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

Posted on June 16, 2023June 20, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

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.

Click Here To Share Your 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.

National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day

Posted on May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 by Erin Kendall

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

Films & Documentaries for Adults

Ted Talks

Staff and Students Bear Witness To Jordan’s Principle

Posted on May 11, 2023May 11, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

On Wednesday, May 10th, staff and students honoured the memory of Jordan River Anderson and took the time to Bear Witness. Bear Witness Day serves as a reminder – and a day for us all to “bear witness” that First Nations children receive the services and supports they need, when they need them. Below are a few examples of activities that took place in our schools:

Holy Trinity Students brought in their favourite stuffed animals and learned about the importance of Bear Witness Day.

Kindergarten students at St. Anne School brought their teddy bears outside for Teddy Bear Picnic.

LSC203 staff and students at St. Benedict C.S.S learned about Jordan while having a tea party. Afterwards they coloured teddy bears in his honour.

Bishop Student Appointed to Student Trustee at Sudbury Catholic Schools

Posted on May 5, 2023March 25, 2025 by Erin Kendall

Grade 10 Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S. student Julia Parenteau has been appointed as the newest Sudbury Catholic District School Board Student Trustee for the 2023-2025 terms. The appointment took place at the April 18, 2023 Board meeting. Julia will join fellow Student Trustee Catena Hayden beginning August 1, 2023.

Julia is a devoted leader both on her school’s Student Council and on the Student Senate. Seen as an active member of the community, Julia spends much of her time volunteering at her local church and serving as a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Committee. She has also devoted time to serving food to veterans and their families and volunteering at various events for the Maison Sudbury Hospice.

Julia is strong advocate for student voice and believes it is a necessary for student development and growth. She hopes to bring more attention to mental health and well-being within schools and create resources to help students and school environments navigate appropriate solutions.

“I believe it’s important for students to be involved in their education because, with an absence of involvement, their lives and our school communities would lack growth. When a student is involved in their education, they ask questions and make a point to self-assess their progress and attitude towards school. It’s these kinds of students who not only better themselves but also their school environment because they set examples and show good habits that other students may feel they need to pick up on,” said Julia Parenteau.

“Julia is a passionate and dedicated individual. Her commitment to bettering our school system and helping her fellow students is inspring not only to her peers but to us as well. We look forward to working alongside her, as we continue to champion Student Voice at the Board table ,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.

Step into the Classroom with SCDSB’s Welcome to Kindergarten Nights

Posted on May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 by Erin Kendall

Sudbury Catholic Schools are holding in-person Welcome to Kindergarten Nights. We’re thrilled to offer an in-person experience where you and your child can explore our schools, meet our dedicated Kindergarten Team, and participate in fun classroom activities. This event is not only an opportunity for your child and family to become familiar with their new school, but also a chance for us to warmly welcome you and your family to our SCDSB family. No matter if you’ve already registered or not, we invite you to attend and look forward to seeing you soon!

Attend a Welcome to Kindergarten Night

Below is a list of all the dates and details available for upcoming Welcome to Kindergarten nights at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Please contact the appropriate school for more information and to register.

School	Date	Time
St. Anne	Wednesday, May 17, 2023	6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles School	Wednesday, May 3, 2023	5:00-6:30 p.m.
St. David School	Monday, June 26, 2023	1:00 p.m.
St. Francis	Thursday, June 8, 2023	5:00 – 6:00 PM
Holy Cross	Wednesday, May 31, 2023	5:00 – 6:30 PM
Holy Trinity	Wednesday, June 7, 2023	5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Immaculate Conception	Thursday, May 18, 2023	4:30-6:30 PM
St. James	Friday, June 2, 2023
St. John	Thursday, May 4, 2023	11:00-12:00 PM
St. Joseph	N/A	N/A
St. Mark	N/A	N/A
St. Paul	Wednesday, May 3, 2023	4:30-5:30 PM
Pius XII	Tuesday, May 23, 2023	4:00 – 6:00 PM

View our Kindergarten Program Brochure

Catholic Education Week: We are Many, We are One

Posted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes:

When we see
When we listen
When we reflect
When we learn
When we act

OCSTA Resources

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.

Access CEW Resources Here

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

Board-Wide Celebrations

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.

Toonies for Tuition Day

On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.

Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Live Stream

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.

St. Anne Students Participate in Water Walk

Posted on April 21, 2023May 9, 2023 by Carlee Vendramin

St. Anne Students travelled to the traditional lands of Wahnapitae First Nation to participate in a Water Walk with the support from Ms. Carissa, the school’s Indigenous Support worker. They read the story “The Water Walker” and received personalized letters from local author Joanne Robertson. Students sang, feasted, laughed, celebrated, and learned about the importance and sacredness of water . They then gathered to give thanks and offer semma (sacred tobacco) to the waters of Lake Wahnapitae.

Chi-miigwetch to Caroline Recollet and Tammy Cheverette from the community who shared traditional knowledge with us, Jamie Macdonald, Anishinabek Student Support Counsellor, and other members from the community that helped make this learning opportunity available to our students.

Register Now for SCDSB’s Annual Carousel Event!

Posted on April 11, 2023April 19, 2023 by Erin Kendall

Registration is now open for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation.

When: Tuesday, May 2^nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School

Address: 2993 Algonquin Drive

Carousel topics will include:

Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming. Click here to view our session descriptions !

*FREE CHILDCARE & LIGHT SUPPER WILL BE PROVIDED.

Click Here to Register!

Save the Date for SCDSB’s Carousel Event – Free Childcare & Supper Provided!

Posted on March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 by Erin Kendall

Save the date for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation.

When: Tuesday, May 2^nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School

Address: 2993 Algonquin | Sudbury, ON | P3E 6K2

Carousel topics will include:

*FREE CHILDCARE & LIGHT SUPPER WILL BE PROVIDED.

Registration information will be coming soon!