Students in Cheryl MacRury’s Early Learning class and Kathy Belanger’s Grade 7 class at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School have been inspired. For the past year, these two classes have worked together to support the Wild at Heart Animal Refuge. What started out at as a proposal from the two teachers, resulted in a successful grant application from the Canadian Federation of Teachers to support the students learning about, and helping animals in the wild.
The students decided to call themselves the ABC’S – All Because of Caring Students, and decided that this project was about making a difference in the world, despite being a small group of young students. The project involved contacting and visiting community businesses to begin a fundraiser for the animal refuge. Knowing that ever cent makes a difference, they began a penny drive to help out the animals. Throughout the year, the classes had contact with Wild at Heart Animal Refuge veterinarian Dr. Jouppi and learned about what the centre does to support, protect and care for wild animals.
On June 20th, 2012, the students got on a bus, and visited each of the community business that helped them collect for one last collection, and the last stop on the road trip was at the Wild at Heart Animal Refuge where they got to see the facility and meet with Dr. Jouppi. Dr. Jouppi explained to the students that the centre should be ready within a year to be an educational facility – set up to educate groups about the animals – with an average of about 700 animals visiting the site each year, usually with 150 at the centre at any given time. Dr. Jouppi thanked the students for their donations and support and encouraged them to continue in their efforts to support the care of wild animals. “Living in Northern Ontario, it is our duty to treat animals with respect and to learn to live in harmony along side the animals as they were here first.” Jouppi said. The veterinarian also encouraged the students to tell others about the centre as they are in constant need for volunteers, not only to support the animals, but to help with the construction of the renovations to expand the centre, as well as with fundraising and education.
Both teachers have thoroughly enjoyed working on this year-long project with their students as it has positively affected the classes in numerous ways. “Not only did our students learn about protecting our environment and all the creatures that God has given us,” MacRury stated. “They have learned numeracy from counting the money, they have learned to be stewards of the earth, they have learned communication skills, technology skills in creating multi-media projects, and they have learned empathy in being more aware of what is happening in the world around them.” Kathy Belanger echoed MacRury’s comments and added that they two different classes working together has been a great experience for all the students as well. “Have students in different grades partner up and work together has given them both a different perspective and allowed for a really enriching mentoring opportunity. The younger students really look up to the older students and have been encouraged to be role-models. All of our students rose to the occasion and the whole experience was outstanding. I think this project will impact them for the rest of their lives as it was more than just a fundraiser, it allowed them to have more of a global perspective as it reinforced the importance of thinking of others before themselves.”
At the end of the penny drive, the students had raised over $200 for the centre as well as donated a newly built crate for the animals, a basket of fruit and other food items for the animals.
Category: Character Development
St. Charles Elementary Participates in Annual Hat Day
St. Charles Catholic Elementary School participated in hat day on May 11th. This is in remembrance of Johnathan Hetu a past student of St. Charles School who passed away from cancer. When Johanthan would return to school he would wear a hat to cover his hairless head, the result of his chemotherapy. Students were encouraged to wear a hat to remember him and all other children who have gone through the same experience. Students paid a dollar to wear a hat. The money that is raised goes to the NOFCC. Hat day this year has raised $154.00. Since Johnathan’s death, St. Charles has had an annual walk and hat day and have raised around $35 000 for the NOFCC (Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer). The annual Johanthan Hetu walk is scheduled for June 8th at 1:30.
Bishop ACCSS Trying to “Change the World”
Students at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School are trying to change the world. As part of her student’s Grade 10 Religion Class, teacher Shelley Raymond was inspired to get her class involved in the “Change the World” campaign. This campaign is a three week campaign for Ontario Youth, and is a challenge with one goal – to get secondary school students to volunteer in their community. To take part in this challenge, Raymond’s class decided on two different projects. On Thursday, May 3, they organized a school goalball tournament with monies raised for the CNIB. The second project involved a community wide clean up. The goal ball tournament was a huge hit with a school with all ten team spots immediately filled. Sudbury Catholic Specialist Teacher of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Adriano Simonato, helped with the organization and instruction on the rules and regulations of goalball. “One of the great benefits of goalball is that it promotes teamwork and cooperation among participants as all players are blindfolded” Stated Simonato. “Also, because goalball can be played by individuals who are sighted and visually impaired together, it acts as a medium for breaking down barriers. As a result it helps promote awareness within the school community regarding what individuals who are visually impaired can do.” Natalie Perdicou and Brittany Prosser were two of the students who were key in organizing the school’s “Change the World” events. Both girls felt that each element, the goalball tournament and the community clean up were excellent opportunities for Bishop students to join together to make their school and community better places to be.
Angel’s Help Feed Families
Recently, the grade 7 and 8 students at St Anne Catholic School in Hanmer had the opportunity to listen to guest speaker Tammy Durand, founder of ABC’s and Rice. Students were informed that education across the globe is not the same, especially in third world countries such as Cambodia. Throughout the presentation, Sudbury Catholic District School Board students learned that the needs of those in third world countries are much different than the needs of those in Canada. Education is not a right in Cambodia, but rather a privilege that not all children are lucky enough to obtain.
ABC’s and Rice is breaking the mould in Cambodia, through the selfless acts of Tammy Durand, and making education available to children in a special way. If families allow their children to attend school rather than work, the children will be given rice and other necessities to bring home to their families. ABC’s and Rice is hoping to break the cycle of poverty through education of Cambodia’s youth.
Approximately 130 students had the opportunity to hear Durand speak about the program that captured their attention throughout the one hour presentation. Tammy Durand explained to students that they can do anything that they set their minds too. What started as an adventure tour for her turned into a whole new chapter of charity work that has fulfilled her more than anything she has ever experienced.
In true Angel spirit, the St Anne students donated $175.00 to ABC’s and Rice. This money will go towards feeding approximately 9 families with rice for one month. “This was a great experience for our students at St.Anne school. Tammy and I went to elementary school together. She is a true inspiration. I wanted these students to understand that she was no different than them. She sat in similar classrooms that they are sitting in, although she decided to make a difference in the lives of others, ” said Jody O’Daiskey, grade 8 teacher at St Anne school.
Carli Meeks and Alyssa Menard are two of the students that had the opportunity to listen to Durand’s powerful presentation. “I though it was interesting that a girl from our area basically saved those children’s lives from the working conditions, lack of education and food deprivation,” said Carli Meeks, grade 8 student at St. Anne Catholic School. “If you put your mind to it, you can do anything,” said Alyssa Menard, another grade 8 student at St. Anne Catholic School. This was the message that echoed loud and clear throughout her discussions with St. Anne Students.
Tammy Durand is a former student of the Sudbury Catholic District school board. She now lives in Cambodia where she teaches, feeds, and organizes the programs for ABC’s and Rice.
Immaculate Students Continue to Inspire Change
Several months ago, a group of three students in teacher Chantal Rancourt’s grade 5/6 class were inspired to make a difference in the world. All on their own, these grade 6 Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary students decided that they wanted to start fundraising for the Ryan’s Well Foundation, which helps buy and build wells in countries where there is little access to clean water. In December they launched their own school fundraiser with the goal of raising $2000 to contribute to this foundation. After their first initial event, the girls – Abigail Morgan, Sydney Hall and Alexa Connors, had raised over $210 from the one day. Since then, they have had an additional $300 raised through more donations. On April 18th, 2012, the students organized a “fun day” fundraiser to secure more funds for their cause. “They have basically made all of the arrangements and plans all on their own,” teacher Chantal Rancourt stated. “These girls are amazing – they have done all the set up, organized all the events, and planned all the teams and team captains. I am so proud of their enthusiasm with this initiative!” Immaculate students were asked to bring in a toonie to take part in the fun day which included an obstacle course and a variety of sports and speed games. At the end of the day, their total had climbed to over $1650 – very close to their goal of $2000. The girls have one more event planned – a zumba fundraiser. When asked to comment about their inspirational efforts, the girls replied in unison “Inspiration is the key to the future!” The girls explained that this was their motto and they had decided to be inspiring and to spark inspiration in others. Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed as a person from their community, after reading the initial story on their fundraiser, was so inspired by their determination, offered to help them reach their goal and would top up the remaining funds after their events were completed. Abigail, Syndey and Alexa were thrilled that they had inspired a stranger to get involved. All three have decided that this is just the beginning, and will continue to make positive changes in the future.
Learning Water Perspective at Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School
Students in teacher Jean Gallien’s grade 5 class are thinking about water. These Corpus Christi students are thinking that, here in Sudbury, the average person takes water for granted. As part of the Sudbury Catholic grade 5 essential question – How do we live in community? – the class began discussions about the Global Community and the importance of water awareness. As a response to this question, and their desire to make a difference, the Corpus Christi students have launched their own campaign to raise funds for the Ryan’s Well Foundation which is a foundation committed to delivering access to safe water in an essential way to improve peoples’ lives in developing countries. Having already started a coin collection in the school, the class has begun discussions about upcoming events and initiatives that will support their fundraiser including a possible walkathon. “Most of us take for granted the water we have,” teacher Jean Gallien stated. “It is a necessity and right now we are in our own little cocoon – this initiative will help teach the global perspective. It also ties into the Sudbury Catholic Board’s Destination Conservation initiative so it is also teaching water preservation in our own communities which is also important.” The Grade 5 class will work on their fundraiser until the end of May.
Marymount Academy’s Heartthrob Thursday Supports Heart and Stroke Campaign
The Marymount Academy Catholic Charities Council (MC3) presented a cheque to Karen McNally, Program Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in the amount $1300.00 on March 27th, 2012. The money was raised by the council’s second annual Heartthrob Thursday event which took place on February 16th, 2012. As part of the day’s activities, students participated in a Zen fitness aerobics class in the morning promoting heart health. The students also took part in several other events throughout the day to raise funds. “As always, our students look forward to supporting such a key organization in our community,” Lucie Cullen, Marymount Academy principal stated. “Both students and staff at Marymount recognize the importance of healthy living, and will continue our support as many of us have loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke.” This is the fifth year Marymount Academy has contributed to the Sudbury Heart and Stroke campaign.
Angels Donate to a Good Cause
On March 8, Danielle Long, a student from St. Anne School in Hanmer, finally reached her goal. She cut off her 14 inch braid to donate to the “Angel Hair for Kids”. Danielle is a grade 6 student at St. Anne School. She has been working towards this hair donation goal for approximately a year and a half. This will be Danielle’s third time donating her hair to this amazing cause. She was inspired to do this when a family friend passed away from cancer. “It felt good to do this today,” said Danielle. “It’s fun to do. It is nice to give someone my hair for them to feel good about themselves.”
Makayla Bertrand, a grade one student from St. Anne School is also ready to take on this challenge. Makayla has been growing her hair for about 2 years to make sure she has enough hair to donate. She is planning on donating approximately 10 inches of hair in May, Cancer Awareness month. Makayla was inspired by her mom, Melissa Bertrand who donated her hair to this cause 8 years ago.
All of their hair will be sent to A Child’s Voice Foundation, “Angel Hair for Kids”. Angel Hair for Kids is a program that provides wigs and hair loss solutions to financially disadvantaged children in Canada who have lost their hair due to a medical condition or treatment. Using hair that is generously donated to the program, the foundation can create wigs and hair systems and provide them at no cost to the child’s family. It takes 10-12 donated ponytails to make one hair prosthesis and $800 to $1000 is budgeted by the foundation to cover manufacturing and related costs.
St. Benedict Hosts Sudbury Rolling Thunder
Students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School had the opportunity to buy out of last period on Tuesday, March 7, 2012 to support a great cause. The Sudbury Rolling Thunder basketball team visited the school to take part in an exhibition game involving both a student and teacher team. Proceeds from the buy out went to support local wheelchair athletes. Despite their best efforts, the St. Benedict staff and students who participated in the game weren’t able to sink many baskets againstt the Sudbury Rolling Thunder team, however the school community thoroughly enjoyed watching. One member of the Rolling Thunder, Sarah Lashbrook – a local author and writer, also stayed after the game to sign her latest book “Where the Stream and Creek Collide”.
This book is a fictional story whose main character is a paraplegic as she wanted to “give a relatable character to a minority group that seems to lack just that in the literary world.”
Stephanie Van Druenen, vice principal of St. Benedict was thrilled with the day’s event.
“This was a great opportunity for our school community on so many levels,” Van Druenen stated. “Not only did our students enjoy a lively basketball game, it was also an opportunity for everyone to learn about inclusion and awareness, overcoming obstacles, as well as enhanced understanding of equality in sports. On top of that, we raised almost a thousand dollars to support our community’s athletes.”