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.
Category: Staff Achievement
Chapters & Coles and the Greater Sudbury Police Service “ADOPT” St. David Catholic School
Chapters, Coles and the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation along with the Greater Sudbury Police Service launched a two-week fundraising drive in October to help transform the library at St. David Catholic School.
The passionate commitment to learning through the love of reading a St. David Catholic School inspired the team at Chapters to select the local school as the recipient of the first Indigo Love of Reading Adopt-a-School Fundraising Drive in Sudbury. All funds raised at Chapters through in-store donations were directed to St. David Catholic School. The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation was established in 2004 to address Canada’s literacy crisis and help give Canadian Schools in severe need access to new books and education resources. Since its inception, the Foundation has made a total contribution of more than $7.5 million to more than 70 schools nationally.
Chapters and Cole’s staff raised $2,297 by asking the public to donate to the special campaign with the Greater Sudbury Police Services providing an additional $2,000 under the “Youth for Chiefs” program for a grand total of $4,297. “With these funds, we can purchase at least one book for every child at St. David Catholic School,” stated Kim Stephenson, ACEM, Chapters Book Store on the Kingsway. The JK to Grade 8 teachers at St. David Catholic School will visit Chapters Bookstore to purchase books for each of their grades. The books will be catalogued and housed in the St. David Catholic School Library.
104,000 Cans of Food Collected by St. Charles College
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
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”
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.
Marymount Academy student Elizabeth Urso elected President of ECBC
Elizabeth Urso, a grade 11 student at Marymount Academy and student trustee for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, attended the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA). She was one of approximately sixty student trustees representing 1.9 million public and Catholic students in the province of Ontario. Several guest speakers spoke at this conference, including the Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne.
During the executive council elections, Elizabeth was elected President of the English Catholic Board Council (ECBC). She is one of five voting members on OSTA’s executive council, and the first female president elected since the Board Council system was integrated into the OSTA’s constitution. This council works to represent the 1.9 million elementary and secondary students in the province of Ontario. The mission of OSTA is to improve education in consultation with the Ministry of Education, adult trustees, teachers, and stakeholders.
Elizabeth’s term as President of the English Catholic Board Council will commence August 1st, 2009. She will also continue to be the student trustee on the SCDSB for the 2009/2010 school year.
The Ontario Student Trustees Association will be moving into its tenth year in September, and hopes to continue to improve education for the 1.9 million students of Ontario.
Sudbury Catholic Board Supports United Way Centraide Campaign
The United Way Centraide received some additional support to its 2008-2009 fundraising campaign from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s unionized and non-union staff at a recent board meeting.
United Way Campaign Chair, Jim Thompson approached Paula Peroni, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board at the start of the campaign to become part of the United Way’s Campaign Cabinet team and to encourage Board members and staff to contribute to this year’s fundraising drive. Towards that end, the Board of Trustees passed a motion at the October meeting that would encourage all staff to contribute generously to this initiative. “OECTA Elementary Teachers, OECTA Secondary Teachers, Principals and Vice Principals, CUPE Members, Senior Administration, Secretaries, Board Support Staff, IT Staff and Managers will be asked to contribute a minimum of $2.00 per pay in order to assist in the ongoing support for programs that are presently in place at many Sudbury Catholic Schools,” stated Peroni. “It is incumbent upon us as leaders in the Catholic community to set an example and show our support for the United Way campaign and it is our goal this year to significantly increase the SCDSB’s staff participation rate.”
Since 1982, the United Way Centraide Sudbury and District has been raising funds for critical community needs. As one of the largest non-profit fundraisers of social and human services in the Sudbury community the United Way supports 60 programs and services designed to assist people in the City of Greater Sudbury.
The United Way Centraide collected a total of $ 2.2 million for the 2007-2008 campaign. This year’s goal is set at $2.4 million.
St. Andrew Catholic School Teacher Wins “Teacher of the Year” Award
Representatives from Scholar’s Choice visited St. Andrew Catholic School recently to present Junior Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Chantal Morin with the Teacher of the Year Award. Jeramy Sawyer, a student in her class, nominated her with a delightful picture and story that was scribed by his Mother.
Chantal and Jeremy were both awarded $200 gift certificates, while St. Andrew School was awarded a $100 gift certificate. As a bonus prize, the entire JK class will enjoy the celebration with a complimentary pizza party at lunch break on Monday, June 2, 2008.
St. Andrew Catholic School, JK student Jeramy Sawyer poses with his teacher, Chantal Morin who he nominated for Teacher of the year with the help of his mom.The Sudbury Catholic District School Board congratulates Chantal Morin on winning the Teacher of The Year Award!
Longtime Teacher, Vice-Principal and Principal Recipient of Sudbury Catholic Schools 2008 Chairperson’s Award
Each year the Sudbury Catholic District School Board presents its Chairperson’s Award to the individual that embraces Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity and contributes positively to the lives of its students and staff. “Sharon Oliver, Principal of St. Paul The Apostle Catholic School is all of those things and more,” stated Sudbury Catholic Schools, Board Chair, George Middleton before presenting Mrs. Oliver with the Chair’s Award for 2008. The award was presented at the Board’s 25 Year Employee Recognition and Retirement Party held at Bryston’s on the Park during the last week of May.
Mrs. Oliver is well deserving of this award having been an exemplary teacher, vice-principal and principal for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for more than thirty years. Her Catholicity is evident to all students, parents and staff that have had the good fortune and opportunity to meet or work with her. Her truly caring and compassionate nature is apparent daily, beginning with prayers during morning announcements to the spiritual way in which she leads liturgical celebrations of all kinds through her gift of song and words of praise.
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School is a recipient of the Childhood Enfance- Better Beginnings Better Futures Snack Program due to her efforts. The community is well informed of school events and frequently invited to join students and staff in the school gym for sit down Harvest Teas and Shrove Tuesday Pancake meals.
Mrs. Oliver has been involved in numerous committees and initiatives that champion the cause of Catholic Education over her many years as teacher, vice-principal and principal. As the chairperson of the NOCCC, (Northern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative) she continues to promote and encourage Catholic curriculum across Northern Ontario. She is a member of the CPCO (Catholic Principals Council of Ontario) Professional Development Committee and is also involved as the chairperson of the Liturgy Committee of her church.