A piece of local history came full circle at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School when Ontario’s current Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Edith Dumont, visited the school and added her signature beside that of former Lieutenant Governor Pauline Mills McGibbon, who visited the school in 1975. 

The discovery was made as part of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) Hall Pass to History campaign, an initiative that highlights memorable moments and milestones throughout the Board’s history. While looking through archival materials, staff at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School uncovered an old visitor sign-in book from 1975 containing the signatures of Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, Ontario’s first female Lieutenant Governor, and Sudbury Mayor Joe Fabbro. 

Nearly 50 years later, Lieutenant Governor Dumont’s visit created a remarkable link between past and present. Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre also took part in the event, signing his name beside the 1975 entry made by Mayor Fabbro. 

During her visit, Lieutenant Governor Dumont toured classrooms, met with students and staff, and learned about the SCDSB’s Indigenous Education Program. 

Through the guidance of Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and the Board’s dedicated Indigenous Support Team, the Indigenous Education Program provides all students with meaningful opportunities to learn about Indigenous peoples from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The Indigenous Support Workers at the school and across the Board work directly with students to promote cultural understanding, build connections, and support the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of every child. 

The Honourable Edith Dumont also spoke with Kylie Simpson, a graduate of St. Francis who published her first thriller novel at the age of twelve, about her writing journey and plans for a sequel. 

The visit marked a proud moment for students and staff at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School, provided a meaningful connection between generations, and served as a reminder of the school’s longstanding place in the community. 

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Happy Thanksgiving from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

This Thanksgiving, we are filled with heartfelt gratitude for our incredible Sudbury Catholic community — our students, families staff, and parish partners who inspire us each day through their faith, kindness, and compassion. This Thanksgiving, may we continue to open our hearts in gratitude, show kindness to others, and share our blessings generously.

As we gather to celebrate this special holiday, we give thanks for the many blessings within our schools and communities. Prayer offers us a beautiful opportunity to express our Catholic faith and reflect on the gifts we’ve been given.

Please join us in a special Thanksgiving Prayer for our community as we wish you and your loved ones a holiday filled with joy, peace, and thankfulness.

Loving God,

As we gather in gratitude this Thanksgiving, we thank You for the many blessings You have placed in our lives and within our Sudbury Catholic School community.

We are grateful for our students and their bright spirits, for the dedication of our educators and staff, for the support of our families and parishes, and for the partnerships that strengthen our schools.

In this season of thankfulness, we remember those who are in need—those who may be facing challenges, loneliness, or hardship. May they feel Your love through the kindness and generosity of others.

Help us to carry a spirit of gratitude and service in all that we do, recognizing Your presence in our daily lives and in the people around us.

May this Thanksgiving fill our hearts with peace, joy, and a renewed sense of community and faith.

Amen.

Students in the Hospitality and Tourism program at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School recently hosted their annual Friendsgiving event, where they prepared and served a full Thanksgiving meal for clients from the March of Dimes. We are pleased to share that once again, this event was a resounding success!

Thank you to all students and staff who took part in the event, and to Hospitality and Tourism teacher Mike Sipos for organizing this meaningful endeavour for another year.

March of Dimes Canada is a national charity dedicated to championing equity, empowering ability, and creating real change that helps people with disabilities in Sudbury and across the country unlock the richness of their lives.

This annual tradition provides St. Benedict students with a hands-on opportunity to showcase their culinary skills, foster community connections, and celebrate Thanksgiving with a spirit of gratitude. The event allowed students and guests to come together over a shared meal , strengthening relationships and spreading joy during the Thanksgiving season.

St. Benedict School Shared:

“We are thrilled to provide our students with real-world experiences in hospitality while connecting with members of our community. Friendsgiving is about more than food—it’s about gratitude, collaboration, and celebrating the bonds that make our community strong.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to extend its thanks to the March of Dimes organization for partnering with our students and supporting meaningful opportunities that highlight both community service and student learning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Today, on International Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the incredible role teachers play in our organization. Every day, our teachers help students explore new ideas, develop skills, and discover their passions; constantly shaping the young minds of tomorrow. 

Being able to teach is a special gift. It takes a kindhearted and dedicated individual to not only share knowledge, but to inspire confidence, nurture curiosity, and encourage growth. Teachers light the spark that leads students to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. 

In the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, our teachers have an additional and very special calling. Catholic teachers are not only educators, but also faith leaders, community builders, and moral role models within our schools and the broader Catholic community. They are called to integrate faith into all aspects of learning, not just in religion class, but across every subject and every interaction. They serve as witnesses to Gospel values such as compassion, forgiveness, integrity, and service, helping students grow in both their knowledge and their personal relationship with God.

When you see an engineer, a nurse, a talented musician, a skilled electrician, or any professional who has found their calling, remember that a teacher was there at the beginning of that journey. Behind every success story, there is a teacher who believed, supported, and guided along the way. 

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, thank you to all of our teachers. Your passion, dedication, and care are shaping not just students, but the future. 

Happy International Teachers’ Day! 

On Wednesday, October 1, Marymount Academy was honoured to welcome back one of their own: The Honourable Donna Skelly, Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. As a proud alumna of Marymount, Speaker Donna Skelly delivered an inspiring address to our students about leadership, civic engagement, and the power of education.

Following her remarks, students took part in a dynamic 90-minute session exploring topics such as the three levels of government, the legislative process, and how young people can actively participate in our democracy.

The day concluded with an interactive mock debate in the Chamber setting, giving our students a firsthand look at the responsibilities and procedures of Parliament under the guidance of the Speaker herself.

A special thank you as well to MPP France Gélinas for joining us and highlighting the importance of encouraging more women to pursue leadership roles in politics and public life.

We are so grateful to Speaker Donna Skelly for sharing her wisdom and passion with the next generation of leaders!