On March 20, all Sudbury Catholic Schools took part in Franco-Fun Day activities. Franco-Fun day is a day dedicated to celebrating French language and culture. Whether it be French Immersion or core French students, each school set up a variety of activities to honour French language for all the classes. Staff put a great deal of time and effort into planning the events, and the students had an outstanding time learning new words and taking part in all of the activities, some of which included French concerts, cooking French foods, French-themed playdays, and sport activities instructed in French, etc. Lianne Perreault Raymond, a curriculum consultant for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board who was responsible for the coordination of the Franco-Fun Day activities, was thrilled with the efforts made by all the schools to embrace French culture and language on Franco-Fun day. “What an outstanding effort by our schools and staff,” Perreault-Raymond stated. “They have really outdone themselves, as they do every year, by making this year’s Franco-Fun day truly a day that honours and celebrates the Francophone culture in our community. From cooking crepes to singing French songs, I am very proud of everyone’s contribution to making this year’s Franco-fun day such a success!”
Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the board echoed Perreault-Raymond’s comments. “Our staff has once again done an outstanding job for our students through their Franco-Fun day activities and celebrations. We recognize the importance of supporting French language skills, and know that our Board’s French Immersion programming is such a success because it is supported throughout our system.”
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St. James Celebrates Franco-Fun Day
March 20th was International Francophone Day and to celebrate the occasion, St. James Catholic Elementary School students dressed in green and white. This day is a celebration of French language in all countries. Some students participated in an activity called “New Age Kurling”, others sang French songs and participated in French DPA (daily physical activity). Teachers organized various classroom activities including colouring the fancophone flag and making crowns.
“Le 20 mars * marque comme chaque année la Journée internationale de la Francophonie. L’occasion pour les francophones de fêter leur bien commun, la langue française, mais aussi d’exprimer leur solidarité et leur désir de vivre ensemble au travers de centaines d’événements organisés dans le monde entier.” www.francophonie.org
ABC’s in the Classroom at Sudbury Catholic Schools
Since May of 2012, Joel Agowissa, the Aboriginal Support Worker for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been sharing his knowledge of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit cultures with students and staff throughout the board. His programs have been developed to support both the primary learners – Kindergarten to grade 1, and the junior students – grade 2 to grade 5. Agowissa’s ABC program, delivered to primary students, is based on the Aboriginal Biinoojig Centre (ABC) programming. ABC gives the primary students the opportunity to begin their Catholic education with a clear understanding of the foundation of aboriginal cultures.
Since September 2012, Agowissa has visited 12 of the Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools, with the remainder of the board’s schools scheduled for visits until the end of June 2013. The programming is delivered to all students in the classroom setting and allows for hands-on, visual and interactive learning opportunities. According to Agowissa, “Connecting with students at this age sets the foundation for accurate cultural appreciation, building self-confidence and awareness, and replacing stereotypes with knowledge.”
Nicole Snow, SCDSB Superintendent and Aboriginal Lead states “We are proud to introduce aboriginal culture during the formative years, and recognize the importance of enhancing our programs and implementing and developing new initiatives to support aboriginal student achievement.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has recently re-launched the “Who Are You” voluntary self-identification campaign for aboriginal students. According to Snow, ”This is part of a larger, long-term initiative to improve the understanding of aboriginal histories, cultures, and perspectives, by all members of our school communities.”
St. James Celebrates Their 2nd Annual Family, Fun, Faith Night
St. James Catholic Elementary School students, staff and school council collaborated with Pius X Roman Catholic Church on February 27th to bring the community another fun filled faith-based evening. The evening offered several faith-based activities such as: pin the halo on the angel, virtue bowling and the very popular “inclusion Bingo”. Inclusion Bingo was created by the schools C3 council (Catholic, Community and Culture). Each space in the Bingo card contains a faith based word such as “family, God, helping, caring, compassion, etc…” Prizes were graciously donated by various community partners. Families were greeted by Father Terry Fournier and Deacon Pat Raymond.
Francais! Francais! at St. Bernadette
Francais! Francais! The students at St. Bernadette Catholic School welcomed French singer/songwriter Roland Bibeau Tuesday, March 19th to celebrate the International Francophone day. Mr. Bibeau performed a concert for the french immersion school that had the students putting on a fashion show, playing their air guitars and enjoying an explosion of confetti. “The students had a wonderful time dancing and singing along with the French music. What a great way for our students to celebrate being Franco-Ontarians!” said Diana Salvador, principal.
Gearing Up for Franco-Fun Day at St. Anne Catholic School
St. Anne Catholic School is proud to announce that one of their students, Kyle Denis was selected as this year’s Sudbury Catholic District School Board Intermediate student Franco Fun Day button contest winner.
The Core French student took part in this contest in preparation for our 3rd annual Franco Fun Day. “I was very proud to see the students so motivated and put so much effort into designing potential button templates for this day. Many of them really wanted to win this contest,” said Liane Dutrisac, Core French teacher at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. Kyle’s button has now been sent out for printing. “I think it’s really cool that many students in our school board will be wearing a button that I designed for this day,” says Kyle Denis, a grade 7 student. Franco Fun Day, scheduled for March 20, 2013, is a day when our school gathers to celebrate Canada’s other official language and French culture in our school community.
St. James School Is Giving Away Their Pennies
Students from St. James Catholic Elementary School in Lively collected pennies over the month of February to save children’s lives in our community. In collaboration with Todd Connors from Perkins Restaurants Ontario and the St. James C3 council (Catholic, Community and Culture), students filled 2 large water jugs with pennies. Each jug weighed over 100 pounds. “Pennies for Pediatrics is a fundraising drive to benefit children’s care at Health Sciences North. The goal of the six-month campaign is to raise at least $100,000.”
Riley’s Request
Riley Callander, a grade 6 student at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Elementary School came up with a great idea. He suggested that the school designate Thursday, March 7th as Hat Day. Each student that wore a hat gave a donation to the Maison Vale Hospice. Riley was thrilled to learn that $300 was raised. A huge, heart-felt thank you goes out to Riley and to the wonderful students and staff at St. Paul the Apostle School. Riley visited the hospice on Saturday, March 9th to deliver the donation.
Future Angels Visit St. Anne Catholic School
Recently, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board hosted a variety of JK Registration Nights, including one at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Hanmer. The Open House was a resounding success, allowing future students and parents to explore what the ELKP (Early Learning Kindergarten Program) at St. Anne Catholic School has to offer. The school was bubbling with little ones excited to explore their surroundings. “It is fun! I want to come back again,” said Gillis O’Daiskey, future student of St. Anne Catholic School. “My new teacher is nice,” said Charlie Caissie.
The parents were very impressed with the classrooms, activities, and layout of the school. They were equally impressed with the amount of staff and teachers who were there to welcome and interact with the future students. “Seeing all of the teachers present to answer questions was outstanding,” said one parent visiting the school.
St. Anne Catholic School offers the full-day kindergarten program in both English and French Immersion. The school also offers plenty of opportunities for students to be exposed to technology including iPads, Apple TV, and MacBooks.