Sudbury Catholic District School Board

St. Benedict Teacher Honoured with Rotary Club of Sudbury Community Leadership Vocational Award

Libby Marinilli, a teacher librarian from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School was honoured on Monday, October 25 by the Rotary Club of Sudbury with a Communnity Leadership and Vocational Award. Libby exemplifies professionalism in the area of education as well as self-development and reflects her expectations of her students which is having them reach their full potential. Over the years Libby has continued to stay current in her profession by taking numerous additional Ministry of Education courses in Guidance, Mathematics, English, Special Education Specialist, Computer Specialist, Principal Qualifications & most recently Library Science just to name a few.
Her dedication to her students & profession included expanding their horizons in this global village by forming an Educational Travel Club. Over the past 20 years, thanks to Libby’s efforts, students have been exposed to the global classroom with trips to Egypt, Russia, Japan & Western Europe. Here, in our own country, she has organized Youth Exchange with students from Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador. Libby has given of her personal time over the years by providing athletic training of sports teams after school, organizing the annual winter carnival & working with student council as well as the Literacy Across the Curriculum Committee as the staff representative. In attempting to incorporate relevant experiences as a way of enhancing student learning, Libby’s Gifted Grade 10 English class had their full-sized newspaper published by the Sudbury Star. Her passion for literature & the understanding of the importance of literacy in our world has brought her to her latest position as teacher-librarian. In this position, she has introduced e-books (electronic) to the library & students. She has organized authors from the Writer’s Union to speak to students about the writing process which in turn could motivate them to become future authors.

By organizing Chapters book fairs, she not only brings the community into the school, but as a result, this action has lead to the formation of a school Book Club. Libby has also been involved in ESP- Empowering Student Participation in various anti-bullying activities & campaigns.
In addition, Libby has found time to contribute to her community by volunteering as an executive member for the Joe MacDonald Football League for the past 16 years. The league encourages young boys & girls from ages 8-15 to learn skills, develop self-confidence & move on to high school prepared with the skills of the game.

Sudbury Catholic Teacher Named Elementary Teacher of the Year

“It is still surreal to me…I keep expecting a phone call saying there has been some sort of mistake and they have picked someone else.” Early Learning French Immersion Teacher Alice Desormeaux still cannot believe that she has been selected to be the recipient of the 2010 OTIP Teaching Award in the category of Elementary Teacher. The Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF), in partnership with the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP), honours educators each year whose commitment, creativity and energy result in a superior experience for students. This initiative began in 1991 and over the years the honourees have covered a wide range of disciplines, teaching methods, age groups and geographical locations. Up to four awards are given annually to outstanding teachers in the categories of elementary, secondary, francophone and beginning teachers.

Desormeaux, who is just starting her twenty-first year of teaching with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been at St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School since the beginning of her career. The bulk of her teaching has been in the Primary division and this year she is teaching in the school's Early Learning French Immersion classroom. “To be recognized by my peers, as well as provincially, it is a true honour,” Desormeaux stated. “With this honour, also comes a huge responsibility in that I know I have to always make sure that I am living up to this expectation.” According to her colleagues, she is more than up for that task. As several of her co-workers nominated her for this award, they also had to submit testimonials as to why they thought she was deserving. Jody Odaiskey, also a teacher at St. Anne's knew that Alice was the perfect fit for this award. “Alice has a gift that makes her approachable in every way,” Odaiskey said. “She has impacted more lives than I think she is aware of as she always treats all students with the utmost respect and always finds their shining qualities.”

Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy had the opportunity to work with Desormeaux as her principal at St. Anne's several years ago and also feels that she is deserving of this award. “I have known Alice for over 20 years, as a colleague, friend, and fellow parishioner. Her positive attitude, her love of children, her passion for student success, her dedication to literacy and numeracy initiatives and her insatiable hunger for personal and professional growth are reflected in the outstanding quality of her work as a teacher.” Cullen said.

Over twenty different submissions from co-workers and parents were sent on Desormeaux's behalf and it is clearly evident that she is truly deserving of this award. On St. Anne's website, it speaks to the school providing a safe haven for children, instilling a sense of pride and respect for themselves, others, and for their environment, where students are continuously encouraged to strive to achieve their own personal potential in every aspect of their spiritual, academic, social and physical growth. Alice Desormeaux does just that each and every day with all students and staff that come into her life.

Catherine McCullough, Director of Education expressed her joy regarding Desormeaux’s win. “On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, I would like to congratulate Alice on this tremendous accomplishment and it is with great pride that we call her a Sudbury Catholic teacher, and consider her an integral member of the Sudbury Catholic family.”

Desormeaux travelled to Toronto for the awards ceremony on Thursday, September 30 at which time they bestowed her with the award as well as presented a documentary that was filmed by TV Ontario reflecting a day with Desormeaux in the classroom. The Toronto Star has also done an interview with Desormeaux along with the other recipients that will be a part of their weekend edition story on the awards.

Two SCDSB Teachers Named Apple Distinguished Educators

Leann Laframboise and Marlene Lee from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board were honoured to be two of twenty-six teachers in Canada to be chosen by Apple Canada this year to be named an Apple Distinguished Educator. They join their colleague, Jennifer Connelly, who became an ADE last year. They are three of 86 teachers in Canada to hold this title. They join the approximately 1400 ADEs across the world who share and have access to the knowledge, tips and expertise the members post on the Apple Distinguished Educator community site. Teachers are required to submit a video of how they use technology in the classroom as part of the application process. All three attended the Apple Institute held in Ottawa from July 2nd to July 5th, 2010. Here they were given the chance to attend sessions on the use of technology in the classroom, listen to motivational speakers and to meet other ADEs across Canada. All three teachers are even more excited about integrating technology into their classrooms next year.

Relay of Life 2010 – Rainbow of Hope

On June 18th 2010, students, staff and members of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Garson gathered for the 2nd annual Relay for Life. This year’s theme was, “Rainbow of Hope!” Each class was invited to show their “colour of the rainbow” by choosing a type of cancer and wearing its associated colour on the day of the walk. Students cheered on surviving family members, who proudly displayed on balloons, how many years they have been cancer free! Through donations and the purchase of luminaries in honour of those who have lost their lives, we were able to fund-raise $3200.00 to aid in cancer research! A huge thank you goes out to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Sudbury Health Unit, the CWL from St. John the Evangelist Parish, many volunteers as well as the students and staff from St. John school. Together, are making a difference!

St. James Catholic School Selected Provincially as a School on the Move

St. James Catholic School joined an elite group of schools across Ontario recently that have been recognized by the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat as a School on the Move. The School on the Move initiative highlights schools that are making substantial progress in raising student achievement and have sustained this progress over several years. St. James was nominated by the Ministry of Education and after a visit to the school by Ministry officials, was one of only 33 schools selected provincially. With over 4900 schools in the province including Catholic, Public, English and French Boards, Cara Soehner, Principal of the school was thrilled that St. James was selected to be part of such a prestigious group. Only four Northern schools were named as Schools on the Move, and Soehner attributes this to the strength and support of the staff who set strong foundation skills for learning.
Selection for Schools on the Move includes the following criteria:

EQAO scores in reading, writing and mathematics have improved in both Grades 3 and 6 over a three year period
Staff being able to articulate what they did and how they implemented changes
Staff being able to provide evidence of growth in student achievement
Strategies the school identified are supported by research evidence
Collaborative culture, with teachers working together, constantly learning, challenging and supporting each other
Doors being open and parents being partners.

As well as being a School on the Move, an additional accolade for the school includes their receiving the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson award this past year which is an award given to a school that demonstrates leadership, proactive initiatives, positive attitude and sincere efforts to help every child succeed. As well, the school must also be making effective use of the EQAO data and show evidence from other sources to enhance and support student achievement. Again Soehner ascribes the school’s success to the continuous work of the staff. “Our staff works tirelessly to engage and support each and every student at St. James,” Soehner said. “Every single day we collectively focus on the belief that everything we do is for the success of all of our students and that every single child matters.”

St. James is the second school in two years from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board to be nominated and selected as a School on the Move as St. Christopher Catholic Elementary was a School on the Move in the 2008-2009 school year.

Sudbury Catholic Schools’ Employees Ride the Big Bike for Heart & Stroke

Sudbury Catholic District School Board “Holy Rollers” staff took on the challenge of riding the “Big Bike” to raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. On Friday afternoon, 20 of the Board’s employees mounted the monster bike and peddled through the streets of downtown Sudbury during hot and muggy weather. Spirits were high on the bike as SCS members rattled their noisemakers and waved to everyone as the peddled past them. Cheered on and encouraged by pedestrians and motorists alike, the SCDSB staff did their best to complete the route in record time and raise more than $1,900 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Encouraged by the turnout, the fun and the camaraderie, Sudbury Catholic Schools will be back again next year with even a more impressive group.

St. Bernadette Soars in Jump Rope for Heart

Students at St. Bernadette Catholic School raised more than $3,400.00 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation during their annual Jump Rope for Heart campaign. The students stay active and help a great cause. This is certainly one physical activity that has many benefits. Recently the students from JK to grade 6 at St. Bernadette Catholic School participated in the various skipping events organized by the St. Charles College high school students from Mrs. Paola Gutscher’s class. Once again, the students received tremendous support from the families and friends for this fundraising event. They would like to thank all the pledge donors in their school community. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Gutscher’s class for all their help in making this event a fun-filled afternoon.

And the Winner is…

On June 8, 2010, the three winning schools for 2009/2010 were presented with their prizes at the Board meeting. The winning schools of the SCS Conservation CHALLENGE for 2009/2010 were:

1st prize – Corpus Christi School
They (Principal/Lead Teacher and several lead students) were presented with a $1,500 cheque and the CHAMPION banner by Mr.Jody Cameron, Board Chairperson!

2nd prize – Immaculate Conception School
They (Principal/Lead Teacher and several lead students) were presented with a $500 cheque by Mr.Jody Cameron, Board Chairperson

3rd prize – St. Charles School
They (Principal/Lead Teacher and several lead students) were presented with a $500 cheque by Mr.Jody Cameron, Board Chairperson

With its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and stewardship, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) once again launched the School Conservation CHALLENGE for the 4th consecutive year, in September!

In 2006, Senior Administration approved the creation of a contest/challenge that would enhance the effectiveness of the Dearness Conservation Program in addition to acknowledging “Environmental Champions” within our schools! Thus, the “SCDSB School Conservation CHALLENGE” was born.

The selection of the CHAMPIONS for the School Conservation CHALLENGE is based on a point system using the three following categories:

1. An unannounced site visit during the school year.
2. An interview with the Principal of each participating school.
3. Submission of reports and other relevant materials by the participating school.

The school that has attained the most points using these three categories is deemed the winner – the school wins $1,500 to put towards a greening project at their school and a banner that they can display with pride for the next year! Two runner-up schools receive each a prize of $500 for greening projects as well!

Previous winners include Pius XII School (2006/2007), Immaculate Conception School (2007/2008) and St. Francis School (2008/2009).

Retired SCDSB Teacher Looking for a Challenge

Retired teacher Peter Stankiewicz is doing just that on June 12 &13th. He will be biking 200 km from Toronto to Niagara Falls in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. “This trek is nothing like the challenge to battle cancer,” Stankiewicz says, “but through this ride I can do my part in this fight againstt a killer disease that has taken so many lives including those of many fellow teachers over the years as well as taking many teachers out of the classroom as they battle this disease.”

Training for the Physical Challenge

Peter is biking 30-50 km each day and occasionally rides 65 km plus. However it is the challenge of fundraising that is equally daunting. Peter needs to raise $2500 in donations before embarking on the Ride to Conquer Cancer. All proceeds will be going to The Princess Margaret which is one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. It is estimated that 1 out of every 4 Canadians will die from cancer and 40% of women and 45% of men in Canada will develop cancer in their lifetime. Those that wish to can help him to meet this challenge by contributing to the cause where the money will be used to help support critical cancer research. Donations may be placed at www.conquercancer.ca by clicking on donate now then typing in his name then click on the name when it appears which will take you to his home page. Receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.

Register Now! E-mail Copied to Clipboard