Every year, the Art Gallery of Sudbury has an exhibition showcasing local high school students. This year, three students from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School have been selected to be a part of a juried exhibition which means that not every piece of work submitted “makes the cut”. St. Ben’s students Matt White, Katy Peacock and Cassidy McAuliffe have been chosen to be a part of the group of selected artists making up this showcase of art work. The students art teacher, Bruno Timpano, was thrilled that his students were chosen to be a part of this exhibition and was really proud of them for being selected. The exhibition begins on March 4 and runs through right to the end of the month. The opening gala will be held on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Category: Schools
SCC Antioch Prayer Group Enjoy Retreat In Killarney
Participants from the St. Charles Antioch prayer group took in the beauty of God’s creation and the wonderful weather on February 20 and 21, 2010 in Killarney. The students are part of the team that will put on the next Antioch Weekend (April 16,17,18) at St. Charles College. While in Killarney, the students participated in team building and communication exercises over the course of the two day retreat/seminar. The splendour of the lighthouse scenery, the sacredness of St. Ambrose Church, and the serenity of the Aboriginal classroom provided perfect opportunities for prayer and reflection. St. Charles College would like to thank the people of Killarney for their friendliness, the parishioners of St. Ambrose Parish for welcoming them at Mass, and especially the Outdoor Education Co-ordinator Mike Lavin for taking care of all of their needs throughout their visit.
St. John Catholic Elementary School Salute to the Olympics
Despite the frigid temperatures, the students at St. John Catholic Elementary had smiles from ear to ear as they took part in the school’s Olympic Day on Thursday, February 25, 2010. The school had many different events planned for the students including a wagon ride pulled by two horses from Wagon Wheel Ranch and the ever popular potato and spoon races. The smell of maple syrup filled the hallways as the staff and volunteers provided pancakes and hot chocolate for the students to keep them warm and fuelled their energy to keep the spirit level high throughout the day.
Sudbury Catholic School Students Take Part in Student Voice Initiative
Students from all four of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s high schools were in attendance at the Student Voice Initiative on Friday, February 26, 2010 held at Locker by Composite School. This initiative includes three main components which are Speak-Up Projects, the Minister’s Student Advisory Council (MAC) and the Regional Student Forums. The students gathered together to give their input into the review of the Civics curriculum as well as looking at explicit leadership development strategies for students. The day involved larger discussions and presentations and then breaking off into smaller groups to have more focused and in-depth discussions. The Student Voice Initiative was also going on in several other cities simultaneously including London, Thunder Bay, Ottawa and Toronto, with all of the cities connecting via videoconferencing at different times throughout the day. The new Minister of Education, Minister Leona Dombrowsky also connected with the Sudbury student group to be a part of the day’s conversation. Elizabeth Urso, one of the Student Trustees for Marymount Academy as well as President of the English Catholic Board Council was in attendance and spoke about the day’s events. “It gives us a better understanding of the importance of the student voice.” said Urso. “It also allows us to network with people that we don’t normally have a chance to meet or talk to.” Samantha Shewring, a grade 12 student from Marymount Academy was the only student from the Greater Sudbury area selected last year to sit on the Minister’s Student Advisory Council. “The experience was fantastic.” said Shewring. “ It was a great opportunity to get students involved with the Ministry of Education and to be able to go right to the source to make things happen. It is a significant opportunity and being a part of today reinforces the importance of students being involved in their own education.” The Minister of Education’s message spoke to the importance of increasing student engagement and that there was tremendous value in having school guidelines and policies be student driven and be representative of students’ educational needs.
One Room School House Opens its Doors to Welcome Full Day Junior Kindergarten
Located in the small village of Killarney, St. Joseph Catholic School welcomed junior kindergarten registrations by planning a student run Winter Carnival afternoon with help from the Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor Education Center. The seven current students and their teachers welcomed the new registrations and their families by organizing an afternoon of fun – Olympic games in the gym, First Nation drumming and singing with an Elder, peer story telling, healthy snacks, bird feeder construction and an outdoor scavenger hunt. Teacher Irene Dembek explains, “It is important to integrate the new kindergarten children and their families into a welcoming and safe school environment”. Students, parents and grandparents all celebrated this special school welcome with current staff and students. Fun and education went hand in hand during the “welcome to kindergarten” afternoon at St. Joseph Catholic School.
B.A.C.C.S.S. Students Enjoy Safe, Fun Snowmobile Riding on the Trails
Several students from Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School had an amazing opportunity on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 when they got the chance to enjoy a day of snowmobile riding for their winter carnival activity. Students that chose the ride as their option met with staff and several Greater Sudbury Regional Police officers in the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hanmer before heading out for a day long ride that involved a stop at Rocky’s restaurant where they enjoyed a lunch provided by the Sudbury District Health Unit. The day before the ride, the students spent the entire day being inserviced on different health and safety topics related to safe snowmobile riding. The students listened to presentations on survival techniques, how to read maps, safety on the trails, as well as one woman’s experience of being hit by a speeding snowmachine. The officers were some of the presenters of the day and felt that it was very important to have the students ride informed of all safety information. “ I want the kids to go out informed and educated.” said Constable Bilcik. “We went out on the weekend to make sure the trail was safe and by educating the students, it is the only we can do rides like this.” This ride along program with the police provided the students with the confidence that they were learning important lessons to keep them safe on the trails. As one father dropped off his son before the ride, it was evident he was aware of the theme of the day as he patted him on the back and said, “Have fun, son… and be safe!”
Immaculate Conception Students and Staff Full of Olympic Spirit
The students and staff of Immaculate Conception showed up to school on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 dressed from head to toe in red and white and Olympic gear. The entire group was excited to show their Olympic spirit as they gathered together for a picture showcasing the school’s enthusiasm and love of the Olympics. The grade 1 / 2 class also took it one step further as they held their own “mini Olympics” including bobsledding, speedskating biathlon and curling. The class created their own bobsleds in groups with the help of some of the grade 6 students. Tania Lacroix, the grade
1 / 2 teacher explained her students’ involvement with the Olympics. “Our class has been penpals with Christina Groves, one of Canada’s speedskaters at the Oympics.” said Lacroix. “ She has been writing back and forth with the class and even has one of the school’s banners with her at the Olympics and showed it on T.V. last Thursday. This experience has definitely had a positive impact on my students.”
Lacroix’s class is also responsible every day for reporting on the Olympic results and upcoming events on the school’s morning announcements. As well, there is a big bulletin board outside the class that keeps track of all of the medals that have been won by Canada. “It really is a big deal for all of the students.” states Lacroix. “They are having a lot of fun with it and are really showing their tremendous Olympic spirit!”
Torch Run Kicks Off St. James Winter Olympics
St. James Catholic School was thrilled to have Olympic Torchbearer Chris Jeffkins lead the school in a Torch Relay to officially open their Winter Olympic Day. Chris shared his amazing, once in a lifetime experience of being a part of the Olympic Torch run and explained how the torch “symbolizes Hope” and in carrying the torch Chris “felt like he was holding Canada in his arm”. Pictured with Chris are the Grade 6 torch run organizers Madison Kvaltin, Nikki Lemieux, Evan Collins,Vanessa Larocque and Holly Gran and Kindergarten students Bradley Markic and Aaric Rautiainen.
“Gangs and Youth. A Community Action Plan.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to be a partner in the “Gangs and Youth. A Community Action Plan” initiative in conjunction with our fellow school boards and community agencies in Sudbury.
Representatives from the Board staff and Trustees participated in a “Gangs and Youth” Media Conference held at the Greater Sudbury Police Service to promote awareness around gang activity. The Board took this opportunity to reinforce the fact the Sudbury Catholic District School Board works hard to engage our students in our educational programs and extra-curricular activities. We believe that our school communities offer the best opportunities for our youth, thus enabling them to become positive members of society. Our Board supports and maintains positive school climates that enhance safety and focus on prevention and early intervention with opportunities for reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration of the community.