Several students from Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School had an amazing opportunity on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 when they got the chance to enjoy a day of snowmobile riding for their winter carnival activity. Students that chose the ride as their option met with staff and several Greater Sudbury Regional Police officers in the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hanmer before heading out for a day long ride that involved a stop at Rocky’s restaurant where they enjoyed a lunch provided by the Sudbury District Health Unit. The day before the ride, the students spent the entire day being inserviced on different health and safety topics related to safe snowmobile riding. The students listened to presentations on survival techniques, how to read maps, safety on the trails, as well as one woman’s experience of being hit by a speeding snowmachine. The officers were some of the presenters of the day and felt that it was very important to have the students ride informed of all safety information. “ I want the kids to go out informed and educated.” said Constable Bilcik. “We went out on the weekend to make sure the trail was safe and by educating the students, it is the only we can do rides like this.” This ride along program with the police provided the students with the confidence that they were learning important lessons to keep them safe on the trails. As one father dropped off his son before the ride, it was evident he was aware of the theme of the day as he patted him on the back and said, “Have fun, son… and be safe!”
Category: Community
“Gangs and Youth. A Community Action Plan.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to be a partner in the “Gangs and Youth. A Community Action Plan” initiative in conjunction with our fellow school boards and community agencies in Sudbury.
Representatives from the Board staff and Trustees participated in a “Gangs and Youth” Media Conference held at the Greater Sudbury Police Service to promote awareness around gang activity. The Board took this opportunity to reinforce the fact the Sudbury Catholic District School Board works hard to engage our students in our educational programs and extra-curricular activities. We believe that our school communities offer the best opportunities for our youth, thus enabling them to become positive members of society. Our Board supports and maintains positive school climates that enhance safety and focus on prevention and early intervention with opportunities for reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration of the community.
S.C.C. Hosts Feeder Schools for Winter Carnival Fun
On Tuesday, February 23, Grade 8 students from St. Raphael, St. John, St. Paul, St. David and Pius XII were bussed to St. Charles College to take part in their annual Winter Carnival. Upon arrival, all of the students were brought into the gym and are divided up into mixed teams and, in a tribute to the Olympics, were assigned a country. The first challenge for each group was to come up with a cheer for their country and then had to perform it in front of the entire crowd. The leadership class was the official host of the 5 feeder school students and set up many different activities for all of the groups to participate in including ball hockey, dodgeball, relay races and bocker (a combination of basketball and soccer). Patty Mardero, Principal of St. Charles College explained that it was a really great day of winter fun challenges for the students. “It is such a positive day on two different levels.” stated Mardero. “First, it is a great way for the Grade 8 students from the feeder schools to get to know each other before they start here in grade nine, and secondly, it is also an opportunity for S.C.C. staff to meet with Grade 8 staff for transitional activities.” Twenty teams in total participated in the day’s events.
Pilot Apple Technology Project Huge Success for St. David’s Grade Fives
The Grade 5 students were so excited they could hardly sit still as their St. David teacher Jennifer Gran asked them to open their macbooks and turn on their ipods. Gran along with Leann Laframboise, one of the Sudbury Catholic Technology Integration Mentor Teachers had put together a proposal and submitted it to Apple Canada with the hopes that the Grade 5 class would be selected to pilot a technology project. Luckily, the two teachers’ proposal was selected out of the hundreds of proposals submitted from across Canada. Apple selected Gran’s class which allowed the students the use of ten MacBook computers with wireless connectivity, digital still and video cameras, and iLife ’09, Apple’s award-winning digital media software as well as ten ipods. For the last four weeks, the class has created podcasts, comics, digital stories, movies and posters. As well, the students used ipods for different activities such as reading, navigating apps and browsers and literacy and numeracy games. Gran was thrilled that her class had the opportunity to have some really hands on learning time with the provided technology. “If you have a high number of identified students, the technology really levels the playing field in regards to learning. “said Gran. “The technology gives the students many different options for learning. They don’t all learn the same way and with the macbooks and ipods, they can choose the way they learn most effectively, which makes teaching easier for the teacher.” For each different activity, the students were divided into groups and sat down with either Gran or Laframboise to consult on their projects. All of the students got the opportunity to use both pieces of technology daily. After St. David’s, the next school to receive the kit will be St. Francis Catholic Elementary School which was also one of the schools to be selected from across Canada.
Sudbury Catholic Schools Partners with Laurentian University to Support Aboriginal Student Success
The Dual Credit program offered through Sudbury Catholic Schools, Rainbow District School Board and Laurentian University provides opportunities for Aboriginal secondary school students to participate in postsecondary courses, earning dual credits that count towards both their secondary school diploma and their post secondary degree.
While dual credits are increasingly common between high schools and colleges, this is the only dual credit between Ontario high schools and universities approved by the Ontario Ministry of Education. This particular dual credit pilot program is designed to: increase the number of Aboriginal students graduating from secondary school and to assist with the transition between secondary and post secondary education.
The unique advantage of dual credit programs is their ability to provide new and varied learning opportunities to students by providing real world applications to help them achieve their potential. Dual credit courses also engage students through exposure to the university setting and culture, provide more student choice and ensure a smooth transition pathway from secondary to post secondary education. Evidence has shown that dual credit programs increase the likelihood of graduation success.
Sudbury Catholic Schools, Rainbow District School Board and Laurentian University have partnered to provide this opportunity for their students to better support and engage the Aboriginal youth in our community.
Visitors from the United Kingdom Visit SCDSB to Observe Educational Best Practice
Twelve people from the United Kingdom including teachers, principals and administrators began their visit at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board on February 16, 2010 to observe best practice in the field of education. The group, who will be in Sudbury for seven days, came over from across the pond to learn about Ontario’s approach to change and how it embraces continual transition. The initial welcome included greetings from representatives from both the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, the Rainbow Board, as well as a warm welcome from Mayor John Rodriguez. Adam Higgins, a School Improvement Officer which is similar to our Supervisory Officer, spoke on behalf of the group as he thanked the two boards for welcoming them to Sudbury. “We look forward to walking a mile in your shoes as we share similar obstacles and we want to ensure that all of our youngsters are getting the best possible start that they can.” Higgins went on to say that their first three days in Sudbury were excellent as they were constantly greeted by very friendly citizens. From bus drivers to school staff, their encounters so far have been all positive despite the initial loss of luggage of eight of the twelve in the group!
The guests will be visiting several schools over the next few days from both the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as well as the Rainbow Board to observe many different educational initiatives including boys literacy, aboriginal education, technology and French Immersion. All of the people involved in the visit will end off the week on Thursday with a presentation of Aboriginal Culture and Dance as well as an Aboriginal feast at Marymount Academy. The group will also be getting the chance to visit a Sudbury Wolves practice, Science North, Adanac Ski Hill and a Sudbury Wolves game.
Bishop Simard Shares His Message of the Importance of Catholic Education
The Principals and Senior Administration met at the Sudbury Diocesan Centre on Thursday, February 11, 2010 to celebrate their faith and share best practice. The group was very honoured to start their day with a Mass led by His Excellence Bishop Noel Simard. During the mass, the principals listened to the Bishop’s message of the importance of Catholic education. “ We have to be proactive in proclaiming and showing the importance of Catholic Education.” said the Bishop. “Catholic education will allow our students to become people full of compassion and this is our challenge – to be strong and unite in the celebration of our faith.” When speaking of the sacrifices the principals as leaders face, the Bishop asked the question is it all worth it? He answered his own question very simply but emphatically – “you bet!” The group was asked to act as pillars of strength in their own school communities and were given the task of taking their inspiration back to their staff and students to engage them in their renewal of their faith.
Two Thumbs Up for “The Nickel Stops Here”!
“The Nickel Stops Here” is a play written and produced by Marlene Lee, the Grade 6/7 teacher at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School.This musical/comedy is an original script and score that Lee wrote about the Greater Sudbury area. As someone who moved here from southern Ontario, Lee wanted to give her perspective on life in the North. The play includes the Grade 6/7 class playing the parts of the leads, the JK/K class as the black flies and the JK FI class as the blueberries. The story is about King Inco and Queen Nephawin who need their son, Moose, to take over the throne of the Kingdom of Sudbury. Moose only wants to hunt and fish. His sister, the Princess Laurentian, is eager and willing to put Sudbury on the map environmentally and to rule it. According to the kingdom’s constitution, however, she must be married to do so. Laurentian must battle the two princes from Espanola and Wahnapitae in a game of Jeopardy to see who wins the throne. The students have been working for months in preparation for their show and it is very evident that the hard work has paid off. The play deserves two very big thumbs up for the efforts of the students and Marlene Lee for their outstanding production!
Pius XII Holds First Annual Bluez Brothers Dinner and Show
Pius XII Catholic Elementary School held its first Bluez Brothers Dinner and Show on February 4, 2010. The stage and gym were set to amaze and entertain audiences. The Heroes Rock Band and the Restless Group Syndrome (RGS) Dance Band opened for the Bluez Brothers. All three bands had the audience grooving to the music. It was an awesome evening put together by many hands from Pius XII School. Funds raised from this benefit performance were collected for two worthy causes: the Haiti Relief and the Pius Ottawa Trip.