Young students at St. James Catholic School were fascinated by a presentation about local frogs and toads that inhabit Junction Creek. In collaboration with the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee the students learned about the different types of frog and toad calls and how to identify different types of frogs and toads both by sound and by sight. The presentation ended with an interactive frog calling session when the students created a chorus of different frog calls using their voices and other objects such as balloons, combs, and elastic bands.
Category: Student
St. John Students Stand Up Against Bullying and Wear Pink!
As a part of Bullying Awareness Week, and International STAND UP to Bullying Day, students at St. John wore pink! Pink day was a wrap up to a week of awareness activities, lessons and announcements all geared to help students advocate againstt bullying.
“Filling their Buckets” at Pius XII
Students at Pius XII school are learning how to fill their buckets! Through a school community building activity senior student, Cody Watson read to the ELK students a story about “filling their buckets” by doing good deeds, and then explored different ways to make it happen. Kindergarteners as well as all students now understand that everytime they do or say something nice for someone else they’re actually filling their own “buckets” and the other student’s “bucket”. Student council can often be heard during morning announcements giving reminder messages to keep buckets full of positivity and its catching on. The goal is to keep your bucket overflowing so that it might spill onto others!
Faith and Technology Connects the Generations
The students of Mme. Brunelleʼs Grade 4 French Immersion class from St. Theresa Catholic School had a taste of what it is like to be documentary filmmakers. The enthusiastic students prepared questions in both French and English and interviewed seniors at The Walford Retirement Residence on November 11, 2011. With the help of Technology Integration Mentor Leann Laframboise and classroom teacher Julie Brunelle, the students are creating a documentary film about Faith. Students were partnered with elders and they asked questions about what their faith has meant to them, what special prayers they like to say and how they celebrated Christʼs birthday in the past. The interviews then evolved into natural conversations as the students connected with the seniors through their faith in God. “This experience allows the students to use technology, practice their oral communication skills and to learn from an older generation in their faith community. However, the best part about it is to see the smiles on the faces of the students and the seniors” says Brunelle. Once the students have completed their film, they will make a “movie date” and bring it to share with the seniors.
A Magical Time at St. Joseph’s School
Recently, Father Alex Saurianthadathil, from Holy Redeemer Parish paid a special visit to St. Joseph School in Killarney. His unique approach to teaching uses magic tricks to capture the students’ imagination and explain how, for example, bread is transformed into the body of Christ during Mass. He also helped to reinforce the message that Jesus is found in our hearts. As the students prepare for Reconciliation, they welcome God’s mercy and begin to develop a healthy conscience. Father Alex helped the students realize that they too are created in God’s image and likeness.
St. Anne English Kindergarten Students Choose Not To “Leaf” Fall Outdoors
The smell of fresh fallen leaves is one of the joys of fall. But why “leaf” it outside? During the last month, the English Early Learning Kindergarten Students at St. Anne School in Hanmer decided to bring fall inside so they could enjoy it right up until the snow came. They used a freshly raked bag of leaves and placed it within their housekeeping center. Armed with rakes and a wading pool, the Sudbury Catholic Board students practiced all the activities that their parents were doing outside. Raking, jumping, and burying each other in leaves mimicked the activities that the students were experiencing within their own yards. How about fun? Well, just ask students Jenna Deveau Peddie and Olivia Dunbabin. Their smiling faces say it all. Fall is a great time of the year, especially when you can enjoy it with friends!
St. Charles Elementary Takes Part in Bullying Awareness Week
Today marks the beginning of Ontario Bullying Awareness Week (Nov.14-18). Students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School kicked off the week with an assembly where they gathered and pledged “to stand up againstt bullying”. Although bullying activities are on-going, teachers will take time to speak up on this important issue that affects too many of Ontario’s students. Many classroom activities have been planned to heighten the awareness. Principal Sandra Hiebert St. Denis stated: “Bullying Awareness Week is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of bullying-related issues with parents, staff, students, and the local community”.
Donovan Area Catholic School and Best Start Hub Work Together to Serve Community’s Needs
The Best Start Aboriginal Hub and the teachers of St. David Catholic School have partnered to meet the needs of the Junior and Senior Kindergarten students. Eileen Creasely and Nakina Stevens, two HUB employees facilitate monthly hands on lessons based in Aboriginal culture and tradition that are closely linked with the new kindergarten curriculum. Each class is invited to the HUB once a month for a fun, culture based lesson. Many of the lessons include song and dance opportunities as well as the opportunity to new a word in the Ojibwe language.
Lindsay Michel, St. David School Kindergarten teacher states, “this not only benefits all our students, but also benefits the teachers and educational assistants in the school. New learning is good for everyone. As teachers, it is important for us to model to our students that we too are lifelong learners and open to new ideas and the learning of a different culture. This program really helps to build connections between the school and the HUB. The students see us learning together, laughing together and working as a team”.
The school and the HUB plan to continue this program throughout the school year. “We appreciate the support and team building opportunities the HUB offers the school”, states Michel. “We have a lot of fun working together”.
Giving St. James School a BIG Bear Hug
Students, teachers, parents, school staff, clergy and educational partners held hands together to literally form a “human circle” and gave St. James School a BIG Bear Hug on October 26, 2011. Forming a circle by holding hands recognized that everyone makes a difference and plays an important role in the education of the St James students.
Prior to going outside to form a circle, Bishop Noel Simard addressed the students and explained how hugs are a sign of welcoming and acceptance of everyone.
This simple hug created such a positive synergy and was a visible sign of the fondness for St. James School. Giving St. James a BIG Bear hug was a special and memorable moment and as one Grade 8 student summed it up “This is the coolest thing we ever did at school”.