On Wednesday, May 18 the junior kindergarten students visited Science North. Students have been studying animals and what plants need to grow and survive. Students were able to share their knowledge and make connections with the presentations. Students observed insects which enjoy plants as a source of food. Cora the instructor pictured here from Science North, allowed students to see and touch a walking stick. The day concluded with a 3D IMAX film entitled, Born to be Wild which was enjoyed by all. Many thanks to the parent volunteers who helped make the day a success!

The students and staff at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School had the opportunity recently to watch a performance by the Sudbury Rising Stars. The Rising Stars is an organization that performs skits related to issues for seniors such as hazards, health issues, hearing issues, using walkers etc. The group has previously performed for adult groups including the Catholic Women’s League for the past three years, but their performance for the St. Francis students was their first time in front of children. Shirley Miles, coordinator of the group wanted the students to learn about these different issues that seniors face. As many of the students have grandparents and other seniors in their life, Miles explained that it is a great opportunity for them to have a better understanding of their potential problems and how to deal with them. Laurie Petryna, St. Francis Principal, felt it was a great way for their students to connect with all of the seniors in their life and to reinforce the importance of encouraging respectful relationships with them.

New friends Bayly Burns from St. Francis and Mackenzie Coggins from St. Michael worked together on a peace quilt during Catholic Education Week.  The lesson used the book Somewhere Today – a Book about Peace.  Students in grades 1 to 6 from both schools got together as a part of the transition plan to prepare students from St. Michael’s to join those from St. Francis, as St. Michael’s is closing in June and students will be attending St. Francis in the fall. 

Students will also be getting together to watch a play at St. Francis called “Goldilocks and the Three Canadian Bears” on May 16th.

Junior kindergarten students at St. Francis celebrated the 100th day of school. Students brought their collections of 100 items such as pennies, beads, balloons, lego blocks and even yarn! Students sang their 100th day song to celebrate and received 100th day of school certificates to congratulate them on attending their first 100 days of school at St. Francis. Students listened to stories and even created their own class storybook about 100 foods they wish they could eat! The students ended the day with a special 100th day of school prayer.

Students in Mrs. Visentin’s junior kindergarten class at St. Francis School celebrated National Flag Day on February 15th. Students proudly painted their own Canadian flags to celebrate the day and learned that their country’s flag is 45 years old. Students have been reciting their pledge of citizenship and singing the national anthem since commencing school. It was a truly patriotic day for the junior kindergarten students.

On February 23, St. Francis students from kindergarten to grade eight wore pink for Anti-Bullying Day. The young students in the junior kindergarten class have been listening to important lessons from various storybooks this week about bullying. Students learned an important lesson about kindness and tolerance from Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin’s book entitled, Don’t Laugh at Me. The book encouraged the students to be kind to others and accept our differences.