🗓️ October 10: World Mental Health Day

Caring for Ourselves and Each Other

On October 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us that our minds need care and attention, just like our bodies. At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we encourage students, staff and families to take time to check in with themselves and one another, talk about mental health and remember that it is okay to ask for help.

Rooted in our Catholic values of compassion, dignity and care for others, this day is an opportunity to consider how we can help every student feel supported, connected and valued. A kind word, a listening ear or a conversation with a trusted adult can be a meaningful place to start.

Building awareness through everyday learning

Age-appropriate activities offer opportunities for students to explore feelings, practise coping skills and learn how to seek support. Educators and families can use the following ideas to begin these conversations:

• Kindergarten–Grade 3: Read stories about feelings, try a simple feelings check-in, create a kindness jar or practise breathing by imagining “smelling a flower and blowing out a candle.” Explore School Mental Health Ontario’s Grab & Go Tools.
• Grades 4–6: Discuss what helps us feel calm, create a personal coping toolkit poster or write encouraging notes to classmates. Explore stress-management and coping activities.
• Grades 7–8: Reflect through journaling, discuss healthy ways to manage stress or create a mental health awareness display. Explore Connect Quest.
• Grades 9–12: Open conversations about mental health and stigma, develop student-led awareness materials or explore strategies for managing stress. Access School Mental Health Ontario’s Secondary Virtual Field Trips.

Support is available

Students and families do not have to navigate mental health concerns alone. Speaking with a trusted adult at school can help start a conversation and connect students with support. Families can also explore these resources:

• School Mental Health Ontario: Mental health information and practical resources for students, educators, parents and caregivers.
• Compass: Child and youth mental health services for families in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.
• Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub: Mental health, substance-use and wellness supports for youth ages 12–25. Call 705-280-7581 or visit 65 Larch Street, Unit 103B, Sudbury.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Health Sciences North’s Crisis Intervention Services at 705-675-4760. For suicide crisis support, call or text 9-8-8. Both services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This World Mental Health Day, let’s continue building caring school communities where asking for help is encouraged and everyone knows they have someone to turn to. Be kind, be patient and care for yourself and others—today and every day.

If You Need Support

You are not alone. If you need support, please reach out to your doctor, family member or a trusted adult. You can find a variety of mental health and well-being resources and supports available at school and in the community highlighted on the Mental Health and Well-Being section of our website.

Mental Health Hub

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Safe & Accepting Schools

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Mental Health Newsletter

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Think Safe. Share Safe. Stay Safe Together.

October is Cyber Awareness Month! At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are encouraging students, staff and families to explore how everyday choices can help protect personal information, strengthen online safety and support healthy technology use. Technology connects us to learning, creativity and one another. Knowing how to recognize suspicious messages, communicate respectfully and make informed decisions helps us use these opportunities safely and confidently.

Throughout the month, the Sudbury Catholic DSB plan to share practical tips and public resources from the Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO). Its K–12 Cyber Awareness campaign includes four themes, with videos, infographics and conversation starters to support learning at school and at home. In addition, as we embrace our yearly theme, “We Are Building,” we are working to build a cyberaware culture across our school communities—one where everyone understands that their everyday choices contribute to online safety.

What does being Cyber Aware mean? Being cyberaware means pausing before clicking, protecting personal information, treating others respectfully and asking for help when something feels suspicious or unsafe. It also means keeping conversations about technology open so that students, staff and families feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns.

Through this month’s awareness campaign, we will highlight resources from the Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO) to support learning at school and at home. By sharing information and encouraging small, consistent actions, we can help make cyber awareness part of everyday life, throughout October and beyond.

Digital Me: Protecting Your Information

Build confidence in protecting your accounts, devices and personal information. Explore strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, privacy settings and ways to recognize phishing and online scams.

Try it together: Discuss what makes an email or text message suspicious and how to check it before clicking a link.

Explore Digital Me resources.

Digital Us: Connecting with Care

Our words and actions matter online. This theme explores respectful communication, social media safety, safer gaming and cyberbullying prevention. Showing kindness and looking out for others helps create digital spaces where everyone feels welcome.

Try it together: Ask, “What would you do if you saw someone being treated unkindly in a group chat?”

Explore Digital Us resources.

Digital Families: Building Healthy Habits

Open conversations can help families navigate screen time, online challenges and digital well-being. Explore ways to set shared expectations and make room for sleep, physical activity, hobbies and time together.

Try it together: Choose one family technology habit to practise, such as putting devices away during meals.

Explore Digital Families resources.

Digital Minds: Thinking Critically About AI

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of how we learn and create. This theme encourages students and families to ask questions, check information, protect privacy and use AI thoughtfully to support their own learning.

Try it together: Discuss why a confident-sounding answer from an AI tool still needs to be checked against trusted sources.

Explore Digital Minds resources.

Free Resources for School and Home

ECNO’s resource collection includes downloadable posters and infographics, along with short videos covering passwords, phishing, privacy, social media, gaming, digital well-being and AI. Families and educators are invited to use these materials to start conversations and continue learning beyond October.

Explore all Cyber Awareness Month resources.

ECNO Resources

Cyber Security Ontario Resources

K-12 Zone – Ontario Resources

Keep the Conversation Going

Invite your child to talk about the apps, games and digital spaces they use. Let them know they can come to you or another trusted adult if something online feels confusing, uncomfortable or unsafe.

For additional guidance, visit ECNO’s Help and Support page.

Watch our website and social media channels throughout October as we share resources to help our community build safer digital habits.

Together, we are building a community that is informed, respectful and safe—at school, at home and online.

Your Presence Matters: October Is Attendance Awareness Month

Every school day offers students opportunities to learn, build friendships, discover their strengths, and feel connected to their school community.

This October, Sudbury Catholic Schools is recognizing Attendance Awareness Month with the theme “Your Presence Matters!” Together, we are celebrating the importance of regular attendance and helping students feel safe, welcomed, included, and supported at school.

As students and families settle into the new school year, strong, trusting relationships between home and school help create a sense of belonging. When students know they are valued and that their presence makes a difference, they have another reason to feel connected and ready to learn.

Throughout the month, our schools will share encouragement, resources, and activities to promote regular attendance and support students who may be experiencing barriers to attending school. Parents and caregivers are valued partners in this work. Families are encouraged to connect with their child’s school to discuss attendance concerns and explore support together.

Did You Know?

Need Support with your Child’s Attendance?

We’re here to help! Sudbury Catholic Schools’ attendance counsellors can work with you and your child to address attendance challenges and support regular school attendance. Connect with your child’s school today to learn more.

Email: AttendanceSupport@sudburycatholicschools.ca

List of Schools

Guidance for Parents & Guardians

The Importance of School Attendance

2026 Campaign Initiatives

Attendance Awareness Poster Contest

Students across Sudbury Catholic Schools are invited to participate in our annual Attendance Awareness Poster Contest!

Inspired by the 2026 theme, “Your Presence Matters!”, students are encouraged to create an original poster showing what being present, connected, and part of their school community means to them. The contest offers students a creative way to share their perspectives and celebrate the people, experiences, and opportunities that make school meaningful.

2026 Contest Form

Check out Last Year’s Winners!

Attendance Spirit Week Celebrations

Sudbury Catholic Schools are invited to bring Attendance Awareness Month to life through Attendance Spirit Week celebrations, featuring five attendance theme days.

Schools can participate in one or all five days, using the activities to encourage attendance, strengthen connections, and celebrate belonging within their school communities.

Whether through a creative poster, a spirit day, or a welcoming conversation, every effort helps reinforce a shared message: you are an important part of your school community, and your presence matters!

Attendance & Other Helpful Resources

Attendance Works Resources

The Importance of School Attendance

Guidance for Parents & Guardians

SCDSB Mental Health Hub

On Friday, September 25, Marymount Academy came together to participate in their annual Terry Fox Walk, carrying forward a powerful legacy of hope and perseverance.

Leading up to the walk, students took part in the “Toonies for Terry” fundraiser. For every $2 brought in, students earned an entry into a raffle draw for a chance to win a special prize basket – highlighted by two Yeti cups generously donated by Ramakko’s Source of Adventure. Through these school-based efforts and online donations, the Marymount community successfully reached its fundraising goal of $700.

The educational component of the week began on September 24, when Grade 7 and 8 classes, along with several secondary classes, attended a screening of the new Terry Fox documentary featuring unreleased footage from the Marathon of Hope.

On the morning of the walk, the school gathered in the gym for an assembly hosted by Marymount Catholic Charities (MC3) to reflect on Terry Fox’s impact. During the gathering, cancer survivor and student Lily Yeomans shared a powerful quote from Terry Fox to inspire her peers:

“As Terry once said, ‘It took cancer to realize that being self-centred is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.’ By doing ‘Toonies for Terry,’ it brings students together to care for others while also keeping Terry’s legacy alive.” – Lily Yeomans

Following the assembly, students hit the pavement for the annual walk. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and helped make this year’s event a success!

To explore more community initiatives across the board, visit the Sudbury Catholic District School Board website.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Oluwatofunmi (Toby) Solarin, from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, as the incoming Student Trustee for the 2026–2028 term. The announcement was made by Board Chair, Michael Bellmore, during the September 22nd, 2026, Board meeting held at the Catholic Education Centre.

Toby officially began his role on September 22, 2026. Representing the voice of Sudbury Catholic students at the Board table, he will work closely with the Student Senate to foster an inclusive, supportive, and faith-centered learning environment.

Toby is a dedicated, highly driven student leader who brings a diverse array of extracurricular, entrepreneurial, and community service experience to his new role. At St. Benedict, he serves as a member of Student Council, a House Leader, co-founder of the Debate Club, an executive member of the Diverse Student Union, and a core member of the Robotics Team, which qualified for the FRC Canada Cup. Beyond the classroom, Toby has demonstrated strong initiative by establishing a successful local snow-blowing business and giving back through over 200 hours of community volunteering including food drives, support for local homeless initiatives, coaching youth flag football, and founding a local youth group to inspire action among younger students.

His background as a student leader and entrepreneur has deeply shaped his vision for student advocacy. Toby is particularly passionate about ensuring student education needs are met, integrating practical life-skills education, such as financial literacy, tax preparation, and mental health awareness into the curriculum, and amplifying student voices across the district.

“I am extremely grateful and honoured to be selected as the new Sudbury Catholic District School Board Student Trustee, I am excited and optimistic to start working with the amazing people at Sudbury Catholic Schools.” said Toby Solarin “Through this position I hope to make a real impact in the many schools under Sudbury Catholic. I want to be the voice of the underrepresented and make sure everyone feels heard. I am most looking forward to growing as a person, a leader, and becoming someone, people can count on to advocate for them.”

Chair of the Board, Michael Bellmore, shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome Toby to our Board of Trustees team. His initiative, leadership experience, and dedication to community service and Catholic values are truly commendable. We are confident that he will be an outstanding advocate for students across our school board.”

Toby’s appointment reflects the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s ongoing commitment to student leadership, voice, and engagement in shaping a positive and inclusive Catholic educational experience. For more information about the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca. 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board was proud to welcome former NHL player and Indigenous speaker Jason Simon for a multi-school speaking tour from September 15 to 16, 2026.

Organized by the SCDSB Indigenous Education team, Simon’s interactive sessions reached students across four board schools, blending personal storytelling with vital conversations around personal growth, inclusion, and safety.

2026 School Tour Itinerary:

• Monday, September 14: Marymount Academy & St. James Catholic Elementary School
• Tuesday, September 15: St. Albert Adult Learning Centre & St. Charles Elementary School

Drawing on his personal journey from childhood to professional sports, Simon challenged students to embrace perseverance and surround themselves with positive support systems.

“Sometimes against all odds, through resilience, determination and discipline, great things can happen. I can’t stress enough that it takes that personal belief and to surround yourself with people that believe in you and your dreams,” Simon noted during his visits. “My whole objective is trying to bring the students along in my story – from a young child to an adult and show them that life is not easy sometimes. By working through the hardships in life and getting past those hard times you build resilience and confidence and self-esteem – the more we learn the more we are dedicated to our mission.”

Reflecting on overcoming hardship and adversity, Simon shared his hope that his story inspires every student to break barriers, build resilience, and pursue healing and growth. He spoke passionately about a future where all young people thrive, while highlighting the importance of remaining deeply connected to one’s culture, community, and foundational values.

“Simon’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength, faith, and resilience that reside within each of us,” said Morris Hucal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chief Education Officer (CEdO). “His message resonates deeply with our mission to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of every student across our Catholic school community, empowering them to overcome challenges and lead with compassion.”

Indigenous Education Consultant Dawn Fielding highlighted the deeper purpose behind these visits, noting that as fourth-generation Residential School Survivors, both she and Simon ground their work in sharing truths that empower all students while carrying their history forward with strength.

“My core priority and unyielding commitment is to uplift, celebrate, and amplify Indigenous joy, knowledge, innovation, and achievements across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Shifting our collective framework from survival to thriving brilliance honors the strength of those who came before us and illuminates a radiant path forward for the seven generations yet to come.” – Dawn Fielding, Indigenous Education Consultant

This message of strength and shared truth encourages thoughtful dialogue throughout our schools as staff and students prepare to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday, September 30, 2026

To explore more community initiatives across the board, visit the Sudbury Catholic District School Board website.

The start of a new school year also marks the return of school sports, clubs and other activities. Whether students participate in team sports, physical education, dance, performing arts or recreational activities, their safety and well-being remain our priority.

Rowan’s Law Day

Monday, September 28, 2026

On Monday, September 28, 2026, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will recognize Rowan’s Law Day, joining communities across Ontario in raising awareness about concussions and the importance of responding safely.

Rowan’s Law Day Poster

Signs of a Concussion Poster

Hit. Stop. Sit.

Concussion Safety & Awareness Resources

Check out the following information and resources to learn the signs of a concussion, speak up and know how to respond. Together, we can increase awareness and help protect the health and well-being of every student.

Ontario’s Rowan’s Law and Concussion Safety Resources

Concussion Awareness Digital Resource Card

Ontario Concussion Awareness Videos

Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 10 and Under

Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 11 to 14

Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 15 and Up

Ontario Government Concussion Awareness Resource E-Module

Sudbury CDSB Concussion Protocol

Staff members, coaches and volunteers do not diagnose concussions. However, we all share a responsibility to recognize and report possible signs and symptoms, remove students safely from activities and ensure they receive appropriate medical attention. Following a concussion, students may require temporary adjustments and support as they gradually return to learning and physical activity. Open communication among the student, family, school and healthcare team is essential to supporting a safe recovery.

View our complete Concussion Protocol and applicable forms below:

Sudbury Catholic Schools Concussion Protocol

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is excited to announce that Sabrina Grossi has been appointed as the new Mental Health Lead.

Sabrina will oversee student mental health initiatives, focusing on early intervention and accessible support for all students. In collaboration with School Mental Health Ontario and the board’s executive leadership team, Sabrina will direct the implementation of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and Action Plan.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sabrina Grossi to her leadership role as Mental Health Lead,” said Morris Hucal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chief Education Officer (CEdO) for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “Sabrina is a dedicated professional whose commitment to student well-being aligns seamlessly with our Board’s vision. Her expertise in student mental health and her passionate approach to early intervention and support will greatly enrich our school communities and foster environments where every student can thrive.”

“Every person who walks through our doors has a story worth listening to. My work has always been rooted in one belief; that hope is not something we wait for, but something we help build, one person, one conversation, one small act of support at a time. I am excited and honoured to step into this new role and I am ready to bring this belief into this next chapter.” – Sabrina Grossi, Mental Health Lead

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s mission is to realize each student’s potential within an inclusive Catholic learning community by nurturing and developing students through mind, body, and spirit. For more information about the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/

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