The gym at St. Bernadette Catholic School was full to capacity for the Family Open House Gathering. What better way to start off a new and exciting school year than gathering together as a school community to enjoy a delicious a pasta dinner? Megan Abate in Grade 6 was thrilled when her table was called as it was an extra special treat to have her teachers serve her a delicious, hot meal.
Category: Schools
Breaking Ground for Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School
Despite the cool weather, the rain held off as many gathered to take part in the historic groundbreaking ceremony for Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School. Under brilliant sunshine, staff from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board congregated alongside students, Principals and Parent Council Chairs from Corpus Christi, St. Theresa and St. Christopher to celebrate the first steps towards the creation of Holy Cross. Invited dignitaries included M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci and Mayor Rodriguez of which both had the opportunity to address the crowd about the importance of this mementous event. In his speech, Bartolucci spoke to the students specifically about the fact that this was all about them as they are “the future of Sudbury, the future of Ontario and will be the future leaders of our great country.” Bartolucci also focused on the Catholic Board’s logo of “Schools to Believe In” as he told the group that by having the vision to build Holy Cross, the board is doing just that – truly building a school to believe in.
Mayor Rodriguez asked the students to begin to transfer all of their commitment and enthusiasm from their current school to the new Holy Cross. He explained that they will be “embarking on a whole new set of experiences as they will be the very first students at a brand new school.”
Board Chair Jody Cameron concluded the address as he spoke of the school bringing a “renewed sense of community for the south end students, parents and community partners.” As well, he focused on the importance of remembering that it is the “collective heart and soul of the students that will carry it forward, and make Holy Cross a green school that will service the south end community for decades to come and serve as a beacon of education.”
The event finished with the official sod-turning with several people taking part including Mayor Rodriguez, M.P.P. Bartolucci, Catherine McCullough, Director of Education, Paula Peroni, Trustee, Jody Cameron, Board Chair, Louis Belanger, Architect, and Laura Kuzenko, Holy Cross Principal.
CBC Radio Visits Sudbury Catholic Schools
Students and staff at both St. Andrew and St. Raphael Catholic Elementary Schools had the opportunity to take part in an interview with CBC radio recently. Erik White, a reporter with CBC visited both schools on September 9, which was the first day of school for both the Full Day Junior Kindergarten and Early Learning students. White approached the Board to set up some interviews as he was working on a story on the Full Day Learning and Early Learning Programs newly available this year. His story was focusing on the differences between the two programs and how the staff, students and parents felt about what was offered for their children. The students were also joined by their teachers, Principals and Catherine McCullough, the Director of Education in welcoming White to their classrooms. Rosemary Tripodi, one of the Early Learning teachers at St. Raphael was excited to show off her classroom to White and was thrilled with the opportunity to showcase how the Sudbury Catholic Board has embraced this new program. “It is very important that we are letting people know that this is a real team approach,” Tripodi said. “It is a complimenting and collaborative effort that we strive for to really meet the needs and interests of the students.” Both Tripodi and Mandy Waugh, the full day J.K. teacher at St. Andrew spoke with White about the different programs and allowed him a glimpse into a day in the life of a four year old beginning school for the first time. White felt it was interesting to see both options and commented that it truly takes a dedicated, passionate teacher to be a part of either program – whether it be Early Learning or Full Day J.K.
Happy Birthday, Mary, Mother of God
Students and staff at St. Mary Catholic School in Capreol celebrated a special birthday recently – the birthday of Mary, Mother of God. Students participated in a special prayer service which incorporated both the beginning of school and Mary’s birthday. Students and staff prayed for new beginnings, fresh starts and blessings for friends and family. Thanks to Mrs. Nykilchuk for her gift of music as we sang “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”. After the prayer service, “Happy Birthday” was sung. Trustee Barry MacDonald served birthday cake to all. Happy birthday, Mary.
Fun While Learning – Summer Camp at St. Albert
Students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board participated in a two week summer camp program held at St. Albert School from July 5th to July 16th. Students took part in a variety of curriculum-based activities with a focus on mathematics and literacy. In addition, the French Immersion students had the opportunity to practice their French language skills and learn about French culture. All participants also enjoyed some fun activities including water games, crafts, an “Amazing Race”, a talent show and a pizza party.
St. Benedict Students Take to the Lake
Students from St. Benedict’s A.S.D. class had the opportunity recently to try the sport of rowing. They started off by training indoors all second semester at the ILRC downtown with the help of Carla John, who works at the ILRC, and their coach was Thomas Merritt, from the Sudbury Rowing Club. When the weather got warmer and the students felt more confident with their rowing skills, they got to row on the lake. The coach got other members from the rowing club to volunteer so that the students had experienced rowers along with them the first time. The indoor training was very physically demanding as the students worked up a quite a sweat but when they got to go out on the lake, it made it all worth it. The class hopes to continue the rowing next year.
St. Mary Students Celebrate the End of the School Year
St. Mary students in Capreol enjoyed a wet and wonderful day as they participated in Play Day to help mark the end of the school year. Teachers organized several activities. The day began with teams being organized and cheers being created. Then the wet fun began. Stations included a slip’n slide, throw and duck, sponge tossing and racing. A Kentucky Fried Chicken lunch was served for all students and staff as a special treat. In the afternoon, cheers were presented and awards were distributed. The day ended magically when The Amazing René mesmerized students and staff alike with his wondrous Magic Show.
Relay of Life 2010 – Rainbow of Hope
On June 18th 2010, students, staff and members of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Garson gathered for the 2nd annual Relay for Life. This year’s theme was, “Rainbow of Hope!” Each class was invited to show their “colour of the rainbow” by choosing a type of cancer and wearing its associated colour on the day of the walk. Students cheered on surviving family members, who proudly displayed on balloons, how many years they have been cancer free! Through donations and the purchase of luminaries in honour of those who have lost their lives, we were able to fund-raise $3200.00 to aid in cancer research! A huge thank you goes out to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Sudbury Health Unit, the CWL from St. John the Evangelist Parish, many volunteers as well as the students and staff from St. John school. Together, are making a difference!
St. James Catholic School Selected Provincially as a School on the Move
St. James Catholic School joined an elite group of schools across Ontario recently that have been recognized by the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat as a School on the Move. The School on the Move initiative highlights schools that are making substantial progress in raising student achievement and have sustained this progress over several years. St. James was nominated by the Ministry of Education and after a visit to the school by Ministry officials, was one of only 33 schools selected provincially. With over 4900 schools in the province including Catholic, Public, English and French Boards, Cara Soehner, Principal of the school was thrilled that St. James was selected to be part of such a prestigious group. Only four Northern schools were named as Schools on the Move, and Soehner attributes this to the strength and support of the staff who set strong foundation skills for learning.
Selection for Schools on the Move includes the following criteria:
EQAO scores in reading, writing and mathematics have improved in both Grades 3 and 6 over a three year period
Staff being able to articulate what they did and how they implemented changes
Staff being able to provide evidence of growth in student achievement
Strategies the school identified are supported by research evidence
Collaborative culture, with teachers working together, constantly learning, challenging and supporting each other
Doors being open and parents being partners.
As well as being a School on the Move, an additional accolade for the school includes their receiving the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson award this past year which is an award given to a school that demonstrates leadership, proactive initiatives, positive attitude and sincere efforts to help every child succeed. As well, the school must also be making effective use of the EQAO data and show evidence from other sources to enhance and support student achievement. Again Soehner ascribes the school’s success to the continuous work of the staff. “Our staff works tirelessly to engage and support each and every student at St. James,” Soehner said. “Every single day we collectively focus on the belief that everything we do is for the success of all of our students and that every single child matters.”
St. James is the second school in two years from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board to be nominated and selected as a School on the Move as St. Christopher Catholic Elementary was a School on the Move in the 2008-2009 school year.