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.
Category: Schools
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.
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. 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.
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.
Sudbury Catholic Lifeskills Students Take Part in Annual Special Olympics
On Friday, June 18, 2010 students from both the elementary and secondary lifeskills classes gathered together at Pius XII Elementary School for the board’s annual Special Olympics event. Two sessions were arranged for the students with the secondary students participating in the morning and the elementary students participating in the afternoon. The day involved several different events for the participating students including an obstacle course, hockey shoot-out, soccer shoot-out and a basketball challenge. At the end of both sessions, all of the staff and students gathered together and all of the participants were applauded for their valiant efforts.
St. Charles College Student Receives Significant French Immersion Scholarship
Alison Hunt, a grade 12 student from St. Charles College found out recently that she was the successful grant applicant for a $20,000 French Immersion scholarship from the University of Ottawa. After applying to the University for their International Development and Globalization program, Hunt received news that she was going to be receiving $5,000 a year for the next four years as long as she takes 60% of her courses in French. A French Immersion student for all of her schooling, Hunt didn’t really think about applying for any sort of French Immersion related scholarships. Her teacher, Rick Emond suggested to her that she might want to consider this option. Thankfully Hunt took his advice and her parents couldn’t be happier. “They are really excited for me,” Hunt said. “They know this is a fantastic opportunity for me and are really proud of me, especially since neither of them even speak French.” Hunt attributes a lot of her scholastic succes to Mr. Emond. “ He (Emond) has been there for me right from day one in Grade 9 and has encouraged me to stay in French Immersion right into Grade 12”. Emond says that he has always been very proud of Alison’s accomplishments as she has always been a very mature student who always went beyond what was required and always took extreme pride in her work. “Allison has always seen the importance of the Immersion program and never complained about the work that was involved,” Emond said. “She deserves this and part of me is envious of the opportunities that lie ahead of her as there is no doubt in my mind that she will make a difference in the world – when people talk about our students being our future, Alison will be one of the ones leading the way.” Hunt hopes to eventually work for a global charitable organization such as “Right to Play” and feels that continuing in her French will allow her more successful career opportunities.
SCDSB Lifeskills Classes Celebrate End of Year at Annual Picnic
Students from all of the Sudbury Catholic Elementary and Secondary Lifeskills classes gathered in the Pavillion at Fielding Park on June 16 to come together in celebration of another successful school year. Despite the dark skies and pouring rain, the students and staff took part in their annual SCDSB Lifeskills picnic. Although the weather prevented the usual outdoor activities, the spirits were high as crafts and cards came out and laughter could be heard throughout the room. This year marks the eighth Lifeskills picnic for the Board and each year it is more like a family reunion than a school event. Emily D’Angelis, the Lifeskills teacher from St. Raphael said the students really look forward to these gatherings as some of them have known each other for years. “Some of our students have been together for three or four years and when they all get together, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to reconnect and catch up on each other’s lives.” D’Angelis said. Many of the older students could be overheard making plans for the summer and talking about what the next year holds for them, while most of the elementary students were too busy playing and high-fiving each other to discuss any future plans. Students enjoyed their lunch of hotdogs donated by the Harvey’s in the South End and some even braved the elements to attempt to feed the ducks despite the rain. All in all it was an excellent day for both students and staff to celebrate together before the start of summer.