We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2022-2023 school year.
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2021-2022 school year.
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
St. Francis students and staff wore yellow to kick off the start of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Campaign in April. The daffodil is a symbol of strength and courage in the fight againstt cancer. Since the 1950s, bright yellow daffodils have arrived in communities across Canada to mark the beginning of Daffodil Month in April. Yellow daffodil stickers were worn at the elementary school to show support for Canadians living with cancer. A cheque for $502.00 was presented to Ms. Burns and Ms. Crispo from the Canadian Cancer Society who graciously attended the school’s assembly to speak to students. The cheque was presented on behalf of the families, students and staff of St. Francis School who made the donation possible. Cancer has touched many of the St. Francis families, friends, staff and even students in some way. The school’s event organizer for the Daffodil Campaign, Ms. Graziella Visentin, was thrilled with the support shown by the school’s families, students and staff for this worthwhile cause. By sharing of ourselves and helping those around us, we are, in essence, practising Christian stewardship, which is the school’s virtue for the month of April. Each year the amount raised increases and the school hopes to continue with this beneficial fundraiser to help cancer patients in our community.
Sudbury Catholic Schools students were very successful at this past weekend’s Sudbury Regional Science Fair.
Please see the list below
SRSF Regular (Divisional) Awards
Junior Division – Engineering (Génie junior) Divisional
Placing and Prize: First/Première Medal, Cash, Certificate
No More Dehydration, Use the Solar Desalination
Kaylee Kruk
Marymount Academy
Junior Division – Life Sciences (Sciences de la vie junior) Divisional
Placing and Prize: Third/Troisième Place Medal & Certificate
Where have all the bugs gone?
Margaret Leigh
Marymount Academy
SRSF Special Awards
Bill and Olga Roman Award Special
Sponsor: The Roman Family
Pedal Power
Jordin Rancourt
Marymount Academy
Biotechnology Award Special
Sponsor: Sudbury Regional Science Fair Committee
GOT MILK?
Ryanna Proulx
Marymount Academy
Laurentian University Biology Award Special
Sponsor: Laurentian University Biology Department
Where have all the bugs gone?
Margaret Leigh
Marymount Academy
Laurentian University Neuroscience Award Special
Sponsor: Laurentian University Behavioural Neuroscience
Paw Patrol/Patrouilles des Pattes
Avery Morin
Brooke Palladino
Marymount Academy
Laurentian Architecture Laurentienne (LAL) Award Special
Sponsor: Laurentian University School of Architecture
Companion Tray
Kaleb Witty
Nicholas Moyle
St. Anne Elementary School
Laurentian University School of the Environment Award Special
No More Dehydration, Use the Solar Desalination
Kaylee Kruk
Marymount Academy
Grand Prizes
Canada Wide Science Fair Participant (Participant(e) à l’expo-sciences pan-canadienne) Grand
Prize Type: Trip to Canada Wide Science Fair in Montreal, May 15th to 20th.
No More Dehydration, Use the Solar Desalination
Kaylee Kruk
Marymount Academy
Congratulations to all!
The students at St. David Catholic Elementary School have been learning about the dangers of fast moving water in their community. Students have been reminded that even city ditches filled with water can pose a danger. As spring approaches and the weather continues to get warmer, the amount of water in our creeks, streams and ditches continues to rise. Students were reminded about Adam Dickie, a youth in the community who tragically drown in Junction Creek due to fast-rising water and about the educational campaign that supports the prevention of such tragedies.
Students were cautioned about playing near creeks and streams and reminded to tell their parents where they are playing and with who. “It is so important for all students to understand the seriousness of being around fast moving water, especially in the spring. We hope that our students become leaders in our community and share this message of safety with other children and family members.” said Ginny Long, St. David School grade 3/4 teacher.
Christine McCracken, a teacher with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board does not teach out of your typical classroom. With the board since October, 2015, McCracken works with adult learners in two different locations. One of her locations is on the Atkikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Reserve. The second is at the Sudbury jail. It is this second location that inspired a call-out to her fellow SCDSB staff. After meeting with the learners in jail, she realized that many were desperate for something to read. McCracken brought the newspaper in with her during her visits and they couldn’t get enough. After some inquiry, she realized that there weren’t very many books available to the inmates. Inspired by the enthusiasm of these learners, McCracken discussed some strategies with her principal at St. Albert, Aaron Barry. The two decided to do a call-out to all SCDSB staff to see if anyone wanted to donate any new or gently used books to the Sudbury jail. After only a two-week collection period, the staff had donated close to 500 books. “We currently have at least 50 inmates taking part in this programming at the Sudbury jail,” explain McCracken. “We even already have a few really close to getting their high school diplomas. Reaching out to them in this environment has inspired them to want to continue their education after as well, which is wonderful. These books will really help in their learning!”
The St. Albert principal explained that through the St. Albert Learning Centre, some of these individuals were able to gets some credits through PLAR which is the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition program. This assigns credits to individuals towards the secondary school diploma (OSSD) for knowledge and skills that they have acquired outside of secondary school. “McCracken has been a real inspiration with these particular learners as she really motivates learning and encourages them to continue working towards their OSSD,” Barry stated. “Through the support of the SCDSB, we are able to bring continuing education to a group that may otherwise not consider continuing on with their education. It is a great program, and we are thankful to all of our coworkers and SCDSB staff for their generous book donations –they will make a positive difference!”
For more information about continuing education, PLAR, or getting your OSSD, contact St. Albert Learning Centre at (705) 673-3031.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Olympic Athlete Angella Goran, visited MMA to introduce FitSpirit. FitSpirit is a specialized program solely for women and girls. It is a cardio-based program, alternating between running, calisthenics and fitness. SCDSB teacher Chantal Dagostino hosted the launch, and invited female students from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, St Anne Catholic Elementary School, St. Paul Catholic Elementary School and St. John Catholic Elementary School who will be participating in Fitspirit to the event launch. Fitspirit is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help teenage girls discover the advantages and the enjoyment that come from taking part in physical activity. This knowledge will allow them to develop a healthy lifestyle based on realizing their own potential.
Since 2007, FitSpirit has travelled to the four corners of Ontario and Quebec to create awareness among teenage girls about the various ways they can take part in physical activity. Through the school based FitClub program, FitSpirit provides the opportunity for teenage girls to learn the basics of healthy nutrition and exposes them to activities that inspire physical activity with their friends. In Ontario and Quebec last year, over 10,000 girls participated in Fitspirit.
Last year the Sudbury Catholic District School Board had ten Catholic Elementary and Secondary schools involved with even more participating this year. In the final culminating run that was held at Laurentian University at the end of last year, there were over 286 girls who participated. This year looks very promising with a potential of over 500 girls gathering at Laurentian University on June 5th, 2016 to partake in their final task, completing either a 5 k or 10 k with over 20 schools from the Sudbury Region participating. As well, this 5k and 10 k will be open to all women and girls in Sudbury!
For more information on FitSpirit, please contact Chantal Dagostino at: Chantal.dagostino@fitspirit.ca
Students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School in Chelmsford had the opportunity to admire a commemorative door that arrived at their school. This symbolic door contains beautifully laser-etched panels representing every school in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The door unites all of our schools with this year’s Catholic Education Week theme “Opening Doors of Mercy”, which aligns with Pope Francis’s declaration that this be a Holy Year.
This stunning piece of woodcraft has students, parents and visitors stopping in their tracks to marvel in it’s beauty. Several students shared what they thought of the door. Emma Carpenter, Grade 6, said “this door shows us that each school is different in their own way”.
Nicole Walker, Grade 8 explained, “I like how the door represents our Catholic school communities and how much we love each other through God by showing each other mercy”.
Andrew O’Brien, Grade 5 shared that “this door reminds us that the door to God is always open”.
Delia Ross-Arseneault, Grade 6, stated “I like how the door shows us all of the Catholic schools around Sudbury that come together to pray to God”.
Students gathered in the gymnasium for a brief introduction and prayer service. The door was then sent to St. Alexander’s Parish for a school mass and shared with the parishioners on the weekend and will return to St. Charles for another week before moving on.
Congratulations to the St. James Catholic Elementary School Chess Team who won first place at the recent Sudbury Catholic District School Board Chess Tournament. Coach, Ms. Machum has been strategizing with this group of chess players in preparation for the tournament as well as a club at the school to just have some fun! Way to Go Bears!
