Topic Archives - Page 140 of 225 - Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Who is Teaching Whom?

Posted on November 7, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

Students and teachers might know each other, they see each other each day in their classrooms. But what happens when a visitor arrives?

Every visitor brings with him something to be offered, something to enrich, something new to be learned. But those lessons will only be learned if they are presented in a way that is interesting and attractive to the audience. Students at St. David Catholic Elementary School had the unique opportunity to share in their learning with a familiar guest to the school. Father Tony Man-Son-Hing from Christ the King Parish, who is a regular guest to St. David, had a chance to interact with the students and, along with the students is also learning how to be comfortable with technology.

Every Wednesday, Father Tony Man-Son-Hing shares breakfast with one of the classes at St. David Catholic School. On Wednesday, November 2, coffee cup in hand, he arrived in Ms. Gran’s grade 4/5 class to share raisin toast and grapes almost the size of clementines. Almost immediately students were willing to engage. They were excited about challenging the priest to “Find Jesus” in the iPad app by the same name. They also wanted to know how well he would do with the “Catholic Quiz”. At level 1, Father Tony scored 10 out 11 questions right and the computer said he was “genius”.

Firing up the smart board, the children then were eager to demonstrate to this newcomer their expertise in naming and locating all the provinces and territories of this vast land. They did well. Much better than the computer did. Somewhere between Saskatchewan and British Columbia there was a crash. Was the computer de-railed or was it challenged? We will never know. Thinking fast, Ms. Gran chose another alternative and thus the students were introduced to Father Tony’s blog (www.aaog.blogspot.com). After a brief tour of the site, the students then helped Father Tony to compose his post — all about his visit to their classroom (http://aaog.blogspot.com/2011/10/technology-in-classroom.html).

Father Tony left the students of Ms. Gran’s class with the message, “ipads and blogs are tools for today to find Jesus, to find faith, to find something to inspire and to feed the heart and soul”.

St. Charles College Student Hoping his Music Goes Viral

Posted on November 4, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

Two years ago, Brandon Langella found his niche. He started high school and when he wasn’t doing school work, he began making music on his home computer. Brandon discovered he had a knack for drumming up beats and writing the lyrics to go along with them. Next week (Nov. 7), the grade 11 student at St. Charles College is unveiling his latest song, “Video Star” in video format on YouTube. The audio file is already available on ITunes, along with two of his previous releases. He collaborated with Toronto artist Dreams Brown for the video and song. Brandon is known as DJ Gella in music circles. He’s also recently joined forces with another Toronto artist named Rebecca Nazz – to form a group called The Futuristics. DJ Gella says his parents have been very supportive of his musical aspirations and for that he plans on giving back to his community. “I want to open a local recording studio in collaboration with my parents to make it easier for people my age to produce music.” His musical prospects have also forced Langella to explore music as a career option after high school. For now, he is focused on AAA hockey and looks forward to hearing himself on one of the local radio stations.

Donovan Area Catholic School and Best Start Hub Work Together to Serve Community’s Needs

Posted on November 3, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

The Best Start Aboriginal Hub and the teachers of St. David Catholic School have partnered to meet the needs of the Junior and Senior Kindergarten students. Eileen Creasely and Nakina Stevens, two HUB employees facilitate monthly hands on lessons based in Aboriginal culture and tradition that are closely linked with the new kindergarten curriculum. Each class is invited to the HUB once a month for a fun, culture based lesson. Many of the lessons include song and dance opportunities as well as the opportunity to new a word in the Ojibwe language.

Lindsay Michel, St. David School Kindergarten teacher states, “this not only benefits all our students, but also benefits the teachers and educational assistants in the school. New learning is good for everyone. As teachers, it is important for us to model to our students that we too are lifelong learners and open to new ideas and the learning of a different culture. This program really helps to build connections between the school and the HUB. The students see us learning together, laughing together and working as a team”.

The school and the HUB plan to continue this program throughout the school year. “We appreciate the support and team building opportunities the HUB offers the school”, states Michel. “We have a lot of fun working together”.

Zoom Zoom Zoom to Zumba

Posted on November 3, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

The primary and junior students at St. Mary recently participated in a Zumba class on October 27th. The class was especially designed for younger children. “The smaller children have to approach the class at a slower pace because their co-ordination skills are just developing,” said instructor Renee Rainville Fong. Primary students were taught how to move their arms and legs to the music as their instructor taught them age – appropriate steps. Parents, teachers and the whole community received more than their usual allotment of Daily Physical Exercise. “Zumba is an excellent workout,” said teachers Becky Waern and Dante Merigioli. A grade 3 student, Rayden Recollect remarked, “Zumba is even harder than playing hockey!” The whole school is eagerly awaiting their next Zumba session.

Buster the Bus Visits St. Francis

Posted on November 3, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

Buster the Bus visited St. Francis to review bus safety rules when travelling on the bus recently. The students were excited to see Buster and review bus rules to keep students safe.

Giving St. James School a BIG Bear Hug

Posted on November 2, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

Students, teachers, parents, school staff, clergy and educational partners held hands together to literally form a “human circle” and gave St. James School a BIG Bear Hug on October 26, 2011. Forming a circle by holding hands recognized that everyone makes a difference and plays an important role in the education of the St James students.
Prior to going outside to form a circle, Bishop Noel Simard addressed the students and explained how hugs are a sign of welcoming and acceptance of everyone.
This simple hug created such a positive synergy and was a visible sign of the fondness for St. James School. Giving St. James a BIG Bear hug was a special and memorable moment and as one Grade 8 student summed it up “This is the coolest thing we ever did at school”.

Sudbury Catholic Student Helping Others to “See the Ability”

Posted on November 2, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

It all started with a photo submission for a calendar. Little did Lisa Wright know that this one simple act would have her daughter Holly’s smiling face on 700 billboards across the country. Holly is a twelve year old girl who attends Pius XII Catholic Secondary School, and who happens to have Down syndrome.
Each year, Lisa liked to submit a photo of Holly to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society for their yearly calendar publication. A photo taken by her brother-in-law the previous summer depicted Holly kayaking at their camp on Fairbank Lake. Holly had just learned to kayak and the photo was captured on her very first attempt. Lisa describes Holly as very much like girls her age – loves music, movies, all of today’s “pop stars” and young actors. Holly also enjoys numerous activities – especially the ones that have to do with water. After seeing Holly’s love of the water in the kayak, captured in the picture, Lisa knew that this was the one she wanted to submit. “Shocked” is the word Lisa used when she received the phone call from the Down Syndrome Association saying not only was she selected, Holly was going to be the poster girl for their national campaign – involving a full page ad in the Globe and Mail, as well a the hundreds of billboards across Canada. “We are so proud of Holly and also quite excited – she is quite the gal,” Wright said. “She is certainly more alike children her age than she is different, and that is the message we need to get out to the public. People are encouraged to ‘see the ability’”. When asked about how she felt about all of the attention and seeing herself in the ads, Holly smiled and said that it makes her happy and makes her smile more.

Lisa takes part in the Canadian Down Syndrome Buddy Walk each year, and, as it is Down syndrome Awareness week November 1-7, the Buddy Walk will be taking place on Sunday, November 6, beginning at 11:00 at Lockerby Composite School. The walk is to raise awareness of the capabilities of people with Down Syndrome. All are encouraged to attend!

St. Charles Elementary Staff Participate in “Take Our Kids to Work” Program

Posted on November 2, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

St. Charles Elementary Catholic School opened their door for students participating in ‘Take Our Kids to Work’ program. This program provides an opportunity for Grade 9 students to develop an appreciation for the importance of staying in school, begin career discussions with adults about the work they do, and to gain a better understanding of the complexity of career choices and the benefits of early education’ states Sandra St.Denis, principal at St. Charles Elementary. While job shadowing, the Gr.9 students were able to participate in Aboriginal Medicine Wheel and Grandfather teaching presented by Elder, Vince Pawis.

Parents Honoured at Annual Commissioning Celebration

Posted on November 1, 2011August 23, 2018 by admin

Once again, parents, principals, vice-principals, teachers and other Sudbury Catholic staff gathered together as a Catholic community to take part in the annual Regional Catholic Parent Involvement Commissioning celebration. On October 25, 2011, the group gathered for a short prayer service, and each school was presented with a poster – with an anti-bullying message – comprised of thousands of pictures of Sudbury Catholic students, to take back to their schools. After the presentation of the poster, the parent council members were blessed and the entire group gathered for some refreshments and comradery. “It is such a lovely evening for staff and parents to come together,” stated Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for Sudbury Catholic. “We are so blessed to have such wonderful and involved parents. Parent involvement is so key in the success of our students and, recognizing this, we feel very strongly that we must honour them, and their important role in student learning.”