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.”
Category: Student
St. Albert Makes the Grade
St. Albert Adult Learning Centre was featured in a story this week in the Northern Life. Staff writer Heidi Ulrichsen contacted St. Albert after writing a previous story that talked about a student who was struggling to finish school and couldn’t find a place that suited his needs. St. Albert fits the bill.
Read this story at Northern Life to learn more about St. Albert.
St. Michael Catholic Elementary School Choir On Their Way to Becoming Stars
The students from Grade 2 to 6 at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School have been hard at work practicing for their performance on the annual CTV telethon. The school council parents have raised $200 for the school to donate and they will be continuing these fundraising efforts in the upcoming weeks. St. Michael’s would like to thank the parent council for all of their help with their money-raising efforts as well as their work with the choir – especially Mrs. Vintinner, Mrs. Udeschini and Mrs. Herold. The staff and students of St. Michael would like to wish HOPE, JOY, LOVE and PEACE to all of the families in our community!
Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School on our Radar
As the holidays are approaching quickly, many of our schools are experiencing a flurry of events. This is true for Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School. The school has had several outstanding events occur and many more happening in the upcoming weeks. Just a few of the great things that have happened recently at Bishop include hosting their fifth Annual Spaghetti Dinner for students, parents, community (feeder schools) and staff which was a huge success. Over three hundred people attended and it was a super fundraiser for the school. As well, the Bishop A.C.C.S.S. Junior Girls basketball team were the city champions for the second year in a row. For the month of December, the students and staff have been gathering items to make up a Christmas Hamper as well as collecting gently used winter clothing items for the St. Kevin’s Parish initiative called “Socks for the Sole”. On December 4th, the school will be hosting a Parent Breakfast at the Breakfast Club and parents and the community have been invited to attend. This breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 8:10 a.m. To add to all of this, the school is also in the process of raising money to donate to the annual CTV telethon. Through mission donations and neighbourhood caroling, the school has raised $665 to date. The students are continuing with this fundraising effort until Friday with the hopes of bringing that total even higher. The staff and students of Bishop A.C.C.S.s. have been extremely busy and we look forward to hearing more about their school community in the upcoming weeks!
St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School CTV Luncheon/Fundraiser Phenomenal Success!
Over two hundred people filled the gym as the St. Bernadette staff and students came together to support one of it’s own. A few weeks ago, Ashley Dahlvik, the school’s Junior Kindergarten teacher approached Principal Nicole Snow with a fundraising idea. For the past nine years, Dahlvik has performed on the CTV telethon but this year she thought it would be a great idea to approached her school community for some support. They came up with an idea to hold a luncheon/fundraiser that could raise money for Dahlvik to present during the telethon. One of the student’s parents, John Cimino, who is also manager of the Caruso Club, decided to donate all of the food for the luncheon. “Its for a good cause.” stated Cimino. “It is also a good time to give especially when a lot of the community is struggling.” The school raised over $700 for Ms. Dahlvik to present at the telethon. “It is all about getting out Catholic school community involved in the Greater City of Sudbury Community. It is what we are called to do.” said Dahlvik. Father Al MacMillan from St. Raphael parish was on hand to say grace before the meal as well as Fred VaDerHooft, a Lion’s Club member who was also invited to take part in the celebration. Principal Nicole Snow was blown away by the participation of staff, students, parents, siblings, grandparents, and community members. “This is absolutely amazing!” stated Snow. “This shows a wonderful sense of community coming together for the children of Sudbury.” The staff and students sang Christmas carols and the grand finale included a performance from Ms. Dahlvik herself. A great luncheon was had by all!
St. Andrew Catholic Elementary Celebrates the Feast of St. Andrew
All the staff and students of St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School came together to celebrate the Feast of their namesake – St. Andrew on November 30, 2009. St. Andrew was the first to be called by Jesus to be a disciple and to help proclaim the Good News. The staff and students celebrated this Feast day with a prayer service in their gym that included lighting of candles, prayers and song. As well, the students each enjoyed cake and juice which is also a part of the school’s traditional Feast of St. Andrew celebration.
Sudbury Catholic Board Implements Full Day Junior Kindergarten Programs in All Schools
It was a historic moment last evening as Trustees voted in favour of bringing full-day Kindergarten Programs to all of its elementary schools. The full day JK classes will begin next Fall. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is the first English school system in Greater Sudbury to offer full-day junior kindergarten.
The decision comes less than a month after Dr. Charles Pascal released his report on early childhood learning commissioned by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. The report called on the government to introduce full-day JK for four and five-year-olds. The Provincial Government responded by agreeing to phase it in over the next five years.
“Dr. Pascal’s report talked about the economic and social benefits of spending public money on quality early childhood programs,” says Jody Cameron, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, “We agree with those findings completely and following the lead of the province, thought it was best for our students and our parents to implement full day junior kindergarten right away. Why wait for something that so clearly will help our children succeed?”
The programming will cost the Board $950,000 from its reserve fund. That cost also includes implementing nineteen Early Learning Program (ELP) classes in seven designated schools beginning September 2010.
“At the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we believe you can’t put a price on the education and futures of our young people,” adds Director Catherine McCullough, “As Dr. Pascal said in his report — this is about more than traditional education — this is about turning schools into places that provide families with opportunities for children’s learning, care, health, culture, arts, and recreation. We agree completely and look forward to welcoming our new students and families into our full-day junior kindergarten programs in September 2010.”
Parents who are interested in registering their children for full-day JK in the Fall can do it now by calling the Board offices at: 673-5620.
For more information on the Early Learning Program please visit http://www.ontario.ca/en/initiatives/early_learning/ONT06_018876.
St. Andrew Catholic School Council Supports Technology
St. Andrew Catholic School Council has been working very hard to raise funds to support their school. The parent council has been volunteering their time at bingos to raise money for the students to enhance already existing programs. At their last parent council meeting in June, the council approved the purchase of ten new Mac Books to add to the school’s technology. The school recently received the new Mac Books and Melody Henry, Principal of St. Andrew’s is thrilled with their arrival. “I am so excited for the students.” stated Henry. ” When I see the children working with the Mac’s, they are really engaged and excited!”
St. Theresa Champions of the SCDSB Junior Co-ed Volleyball Tournament
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board Junior Co-ed volleyball tournament was hosted this past weekend by St. Francis Catholic Elementary School. The results of the tournament are:
1st place – St. Theresa Catholic Elementary School
2nd place – Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School
3rd place – St. Francis Catholic Elementary School
4th place – St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School.
Eight teams in total participated in the tournament. Congratulations to all the teams for a great competition!