Sudbury Catholic District School Board Supports HEADSTRONG: Youth Mental Health Summit

Posted on October 13, 2023October 13, 2023 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to join students from Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island for HEADSTRONG, an evidence-based anti-stigma initiative that inspires students to Be Brave, Reach Out and Speak Up about mental health. The summit will occur on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Cambrian College.

This day-long conference will bring together approximately 140 Secondary students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, and Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario.

Spearheaded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the HEADSTRONG movement educates youth ages 12 to 18 to recognize the signs of mental health problems and to help reduce the associated stigma.

“Mental health and well-being is a priority for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” says Director of Education, Joanne Bénard. “Working with our co-terminous boards to host HEADSTRONG further supports our ongoing commitment to nurture students by fostering their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Through this experience, HEADSTRONG will provide summit attendees with the essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to confront mental health stigmas respectfully and promote mental health and wellness within their school and surrounding community. We want to thank the support of our sponsors, including Cambrian College, Lions Club, Future North, and the Greater Sudbury Police Services, who have charitably contributed to the success of this upcoming event.”

At the summit, students will have the unique opportunity to listen to speakers with lived experiences, engage in stigma-busting activities, gain insights into available community services, and devise action plans to implement positive change upon returning to their respective schools.

“The Board recognizes the importance of erasing stigmas and cultivating a culture of hope. Though this is a one-day conference, the learning it will provide is meaningful for years to come.” Say’s Tasha Breau, a registered Psychotherapist at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and lead organizer of this year’s HEADSTONG summit. “We are thrilled to see how this year’s summit will educate our students, strengthen our communities, and transform how we can further support mental health and wellness in our schools.”

HEADSTRONG Summit Agenda

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Cambrian College

8:30 am to 9:00 am	Registration
9:00 am to 9:30 am	Introduction/Welcome
9:30 am to 9:55 am	Keynote Address: Gabe Parent
9:55 am to 10:10 am	Break
10:10 am to 10:35 am	Keynote Address: Katlyn Kotila
10:40 am to 11:10 am	Breakout Room Activities
11:15 pm to 12:15 pmNote: Best time for media interviews	Lunch/Resource Fair
12:15 pm to 12:45 pm	Prize Draw/Speaker Panel Introductions
12:45 pm to 1:45 pm	Panel discussion with guest speakers
2:00 pm to 2:25 pm	Action planning breakout activity
2:30 pm to 2:45 pm	Youth Presentations
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm	Wrap-up

About Keynote Speakers:

The first keynote address will be delivered by Gabe Parent. Gabe is a passionate mental health advocate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Gabe’s career journey has included roles as a Youth net/Reseau Ado facilitator and as a healthcare worker, providing care to seniors and youth. Gabe identifies as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and works to be proactively inclusive of all individuals. In addition to empowering youth to follow their dreams, Gabe believes in the value of well-being for all, from the youngest to the oldest members of the community.

Students will also hear from Katlyn Kotila, a passionate public speaker and community leader from Sudbury, Ontario. She is the Co-Founder of the Northern Ontario Pride Connection, a non-profit organization aimed at supporting and empowering the 2SLGBTQ+ community across northern Ontario. At the age of 14, she lost a close friend to death by suicide, a moment that would go on to change her life forever. Since then, she has spent her career advocating for improved mental health services and speaking to audiences across North America about her experiences as a suicide-loss survivor.

HEADSTRONG – Save the Date Poster

2021-22 Director’s Annual Report

Posted on February 3, 2023February 3, 2023 by Erin Kendall

We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2021-2022 school year.

We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.

Click here to read our 2021-22 report!

2022 Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

Posted on November 21, 2022November 21, 2022 by Erin Kendall

November 20th, 2022 is the beginning of Ontario’s 9th annual Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. This week allows school boards to focus the spotlight for one week on promoting safe schools and creating a positive learning environment.

Bullying prevention promotes the development of healthy relationships that involve respectful interactions between people, face-to-face and online. The goal is to help ensure that all students have healthy, safe, respectful and caring relationships with everyone in their lives.

Teachers, parents/guardians, and other adults support and act as role models for students by showing them how healthy relationships can work. Students’ positive relationships with other students depend on positive relationships with adults.

Students who have healthy relationships will be less likely to bully others, more likely to support students who are bullied and better able to reach their educational goals. Together, we are all invited to learn more about bullying by exploring reverent resources and participating in activities to identify and eradicate it.

Resources

Prev Net Tip Sheets

Prev Net – Bullying Info for Parents

Kids Help Phone

Bullying Canada

Ontario: Bullying – we can all help stop it

K-12 Cyber Awareness Month

Posted on October 13, 2022October 13, 2022 by Erin Kendall

To help Ontario school boards promote safer and more secure practices across their school communities when using digital technologies and the internet, The Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO) has introduced a a campaign to promote cyber safety and encourage individuals to become better online cyber citizens.

The K-12 Cyber Awareness Month (CAM) campaign has been tailored for K-12 education and focuses on promoting cyber security, online safety and privacy in schools and the community. This campaign is an adaptation of October Cyber Security Awareness Month, which is often mentioned in the media.

Campaign Resources

Each week in October, CAM will focus on a different theme related to cyber awareness. Please visit the ECNO website to access their complete toolkit.

ECNO Website

K-12 Cyber Awareness Calendar 2022-2023

Sudbury Catholic Schools Hosts Transition to School Event!

Posted on July 22, 2022July 22, 2022 by Carlee Vendramin

Sudbury Catholic wants to help families prepare for the next step of learning in a supportive program about transitioning to school!

Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce our upcoming virtual event “Transition to School,” designed to provide the support students need to take the next step in their learning journey!

From August 29-31st, students and families are invited to attend live, online presentations from various Sudbury Catholic teachers to help them prepare for a new chapter this fall. Each session will run twice throughout Aug 29-31. See below for session dates/times and click here to attend!

Additional Event Information

Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior teachers will cover essential topics during this event. By attending, you will learn what to expect as a new student, know what to do if you want to speak with a resource or guidance teacher, learn who the key people you should connect with and so much more! Sessions will also deliver simple strategies to help ease anxiety and teach essential organization skills to help support student success.

“Getting ready to take the next step in any learning journey can be scary. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the first day of grade 12, the transition to a new grade level should be smooth and worry-free. Because every child’s journey is unique, each presentation will focus on how to help students in that grade level prepare for Sept, so they can reach their full potential at school.” – Jennifer Connelly, St. Francis Principal

No sign up required!

Students and parents can join teachers live on Aug 29-31, to help them prepare for school in September. To join the event, click the button below!

JOIN THIS EVENT!

St. Benedict Students Wear Blue For World Autism Day!

Posted on April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 by Carlee Vendramin

On April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated around the world. Though this day took place on the weekend, we still saw schools take part. Last week the Learning Support Center students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School organized a World Autism Day activity whereby students in the building signed colourful puzzle pieces.

These puzzle pieces are symbolic of Autism as it reminds people of how little is known about the disability. In 2018, the puzzle piece symbol was recently replaced with a set of circles, but today many students still identify with the puzzle insignia.

In photo: Mrs. Mary Villeneuve, Amedeo Folino, William Speropoulos and Zander Zubal helped to celebrate the spectrum with the signatures of students and staff at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School.

In addition to signing puzzle pieces, students at the school were encouraged to wear as much blue as possible. In addition to being a beautiful colour, blue is also identified as the official colour for autism spectrum disorder awareness. By wearing blue, students and staff can support those with Autism and help bring further attention to the cause.

Did you know that April is Autism Awareness month?

Like a puzzle, wearing blue is just a tiny piece that makes up a larger puzzle of how we can all support. The United Nations established April as Autism Awareness month in 2008 to bring attention to the cause and help every child reach their full potential. Join us and learn more here.

Holy Cross Students Brainstorm How to Lift Their Spirits for Bell Let’s Talk Day!

Posted on January 26, 2022January 26, 2022 by Carlee Vendramin

For Bell Let’s Talk day, Holy Cross students from Madame Riutta’s class hold up their class mind map of ideas for staying positive and hopeful!

This week, lots of students have been brainstorming new and creative ways to lift themselves up when stuck in a negative rut. In addition to these wonderful mind maps, students have also made posters, videos and morning announcements on the topic! The idea is based on the book “How to Get Unstuck from the Negative Muck” by Lake Sullivan.

Stay tuned to CTV Northern News tonight as the teacher Mr. Clapperton and student Lia Gallo will be featured in story about Bell Let’s Talk day!

Holy Cross students reflect what has helped them be successful during remote learning

Posted on January 9, 2022February 9, 2022 by Carlee Vendramin

Students at Holy Cross School in the South End missed being in-person at school, but rather than sit back these young leaders found creative ways to focus on the positive and stay connected to their friends and teachers!

In an innovative way that allowed them to unite and connect with their school community from afar, Holy Cross School asked their students, with their guardian’s permission, to submit pictures and share incites on what got them through the latest stint of online learning at home.

Bradley Wolski, in grade two, expressed that he enjoyed being cozy in his room while drumming and making noise during music class. He also enjoyed taking Dewey the dog for a walk at recess time. What a good idea!

Preeya Mulligan-Graton says, “what helps me learn online is knowing that all my friends are learning with me. We are all in it together.”

Tishe Esan says what keeps her going is “a comfy and quiet place where she can concentrate when learning at home.”

Overall, students thoroughly enjoyed speaking about their personal experiences on how they have been learning online.

Although many students are looking forward to returning to in-class learning in the near future, this opportunity provided an integrative experience where students could discover how other individuals in their exact position kept positive.

A total of 24 students submitted their stories and pictures. As a special reward for inspiring and uplifting their school as young role models, these students received their very own Cub toque to help them keep on the schoolyard upon their return. Great work, Cubs!

Join Us For Our Webinar – Coping With Stress!

Posted on December 17, 2021December 17, 2021 by Carlee Vendramin

STRESS! We all experience it.

That’s why Sudbury Catholic Schools is pleased to invite you to register for our upcoming wellness webinar in January. At this webinar, two outstanding guest presenters will tackle this topic and provide coping strategies for dealing with stress.

WHEN: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19 AT 5:30 PM

More Information:

Alina Rukkila MSW, RSW and Jessie Jones CYW will lead us through an engaging session on dealing with the different types of stress and provide helpful strategies and tips we can incorporate to help us manage it when it happens.

We all know that not all types of stress are bad. Good types of stress can help you focus, ensure you meet your daily challenges, and encourage you to reach specific goals you have for yourself. However, it’s essential to understand the difference between good and harmful types of stress. Over time, a continued strain on the body put on from stress can get the best of you. It’s paramount to identify the causes of daily stress and manage the intensity of these feelings. By knowing healthy coping strategies, we can enjoy life and learn happily.