Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Schools

SCDSB Celebrates Catholic Education Week

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be celebrating Catholic Education Week 2006, from April 30th to May 5th. This year’s theme And God saw that it was good! emphasizes the foundational belief of Catholic Education that spiritual and moral formation are critical to the values, actions and attitudes of our students and to the realization of the fullness of life. Catholic Education helps families develop in their children Christian values that give life its true freedom, meaning and joy. In this way, Catholic Education makes a distinctive difference not only to the lives of our students but also to our communities, our province and our country.

Continuing with classroom celebrations and activities in the months preceding Catholic Education Week, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and Catholic School Councils have been preparing for this year’s theme. Prayer activities contain references to the teachings of creation and ecology as noted in the writings of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops with each activity reflecting on one of the five themes of Catholic Education Week;

(1) Creation charged with the grandeur of God emphasizes the presence of God in all creation. The beauty and grandeur of nature that touches each one of us is a constant source of wonder and awe and a revelation of the divine.

(2) At Home in the Web of Creation invites us to reflect on our connection with God’s glorious creation. We are called as co-creators to join God’s work to repair the ecological wounds committed by humankind and to renew the face of the earth.

(3) Celebrating the Goodness of Creation recognizes the goodness infused into creation by God. The environmental movement has reawakened a new appreciation of the truth that through the created gifts of nature, men and women encounter their creator.

(4) Living God’s Dream for Creation is in essence our hope and desire to create a better world by recognizing that all living organisms are interconnected by delicate ecosystems. As Catholics we are bound by our covenant with God to protect endangered ecosystems, to work for justice and to preserve the integrity of creation for today and for future generations.

(5) At Peace with all of Creation encourages humankind to alter our lifestyle choices and daily actions to respect ecological limits and to show restraint with respect to the demands of consumerism. In this twenty first century, the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth are as one; social justice cannot be attained without an ecological balance. We must heed the warnings of the environmentalists and support the farmers, educators and activists who have begun to show us the way forward.

Students of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be engaging in discussions, dialogue and prayer activities revolving around these five themes of Catholic Education Week. In addition, schools will be celebrating Catholic Education Week by undertaking activities at all grade levels. We invite you to come and visit our schools and help us celebrate what Catholic Education means to the students of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

Marymount Academy Senior Band Performs for SCDSB Trustees

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The Marymount Academy Senior Band performed several musical pieces for Trustees and Senior Administration of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board at a recent board meeting. The mini concert capped off another tremendously successful year for the group of thirty-some young talented musicians.

In addition, six members of the senior band received gold awards for solo and small ensemble performances with twelve band members being selected for the Northern Ontario all star band. The band has also been asked to compete at the provincial level, representing the Sudbury area. The senior band has performed at the Northern Ontario Band Festival where they won a gold award, and have been invited to compete at the National Festival and the Atlantic Band Festival in Halifax at the beginning of May.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to congratulate Marymount Academy on their excellent musical achievements for 2005-06!

Grotto Fundraising Committee Receives Support from Education Sector

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A local campaign is underway to fund the construction of a Dome on the Mountain of the Sudbury Grotto. “The Dome will be a symbol of the Global Village for humanity,” states Father Perron, a member of the Grotto’s fundraising Committee. “The large stained glass window above the entrance will represent the Holy Spirit-the history of humanity and of our lives. This monument will become a distinctive Sudbury symbol such as the Big Nickel,” said Perron.

The redevelopment project of the Grotto recently received support from the Conseil scolaire Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, local English and French Catholic Teachers Associations, (AEFO and OECTA), as well as the Retired Teachers Association (ERO).

The purpose of the dome is to shelter visitors to the Grotto from the elements. It will also be used as a gathering place for class visits and for the sharing of values. The site has already become a favourite meeting place for students from across the region who gather for prayer and reflection. The Redevelopment Project Fundraising Committee will be extending invitations to all students for submission of sketches, drawings, poems, photos, etc., to illustrate their Judeo Christian values. This summer will mark the third consecutive year that individuals will participate in the Grotto of Lourdes summer program. Evenings of songs, music, recitals, presentations of plays and stories have been organized to allow for the exchange ideas and to permit time for prayer. The possibilities of ecumenical education in multi-faith and multi-cultural environments are limitless in Father Perron’s belief.

Members of the education sector and the general public are invited to donate to this very important project. Please send donations to the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie- Grotto Redevelopment, 40 Eyre Street, Sudbury, Ontario, P3C 4A5.

For more information please contact Ronald Perron, s.j. (705)673–3961.

Olympic Speed Skater Kristina Groves to Visit St. Anne Catholic School Students

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Olympic Speed Skater, Kristina Groves will be visiting St. Anne Catholic School on April 21. The two-time Silver Medalist (1500 metre and Team Pursuit) has been pen pals with the Grade One and Two classes at St. Anne since the fall of this year.

Kristina has been corresponding with the students on a regular basis teaching them about her exciting sport, and her training. “She even took time out from her busy schedule during the Olympics to write to them,” states grade 1/2 teacher Tania Lacroix.

“All eyes were glued to the television at school when she raced. The Grade One and Two classes were able to watch her live the day she captured the individual Silver Medal, other races were taped by their teacher, so they didn’t miss a single race. Every morning during the Olympics, students gave a special news bulletin over the P.A. system, to update the school on how our Olympic athletes were doing.”

SCDSB Hosts Kindergarten Information Night, “Programs to Power Young Minds Through Play”

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board welcomed prospective kindergarten parents and students to its first annual Kindergarten Information Night held at Marymount Academy recently. The evening was designed to inform and enlighten parents regarding the Board’s kindergarten program and allow them to gain an understanding of the Catholic system which integrates faith and culture.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Trustees, Senior Administration as well as school principals, vice-principals, kindergarten teachers and members of the Academic Services staff were also on hand to discuss the different supports that the Board has to offer, including community partnerships that enhance and support its programs.

Rossella Bagnato, Academic Superintendent of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board invited parents to visit many of the school and special interest group displays and kiosks and to personally connect with staff and agencies that were located on site throughout the evening. “Kindergarten is a bridge between early childhood development and the compulsory school system,” stated Bagnato in her address to parents. “Classrooms of young children function as caring communities. They are in effect, extensions of the home. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board offers that same warmness in the classroom that allows children to thrive and grow. We educate the whole child. As well as meeting the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs we also have an added dimension and that is spirituality. We are there to nurture the faith of our early learners,” concluded Bagnato.

Highlights of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s kindergarten program that were shared with parents throughout the evening included;

– A religion program centred around the theme of the child being created in God’s image. The Board promotes a sensitive, caring environment where Catholic values are integrated throughout the day. Prayer and religious symbols are part of everyday life.

– An enhanced early literacy and numeracy program which focuses on developing language, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Technology is used as a tool to promote literacy/numeracy as a strong link to the real world. (Kindergarten students have access to wireless laptop computers in preparation for the Board’s Learning With Laptop programs).

– French Immersion programs – are a highly successful approach to learning a second language and are available to all students.

– The Home/School Connection; The Sudbury Catholic District School Board believes in a strong partnership between the home, family and church. Ongoing communication and parent involvement is key to student success.

In her closing remarks, Paula Peroni, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board expressed the Board’s appreciation for the commitment of the academic services support staff, community partners and especially parents and guardians for making the evening such a tremendous success.

SCDSB Students Participate in Sacred Mass

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Secondary School students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board were invited to share in a very special mass celebrated at Ste Anne des Pins recently. In every diocese throughout the world, the Mass of Chrism is concelebrated by the Diocesan Bishop and representatives of the priests from all parts of the diocese. The sacred mass is a sign of the unity and communion between the priests and their bishop and is traditionally celebrated in the Cathedral of the diocese during Holy Week.

For many years, the Diocese of Sault Ste-Marie has held this mass at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption in North Bay, however in recent years, it has been celebrated in Sault Ste-Marie and Sudbury as well as North Bay on alternating years.

This year, Bishop Plouffe issued a special invitation to students of the 19 Catholic High Schools located in the diocese to join in the mass as special guests. Priests of the diocese, along with representatives of the deacons, Diocesan Order of Service and religious Sisters were also present.

During this Mass, the Bishop consecrated the oils to be used for the Sacraments of Baptism, Ordination, and Anointing of the Sick in parishes throughout the coming year. In addition, priests of the diocese renewed their commitment to serve God’s people.

In the spirit of reaching out to the youth of the diocese, Bishop Plouffe asked 19 talented young people from the Sudbury area to lead the congregation in prayer and music.

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