Sudbury Catholic District School Board

St. David School Wins Grand Prize as a “National School of the Future”!

On June 25th, 2021, St. David School was named a grand prize winner in the National Schools of the Future competition presented by MindShare Learning.

MindShare Learning is Canada’s leading EdTech strategy consulting, news, and professional learning events company. It specializes in providing strategic solutions to learning and technology providers in the K-12, higher ed and lifelong learning space, to support student success.

Last spring, our very own St. David School completed a video submission that showcased various remote learning activities and events that were completed with staff and students.

Based on their amazing video submission, St. David school placed third overall in Canada, and first overall in Ontario. For their work and creativity the school was awarded a prize pack estimated at $10,000 which was personally delivered earlier this month by MindShare Learning’s Founder and President, Robert Martellacci.

Prizes included…

  • Online Platform Access to Nelson Edwin
  • Collaboration Station from Dell Technologies (includes Dell Latitude 5420 Notebook, Alienware Keyboard, Mouse, and Mouse Pad)
  • Gaming Backpack for Teachers (includes Yeti Mugs, Wireless Keyboard, Wireless Mouse, EDU Headset, and HD Webcam)
  • Smith Systems Steelcase Furniture (2 Soft Rockers, 2 Oodle Stool)
  • And More!

Robert Martellacci, Founder and President of MindShare Learning came in person to congratulate students and deliver the prizes. “What I was so impressed with is the passion that the teachers had in supporting students and creating a community. St. David stood out to me for the enthusiasm shown by both students and teachers to create an environment that is dedicated to enhancing modern learning. We had a judges panel that viewed all video submissions. The imagination and creative thinking that engaged kids at St. David exceeded the expectations we had. The leadership here is something to be shared nationally and the inspiration of our contest is really about getting beyond pockets of innovation and sharing best practices and successes that inspire others across the country on how to be better and how to help kids learn better. That is why we selected St. David’s as third overall Canada and number one in Ontario.” Says Mr. Martellacci

The school community would like to thank Christina Raso (our temporary grade ½ teacher and the Board’s Experiential Lead Consultant) for supporting the school in promoting experiential learning. Experiential learning opportunities are directly connected to our student’s engagement. When students are engaged, they are happy and excited to learn,” stated Dawn Wemigwans, St. David School principal.

Pictured are students and staff a long with MindShare Learning President!

St. David School Celebrates National Tree Day!

Students at St. David School celebrated National Tree Day on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. National Tree Day serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us – clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature.

Mrs. Toffoli’s Grade 4 & 5 students honoured the day by creating a short video that can be viewed at: 

National Tree Day

Check out their beautiful and colourful artwork!

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Students at St. David Elementary School proudly showcase their colourful tree artwork to celebrate National Tree Day on September 22nd, 2021.

St. David School Named Grand Prize Winner in National Schools of the Future Contest!

St. David School has been named a grand prize winner in the National Schools of the Future Contest presented by MindShare Learning. The main goal of the contest is to inspire teachers to share their innovative teaching and learning activities via storytelling, utilizing a video, podcast or blog. St. David School completed a video submission which showcased various remote learning activities and events that were held this spring with staff and students.

Robert Martellacci, Founder and President of MindShare Learning made the announcement to the school community during their annual end of the year Award Assembly (held virtually). As shared during the Award Assembly, he stated the following: “What I was so impressed with is the passion that the teachers had in supporting students and creating a community. Students were given tasks that focused on global competencies and provided a space of belonging for all!”

“While it has definitely been a challenging year for students around the globe, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the level of student engagement being shown this spring. Looking at all that was accomplished, I thought a video entry would be the best way to tell the school’s story and how we continually find innovative and creative ways to establish a sense of community whether in the classroom or behind a screen!” said Christina Raso, Experiential Lead Consultant at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board who completed the video submission.

“On behalf of the Board, we congratulate St. David school on their achievement in the Schools of the Future contest. It is truly a testament to the resiliency and passion that our staff and students have shown throughout the school year. St. David school focused on providing activities, events and initiatives that not only focused on the global competencies (such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking) but they also provided a learning environment that celebrated diversity, community and inclusion. Congratulations St. David School – you exemplify our vision of being leaders in learning and faith,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

The submission video can be viewed at the following LINK.

The school will receive an ‘Extreme Schools Makeover’ aligned with the student-centred learning and design plan shared in their video courtesy of the prize sponsor Dell EMC. The prize package will include time with the Dell Education Strategist along with professional learning. More information about the contest can be found at the following LINK.

MindShare Learning is Canada’s leading EdTech strategy consulting, news, and professional learning events company. Its hallmark is providing strategic solutions to learning and technology and lifelong learning space to support student success.

Students and Staff Embrace Franco-Fun Day

Staff and students took part in Franco- Fun Day: a day dedicated to celebrating French language and Franco-Ontarian culture! Here are just a few ways our schools joined in on the fun:

  • St. Charles College students were treated to a live concert by Steph Paquette!
A man plays a song on-screen.
  • Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School staff and students got into the spirit by wearing white and green in honour of the Franco-Ontarian flag.
a collage of students and staff wearing white and green.
  • Immaculate Conception Catholic School students participated in a workshop by Ariko. They loved learning how to play the spoons and learning the dance steps. They listened to the song Mon beau drapeau and discussed the meaning of the Franco-Ontarian flag. The students then drew their own flag while listening to les chansons à répondre!

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Lowers Flags in Honour of BC Residential School Victims

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board joins communities across Canada in honouring and praying for the 215 Indigenous children whose bodies were discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk-emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory. 

To honour their lives, flags at all SCDSB schools and board buildings will be lowered for nine days (May 31-June 8) – a total of 215 hours to represent each of the 215 children. As a sign of our collective mourning, the Board will also be participating in the National moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. today as we honour and acknowledge the children who never returned home.

“Today, we honour the lives of the 215 Indigenous children who will not be coming home. It is a heartbreaking tragedy and while there are no words to truly express the deep mourning those impacted are experiencing, we humbly offer our prayers that they and their families will find healing. We also acknowledge the pain and trauma this brings to all Indigenous peoples across the country, and we recognize the need for ongoing truth and reconciliation. May God continue to watch over the 215 souls and their families,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of the Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

“All Sudbury Catholic District School Boards schools and facilities are standing in solidarity with communities across Canada in honouring the 215 Indigenous children. While it is indeed an unspeakable tragedy, we send continued prayers and healing to all those affected and to the Indigenous communities in the Sudbury area and across the country. We have lowered all flags for 215 hours and will join the National moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. As a system, we are also wearing orange shirts on Wednesday, June 2 and will unite in a collective prayer service as a reminder that every child matters,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Attempt Event 2021!

What do these three young men have in common?

They just submitted their video to smash a world record!

Skills Ontario is excited to announce a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt event. We would like to invite everyone to participate in making history by helping them to break the record for Largest Online Video Chain of People Passing and Using a Screwdriver!

The call went out yesterday to Sudbury Catholic staff and students to help Skills Ontario. Both staff and students have been eagerly participating.  Kent MacNeill, remote learning teacher assigned the challenge to all his grade 7 & 8 science students!

Anyone of any age, across the province can join the fun!  Skills Ontario’s minimum goal is to receive 251 individual video submissions.

In order, to secure the record please make sure all guidelines are followed,  refer to the   Educational Guide & Attempt Guidelines and video. For additional information, refer to: Guinness World Record Attempt 2021

All participants must sign a photo/video release form when uploading their video. Participants 18 years and younger must have a parent/guardian sign the form.

All participants will be added into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 20 $50 prizes!

Deadline to submit is June 2nd 2021!

St. David School Honours Students and Families with Superhero Day!

St.David School chose to celebrate their students and families for their consistent hard work this school year with a special Superhero Day!

Staff and students wore their favourite superhero customers and applauded each other’s efforts for being true heroes throughout the pandemic.

The school sent letters to families thanking them, hosted a school wide superhero dance with prices for school spirit, taught literacy and math lessons based on the superhero theme and played superhero bingo!

The school also created and shared the below video showing tons of community members (and a few surprise guests) thanking the students and their families for a job well done! Way to go Dragons!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mctyaSFxVK0

University of Waterloo Engineering Science Qube Mobile Makerspace Teach St. David Students about Gravity, Friction & Materials Science!

Students in the grade 1 & 2 class at St. David had special visitors from University of Waterloo, Engineering Science Qube Mobile Makerspace program. Students explored the physics of the sliding sport of luge while learning about gravity, friction, and materials science along the way. The university provided STEM kits at no charge and students were asked to think about designing, building, and testing safer sporting apparatus in an engaging presentation called “Newton’s Slip n’ Slide.

Teachers can find more details about the Grade 1- 12 program at ESQube Workshops.

For more information about this initiative, contact:

christina.raso@sudburycatholicschools.ca

St. David Students Take the Podium in Province Wide Contest!

The #SkillsAnywhereChallenge series is a fun way for Ontarian students of all ages to develop their skills and explore the skilled trades and technologies! On the first Monday of every month, Skills Ontario launches a new challenge that test students’ skills in creativity and planning. In the month of April, St. David students combined the fun of the challenge to create a school wide Wacky Hair Day Contest. Students from K-6 showed their creativity and talent with 3 students placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the provincial wide contest!

1st place: Jessica Pawson

2nd place: Jayla Emmanuel

3rd place: Elizabeth Akanmu

Jessica Pawson
Jayla Emmanuel
Elizabeth Akanmu
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