St. Charles College Grade 10 Native Studies students participated in Louis Riel Day on November 16, 2012 at Tom Davies Square. The day began with Metis dignitaries welcoming and speaking on the significance of Louis Riel, the father of the Metis Nation. A smudging ceremony and the raising of the Metis flag in Tom Davies Square took place to the sound of Metis fiddling. Students also enjoyed listening to Metis senators share stories and made moccasin key chains to take home. It was an excellent day of learning and making new friends. When asked if they would like to come back next year, the students voted unanimously in favour of returning. Miigwetch, merci and thank you to the Sudbury Metis Council for welcoming St. Charles College students to this day of commemoration and celebration of the life of Louis Riel and the Metis people.
Category: Community
St. Francis Students Take First!
Two St. Francis Catholic Elementary School students have won first prize in the Remembrance Day contests held by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 564. Megan Ierino won first place in the poster contest, and Margan Taylor won in the literary contest. Congratulations to both girls!
St. James Students Demonstrate the True Meaning of Christmas
The Fantastic Fours and Terrific 4/5’s at St. James Catholic Elementary School got into the Christmas spirit early by packing gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Families went out and purchased items such as: hygiene products, clothing, toys, and school supplies. When all was said and done, the two classes filled 47 boxes. Inside each box was a letter of hope to the child that will be receiving the gifts. The St. James staff is very thankful for the generosity and support of the students and their families. Together they showed the true meaning of Christmas – how it is better to give than to receive!
“Our Dreams Matter Too” to St. James Students
St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently recognized for its participation in “Our Dreams Matter Too” – a walk for culturally based equity for First Nation children. The walk is organized to say now is the time for First Nation and non- Aboriginal children to work together to ensure all children in Canada receive equitable, culturally based services that help them succeed and feel proud of who they are. The project began as a result of the school’s vice principal, Dan Stargratt introducing the Grade 7/8 FI class to “Shannen’s Dream” which is a student and youth focused campaign designed to raise awareness about inequitable funding for First Nations children, and encourages supporters to write letters to their Member of Parliament, to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and to the Prime Minister of Canada. The students then brainstormed and came up with the idea of getting involved with the “Our Dreams Matter Too” initiative by having all Grade 4- 8 students at St. James write letters to the Prime Minister to look at federal school funding. This past June, the St. James students presented their letters to Member of Parliament Glenn Thibeault to bring to Ottawa. This past October, the students were sent a certificate of appreciation from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for their participation in the initiative. The students are Chris White, Katrina Cayen and Enara Iturregui.
SCDSB Teacher Launches Third Book of Poetry
Marymount Academy English teacher Kim Fahner is a bundle of nerves. Even though this is her third time, she is having a hard time keeping her anxiety at bay. On Friday, December 7, 2012, Fahner will be launching her third book of poetry, “The Narcoleptic Madonna”. “Each time I launch a book I get so nervous,” Fahner said. “For the week or two before the launch, I get extremely anxious leading up to the day.” Her previous books, “You Must Imagine the Cold Here” (1997) and “Braille on Water” (2001) are, according to Fahner much different than her new book of poetry. “ “This new book is a collection of poems from the last twelve years. It deals with very personal issues like falling in and out of love, taking care of aging parents and, ultimately, coming to terms with mortality. It is a much more mature collection of poems. My inspiration has come from traveling – both physically, spiritually and emotionally. By traveling, I often find that I get to know myself better, and better understand my place in the world.” A teacher for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for 12 years, the majority at Marymount Academy, Fahner tries to teach her students that poetry is not a scary thing – that, in fact, she makes it her job to reverse their fear of this writing style. It is her hope that they leave her class with an interest in poetry. Fahner considers herself a poet who teaches, and frequently brings in other poets into the classroom to help inspire her students. “When you find creative people who can educate, it really brings out the creativity in kids,” Fahner states. “I think it is important to have artists as teachers in the classroom.” Interested readers can also check out Fahner’s writing on her online blog entitled The Republic of Poetry. (http://kimfahner.wordpress.com/) Here she writes her thoughts and reflections on her own life as well as events around her. From musings from her travels, to her inner dialogue when trying out new things, “The Republic of Poetry” gives her readers a glimpse into the thoughts and observations of life.
Fahner tapped on the creative talents of her fellow SCDSB teacher and friend Trish Stenabaugh for the artwork for her new book. Stenabaugh is a teacher at St. Charles College as well as a gifted artist so Fahner thought it would be a perfect fit for the artwork for her book cover. “Trish’s artwork is really vibrant. I am inspired by her as an artist and a friend.” Both ladies will be at the book launch which will be taking place on Friday, December 7 at the Ernie Checkeris Theatre at Thorneloe University. Some of Stenebaugh’s art will be on display and Fahner will be reading selected poems from her new book. Reading will begin at 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles College and Laurentian University Partner for Forensic Science Programming
St. Charles College is pleased to announce that it has added yet another partnership to its learning community to better support its students. The Department of Forensic Science of Laurentian University – which delivers the only accredited forensic science programs in Canada, has formed a partnership with the school, in order to allow for new and outstanding learning opportunities for the students of St. Charles College. Senior students in both the school’s Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness, as well as the senior law classes will now be taking part in regular workshops and labs with the Forensics Department at the university. The forensic professors – including Dr. Fairgrieve, Dr. Watterson and Dr. Donohue, have agreed to gear their presentations to meet the curriculum needs for both areas of learning, and will directly tie into their areas of study. The forensic courses will introduce the students to blood spatter, arson investigation, autopsy, hair and fibre analysis, facial sculpting, forensic botany and entomology, criminal profiling and DNA analysis.
“This linkage to our programming – both our law and health and wellness classes – is exceptional as it is giving limitless opportunities for our students to pursue a variety of careers they may not have considered before.” says Principal Mardero. “This hands on learning will allow them to really receive a deeper understanding of these sciences.
St. Charles College is a proud partner of Laurentian, and this new agreement reinforces the strength of our relationship with the University.”
Classes have already begun working with the university starting the end of October, 2012.
Celebrating the Feast of St. Andrew
November 30th was the feast day of St. Andrew. Father Sam from our community parish of St. Andrew the Apostle invited all the staff and children to a feast day celebration. Everyone celebrated the Eucharist together at 11am and then Father hosted a pizza and juice party in the church hall. The Catholic School Council provided delicious cupcakes for dessert.
Father spoke to the children about St. Andrew. His name is Greek meaning “strength” and Andrew spent most of his ministry in Greece spreading the lessons Jesus taught him. St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter who was the frist pope in Rome. St. Andrew is remembered as the first leader of the Greek Church.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration the children, teachers and parents joined in singing “Happy Feast Day to You.”
Holy Cross Students’ Transit Ride to Public Library
The Gr. 2 students in the Regular English program at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School recently participated in a program arranged between the Sudbury Public Library and the Greater Sudbury Transit. A class bus pass granted them the opportunity to ride the Sudbury Transit in order to spend the morning at the South End Public Library. For many of the students, this was their first time using the public transit and it proved to be an exciting adventure. The school program consisted of a tour of the new South End Library, a demonstration of how to locate and access books on the computer, story time and a craft. By the end of the session, students were able to leave with their personal library card, a good book to read and a reason to return with their family or classmates.
Students Remember War Veterans
Students from St. Francis Catholic Elementary School in grades 3 and 4 eagerly wrote postcards to war veterans for Remembrance Day. The postcards were provided by Veteran Affairs Canada. The class put their friendly letter writing skills to use in order to compose a thoughtful message. Students in teacher Graziella Visentin’s class annually write postcards to thank veterans for being brave and courageous in order to protect us. The grade 3 and 4 students acknowledged the veterans’ efforts and their gratitude for the freedom we so much enjoy today. This year the postcards were sent to war veterans residing in Ottawa, Ontario.