Parents/Parent Involvement Archives - Page 16 of 17 - Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Chair and Vice-Chair Acclaimed

Posted on December 8, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board from 2008-2009 and 2001 to 2002, and also Vice-Chair from 2002 to 2003 has been acclaimed to the position of Chair of the Board for a second term. “These are both exciting and challenging times to be Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” stated Cameron.

“I would like to thank my fellow trustees for placing their confidence in me for a second term. This new mandate allows us to move forward toward completing many of the new initiatives that are underway such as the implementation of full day kindergarten beginning September 2010 and the creation of the new state-of-the art Catholic elementary school on the St. Benedict site by 2011.”

Barry MacDonald has also been acclaimed as Vice-Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for another term. MacDonald served as Vice-Chair of the Board from 2008 to 2009. He was first elected as Trustee for the Board in December 2003 and has also served as Vice-Chair on a previous occasion for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board from 2004 to 2006.

Mr. MacDonald is looking forward to renewing his position. “I am very grateful to be working with this Board in the capacity of Vice-Chair for another term,” stated MacDonald. “Having been a Trustee for the Board since 2003 and also having served previously as Vice-Chair, I appreciate the fact that this Board never ceases in its attempt to create a better learning environment to improve student achievement,” noted MacDonald. “I look forward to working closely with our Chair, Jody Cameron, my fellow Trustees and Senior Administration to accomplish this goal.”

Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School Breakfast Club Feels Like Family

Posted on December 4, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

On December 4, 2009 parents and community members were invited to join the staff and students to celebrate the success of their school’s breakfast club. It has been up and running since May of last year and has grown in leaps and bounds. Dave Soehner, principal of the school says a lot of the program’s success is because of the staff involvement, most especially Dennis Dechaine, Cathy Boyer and Jen Geddes. All during the breakfast preparation, the serving of the food and the clean up afterwards, these three kid, joke and smile with the students that attend. It is more of a family environment that exists at their breakfast club. “The students from day one were told – wash your hands, sign in, eat your breakfast, and put your plates in the dishwasher” says Mr. Dechaine. And the students do just that – very reminiscent of a family setting around the table. Many of the students volunteer to clean up afterwords as well. Geddes says that they are very grateful to the Breakfast Clubs of Canada as well as the Human League for all of their financial support and donations. Other local companies have also started to donate to this program. Mr. Soehner says that the breakfast club has improved their school culture. “It has provided our students with a greater sense of community and this message is reinforced by the commitment of our teachers who facilitate the program.” Cathy Boyer feels it is a great way for the kids to have some social time before class. “It really provides the students with many opportunities including a chance for them to spend quality time with their teachers as well as their friends.”

Sudbury Catholic Board Implements Full Day Junior Kindergarten Programs in All Schools

Posted on November 27, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

It was a historic moment last evening as Trustees voted in favour of bringing full-day Kindergarten Programs to all of its elementary schools. The full day JK classes will begin next Fall. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is the first English school system in Greater Sudbury to offer full-day junior kindergarten.

The decision comes less than a month after Dr. Charles Pascal released his report on early childhood learning commissioned by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. The report called on the government to introduce full-day JK for four and five-year-olds. The Provincial Government responded by agreeing to phase it in over the next five years.

“Dr. Pascal’s report talked about the economic and social benefits of spending public money on quality early childhood programs,” says Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, “We agree with those findings completely and following the lead of the province, thought it was best for our students and our parents to implement full day junior kindergarten right away. Why wait for something that so clearly will help our children succeed?”

The programming will cost the Board $950,000 from its reserve fund. That cost also includes implementing nineteen Early Learning Program (ELP) classes in seven designated schools beginning September 2010.

“At the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we believe you can’t put a price on the education and futures of our young people,” adds Director Catherine McCullough, “As Dr. Pascal said in his report — this is about more than traditional education — this is about turning schools into places that provide families with opportunities for children’s learning, care, health, culture, arts, and recreation. We agree completely and look forward to welcoming our new students and families into our full-day junior kindergarten programs in September 2010.”

Parents who are interested in registering their children for full-day JK in the Fall can do it now by calling the Board offices at: 673-5620.

For more information on the Early Learning Program please visit http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/early_learning/ONT06_018876.

St. James Catholic School Receives Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Award

Posted on November 25, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is pleased to announce that St. James Catholic School has been presented with the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Award in recognition of the school community’s dedication to student achievement and use of provincial assessment results to improve student learning. EQAO would also like to acknowledge and congratulate St. James Catholic School’s principal, staff and parents for their leadership, positive attitude and sincere efforts in helping every child to succeed. The award was presented to a contingent of St. James parents and staff in Toronto in early November.

St. Andrew Catholic School Council Supports Technology

Posted on November 24, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

St. Andrew Catholic School Council has been working very hard to raise funds to support their school. The parent council has been volunteering their time at bingos to raise money for the students to enhance already existing programs. At their last parent council meeting in June, the council approved the purchase of ten new Mac Books to add to the school’s technology. The school recently received the new Mac Books and Melody Henry, Principal of St. Andrew’s is thrilled with their arrival. “I am so excited for the students.” stated Henry. ” When I see the children working with the Mac’s, they are really engaged and excited!”

Sudbury Catholic Board Proud Partner in Autism of Ontario

Posted on October 30, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

Autism Ontario-Sudbury & District Chapter is thrilled to partner with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Autism Ontario looks forward to sharing office space within St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School to hold weekly office hours, during which time they will be available to meet with members of the community, school staff, individuals and families of individuals on the autism spectrum for support and resource sharing.

Adjacent photo: (L-R): Judi Way, Vice-Principal of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, Christina Raso, Special Education Consultant, Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Rick Grylls, Fundraising and Awareness Lead, Chanda Grylls-Mahaffy, Secretary, Dale Canapini, Treasurer, Heather McFarlane, President, Autism Ontario-Sudbury & District Chapter, (missing from photo, Kelly Joyce, Vice-President)

104,000 Cans of Food Collected by St. Charles College

Posted on October 28, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

St. Charles College wrapped up its food drive by not only surpassing its previous year’s record of 60,000 Cans Plus 2 but by completely “blowing it out of the water” by collecting an unbelievable 104,012 cans.

Patty Mardero, Principal of St. Charles College acknowledged that the success of the food drive was made possible only through the hard work and support from the Sudbury Community. “I would like to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the efforts of many fine people who contributed to the amazing outcome of our school’s food drive,” stated Mardero

Mardero went on to thank the St. Charles College Canned Food Drive Committee, the School’s Student Council, the students and staff of St. Charles College, the St. Charles College Alumni, the Sudbury Business Community and Kelly Toppazzini from Topper’s Pizza who supported the food drive with donations through pizza sales.

Principal Mardero also emphasized the key role played by the Board’s elementary schools and the Board’s partners in education in attaining this goal. “To our feeder schools- St. Paul, St. David, Pius XII, St. Raphael’s and St. John, as well as St. Francis Catholic Schools- for coming on board with us with over 30 000 cans and to helping us surpass our goal, I salute you. Kudos To Bell Alliant and Harris Movers- our community partners and sponsors of this amazing event. To Mayor John Rodriguez-it is good to know that when we need support at St. Charles College we can always count on you! You once again, made it possible to have a transit bus for a week. To Mr. Jerry Portelance and the folks over at Sudbury Transit, for all your help in providing transportation. Thanks to Big Daddy, the morning team- Jim, Carrie-Anne, and Rick Tompkins- for partnering with us for such an important event.

Chief Elsner, on behalf of the students and staff of St. Charles College, it is with great pleasure that I present to you these non-perishable food items, along with a cheque for $10. 000 for the Sudbury Food Bank.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Gets Big Boost from the Community of Killarney

Posted on October 20, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Outdoor Education Centre is one step closer to completion thanks to a huge financial boost from the municipality of Killarney.

The Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor Environmental Education Centre received a cheque from the municipality for the sum of $20,000. Dawn Wemigwans, Vice-Principal of the Centre was thrilled that the municipality was able to contribute to the Centre’s development. “The municipality of Killarney has given us its full support from the very beginning of this project,” stated Wemigwans. From our first original meeting with the town and its community members a year ago, Killarney has been a true partner.” Three staff members of the municipality office presented Wemigwans with the cheque. “This money is a significant sum, and will go toward our next steps in making this centre a truly unique adventure for all that come to experience it.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is once again very thankful to the town of Killarney for continuing to champion the Centre.

Marymount Academy hosts “Breakfast with Parents”

Posted on October 19, 2009August 23, 2018 by admin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s all-girl Grade seven to twelve school, Marymount Academy hosted a “Breakfast with Parents” on October 15, 2009. The school received Ministry funding to support parent involvement at the regional level. Marymount decided to host a breakfast to allow parents to come and meet their children’s teachers and also network with community partners such as the United Way, Cambrian College, the local Health Unit, and the Marymount Catholic School Council. Cassandra MacGregor, Vice-Principal of the school was pleased with the excellent turn out from the school community. “Breakfast with Parents provides parents with the opportunity to see their children in their school setting,” says MacGregor. “Not everyone can attend meetings and other school events in the evening and this is just another way to welcome parents into our school and engage them in their daughters’ education.”

Board staff: Jennifer Connelly Technology Integration Mentor, Dawn Wemigwans Aboriginal Lead, and Joan Yawney, Religious Education and Faith Consultant were on hand to highlight programs offered at Marymount such as the Grade seven and eight One to One Laptop program, Native Language and the Virtues program. Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy was also very happy with the turnout. “It is inspiring and energizing to see hundreds of parents turn out for the breakfast. We are so pleased with the response from our parents and plan to continue to build on this positive relationship,” stated Cullen.

Many parents expressed their wishes for more of these opportunities to start the day off with their daughters’ educators. This event was so successful that the Marymount School Catholic School Council is planning another “Breakfast with Parents” in the spring. The staff at Marymount Academy would like to thank all those who helped make the event such a success as well as all the parents who took the time to attend this special school event.