Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Staff Achievement

SCDSB Bringing Literacy to the Community

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Christine McCracken, a teacher with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board does not teach out of your typical classroom. With the board since October, 2015, McCracken works with adult learners in two different locations. One of her locations is on the Atkikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Reserve. The second is at the Sudbury jail. It is this second location that inspired a call-out to her fellow SCDSB staff. After meeting with the learners in jail, she realized that many were desperate for something to read. McCracken brought the newspaper in with her during her visits and they couldn’t get enough. After some inquiry, she realized that there weren’t very many books available to the inmates. Inspired by the enthusiasm of these learners, McCracken discussed some strategies with her principal at St. Albert, Aaron Barry. The two decided to do a call-out to all SCDSB staff to see if anyone wanted to donate any new or gently used books to the Sudbury jail. After only a two-week collection period, the staff had donated close to 500 books. “We currently have at least 50 inmates taking part in this programming at the Sudbury jail,” explain McCracken. “We even already have a few really close to getting their high school diplomas. Reaching out to them in this environment has inspired them to want to continue their education after as well, which is wonderful. These books will really help in their learning!”
The St. Albert principal explained that through the St. Albert Learning Centre, some of these individuals were able to gets some credits through PLAR which is the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition program. This assigns credits to individuals towards the secondary school diploma (OSSD) for knowledge and skills that they have acquired outside of secondary school. “McCracken has been a real inspiration with these particular learners as she really motivates learning and encourages them to continue working towards their OSSD,” Barry stated. “Through the support of the SCDSB, we are able to bring continuing education to a group that may otherwise not consider continuing on with their education. It is a great program, and we are thankful to all of our coworkers and SCDSB staff for their generous book donations –they will make a positive difference!”

For more information about continuing education, PLAR, or getting your OSSD, contact St. Albert Learning Centre at (705) 673-3031.

SCC Teacher Mike Fabiilli to be inducted into the University of Ottawa Football Hall of Fame

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St. Charles College teacher Mike Fabiilli has one more reason to celebrate this year. In addition to winning a Senior Boys’ City Football Championship this past fall, he is also going to be inducted into the University of Ottawa Football Hall of Fame April 30th in Ottawa.

Fabiilli was a student at St. Charles College from 1977-1982. He played five years of football for the school winning three City Championships.

In 1982 he went to the University of Ottawa to play for the Gee Gees. As a freshman linebacker he won the Peter Gorman Trophy for outstanding CIS freshman football player in Canada. He was a conference all-star linebacker for two seasons.

After graduation, Fabiilli returned to Sudbury to start his teaching career at St. Charles College. He has been a math teacher and football coach at SCC for the past twenty-nine years. He has helped guide the Cards to ten City Championships in football.

Fabiilli has also served as a Defensive Co-ordinator for the Sudbury Spartans for eight seasons and the Sudbury Gladiators for five. He also co-founded the Joe MacDonald Youth Football League in Sudbury.

Mike continues to coach with passion and conviction and imparts in his players a love for the game and all of life’s lessons that can be gained from playing it.

Year 26 for Marymount-S.A.C.Y. Christmas Luncheon Celebration

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At 11:15 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015, it was organized chaos as the grade 12 Marymount Academy students scurried around getting the last minute preparations done for the annual Marymount-Sudbury-Action Centre for Youth (S.A.C.Y.) Christmas luncheon. For the past twenty-six years, Marymount teacher – now retired – Matthew Wiecha, has organized this gathering which supports the clients of S.A.C.Y. – many who are homeless and dealing with addiction and mental health issues. For the last few weeks, the grade twelve students at the school set up a plan of action to ensure that nothing was forgotten, wanting to ensure that the entire meal was perfect for all that attended the lunch. The group anticipated between 250-300 clients coming out to enjoy the feast. “The need is greater and greater each year,” explained Wiecha. “For many this is the only Christmas meal they will have, and we want to ensure that they are well fed and happy. The Marymount students are outstanding – this year having the biggest group ever get involved in the luncheon. It really is something special for all who take part as our students exemplify the true meaning of Christmas – giving – and the clients recognize that they are part of a community that truly cares about their well-being.”

Bellmore New Chair of the Board at SCDSB

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On Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Trustee Michael Bellmore was acclaimed as the new Board Chair for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Born in Sudbury, Bellmore is a proud alumnus of Sudbury Catholic Schools (Immaculate Conception and St. Charles College). He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2010, however he was elected to the former Sudbury District Roman Catholic Separate School Board in 1994 as one of the youngest ever elected, and served until 1997. A longtime and passionate advocate for education, he also served as a member of the Cambrian College Board of Governors and as a student leader at the local and provincial levels. Committeed to building a Greater Sudbury he has served on numerous boards and organizations and is currently the Chair of the Greater Sudbury Public Library Board. “I would like to thank outgoing Chair Jody Cameron for all of his leadership,” stated Bellmore after the acclamation. “I only hope that I can live up to all that he has taught me. We will be continuing on with the good work that already takes place at Sudbury Catholic and it is time to get on with business!”
Serving alongside Bellmore is Trustee Ray Desjardins who was also acclaimed as Vice Chair. This is Desjardins first time serving in this role.

Bishop ACCSS Recipients of the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Award

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On Tuesday, November 17, Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, along with teachers Robert Boucher and Marah Pardoe were presented with the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement Award for 2015 from the provincioal Education Quality and Accountability Office at the Sudbury Catholic Board meeting. The group from Bishop had attended a recognition ceremony that took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, in Toronto. This recognition program was established by the EQAO board of directors in 2009, as a tribute to Dr. Stephenson’s lifelong commitment and contribution to education and public service. The award was given to Bishop ACCSS, one of the 18 elementary and secondary schools in the province to receive this honour, to recognize this school’s community for its efforts, over many years, at improving student achievement and for its use of EQAO results to improve student learning. Mike Young, Principal, School Support and Outreach for the E.Q.A.O. office was on hand at the board meeting to present the group with a plaque and to explain why Bishop was selected. According to Young, the school has used three important initiatives – using all human resources available, using technology in the classroom, and collaborating with the feeder schools. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board for SCDSB congratulated the group for their efforts. “We want to publically recognize the hard work happening out at Bishop and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement,” stated Cameron. “We know this hard work is paying off, as our Bishop data is indicating, and we are very pleased to see that our teachers continue to make our students’ successes a priority.”

SCDSB Celebrates LDAS 2015 Teacher of the Year

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On Tuesday, November 17, Sudbury Catholic Itinerant Resource Teacher. Tanya Marcotte was recognized as the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury 2015 teacher of the year at the SCDSB board meeting. L.D.A.S. Chair, Liz Brett-Dickie was on hand to present Marcotte with the award. Brett-Dickie explained that Marcotte was selected as she “consistently supports the needs of students with learning disabilities, and tirelessly works to ensure their success.” Marcotte’s co-workers nominated her for this award and felt that she was an excellent candidate. Brett-Dickie read aloud an excerpt from the nomination letter for Marcotte.

“Tanya has been working as a special education resource teacher for over 12 years. She embraces our Catholic faith and it’s seen throughout her work with special education students. Tanya lives by the belief of getting to know students (learning needs/preferences) and then responds through the opportunities provided in the classroom.

Tanya works tirelessly behind the scenes not only supporting students with Learning Disabilities but also supporting teaching staff. She provides them with proven strategies that assist students to become the best they can be.

Tanya also plays a key role in assisting the school board to organize its yearly summer camps. She is able to recommend specific students who would benefit from this intervention.”

Marcotte, accompanied by her husband and parents, was visibly moved by the award, and explained she was very honoured and humbled. “I can’t do what I do with out the teachers I work with – who challenge and inspire, my parents who instilled in me my strong work ethic, and my husband who puts up with my worries daily.”

St. Ben’s In the Pink for October

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Several weeks ago, Lindsey Jones, former St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School student, now employed by the Canadian Cancer Society (Sudbury) contacted her alma mater to see if they were up to a challenge. She asked the school if they would accept the challenge to “pinkify” their school and support a breast cancer fundraiser for the month of October. Never ones to back away from a challenge, the students and staff set a goal to raise $ 2500 by the end of the month. For every $500 raised, the students got to select one staff member to “pinkify”. The school raised money through daily donations, a pink cupcake bake sale and a football buy out game in which the Junior boys football team played the girls flag football team. Both teams also paid 5 dollars per member to take part in the game. In the end, the students surpassed the challenge goal and presented the Canadian Cancer Society (Sudbury) with a cheque for over $4000. On October 30th, as part of the presentation assembly, student council members each “pinkified” 6 of the St. Ben’s staff with lots of pink hair dye and pink feather boas. In addition, St. Ben’s grade 9 student, Willow Nadeau had her head shaved in front of the entire school and donated her locks for the third time. Nadeau volunteers every day afterschool at the Canadian Cancer Society and wanted to show her support alongside her classmates.
“We are completely overwhelmed with the response from our student council, student body and staff with this October Breast Cancer Challenge,” explained James MacNeil, St. Ben’s teacher. “The students wholeheartedly accepted this challenge. We are so proud of our St. Ben’s Bears and are grateful to be part of such a supportive school community!”

11 Years and Running for the Johnathan Hetu Walk at St. Charles Elementary

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This year’s students and staff at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School may not have had the opportunity to meet Johnathan Hetu, a student who passed away in 2004 after a two year battle with leukemia, however his memory continues to live on each year as the school holds its annual Johnathan Hetu walk. Teacher David Nicholls felt compelled to do something to honour Johnathan’s memory and so he started the Johathan Hetu walk 11 years ago, and has continued it every year. Funds are collected and donated to the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. Principal David Soehner was overwhelmed with the support that his school brings forward. “Johnathan’s spirit is our inspiration each and every year,” explained Soehner. “We are so proud of our students and staff for their outstanding efforts once again in fundraising for such an important group, as well as honouring Johnathan and his family. We are overwhelmed with gratitude as our school community has once again showed its tremendous Ram spirit, and allowed us to give back to an outstanding organization that is the N.O.F.C.C. as well as remember and celebrate Johnathan.” This year’s the school collected over $6200 bringing the grand total to over $65,000 in eleven years.

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