School’s out for summer? Not for almost 100 students with the Sudbury Catholic School Board. For three weeks these students are immersed in rich literacy, numeracy or aboriginal learning. It’s a proven fact that students, in the summer, lose some of the learning from the school year. These students will have less of a gap and with a much smaller class size and a ratio of about one educator for every five students the hands on learning never ends. From learning phonics to learning coding skills students are excited to keep learning in the summer even after an entire school year. 
”As an educator, it is so rewarding when you hear students that are so excited to come back everyday!” said educator Lynsie Royer.
Pictured are student Paa and camp councillor Nick Kennedy who are using robotics to practice their literacy skills. Camp Councillor Nick says he can’t believe how much fun learning can be. “When we are using the robots, Dash and Dot, in the classroom the students are having so much fun that they don’t even recognize that they are learning”

Summer students of Sudbury Catholic School’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit Summer Literacy Camp were treated to a special presentation by Brandon Petahtegoose of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. Brandon is a recent graduate of Indigenous Studies at Trent University and a grass dancer. Brandon shared stories and songs about the grass dance, different kinds of pow wow dancing and stories about the drum. He also shared some Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway language) teachings. The students enjoyed the interactive presentation and were invited to participate in the upcoming Pow Wow in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek on July 25-26th, along with their families.
Pictured are summer students Isabella Pandolfo, Logan Lariviere, Makayla Pitawanakwat and Lea Myre along with dancer Brandon Petahtegoose.

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!