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.”
Category: Parents/Parent Involvement
Robots, Princesses, and Vampires – Oh My!
The entire student body at St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School gathered in the gym on October 31 to take part in the school’s halloween parade. All of the gym walls were lined with parents holding cameras – ready to snap photos and take video. As part of their annual halloween celebration, parents were invited to participate in the festivities and celebrate the spookiest of holidays with their children. Each class had the opportunity to show off their costumes, as well as their dance moves as they took turns strolling around the gym and moving to the music. Some of the classes also recited poems and performed plays for the audience – all having to do with Halloween. Principal Enzo Del Riccio grinned with delight as they students began their parade for the parents. “As always, holidays are a great opportunity to have parents visit the school,” Del Riccio stated. “Halloween is certainly no exception – we love having parents take part in our celebrations and it brings much joy to both the student and the parents.”
Fun Had By All Ages
St. David School celebrated Halloween this year by hosting a school wide halloween parade. This year, teachers, educational assistants and even lunchroom monitors got into the spirit. The school also shared messages about halloween safety and precautions students and their families should take to ensure all children enjoy a fun-filled evening of trick or treating.
An Evening of Learning and Sharing with Parents
Schools under the jurisdiction of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board exist primarily to assist parents in developing to the fullest the academic, the intellectual, spiritual, physical, cultural and moral growth of their children. The aims of education for exceptional pupils at Sudbury Catholic are essentially the same as those for all other students – to develop completely their individual talents as members of society and as unique and responsible Christian persons, and to provide them with the opportunities to grow in Faith and in an understanding of the nature and purpose of life.
On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, parents and community partners were invited to take part in an evening of learning and sharing with parents, to inform and discuss the needs of all learners and to get a better understanding of the different strategies and technologies used to assist students in their learning. “This evening was inspired by what the schools are doing,” Rossella Bagnato, Superintendent of School Effectiveness stated. “At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we believe in open and honest transparency, and we want our parents to know exactly how our board team works with their children and help them better understand how we can positively support them.”
On hand throughout the night were several speakers from this team including Christina Raso, Special Education Consultant for the Board, Jennifer Connelly, Assistive Technology Teacher, and Catia Temelini, one of the Board's Communicative Disorders Assistants. Each speaker explained their role to the parents and described how their role assists the students in the classroom and school communities. Rossella Bagnato also addressed the group and defined for them their two main goals. “The first is to build relationships and develop the capacity of parents to help their children and achieve their goals.” The second goal, Bagnato explained, is that the Board is embracing the strategy implemented by our schools to increase parent understanding of our programs, services and procedures. “Whether our students, have learning disabilities, physical disabilities or other learning challenges, the special education staff at Sudbury Catholic strives to provide the maximum growth and development opportunities for every pupil including the exceptional.”
The team also took some time to model much of the assistive technology for the parents so that they could see what tools are being used, how they are being used, and to ask any questions they may have to better support their child. Resource material was available for the parents to review, discuss and take home after the session so that the parents could learn even more about the supports for the special education needs of their children. For more information about special education at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, call 673-5620, or visit the Board’s website at [ http://www.sudburycatholicschools.c ]www.sudburycatholicschools.ca
October 26 – An Evening of Learning and Sharing for Parents/Guardians
The special education team at Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to invite ALL parents/guardians to take part in our first board wide parent information night on Wednesday Oct 26, 2011. The evening takes place at 7pm at the Catholic Education Centre (165 D’Youville St).
Parents are invited to attend to hear from Christina Raso (Special Education Consultant) about IPRCs, Jennifer Connelly (Assistive Technology Teacher) about how technology is helping to assist students and Catia Temelini (Communicative Disorders Assistant) concerning oral language and our early screening process.
For more information please contact Jennifer Connelly at 705 673 5620 ext 230.
MMA Hosts Third Annual Parent Breakfast
Once again the gymnasium was packed as Marymount Academy hosted its third annual Parent Breakfast on October 25, 2011. From 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. students and parents/guardians had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast, meet staff, and learn more about the numerous programming, athletic, and extra-curricular activities and initiatives. The breakfast was put on by the school’s parent council and staff, and allowed parents to meet some of their daughters’ teachers, as well as talk to some of the students who are involved in school programs such as Student Council, Girls Athletic Association, and Marymount Catholic Charities Council. “It is a great, informal setting for parents to have their first meet and greet with staff and other parents,” stated Lucie Cullen, school principal. “Having it first thing in the morning, it allows for much more participation with parents – they can come in before they start their work day, and share breakfast with their daughter, as well as the rest of the Marymount school community.”
St. James Parents Creating Hopes and Dreams
Parents at St. James Catholic School have the opportunity to write good luck wishes and messages to their child(ren) on the “Wall of Fame”. Located in the front foyer of the school the “Wall of Fame” reflects the Sudbury Catholic Board’s vision “Sudbury Catholic Schools…Creating hopes and dreams through excellence.” Parents can express in writing their personal hopes and dreams for their own children for this school year.
Local School Embraces Healthy Foods Program
St. David Catholic School has embraced the Healthy Food guidelines in the school and has taken the program one step further. To encourage parent engagement as well as build a deeper understanding of the principles behind the program, the school tried a new approach when planning their annual September open house. Parents and family members were invited to the school’s open house by the children themselves. The children prepared healthy, “good tasting” after school snacks for their parents and family members. Parents and community members had the opportunity to not only meet new teachers and see their children’s classrooms, but also were able to taste delicious healthy snacks prepared by their own children. “The after school event was a total success”, declared grade 2/3 teacher and Dearness Conservation representative, Terri Lynn Lepage. “Through this activity, we were able to show students how healthy eating can be very simple and easy to do. During the open house, our students were proud of their snacks and were the ones sharing that same message with their parents”. Principal, Dawn Wemigwans, said, “The event, from beginning to end, was very fun, extremely educational, provided a wonderful opportunity for our students and teachers to participate in hands on learning — and was a great ice breaker with parents, family members and community partners”.
St. Benedict Holds Upcoming Open House
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School invites prospective grade 8 students and their families to attend an Information Evening Tuesday, Feb. 15th beginning at 7:00 pm.
Students exemplify many of the programs offered at St. Benedict. The school is promoting their “Getting Connected” program encouraging academic use of wireless technology, Specialist High Skills Major in Environmental Science, competitive extra-curricular sports, French immersion, and Native Studies, as well as students participating in numerous Dual Credits programs at Cambrian College and Laurentian University. For additional
information visit [ http://www.benedict.c ]www.benedict.ca or contact (705) 523-9235.