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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Fire Prevention Week Recognized by St.Francis Flames
St. Francis students from teachers Graziella Visentin and Sandra Narduzzi’s class have been learning about fire safety this month. The annual Fire Prevention Week was also recognized between October 7th and 13th with an elaborate display at the New Sudbury Shopping Centre court area. On Thursday, October 11, the grade 3 & 4 students from St.Francis School took part in a trivia game that many are familiar with from television entitled, Jeopardy. However, the theme revolved around fire safety and prevention as it was hosted by the Sudbury Fire Department at the New Sudbury Shopping Centre. The game show host was not Alex Trebek, but rather he was replaced by a local fire fighter hosting the game. The game was renamed, Fire Jeopardy. Participants of the game were the grade 3 and 4 St. Francis Flames competing againstt another local school. Students were quizzed on various questions about fire safety in a fun and entertaining way. The excitement could be heard throughout the mall as shoppers stopped to observe and store clerks came to check out the excitement. The event concluded with a class photo in front of an antique fire truck and questions for fire fighters to answer. Students left the event ready to plan fire emergency exits in their homes with family members. They were also well informed about preventing fire hazards from happening in their own homes.
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!
Immaculate Student Bikes for Lung Research
Last September, Tanner Levesque decided to organize, with the help of his parents, a fundraising event in memory of his grandfather, Howard Fairburn of Webbwood, who died of lung cancer in May. Young Tanner, escorted by a police cruiser, family and friends, decided to ride his bike from his home in Val Therese to the Revenue Canada Taxation Centre in New Sudbury. He raised $1600.00.
This year, Tanner set out on his 2nd Bike Ride for Lung Cancer Research, repeating the 16 kilometre course, with his sister, Emmaleigh Levesque and friend, Kayley Larochelle. Tanner raised a total of $2285.00. Tanner’s mother, Leeann Levesque, was able to obtain a sponsorship from her employer, Suzanne Goudreau, owner of the local A & W Restaurant who matched Tanner’s earnings, doubling his fundraising total to $4570.00. Tanner and his family are thankful for the kind and generous donation given by A & W Restaurant.
On Friday, October 12, 2012 Tanner, Emmaleigh and Kayley received a Certificate of Appreciation from Patricia Clizia of the Canadian Cancer Society at Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School. In total, Tanner has raised $6170.00 for Lung Cancer Research.
“We are so proud of Tanner for using his gifts and reaching out to help others in his community.” Louisa Bianchin, principal of the school stated. “Tanner is making a difference; we hope that Tanner will ride his bike again next year for lung cancer research, and one day, a cure for cancer will be found.”