An emergency meeting was called by St. Charles College Native Studies Student President Natasha Cooper Lewis when she heard about the housing crisis in Attawapiskat. “I really wanted to help the Cree people in their time of need and I turned to the students for help,” said Natasha. The students decided to have wristband bracelets made that say “Gada Gawek’seg” and “Quay Ska Tiss See” which is Ojibway and Cree for “Be the Change”. The wristbands are being sold for $2 each at the school and by students in the community with all proceeds going to the Red Cross, earmarked for Attawapiskat. Grade 9 student, Beth Baxter from Moose Factory, ON, was grateful her classmates were willing to help be the change in a community her family is connected to on the James Bay coast. “I’m happy that my school wants to help out the people of Attawapiskat and that they liked our Cree translation so much that they put it on a bracelet. It’s a very powerful statement to make,” believes Beth.
Category: Schools
Christmas and Math go Hand in Hand at St. Bernadette
There is no Christmas rage in this store – only happy, jolly shoppers! On Friday, December 16, the Grade 2 students at St. Bernadette Catholic School practiced patience, the virtue of the December at all Sudbury Catholic Schools, when shopping for their presents in the Christmas store set-up in their classroom. Armed with a coin purse full of money, students shopped for many different items from chocolates to jewellery . Students collaborated to make sure they had the correct change once they arrived at the cash register. “This is a wonderful, real life way to bring the math concept of counting money to life in the classroom,” stated teacher Jenny Aubin. “Students had a great deal of fun and are looking forward to putting their skills to use with one week of shopping left before Christmas. Everyone was definitely in the Christmas spirit.”
St. Paul’s Parent Engagement Night a Huge Success
Studies show that parent engagement is important to the learning process. On the evening of December 9th, about one hundred students and parents filled the school gym for “popcorn and a movie night”. The evening was geared to parents and kindergarten to grade four students.
It was also an opportunity for parents to get comfortable with the school surroundings and enjoy an evening of entertainment with their kids — as well as other parents and kids.
The event was so well received that the School Council is already making plans for the next parent engagement night.
St. Bernadette and St. Charles College Partner for Very Special Project
St. Charles College student, Jamie Rieux and Grade 1 student Mia Woodbury at St. Bernadette Catholic School are working together to complete a very special project: a reproduction of the manager where Baby Jesus was born. This is a yearly tradition between the two schools in which older student is paired off with a younger partner to create a beautiful replica manger which students are so proud to bring home and share with their families.
Community Bands Together to Celebrate the Season of Giving
On the eve of December 14, over 100 Donovan area families gathered for a festive feast at St. David Catholic School. Better Beginnings, Better Futures hosted the event and provided all the trimmings for the evening. All families received a full Christmas meal, including turkey and ham. Inspector Bob Keetch, Constable Randy Hosken and Sargent Mark Brunette graciously served the meal. Children were entertained by Patches the Clown, the raffling of door prizes, and of course the jolly old man himself — Santa Claus. Santa Claus gave out surprise bags to each child and he also had outer wear for those children in need. “This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season as a community. The children were so excited to see Santa and the families seemed to appreciate the time and energy that went into the planning of the event”, stated Samantha Beaudry, Youth Engagement Officer for the Better Beginnings, Better Futures SmART Attack after school program at the school.
St. Charles Elementary – Movember Challenge
During the month of November, Core French teacher, Mr. Belanger, at St. Charles Catholic Elementary Catholic School challenged all male staff to grow a mustache for the month of “Movember” in order to support the prostate cancer awareness campaign. The students were asked to bring in loose change during the month of Movember to raise money for the Northern Cancer Research Foundation and that is exactly what they did – students raised a total of $759.51. ” It was really great to see almost every student in our school wear a mustache on our Mustache Day. This was an opportunity for not only school spirit but it showed the importance of community involvement. Students appreciate that they are part of a global effort in the fight againstt cancer”.
Kids helping Kids in Capreol
It has been said that the cornerstone of a true community is the way in which it reaches out to its’ less fortunate in times of need. On December 8th 2011, students from St. Mary Catholic School walked to the local post office and sang Christmas carols in hopes they’d receive monetary donations for children in our community who are in need.
The students and staff began singing and their angelic voices did not go unnoticed. In fact, in one visit to the post office, the students collected a substantial amount of money that will be used to create baskets to support children who are in need in Capreol.
“These are the kind of activities that bring our faith to life,” said Principal Sherry Bortolotti. “This kind of service seems to just spring seamlessly from our students and staff and it is an essential part of our mission as Catholics.”
Teacher Jennifer Bruneau said, “The students recognize that it is their beautiful singing that draws the crowds and motivates people to give generously. We are so thankful to the people of Capreol. This community has a lot of heart and people always pull together for each other when they need to the most.
School Council Chair Erin Gauvreau, Ms. Waern and Ms. Bruneau decorated a Christmas tree with beautiful ornaments tagged with our school name. The tree stands in the post office and community members have been bringing donations of hats, shoes and socks and placing them under the tree. Our school volunteer Cathy Mohn plans to uses these generous contributions as part of the baskets she will assemble and deliver before the holidays.
The staff and students plan to carol two more times in support of Capreol’s less fortunate this Christmas
Santa’s Helpers at St. Andrew
Gr.6 students, Brett Jacklin and Matthew Matheson are Santa’s helpers, helping out the Nursery School located at St Andew School. The Nursery School hosted a special Christmas party for their parents and students. Brett and Matthew used to attend the Nursery School when they were toddlers and now, in Gr.6, they are delighted to assist the young ones and return the favour to help.
Santa’s Helpers at St. Andrew
Gr.6 students, Brett Jacklin and Matthew Matheson are Santa’s helpers, helping out the Nursery School located at St Andew School. The Nursery School hosted a special Christmas party for their parents and students. Brett and Matthew used to attend the Nursery School when they were toddlers and now, in Gr.6, they are delighted to assist the young ones and return the favour to help.