inquiry came to life when the English and French Immersion classes went on an inquiry-based excursion to J & J Ranch in Hanmer. The students enjoyed a hayride and experienced the petting zoo with chickens, turkeys, alpacas, and horses. The experience with the animals was the most memorable moment for all. “I liked all of the animals because it was fun to see inside their cages,” said Celyna Anzil. “It was fun seeing the chickens and the turkeys because I held one,” said another FDK student. The students were actively engaged in arts and crafts. They turned apples into turkeys using sucker plumes, which were generously provided by J & J Ranch. A great time was had by all!
In Search of the Great Pumpkin
Excitement for Halloween has already begun for the JK / SK and Grade 1 French Immersion students at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School. On Wednesday, October 10th, the youngsters boarded a bus en route to Sturgeon Falls. The destination was Leisure Farms. The children were amazed at the amount of pumpkins to be found on site. Activities included a tractor pulled wagon ride into the woods, roasting marshmallows and toasting homemade breads over the fire, picnic lunch, hot chocolate and cookie snack, corn and straw mazes and of course, choosing their own pumpkin to decorate. A fun-filled day was had by all!