Sudbury Catholic District School Board

St. Albert Learning Centre Celebrates First Graduate of the 2023-2024 School Year!

The 2023-24 school year poses to be a bright start for Caitlyn, a St. Albert Learning Centre student who has reached a significant milestone. In an outstanding accomplishment, she has completed all her credits and earned her Ontario secondary school diploma in just the second week of the academic year!

You might be wondering how such a remarkable accomplishment is possible. The secret to Caitlyn’s success lies in the unique learning environment at St. Albert Learning Centre. Here, students are empowered with the flexibility to work at their own pace thanks to dedicated support available right here at the school.

“Caitlyn’s journey was marked by its fair share of challenges, but she displayed unwavering determination,” say’s Christina Raso, Principal of St. Albert Learning Centre. “As recently as last June, she was merely one credit away from graduation. The St. Albert team rallied behind her, providing the guidance and support she needed to reach the finish line. Just two weeks in, Caitlyn proudly walked in with her completed coursework, ready to embrace the exciting next chapter in her life.”

Catherine, Caitlyn’s mother, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I am eternally grateful to the staff at St. Albert Learning Centre who went above and beyond and never lost faith in my daughter. I cannot express in words how thankful I am.”

The St. Albert Learning Centre team is bursting with pride for Caitlyn and her exceptional achievements. Let’s join together in a virtual celebration for our first graduate of the year! Caitlyn, your determination and resilience are an inspiration to us all. We are eagerly anticipating the incredible journey that lies ahead for you.

At the heart of every education is the student it empowers. Whether your journey starts in Kindergarten or continues with Adult Education, lifelong learning is made possible at St. Albert Learning Centre. For comprehensive information about the programs we offer, visit our website, or feel free to get in touch with the school during their operating hours, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

St. Albert Learning Centre

504 St. Raphael | Sudbury, ON | P3B 1M4
Phone: 705.673.3031
E-mail: stalbert@sudburycatholicschools.ca 
Christina Raso, Principal

Local Students in PEACE Program Launch the School Year with Creativity and Teamwork

In an exciting start to the school year, students in the PEACE program at St. Albert wasted no time in igniting their passion for learning and growth.

Their adventure began with a much-anticipated Marshmallow Challenge, a test of creativity and teamwork. With smiles on their faces and determination in their hearts, these students showed that they were ready to rise to the occasion. 

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and a strong sense of camaraderie as these young minds unleashed their creativity. The Marshmallow Challenge is just the beginning of their remarkable journey through the school year.

The entire community can’t wait to witness the incredible achievements that lie ahead for these talented individuals. The first day of school in 2023 marks the beginning of an extraordinary chapter, and we are excited to be a part of their journey.” Say’s Christina Raso, Principal of St. Albert Adult Learning Centre. 

 St. Albert Learning Centre Celebrates Double Grad from Same Family 

Robert O’Neil and fiancé Casey Lepine each celebrated a monumental achievement this month – they both graduated from St. Albert Learning Centre! Robert and Casey achieved their Grade 12 diploma. Casey also graduated from the Personal Support Worker program. They were honoured during a graduation ceremony which took place on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, where they each served as Class Valedictorians. 

After making a commitment to bettering their education, both Robert and Casey chose St. Albert Learning Centre because of its flexible and positive learning environment and encouraging educators. St. Albert Learning Centre provides unique learning opportunities and programs for students. Students learn at their own pace and courses are facilitated by classroom teachers in a supportive and caring environment. The Personal Support Worker (PSW) program at St. Albert Learning Centre is approximately six months in length and is taught by certified staff. Upon completion of the PSW program, students will receive a certificate and pin that is recognized by health care institutions. 

Throughout their time at St. Albert, they both felt supported by all staff – from their teachers to the daycare staff at Jubilee Heritage Family Resources who helped care for their children during the day. Though not always an easy journey, both Robert and Casey look back at St. Albert Learning Centre fondly. 

“I have pushed myself harder than I thought possible to soar to new heights and open new opportunities. It honestly is never too late for education – take yourself beyond those limits you placed and become better! I want to thank the staff at St. Albert Learning Centre for being so encouraging and fostering such a positive learning environment,” said Robert O’Neil, recent St. Albert Learning Centre graduate. 

“I have had the absolute pleasure of teaching both Rob and Casey throughout their educational journey here at St. Albert Learning Centre. Through their time at our school, this couple has been a major source of inspiration to several students and staff members alike, and they have taken full advantage of many of the programs 

and courses that we have to offer! The remarkable dedication displayed by both Casey and Rob to their education and future aspirations has consistently shone through within our classrooms. We wish them both luck in the future!” said Sarah Vandermost, Teacher at St. Albert Learning Centre. 

Robert hopes to pursue a job working underground or as a conductor for the railroads. For her part, Casey is excited to begin her PSW career – she thoroughly enjoys working with her clients and hopes to make a huge impact on their lives. 

Message from the Ministry of Education: June 2023

As the 2022-23 school year comes to close, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, has prepared messages to Ontario parents, students and graduates:

Letter to Parents from the Ministry of Education: June 2023

End of Year Message:

Special Message to 2022-2023 Graduates:

Your Voice Matters: Help Improve our System for the Future!

Do you have an idea on how we can prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future? We want to hear from you! 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to invite you to participate in our community-wide ThoughtExchange Consultation. This unique opportunity allows community members, including staff, students, parents/guardians, community partners, and more to share their thoughts about how we can improve our schools and our Board. We want to know what you value about Sudbury Catholic Schools and how we can better prepare our students for the future.

What will this info be used for?

The information we collect from this exchange will assist us as we review Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s multi-year strategic plan – an important tool which will guide and support our work over the next 3 to 5 years. 

How To Participate?

To participate, please click the link below. Reminder! After you share your thoughts, we encourage you to rate other people’s submissions as well. It is recommended to rate at least 20-30 thoughts, as this will provide the Board a more thorough analysis on how we can improve as a system. Come back often until July 14, 2023, to rate thoughts or add new ideas. 

Why ThoughtExchange?

ThoughtExchange is a group discussion tool designed to engage community participation and help inform decision-making. By using ThoughtExchange, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is providing an avenue for everyone to express their opinions and have a say in decisions that affect the future of our system.

Quick Tips:

  • This survey will be open until Friday, July 14, 2023
  • This Exchange is confidential. Your thoughts will be shared with other participants, but not your identity.
  • You will be able to see and rate thoughts that others have shared. 5 stars = strongly agree, 1 star = strongly disagree.
  • You do not need to rate all thoughts, though it’s recommended to rate at least 30 thoughts.
  • If a thought seems inappropriate, for example, if it identifies a person, you can flag it by ‘clicking’ on the three dots in the right-hand corner.

St. Albert Learning Centre Hosts Rick Osborne

The students at St. Albert Learning Centre had the privilege of hosting an extraordinary event featuring Mr. Rick Osborne, a living testament to the power of transformation! 

Growing up, Mr. Osborne faced a life consumed by darkness where addiction and criminal activities were his reality. However, he refused to let his past define him. “It’s not about where you start, but where you finish.” Mr. Osborne, against all odds, managed to rewrite the script of his life. Through sheer determination and the unwavering belief in his own potential, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

During his time in incarceration, a pivotal moment occurred, propelling Mr. Osborne to make a conscious decision to turn his life around. He discovered a passion for education and recognized the immense power of positive influences. This newfound purpose led him to establish Ozzy Garage—an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for those striving to break free from the cycles of crime and addiction.

Mr. Osborne stood before as a beacon of hope, a shining example of what is possible when we refuse to be defined by our pasts. His mission is to inspire our youth, empowering them to make informed choices and guiding them away from the perilous path of a criminal lifestyle.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Rick Osborne for sharing his remarkable story and inspiring us all with his journey of transformation. Thank you for reminding us that it’s never too late to change our path and embrace a future filled with hope and resilience.

National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day

May 28 to June 3, 2023, is National AccessAbility Week!

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an annual initiative that celebrates, promotes, and showcases the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our country, and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an accessible Canada. Since 2019, Easter Seals Ontario has recognized the Wednesday of National AccessAbility week as the Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt to raise awareness for accessibility and disability inclusion and make a pledge to help remove physical, attitudinal, and systematic barriers in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The following educator resources are available: 

Elementary: English | French

Secondary: English | French

Red Shirt Day

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. The 2023 Red Shirt Day takes place on Wednesday, May 31. Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Red Shirt Day to promote messages of support for people and families living with disabilities.

About Red Shirt Day 

Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada. Learn more!

Resources 

Red Shirt Day Resources

Easter Seals Website

Rick Hansen Website

Poster

Handout

Pledge

Pledge Examples

Colouring Sheets

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Films & Documentaries for Adults

Ted Talks

St. Albert Students Participate in Brain Buster Quiz with Let’s Talk Science

On day four of Catholic Education Week, students at St. Albert Learning Centre participated in a special Brain Buster Quiz show organized by the team at Let’s Talk Science.  

Students tested their knowledge about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a fun and engaging activity. Students learned new vocabulary such as “umami” all while earning points and having a great time!  

At the end of the game, students were given the opportunity to ask questions to game host Nick Butt about his experience studying STEM. Nick is the Outreach Delivery Coordinator at Let’s Talk Science who studied physics at Memorial University of Newfoundland and then earned his masters degree in Educational Research specializing in Curriculum and Learning.  

We would like to thank the team at Let’s Talk Science for organizing this event, sharing their passion about STEM but most importantly for celebrating Catholic education week with us! 

Congratulations goes out to Fisher, Curtis and Kayla for earning the highest scores and winning gift cards!

Artwork of St. Albert Student Featured in Emergence Exhibition

St. Albert Learning Centre is thrilled to acknowledge that Kierra Cooper’s “Beauty and the Loneliness” artwork is featured at the Emergence Exhibition held at the Art Gallery of Sudbury.  The event is a tribute to the artistic talent of Sudbury’s young people and is available for public viewing until May 7th.

Kathryn Kurt, PEACE program teacher shares her excitement; “ I am so proud as a teacher that we get to showcase Kierra’s talent! I am consistently seeing her create gorgeous pieces during art class and finally others get to see it as well! She is a beautiful indigenous artist with a bright future!”

Students in the PEACE program visited the art gallery to see the local talent and to celebrate Kierra’s accomplishment. The community at St. Albert Learning Centre would like to congratulate Kierra and encourage her to continue sharing and pursuing her artistic abilities.

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