Sudbury Catholic District School Board Supports HEADSTRONG: Youth Mental Health Summit

Posted on October 13, 2023October 13, 2023 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to join students from Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island for HEADSTRONG, an evidence-based anti-stigma initiative that inspires students to Be Brave, Reach Out and Speak Up about mental health. The summit will occur on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Cambrian College.

This day-long conference will bring together approximately 140 Secondary students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, and Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario.

Spearheaded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the HEADSTRONG movement educates youth ages 12 to 18 to recognize the signs of mental health problems and to help reduce the associated stigma.

“Mental health and well-being is a priority for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” says Director of Education, Joanne Bénard. “Working with our co-terminous boards to host HEADSTRONG further supports our ongoing commitment to nurture students by fostering their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Through this experience, HEADSTRONG will provide summit attendees with the essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to confront mental health stigmas respectfully and promote mental health and wellness within their school and surrounding community. We want to thank the support of our sponsors, including Cambrian College, Lions Club, Future North, and the Greater Sudbury Police Services, who have charitably contributed to the success of this upcoming event.”

At the summit, students will have the unique opportunity to listen to speakers with lived experiences, engage in stigma-busting activities, gain insights into available community services, and devise action plans to implement positive change upon returning to their respective schools.

“The Board recognizes the importance of erasing stigmas and cultivating a culture of hope. Though this is a one-day conference, the learning it will provide is meaningful for years to come.” Say’s Tasha Breau, a registered Psychotherapist at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and lead organizer of this year’s HEADSTONG summit. “We are thrilled to see how this year’s summit will educate our students, strengthen our communities, and transform how we can further support mental health and wellness in our schools.”

HEADSTRONG Summit Agenda

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Cambrian College

8:30 am to 9:00 am	Registration
9:00 am to 9:30 am	Introduction/Welcome
9:30 am to 9:55 am	Keynote Address: Gabe Parent
9:55 am to 10:10 am	Break
10:10 am to 10:35 am	Keynote Address: Katlyn Kotila
10:40 am to 11:10 am	Breakout Room Activities
11:15 pm to 12:15 pmNote: Best time for media interviews	Lunch/Resource Fair
12:15 pm to 12:45 pm	Prize Draw/Speaker Panel Introductions
12:45 pm to 1:45 pm	Panel discussion with guest speakers
2:00 pm to 2:25 pm	Action planning breakout activity
2:30 pm to 2:45 pm	Youth Presentations
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm	Wrap-up

About Keynote Speakers:

The first keynote address will be delivered by Gabe Parent. Gabe is a passionate mental health advocate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Gabe’s career journey has included roles as a Youth net/Reseau Ado facilitator and as a healthcare worker, providing care to seniors and youth. Gabe identifies as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and works to be proactively inclusive of all individuals. In addition to empowering youth to follow their dreams, Gabe believes in the value of well-being for all, from the youngest to the oldest members of the community.

Students will also hear from Katlyn Kotila, a passionate public speaker and community leader from Sudbury, Ontario. She is the Co-Founder of the Northern Ontario Pride Connection, a non-profit organization aimed at supporting and empowering the 2SLGBTQ+ community across northern Ontario. At the age of 14, she lost a close friend to death by suicide, a moment that would go on to change her life forever. Since then, she has spent her career advocating for improved mental health services and speaking to audiences across North America about her experiences as a suicide-loss survivor.

HEADSTRONG – Save the Date Poster

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Welcomes 25 International Students for the 2023-2024 School Year

Posted on October 10, 2023October 10, 2023 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is thrilled to announce that 25 international students have joined the Board’s International Education program for the 2023-2024 academic year.

These students have come to Sudbury from China, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sudbury Catholic remains committed to providing our new students with a rich and authentic Canadian experience, fostering English language proficiency, and preparing them for success within our inclusive, compassionate, and innovative Catholic learning environment.

Currently, The Board’s international students are enrolled in the following schools:

Holy Cross: 1 Student
St. David: 4 Students
St. Benedict C.S.S: 11 Students
St. Charles College: 4 Students
Marymount Academy: 5 Students

International students and their host families were treated to a barbecue event held on September 28, 2023, at Marymount Academy to celebrate their arrival and extend a warm Sudbury welcome.

Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education expressed his enthusiasm at this event, emphasizing, “Our Board is excited and proud to welcome 25 extraordinary students from nine different countries into our school communities. Together with our staff and host families, we eagerly anticipate the connections we’ll forge with these students as they enhance their English proficiency, establish enduring friendships, and discover the rich tapestry of experiences Sudbury offers.”

Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, also shared his excitement, saying, “We are delighted to welcome students to the International Education program. Our program continues to expand as more schools across the Board welcome students into their communities. The Board of Trustees is honoured to support a program that embraces diversity, fosters connectivity, and promotes inclusion.”

The program’s success relies heavily on the generosity and support of local families who open their homes to international students. The Board is always eager to welcome more families to join the growing host family community at MLI Homestay. Interested families can contact Devon Crossgrove at dcrossgrove@mlihomestay.com or 705.507.8052.

International Teachers’ Day

Posted on October 5, 2023October 5, 2023 by Erin Kendall

Today is International Teachers’ Day, a day dedicated to honouring the valuable contributions of educators worldwide.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is very pleased to take this opportunity to recognize our teachers. Their unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and to inspiring our students is exemplary. Their daily actions, which display their hard work, passion and leadership, inspire and empower our students to achieve their full potential in mind, body and spirit.

To all our teachers, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to creating the conditions for student success. Happy International Teachers’ Day! May it be a day filled with well-deserved appreciation for the remarkable and important work that you do.

International Heritage and Language Classes

Posted on October 3, 2023October 27, 2023 by Erin Kendall

International Heritage & Language Classes are back at St. Albert Learning Centre!

These programs are designed for children in Kindergarten to Grade 8 and provide the opportunity to speak, listen, write and read any international language, while learning about the culture and heritage associated with the language. This year, St. Albert is offering Italian, Yoruba, and Igbo. Register now!

Italian Registration

Yoruba Registration

Igbo Registration

Details at a Glance:

When: Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Where: St. Albert Learning Centre
Cost: $25 activity fee per student for the entire academic year

QUESTIONS?

Contact Christina Raso at 705-673-3031 for questions and inquiries about International Heritage and Language Classes.

National Custodial Appreciation Day!

Posted on October 2, 2023October 5, 2023 by Erin Kendall

October 2nd is National Custodial Appreciation Day! This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and appreciate every member of our dedicated custodial team, including our custodians, assistant custodians, cleaners, BSTs, and maintenance staff. Their exceptional efforts and hard work are a vital part of our daily lives, ensuring that our schools and Board office buildings are clean and well-maintained throughout the entire year.

Their commitment goes beyond cleanliness; it extends to helping create an inviting environment for our community and contributes significantly to the health and safety of all students and staff.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and outstanding service. We are very fortunate to have you on the team.

Thank you for all that you do!

St. David School Students Take the Lead in School Beautification Efforts

Posted on September 14, 2023September 14, 2023 by Erin Kendall

St. David School is proud to announce that a group of dedicated students has stepped up to lead the School Beautification Committee, embarking on a mission to enhance the school’s environment and foster a culture of responsibility and care.

Since the start of school, young leaders have been volunteering during their lunchtime recesses to make a positive impact on their school community. Together in an inspiring display of commitment and initiative, these students have worked tirelessly to keep their school grounds clean and beautiful. Their efforts include picking up litter and debris around the school premises, as well as taking on the task of weeding and maintaining one of the school gardens.

St. David School’s administration and staff are immensely proud of these exceptional student leaders who are demonstrating their dedication to making a positive change within their school community. Their enthusiasm and selflessness serve as an example to their peers and a testament to the school’s values. Their daily efforts will help demonstrate the power of youth engagement and the potential for positive change when a group of dedicated individuals comes together to unite for a common cause.

“The students involved in the School Beautification Committee have adopted the motto, “Be the Change You Want to See,” and are truly living it out,” say’s Dawn-Marie Wemigwans, Principal of St. David Catholic Elementary School. “Their commitment to creating a cleaner, more vibrant school environment exemplifies the spirit of leadership and community engagement that St. David School aims to cultivate in all its students.”

St. David School encourages other students, parents, and community members to join in supporting these young leaders in their beautification efforts. Together, they hope to ensure that their school remains a welcoming and inspiring place for generations to come.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s mission is to realize each student’s potential within an inclusive Catholic Learning Community by nurturing and developing students through mind, body, and spirit. For more info on Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca

Local Students in PEACE Program Launch the School Year with Creativity and Teamwork

Posted on September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 by Erin Kendall

In an exciting start to the school year, students in the PEACE program at St. Albert wasted no time in igniting their passion for learning and growth.

Their adventure began with a much-anticipated Marshmallow Challenge, a test of creativity and teamwork. With smiles on their faces and determination in their hearts, these students showed that they were ready to rise to the occasion.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and a strong sense of camaraderie as these young minds unleashed their creativity. The Marshmallow Challenge is just the beginning of their remarkable journey through the school year.

“The entire community can’t wait to witness the incredible achievements that lie ahead for these talented individuals. The first day of school in 2023 marks the beginning of an extraordinary chapter, and we are excited to be a part of their journey.” Say’s Christina Raso, Principal of St. Albert Adult Learning Centre.

Building a Strong Foundation: Appreciating Sudbury Catholic’s Custodial and Maintenance Team

Posted on July 7, 2023July 7, 2023 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who joined us for our CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) BBQ on Friday, June 30th, 2023!

On this special occasion, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to both celebrate and honour our exceptional custodial and maintenance team members. Your hard work and dedication to always keeping our schools and Board office buildings clean, safe, and well-maintained throughout the school year is truly appreciated and recognized by our entire community. Because of you, we can create welcoming environments and preserve the health and safety of all students and staff at Sudbury Catholic Schools.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we sincerely thank you for everything you do and hope we can make this an annual tradition for years to come!

Walking for Wellness: Sudbury Catholic District School Board Celebrates 2023 Walking Challenge Results!

Posted on July 6, 2023July 6, 2023 by Erin Kendall

During the month of May, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board eagerly embarked on our highly anticipated annual staff walking challenge.

The Board is proud to announce that the collective steps taken by the challenge participants reached an astounding 42,777,283 steps covering an impressive distance of approximately 34,221 kilometres. To put this achievement into perspective, it’s equivalent to journeying from Sudbury, Ontario all the way to Sydney, Australia, and then back to Goodnews Bay, Alaska—a true testament to the dedication of our 2023 competitors.

To commemorate the end of this challenge, St. Charles College hosted the Board’s first Walking Challenge gathering, serving as a venue for celebration and recognition. Among the highlights of the event was the announcement of the winning teams.

In third place, we crowned the extraordinary IT Factor team, comprising of Pat Hauser, Dyan Pyott, Dan Crepeault, and Dave Hempel. Securing second place was the formidable Bluestreaks team comprising of Janet Shannon, Melanie Johncox, Victoria Sleeman, and Jennifer Benoit. And finally, the first-place position went to the remarkable Holy Walkamolies, made up of Pat Shewring, Andria Field, Lynn Massimiliano, and Andrea Jebreen.

Special thanks is extended to all of our participants!

To help make this celebration extra special, students in the Construction and Design Technology class at St. Charles College contributed their creativity and craftsmanship by crafting trophies for the winning teams. Not only will these trophies serve as a symbol of recognition for the current accomplishment, but they will also be utilized in future challenges, carrying the spirit of excellence forward for years to come. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to St. Charles College, Christopher Kohut (the Construction and Design Technology Teacher), and all the participating students for their invaluable efforts in crafting these prestigious awards.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Wellness Committee congratulates the winning teams for their achievement in this year’s Walking Challenge. We also want to extend our deep appreciation and thanks to all the participants who dedicated their time and effort to take part in this challenge. Your determination and commitment continue to grow each year and we commend each and every one of you for joining us on this journey. We hope this experience will inspire our staff to continue incorporating walking into their daily routines and participate in future challenges at our Board!

Sudbury Catholic Schools – Stronger Together!

Third Place IT