Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Staff Achievement

SCDSB New Director Joanne Bénard Receives National Award

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In the very first week of her new job, Sudbury Catholic Director Joanne Bénard attended the Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) national conference in Calgary from July 5-10 to receive an award. Bénard was selected as this year’s Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officer’ Association’s (OCSOA) recipient of the CASSA EXL Award. This award was launched in 2002 to recognize excellence among Superintendents and is sponsored by Xerox Canada Ltd. as well as CASSA. According to the CASSA website, “the EXL Award Program is based on three premises:

• It is important that the dedication and enthusiasm of administrators who guide children’s educational experiences be acknowledged. Recognition is a powerful instrument for building pride in accomplishment and continued determination to pursue excellence.

• The scope and quality of children’s educational experiences are determined primarily by the system’s leaders, who establish, through the important work of teachers and the support of school boards and caring parents, the character of a particular school system’s programs.

• Children’s attitudes toward learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners are established in their school years. Effective leadership, mentoring and modelling determine whether the school jurisdiction effectively creates this environment”

According to the Sudbury Catholic Board Chair, Jody Cameron, Bénard really fits the bill with this award, and the board is quite fortunate to have her join the Sudbury Catholic community as its next Director. “ Joanne truly exemplifies excellence, as we have seen through her past experience,” Cameron explained. “Having her recognized nationally for her dedication and service to students really speaks to the exemplary quality of service that Joanne delivers, and we are quite excited to have her join our team!”

Bénard was pleased to receive the award, as she was joined by her husband and daughter for the presentation. “It is a blessing and an honour to be recognized by my peers for doing what I love to do and that is working with others to improve outcomes for our youth. This award is certainly a highlight in my career and a great way to begin my new role with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.”

SCDSB Staff Share their Knowledge in Calgary

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Sudbury Catholic District School Board Superintendent Rossella Bagnato and Assistive Technology Teacher Jennifer Connelly visited Calgary from July 3-5 for the national Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) conference. The two were asked to present at the conference with this year’s theme being student engagement

The pair showcased their presentation entitled, “If you give a student a voice” which is a play off the children’s books- “If You Give a Moose a Muffin”, and “If you Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Bagnato and Connelly shared data from Sudbury Catholic that was collected through a “Tell Them From Me” survey which allowed students in a variety of grades to have a voice and express their concerns and issues while dealing with school and home life.

Through this data, staff was able to create a focus for student engagement and prioritize the needs of the students. Over 250 school system administrators attended the conference and were impressed with the Sudbury Catholic presentation. “Sharing best practice with others across the country is a great way to showcase the incredible work we are doing at our school board,” Bagnato explained. “We really put our students first with everything that we do at Sudbury Catholic, and we were very honoured to be asked to share our experiences. This was a great opportunity for us to let everyone know just how great our staff and students really are!”

See the book created to showcase our Sudbury Catholic student voice.

Technology in the Classrooms at SCDSB

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On Friday, June 13, SCDSB secondary teacher and educational assistants were provided with an ipad for the day and given the option to sign it out for the summer. The teachers and EA’s had pre-registered for several of the 8 different workshops focusing on the integration of ipads. These are the workshops that were offered:

• Foundations of Using an iPad as a Tool for Innovation and Instruction
• Traversing the Digital Realm: Recreation of Content in the 21st Century Classroom- This workshop will focus on a new way to offer content to students through the use of the vLE (Virtual Learning Environment) and NearPod
• Conquering the iPad Frontier: PionEAring iPads for Educational Assistants- This workshop will focus on universal access to: document and support learners, explore social stories to support Kelso and apps for behaviour management.Conquering the iPad Frontier: PionEAring iPads for Educational Assistants- This workshop will focus on universal access to: document and support learners, explore social stories to support Kelso and apps for behaviour management.
• You Really Can “Explain Everything”- This workshop will introduce the multi-talented design, screencasting, interactive whiteboard app. “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive”- Walt Disney
• Don’t Flip Out Over Flipping Your Classroom! – This workshop will introduce the concept of a flipped classroom. Why, when and how.  Learn about Doceri and other apps that support this concept.  Be prepared for hands-on activities. 
• Let iPads lead the way for ALL – Let ALL students contribute and show their learning every day through the use of these tips, tools and tricks. (Special Education Focus)Let iPads Lead the Way for ALL – Let ALL students contribute and show their learning every day through the use of these tips, tools and tricks. (Special Education Focus)
• Go with the Flow!- Join this Apple Development Executive with hands-on navigation of the iOS App environment, focusing on multi-app use and tools that support collaboration, workflow, communication amongst and between teacher and student and student to student.
• Innovation in Instruction- The iPad is having a transformational impact on teaching and learning all over the planet. In this “Hands-on” session, come experience and learn about how the iPad, iTunes U and a few powerful apps can be used to differentiate, enhance and transform instruction and assessment practices in any classroom.  

This session was lead an Apple Development Executive.

St. Charles College Educational Assistant Eileen Kennedy Wins SCDSB’s Annual Chairperson’s Award

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Every year at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, nominations are sought for the Chairperson’s award. This award is given to a person or persons who makes outstanding contributions to the Catholic school system. The Board believes in the importance of recognizing employees who embrace Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity, and contributes positively to the lives of students and staff. At the board’s annual retirement dinner, on June 11, 2014, Sudbury Catholic staff Eileen Kennedy was presented with this year’s award. Kennedy has been a deaf/blind intervenor for the board for the past 27 years working in both the elementary and secondary school level. Currently, Kennedy works with students at St. Charles College and was nominated by several of her school co-workers as well as board office staff. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board, presented Kennedy with her award and spoke about Eileen’s contributions to the Sudbury Catholic community. “In her role as an intervenor, she constantly strives to find unique and fun ways to encourage these most challenged students to communicate. She researches best practices and activities that will help these students find success in the classroom,” Cameron stated. “She is dedicated to preserving and ensuring the dignity of her students, and her disposition and open-hearted kindness is admired by all who have had the pleasure of working with her.” Cameron cited many examples of how outstanding an educator Kennedy is, and thanked her for her selflessness, and dedication to the Sudbury Catholic students. A very humble person, upon receipt of the award, Kennedy was quick to explain that educating this group of students takes a real team effort. “Over the years, I have worked with some amazing Board administration and teachers,” Kennedy explained. “I would also like the trustees and administration of our board to know that our Intervenors and EAs have been envied all across the country. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at conferences in Winnipeg and Vancouver and have come to know that we are valued here more than anywhere. You respect our knowledge and experience and we truly appreciate that.” Kennedy described many of her experiences where she was able to positively connect with and engage the students as “this helps their world seem a little less overwhelming and more meaningful.” Kennedy closed her speech by expressing that she was honoured to be the first educational assistant to be chosen by the board for this award, and that she is happy to have the privilege of having a career all these years doing what she really loves, and that the award is “icing on the cake!”

SCDSB Winners at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair

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Students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board did extremely well this year at the Regional Science Fair, including two out of the four projects selected to go to Canada Wide Science Fair.

SRSF REGULAR (DIVISIONAL) AWARDS

JUNIOR DIVISION – COMPUTER SCIENCES DIVISIONAL

Placing and Prize: First/Première Medal, Cash, Certificate,
Motor Mayhem
Emelia Kucyk
Marymount Academy

JUNIOR DIVISION – LIFE SCIENCES (SCIENCES DE LA VIE JUNIOR) DIVISIONAL
Placing and Prize: Honourable Mention/ Mention honourable Certificate
Dark Side of screens
Julia Burns
Marymount Academy

Placing and Prize: First/Première Medal, Cash, Certificate, & Plaque
Aquaponics
Hailey MacKenzie
Dayna Rachkowski
Marymount Academy

SENIOR DIVISION – LIFE SCIENCES (SCIENCES DE LA VIE SENIOR) DIVISIONAL
Placing and Prize: First/Première Medal, Cash, Certificate, & Plaque
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

JUNIOR DIVISION – PHYSICAL SCIENCES (SCIENCES PHYSIQUES JUNIOR) DIVISIONAL
Placing and Prize: Honourable Mention/ Mention honourable Certificate
Gauging Gauss And Fluctuating Ferrofluid
Enoch Kim
Maxwell Rizzardi
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School

Placing and Prize: Third/Troisième Place Medal & Certificate
Viscosity. Can it Save You From a Bullet?
Brittany Thornton
Marymount Academy

Placing and Prize: Second/Deuxième Place Medal & Certificate
Les Pieds Froids
Marina Leblanc
St. James Elementary School

SRSF SPECIAL AWARDS

BIOTECHNOLOGY AWARD SPECIAL
Aquaponics
Hailey MacKenzie
Dayna Rachkowski
Marymount Academy

CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MINING INNOVATION (CEMI) AWARD SPECIAL
Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

COLLÈGE BORÉAL AWARD SPECIAL
Les Pieds Froids
Marina Leblanc
St. James Elementary School

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD SPECIAL
Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

FOUNDING MEMBERS’ AWARD SPECIAL
Motor Mayhem
Emelia Kucyk
Marymount Academy

LIFELABS AWARDS SPECIAL
How Do Video Games Affect Your Health?
Colton Gobbo
St. Raphael Elementary School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY BIOLOGY AWARD SPECIAL
Aquaponics
Hailey MacKenzie
Dayna Rachkowski
Marymount Academy

LAURENTIAN EARTH SCIENCES AWARD SPECIAL
Cotton Cruelty
Mackenzie Bruce
Marymount Academy

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY COMPUTER SCIENCE OR MATHEMATICS AWARD SPECIAL
Motor Mayhem
Emelia Kucyk
Marymount Academy

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY PHYSICAL SCIENCE AWARD SPECIAL
Gauging Gauss And Fluctuating Ferrofluid
Enoch Kim
Maxwell Rizzardi
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY NEUROSCIENCE AWARD SPECIAL
Does music affect your ability to memorize?
Emma Dionne
St. Raphael Elementary School

Dark Side of screens
Julia Burns
Marymount Academy

MINING INNOVATION, REHABILITATION AND APPLIED RESEARCH CORPORATION (MIRARCO) MINING AWARD SPECIAL
Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA ADMISSION SCHOLARSHIP SPECIAL
Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

GRAND PRIZES

CANADA WIDE SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPANT (PARTICIPANT(E) À L’EXPO-SCIENCES PAN-CANADIENNE) GRAND
Prize Type: Trip to Canada Wide Science Fair in Windsor, Ontario, May 10th to 17th.

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Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

Aquaponics
Hailey MacKenzie
Dayna Rachkowski
Marymount Academy

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SPECIAL
Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

BEST IN FAIR GRAND
Green Gold: Phytoremediation of the Long Lake Gold Mine
Marika Moskalyk
Alexandra Millar
Marymount Academy

BAC Students Take First at OTSC

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On Saturday, April 12th, Christine Harte and Autumn Millar, grade 11 students from Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School’s Specialist High Skills Major program in Information and Communications Technology, participated in the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) Qualifying Round for TV/Video Production at Canadore College. The girls placed first out of all of the Northern Ontario teams. They will now be heading to RIM Park in Waterloo on May 6th to participate in the OTSC Provincial finals. “I am obviously extremely proud of Christine and Autumn”, says SHSM teacher, Steven Facchini. “Making videos is not just about setting up a camera and hitting the record button. It’s an involved process. I offer my sincerest congratulations to the girls for their exceptional work.”

St. James Students Shine At Provincial Goalball Championships

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Students from St. James Catholic Elementary School were exemplary representatives of their school and the City of Sudbury at the Provincial Goalball Championships held in Brantford Ontario May 28th-30th.

Team #1 reached the finals and earned a silver medal. Members of the team include, from left to right, coach: Chantal Simard, goalball players: Jordan Primeau, Nathan Markic and Mackenzie White.

St. Raphael Presented with $5000 Cheque and One Surprise to Support Lifeskills Students

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International members from the United Commercial Travellers (UCT) were on hand at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School on April 9 to present the Lifeskills class with a cheque for $5000. Several months earlier, teacher Elissa Zuliani decided to enter her Lifeskills class in a contest she had read about in one of the UCT catalogues. The contest was open to all North American schools who support students with intellectual disabilities. Zuliani put together a two minute video that showcased the exceptional qualities and values that her students possess. The final winner was to be decided by votes so, after a heated battle for first place with Eldon High School in Eldon, Missouri, the students at St. Raphael placed second.
Visibly moved during the presentation, Zuliani thanked the representatives from UCT International including the CEO of UCT –Joe Hoffman from Ohio as well as the International President of UCT – Bob Kellog from Michigan. Also on hand for the presentation were several members of the local UCT branch. Zuliani also thanked her fellow teachers, parent council members and all of the parents of her students. “We are so proud of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Greater City of Sudbury for their votes of support,” Zuliani stated. “This was truly Sudbury at its best! I thank UCT for this incredible funding which will enhance their learning. I am overwhelmed both professionally and personally – it is not about the money, it is about the message –that people with disabilities are valuable members of society and it is our obligation to support them and to nurture them – mind, body and spirit”. The members of the local UCT decided to surprise the staff and students with an additional cheque for $2500 as they felt the students should have won first place. As well, the students were promised a pizza lunch in the upcoming days as part of the celebration. The money will go towards the purchase of technology to support the Lifeskills students in their ongoing learning.

“Spreading the Net” at St. Benedict

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“Every minute a child dies from malaria – a preventable disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Malaria kills more children than any other disease in Africa.”

As a Catholic community at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, the students and staff wanted to work together to help find a solution to this problem. The students’ administrative council at St. Benedict CSS implemented a school-wide initiative and the school took on the challenge of “Spread the Net.” they joined Canadian icon Rick Mercer and thousands of other students across Canada to raise money for mosquito nets to fight malaria in Africa. Their goal was to raise $7500 to purchase 750 nets; enough to save as many as 1500 individuals (as each bed net may be used to protect 2 people for up to 3 years). This year, funds raised through the student challenge will help provide bed nets to families in Zimbabwe. The fundraiser was organized through the charity Plan Canada.
Students were involved in various activities, such as asking for pledges at home, canvassing neighbourhoods for community involvement, and holding in-school events to raise money. They were excited to get involved and work together to raise money to help others in need. Students especially enjoyed the in-school activities such as the dress down days and a teacher versus student volley ball game. By the end of the campaign, the school raised $8,844.75 and were ranked highly in the contest nationwide. The 63 participating schools across Canada raised over $170 000.
The students and staff wanted to say a special thanks to the team of students who volunteered countless hours into planning and organizing the campaign: Brendan Sullivan, Sara Lehman, Carlee Christie, Kathryn Kettle, Allie Stankiewicz, Elisa Bacik, and Matt Ierino. Finally, to teacher Meghan MacMillan who organized the students and encouraged them to do their best the students send a very special thank you for her time and effort in helping make this more successful than anyone had imagined. They all look forward to surpassing theirr goal next year!”

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