Ten students from Bolivia are in Sudbury until the end of January on an exchange program through an organization called Canada World Youth. Ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-six, the students arrived in Canada on November 1 and Sudbury on November 3 and are taking part in St. Albert’s Adult Learning Centre’s English as a Second Language Program to better adapt their communication skills while in the city. The school was contacted by the organization to see if they would be willing to accept the students into their E.S.L. class and the staff at St. Albert readily agreed.
The students are living with host families and, as well as school, also do volunteer work in the community three times a week. Their volunteer work allows them to learn about themselves and their new community, increases their involvement in local and global issues and give them tools to contribute to the well-being of the city as well as taking them back with them when they return home. Some of the volunteer locations for these students include Habitat for Humanity, Eat Local, the Friendship Centre and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SACY).
Mai Hellak, the ESL teacher at St. Albert was thrilled to learn of the students’ arrival in her class. “I have been teaching ESL with the Catholic Board since 1996 and it is always so much fun,” Hellak said. “When you have students learning English as a second language, you are teaching at multiple levels and it makes for a lot of hard work but it is very rewarding. I also have another teacher named Claire Kamber who volunteers in the classroom and helps with the workload tremendously.”
Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of St. Albert was also excited to learn about the Bolivian students taking part in classes at their school. “We are delighted to have these students here as it allows us to learn about their culture while we are supporting their learning – and it also promotes diversity in our community.”
Exchange student, Cecilia Montalvan is the Bolivian co-ordinator and said that the group is really happy with the weather here so far as it is very hot in Bolivia and they can’t wait for snow. As well, even though they have been in Sudbury only a short time, they are thoroughly enjoying themselves, their host families, and are looking forward to exploring the city. “We have planned group activities every Wednesday afternoon,” Montalvan said. “ This is the time that we get together and take part in a more organized events and we are really looking forward to all of the different opportunities open to us.”
Category: Schools
Pyjama Day at St. Bernadette
It was a day of comfort and fun for the students and staff of St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School as Friday, November 12 was pyjama day. Students were encouraged to come to school in their comfiest pyjamas for the St. Bernadette spirit day as well as to promote bedtime reading. “What better way to celebrate and promote bedtime reading for the students with their parents than with a pyjama day?” asked Diana Salvador, Principal of the school. “We always encourage students to read with their parents and guardians at home and know that the students really benefit when this shared reading takes place.” When asked if they enjoyed the day, several students responded that they wished everyday was pyjama day!
MMA Bringing Music to the Community
Recently, the Senior Brass Ensemble performed a short set at the Knights of Columbus fundraiser for struggling families in Sudbury. Cindy Coleman, Emma Kyle, Jessica Pugliese and Cassie Apolloni did a great job with their performance. It was a great evening with dinner and beautiful music. Hooray for music in the community!
St. Mary Students Take Part in Health Awareness Workshop
Students at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School had the opportunity to attend a Health Awareness Workshop on Friday, November 12, 2010. With flu season here, Gen Waszczylo, Principal of the school felt that it was important for her students to be reminded of healthy hygiene practices. “We want to instill in the students proper hygiene habits and are very fortunate to have established community partnerships with experts in this field, willing to share with us their knowledge.” Waszczylo said. Ashley Laperriere, a Public Health Inspector with the Sudbury and District Health Unit spoke to the students about avoiding germs as well as the importance of proper handwashing. As well, Sheryl Sasseville, owner of Sudbury Dental Hygiene demonstrated the technique for correct tooth brushing. At the end of the presentation, all of the students receive a “goodie bag” of personal hygiene products promoting all that they had learned from the two demonstrations.
Angels/Flames Junio Co-ed Volleyball Tournament Results
The Angels/Flames Junior Co-ed Volleyball tournament took place November 6th at St. Francis. St. Francis were the champs, with Corpus coming in second, St. Mary’s third and St. Theresa fourth.
St. Raphael Students “Making Change” for Kids with Physical Disabilities
For three weeks, the students at St. Raphael have been graciously donating their pocket change to help kids in their community who have physical disabilities. The final total has yet to be tabulated by Easter Seals but the results are expected to be tremendous.
Each class was given a bucket to fill as part of the Nickels for the North challenge.
It’s the perfect fundraiser for the students because they see students with physical disabilities in their building everyday. There are three Life Skills classrooms at St. Raphael School.
The campaign also heightened awareness of those who must rely on costly devices such as walkers, ramps and wheelchairs everyday.
Stay tuned for their results!
St. Benedict Teacher Honoured with Rotary Club of Sudbury Community Leadership Vocational Award
Libby Marinilli, a teacher librarian from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School was honoured on Monday, October 25 by the Rotary Club of Sudbury with a Communnity Leadership and Vocational Award. Libby exemplifies professionalism in the area of education as well as self-development and reflects her expectations of her students which is having them reach their full potential. Over the years Libby has continued to stay current in her profession by taking numerous additional Ministry of Education courses in Guidance, Mathematics, English, Special Education Specialist, Computer Specialist, Principal Qualifications & most recently Library Science just to name a few.
Her dedication to her students & profession included expanding their horizons in this global village by forming an Educational Travel Club. Over the past 20 years, thanks to Libby’s efforts, students have been exposed to the global classroom with trips to Egypt, Russia, Japan & Western Europe. Here, in our own country, she has organized Youth Exchange with students from Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador. Libby has given of her personal time over the years by providing athletic training of sports teams after school, organizing the annual winter carnival & working with student council as well as the Literacy Across the Curriculum Committee as the staff representative. In attempting to incorporate relevant experiences as a way of enhancing student learning, Libby’s Gifted Grade 10 English class had their full-sized newspaper published by the Sudbury Star. Her passion for literature & the understanding of the importance of literacy in our world has brought her to her latest position as teacher-librarian. In this position, she has introduced e-books (electronic) to the library & students. She has organized authors from the Writer’s Union to speak to students about the writing process which in turn could motivate them to become future authors.
By organizing Chapters book fairs, she not only brings the community into the school, but as a result, this action has lead to the formation of a school Book Club. Libby has also been involved in ESP- Empowering Student Participation in various anti-bullying activities & campaigns.
In addition, Libby has found time to contribute to her community by volunteering as an executive member for the Joe MacDonald Football League for the past 16 years. The league encourages young boys & girls from ages 8-15 to learn skills, develop self-confidence & move on to high school prepared with the skills of the game.
St. John Catholic Elementary School Shows They “Can” Do It!
The students of St. John school are extremely proud to announce that they collected over 22,000 cans for the Garson Food Bank during its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year, the students set their sights on trying to meet last year’s total (16,000) and ended up surpassing it by an overwhelming 6,000 cans. All students and staff of St. John school should be very proud of their good deed in support of the Garson Food Bank.
World War II Veteran visits St. Mary
St. Mary was very fortunate to have Mr. Tom Clark, an 85 year old War Veteran who currently lives in Capreol, and who is a member of the Capreol Legion, come speak to the students in grades 3 to 6, to give a personal perspective to the meaning of Remembrance Day. Mr. Clark joined the Navy in 1943 and sailed on the HMCS Kirkland Lake during the second World War. He spoke of his experiences and also gave a bit of the history of the Battle of the St. Lawrence. He explained the meaning of the medals he wore, spoke of the different friendships he had during the War, shared personal photos and talked about the differences in the Military now and at that time. Mr. Clark will be part of the St. Mary Remembrance Day Services as he and other members of the Capreol Legion will join the staff and students on November 11th.