Local newspaper Walden Today held a writing contest for their students about helping the environment. St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently notified that four of their students were winners in the contest. In Gr. 2 Lucas Mullaly took First Prize, Gr. 4 Jackson Drigo took Third Prize, Gr. 6 Claire Niemelainen took Second Prize and Patricia Deschenes took Third Prize. The students will attend a formal celebration at Tom Davies Arena to receive their prizes. Congratulations Bears!
Category: Topic
Students Teaching Students About Bullying
Talking to or at students doesn’t always get an important message across to kids or teenagers. That’s why students in the senior Leadership class at St. Charles College were in charge of this year’s grade 9 anti-bullying retreat.
Grade 11 student Owen Krystia created a 40 minute highlight video featuring popular You Tube videos including Amanda Todd and Emily Osment who experienced cyber bullying.
The students then reported to their second class of the day and discussed a series of value statements with the leadership students to generate discussion and debate relating to issues such as social media and bullying.
Teacher Beverley Belanger who teaches the Leadership class says “the students teaching students approach works because kids can relate better to each other and feel more comfortable when opening up especially with such a sensitive topic like bullying. Just allowing the kids to watch this video is eye opening – there was not a dry eye in the house and no one needed reminders to be quiet.”
Grade 9 students were also encouraged to sign an anti-bullying banner and to think twice the next time they find themselves in a situation where they have the choice to “stamp out bullying”.
A Needle in a Haystack
On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, St Paul witnessed a true expression of joy and family togetherness! Charli, a grade 2 student, came into the school after recess with a flood of tears…she had just lost a tooth somewhere in the school yard that had come out earlier in the day. However, this was not just any tooth, it was her First lost tooth!! Despite the incredible odds againstt finding the little tooth – like finding a needle in a haystack – teacher Tammy O’Shaughnessy’s Grade 7/8 French Immersion class set out with Charli back to the school yard in search of the prize. Sure enough, the tooth was found, and a great big smile back on Charli’s face….less one tooth of course!! Great job Panthers!!!
Shadow Day at Pius XII
Brodie Dionne, a student at Pius XII from the Care and Development class was thrilled to have Isaac Oliveira, Grade 9 Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School in his class on Nov. 6th for Shadow Day. Isaac shadowed his mom, Nancy Oliviera (Educational Assistant) for the day. Nancy states ‘I really do appreciate the opportunity to allow my son to shadow me at work. This allows me to share how interesting and exciting my day is working with these unique and special children”. During Shadow Day, Isaac was learning from Brodie how he communicates with his teacher, educational assistants and friends using his communication board. Isaac states “I loved working with the students and really enjoyed their great sense of humour. I had a great day at Pius XII and I hope to come back soon”.
St. David School Welcomes Bully Prevention Week in Partnership with a Message from Greater Sudbury Police Services
On Monday November 18, all schools throughout Ontario are celebrating the start of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. This is a week to help promote safe schools and positive learning environments. During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, students, school staff and parents are all encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
St. David Catholic School and the Greater Sudbury Police Services used the launch of this week to introduce students to the “THINK” bracelet. Special Constable Denise Fraser visits the students of St. David School on a weekly basis. Together with Greater Sudbury Police Services, St. David Catholic School has implemented a crime prevention and safety program to better support its students and their families. This program helps develop positive relationships between children and police, as well as provides access for students to reliable, accurate information about the law and how it protects them.
Through this program, Mrs. Fraser provides guidance and direction to students, parents and teachers as well as provides opportunities for students to form a better understanding of the role of a police officer in the community. The police liaison program’s topics include: bullying awareness and prevention, street safety, drug and alcohol education, internet safety, cyber crime and law awareness.
This week, the THINK program was introduced. The THINK program is a program sponsored by the Greater Sudbury Police Service. Each student was give a bracelet with the word “THINK” on it.
According to Mrs. Fraser, “we want children to THINK when they are addressing someone or talking to someone about someone. The first letter is T which stands for true. Truth is very important. If what a student is saying is not true and based on gossip it is not worth saying in the first place.
The next letter is H. H stands for hurtful. We are stressing to all students that they need to ensure their words are not hurtful to others. Calling someone names or gossiping about them hurts their feelings. I stands for illegal. Be aware of your actions. Words can be spoken verbally or electronically. On Facebook, twitter or in a text it is it illegal to threaten someone. Ask yourself, is what I am saying illegal? Is it defamation?
The N stands for is it really necessary. Life is too short. We should spend our precious seconds during the day doing things that bring joy and happiness to ourselves and others. Finally, K stands for kindness. Let’s start being kind to each other so that we can erase the bullying that exists in our schools.”
The students of St. David Catholic Elementary School embraced Mrs. Fraser’s message and proudly wore their THINK bracelets throughout the day. They hope all schools embrace Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week and start to live by the THINK bracelet motto.
St. Francis Stands Up to Bullying
The St. Francis School community kicked off Bullying Awareness Week with a prayer service and school-wide pledge to “Stand Up to Bullying”.
On November 18th, students, staff, and parents wore blue as a sign of peace and safety. Sunglasses and logos stating “Bullying Gives Us the BLUES” were worn with pride.
Learning Bus Safety at St. Charles Elementary
Recently students had a special guest at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School! Buster the Bus came to see the students in FDK to grade 3 to talk about bus safety. Pictured, Ryan Cooney and Buster are practicing how to cross the street safely.
St. Benedict Photography Club Out and About
On a chilly Monday morning, the St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School Photography club headed out to shoot some pictures in the local neighbourhoods. Teacher Angela Hodgins and chaplain Rob Pappin led the students on a walk about the Mallard’s landing area and captured many stunning images of the beauty of an Autumn morning. The photography club is a newer club in the school and students and staff are excited to display some of their work. They also work closely with the year book club to capture the various sports and other activities that are happening at the school. The club is open to all students and new members are always welcome.
Kangoo and Boot Camp At Marymount
On Thursday, November 14th the Gr. 11 Fitness class at Marymount participated in a boot camp and kangoo session with Clint and Lisa from Bodyworks Studio. This is the third time that Bodyworks Studio has visited Marymount and the fitness sessions are becoming more and more popular. With random spectators popping out of nowhere, the galleries and cafeteria filled throughout the period to see what this kangoo was all about. The students in the Gr. 11 Fitness class demonstrated that it’s all about cardio, strength, and endurance……not to mention FUN!!!! Most popular question at the end of class – “whoa….k seriously, when are we doing that again???”