On Friday, November 25 both teachers, and Early Childhood Educators from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program (ELKP) participated in a day of experiential learning at Laurentian University. Guided by professors Dave and Jan Buley, the educators discovered interesting ways to integrate the arts in everyday teaching and learning. With the help of Marc Poirier from Pearson Education, the educators experienced a digital learning classroom where they explored a variety of opportunities for embedding technology in their practice.
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From Project to Plan… Three Immaculate Students Are Making a Difference
Abigail Morgan, Sydney Hall and Alexa Connors are inspired – inspired to make a difference on the other side of the world.
The three grade 6 Immaculate Conception students, along with the rest of their class, were given a project. As part of their religion and French studies, the class was assigned a project about someone who has made a difference in the world. The three girls chose Ryan Hreljac. Ryan Hreljac, when he was just six years old, decided to raise money to buy and build wells in countries where there is little access to clean water. By 2001, Ryan had established the Ryan’s Well Foundation which raises money for wells to be built in areas affected by the global water crisis. Through learning about Ryan and his organization, Abigail, Sydney and Alexa knew that just doing a project wasn’t enough. They wanted to start their own fundraising efforts to support this foundation. After getting the support from their teacher, Chantal Rancourt, they brainstormed ideas on how best to approach their project. Ms. Raincourt suggested they put together a video presentation to share with their class and their school, as well as invite other schools at the Sudbury Catholic Board to get involved. The students decided to present their video, as well as hold a Water Wednesday on December 14. The girls’ class helped out by creating posters to put all over the walls throughout the school reminding everybody as the day drew closer, and the whole school was encouraged to bring in their loose change, loonies and toonies. At the end of the day, the girls managed to raise over $210 in their first day of fundraising. But it doesn’t end there. Many other activities have been planned including a walkathon and a jumpathon, scheduled for the spring as they are determined to reach their goal of $2000 – which is the cost of one well. “We are asking everybody to do extra chores, save their allowances, anything to help out” quipped all three girls when asked about what their next immediate plans were. “We started this during the month of November, and November’s virtue of the month is Justice, so we thought it was really important that we did something that helped with justice in the world.”
Chantal Rancourt, knew that they were serious about this right at the beginning of the project. “These girls approached me and began right away to discuss a plan – I knew that this was something that they were extremely passionate about.” Rancourt stated. “ I am so proud of their efforts, and their encouragement of others to support this cause. Their actions are truly reflective of the virtue of Justice, and they are now inspiring others to make a difference too. We are all looking forward to seeing what their next steps will be!”
SCDSB Trustees Elect New Chair and Vice Chair
On December 13, 2011 trustees from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board gathered for their Inaugural Board meeting at which time Barry MacDonald and Jody Cameron were acclaimed as Chair and Vice-Chair (respectively). Both Chair MacDonald and Vice-Chair Cameron will serve in their newly elected positions for the 2011-2012 school year. Barry MacDonald represents Zone 6 and is beginning his ninth term as a trustee with Sudbury Catholic previously sitting as Chair and Vice-Chair. In his address to the Board, MacDonald expressed his gratitude to the other trustees. “I am honoured to sit as Chair for a second term, and look forward to working with all of the Sudbury Catholic Trustees. It looks to be a busy year ahead and I am grateful to be working alongside such a wonderful and dedicated group of people – together positively supporting all Sudbury Catholic students.” Jody Cameron, representing Zone 4, has also served several terms as Sudbury Catholic Chair and Vice Chair. Cameron also expressed his thanks to his fellow trustees for their confidence in his abilities. “I am thankful for the support, and am looking forward to working together with the Sudbury Catholic team.”
Marymount Midget Volleyball Teams Go the Distance at Lady Lancer Volleyball Tournament
On Friday, December 9, Marymount Academy entered two separate teams in the Lady Lancer Invitational Midget Tournament hosted by Lasalle Secondary School. The Midget tournament included grade 9 volleyball teams from several of the city’s school boards. Marymount coaches decided to enter their grade 9 volleyball team, as well as their grade 8 team to help them gain experience with highschool volleyball.
At the end of the tournament, both teams came out on top with the Marymount grade 9 team taking first in the tournament, and the Marymount grade 8 team taking the top consolation spot.
St. Anne Students Use Technology To “Envision” More Than Sugarplums
Christmas is a time for sharing and giving. That was very evident when Mrs. Belanger’s Grade 7 English students at St. Anne school in Hanmer shared their laptops and their time with the Grade 3 English students in Mme. Lafrance’s class. In keeping with the holiday spirit, the Grade 7 students within the Sudbury Catholic Board helped their new friends in Grade 3 type out their letter to Santa Claus. The younger children were excited about their thoughts of what they should ask for. The Grade 7 students were not only able to assist in the typing out of the wishes of the Grade 3 children, but while both groups were typing, the Intermediate students were also showing the primary students some of the skills that were needed to use the laptops. Both groups of students really enjoyed working together. Jaida Sabzali worked with her older brother Hunter on her letter. She said, “It was fun to work with my big brother. It was fun using Hunter’s computer and I learned a lot.” Hunter was quoted as saying, “It was fun to help out my little sister. I helped her type out her letter to Santa and I was impressed to watch her type.” The Grade 3 students will be mailing their printed letters to Santa Claus. They will anxiously be awaiting for their return letters from the North Pole.
St. Anne Animal Lovers Interact With Mother Nature’s Wildlife
The English Early Learning Kindergarten Students at St. Anne School have recently announced their love of animals to their community. Soft, furry animals, big-eyed animals, and cute huggable animals. On a recent trip to Science North, the youngest students within the Sudbury Catholic System discovered that not all of Mother Nature’s wildlife have the “cuddly” look about them. The student’s participated in a learning session called “How Animals Move”. During the learning experience, they were introduced to toads, turtles, and snakes.
While recounting some of their own life experiences with these creatures, the children learned that every animal is special, no matter what they look like. Even though some of the students started the program being a little afraid of the small creatures, by the end of the discussions with their “bluecoat”, they had a much better understanding of the bodily makeup and habitat information of all three animals. Practicing the wiggling movement of the snake, the hopping of the toad, and the withdrawal into their pretend turtle shell, the students came to have a greater appreciation for the animals. The St. Anne children finished off their visit by interacting with the creatures. How will this visit influence the young animal lovers? It just strengthens their determination to tell everyone that all animals need to be loved and respected for their roles in the world around us.
St. Charles Christmas Spirit with Canned Foods
Students at St. Charles Elementary Catholic School are already in the Christmas Spirit of Giving. Students collected a total of 3,694 cans and donated them to La Maison d'Amitie/ Friendship House Food Bank. Principal of the school, Sandra St. Denis stated, “I am very proud of all the students – this truly shows the true spirit of giving. I have to give credit to Mme Bouzane’s Gr. 5/6 French Immersion class who organized the event. The students made daily announcements, graphed and displayed the cans as they were brought into the school, boxed the cans and loaded the vehicles for distribution at the food bank”.
Our Lady of Peace and St. Mary Catholic School Partner to Help Out the Less Fortunate
When Mrs. Paul, Catholic Women’s League president called St. Mary School to elicit the school’s support for the Operation Christmas Child Project, St. Mary’s Catholic School Principal and staff said they would be happy to provide support to such a worthwhile project.
“It’s important that young people in our schools feel they are part of the parish community, and the global community at large. There is no better way to reduce poverty than by participating in goodwill projects,” said principal Sherry Bortolotti.
The school has thanked their school secretary Claire Olivier who passionately embraced this idea and ensured there were enough boxes for every student to give one shoe box stacked with toys, soap, socks, books etc. to a child in need. “I fill good knowing that we’ve made Christmas better for a handful of children, that is the true meaning of Christmas,” said Olivier.
Local Co-ordinator for Operation Christmas Child, Karyn Stenbraaten stated, “The key to being a happy person is giving to others.” St. Mary’s children are happily waiting to take on their next goodwill project
Mayor for the Day at St. Mark
Grade 6 student Haley Cornthwaite chaired a mock Council meeting after being granted 8 hour Mayoral powers recently. Her classmates acted as members of the council, eagerly listening to facts surrounding the proposed road closures for the Santa Claus parade. To give them a helping hand, the students heard from Constable Petroski and home inspector. In addition to learning the municipal ropes, the students also had an opportunity to learn of the important work of city home inspector as well as a chance to pose questions to Constable concerning his job as as OPP officer. To cap off the morning, the students of St. Mark school closely inspected an emergency response vehicl as well as the pump truck at the Fire Station.