Sudbury Catholic District School Board

SCC Junior Boys Soccer Win AA NOSSA Championship

The St. Charles College junior boy’s soccer team took the AA NOSSA championship in North Bay this past month. The Cards were made up of some very talented soccer players this year and cruised along during the regular season until they lost in the semi-final game 2 – 0 to Lasalle in the city finals. The Cards expected a much better fate with the team they had. However, the boys finished high enough in the standings to qualify as the AA NOSSA representative. The boys avenged last year’s loss to West Ferris in NOSSA by beating them to capture the championship this year by a score of 2 – 0. Brad Guthrie scored the opener for the Cards while Chriss Rossi clinched it with a goal in the second half. The defence was solid being anchored by Peter Khouri and Blake Leclair who move up to senior while defensive standouts Walter Kosher and Brad Williams return to junior next year. Goalkeeper Michael Michelle kept a clean sheet in net. The boys look forward to the opportunity to defend their NOSSA championship next year and capture the city championship as well.

SCDSB Lifeskills Classes Celebrate End of Year at Annual Picnic

Students from all of the Sudbury Catholic Elementary and Secondary Lifeskills classes gathered in the Pavillion at Fielding Park on June 16 to come together in celebration of another successful school year. Despite the dark skies and pouring rain, the students and staff took part in their annual SCDSB Lifeskills picnic. Although the weather prevented the usual outdoor activities, the spirits were high as crafts and cards came out and laughter could be heard throughout the room. This year marks the eighth Lifeskills picnic for the Board and each year it is more like a family reunion than a school event. Emily D’Angelis, the Lifeskills teacher from St. Raphael said the students really look forward to these gatherings as some of them have known each other for years. “Some of our students have been together for three or four years and when they all get together, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to reconnect and catch up on each other’s lives.” D’Angelis said. Many of the older students could be overheard making plans for the summer and talking about what the next year holds for them, while most of the elementary students were too busy playing and high-fiving each other to discuss any future plans. Students enjoyed their lunch of hotdogs donated by the Harvey’s in the South End and some even braved the elements to attempt to feed the ducks despite the rain. All in all it was an excellent day for both students and staff to celebrate together before the start of summer.

Students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary Take Flight with FLAP

Students in Cathy Cormier’s Grade 5/6 class at St. Charles Elementary School have “gone to the birds” and are asking everybody they know to join them. These students have taken a very special program “under their wings” so to speak and are very enthusiastic in sharing their message about FLAP which stands for the Fatal Light Awareness Program. FLAP is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of wild birds in built environments and their mission statement is to preserve the lives of migratory birds in urban areas. Unfortunately, in the dark, and especially in foggy or rainy weather, the combination of glass and light becomes deadly for migratory birds. As birds migrate, they use starlight to navigate their course but get confused by artificial lights and are unable to see glass. As a result, birds by the hundreds and even thousands can be injured or killed in one night at one building. One expert estimates that across North America, up to 100 million birds die in collisions each year and many species that collide frequently are known to be in long-term decline and some are already designated officially as threatened.
Cathy Cormier became involved with this program at St. Charles several years ago when a student brought in a bird’s egg and the class began to discuss the ramifications of human contact with wildlife. Another teacher at the school, Theresa Giroux became involved in the discussion and described the FLAP program as she was already a member. The class commitment began there and has continued in Cormier’s class ever since. Each of the Grade 5/6 students this year studied a bird that was native to Northern Ontario and researched their migratory patterns. Giroux explained how important it is for students to be aware of the impact that humans have on wildlife. “It is really important that young people have an appreciation for the nature that is in their own backyard,” Giroux said. “By focusing on the birds that are around us locally, this program connects them environmentally to the wildlife provincially, nationally and globally.” Giroux also teaches the students the connection between the environment and energy conservation as this program instructs people to be aware of turning off lights and saving hydro, while helping out the migrating birds. As well, part of the lesson also teaches the students that by helping out the birds with the lights, the birds give back by eating Northern Ontario’s pesky insects including blackflies and mosquitoes. “The kids really learn that it is a win, win situation when they can connect to the environment,” Giroux said. “It is meaningful learning for them and they really begin to understand how valuable they are to their own world.”

The whole school community has taken on this important environmental initiative and has raised and donated several hundred dollars to the FLAP organization as the group is financed largely by grants, donations and membership fees.

Immaculate Students Chat Live with Olympic Athlete

Over the past year, Immaculate Conception teacher Tania Lacroix has given her students the amazing opportunity to be penpals with a true Canadian Olympian. The grade 1/2 class has been following the training and athletic performances of Kristina Groves, a Canadian long track speedskater who won both a silver and bronze medal at the 2010 Olympic Games. Approximately eight years ago, Lacroix had a friend that worked at the Calgary Training Centre and she asked if there were any athletes who would be willing to be penpals with her class. Groves volunteered and has been communicating with her classes ever since. Groves has connected with this year’s class since September through letters, and the hope was that she would be able to visit the class. During the Winter Olympics, Groves even held up a sign that had the name of the school on it for all of Canada to see. Due to scheduling conflicts, Groves was unable to come to Sudbury to visit the students but they came up with the next best thing. On Friday, June 10, the entire school gathered in the gym to take part in a a Skype call with Kristina in Calgary. The students were able to see and hear Kristina describe her races as a digital projector projected the video on the wall of the gym. Groves answered questions asked by the students in all of the different grades and even showed the group both her bronze and silver medals. It was evident that Groves was having as much fun with the call as the students in the gym as she commented on the great questions the kids were asking and smiled and laughed as the entire group clapped and screamed for her. Lacroix was happy that Groves was able to communicate one on one with the school and was pleased that they were able to finally connect live.

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.

St. Christopher’s Grade Three Class Making a Difference Across the Globe

The Grade 3 class at St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School spent the afternoon counting the grand total that they raised for the Ryan’s well foundation. They were excited to discover that they surpassed their goal and raised an amazing total of $318. Money was raised through a classroom bake sale and collection jar. They students were very proud that they were able to make a difference and were thrilled that the money will be going towards building a well in Africa.

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).

Hip-Hip-Hooray for Baby Day!!!

On June 10th, Sudbury Catholic staff who had a baby (or grand-baby) born in 2009 were invited to the Catholic Education Centre to celebrate together as a community. There were beautiful babies everywhere and the new moms, dads, grandparents and siblings enjoyed each other’s company while board office staff provided some helping hands in order for guests to enjoy prayer and lunch together. The first annual Sudbury Catholic Baby Day was a huge success and everyone in attendance were thrilled to have the opportunity to get to know the “graduating class of 2027”. Congratulations to all the families and huge thank-you’s to all those who helped organize this great day! We are already looking forward to next year!!

Corpus Christi Wins Annual Battle of the Books

Congratulations to the Corpus Christi Battle of the Books Reading Club on their fine performance at the final competition on May 19 as they placed first in a field of 16 teams from around the Sudbury District. Students demonstrated great teamwork skills and amazing memories as they responded to questions about books they’ve read throughout the school year. Many thanks to the Sudbury Public Library for hosting the event and Chapters for sponsoring the event.

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