Today, we celebrate and honour our ECEs and EAs in a special way. We are very fortunate at Sudbury Catholic to have many wonderful, caring and supportive Early Childhood Educators and Educational Assistants in our schools. The support and care that they provide our students each and every day in helping them to grow in mind, body and spirit is foundational to their success. We thank them for their support, their gentle guidance, for inspiring, for helping to create a growth mind set, for helping our students believe in themselves and for all of their contributions to our schools and to our system. Their expertise and commitment inspires our students to grow and to reach their full potential. You truly are amazing!
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we thank you for making a difference within the classroom and beyond!
On October 5th, we recognize and thank our dedicated and inspiring educators who work tirelessly to support our students in reaching their individual goals. During such unprecedented times our educators have stepped up to ensure that our students continue to receive a quality Catholic education and the supports they need to be successful both in the classroom and in our remote school. Thank you for nurturing their mind, body and spirit through the engaging opportunities that you provide. Last school year when our schools closed due the COVID19, you found ways to connect with them and to continue to support them through various actions such as care pkgs, food programs, social media, the modified graduation celebrations and of course through the various platforms that you were using. We were all so proud of how resilient and creative you were and continue to be. Our students are better because of who their teachers are. Thank you for always going the extra mile for them.
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we thank you for putting our students first and helping us to achieve our vision of being leaders in learning and faith. You truly are amazing!
October 2, 2020 is National Custodial Appreciation Day! It is a day to thank and appreciate each and every member of our custodial team including custodians, assistant custodians, cleaners, BSTs and maintenance staff! We are especially grateful for their efforts in helping us to prepare for our school reopening, and for their ongoing diligence in keeping our schools and buildings clean. Your efforts are helping to keep us all safe.
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we are extremely thankful for all that you do. Let us take this opportunity to say thank you!
In an effort to support a local business and provide the opportunity for students to practice cooking skills, the Special Education staff at St. Benedict CSS ordered and delivered Twiggs Coffee Roaster’s Pizza Kits to each of the students from the Life Skills and Communication classes. Students were given all of the supplies needed to make their own pizza creation! Students were excited to see staff from afar and staff enjoyed seeing the pictures of their pizza creations.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has placed second in the 2020 Sustainable Schools report from the Climate Change Network. The report recognizes the most energy efficient school boards in Ontario. The board previously held the sixth position in the 2019 Sustainable Schools Report.
The board was honoured on May 20 where they were recognized for the reduction of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The facilities department endeavours to incorporate energy management in all decision making whether it be for maintenance, capital projects or operations. Evaluating energy impact allows the board to make incremental enhancements in products and processes that eventually add up to measurable improvements.
Whenever possible, the board has also incorporated energy saving products and design into capital projects whether it be high efficiency boilers, increasing R-value in building envelopes or converting lighting systems to LED. One of the most important tools the facilities department utilizes to support efficient operations in our buildings is the Building Automation System (BAS). We manage as many building systems as possible with our BAS and the facilities team is constantly auditing and improving the system to ensure maximum efficiencies.
“We are very pleased to be recognized by the Climate Change Network for our sustainable practices,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “We have moved four places up in this report over the past year and continue to make positive changes that benefit not only our schools and our board but the environment that surrounds us. We thank our facilities and planning department for their diligence and ongoing work in sustainability and we look forward to continue to improve upon our practices.”
“I am very proud to share in the announcement of the 2020 Sustainable Schools Report. It truly speaks volumes to the work that is accomplished each year to improve our ranking,” said Michael Bellmore Chair of the Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank our hardworking staff, particularly those in our facilities department and our senior admin team for their ongoing efforts to improve our sustainability practices.”
The Climate Challenge Network is a non-profit organization bringing together collaborative, data-driven sectoral programs, currently for municipalities, hospitals, and school boards. The Sustainable Schools report can be viewed in full at the following link: 2020 Sustainable Schools Report
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award. All three individuals embody the Board’s mission, vision and values. They are each passionate about Catholic education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success.
Cathy Spencer is an Educational Assistant at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S who always strives to put students first. She has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students at risk, often taking the lead on projects such as the Open Doors program and the Breakfast Club. Through Cathy’s everyday positive attitude, she is a beacon of light for staff and students alike. She is regarded as a kind individual who brings a smile to all who meet her in the halls at Bishop and makes everyone feel welcome and included.
Ginette Toivonen is the Indigenous Education Facilitator for the Board. Through this position, she ensures that the Catholic values are integrated with the Ojibwe Seven Grandfather Teachings. As Indigenous Lead, Ginette has created many opportunities for students to feel comfortable and safe at school while learning with their peers about Indigenous knowledge and World views. Ginette is an innovative, caring and inclusive individual with a true passion for what she does.
Melanie Johncox is an Literacy & Basic Skills instructor at St. Albert Learning Centre who supports our adult students at the Sudbury District Jail four days per week. In her role, Melanie works directly with students on their individual learning plans, approaching each student with a caring and supportive approach and ensuring that they have the resources that they need to succeed. Melanie models Jesus and our Catholic values in her interactions with all learners and is seen as an empathetic and compassionate member of the St. Albert Learning Centre community.
“Each year, I have the honour of recognizing individuals who are difference makers and leaders within our Catholic learning community,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These individuals are always inspirational and are a true representation of what it means to be a leader in learning and faith. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to recognize the recipients and thank them for their continued service and commitment to Catholic education.”
This year’s award winners were recognized at the April 21 Board meeting and will be honoured formally at a later date.
Cathy Spencer (left), Ginette Toivonen (middle) and Melanie Johncox (right) have been chosen as this year’s Chairperson’s Award Recipients.
During these uncertain times, our Board came together to provide a distance learning program that will allow all of our students to continue their education from the safety of their homes.
Thank you to all of the educators, departments and support staff that helped make this possible!
The Finance department at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board have received the Fuel Good 2020 Innovate Award from Sparkrock.
This award goes to a client whose innovative use of technology has benefited the organization and has led them to become a technology leader in their sector.
Congratulations to all the employees who helped make this award happen. We are so proud of our team for the work that they do each day!
Each year on the first Thursday of February, Canadians are asked to turn down their heat and wear sweaters to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation. Founded by WWF-Canada in 2010, more than a million Canadians have participated in National Sweater Day.
In an effort to combat climate change, Sudbury Catholic Schools participated in this initiative on February 6, 2020. Staff and students at Holy Cross School, St. David School, St. James School, St. Charles College, Marymount Academy, Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S and the Catholic Education Centre brought their warmest sweaters as schools turned down the heat by 1.5 degrees celsius throughout the school day. Though the change in temperature was nominal; collectively, we as a Board made a statement regarding climate change and its impact on our world.
“National Sweater Day gave our staff and students an opportunity to reflect on how rising global temperatures are impacting the planet and how together we can help to reduce climate change by making small changes in our daily live,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “By making a commitment to the planet on National Sweater Day, students and educators better understand the powerful impact that they can have.”
