The students of Mme. Brunelleʼs Grade 4 French Immersion class from St. Theresa Catholic School had a taste of what it is like to be documentary filmmakers. The enthusiastic students prepared questions in both French and English and interviewed seniors at The Walford Retirement Residence on November 11, 2011. With the help of Technology Integration Mentor Leann Laframboise and classroom teacher Julie Brunelle, the students are creating a documentary film about Faith. Students were partnered with elders and they asked questions about what their faith has meant to them, what special prayers they like to say and how they celebrated Christʼs birthday in the past. The interviews then evolved into natural conversations as the students connected with the seniors through their faith in God. “This experience allows the students to use technology, practice their oral communication skills and to learn from an older generation in their faith community. However, the best part about it is to see the smiles on the faces of the students and the seniors” says Brunelle. Once the students have completed their film, they will make a “movie date” and bring it to share with the seniors.
Category: Community
A Magical Time at St. Joseph’s School
Recently, Father Alex Saurianthadathil, from Holy Redeemer Parish paid a special visit to St. Joseph School in Killarney. His unique approach to teaching uses magic tricks to capture the students’ imagination and explain how, for example, bread is transformed into the body of Christ during Mass. He also helped to reinforce the message that Jesus is found in our hearts. As the students prepare for Reconciliation, they welcome God’s mercy and begin to develop a healthy conscience. Father Alex helped the students realize that they too are created in God’s image and likeness.
Immaculate Conception Students “Remember”
The students at Immaculate Conception School honoured and remembered
all of the men and women who served and continue to serve our country
during times of war, conflict and peace. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion
and the Knights of Columbus in full uniform helped our young Canadian students
understand and appreciate all those who have served our community and
died for our country so that they could leave us with the gift of peace, freedom,
community and democracy. Students understand that we all have a responsibility
to spread the Word of God, love, compassion, justice and forgiveness so that never again
do we allow violence and war be the means to solving our differences.
Newcap Radio Gives Generously to Sudbury Catholic Schools Once Again
Newcap Radio Director of Programming Rick Tompkins visited the Sudbury Catholic District School Board recently to present them with a significant cheque. For the third year in a row, Newcap gifted Sudbury Catholic with a generous donation of over $7,500. The cheque is a result of their commitment to supporting music programs and education in Sudbury as part of an agreement between Newcap Radio and the CRTC. Through this agreement, the radio station promised to help foster musicianship among area youth, particularly through providing support of local school board music programming – including the purchase of instruments.
Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Catholic Board expressed her gratitude for the donation. “ We are so pleased to have such a supportive partner in Newcap radio,” McCullough stated. “Our music programs are an important part of our board, and through this type of monetary support, we are able to further enhance and build this programming. We are very thankful to Newcap as they continue to show their commitment to our community partnership.” Over the past three years, the radio station has donated close to $20,00 to the Sudbury Catholic Board’s music programs.
Safety First at St. Bernadette
St. Bernadette Catholic School students Emma Larcher and Kimberley Bonhomme practice the skills they acquired during the Bus Evacuation Safety Presentation at their school by assisting Gabrielle Goudreau to safely exit the back of a school bus. Recently, the students were taught the proper procedures required should the bus need to be evacuated for any reason. All Sudbury Catholic Schools will be receiving this training along with a Bus Safety presentation that reviews rules and guidelines to assure a comfortable and secure ride home for all students.
St. Benedict Hosts Award-Winning Author
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School hosted an author event featuring Canadian award-winning, and internationally-published author Allan Stratton. Grades 9 to 12 students listened to Mr. Stratton do readings from one of his novels, and then had the opportunity to ask questions about his work and the writing process. Stratton writes for teens and books reflect his commitment to humanitarian and social justice issues. His novel Chanda’s Secrets, was later made into a movie which opened the Cannes Film Festival.
Who is Teaching Whom?
Students and teachers might know each other, they see each other each day in their classrooms. But what happens when a visitor arrives?
Every visitor brings with him something to be offered, something to enrich, something new to be learned. But those lessons will only be learned if they are presented in a way that is interesting and attractive to the audience. Students at St. David Catholic Elementary School had the unique opportunity to share in their learning with a familiar guest to the school. Father Tony Man-Son-Hing from Christ the King Parish, who is a regular guest to St. David, had a chance to interact with the students and, along with the students is also learning how to be comfortable with technology.
Every Wednesday, Father Tony Man-Son-Hing shares breakfast with one of the classes at St. David Catholic School. On Wednesday, November 2, coffee cup in hand, he arrived in Ms. Gran’s grade 4/5 class to share raisin toast and grapes almost the size of clementines. Almost immediately students were willing to engage. They were excited about challenging the priest to “Find Jesus” in the iPad app by the same name. They also wanted to know how well he would do with the “Catholic Quiz”. At level 1, Father Tony scored 10 out 11 questions right and the computer said he was “genius”.
Firing up the smart board, the children then were eager to demonstrate to this newcomer their expertise in naming and locating all the provinces and territories of this vast land. They did well. Much better than the computer did. Somewhere between Saskatchewan and British Columbia there was a crash. Was the computer de-railed or was it challenged? We will never know. Thinking fast, Ms. Gran chose another alternative and thus the students were introduced to Father Tony’s blog (www.aaog.blogspot.com). After a brief tour of the site, the students then helped Father Tony to compose his post — all about his visit to their classroom (http://aaog.blogspot.com/2011/10/technology-in-classroom.html).
Father Tony left the students of Ms. Gran’s class with the message, “ipads and blogs are tools for today to find Jesus, to find faith, to find something to inspire and to feed the heart and soul”.
St. Charles College Student Hoping his Music Goes Viral
Two years ago, Brandon Langella found his niche. He started high school and when he wasn’t doing school work, he began making music on his home computer. Brandon discovered he had a knack for drumming up beats and writing the lyrics to go along with them. Next week (Nov. 7), the grade 11 student at St. Charles College is unveiling his latest song, “Video Star” in video format on YouTube. The audio file is already available on ITunes, along with two of his previous releases. He collaborated with Toronto artist Dreams Brown for the video and song. Brandon is known as DJ Gella in music circles. He’s also recently joined forces with another Toronto artist named Rebecca Nazz – to form a group called The Futuristics. DJ Gella says his parents have been very supportive of his musical aspirations and for that he plans on giving back to his community. “I want to open a local recording studio in collaboration with my parents to make it easier for people my age to produce music.” His musical prospects have also forced Langella to explore music as a career option after high school. For now, he is focused on AAA hockey and looks forward to hearing himself on one of the local radio stations.
Zoom Zoom Zoom to Zumba
The primary and junior students at St. Mary recently participated in a Zumba class on October 27th. The class was especially designed for younger children. “The smaller children have to approach the class at a slower pace because their co-ordination skills are just developing,” said instructor Renee Rainville Fong. Primary students were taught how to move their arms and legs to the music as their instructor taught them age – appropriate steps. Parents, teachers and the whole community received more than their usual allotment of Daily Physical Exercise. “Zumba is an excellent workout,” said teachers Becky Waern and Dante Merigioli. A grade 3 student, Rayden Recollect remarked, “Zumba is even harder than playing hockey!” The whole school is eagerly awaiting their next Zumba session.