Mayoral candidate Ted Callaghan visited Pius X11 School recently to discuss his platform with Mr. Horn’s grade 8 class. Students listened attentively and voiced concerns that they had about the city. Mr. Callaghan answered all the questions and a thought provoking discussion ensued.
Category: Community
Sudbury Catholic Teacher Named Elementary Teacher of the Year
“It is still surreal to me…I keep expecting a phone call saying there has been some sort of mistake and they have picked someone else.” Early Learning French Immersion Teacher Alice Desormeaux still cannot believe that she has been selected to be the recipient of the 2010 OTIP Teaching Award in the category of Elementary Teacher. The Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF), in partnership with the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP), honours educators each year whose commitment, creativity and energy result in a superior experience for students. This initiative began in 1991 and over the years the honourees have covered a wide range of disciplines, teaching methods, age groups and geographical locations. Up to four awards are given annually to outstanding teachers in the categories of elementary, secondary, francophone and beginning teachers.
Desormeaux, who is just starting her twenty-first year of teaching with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been at St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School since the beginning of her career. The bulk of her teaching has been in the Primary division and this year she is teaching in the school's Early Learning French Immersion classroom. “To be recognized by my peers, as well as provincially, it is a true honour,” Desormeaux stated. “With this honour, also comes a huge responsibility in that I know I have to always make sure that I am living up to this expectation.” According to her colleagues, she is more than up for that task. As several of her co-workers nominated her for this award, they also had to submit testimonials as to why they thought she was deserving. Jody Odaiskey, also a teacher at St. Anne's knew that Alice was the perfect fit for this award. “Alice has a gift that makes her approachable in every way,” Odaiskey said. “She has impacted more lives than I think she is aware of as she always treats all students with the utmost respect and always finds their shining qualities.”
Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy had the opportunity to work with Desormeaux as her principal at St. Anne's several years ago and also feels that she is deserving of this award. “I have known Alice for over 20 years, as a colleague, friend, and fellow parishioner. Her positive attitude, her love of children, her passion for student success, her dedication to literacy and numeracy initiatives and her insatiable hunger for personal and professional growth are reflected in the outstanding quality of her work as a teacher.” Cullen said.
Over twenty different submissions from co-workers and parents were sent on Desormeaux's behalf and it is clearly evident that she is truly deserving of this award. On St. Anne's website, it speaks to the school providing a safe haven for children, instilling a sense of pride and respect for themselves, others, and for their environment, where students are continuously encouraged to strive to achieve their own personal potential in every aspect of their spiritual, academic, social and physical growth. Alice Desormeaux does just that each and every day with all students and staff that come into her life.
Catherine McCullough, Director of Education expressed her joy regarding Desormeaux’s win. “On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, I would like to congratulate Alice on this tremendous accomplishment and it is with great pride that we call her a Sudbury Catholic teacher, and consider her an integral member of the Sudbury Catholic family.”
Desormeaux travelled to Toronto for the awards ceremony on Thursday, September 30 at which time they bestowed her with the award as well as presented a documentary that was filmed by TV Ontario reflecting a day with Desormeaux in the classroom. The Toronto Star has also done an interview with Desormeaux along with the other recipients that will be a part of their weekend edition story on the awards.
Walking for a Legend They Never Met
They never knew him. They never met him, but more than $3200 was raised for Terry Fox today by the students of St. Raphael School in Sudbury. This shatters the St. Raphael Royals record for most money raised in the history of the event. All students and staff members participated in a walk to remember the great Canadian legend on September 30th.
Newcap Radio Gives Generously Once Again to Sudbury Catholic Schools
Sudbury Catholic Trustees once again greeted Newcap Radio Director of Programming Rick Tompkins with a round of applause as he presented Board Chair Jody Cameron with a cheque for over $7,500. For the second year in a row, Newcap gifted Sudbury Catholic with a significant donation 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 made a promised to help foster musicianship among area youth, particularly through providing support of local school board music programming, including the purchase of instruments.
Jody Cameron, Board Chair was thrilled with the donation. “As always, when a business like Newcap supports Sudbury Catholic students, were are extremely pleased and know that their donation will make a huge difference to our music programs,” Cameron said. “The purchase and repair of new instruments will enhance our music programs even further and once again we are thankful to Newcap as they continue to be committed to the Sudbury Catholic community.” Last year, the radio station donated a cheque in the amount of $4665 for the board’s music programs.
Sudbury Catholic Receives Provincial Literacy and Basic Skills Funding
Community partners gathered in the office of the Mid-North Network for the Coordination and Development of Adult Learning to receive funding news from M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci as he announced that the McGuinty Government has recently committed over 1.2 million dollars to support Ontario’s Literacy and Basic Skills Programs. As a result, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will receive funding in the amount of $115,930 to build on their already successful LBS program which is designed for adults seeking to improve their reading, writing, math and computer skills. Bartolucci spoke of his past experience as a Principal at St. David Catholic Elementary School, when he was approached by a few adults who wanted to get involved in their children’s education but were unable to read or write. The Sudbury Catholic Board at that time decided to pilot a program for these and a few more parents and the result was the first steps of a Literacy and Basic Skills program. “It was because this school board was brave enough to take a chance on these people and try to meet their needs of wanting to improve their skills – this is why this announcement truly touches my heart in a real, real way,” Bartolucci said. “It is with our community partners working together that we can really make a difference.”
Sudbury Catholic Director of Education, Catherine McCullough also spoke at the press conference about the significance of this funding. For years she has met and talked with many of the students who are taking part in the Board’s LBS program and recognizes the courage it takes for them to decide to make these positive changes in their lives. “It really is a most powerful experience talking to these students and seeing what huge accomplishments they are achieving through our LBS program,’ McCullough stated. “It is all about a shared goal and working together with other organizations, so Sudbury Catholic is thankful that it can play a positive role in the lives of many learners working to get closer to their education, training and education goals.”
For more information on Sudbury Catholic Literacy and Basic Skills programs, please contact St. Albert Adult Learning Centre at 673-3031.
St. Bernadette Host Family Open House Gathering
The gym at St. Bernadette Catholic School was full to capacity for the Family Open House Gathering. What better way to start off a new and exciting school year than gathering together as a school community to enjoy a delicious a pasta dinner? Megan Abate in Grade 6 was thrilled when her table was called as it was an extra special treat to have her teachers serve her a delicious, hot meal.
SCDSB Lifeskills Classes Celebrate End of Year at Annual Picnic
Students from all of the Sudbury Catholic Elementary and Secondary Lifeskills classes gathered in the Pavillion at Fielding Park on June 16 to come together in celebration of another successful school year. Despite the dark skies and pouring rain, the students and staff took part in their annual SCDSB Lifeskills picnic. Although the weather prevented the usual outdoor activities, the spirits were high as crafts and cards came out and laughter could be heard throughout the room. This year marks the eighth Lifeskills picnic for the Board and each year it is more like a family reunion than a school event. Emily D’Angelis, the Lifeskills teacher from St. Raphael said the students really look forward to these gatherings as some of them have known each other for years. “Some of our students have been together for three or four years and when they all get together, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to reconnect and catch up on each other’s lives.” D’Angelis said. Many of the older students could be overheard making plans for the summer and talking about what the next year holds for them, while most of the elementary students were too busy playing and high-fiving each other to discuss any future plans. Students enjoyed their lunch of hotdogs donated by the Harvey’s in the South End and some even braved the elements to attempt to feed the ducks despite the rain. All in all it was an excellent day for both students and staff to celebrate together before the start of summer.
Students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary Take Flight with FLAP
Students in Cathy Cormier’s Grade 5/6 class at St. Charles Elementary School have “gone to the birds” and are asking everybody they know to join them. These students have taken a very special program “under their wings” so to speak and are very enthusiastic in sharing their message about FLAP which stands for the Fatal Light Awareness Program. FLAP is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of wild birds in built environments and their mission statement is to preserve the lives of migratory birds in urban areas. Unfortunately, in the dark, and especially in foggy or rainy weather, the combination of glass and light becomes deadly for migratory birds. As birds migrate, they use starlight to navigate their course but get confused by artificial lights and are unable to see glass. As a result, birds by the hundreds and even thousands can be injured or killed in one night at one building. One expert estimates that across North America, up to 100 million birds die in collisions each year and many species that collide frequently are known to be in long-term decline and some are already designated officially as threatened.
Cathy Cormier became involved with this program at St. Charles several years ago when a student brought in a bird’s egg and the class began to discuss the ramifications of human contact with wildlife. Another teacher at the school, Theresa Giroux became involved in the discussion and described the FLAP program as she was already a member. The class commitment began there and has continued in Cormier’s class ever since. Each of the Grade 5/6 students this year studied a bird that was native to Northern Ontario and researched their migratory patterns. Giroux explained how important it is for students to be aware of the impact that humans have on wildlife. “It is really important that young people have an appreciation for the nature that is in their own backyard,” Giroux said. “By focusing on the birds that are around us locally, this program connects them environmentally to the wildlife provincially, nationally and globally.” Giroux also teaches the students the connection between the environment and energy conservation as this program instructs people to be aware of turning off lights and saving hydro, while helping out the migrating birds. As well, part of the lesson also teaches the students that by helping out the birds with the lights, the birds give back by eating Northern Ontario’s pesky insects including blackflies and mosquitoes. “The kids really learn that it is a win, win situation when they can connect to the environment,” Giroux said. “It is meaningful learning for them and they really begin to understand how valuable they are to their own world.”
The whole school community has taken on this important environmental initiative and has raised and donated several hundred dollars to the FLAP organization as the group is financed largely by grants, donations and membership fees.
Sudbury Catholic Schools’ Employees Ride the Big Bike for Heart & Stroke
Sudbury Catholic District School Board “Holy Rollers” staff took on the challenge of riding the “Big Bike” to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. On Friday afternoon, 20 of the Board’s employees mounted the monster bike and peddled through the streets of downtown Sudbury during hot and muggy weather. Spirits were high on the bike as SCS members rattled their noisemakers and waved to everyone as the peddled past them. Cheered on and encouraged by pedestrians and motorists alike, the SCDSB staff did their best to complete the route in record time and raise more than $1,900 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Encouraged by the turnout, the fun and the camaraderie, Sudbury Catholic Schools will be back again next year with even a more impressive group.