“If you were an animal, what animal would you be?” This was the question that Tanya Neumeyer, a Toronto based poet posed to one of the English classes at Marymount Academy on April 17, 2015. Neumeyer, a published poet and workshop facilitator, was in town to perform at the (W)rites of Poetry event that night, but visited several of the English classes on April 16 and 17 to work with the students to help encourage their development of poetry and their creative process. The students had to immediately react to the question by acting out which animal best reflected their own personalities. Through these types of activities – performance art and written word, Neumyer encouraged the students to break down their own barriers and feel confident to perform in front of others. “It is always such a great experience for our students when Tanya comes to visit and work with them in small groups and classes,” Lucie Cullen, principal of Marymount Academy explained. “It is such a unique, positive experience that is hugely impactful on the students. It really helps give them a voice and expresses their own creativity.”
Category: Community
Spelling Like a Champ
Marymount Academy student Julia Burns is a spelling bee champ. The grade 8 student recently won the regional spelling bee for the Regional completion for the intermediate division which was held at Tom Davies Square on April 12, 2015. On May 3, Burns will be traveling to Toronto to take part in the provincial spelling bee sponsored by the Spelling Bee of Canada. Burns has always enjoyed spelling and has taken part in previous competitions, but had never come out on top. Encouraged by her teacher Debra Michaud, the Marymount Academy student decided to give it a go and studied the 2015 Study List to prepare for the competition. When asked about the upcoming event, Burns was quick to say she was very nervous but excited to take part. “We are extremely proud of Julia and her efforts,” Lucie Cullen, Marymount Academy principal stated. “She is a delightful girl and we know she will represent Marymount strong in the next stage of the competition, like a true Regal!”
St. Andrew Open House Celebrates Memories
St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School hosted a Come and Go Open House on Sunday April 19th from noon to 2pm. The principal and the classroom teachers welcomed many former students, teachers and parents to the school to walk the halls and share memories. They learned that at one time St. Andrew School was St. Conrad school and subjects were taught in both of our national languages. There were many memories shared about former teachers and principals and activities that happened in this little community school. Many of the visitors were interested in viewing the architect’s rendering of the new Holy Trinity School. Pictured is Mrs. Henry, the present principal, with Brittany and Brandon Schroeder two former students. Mrs. Henry remembers when she was taller than both of these students!
Regals Fight Cancer
As part of the school’s new fundraising campaign, the students at Marymount Academy are getting a sweet treat. For the month of April, students and staff are raising funds to support the Northern Ontario Cancer Foundation, as well as one of their fellow students who is fighting her own battle with cancer. The school’s cafeteria supplier – Chartwell’s, donated 250 cookies for students to purchase with monies raises to go towards their Regals Fight Cancer fundraiser. Students also had the opportunity to purchase Regals Fight Cancer sweatshirts that they can wear certain days every week for the month of April in place of their regular uniform top.
Marymount Academy students will be out in all areas in Greater Sudbury on the evening of April 23 to do door-to-door canvassing for their fundraising initiative. The school’s fundraising efforts will be announced on the morning of April 24 with several teachers willing to have their hair shaved, dyed cut and donated depending on how much money has been raised. For more information, please call the school at (705) 674-4231.
Marymount Academy Celebrates International Moment of Laughter Day – April 14th
Studies have shown that laughing not only lowers blood pressure and reduces stress hormone levels, it also improves cardiac health, boosts T cells, triggers endorphins, and is a fabulous ab workout! Best of all, laughter has been proven to increase our overall sense of well-being. So, the goal for the day at Marymount Academy on April 14, 2015 was to get people laughing!
The staff posted several hilarious visual jokes around the school, and told jokes between periods over the P.A. system.
At lunch, students who told the librarian a funny joke won a prize. Also, secondary students were invited to join the Improv Club for several “moments of improvised laughter” while elementary students were invited to vote for their funniest teacher.
The winner by a landslide was teacher Debra Michaud! She received a silly headband and a jar of candy along with the coveted Wand of Laughter. Teacher Colin Lapalme came in a distant 2nd and received a bag of leftover candy.
It was a “funderful” day at Marymount Academy. Laughter really is the best medicine.
St. David Catholic School and the Grade 12 Marymount Leadership Class Encourages The Love of Reading in Kindergarten Students
The Full Day Kindergarten class at St. David Catholic Elementary School recently partnered with the grade 12 Leadership Class at Marymount Academy to begin a new reading initiative to support reading achievement for FDK students. The classes first met at the local MacKenzie Street library and now visit each others classrooms twice a month to read together. “I super duper love to read with my buddy, its fun and we get to have name tags that are the same” said Lexus Dumas, FDK student. The initiative will continue until June when the classes will get together for a reading party to celebrate their partnership and reading success.
Learning about Métis Culture at Sudbury Catholic Schools
The Grade 4 French Immersion students at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School attended a Métis presentation Tuesday, April 14th at St. David Catholic Elementary school. The students enjoyed a presentation by Scott Carpenter, a Community Development Officer with the Metis Nation of Ontario, who shared stories about the Métis culture, and taught the students about different tools, toys and clothing used by the Métis people. The students enjoyed being able to feel the various furs and learn about what each tool was used for during the War of 1812. The students were especially excited to try out the games the Métis children enjoyed.
Taking the Pledge for Caitlin, Jazmine and Steven at St. Charles College
On April 14, 2015 students were reminded of the horrific accident that took the life of a St. Charles College student all because of drinking and driving.
Caitlin was one of three teenagers killed while walking with friends on the side of the road in Sudbury in the wee hours of Father’s day more than five years ago.
Students were urged to take the drinking and driving pledge by signing a banner in their memories. They were also invited to the walk to remember in June by signing up to the Impact 6/21 Facebook page.
St. David School Partners with Real Canadian Superstore Optical Services to Better Support Student Achievement
In order to better support student success academically as well as support families to access services available in the community, St. David Catholic Elementary School and the Real Canadian Superstore Optical Services Department partnered to provide all students with a free vision screening at school. Students at St. David Catholic School had their vision screened by a Registered Optician and support staff from the Real Canadian Superstore Optical Services Department. After the screening, all students were provided with a healthy snack compliments of the Superstore.
Amber Fournier, Superstore Optician, and her team, screened for things such as colour blindness, depth perception, visual acuity and strabismus (eye turning in/out). This screening did not replace a complete eye examination from a Doctor of Optometry. But, was the first step to support students experiencing any vision issues.
By protecting your children’s eye health and vision, parents are enabling them to play, learn, socialize and fully experience everything that life has to offer. Eye problems can even lead to developmental difficulties at school. In fact, one in five children has a vision disorder. Not knowing any differently, many of these children accept poor vision and other eye ailments as normal. If a vision problem was detected during the school screening, an Optometrist referral letter was sent home directly to the parent with their child.
In Ontario, it is recommended that children 19 years old and under have their eyes examined. This exam is covered with their health card (OHIP) every year. Eye sight and eye health are critical to a child’s development. According to Elizabeth Trembly, parent from St. David School, “I am glad that the school and the Superstore provided this opportunity for my son. As it turns out, he did require further testing and was experiencing vision difficulties. He is doing well and is enjoying his new glasses”.