What are you doing this summer?
Students at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board are sharpening their skills in literacy and numeracy with hands on learning and aboriginal teachings. Students begin the program with an assessment to confirm their level of proficiency and then work towards improvement for three weeks. This is the fifth summer camp run by the school board and each year students show a marked improvement from the first day until the last. This camp has helped students with the “summer learning losses” that happen each year for all students in Ontario schools. Research shows that over the summer months students loose some of the gains they made throughout the year. This three week intense program helps combat the summer loss.
Pictured below are Christopher and Cody who are creating a Tower of Power and reading sight words.

SCDSB Teacher Nanette Shonwise created “Shake and Share” one of the many fun math centres she uses in her summer learning program at St. Francis School. She used water bottles filled with water, some glitter and 2 dice. She then sealed the bottles shut with glue. All that the students have to do is shake the bottle and look at the numbers at the bottom of the bottle. The object of the game is to add (or operation of choice) the 2 dice before the glitter reaches the bottom. Idea adapted by Jane Felling.

There’s a lot of learning going on in SCDSB teacher Meredith Allen’s classroom this summer. There are 15 students and three employees, Meredith the teacher, the classroom tutor Mme Lavalle and the camp counsellor Brendon Easter working with the students every day to increase literacy skills. Meredith explains the day, “We work together in small groups and have different activities happening throughout the day. Students seem excited to see and experience what’s next. The fun never ends!”

The other day at the end of a summer camp day, staff were asked a question by a parent. “What goes on all day? When I ask my child what they are doing they tell me they just played.”
After they thanked the parent for the compliment, they explained that the students are using educational games throughout the day. Students start with thirty minutes of activity time. Then 45 minutes of taekwondo, then snack then back to activity until the end of the day at 12:30. The activities are so much fun the students don’t even realize they are learning the entire day.
The question also reminded staff of this quote:
Just Playing
When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say, “I Just played.” Please don’t misunderstand me. For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I’m preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play. By Anita Wadley

So thank you for the compliment because we are having so much fun at work!
The Sudbury Catholic Schools Summer Camp Staff

Youth counsellors working at Sudbury Catholic School’s summer camp were given many opportunities for professional development while at work.
One of these opportunities happened just today when the Sudbury District Health Unit provided a workshop on understanding the brain and the benefits of a growth mindset. In addition, they spoke about how the media influences body image, self-esteem and how to become a positive role model. And finally, students were taught about health and nutrition.

Pictured with the SCDSB’s counsellors are Paula Ross, dietitian for the Sudbury District Health unit, Loryssa Bilinkshi & Christina Ashawasegai Public Health Nurses for Sudbury District Health Unit who made smoothies using tofu for summer camp counsellors to taste.
A big thank you to the [ https://www.Facebook.com/SDHealthUnit ]Sudbury & District Health Unit.

Providing rich summer programs helps to reduce summer learning loss and in some cases, increases student achievement but research also shows that teachers & support staff gain experience in teaching literacy/numeracy and First Nation Metis expectations and outcomes.
This year, Sudbury Catholic District School Board was fortunate enough to hire 3 tutors who are aspiring to work as teachers. Tutors are partnered with experienced teachers who act as their mentors.
Nathalie Lavalle, a recent graduate from Laurentian University’s French Teacher’s College Program has been working as a classroom tutor for the last 3 years. Nathalie states, “this experience is invaluable to me as a new teacher because it taught me to connect with my students in a fun learning environment”.
For Sebastien Papineau, a first time tutor and second year psychology student at Laurentian University, this hands-on classroom experience has confirmed his desire to become a teacher.
Alina Micelotta has recently come back to Sudbury after teaching for two years in Cambridge, England. Having her own class and participating in the Summer Learning Program proved to her how much she enjoys teaching and can’t wait to teach in her hometown.
Pictured from left to right: Sebastien Papineau, Lynsie Royer, Nanette Shonwise, Alina Micelotta, Nathalie Lavalle and Meredith Allen.

After weeks of learning about the birch bark canoe, and how it was used by the Ojibway people and the Voyageurs during the Fur Trade, Mrs. Fielding’s Native Language classes from St. David and St. Raphael School constructed their own boats!

Miigwech (thank you) to Outdoor Education teacher Brad Blackwell for spending many periods mentoring the students in their planning. The two schools met at The Howard Armstrong Center in Hanmer to race againstt each other in their boat’s maiden voyages. Chi-Miigwech to Mrs. Dowdall Cirelli for sponsoring this event, and providing lunch as well as prizes for the two schools. Pictured are Curtis Brown and Anthony Cassondro standing beside their second-place winning boat after the big race. A wonderful, hands on learning day was enjoyed by all!

On Tuesday December 2 2014, the newly elected Catholic trustees of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board came together in a celebration of community and faith. The evening began with a mass where Father Larry Rymes, Episcopal Vicar, brought greetings on behalf of Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe. The student choral from St Charles College helped celebrate the evening along with family and friends.

During the commissioning ceremony the elected trustees took a Declaration of Office and Oath of Allegiance. The new board of trustees consists of Jody Cameron, Michael Bellmore, Estelle Scappatura, Ray Desjardins, Nancy Deni, Tyler Peroni and Katherine Boyce (Student Trustee).

The inaugural meeting included the election of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Jody Cameron, Chairperson and Michael Bellmore, Vice Chairperson were both re-elected. “I’m very honoured,” said Cameron, the veteran trustee of his re-election as chairperson. “I look forward to working with everyone in continuing to offer high quality programs for our students. Sudbury Catholic is in a great place and we look forward to our continued growth and development.”

Construction began earlier this year on the new schools at SCDSB. The two elementary schools, New East school (located adjacent to St Charles College) and the new site for St David’s (located on Frood Road) are scheduled to open during the next school year.

“We have worked hard to erase the deficit we were faced with and have some great opportunities ahead with the current construction of two new schools.” said vice-chair Bellmore.

SCDSB regular board meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month and all are welcome to attend.