Two years ago, Brandon Langella found his niche. He started high school and when he wasn’t doing school work, he began making music on his home computer. Brandon discovered he had a knack for drumming up beats and writing the lyrics to go along with them. Next week (Nov. 7), the grade 11 student at St. Charles College is unveiling his latest song, “Video Star” in video format on YouTube. The audio file is already available on ITunes, along with two of his previous releases. He collaborated with Toronto artist Dreams Brown for the video and song. Brandon is known as DJ Gella in music circles. He’s also recently joined forces with another Toronto artist named Rebecca Nazz – to form a group called The Futuristics. DJ Gella says his parents have been very supportive of his musical aspirations and for that he plans on giving back to his community. “I want to open a local recording studio in collaboration with my parents to make it easier for people my age to produce music.” His musical prospects have also forced Langella to explore music as a career option after high school. For now, he is focused on AAA hockey and looks forward to hearing himself on one of the local radio stations.
Category: Schools
Donovan Area Catholic School and Best Start Hub Work Together to Serve Community’s Needs
The Best Start Aboriginal Hub and the teachers of St. David Catholic School have partnered to meet the needs of the Junior and Senior Kindergarten students. Eileen Creasely and Nakina Stevens, two HUB employees facilitate monthly hands on lessons based in Aboriginal culture and tradition that are closely linked with the new kindergarten curriculum. Each class is invited to the HUB once a month for a fun, culture based lesson. Many of the lessons include song and dance opportunities as well as the opportunity to new a word in the Ojibwe language.
Lindsay Michel, St. David School Kindergarten teacher states, “this not only benefits all our students, but also benefits the teachers and educational assistants in the school. New learning is good for everyone. As teachers, it is important for us to model to our students that we too are lifelong learners and open to new ideas and the learning of a different culture. This program really helps to build connections between the school and the HUB. The students see us learning together, laughing together and working as a team”.
The school and the HUB plan to continue this program throughout the school year. “We appreciate the support and team building opportunities the HUB offers the school”, states Michel. “We have a lot of fun working together”.
Zoom Zoom Zoom to Zumba
The primary and junior students at St. Mary recently participated in a Zumba class on October 27th. The class was especially designed for younger children. “The smaller children have to approach the class at a slower pace because their co-ordination skills are just developing,” said instructor Renee Rainville Fong. Primary students were taught how to move their arms and legs to the music as their instructor taught them age – appropriate steps. Parents, teachers and the whole community received more than their usual allotment of Daily Physical Exercise. “Zumba is an excellent workout,” said teachers Becky Waern and Dante Merigioli. A grade 3 student, Rayden Recollect remarked, “Zumba is even harder than playing hockey!” The whole school is eagerly awaiting their next Zumba session.
Buster the Bus Visits St. Francis
Buster the Bus visited St. Francis to review bus safety rules when travelling on the bus recently. The students were excited to see Buster and review bus rules to keep students safe.
Giving St. James School a BIG Bear Hug
Students, teachers, parents, school staff, clergy and educational partners held hands together to literally form a “human circle” and gave St. James School a BIG Bear Hug on October 26, 2011. Forming a circle by holding hands recognized that everyone makes a difference and plays an important role in the education of the St James students.
Prior to going outside to form a circle, Bishop Noel Simard addressed the students and explained how hugs are a sign of welcoming and acceptance of everyone.
This simple hug created such a positive synergy and was a visible sign of the fondness for St. James School. Giving St. James a BIG Bear hug was a special and memorable moment and as one Grade 8 student summed it up “This is the coolest thing we ever did at school”.
Sudbury Catholic Student Helping Others to “See the Ability”
It all started with a photo submission for a calendar. Little did Lisa Wright know that this one simple act would have her daughter Holly’s smiling face on 700 billboards across the country. Holly is a twelve year old girl who attends Pius XII Catholic Secondary School, and who happens to have Down syndrome.
Each year, Lisa liked to submit a photo of Holly to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society for their yearly calendar publication. A photo taken by her brother-in-law the previous summer depicted Holly kayaking at their camp on Fairbank Lake. Holly had just learned to kayak and the photo was captured on her very first attempt. Lisa describes Holly as very much like girls her age – loves music, movies, all of today’s “pop stars” and young actors. Holly also enjoys numerous activities – especially the ones that have to do with water. After seeing Holly’s love of the water in the kayak, captured in the picture, Lisa knew that this was the one she wanted to submit. “Shocked” is the word Lisa used when she received the phone call from the Down Syndrome Association saying not only was she selected, Holly was going to be the poster girl for their national campaign – involving a full page ad in the Globe and Mail, as well a the hundreds of billboards across Canada. “We are so proud of Holly and also quite excited – she is quite the gal,” Wright said. “She is certainly more alike children her age than she is different, and that is the message we need to get out to the public. People are encouraged to ‘see the ability’”. When asked about how she felt about all of the attention and seeing herself in the ads, Holly smiled and said that it makes her happy and makes her smile more.
Lisa takes part in the Canadian Down Syndrome Buddy Walk each year, and, as it is Down syndrome Awareness week November 1-7, the Buddy Walk will be taking place on Sunday, November 6, beginning at 11:00 at Lockerby Composite School. The walk is to raise awareness of the capabilities of people with Down Syndrome. All are encouraged to attend!
St. Charles Elementary Staff Participate in “Take Our Kids to Work” Program
St. Charles Elementary Catholic School opened their door for students participating in ‘Take Our Kids to Work’ program. This program provides an opportunity for Grade 9 students to develop an appreciation for the importance of staying in school, begin career discussions with adults about the work they do, and to gain a better understanding of the complexity of career choices and the benefits of early education’ states Sandra St.Denis, principal at St. Charles Elementary. While job shadowing, the Gr.9 students were able to participate in Aboriginal Medicine Wheel and Grandfather teaching presented by Elder, Vince Pawis.
Representing and Honouring Culture
On Friday, October 28th, Maclean’s 2011 Universtiy Rankings hit newstands. On that same day, Kelly Nootchtai, St Benedict’s Class of 2009, visited a Native Studies class at St. Charles College to talk about the importance of making good choices and Aboriginal Education. This is significant because Kelly is on the cover of this issue. She is a third year Native Studies and Philosophy student at Laurentian University and understands the value of a good education. She talks fondly of her years in elementary school taking Ojibwe classes at St James. Kelly looked forward to continuing the language program at the secondary level but, it wasn’t until her graduating year that St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School was able to offer any Native Studies programming. Kelly talked about how lucky the students are to have Native Studies as an option and having great teachers like St. Charles College teacher Jennifer Petahtegoose. Both Kelly and Ms. Petahtegoose are members of Atikameksheng Anishinawbek (formerly Whitefish Lake First Nation near Naughton). Students listening to Kelly’s message were inspired and felt a sense of cultural pride. Ms. Petahtegoose stated “As a community member we are very proud of Kelly’s accomplishments and as an Anishinaabe educator I am always looking for positive First Nation, Metis and Inuit role models. Kelly has overcome obstacles to get where she is today and we are proud that she is one of our graduates and can share her story to inspire those coming up behind her.” After the talk, Kelly signed covers of the magazine and Ms Petahtegoose served homemade cookies and cedar tea.
Robots, Princesses, and Vampires – Oh My!
The entire student body at St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School gathered in the gym on October 31 to take part in the school’s halloween parade. All of the gym walls were lined with parents holding cameras – ready to snap photos and take video. As part of their annual halloween celebration, parents were invited to participate in the festivities and celebrate the spookiest of holidays with their children. Each class had the opportunity to show off their costumes, as well as their dance moves as they took turns strolling around the gym and moving to the music. Some of the classes also recited poems and performed plays for the audience – all having to do with Halloween. Principal Enzo Del Riccio grinned with delight as they students began their parade for the parents. “As always, holidays are a great opportunity to have parents visit the school,” Del Riccio stated. “Halloween is certainly no exception – we love having parents take part in our celebrations and it brings much joy to both the student and the parents.”