Each year the Sudbury Catholic District School Board in collaboration with our three co-terminus boards seeks the input of our school board community in establishing the school year calendar for the upcoming school year. Working with our co-terminus boards allows us to better coordinate student transportation and ensures that Board specific requirements are met.
Please provide input on the two proposed options by completing the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar survey. The survey closes Friday, January 26, 2024.
We thank you for taking the time to respond to our survey.
This blog is a celebration of the remarkable stories and experiences that unfolded throughout our community during the past two months. In this edition, you’ll find inspiring accounts of community partnerships, giving and remarkable initiatives with action taken from students, teachers, staff, and parish partners to give back and help others this holiday season.
Highlights include:
We Are Called to Love: 2023 OCSTA Video Contest– Features Videos from Immaculate Conception, Pius XII, and St. Albert.
CEC Staff Raises $1,400 for Sudbury Food Bank – Features Board Office Staff
Successful Food Drive Campaigns – Features Stories from St. Benedict’s Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser and St. Charles College’s Canned Drive for the Sudbury Food Bank
Bishop Alexander Carter’s CTV Lion’s Christmas Telethon Appearance
A Symphony of Smiles – Marymount Carolers Spread Holiday Cheer at Red Oak Villa
Sock Donation Drive – Holy Cross Catholic School Joins Forces with St. Patrick’s Parish and SudburySocks.com
St. David School’s Heartwarming Advent Celebration at Christ the King Church
2023 Christmas Artwork Contest Winners – Features a video of the 2023 Student Submissions, along with the winners of this year’s contest.
We invite you to read the full blog, where the incredible stories of leadership, collaboration, and community spirit come to life.
November 28 is Giving Tuesday and it is the world’s largest generosity movement. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a stranger, or giving to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.
At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we foster a culture where both staff and students embrace the idea that Giving Tuesday is not merely a single day but a transformative movement that sparks positive change on a global scale. Let us reflect on some ways Sudbury Catholic Schools have come together as a community this month to make a lasting impact.
SCC Students Shine in Annual Canned Food Drive for Sudbury Food Bank
St. Charles College students lead the way with their annual Canned Food Drive, supporting the Sudbury Food Bank. They’ve gone above and beyond by collecting cans at grocery stores and organizing canvassing nights where students hit the streets, gathering non-perishable foods and donations. A hockey buyout at Garson Arena with St. Benedict CSS and a Dress Down Week have also contributed to their incredible efforts.
Sudbury’s Smallest Santas: Holy Trinity and Pius XII Launch Crib Campaign for Infant Food Bank
Holy Trinity and Pius XII schools are participating in the “All I Need for Christmas Campaign” for the Infant Food Bank. The annual campaign helps raise funds and supplies for Greater Sudbury’s most vulnerable: babies and toddlers. Together with the support of their school communities, they will fill a crib with baby necessities to support families throughout the winter and the holiday season.
Spaghetti with a Side of Support: St. Benedict CSS Holds Fundraiser for Sudbury Food Bank
On Thursday, Nov. 30th, St. Benedict is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to support families in need during Christmas. Students, staff, and community members will raise their forks and funds to receive delicious spaghetti dinners. In return the donations raised from this event will support the Sudbury Food Bank.
St. John’s Moe-vember Challenge: A Hairy Tale of Giving
The student council at St. John school organized a fantastic Moe-vember challenge to raise money for prostate cancer research. Mr. Martin, the school’s Gr. 2/3 French Immersion teacher, volunteered to grow a moustache for Movember, and St. John provided weekly updates on his progress by posting pictures on social media.
Together, students and families were encouraged to donate throughout November, and in return, students would receive a moustache to participate in the school’s first Moustache Day on Nov. 24th. According to St. John, the school raised 1,191.00 for prostate cancer research.
Sweet Actions: St. Albert Students Support Church of Christ the King Bake Sale
On Nov. 26, St. Albert Learning Centre students in the Peace Program were busy cooking up a storm for the Church of Christ the King bake sale. The parishioners throughly enjoyed the delicious treats prepared by all the students, and it was reported that all their confections quickly sold out. We are proud to see our students participating in fundraising activities supporting our strong partnership with parishes.
Conclusion
The above list of activities is only a small sample of the acts of giving that have taken place in our school system this month. We encourage you to check out our school’s social media profiles to stay current on what’s happening. As we wrap up November, let us plan to continue to demonstrate the power of our community on this Giving Tuesday and all year long. Together, we can make a difference!
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board andMarymount Academy are thrilled to share that Grade 11 music student, Violet Smith, will be making history on November 25th by performing with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra in their Christmas Concert, “Poems for Snow.” Violet will be the first high school student to join the woodwind section of the orchestra.
Violet expressed her excitement on this achievement, emphasizing how this opportunity reflects her journey in music.
“This experience is really special to me.” Say’s Violet. “When I started playing the flute in Grade 7, I never imagined I’d be playing with experienced professionals four years later. I am proud of myself and thankful to my music teachers at Marymount Academy who have taught and supported me on my educational journey. I’m honoured to play alongside the skilled and talented musicians in the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra and have been practicing every day to prepare for our upcoming performance.”
A special moment in the concert will be a flute duet, featuring Violet and Marymount Academy’s Grade 7/8 Music Teacher, Danielle Conti. Ms. Conti praises Violet’s dedication, highlighting the strong music community at Marymount.
“Marymount has a very strong music program. We have dedicated music teachers and dedicated music students and we are all proud of Violet for her hard work,” say’s Danielle Conti. “I’ve been with her since Grade 7, and I watched as the world threw setbacks at her that were not in her control. Despite those challenges, Violet’s enthusiasm for learning was always evident and I am so proud to see how far she has come since she first started at Marymount.”
Emily Tokola, Marymount’s Grade 9/12 Music Teacher, explains how practical experiences are important for developing students in the music program. “This experience beautifully exemplifies how Marymount Academy nurtures practical opportunities for its students. It goes beyond the theoretical aspects of the music curriculum, as Violet is now seamlessly applying the skills she learned in the classroom to a professional setting. This underscores our overarching goal—to build a solid foundation of musical knowledge and skills, empowering students to utilize these foundations in real-life situations.”
Grade 11 student Violet Smith (middle) pictured with her two music teachers at Marymount Academy, Danielle Conti (left) and Emily Tokola (right).
Principal, Cassandra Tenbergen adds saying, “This is a great moment of leadership for our community where our students and staff can see a student applying the learning that takes place in class to the real world. There are many young Regals looking forward to going out this Saturday and cheering her on from the audience.”
According to the school, Violet Smith is not only a rising star in the music department but also an active member of the Marymount Academy community. As a Grade 11 student, she holds the position of co-chair of the student advisory council at Science North, participates on the basketball team, serves as the co-president of the band council, and participates in both the jazz band playing trumpet and senior concert band playing flute. Additionally, Violet generously volunteers her time to support the elementary and junior bands at Marymount Academy.
While Violet’s future career aspirations lie in science and engineering, she values the importance of Art and plans to apply her musical skills to other areas of her life. The duet between Violet and Ms. Conti reflects Marymount Academy’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing a passion for Art within their students regardless of their career aspirations.
“While Violet’s future career goals might not be in music, she knows the importance of it and that speak volumes to other students that having an art outlet is essential.” Said Emily Tokola.
The “Poems for Snow” Christmas Concert promises to be a magical evening, and Violet’s participation adds an extra layer of excitement and pride for the Marymount Academy and Sudbury Catholic School Board communities. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.showpass.com/sso-poems-for-snow/.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held its inaugural meeting on November 21, 2023.
During the meeting, both Michael Bellmore and Raymond Desjardins were re-elected to the roles of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful to be re-elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic School Board,” remarked Michael Bellmore. “The trust bestowed upon me by my fellow Trustees is both an honour and a responsibility that I embrace with enthusiasm. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with the entire board, the Director of Education, and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community as we pursue our mission of nurturing the minds, bodies, and spirit of all students within our Catholic community. I am excited to support and uphold the exceptional work happening in our schools, contributing to the growth of a resilient and vibrant Catholic education system.”
“It is an honour to have been re-elected as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” say’s Raymond Desjardins. “As I continue to be a steward of our school system it is important that all those of us in positions of leadership acknowledge the excellent work of our employees.”
The meeting began with a mass which was officiated by Father Rex Lumine. Board meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month during the school year at 6 p.m. and are open to the public. Please visit us at www.sudburycatholicschools.ca to learn more about our many programs and offerings.
November 8 was Indigenous Veteran’s Day. It’s a day when we pay tribute to the invaluable contributions made by Indigenous veterans in Canadian military services. We’re pleased to share a few stories on how various school communities have observed this day. In the Southend, our school community at Holy Cross came together to recognize Indigenous Veteran’s Day and Remembrance Day. In addition to commemorating the sacrifices of our veterans, they also reflected on the precious gift of peace that we enjoy in Canada. Special appreciation goes to today’s readers – Vada, Abigail, and Maryse – for their exceptional contributions. Over at St. Anne, students collaborated with their school’s Indigenous Support Worker, Carissa Bruyere, to create unique medicine wheel poppies. These poppies serve as a heartfelt “Miigwech” to Indigenous veterans for their dedicated service to our nation—Miigwech Carissa for organizing this lesson. St. James students in the Ojibwe Language class joined Atikameksheng Anishnawbek’s Remembrance Day service today. This annual community partnership continues to be an important opportunity for students to engage in meaningful actions and foster their learning. They sang ‘O Canada’ and participated in a recitation of ‘In Flanders Fields’ in Anishinaabemowin. Following this, they shared a meal with community members. Students demonstrated their thanks by helping with the post-event cleanup. Miigwech to Jessie Gorman, St. James’ Indigenous Support Worker (ISW), and the Atikameksheng community for facilitating this opportunity for students. Miigwech!
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to join students from Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island for HEADSTRONG, an evidence-based anti-stigma initiative that inspires students to Be Brave, Reach Out and Speak Up about mental health. The summit will occur on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Cambrian College.
This day-long conference will bring together approximately 140 Secondary students from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Rainbow District School Board, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario, and Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario.
Spearheaded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the HEADSTRONG movement educates youth ages 12 to 18 to recognize the signs of mental health problems and to help reduce the associated stigma.
“Mental health and well-being is a priority for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” says Director of Education, Joanne Bénard. “Working with our co-terminous boards to host HEADSTRONG further supports our ongoing commitment to nurture students by fostering their mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Through this experience, HEADSTRONG will provide summit attendees with the essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to confront mental health stigmas respectfully and promote mental health and wellness within their school and surrounding community. We want to thank the support of our sponsors, including Cambrian College, Lions Club, Future North, and the Greater Sudbury Police Services, who have charitably contributed to the success of this upcoming event.”
At the summit, students will have the unique opportunity to listen to speakers with lived experiences, engage in stigma-busting activities, gain insights into available community services, and devise action plans to implement positive change upon returning to their respective schools.
“The Board recognizes the importance of erasing stigmas and cultivating a culture of hope. Though this is a one-day conference, the learning it will provide is meaningful for years to come.” Say’s Tasha Breau, a registered Psychotherapist at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and lead organizer of this year’s HEADSTONG summit. “We are thrilled to see how this year’s summit will educate our students, strengthen our communities, and transform how we can further support mental health and wellness in our schools.”
HEADSTRONG Summit Agenda
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Cambrian College
8:30 am to 9:00 am
Registration
9:00 am to 9:30 am
Introduction/Welcome
9:30 am to 9:55 am
Keynote Address: Gabe Parent
9:55 am to 10:10 am
Break
10:10 am to 10:35 am
Keynote Address: Katlyn Kotila
10:40 am to 11:10 am
Breakout Room Activities
11:15 pm to 12:15 pmNote: Best time for media interviews
Lunch/Resource Fair
12:15 pm to 12:45 pm
Prize Draw/Speaker Panel Introductions
12:45 pm to 1:45 pm
Panel discussion with guest speakers
2:00 pm to 2:25 pm
Action planning breakout activity
2:30 pm to 2:45 pm
Youth Presentations
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Wrap-up
About Keynote Speakers:
The first keynote address will be delivered by Gabe Parent. Gabe is a passionate mental health advocate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Gabe’s career journey has included roles as a Youth net/Reseau Ado facilitator and as a healthcare worker, providing care to seniors and youth. Gabe identifies as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community and works to be proactively inclusive of all individuals. In addition to empowering youth to follow their dreams, Gabe believes in the value of well-being for all, from the youngest to the oldest members of the community.
Students will also hear from Katlyn Kotila, a passionate public speaker and community leader from Sudbury, Ontario. She is the Co-Founder of the Northern Ontario Pride Connection, a non-profit organization aimed at supporting and empowering the 2SLGBTQ+ community across northern Ontario. At the age of 14, she lost a close friend to death by suicide, a moment that would go on to change her life forever. Since then, she has spent her career advocating for improved mental health services and speaking to audiences across North America about her experiences as a suicide-loss survivor.
Shannon Duguay, Special Education Support Facilitator with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been chosen by the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury as the 2023 Educator of the Year.
Each year, the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury recognizes individuals who have made a difference in the lives of students. Through this award, the association honours an exceptional educator who consistently supports, encourages, and advocates for the success of students with learning disabilities.
Shannon Duguay began teaching with Sudbury Catholic in 2002, where she taught at Immaculate Conception School. Shannon was one of the first teachers to lead the Empower Reading program at the Board – a literacy intervention program geared toward providing evidence-based solutions for struggling readers. She is regarded as a champion for students who, through her passion and commitment to life-long learning, has made a significant difference in the lives of the many students and staff members.
“Shannon has been a dedicated teacher and champion for students with special needs throughout her career as a caring classroom teacher and also as a dedicated Special Education Resource Teacher,” said Rossella Bagnato, Superintendent of School Effectiveness. “Her passion and commitment to supporting students with learning disabilities has been most evident through her work as an Empower teacher. Through this role, Shannon organized supports, mentored teachers, and tracked student growth so that they could experience maximum benefits and grow as readers, in both skill and confidence!”
To celebrate this achievement, Shannon was presented her award along family, friends, and colleagues at the regular Board Meeting on June 20, 2023.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites feedback on its draft 2023/2024 budget until 5 pm on June 16, 2023.
If you would like to share your budget views with respect to our strategic priorities and goals for the upcoming year, please email feedback@sudburycatholicschools.ca.
