As the holidays are approaching quickly, many of our schools are experiencing a flurry of events. This is true for Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School. The school has had several outstanding events occur and many more happening in the upcoming weeks. Just a few of the great things that have happened recently at Bishop include hosting their fifth Annual Spaghetti Dinner for students, parents, community (feeder schools) and staff which was a huge success. Over three hundred people attended and it was a super fundraiser for the school. As well, the Bishop A.C.C.S.S. Junior Girls basketball team were the city champions for the second year in a row. For the month of December, the students and staff have been gathering items to make up a Christmas Hamper as well as collecting gently used winter clothing items for the St. Kevin’s Parish initiative called “Socks for the Sole”. On December 4th, the school will be hosting a Parent Breakfast at the Breakfast Club and parents and the community have been invited to attend. This breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 8:10 a.m. To add to all of this, the school is also in the process of raising money to donate to the annual CTV telethon. Through mission donations and neighbourhood caroling, the school has raised $665 to date. The students are continuing with this fundraising effort until Friday with the hopes of bringing that total even higher. The staff and students of Bishop A.C.C.S.s. have been extremely busy and we look forward to hearing more about their school community in the upcoming weeks!
Category: Staff Achievement
Technology Integration Mentors Present “Technology in the 21st Century” to the District Regional Steering Committee
Two of our veteran Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Technology Integration Mentors (T.I.M’s), Jennifer Connelly and Leann Houle-Laframboise were asked to present “Technology in the 21’st Century” to the District Regional Steering Committee on December 1, 2009. The Steering Committee is comprised of teams from all of the Northeastern Ontario School Boards. This group gathers together approximately two times a year to share best practices and often invite guest speakers to discuss current educational trends. Both Jennifer and Leann felt it was important to share Sudbury Catholic’s vision of the 21’st century learner and to showcase how our board is helping lead the way in this shift of focus.
St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School CTV Luncheon/Fundraiser Phenomenal Success!
Over two hundred people filled the gym as the St. Bernadette staff and students came together to support one of it’s own. A few weeks ago, Ashley Dahlvik, the school’s Junior Kindergarten teacher approached Principal Nicole Snow with a fundraising idea. For the past nine years, Dahlvik has performed on the CTV telethon but this year she thought it would be a great idea to approached her school community for some support. They came up with an idea to hold a luncheon/fundraiser that could raise money for Dahlvik to present during the telethon. One of the student’s parents, John Cimino, who is also manager of the Caruso Club, decided to donate all of the food for the luncheon. “Its for a good cause.” stated Cimino. “It is also a good time to give especially when a lot of the community is struggling.” The school raised over $700 for Ms. Dahlvik to present at the telethon. “It is all about getting out Catholic school community involved in the Greater City of Sudbury Community. It is what we are called to do.” said Dahlvik. Father Al MacMillan from St. Raphael parish was on hand to say grace before the meal as well as Fred VaDerHooft, a Lion’s Club member who was also invited to take part in the celebration. Principal Nicole Snow was blown away by the participation of staff, students, parents, siblings, grandparents, and community members. “This is absolutely amazing!” stated Snow. “This shows a wonderful sense of community coming together for the children of Sudbury.” The staff and students sang Christmas carols and the grand finale included a performance from Ms. Dahlvik herself. A great luncheon was had by all!
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.
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.