Students at St. David Catholic Elementary School have set a goal for themselves. They are going to become runners. Teacher Terri-Lynn Lapage issued a challenge to the grades 1-5 students to learn how to become runners and fifteen students have accepted this challenge. Twice a week this group – called the St. David Roaring Runners – as an homage to the school’s mascot, the dragon, can be seen and heard playing cooperative games, running around the block, and cheering each other on. Lepage’s hope is to get the students moving and fit all the while having fun. “The club promotes physical fitness for students and staff and encourages sportsmanship and a positive mental attitude,” Lepage stated. “It’s about supporting the whole person – mind, body and soul… and with the running club – the kids are getting that positive support.” The Roaring Runners are preparing for the Santa Shuffle on December 3rd and are busy collecting pledges to donate to the Salvation Army’s Women and Children’s shelter. All of the their progress is charted in a blog that Lepage has set up at http://groups.runforlife.ca/roaringrunners. “Running club is a place where all children (and teachers) can experience success. I can’t describe how great it feels to see students cheering each other on or proudly announcing that they ran 7 laps this practice instead of 3 or 4.” St. David principal Dawn Wemigwans is quite proud of Lepage and the students. “What a fantastic opportunity to promote wellness and healthy living for our students,” Wemigwans stated. “There is nothing better than seeing the kids running around the school, laughing and cheering, with great big smiles on their faces – that is what this club is all about.” Lepage and the Roaring Runners are issuing a challenge to all other schools and running clubs in Sudbury to start up similar clubs and match or even beat their donations. Lepage encourages others to go to her blog to find out more about the St. David Roaring Runners and says to expect to see them in fine form at their very first race, the Santa Shuffle, in December. “This race is only our first goal – the first step in a journey of healthy living for our St. David community.”
Category: Student Wellness
National Fire Prevention Week at St. Charles Elementary
Students at St. Charles Elementary had in a ‘surprise’ fire drill on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 as part of the school’s participation in National Fire Prevention Week. District Fire Chief, Pat O’Link was very impressed and stated ‘the children did a excellent job on evacuating the building quickly and quietly’. A couple of Grade one students, Emma Huzij and Ryan Leclair, had a surprise of their own when they were given an opportunity to sit in the fire truck, turn the sirens on and wear a fire fighters hat.
Local School Embraces Healthy Foods Program
St. David Catholic School has embraced the Healthy Food guidelines in the school and has taken the program one step further. To encourage parent engagement as well as build a deeper understanding of the principles behind the program, the school tried a new approach when planning their annual September open house. Parents and family members were invited to the school’s open house by the children themselves. The children prepared healthy, “good tasting” after school snacks for their parents and family members. Parents and community members had the opportunity to not only meet new teachers and see their children’s classrooms, but also were able to taste delicious healthy snacks prepared by their own children. “The after school event was a total success”, declared grade 2/3 teacher and Dearness Conservation representative, Terri Lynn Lepage. “Through this activity, we were able to show students how healthy eating can be very simple and easy to do. During the open house, our students were proud of their snacks and were the ones sharing that same message with their parents”. Principal, Dawn Wemigwans, said, “The event, from beginning to end, was very fun, extremely educational, provided a wonderful opportunity for our students and teachers to participate in hands on learning — and was a great ice breaker with parents, family members and community partners”.
St. Anne Early Learning Students “Dig” Fall
Students within the English Early Learning Program at St. Anne School in Hanmer recognize the many changes that fall brings for animals and plants. After brainstorming about their own activities, the children were able to understand that people are also making changes as Mother Nature prepares to rest. Their classroom teacher, Cheryl MacRury, invited the English Catholic students to her father’s home in order to allow the children to participate in a fall “garden harvest”. Dressed in boots and gloves and armed with their own shovels and smiles, the students moved through the garden pulling carrots and celery, picking pumpkins, and digging for potatoes. Before the harvest, some of the students were sure that carrots originated from stores. Since the visit, these young children not only recognize where vegetables come from, but they are also aware that harvesting in the fall will help to keep them fed now that days grow colder!
Healthy Start to School at St. Charles Elementary
Brianna Lachance, Grade 6 student at St.Charles Elementary School in Chelmsford gets off to a healthy start to the school year by sampling her fresh fruit and yogurt. St.Charles Elementary school works in partnership with the Human League and Better Beginnings Better Futures so that students have fresh snacks during the week. “It is a great energy boost for the students,” stated Sandra Heibert- St. Denis, principal of the school. “The snacks help the students remain focused on learning, and allow them to keep their concentration in class, so we are thrilled that both the Human League and Better Beginnings and Better Futures support us in this way.”
St. Anne Students Promote Sun Safety Over Summer Holidays
The Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion students at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer modelled their sunhats in an effort to promote awareness of the adverse affects of sun exposure. Working with their health teacher, Mrs. Desmarais, the students discussed the very serious issue of sun safety. With the upcoming holidays, students of all ages will be involved in outdoor activities both at home and for leisure. Students agreed that in general, young people aren’t concerned with the health risks of tanning, which includes the most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma. The use of sunscreen, hats and protective clothing againstt too much sun are rules everyone needs to concern themselves with. Mrs. Desmarais, a teacher within the Sudbury Catholic Board, stated, “Students are aware of the dangers of the sun and they know how to protect themselves from it. But because they’re young the dangers seem distant to them and it’s difficult to get them to put their knowledge into practise.”
As well as taking precautions while in the sun, the students also discussed the effects of artificial sunlight. In spite of warnings and education the use of tanning beds continues to increase. These St. Anne angels know that an ounce of prevention today is a step in the right direction for the future!
Sudbury Catholic’s Third Annual Outdoor Adventure Race a Smashing Success!
Despite the rainy weather, it was a spectacular day for the third annual Sudbury Catholic Outdoor Adventure Race in Killarney on June 8, 2011. Students from all four of the Board’s secondary schools entered teams to take part in a four part outdoor race which included biking, canoeing, orienteering and a mystery challenge which involved a first aid rescue exercise. A total of fifteen teams with three students per team participated and, although rain-soaked for part of the race, managed to keep smiles on their faces throughout the entire challenge. The past two years has seen St. Charles College and then St. Benedict take home the coveted banner, and this year St. Charles managed to win back the first place spot. A team from St. Benedict won in terms of time, however, due to a small mistake in the orienteering section, they were given a 5 minute penalty which put the St. Charles team consisting of Adam McKibbon (Grade 12), Michael Wandziak (Grade 11) and Jonah Lynott (Grade 11) in first place. Awards were also given out for first place for a co-ed team as well as an all-girls team.
Grade 12 Courtyard Officially Opens at Bishop ACCSS
Immediately after the ribbon cutting, students at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School stormed the pathway into the school’s new courtyard on June 9, 2011. At the official opening for the courtyard, staff and students joined together to celebrate the vision of many of the students. This courtyard has been a space that the school had been planning for several years and had finally come to fruition as a result of a speak-up grant that was applied for and granted by the Ministry of Education. Grade twelve students from last year had been collectively planning for a quiet restful place to gather between classes and during breaks, but until this past year, the monies were unavailable. Because of the funding from the successful Speak Up grant application, the school officially open their courtyard on June 9, 2011, which includes several picnic tables, a lush green lawn, a bricked pathway and several benches and picnic tables – which were built by the school’s woodshop classes. Lori Roy, a Bishop teacher who worked with the students and their applications was thrilled with the space and the happiness of the students. “Before, this space was just rocks and dirt, and a few holes in the ground as a result of some unsuccessful attempts to make it into something better,” Roy stated. “ Now, it is a quiet, reflective, positive gathering space for our grade twelve students and as a result they are just ecstatic. The only sad part, is that the students who were successful in their grant application have already graduated so they weren’t able to be here for the official opening. I really hope they will come back to visit to see that their dream became an actuality – our presents students will be forever grateful for this gift.”
As part of the Ministry’s Student Voice Initiative, Speak up Grants allow for projects inspired by students’ ideas to become a reality.
“Apple-icious” School Gets Provincial Healthy School Designation
St. Raphael School is being recognized by the provincial government for actively promoting a healthy environment. The students have been eating apples together each month to bring awareness to the benefits of eating the cheap and healthy fruit.
The school has also been including nutrition facts and tips in its monthly newsletters to raise parent/guardian awareness.
The students have taken an active role in the washing and distribution of the apples each month. The grade seven students also provide the students with apple related trivia to get them into the spirit before each big crunch.
Vicki McGuire, the principal of the school says “the students look forward to the apple crunch a month and many have been asking if the program will continue next school year.”
The Ministry of Education has provided the school with a pledge certificate and a healthy school banner to help celebrate the schools achievements.