Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Schools

SCDSB Receives Funding For New Library, Text Books

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Thanks to a recent funding announcement by the Ministry of Education, Sudbury Catholic District School Board students will start the new 2005 school year off with new library and text books. Mr. Rick Bartolucci, MPP for the City of Sudbury delivered the good news to representatives of the four Sudbury area school boards at press conference held at St. Francis Catholic School on Thursday morning. “To provide every student with the learning environment they need to succeed, Ontario’s publicly funded schools are taking deliver of new text books, library books and other learning resources in time for the start of a the new school year,” stated Bartolucci. Providing learning and library resources, teaching resources and professional development and professional development opportunities is a key component of the McGuinty government’s commitment to improving literacy and numeracy achievement among students. “The government’s goal is that 75 per cent of 12-year-olds meet the provincial standard in reading, writing and math by 2008. This new allocation of dollars will go along way toward achieving that goal,” concluded Bartolucci.

The McGuinty government is entering its second full year of an $8.3 billion four-year investment in Ontario’s publicly funded schools. Part of this investment, announced in May 2005, includes an additional $61 million for new textbooks, other learning resources (such as magazines, computer software and multi-media resources, including CD-ROMs and DVDs) and library resources. Every school — regardless of its size or geographic location — will benefit from the investment. The total funding for all 4 boards amounted to $1,159,635 with the breakdown as follows;

• Sudbury Catholic District School Board will receive $236,473
• Conseil scolaire du District du Grand Nord de l’Ontario will receive $ 119,739
• Conseil scolaire du District catholique du Nouvel-Ontario will receive $285,712
• Rainbow District School Board will receive $ 517,711

Hugh Lee, Superintendent of Business and Finance for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board was on hand for the morning presentation. “It is with great pleasure that we welcome the infusion of new money into our system at this time,” stated Lee. “The expert panel reports indicate that a well-stocked library contributes greatly to the development of students’ literacy skills. New money for textbooks will go a long way to ensure that the quality of Catholic Education will be maintained.”

SCDSB Celebrates Start of New School Year

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Zandra Zubac, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board addresses vice-principals, principals and staff during the Board’s inaugural meeting which marks the start of a new school year. The day’s session began with a prayer service celebrated by Father Brian Dixon from Our Lady of Hope Parish which included the commissioning of the Board’s new principals. The key topic of discussion focused on the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s continued commitment to reducing class size in the primary grades. “Our Senior Administration team is committed during the first days of school to ensuring that class sizes are as low as possible,” stated Zubac.

SCDSB Math Challenge and Bridge Teams Recognized

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Students of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board Math Challenge and Bridge Teams were recognized for their excellent efforts throughout the 2005 school year by Board Chair, Paula Peroni at a recent meeting of the Board. Mrs. Peroni congratulated each student individually and presented them with “Certificates of Recognition.” Special plaques were also awarded to the Math and Bridge teams by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The plaques will be displayed on the “hall of fame” in each of the individual schools.

Alice Cormier, Special Assignment teacher with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board explained that this was the first year that Bridge was introduced into the elementary panel. “In September 2004, The Sudbury Catholic District School Board was approached by Mr. Charles Crispin, General Manager of the Sudbury Bridge Club, with a proposal to provide Bridge lessons to the Grade 5 and 6 students,” stated Cormier. “Mr. Crispin’s generous offer was accepted by Principals Judy Bellmore from St. Andrew Catholic School and Shirley McKnight from St. James Catholic School.” Under the expert guidance of Bridge volunteer Doug Foreman, instruction was provided at St. Andrew School. Grade 5 pupils – Kelsey Aho, Nathan Bartell, Neha Chauhan, Leah Dupuis, Tylor Duval, Brenna Hallock, Cody Hillson, Andrew Johnston, Joseph Lister, Marie Longo, Jordan Miller, Jennifer Paquette, Cortnie Pinard, Brittney Smith, Savannah Whall, and Cody Wisniewski as well as their teacher Waldemar Swiatek soon became proficient Bridge enthusiasts.

At St James Catholic School, Bridge instructor Jennifer O’Hara engaged a group of grade six students in teacher Amanda Douglas’ class in enthusiastically learning the intricate skills associated with Bridge. St. James’ participants were Alyssa Jylha,
Jake Atkinson, Alexander Hunter, Jaysen Osawagosh, Matthew Soini, Ryan McInnes, Sean Dupont, James Johnson, John Lalonde, and Robert Larose.

Over the course of instruction, teachers and students came to recognize and appreciate the benefits of their participation in this unique program. In her presentation to the Board, Mrs. Cormier noted that;

• Bridge improves short – term memory retention in primary school children. According to the “Report of Minibridge Pilot
Research Project, St. Paul’s Church of England Primary School, Manchester, England” significant improvements in short-term
memory retention were found in four of the ten children.

• Teachers (from this same study) reported that the Bridge Program stimulated creativity, critical thinking skills, improved
concentration and attention to detail. They also pointed out that it was good value for the money expended and easy to administer.

• According to the Bridge Federation the “game of Bridge brings together logic, communication, social competence, and decision making in a unique way.”

• Students have commented that playing Bridge “helps them think, takes their mind off other things, gives them confidence and challenges them” (comments are from pupils in after-school bridge programs)

• Values of Bridge as related to the Ontario mathematics curriculum: enhanced communication skills, practice in constructing arguments to justify reasoning, data management skills improved, students were given the opportunity to use concrete objects during the games.

• Most importantly – it is a challenge but FUN!

Math Challenge

Once again this year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board hosted Junior and Intermediate Math Challenges. The participation throughout many SCDSB schools was overwhelming, and the success of the program is owed directly to the hard work of those staff and students.

The following is a summary of this year’s results:

Intermediate Challenge:
41 teams (9 schools) took part in the challenge for a total of 123 students from Grades 6, 7 & 8. These teams completed five challenges during the year. We thank the coaches who helped make this a success!

Plaques were presented in two categories:

Highest Overall Average
St. Francis Catholic School

Most Improved
St. John Catholic School

Certificates were also are awarded to teams with the highest scores.

ST PLACE – Teams with the highest score of 24/25:

Team # 30 St. Francis Catholic School
Team # 33 St. Francis Catholic School
Team # 34 St. Francis Catholic School
Team # 39 St. Mary Catholic School
Team # 44 Marymount Academy
Team # 62 St. James Catholic School

SECOND PLACE – Teams with a score of 23/25:

Team # 38 St. Mary Catholic School
Team # 41 Marymount Academy
Team # 42 Marymount Academy

THIRD PLACE – Teams with a score of 22/25:

Team # 31 St. Francis Catholic School
Team # 36 St. John Catholic School
Team # 37 St. Mary Catholic School
Team # 61 St. James Catholic School
Team # 63 St. James Catholic School
Team # 64 St. James Catholic School

In the Junior Challenge, 25 teams,(7 schools) took part in the challenge for a total of 100 students. Five challenges were completed. Again, I would like to thank the coaches for their hard work and enthusiasm.

Plaques were awarded in two areas:

Highest Overall Average
St. Andrew Catholic School

Most Improved
St. Anne Catholic School

As with the Intermediate Challenge, certificates were awarded to teams with the highest scores.

FIRST PLACE – Team with the highest score of 24/25:
Team # 4 St. Anne Catholic School

SECOND PLACE – Team with a score of 23/25:
Team # 1 St. Andrew Catholic School

THIRD PLACE – Team with a score of 21/25:
Team # 6 St. Anne Catholic School

A special thank you to everyone who made these challenges so successful!

 

Representing the St. Anne Math Challenge Team (L-R) are: Taylor Hanson, Yvon Doiron, Michael Haney, Madame Pickard,
Chad Williamson, Bradley VanAlphen, Chris Sloan

No Bull, it’s a “Bear” Market

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The St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School Accounting classes, Personal Finance Math classes, and other students interested in the stock market participated in the Nipissing University Stock Market Game. These investors were given a hypothetical $50 000 to invest in stock in four various sectors listed on the TSX as well as one stock, if they wished, from the Dow. Analyzing companies and their stock, examining their own portfolios, learning about various investment styles, and buying and selling stock gave the students an idea of what it would be like to invest in the stock market.

Last year was the first year St. Benedict participated in this game and we were very proud of their success. Province-wide, Michael Cormier placed first, Joseph Toffoli placed second, and St. Benedict placed first. This year, Patrick Sinclair placed first out of 1,635 students participating province-wide in the game. With a hypothetical $50 000 to invest, his ending portfolio was valued at $90 923.49 (a gain of 81.85%). For his efforts, he receives $2 000 towards tuition at Nipissing University or $1 000 cash. The school, as a result of the top ten players’ portfolios averaged together, also placed first and receives $500. Top students were:

1st – Patrick Sinclair
2nd – Zack Rebeiro
3rd – Robert Alemany
4th – Amanda Muldoon
5th – Nathan Battigelli
6th – Katie Morrow
7th – TBA
8th – Megan Jodouin
9th – Maria Griffin
10th – Melissa Cormier

Accounting Contest

On May 25, the Ontario Business Educators’ Association held its annual accounting contest (regional) at Laurentian University in the Commerce Department. In the Grade 11 division, St. Benedict took first and third place. Amanda Muldoon was the first place winner and Elaina Mansour was the third place winner. These students will be recognized for their achievements in September at an Awards Presentation at Laurentian University.

St. John School Safe for Students and Staff

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board continues its inquiry into concerns regarding the roof at St. John Catholic School in Garson. The DensDeck Prime installed at St. John’s School was inspected on
June 15, 2005 and was found to have been manufactured within specifications and suitable for the specified roof assembly.

It was determined that the odour was consistent with the smell of DensDeck Prime after it was manufactured. The slight odour will dissipate over time with ventilation. “G-P Gypsum’s, supplier of the Prime coating, has informed the Sudbury Catholic District School Board via correspondence that there is no health risk involved with the finished product,” stated Dennis Faucher, Manager of the Board’s Facility Services.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board will keep students, parents and staff informed of new developments.

St. Charles College to Host Visitors from Labrador Straits

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St. Charles College is once again involved in the YMCA Youth Exchange Program. The school’s students have been twinned with a group from the Labrador Straits in Labrador. Students from Labrador will be in Sudbury from June 26 to July 1, 2005 to visit Sudbury and take in some of the great sites our city has to offer.

The students from St. Charles College will be visiting Labrador
from August 22 to August 29, 2005 in return as part of the exchange
program. In addition, students from St. Charles College and Labrador
Straits are invited to a luncheon on June 30, 2005 at Respect is Burning on Durham Street. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Robert Gregorini, the owner and chef of Respect is Burning. Mr. Gregorini is offering the meal to the students at no charge as a way to give back to the community and to his former highschool as he is a graduate of St. Charles College.
After the luncheon the group will depart for Anderson Farm.

YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada promotes cross-cultural awareness and a
sense of national identity among Canadian youth aged 12 to 18. Travel
costs are funded by the Government of Canada through Exchanges Canada.
YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada sponsors exchanges between two groups of
equal size in different communities. Each group hosts the other.
During their stay in Sudbury, the youth will live with the families of
their twin group. Since 1976, thousands of young people have
experienced the cultural and geographic diversity of Canada through
participation in YMCA Youth Exchanges.

It’s ‘Fun 2 Sing’ at St. Bernadette School

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Students at St. Bernadette Catholic School participated in the Fun 2
Sing program held at the school recently. More than 90 students from
Grades 1 to 6 took a break from their studies to sing and record four
songs under the direction of principal Linda MacDonald with assistance from Rob Hanson, producer of Folkes Hanson Productions.

“Fun 2 Sing” is an exciting, fun and rewarding project that offers elementary students the opportunity to be featured on a Christmas CD with other schools celebrating your school,community and music education,” states Hanson. “Numerous studies emphasize the importance and educational benefits of music for young
students. When students are starting to lose concentration, a five
minute break practicing for their upcoming CD will recharge their
batteries so that they are once again ready to learn,” concludes
Hanson. The Fun 2 Sing songs are easy, fun and require little or no
musical experience.

In addition to Sudbury, Folkes Hanson Productions have recorded students/schools in the communities of Peterborough, Belleville/Trenton, Kingston, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie,
Kitchener/Waterloo and the Niagara region. “These projects have
received much media attention, with features in local newspapers and
television news broadcasts. The students have a lot of fun, plus they
learn a little about music and recording in the process,” notes Hanson.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

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St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School students unveiled their new stock car and racing team at the school just hours before heading off for the Laird International Speedway near Sault Ste. Marie on June 16, 2005. The 1984 Plymouth Reliant stock car was virtually rebuilt by the Grade 12 Technology class at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Teacher Steve Bailey and the students dedicated hundreds of hours in time and labour to get the car in top racing condition.

The Technology Class stripped out the car’s interior, built a roll cage, battery box, bumper covers, firewall, fuel tank rack, hood pins, floor repairs, body work, and installed a seat and a safety harness. Drea Centis, a professional painter and Bruno Timpano, an auto detailer completed the finishing touches on the car to get it ready for race day.

The racing team consisting of drivers Steve Villeneuve and Bruno Timpano and team manager and whip, Steve Bailey, Transportation Technology Teacher at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School left to compete in the Laird International Speedway immediately after the car was unveiled to the school community.

The desire to work on a stock car came from the Grade 12 students. “We thought the idea of rebuilding and racing a stock car was a pretty cool idea,” stated Mr. Bailey. “Not only was it a fun and exciting project to work on but it also involved doing a lot of things that are in the Technological Education Curriculum Guideline.”

St. Anne Students Run for World Harmony

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Staff and students at St. Anne Catholic School had the opportunity to participate in the World Harmony Run at their school recently.
The World Harmony Run is a global torch relay that seeks to promote international friendship.

An international team of runners carry a flaming torch, (symbolizing the aspiration of human oneness), through more than 70 countries around the globe. Staff and students were told of the significance of the Run, listened to the World Harmony song, signed a banner, and were able to touch the torch as they each made a silent wish for World Harmony.

The St. Anne Catholic school community formed a gigantic circle in the school yard with Mr. Thomson’s Grade 6 class joining the World Harmony runners for a few laps around the circle, passing the torch among themselves. The World Harmony Run afforded the school a wonderful opportunity to participate in a global event which helped connect grassroots efforts to world harmony. For more information about The World Harmony Run, please visit
http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/canada

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