St. David Dragon Amelia Carter-Jenveau “Turns The Lights Off At Lunch” in an effort to save energy as part of Earth Hour. The Dragons have been working hard to save energy, water and reduce waste through many school wide initiatives including a school wide composting program, waste audits, lights off at lunch, and recycling activities.
Category: Community
Another Golden Year at Kiwanis for St. Charles College
The music program at St. Charles College struck gold again this year in all three of its music categories. Concert choir, the concert band and the guitar ensemble all took home gold standings at the Kiwanis Music Festival. The guitar ensemble received a high gold – which places them in the 90% or above range in their musical abilities.
This is the second year in a row that the high school has taken gold standing in all divisions.
Choir and Concert band director Shannon Coyle says “I am very proud of my students and their achievements this season. This is a true testament to their hardwork and our music program at St. Charles College.”
Students at Immaculate Conception Reflect on Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday, the students, staff and parents at Immaculate Conception reflected on the night before the Passover, where Jesus took a towel, basin and water to wash the feet of all his disciples. As he washed his disciples’ feet, he said to them: “You, then, should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you”.
Fr. Michael and staff at Immaculate Conception followed in the foot steps of Jesus and washed the hands of all students. The basin, water, towels and the handwashing were visible signs of service to our students, our community and our God. Students understood what Jesus did for the disciples many years ago, and they too will carry on the work of Jesus, our Lord, and live a life of service.
St. David Students Take Part in 2012 Roots and Shoots Conference
As a part of a Teacher Learning and Leadership project funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education, teachers Jennifer Gran, Leann Laframboise and Christina Kilby have been leading an exciting project. Students from Grade 4/5 and Grade 8 at St. David school have been learning about technology, stewardship and engaging in environmental education in a hands on way. They have been taking their learning outside.
On Monday March 26, 2012, student ambassadors from the project had the privilege of presenting at the Roots and Shoots conference at Science North. Along with their teachers and elders from the project, the students shared their experiences of learning nature photography, visiting Vale’s greenhouse in Copper Cliff to see where they grow seedlings for re-greening and planting trees at Laurentian Conservation area in partnership with the Greater City of Sudbury. These students articulated their sense of ownership and expressed their excitement for the project as well as for the volunteers. The students were inspired by the many guest speakers who came to their school from environmental engineers, Native elders to a Science North scientist. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the project, besides going outside to learn was the relationships that they have developed with Joe Houle (Mrs. Laframboise’s Dad who helped with the nature photography) and Theresa Pelletier (Mrs. Gran’s mom who shared her love of nature on the nature walks).
All of the photography and video documentation of the project was done by the Grade 4/5 and Grade 8 students. The students have learned and enjoyed using iPads, MacBooks and digital cameras for these tasks.
As the students completed their presentations, they offered seedlings to other students and teachers and asked them to help make a positive change by planting trees. Their final message was to encourage students to “ask their teachers to take them outside” because they know first hand that this way of learning is engaging and memorable.
Celebrating an Easter Tradition
Ms. Martine Laforest’s grade 7 class at St. Paul the Apostle School learned about the sacred Ukrainian tradition of pysanky during this Holy Week. Mrs. Jan Buley from Laurentian University shared her knowledge and talent with these students as was shared to her by her university friend Mary. The students learned about the various symbols traditionally painted on these eggs using beeswax and the writing tool called a kitska and the symbolism of the various colours used. Pictured is Keegan Kennedy working on his creation.
Stewardship @ St. James School
During the month of April, Sudbury Catholic Schools celebrate the virtue of Stewardship. At St. James Catholic School students are promoting a variety of environmental friendly initiatives in hopes of reminding everyone that the Earth is a gift to us from God who has entrusted the planet to us.
The grade 8 students are promoting a unique opportunity for all students to become a steward of the Earth by launching a school version of EARTH HOUR. During EARTH HOUR all classrooms are encouraged to turn off their lights during the lunch hour. Students hope that this one initiative is mindful of our ongoing responsibility to take care of our planet. EARTH HOUR is just one of many environmental projects taking place at St. James.
St. Paul Captures Gold at Kiwanis
The St. Paul the Apostle primay choir under the direction of Ms. Kristine Shewchuk and accompanied by Ms. Christina Begin was awarded a Gold Award and a mark of 89 at the Kiwanis Music Festival on Tuesday April 3, 2012. This young group of children sang “A Song of Peace” by Teresa Jennings. The adjudicator wrote “I am thankful to have heard you today! Keep singing!” The staff, students and parents are very proud of their commitment and dedication to their school choir.
They’ve Got the Moves like Jagger
On March 30th, the St. Mary School Community held a dance-a-thon to help raise money for the school. The community collectively raised over $400.00 for our students. Teacher Jenn Bruneau said, “Not only were we raising money so our students could enjoy more extracurricular activities, but we were staying healthy by fulfilling our Daily Physical Activity requirement.” A huge thank you is extended to Mrs. Gauvreau who prepared all the music for our dance.
Additional gratitude is extended to all students who helped raise money to support our school. The whole community felt it was refreshing to be involved in an event that created such spirit and enthusiasm.
Partners Sign Community Threat Assessment Protocol
Representatives of the Greater Sudbury Police Service, area school boards and local agencies signed a Community Threat Assessment Protocol on March 27, 2012, pledging to work together to ensure schools remain safe for students and staff.
The Community Threat Assessment Protocol is a collaborative response to student behaviour that may pose a risk to other students, staff and members of the community. Under the initiative, school boards, police and community partners will share information, advice and support. Plans will be developed to minimize risk.
“Safe schools is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, cooperation and effective communication,” said Greater Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner. “This protocol will enable us to work together to assess threats and implement early interventions. Our goal is to prevent incidents or avert further escalation.” He added: “The strength of the partnership lies in the multi-disciplinary composition of the response team. The members will review relevant information and draw on a broad range of expertise. This united approach will respect the individual’s rights to privacy and the safety of all.”
The protocol is based on the work of Kevin Cameron, Director of the Alberta-based Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response. Kevin Cameron is a Diplomat with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress. He has years of clinical experience, including working in the Child Welfare and Young Offender systems in Canada, providing high-risk assessment and intervention with children, youth and families.
The protocol outlines roles and responsibilities and defines policies and procedures. Partners will build working relationships based on mutual respect and trust. Together, they will help children and youth become happy, healthy, active, involved, and caring members of the community.
Greater Sudbury Police Service is the lead partner in the Community Threat Assessment Protocol with the four local school boards – Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, Rainbow District School Board and Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
Additional community partners include Cambrian College, Child and Family Centre/Centre de l’enfant et de la famille/Ngodweaangizwin Aaskaagewin, Sudbury-Manitoulin Children’s Aid Society/La Société d’aide à l’enfance des district de Sudbury et du Manitoulin, Collège Boréal, Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord, and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services – Probation/Ministère des Services à l’enfance et à la jeunesse, Services de justice pour la jeunesse – Probation.