The students at St. Anne Catholic Elementary school laced up their skates recently for a field trip to Centennial Arena. Parents were invited to join their children as they skated around the ice enjoying themselves. There was fun for everyone!
Category: Community
SCDSB Takes Part in First Annual Autism Awareness Dinner
This past month, Sudbury’s Autism Ontario chapter held an Autism Awareness dinner at the Caruso Club. Over 100 families and various community agencies participated in this first time event.
Sudbury Catholic Board participated with both staff members and children. It was an informative night that allowed families to learn more about autism and where to seek information and support within the Greater Sudbury community.
SCDSB Student goes National for Science
“Science has always been one of my biggest interests!” These were the words that Cody Malette expressed when asked about how he felt when he was selected to go to Nationals at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair this past month. Malette is a Grade 10 student at St. Charles College and is described as an high achiever in all of his subjects. He science fair project entitled, “How Substrate Affects Population and Community Structures of Aquatic Insects”, was a result of his Grade 10 enriched science class. Malette is also taking grade 11 biology this semester and has registered to be a part of the St. Charles College Specialist High Skills Major Health and Wellness for next year. “St. Charles has been instrumental in providing me with great opportunities to achieve my ultimate goal to become a doctor.” said Malette. “My teachers as well as my parents have always encouraged me to continue to pursue my interests in Science.” Patty Mardero, Principal of the school feels very proud of Malette. “Cody is an all-around student academically as well as in the arts.” stated Mardero. “He is a wonderful leader and we are privileged to have him at St. Charles College.” The National Science Fair will take place this year in Peterborough beginning the week of May 15, 2010.
St. Benedict Shares the Gift of Music
On April 13th, St. Christopher staff and students were treated to a wonderful concert by the St. Benedict Secondary School Concert Band. Under the direction of Ms. JoAnne Comisso the band performed contemporary favourites, which included selections from the Lion King, Princess and the Frog and Phantom of the Opera. This was a great opportunity for St. Christopher’s students to experience a live orchestra. They were definitely entertained and had lots of fun.
A big thank you to Ms. Comisso and her band for taking the time to share the gift of music with St. Christopher School!
St. Michael – A Peaceful School
Seeds of Peace: April brings the beginning of spring, a time to start anew. In honour of Earth Day, held on April 22, we will plant Sunflowers. A flower, like peace, often starts small and grows into something beautiful. To survive, however, it requires care, so as we tend to our flowers, we encourage our students to tend to the culture of peace at our school.
In being a part of Peaceful Schools International, St. Michael’s is a school that strives to create and sustain a culture of peace. Students have participated in various activities such as writing their own message on “What is peace” next to the image of a dove, they created posters for ‘no name calling week’ and students continue to celebrate the monthly virtues in a school assembly.
In peaceful schools, children are encouraged to be open minded and accepting of others who may look different, have different customs or hold beliefs that do not correspond with their own.
St. Christopher School Student Places Third In District Wide Poster Contest
St. Christopher School is proud to recognize the efforts of Alyssa Smania (Gr. 3) for her participation in the Lockerby Legion Remembrance Day Poster Contest.
Alyssa placed third in the District-wide competition, which included all students from Grade 1 to Grade 3 in the Northern Ontario District. Alyssa was presented with a cash honourarium, certificate and bronze medal by Mr. Art Moore, Youth Education Chair for Lockerby Legion Branch 564.
Congratulations on an excellent job, Alyssa!
Small Community Makes a Big Difference!
The students and parents of St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School came together recently hosting a pancake breakfast for the entire community of Killarney as a fundraiser for Haitian relief. Members of the community came to the school and for those who could not make it, delivery was provided directly to their homes. This fundraiser generated $500 and along with other donations made by a variety of people in the community, a total of $1555.00 was donated to the Mission of Tears, the organization that supports the children of Haiti. Gerry Lougheed visited Killarney as well and accepted the donation on the organization’s behalf. The students, and staff of St. Joseph as well as the community of Killarney showed that no matter how small you are, you can always make a difference!
SCDSB Students Take Part in Second Annual Aboriginal Youth Day
Students from the Sudbury Catholic District Board gathered at Tom Davies Square on April 9, 2010 to take part in the second annual Aboriginal Youth Education Day. During the day, the students had the opportunity to participate in workshops encompassing business, environment, health and education as well as listen to nationally renowned country singer Crystal Shawanda. Several community organizations including Laurentian University and the Greater Sudbury Police Services were on hand to answer questions and provide information to the students. Shelly Frappier, a teacher from St. Benedict felt that this event sent a strong message to the students that it is important for them to respect themselves and to be proud of their culture. “This gathering of community partners and supporters really showcases for the students the positive impact of the many contributions of First Nations People in the North.” said Frappier. “As well, it shows the students how important it is to set goals for themselves to achieve success in life.”
Autism Advocate and Author Inspires Staff at SCDSB
Several Sudbury Catholic School Resource and Autism Spectrum Disorder (A.S.D). teachers had the opportunity to listen to Jennifer Krumins on Thursday, April 8, 2010. Krumins who is an autism advocate and author, has been a teacher in Ontario for the last 20 years and her experiences have equipped her with an understanding of all kinds of learning differences and challenging learning difficulties, including teaching her own son both in the general classroom (for two years) and in private therapy at home. It was these experiences that both drained her emotionally and inspired her professionally. Krumins earned her Special Education Specialist and undertook extensive training from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto, Ontario. She also had the privilege of working in a private therapy program for her son under the guidance and direction of the Behaviour Institute in Hamilton, Ontario. According to Krumins, it was her work with students with autism that truly educated her and allowed her to write several books that speak to the importance of understanding and support needed for students with autism. Krumins spoke to the staff about her strong belief in empowering individuals with autism to develop their potential and be who they were created to be. As well she wants to help give teachers the tools that they need to plan an individualized, authentic and meaningful classroom program for a student with autism based on sound science and experience. Christina Raso, the Special Education Consultant for the Board was thrilled to have Krumins come to speak to the staff. “It is a real privilege having Jennifer come to our Board and speak to our teachers.” said Raso. “We have her books in all of our schools and we are very fortunate to have this opportunity to learn from Jennifer’s experience and knowledge to better understand our students.”