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.”
Category: Community
Marymount Regals Think Pink
One of the student organizations at Marymount Academy called the Marymount Catholic Charities Council or MC3, has decided that one of their student run initiatives this spring would focus on raising funds for Breast Cancer research. This group of students has organized different events that the school would focus on for the month of April that would support this cause. Charlotte Roy, President of MC3 said that the council came up with the idea together and felt that being a part of an all-girl school, it was definitely an issue that was important to them. Samantha Shewring, a Grade 12 student and member of the Council said that most of the girls at the school know at least one person who has been affected by breast cancer. “It is definitely something that the students at Marymount can relate to.” said Shewring. “We need to do all that we can to support breast cancer research because it could affect anyone of us in the future!” The students have arranged for several different fund-raising events including “t-shirt” Wednesdays, Sumo wrestling, and “Pink Smoothie” Days. All monies raised will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
St. James Gets “Wild at Heart”
The Grade One classes at St. James School in Lively enjoyed a visit by Sarah Wendorf, Education Co-ordinator for the Wild at Heart Wildlife Refuge Centre in Lively. Sarah gave a wonderful and informative laptop presentation showing how the refuge centre rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned animals. She also had the pupils participate in an activity to help them understand the use of materials employed at the centre. The students had previously collected many supplies from the Centre’s Wish List, and were happy to actively help in supporting the animals. They also made bookmarks with wild animal pictures and slogans to encourage others to care for animals. These bookmarks were sold at St. James School and the proceeds were also given to Wild at Heart.
The pupils’ science teacher, Rosanna Battigelli, had registered her class for a Wild at Heart membership, which included many resource materials for her “Animals: Wild at Heart!” Unit. More information about getting a class membership, along with a visit from Sarah Wendorf, can be found at [ http://www.wahrefugecentre.org/ ]www.wahrefugecentre.org
St. Paul Catholic Elementary School Enjoys Aboriginal Day Celebration
The Student Parliament at St. Paul Catholic Elementary saw their months of hard work result in a powerful and beautiful Aboriginal Day of celebration on March 26, 2010. This group of students applied for a Speak Up Grant which is a grant that is applied for from the Ministry of Education’s Student Voice initiative. These grants are available for student-led projects and are available for students who want to make a difference in their classroom, school and community. As well, the school applied for additional funding from the Board to supplement the costs of their Aboriginal celebration. With the help and support of their teacher, Marlene Lee, these students were successful in their applications and collectively worked to bring together a day for their entire school community that allowed all of the students to share in the learning and understanding of Aboriginal culture. The day involved a traditional smudging ceremony, an amazing aboriginal dancing and drumming demonstration, and a sampling of bannock. As well, the students attended different hands-on information sessions including hunting and harvesting, hand drumming, medicine wheel teachings, making masks, making dreamcatchers, interactive games and storytelling. The highlight of the day was a presentation by world renown aboriginal artist Leland Bell who shared his paintings and stories with the students as well as sang a traditional song for the group. Sharon Oliver, the Principal of the school was so overwhelmed by the day’s events that she choked back tears when addressing the students at the end of the day. “This was such a beautiful and powerful day that I am having a hard time as I am so overcome with emotion.” stated Oliver. “I thank Mrs. Lee and all of the students and staff for making this celebration such an absolutely incredible day – one that each and every student will be able to look back on and remember how dynamic and moving our celebration was!”
Aboriginal Dancing and Drumming at Pius
Pius XII students, staff and families from Minnow Lake Best Start and Maple Tree Preschool participated in their first Aboriginal Dance and Drum workshop on Tuesday, March 23rd in the Pius XII School gym. Fancy shawl and jingle dancers, Rosemarie Erb, Tracy Recollet, Chelsea Recollet and Kiana Manitowabi, wore their beautiful regalia and danced to the beat of the drummers. A special prairie chicken dance was performed by Hayden Shears-Recollet. The lead drummers, DJ MacGregor and Brad Robinson, were accompanied by four student drummers, Dawson Baptiste, Joey Manitowabi, Karaka Osawamick and Isaiah Hunt from the Native Studies class at St. Charles College. All together at the big drum, they aligned their drum beat with the heart beat of mother earth. Students had the opportunity to dance with the dancers to the beautiful songs of life. After the dancing and drumming in the gym, dancers visited the JK , SK and Minnow Lake Best Start classes and created their own paper doll regalia with sparkles, beads, feathers and jingles.
St. Benedict Holds Classes Over March Break
St. Benedict would like to thank The Basketball Academy, and the Sudbury Youth Basketball League, for a successful St. Benedict March Break Basketball Camp.
During the break, students from grades 5 and up, were back in the classroom at St. Benedict, learning to improve their game. Head Coach Aaron Sidenberg and his Basketball Academy staff focused on fundamentals, high intensity training on the court, sports specific training in the weight room, and the use of sports technology in the classroom.
Students were impressed with the large staff on hand that was able to work one on one with players of all ages. Sidenberg and his staff of past and present L.U. players, and coaches, reenforced team building throughout the 3 day power camp.
All players were given vertical and strength training program, along with detailed video analysis of their shooting using Smart Board technology. The hard work of the staff combined with the diversity of the camp, made a huge impact with all the students in attendance. There are plans for another camp very soon.
For further information on The Basketball Academy visit www.thebasketballacademy.net or contact Head Coach Aaron Sidenberg directly at thebasketballacademy@live.com.
St. Raphael Students Connecting With Students in Equador
At St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School, Mrs. Lucciantonio’s Gr. 2/3 class and Miss Filice’s Gr. 3/4 class have been involved with the International Friendship Project in Ecuador. They are working with Jan and David Buley who are two professors from the School of Education at Laurentian University. The students have become penpals with the students in Ecuador so that they can share the wonderful things about our community and knowledge of Canada, and learn a great deal about the community and customs of Ecuador. They have also been collecting Crayola Art Supplies to send to them as this spring Jan and David will be going to Ecuador and will be bringing 10 Laurentian Education students with them to provide an arts camp for 250 students. Both of the St. Raphael teachers feel this is an excellent opportunity for their students to learn about different cultures as well as the importance of building compassionate relationships.
Pius XII School Community Celebrates Mass
All of the students and staff of Pius XII came together as a school community on March 8, 2010 to celebrate mass with Father Remi at Holy Redeemer parish. The school took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and walked over to the church to enjoy mass each other. It was a great way to start the week as well as an excellent opportunity for the school to re-energize their faith before beginning their March Break.
St. Anne’s Parent Going Above and Beyond to Support School Community
At all of the schools at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, one can find many parents who go that extra mile to ensure that the students and staff have all that they need for great, fun, safe school days. One such parent that fits this bill is Todd Connors. Connors is a parent of a grade 8 student at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer and is the Regional Operations Manager of Perkins Restaurants. Todd is continuously supporting St. Anne not only with different supplies, but also by finding time to fit volunteering at the school in his busy schedule. As Regional Operations Manger of Perkins, he often donates many different food supplies to the school including pancake mix, muffin mix, crackers, soups, juice etc and in large enough quantities to feed the entire school! As well, he has donated season tickets to the Sudbury Wolves games for the school to enhance their student recognition programs such as “I caught you doing something good”. Laura Stirrett, Vice Principal of the school feels that Connors is an excellent example of positive parent involvement as well as a great example of how community can work together with schools building strong partnerships. “Mr. Connors is an important part of our school.” said Stirrett. “With his generous donations, he has helped eased some of the fund-raising burdens on students especially during these difficult financial times. We are very grateful for all that Mr. Connors has done and does for our school!” Cheryl Macrury, the JK/SK teacher at the school had her students write a letter to Mr. Connors on behalf of the school to express their gratitude for all that he has done for them. St. Anne’s would like to thank Mr. Connors and Perkins Restaurant for really making a difference in their school community.
The letter includes these lines from the JK/SK students:
Dear Mr. Connors,
Thank you for the pancake mix and syrup
for our pancake breakfast. They were EXCELLENT!!
They tasted YUMMY!!! You always give us awesome
treats for our special celebrations. We wan to thank
you for everything you do for our class and for our school.
We love it and we love YOU!
Love,
JK-SK