Students from St. Joseph and St. David’s Catholic Elementary Schools joined together for the day at St. David’s schools to build links between the two communities. The students’ teachers, Irene Dembek from St. Joseph and Christina Kilby from St. David’s brought their classes together as part of their multi-school project to build knowledge and understanding of the history and traditions found in Aboriginal culture. It is their hope that their project would begin building supportive relationships for Aboriginal students and illicit parent involvement in order to assist students in their embracing of their cultural background. Will Morin, a local artist and story teller was invited in to the school to share his stories and his expertise in Aboriginal culture with both the Aboriginal students as well as the general student population.
Category: Parents/Parent Involvement
Sudbury Catholic Board Decides to Build Holy Cross Catholic School, JK to Grade 6
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board unanimously voted to make its newest high-tech green school a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school. The Board’s Trustees made the decision at the December 15, 2009 Board meeting.
The trustees decided the new Holy Cross Catholic School in Sudbury’s south end would be a separate Dual Track JK to Grade 6 School, located near St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The new school will also include an early-learning daycare facility and a 4,000 square foot gymnasium.
“Holy Cross is going to be a fantastic new school,” says Board Chair Jody Cameron, “It will be high-tech, offering the latest in educational technology – while being an intimate, safe and personable environment for children ranging from our new full-day junior kindergarten program to Grade 6. It’s an exciting time.”
Meantime, the Catholic Board also decided it will offer Grade 7 to 12 programming next door at the existing St. Benedict’s Catholic Secondary School. This will include the construction of new classrooms and a third gymnasium. The renovations will also include a new “cafetorium” (which is a combination of a cafeteria and auditorium) to serve both the elementary and secondary students. It could seat as many as 500 people for concerts, plays, presentations, guest speakers, and other special events.
“These two projects are exciting for students, parents, and teachers in our Catholic schools,” says Board Director, Catherine McCullough, “It’s a great decision which will continue to enhance our community partnerships. These students who already benefit from programs like our nationally-recognized laptop learning program will now have even more educational tools at their fingertips to help them have a balanced educational experience and go on to succeed in life.”
The Board Trustees made the decision after extensive consultation with the school communities impacted. The new Holy Cross Catholic School will open in September 2011. The new and improved St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will also be ready for the fall of 2011. Both projects combined are projected to cost $16.2-million with $11.7-million coming from the provincial government – while the Board has agreed to contribute $4.5-million.
Sudbury Catholic Board Names New High-Tech, Green Elementary School
There was a celebratory as Trustees with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board voted to name Sudbury’s new elementary school. In the end, trustees selected the name “Holy Cross Catholic School.”
“The name ‘Holy Cross’ has significant meaning,” says Board Chair, Jody Cameron, “The four points of the cross represents the coming-together of four existing school communities into one new, learning community where our children will learn and make lifelong friends. This is a very exciting time for the Board and the expansion of Catholic Education in Sudbury’s south end.”
The decision comes after extensive consultation with students, teachers and parents from Corpus Christi, St. Christopher, St. Michael and St. Theresa schools — as well as St. Francis. The Board also got input from the local Parishes and community partners.
The new school will serve elementary students in the city’s south end and will be located on the St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School site. Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is equally pleased with the decision of the new school’s name.
McCullough emphasized, “Holy Cross Catholic School will have lower energy and utility costs than traditionally built schools, and the money saved can go back into the classrooms. That means more money to expand on programs such as our already-established, nationally-recognized Learning with Laptops program as well as full-day junior kindergarten which the Board announced just last month.”
“The naming of this new state-of-the-art school is only the beginning of the many new steps that our Board will be taking in creating this educational village in the city’s south end,” stated Board Chair Cameron, “The next step is to complete the architectural final plans for the design of the new school and get shovels in the ground.”
The Board will decide on the site plan for Holy Cross at next Tuesday’s regular Board meeting. The school will open in September 2011.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board Chair and Vice-Chair Acclaimed
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
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
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
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
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
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)