Students from St. Joseph and St. David’s Catholic Elementary Schools joined together for the day at St. David’s schools to build links between the two communities. The students’ teachers, Irene Dembek from St. Joseph and Christina Kilby from St. David’s brought their classes together as part of their multi-school project to build knowledge and understanding of the history and traditions found in Aboriginal culture. It is their hope that their project would begin building supportive relationships for Aboriginal students and illicit parent involvement in order to assist students in their embracing of their cultural background. Will Morin, a local artist and story teller was invited in to the school to share his stories and his expertise in Aboriginal culture with both the Aboriginal students as well as the general student population.
Category: Student
St. Mary’s Students Hit the Bigtime!
The music was blaring as the students practiced for the last time before their big performance at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School last week. Ms. O’Reilly, a teacher at the school organized a lip synch contest for those daring students who wanted to participate in the big show. With costumes covered in “bling” and musical instrument props at the ready, the kids rehearsed their choreography anxious to wow the audience. “It is a nice event for the students just before Christmas.” said Gen Waszczylo, principal of the school. “The kids really work hard to prepare and the rest of the students enjoy the different acts. It is fun for everybody!” As predicted, the performance went off without a hitch and was a huge hit for all of the students and staff!
Sudbury Catholic Board Decides to Build Holy Cross Catholic School, JK to Grade 6
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board unanimously voted to make its newest high-tech green school a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school. The Board’s Trustees made the decision at the December 15, 2009 Board meeting.
The trustees decided the new Holy Cross Catholic School in Sudbury’s south end would be a separate Dual Track JK to Grade 6 School, located near St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The new school will also include an early-learning daycare facility and a 4,000 square foot gymnasium.
“Holy Cross is going to be a fantastic new school,” says Board Chair Jody Cameron, “It will be high-tech, offering the latest in educational technology – while being an intimate, safe and personable environment for children ranging from our new full-day junior kindergarten program to Grade 6. It’s an exciting time.”
Meantime, the Catholic Board also decided it will offer Grade 7 to 12 programming next door at the existing St. Benedict’s Catholic Secondary School. This will include the construction of new classrooms and a third gymnasium. The renovations will also include a new “cafetorium” (which is a combination of a cafeteria and auditorium) to serve both the elementary and secondary students. It could seat as many as 500 people for concerts, plays, presentations, guest speakers, and other special events.
“These two projects are exciting for students, parents, and teachers in our Catholic schools,” says Board Director, Catherine McCullough, “It’s a great decision which will continue to enhance our community partnerships. These students who already benefit from programs like our nationally-recognized laptop learning program will now have even more educational tools at their fingertips to help them have a balanced educational experience and go on to succeed in life.”
The Board Trustees made the decision after extensive consultation with the school communities impacted. The new Holy Cross Catholic School will open in September 2011. The new and improved St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will also be ready for the fall of 2011. Both projects combined are projected to cost $16.2-million with $11.7-million coming from the provincial government – while the Board has agreed to contribute $4.5-million.
Marymount Academy Teacher Shows True Meaning of Christmas!
During the holidays, people often get caught up in the buying of presents and the more materialistic side of Christmas. Not so for Matthew Wiecha, teacher at Marymount Academy. For the past twenty years, Mr. Wiecha along with his students from Marymount Academy have helped their community by providing a bountiful Christmas lunch for the clients of the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (S.A.C.Y.). For many homeless clients, dealing with addiction and mental health issues, the luncheon is often the only Christmas meal they have to look forward to. Jill Ospina, a St. Albert teacher who teaches out of S.A.C.Y. says that the clients had been talking about this luncheon for weeks and weeks. “A lot of the return clientele tell the new clients about the feast and the anticipation really builds.” says Ospina. Mr. Wiecha and his classes prepared weeks in advance for the day. They raised money, put in their own funds and organized the whole meal including the cooking of four turkeys! “Not only is it a great day for the people who come to eat, but for the Marymount girls as well.” states Wiecha. “It really builds a social conscious into the curriculum. The girls really look forward to it.” Mardi Taylor, Executive Director presented Mr. Wiecha with a plaque in honour of his twenty years of service to the centre. Mary Wiecha, Matthew’s wife was also on hand to surprise and support her husband for the presentation of the award. “I had never been here before to see this.” stated Mary. “It is amazing to see the amount of food and the number of people that are here to take part. I am really proud of my husband.” More than 200 people enjoyed the luncheon put on by Mr. Wiecha and his senior social science students. Cassandra MacGregor, Vice Principal of Marymount was also presented with a plaque to thank the students of Marymount for their participation. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud of Mr. Wiecha and his students and would like to thank them for really exemplifying the true spirit of Christmas!
St. Mary Catholic Elementary Students Surprised by the Man in Red
The students and staff of St. Mary Catholic Elementary School waited patiently eating pizza knowing that someone special was on his way. Every year, the Capreol Knights of Columbus put on a pizza lunch for the students of the school and because of a special connection they have, were able to persuade Santa to take a break from his Christmas preparations and visit all of the kids of St. Mary. Representing the Knights of Columbus, Ken Gustafson – Treasurer, Fred Lowes – Secretary and Don Degagne – Grand Knight pulled some strings and were able to get Santa to show up at the school giving each student a chance to sit on his lap and receive a bag full of candy. Originally, the Knights gathered the children after Sunday mass at the local church but the Sunday mass was eliminated so they approached the schools a few years back to see if they could have the celebration there. The school was thrilled and have hosted the party ever since. All of the students from J.K. to Grade 6 waited anxiously in line for their chance to talk to Santa and tell him their wishes. “It is a really nice day.” said Degagne. “We feel it is important to support Catholic education in the community of Capreol and this is one way that we do this.” The students and staff of St. Mary would like to thank the Knights of Columbus for supporting their school and ask that they pass on their thanks to Santa as well!
St. Mary Catholic Elementary School Student Wins Coveted Cover of Local Business Calendar
Tyler, McVey, a Grade student from St. Mary Catholic Elementary School was shocked when he received a phone call that let him know that the picture he had drawn had won the coveted spot on the Northern Credit Union’s annual calendar. “I just couldn’t believe it!” stated Tyler. “I don’t usually win stuff and I won. Everybody was really happy and I was really happy.” A few months back Gen Waszczylo, principal of St. Mary noticed that the local branch of the Northern Credit Union had posters up advertising a drawing contest for kids. Mrs. Waszczylo brought some of these posters back and encouraged students to participate and told Tyler personally about the contest. “Mrs. Waszczylo knew that I liked to draw so she thought that this would be something I would want to try” said Tyler. All of the submissions were then put online on the Northern Credit Union’s website and could be voted on. The one to receive the most votes was put on the front cover of the calendar. Tyler’s drawing of the Northern Credit Union in Capreol received the most votes. Bev Winn, local Branch Manager was on hand on Thursday to present to Tyler the first copy of the calendar. Tyler’s mom was also present to be a part of the presentation. Both she and Mrs. Waszczylo had tears in their eyes when they watched Tyler receive his calendar as well as some prizes. Winn showed the calendar already has an extra page at the end for January 2011 that is blank. “This is so the kids can do their drawing right on the calendar, cut it off and submit it for next year’s contest.” Tyler was very excited that because of his talents, the Northern Credit Union will also be having a pizza lunch for his whole class. “I have always loved to draw.” said Tyler. “ Now I am going to enter more contests like this because I know that I can win!”
St. Francis Students Win Top Honours in Remembrance Day Contest
Students from St. Francis Catholic Elementary School participated in the Canadian Legion Branch 564 Lockerby Remembrance Day contest and walked away with several of the top spots. Mrs. Rinaldi – the Grade 5/6 teacher encouraged her students to enter the competition.
Justin Pappano – Third Place Story
Livingston Boyd – Third Place Poetry and Second Place Poster contest
Logan Dube – Second Place Poem
Perer Boylan – First Place Story
Perer’s story will be going on further in the competition with other branch participant winners. Congratulations to all of the participants!
Sudbury Catholic Board Names New High-Tech, Green Elementary School
There was a celebratory as Trustees with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board voted to name Sudbury’s new elementary school. In the end, trustees selected the name “Holy Cross Catholic School.”
“The name ‘Holy Cross’ has significant meaning,” says Board Chair, Jody Cameron, “The four points of the cross represents the coming-together of four existing school communities into one new, learning community where our children will learn and make lifelong friends. This is a very exciting time for the Board and the expansion of Catholic Education in Sudbury’s south end.”
The decision comes after extensive consultation with students, teachers and parents from Corpus Christi, St. Christopher, St. Michael and St. Theresa schools — as well as St. Francis. The Board also got input from the local Parishes and community partners.
The new school will serve elementary students in the city’s south end and will be located on the St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School site. Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is equally pleased with the decision of the new school’s name.
McCullough emphasized, “Holy Cross Catholic School will have lower energy and utility costs than traditionally built schools, and the money saved can go back into the classrooms. That means more money to expand on programs such as our already-established, nationally-recognized Learning with Laptops program as well as full-day junior kindergarten which the Board announced just last month.”
“The naming of this new state-of-the-art school is only the beginning of the many new steps that our Board will be taking in creating this educational village in the city’s south end,” stated Board Chair Cameron, “The next step is to complete the architectural final plans for the design of the new school and get shovels in the ground.”
The Board will decide on the site plan for Holy Cross at next Tuesday’s regular Board meeting. The school will open in September 2011.
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School Breakfast Club Feels Like Family
On December 4, 2009 parents and community members were invited to join the staff and students to celebrate the success of their school’s breakfast club. It has been up and running since May of last year and has grown in leaps and bounds. Dave Soehner, principal of the school says a lot of the program’s success is because of the staff involvement, most especially Dennis Dechaine, Cathy Boyer and Jen Geddes. All during the breakfast preparation, the serving of the food and the clean up afterwards, these three kid, joke and smile with the students that attend. It is more of a family environment that exists at their breakfast club. “The students from day one were told – wash your hands, sign in, eat your breakfast, and put your plates in the dishwasher” says Mr. Dechaine. And the students do just that – very reminiscent of a family setting around the table. Many of the students volunteer to clean up afterwords as well. Geddes says that they are very grateful to the Breakfast Clubs of Canada as well as the Human League for all of their financial support and donations. Other local companies have also started to donate to this program. Mr. Soehner says that the breakfast club has improved their school culture. “It has provided our students with a greater sense of community and this message is reinforced by the commitment of our teachers who facilitate the program.” Cathy Boyer feels it is a great way for the kids to have some social time before class. “It really provides the students with many opportunities including a chance for them to spend quality time with their teachers as well as their friends.”