St. James students, staff, and community partners literally formed a human circle around their school and gave it a hug. The human circle symbolizes friendships, inclusiveness, respect, faith, and community. We are all in this building together and we need to always show in our actions that we are a St. James family. To show that we care and that we are a Safe Catholic School community we literally gave our school a St. James Bear Hug!
Category: Community
A ‘Different” Movember at Holy Cross
During the month of November, several of Holy Cross teacher Tania Fay’s grade 2 students asked why they were seeing so many men with moustaches, and what the term Movember meant. Fay thought this would be a great learning opportunity for her students to discuss the importance of community initiatives. As the school often has different fundraisers throughout the year, several for cancer organizations, the class talked about how important it is to makes those in their own community happy by always trying to be supportive however they can. This discussion led to their own Movember initiative. Fay asked students in the grade three class to help the grade two students write stories about how they all suddenly grew moustaches. On Thursday, November 28, the two classes got together and shared their stories with each other – all while touting their own Movember ‘staches. “It was a great teaching opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” explained Fay. “Our students are so observant of the world around them – and when they began noticing many moustaches sprouting on their dads’ faces, we were able to turn that into a fun discussion, a peer-to peer learning moment and a great way to show them the important of giving back and supporting one’s own community!”
Celebrating Ste. Catherine at St. John
On Monday, November 25th, St. John Catholic Elementary School French Immersion students celebrated the tradition of Ste-Catherine. The students celebrated by making taffy with their families and teachers.
Sudbury Catholic Teacher Wins Teacher of the Year from the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury (LDAS)
It comes as no surprise to those who work with her, to find out that Sudbury Catholic teacher Jennifer Connelly is the recipient of this year’s Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury (LDAS) teacher of the year award. As the Assistive Technology teacher, Connelly works with students from kindergarten to grade 12, along with their teachers and special education team. Connelly has been a teacher for 8 years, in her current role for 3 years and is often in high demand as a technology teacher. As well, as she is also an Apple Distinguished Educator and also sits on the Board of Apple Distinguished Educators and is also an Apple Certified Trainer. As a result of this position, she has travelled to many countries including the US and Ireland to take part in Apple’s international conferences.
As the Sudbury Catholic assistive technology teacher, Connelly sees technology as a tool that helps students be successful in their learning. When asked, Connelly is quick to recognize that “it is through the hard work and dedication of the entire special education team, that Sudbury Catholic has been able to meet the needs of their students.” With leadership from Superintendent Rossella Bagnato, Connelly has seen the positive changes assistive technology has instilled in the students.
Sudbury Catholic Special Education Consultant Christina Raso explains, “Jennifer is such a dedicated and passionate teacher, and her love of technology is quite evident in her constant pursuit of innovative and exciting programs and software/hardware to support the success of our students. We are very fortunate to have her be a part of the special education team at Sudbury Catholic and know that she is making a positive difference in the lives of our students every single day.”
As a result of her constant pursuit of new ways to support student learning, Connelly often is given the opportunity to be a beta-tester for new products and applications to see if they might work for the Sudbury Catholic students.
“I am honoured and humbled to receive this award,” Connelly said” “I see this more as an award for our entire special education team at Sudbury Catholic for all of our hard work and love for teaching.”
Peace Rainbow at Holy Cross
Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School students created a Peace Rainbow during Bullying Prevention Week. At Holy Cross School, they focused on the positive and proactive strategies that students can use to prevent and to resolve conflict. For the Peasce Rainbow, students were asked to use their five senses to describe what Peace means to them. Then, each student was asked to indicate, either by drawing or writing, what Peace feels like to them on a coloured dove. Each dove corresponds to a colour of the rainbow and to one of the senses. The Peace Rainbow is displayed in the main foyer so that parents and visitors can easily see what peace means to students at Holy Cross School.
Pledging to be Bully-Free at BAC
At Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, teachers and students promoted anti-bullying week. This year’s theme was “Peace”. Students created the “Tree of Peace” where students pledged to be bully free by placing their palm print on the tree. Other events during the week included a presentation to grade 9 students on the effects of cyber-bullying and the role that bystanders can play in decreasing incidents of bullying. Students also posted myths and facts about bullying in each of the classrooms. A new group of students at BAC will soon be trained to become leaders within their school in developing programs and presentations for their fellow classmates.
Learning About Setting Goals and Self-Esteem at Pius XII
Pius XII Catholic Elementary School was honoured to have Amber Konikow talk to the students about smart goals, self-esteem and motivation. The students learned about practice, being prepared, hard work, and dedication. Amber spoke about her difficult times in school and how she was picked on, however, having the support of close friends, family and teachers allowed her to make the right choices in her life. She reminded students that people will always remember you for your kindness, friendship and support – and that is what is important and how we should act with one another.
Amber Konikow is a registered nurse, endurance runner, Olympic style boxer, stunt actor,membero fhte Canadian Esteem Team and motivational speaker. She has been nominated for the Premier award under the Health and Sciences category for Ontario. Amber is also the 2011 winner of the 40 under 40 ward.
Peacemakers at St. Raphael
Students in the FDK class at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School are learning what it means to be “peaceful.” Throughout the month of November students participated in a number of activities that promoted friendship, sharing, and teamwork. Their learning culminated during the SCDSB’s Bully Awareness Week, where they had a peace party! Students wore the colour pink, played co-operative games, participated in a Bingo game with some of our Gr.8 students, and had a ‘peace picnic.’ Although their Anti-Bullying Week has come to an end, they hope that their learning about what it means to be peaceful will stick with their students and that they will continue to be peacemakers in their lives.
Teamwork and Partnership are the Basis of a Safe, Friendly School Environment
At St. David Catholic Elementary School it takes a community of parents and teachers working together to create a safe, friendly school environment. The St. David School Catholic Parent Council believes that a positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted, and all members of the school community actively promote positive behaviour and respectful interactions. Theresa Roussell, Parent Council Chair says, “All students, parents, and school staff have the right to be safe, and to feel safe, in their school community. But with this right comes the responsibility to contribute to a positive school climate”.
During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – November 18-22, 2013 – students, school staff and parents were encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
St. David School would like to thank all community partners who work to make St. David School a safe and accepting school: Greater Sudbury Police Services, Child and Family Center, Sudbury Health Unit, Skakoon Hardware, Men’s Club at Christ the King Church (Holy Trinity), Breakfast Clubs of Canada, Better Beginnings Better Futures, Aboriginal Best Start HUB, the DEWCAN and White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge. “When we work together in true partnership our children are the beneficiaries”, states Theresa Roussell.