Jarah Preston from the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury was invited to St. Francis Catholic Elementary School on January 13, 2016 to deliver a presentation entitled, Social Skills for Student Success. The LDAS presentation is targeted to address students in grades 4 to 5. Topics such as emotional awareness and non-verbal awareness were discussed with the junior students. A number of appropriate social skill strategies were provided to students on how to handle various scenarios at school with their peers such as turn taking, sharing and respecting each other’s personal space. The students were engaged during the presentation as many audio- visuals were provided to students to demonstrate examples. The school’s Special Education Resource Teacher, Graziella Visentin, has also invited Jarah Preston to return to the school to present, Victors of Transition, in an upcoming week to all grade 6 students who will be transitioning onto grade 7 at either Marymount Academy, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School or St. Charles College in the fall.
Category: Community
St. Charles Elementary Math Buddies
Students at St. Charles Elementary tried a new way to solve math problems recently. As a part of the school goals, students in all grades got together for Math Buddies.
Principal David Soehner explained that “as one of the SIPSA (school improvement plan for student achievement) goals for this year, St. Charles Elementary teachers identified that they wanted to focus learning in mathematics around the math processes of communication and problem solving. To improve how students communicate in mathematics, a problem solving template was developed to guide students through answering all the parts of a question. The concept of ‘math buddies’ was created, where older students get together with younger students to work through a math problem every week, using the template and math manipulatives”.
Students in the older grades helped their younger buddies identify what they already know from the question, what they still need to know, how they are going to represent it in pictures and an equation as well as formulating the response in a sentence. Student Achievement Officer, Michelle Walton, with the Ministry of Education explained that “It was great to see how the older students really had the younger students work through the math problem”.
Brent Peplinski, a grade 7/8 teacher at the school said that his students also benefitted from the buddies by sharing in the younger students enthusiasm to do math, and his students came back all smiles!
“We are going to measure the results of Math Buddies using a pre and post task at the end of a 9 week cycle. We expect that students will improve in their ability to problem solve and communicate in mathematics.” explained Soehner.
Technology Now Night at St. Francis
There was a line up to get into the building at 4:30 on Thursday, January 14, 2016 as students at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School eagerly led their parents into the gymnasium to show them all the ways that they use technology in their classrooms.
Approximately 180 people attended the Technology Now night, which was planned by the St. Francis Catholic School Council with support from a government Parents Reaching Out grant. The goal of the event was to show parents how technology is used to support student learning. There were 10 tables set up around the gymnasium where students could show their parents how much they knew about iPad apps like Book Creator, Music Tutor, Explain Everything and Minecraft as well as more subject specific apps that support math, fine motor skills and literacy. Primary Special Education teacher Meghan Dopson also had a Smartboard demonstration in her classroom.
Catholic School Council Chair Kimberley Swain-Bellmore was impressed with the evening, “The children enjoyed showing their parents and siblings some of the things they do in their classrooms, and having a chance to see some of the apps they will be using in years to come,” she said.
For more information, please visit the St. Francis school web site at:
Spotlight Dance Company Shines a light on Dancers at St. Charles College
The St. Charles College Dance Class paired up with local dance company, Spotlight Dance Company to work on toning and conditioning with the dancers this semester. The students had monthly excursions to Spotlight Dance Companyto work on different genres of dance studied in class, teaming up with their talented instructors. S.C.C Dance teacher, Patricia Demore says “the dancers developed leadership, dedication and time management skills through their monthly visits. The dancers had another successful semester and are looking forward to the new year. The dance focus class is offered yearly at St. Charles College. Students can take the class to earn their mandatory physical education credit.
Holy Cross Celebrates Their Calendar Artists
Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School Grade 3 French Immersion students Kendra Cole and Khimberly Williams were very excited to receive a calendar in the mail from Glenn Thibeault’s office this year. Both students participated in a contest this fall where Grade 3 students from across Sudbury were invited to submit a calendar illustration. Holy Cross is very proud to announce that Khimberly’s drawing is on the January page, while Kendra’s is on the May page. Congratulations, girls!
St. David School Spreads Christmas Cheer
The St. David Catholic Elementary School Christmas choir, led by community volunteer, Melody Henry recently visited Red Oak Villa, a seniors residence in the heart of Sudbury. The student choir sang Christmas carols and spread Christmas cheer throughout the complex. While sharing hot chocolate and Christmas cookies the students and seniors visited, told stories and enjoyed each others company. Natasha Folino, St. David School teacher said, ” it warms your heart to see the youth of our community be so gentle and caring with the residents at Red Oak Villa. This is what the season of Christmas is all about – giving of yourself and enjoying those people in your lives. This was the perfect pairing of the generations and a wonderful way to celebrate the season”.
Celebrating Partnerships at BACCSS Breakfast
Thank you to Greater Sudbury Police Services who helped serve a delicious breakfast at Bishop Carter’s breakfast club. Students were treated to a hot breakfast with all the trimmings. Constable Duguay and Constable Hasanefendic served eggs, hashbrowns and a variety of other items to Bishop student Kiana James. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2016 from the staff and students at Bishop Carter CSS.
Christmas is Giving at St. Charles Elementary
With Christmas just around the corner, families at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School came together to generously support people in their community who are less fortunate. Donations of canned goods were collected over the 3 weeks of Advent to support the local food bank, Friendship House. Last year, the school collected 3014 cans and the goal this year was to beat that number by 1 can. With true school spirit, RAMS collected 3200 cans!! Way to Go RAMS!
Battle of the Grades at BACCSS
Traditions are a big part of the Christmas holidays. Once again this year the Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School Leadership Class hosted “Battle of the Grades”. Students had to participate in fun Christmas activities with a “twist”. From cookies and milk, to unwrapping Christmas gifts with oven mitts, these mixed up Christmas activities gave students quite the challenge! In the end, the Grade 12 students managed to sneak in a close win and claim the title of this Bishop holiday tradition!