During the Easter season, the grade 6,7and 8 French Immersion class from St. James Catholic School in Lively welcomed Jan Buley, a professor at Laurentian University who loves to teach the art of Pysanky–Ukrainian Easter eggs. These eggs are a traditional craft in Ukraine, with a history of thousands of years. Pysanky are decorated in many steps using a kistka, beeswax and several colours of dye. The students loved the experience and learned a very short but interesting lesson on the traditional craftof egg decorating and Ukrainian culture. The Ukrainian eggs that were created by the students were amazing and beautiful!
Category: Community
Continuing to Message the Importance of the Gift of Life
The entire student body at St. Charles College had the opportunity on Tuesday, April 18 to listen to a very simple, but powerful message – give the gift of life. Back in December, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board launched their Trillium Gift of Life Challenge and the school’s presentation was a continuation of this message. The Board challenged the Greater City of Sudbury to have over 50% of its residence register as organ donors and have since had several different events at their schools supporting this message. The student senate students organized assemblies at all four of the Board’s secondary schools to reiterate this most important initiative. On hand were several members of the Irish Heritage Club who spoke about their own involvement both personally and as a club with organ donation. As well, the students watched videos which reinforced the importance of donor registration. Jessie St. Amour, a former student of St. Charles College was also in attendance to support the cause and as both he and his mother Anne are organ recipients. Jessie’s father, Richard, also addressed group and spoke of his own connection and to reinforce the day’s theme of giving the gift of life. Student Senate member David DiBrina (grade 10) explained to the student body how this one simple act of donor registration can positively affect many, many lives. “It is so important for students to know much hope the gift of life gives to others and that we all need to be educated about how imperative registering and then talking to your family about your decision really is.” Teacher and Student Senate moderator Paola Gutcher reiterated DiBrina’s message. “It is key that students are the ones speaking to students about this most important cause as it is an issue that can happen to anyone as age is not a factor,” Gutcher stated. “It really is a simple act that can literally change the lives of many and I am so proud of our students both at St. Charles College and board-wide for taking up this cause with such passion and determination.” Board Chair Barry MacDonald echoed Gutcher’s comment. “I speak on behalf of the Board of Trustees when I say that we are most proud of our students and staff for embracing this mementous initiative and I encourage them to continue to dialogue with their friends and family to spread the word of the importance of organ donation.”
The students were informed that t-shirts are now available for sale at all four secondary schools to help raise awareness and funds for the Gift of Life challenge.
As well, students were encouraged to fill out registration forms for organ donation as they were being passed out in homeroom.
The student senate has several other events planned around this initiative in the upcoming months.
A link has been added to the main page on the Board’s website for those who wish to register right on line – visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca to find the link.
Kiwanis Festival Awards Gold to St. Anne Music Student
It has been a year filled with long hours of practice, but the efforts have paid off for Haley Blinn, a Gr.8 French Immersion student at St. Anne School. Haley recently competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival where she took home the Gold Award for her baritone sax solo.
Haley actually participated in 2 festival competitions during the day. One was with her Sudbury Catholic School Band comprised of members from 4 Catholic elementary schools under the direction of Ms. Joanne Comisso, vice-principal of St. Anne School, and Mrs. Leann Urso, instrumental band teacher at St Francis, St. Raphael and Pius XII Elementary schools. Haley won silver with the band, which was a great honour, but when asked about her gold Award win, Haley was ecstatic. She said, “I was very nervous but like everything else, practice helps. I think it is the practicing that helped me win the gold.” Ms. Comisso congratulated Haley on all of her hard work and outstanding contribution to the band. All the staff and students at St. Anne School are very proud of you Haley and we wish you continued success with music in your future! Way to go Angel!
Food Drive at St. Theresa
The St. Theresa Student Council (overseen by teacher Mrs. Heaphy) organized a food drive recently over a nine day period. Students gathered 320 items in that time and have given it to the Sudbury Food Bank. The students were very happy to share the bounty they have with those who are in need at this time of year and to continue the tradition started by Edgar Burton – founder of the Sudbury Food Bank. SK student Noah Jabreen and his mother (far left) Jennifer, as well as his grandmother Mrs. Edgar Burton were on hand to help with the collection of donated food items.
St. Charles College Thinks Pink
Recently, St. Charles College had a fundraiser for the Breast cancer equipment fund and raised $500 in one day. The students dress in Red and Pink and donated a loonie to support this cause. The ladies of Angels in Pink also made cupcakes which they sold at lunch time and more more money for the cause. Organizer and S.C.C. teacher Paola Gutcher felt that this was a great opportunity to show students how important it is to give back to the community and was proud of the support shown by the school.
Pius XII Celebrates Jesus’ Presence in Our Lives
Today Pius XII students participated in a celebration of the Eucharist with Father Remi from Holy Redeemer Parish. Father Remi highlighted the importance and value of salt and the healing power of light to the students. Both the salt and light are symbolic of Jesus Christ’s presence in our lives as Catholics. We are blessed as a staff and student body to have Father Remi come celebrate the Eucharist with us in our school.”
SCDSB Elementary Schools Host Kindergarten Info/Registration Night
Parents and students had the opportunity on Tuesday, January 25to visit all Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools to learn more about the Kindergarten and Early Learning programs being offered for September, 2011 Each school hosted an Information and Registration night and staff and Principals were on hand to answer questions about the English and French Immersion Programs in the schools and assisted in the registration process. Families went on tours of the school and learned more about the unique programming offered at all Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools. Parents are reminded that registration is always ongoing and can contact either their local Catholic school to enrol their child(ren) or the Sudbury Catholic Board office at (705)-673-5620. They can also visit the Board website at www.sudburycatholicschools.ca for more information.
Write for Rights at St. Benedict
This past month, on International Human Rights Day, St. Benedict hosted the Amnesty International Write for Rights letter writing campaign. Students from the school wrote letters in support of cases where individual’s Human Rights have been violated. The Peace Posse organized the event because they felt that it was important for students to think about the well being of others, not just in the school but around the world. Over three hundred students took part in the event and three hundred and fifty letters were written in support of four cases. It was a great day for Social Justice.
St. Charles College-Mock Trial Champions!
They practiced for hours, afterschool and on weekends, but the students in teacher Jaime Sauve’s Grade 12 Academic Law class really didn’t expect to be the Hennessey Cup Mock Trial champions. “These kids put in a lot of really, really hard work and effort,” Sauve said, “and we went into to the competition bringing our absolute best, but we didn’t anticipate such a great final result!”
The St. Charles College Mock Trial team practiced for several months on their assigned case which involved an impaired driving incident. The students had to be prepared to argue both for the prosecution and defence, and only found out at the trial which side they would actually be arguing for. In the end, the team had to argue for the defence both for their initial presentation, as well as in the final round againstt the team from Lockerby. Each team had a lawyer assigned to them to assist them with their preparation for the competition and the team from S.C.C. worked with James Ross from the law firm of Conroy Trebb Scott Hurtubise LLP as well as with local lawyer Len Walker. Both lawyers were very committed to helping the team prepare for the competition and the students are very grateful to them for all of their help.
In April, the students will travel to Toronto to compete at the Provincial Mock trial competition and recognize that they have a lot more work to do to prepare. “Now we are representing Sudbury and that is a huge deal to us,” Sauve said. “The students are committed to continuing their focus and are excited about the upcoming competition.”
Mock trial competitor and student Kayla Dumont was thrilled with the result at the courthouse and feels that this whole experience will help her for he future career path. “This mock trial and all of the preparation involved really gave me insight as to what a real career in law will be like,” Dumont said. “It has now inspired me to explore my options for a possible career in this field.”
Fellow competitor Sara Rovinelli also enjoyed this whole experience. “This competition has taught me how really think on my feet and how to adapt quickly to situations and respond under pressure – all qualities that will help me later on in life.”
The students wanted to make sure to thank their teacher Jamie Sauve for her dedication to the team, lawyers James Ross and Len Walker for their commitment to helping the students throughout this whole process, as well Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy for providing them with this positive learning opportunity.
As well as winning the overall competition, students Sara Rovinelli won the Best Advocate Defense award and Noel Walker won the Best Witness award.