Mothers and grandmothers were invited to a celebration in their honour at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School on May 5, 2010. As part of the school’s Catholic Education week events, the JK/SK and SK classes put on a special ceremony for all of the students’ mothers and grandmothers. The JK/SK teacher Rosemary Tripodi and SK teacher Lissa Sanchioni had the students work on songs, poems, video slideshows and other tributes to their guests. As well, the celebration included refreshments, two separate draws (one for mothers, one for grandmothers) and take home gifts made by the students. One of the mom’s in attendance, Brooke Belowos, was thrilled with the celebration. “This celebration was absolutely adorable!’ said Belowos. “What a wonderful opportunity to take part in my daughter’s class.” Rosemary Tripodi thanked all of the guests for attending their event. “It is because of you that we are here today.” said Tripodi. “ As May is the month dedicated to mothers, we felt that Catholic Education week was the perfect time to honour our mothers and grandmothers as they are the students first and most important teachers of all!” St. Raphael is one of the Catholic elementary schools that has been selected to be an Early Learning Program site and this event was also an opportunity for parents to get a first hand look at the hands on learning and commitment to students offered at St. Raphael.
Category: Staff
SCDSB Students Committeed to be “Partners for Life”
Community Partners were invited to the Lakehouse at Science North recently by Canadian Blood Services as a thank you for being a part of their Partners for Life program. Several students from St. Benedict, Marymount Academy and Bishop Alexander Carter along with school Chaplaincy Leads Rob Pappin and Jennifer Geddes were presented with plaques for their schools to thank the students and to remind them of the importance of supporting blood donation in the community. Steve Tipman, a representative from Canadian Blood Services spoke to significant efforts of the organizations that have become part of the Partners for Life program. “Knowing that one donation can save three lives, these different organizations have made huge contributions to Canadian Blood Services.” said Tipman. Rob Papin got involved with this program when he was the Chaplaincy Lead at Bishop and continued it when he transferred to St. Benedict. “It is really great to see our students involved in the community.” said Pappin. “It is a great way for students to prepare for their futures by getting them to talk about and take part in these kind of programs today.” Adam Lapatka, a grade 11 student from St. Benedict felt honoured to be a part of Partners for Life and to be a student ambassador for the program at his school. “I wanted to set an example for students and take part in this program. “ said Lapatka. “It is definitely a manageable commitment and one that I encourage all students to sign up for.”
A “Bon Voyage” for S.C.C. and B.A.C.C.S.S. Students
Congratulations goes out to the senior french immersion classes who participated in another successful class trip. This time they visited the multicultural city of Montreal. The students were excellent ambassadors of both St. Charles College and BACCSS. They were treated to a humouristique, bilingual dinner theatre presentation where play on words was the order of the day. They also visited Notre Dame basilica as well as Mont Royale. All were in awe of the newest presentation of Cirque du Soleil. Shopping in the Old Port and downtown Montreal was also on the menu. Many of the students impressed the citizens of Montreal with their use of french. Plans are already under way for next year’s trip.
Trillium “Try Day” Program at Marymount Academy
On Monday, May 3, 2010 grade 7 and 8 students at Marymount Academy kicked off Catholic Education Week with a Trillium “Try Day” program. The day-long Floorball Tournament has been funded through a campaign from OFSAA called the Trillium “Try Day” School Program, supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Through this program, OFSAA grants up to $800 for schools to implement new or non-traditional sporting events or physical activities into the physical education program at the school. The grant money allows schools to purchase equipment, resource materials, clinics, facility rental and transportation for programs that are new to the school and students. This is a great opportunity to help motivate students toward incorporating physical activity into their lifestyle, in the hopes of producing healtheir, more active young people and adults.
Marymount Academy was selected to be a part of this “Try Day” school program for the 2009/2010 school year. The new sporting event that will be conducted is Floorball, which is a combination of hockey and soccer, the 2 most popular sports in Canada. Floorball is a fun,quick, and active sport that provides a great workout in a friendly environment. Cassandra MacGregor, Vice Principal of the school said that it was a great opportunity for the students to develop team spirit. “As well, it is a great way for the students to try out a new sport while getting their daily physical activity.” said MacGregor.
Sudbury Catholic School Staff Inspired to Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
World renowned motivational speaker, performer and artist Lesley Andrew was the keynote speaker at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Professional Development Day on April 23, 2010. All S.C.D.S.B. staff including teachers and educational assistants were blown away by Andrew’s presentation entitled “Beating the Odds”. The staff gathered at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School to take part in a day dedicated to special education. Andrew, who is gifted learning disabled, spoke to the group about overcoming her learning difficulties and not only surviving but thriving in the arts. She inspired the crowd with her story of her life growing up with a learning disability and then becoming a successful singer, actor, textile artist and speaker. Her message was clear – one single teacher can make a huge difference in the life of a child. The teachers showed their appreciation for Andrew’s message with a standing ovation and it set the stage for an innovative and inspiriing inservice for staff on the subject of special education.
St. Mary Students Make the Most of Earth Day
St. Mary Catholic School students celebrated Earth Day by cleaning debris and picking up garbage along Lakeshore Street in Capreol..They filled 39 bags, some pieces of wood, collected several discarded large items and even found a bicycle! The Vermillion River area by the beach looks so much cleaner. Even the Canada geese came for a visit and honked their appreciation. Upon their return to school students created chalk Earth Day messages in the school yard.
St. Ben’s Students Up Front at McMaster Maruaders Offensive Line Development Camp
This past Saturday, St. Benedict Football players Erick Lessard and Emilio Frometa took part in the McMaster Marauders “Up Front” Offensive Line Development Camp. Over 120 highschool football players spend the day learning from the past, and present CFL offensive linemen, along with current McMaster Marauder players.
Also in attendance as guest coaches, were Mike Derks (Head Coach for the Lasalle Lancers, Grey Cup winner 86′) and Frank Rocca (Head Coach for the St. Benedict Bears, Grey Cup winner 99′)
Autism Advocate and Author Inspires Staff at SCDSB
Several Sudbury Catholic School Resource and Autism Spectrum Disorder (A.S.D). teachers had the opportunity to listen to Jennifer Krumins on Thursday, April 8, 2010. Krumins who is an autism advocate and author, has been a teacher in Ontario for the last 20 years and her experiences have equipped her with an understanding of all kinds of learning differences and challenging learning difficulties, including teaching her own son both in the general classroom (for two years) and in private therapy at home. It was these experiences that both drained her emotionally and inspired her professionally. Krumins earned her Special Education Specialist and undertook extensive training from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto, Ontario. She also had the privilege of working in a private therapy program for her son under the guidance and direction of the Behaviour Institute in Hamilton, Ontario. According to Krumins, it was her work with students with autism that truly educated her and allowed her to write several books that speak to the importance of understanding and support needed for students with autism. Krumins spoke to the staff about her strong belief in empowering individuals with autism to develop their potential and be who they were created to be. As well she wants to help give teachers the tools that they need to plan an individualized, authentic and meaningful classroom program for a student with autism based on sound science and experience. Christina Raso, the Special Education Consultant for the Board was thrilled to have Krumins come to speak to the staff. “It is a real privilege having Jennifer come to our Board and speak to our teachers.” said Raso. “We have her books in all of our schools and we are very fortunate to have this opportunity to learn from Jennifer’s experience and knowledge to better understand our students.”
St. Andrew Students All “A-Buzz” for Spelling
On Monday March 29th at 1pm the St. Andrew School junior students participated in the School Junior Spelling Bee. Fourteen brave souls participated in the competition in order to find the one student who would represent St. Andrew School at the CPCO semifinal and hopefully the final Spelling Bee. Pictured are Sydney Sheppard (winner) Hannah Smith (2nd runner up) and Sidney Smith (1st runner up) with the three judges, Mrs. Vervega, Mr. Dagonstino and Mr. Gautheir. Congratulations to all of the participants and the SCDSB wishes Sydney every success in her next level of competition!