The gym was filled to capacity as Marymount Academy hosted its second annual Parent Breakfast on October 27, 2010. From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. students and parents/guardians had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast, meet staff and learn a bit more about different MMA initiatives. The breakfast was put on by the school’s parent council and staff and allowed parents to meet some of their daughters’ teachers as well as talk to some of the students who are involved in school programs such as Student Council, Girls Athletic Association and Marymount Catholic Charities Council. Also on hand were members of the Parent Council who had several support books on hand for interested parents looking to read more about school and family related issues. School mascot A-Roar-a made an appearance and the morning proved to be “a-roar-ing” success!
Category: Schools
The Power of Pet Therapy
The students in the English classroom at the Children’s Treatment Centre enjoy their monthly visit from their Pet Therapy friends. Studies have proven that many physical and emotional benefits arise out of pet therapy. Anxiety, stress, heart pressure and lung pressure decline for those visited by a dog and their volunteer.
St. Raphael Students Hold Canned Food Drive
Students at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary were given a challenge. For a two week period, the students were asked to collect cans and other non-perishable food items for donation to the Sudbury Foodbank. At the end of the collection period, the grand total of cans was over 3600 and Vice Principal Anastasia Rioux was very proud. “Although the students were given a pizza party incentive, they all recognized that they were doing this for the greater good.” Rioux said. The students collected from family, friends and neighbours and the food drive was a St. Raphael student council initiative. The class that collected the most cans was Ms. Moretta’s Grade 4 class which brought in a total of 603 cans.
Gators Give Back
Every year at Thanksgiving, the community of Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S. gives thanks by giving back to the community with our canned food drive. These students believe it is important, as John the Baptist said, that “the one who has food should share with him who has none.” (Luke 3:11). This year, the staff and students definitely outdid themselves! They blew their goal of 2000 cans out of the water, with a final total of 5517 items of food! There was a tight competition between four homerooms, with Ms. Kozak’s class finally winning a free dress-down day with 1335 cans. Mr. McKee’s homeroom will also be sharing in the prize, as their small class of just 5 students managed to gather 1018 cans! Great fun was had by all, but more importantly, a great amount of food was donated to both the Hanmer food bank and the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Val Caron! Your generosity never ceases, Gators!
Casting their Ballots at St. Benedict
As part of Government Week, Students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School took part in a parallel election and held a student vote on Friday October 22, 2010. On hand was M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci who congratulated the students for getting involved and explained to them the significance of their participation. “Local government includes school board trustees, and that has a direct impact on you and your education,” Bartolucci said. “By learning about your local government, you are learning that voting is something you should take very seriously, and this will be the foundation piece for your future activity as responsible citizens in your community.”
Also addressing the students was St. Benedict Principal Karl Dreger who reinforced Bartolucci’s message regarding the importance of their participation in the vote.
Marli Kicz, St. Benedict student and Sudbury Catholic Student Trustee also spoke to the students about the significance of students getting involved and the power of the student voice. “By getting involved,” Kicz said, “students can have a positive impact – it is very empowering.”
The program run by Student Vote, in partnership with the Ontario government, encourages youth under the voting age to participate in the democratic process through parallel elections, and develop voting habits they can apply as adults.
Over 640 students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School participated in Friday’s parallel election and Student Vote will share their results after the official polls close on October 25.
St. David Catholic School Partners with Aboriginal Best Start Hub to Celebrate Community
St. David Catholic School and Better Beginnings, Better Futures Aboriginal Best Start Hub proudly partnered Wednesday evening to welcome their community for a free community dinner and celebration. Families gathered for corn soup and bannock as well as fruit and homemade desserts. School Board personnel and Best Start Hub employees worked together to teach all family members how to make a rattle craft. Entertainment was provided by the grade 8 students of the school and community volunteers worked to set up and prepare for the evening. All children in attendance received gift bags from Better Beginnings filled with toys and school tools. “It was a wonderful celebration and showcase of what community can do when we all work together. St. David School is very proud to be a part of such a community based, fun, opportunity for learning and laughing with our local families”, said Tina Timpano, vice principal of St. David School. Lana Trudeau, the Aboriginal Support Worker for SCDSB stated, “We are off to a fantastic start and look forward to many more celebrations similar to this in our future partnership with Better Beginnings. Everyone had a great time, laughed a lot and filled their bellies. We appreciate Better Beginnings and everything they offer the community”.
St. Anne Celebrates School Spirit
The staff and students at St. Anne school pride themselves on being an integral part of their school community. Recently, the school celebrated the first of its monthly School Spirit Days. The theme was to wear the school colours of blue and gold or any shirts where the school mascot appeared. Mrs. Lafrance’s Grade 3/4 class really got into the swing of things in what they wore, as well as participating in face painting to highlight school spirit from head to toe. Way to go St. Anne Angels!
Mayoral candidate Visits Grade 8 Students at Pius
Mayoral candidate Ted Callaghan visited Pius X11 School recently to discuss his platform with Mr. Horn’s grade 8 class. Students listened attentively and voiced concerns that they had about the city. Mr. Callaghan answered all the questions and a thought provoking discussion ensued.
St. James Students Create Portfolios
Just as artists, investment brokers, architects, and other professionals use portfolios to showcase their best work, the French Immersion students of Mme Narozanski’s class from St. James Catholic school are developing portfolios to highlight their best schoolwork. With teacher guidance, every student chooses work samples to place in the portfolio as the year progresses. The content in portfolios is built from class assignments and as such corresponds to all areas of the curriculum.
In this process the students are also learning how to evaluate their own work and how to set goals for future growth. Also two student-led parent conferences will take place before each report card allowing students to share their own evaluations of their work and personal goals for improvement with their parents.