On Tuesday, January 11, 2011 Marymount Academy hosted a Wellness Day for all students in grades 7 – 12. The day was a student driven initiative planned by teacher Allison Simpson’s Grade 11 Peer Leadership and Support class. The students had been working on this day for several months and wanted to bring health and wellness experts to the school to allow their classmates the opportunity to learn about positive life choices in health, life and careers.
Some of the 35 experts included several different types of health professionals, journalists, chefs, and fitness instructors. The students were also treated to a visit by Greater City of Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk who spoke to entire student population about her personal life and career experiences, as well as women in non-traditional roles. Teacher and wellness day co-ordinator Allison Simpson was really pleased with the day’s events and felt that the students thoroughly enjoyed listening to the experts and learning about ways to make positive changes in their health and well-being. “For the students who organized this event, I am really proud of their hard work and development of their leadership qualities which is what this course is all about,” Simspon said. “And the entire student population benefited from this class’ hard work and were able to take advantage of this great experience through different workshops and guest speakers – all in all a great day for the Regals!”

Sudbury Catholic is going green – and not just with its capital projects. In order to align all initiatives with the Board’s strategic commitment to live a culture of respectful relationships, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is on the verge of creating and maintaining a high quality, healthy environment for students, staff and visitors, through the use of effective, environmentally responsible, certified products/equipment and cleaning processes. As a result, the Board has created a Green Clean committee comprised of administrators, facility services staff, principals, vendors, custodial staff and students. Team members are: Principals Laura Kuzenko and Judith Way, Custodians Rick Boudreau and Dan Deault, students Joey Fyfe and Nick Cassio, Operations Foreperson Mark Vincer, Facility Administrator James Morgan and Communications Officer Gina Tullio. This committee will begin to support and promote the development, implementation and ongoing monitoring of a Green Clean Program as set out by the Ministry of Education of Ontario.

The SCDSB Facility Services Department put the team together in order to help create and promote the vision of practicing environmentally conscious and low impact cleaning processes to the betterment of all internal and external stakeholders. The program will be piloted at St. Francis Elementary School as well as St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School beginning in the spring of 2011.

Catherine McCullough, SCDSB Director of Education commended the newly formed team for their commitment to this very important initiative and looks forward to its full implementation throughout the entire Board. “I am very proud of this initiative for Sudbury Catholic, “McCullough stated. “It speaks to our strong commitment to the environment as well as the well-being of our students, staff, parents and community partners. With the support of the Ministry of Education, our Board will continue to ensure that we are champions of the earth and Green Clean is one very important way for us to do this.”

The students at St. James school brought in Christmas ornaments and decorations and were thrilled to use them to dress up their teachers as Christmas trees. The event was organized by Mrs. Rocca and the St. James Student Council members. There was much Christmas spirit as staff and students assembled in the gym to view the final results.

The students and staff of St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Capreol recently celebrated Advent Mass with Father Pat Woods and the parishioners of Our Lady of Peace Church. Later in the day, the Capreol Knights of Columbus held their annual Children’s Christmas Party at the school. St. Mary students, the children of Learning Hearts Day Care (which is housed at St. Mary) and children of the Parish were treated to a special pizza lunch at the school. Several special guests were in attendance, including Barry MacDonald, School Board Chair and Catherine McCullough, Director of Education at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Santa and Mrs. Claus made a surprise appearance and were able visit with the children as well. Each child had the chance to sit on Santa’s knee, talk with him and receive a bag of treats. The staff of St. Mary would like to thank the Capreol Knights of Columbus for their support of Catholic Education. Thanks to Santa and Mrs. Claus for finding the time in their extremely busy schedule to visit Capreol and St. Mary School.

Students, parents and other community members recently gathered for an author’s breakfast at St. Mark School. Students were given an opportunity to share some of their most recent pieces of writing created during class.

The group was given an opportunity to hear Mrs. Reimer, local author of children’s books. Mrs. Reimer is one of our student’s grandmothers, who wrote a children’s book about a story her husband shared with her. The story is about his childhood and the book is called, “Paul’s Toothy Earache.”

Mrs. Reimer shared her writing experience with the children and discussed how she came up with the idea for a book, how she designed the illustrations, and she also gave advice on the writing process for young authors.

She also encouraged the children to pursue their dreams if they want to become writers. While listening to Mrs. Reimer the whole community shared in a nutritious breakfast.

The school staff remarked, “We really want to encourage the children to become confident writers, so we felt Mrs. Reimer would motivate our students with her enthusiasm for writing children’s books.” Madison Reimer said, “ I’m proud of my grandmother’s book.” She also looks forward to producing her own book one day.
Why not carry on the family tradition?

On December 13, 2010, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board issued the Greater City of Sudbury a challenge – give the gift of life. In partnership with the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Sudbury Catholic launched a Board-wide initiative to have Sudbury be the first city in the province of Ontario to have 50% or more of its residents be registered organ and tissue donors. Currently sitting at 40%, Dr. Frank Markel, President and CEO of the Trillium Gift of Life Network felt that Sudbury was the perfect place to issue this challenge. “I am proud to be working with Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the residents of Sudbury on this historical initiative. Tonight, we are challenging the Greater Sudbury Region to do something that hasn’t been done in Ontario before, register over 50 per cent of their community to consent to organ and tissue donation,” Markel said. “Sudbury is an inspiring community. My hope is that other Ontario communities follow their example and get their communities registered. Together, no one has to die waiting for an organ transplant.”
Catherine McCullough SCDSB Director of Education echoed Dr. Markel’s comments and expressed to the crowd her pride in the Board for embracing this initiative. “I am very proud of our Board for partnering with the Trillium Gift of Life Network for this very important initiative and I encourage the entire community to join us in this challenge to not only have Sudbury reach or even surpass the 50% registration for city-wide donation in Ontario, but more importantly, to recognize that there is no greater gift than the gift of life.”
The evening was dedicated to St. Benedict (and formerly St. James) student Ian Smyth who passed away in November and was the recipient of double lung transplants. Both of Ian’s parents, Susan and Phillip were on hand at the event and spoke about their belief in organ donation as well as their gift of more years with Ian as a result of his transplants.
Also on hand for the event were speakers Bishop Noel Simard, M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci, Mayor Marianne Matichuk, Community Advocate and Businessman Gerry Lougheed Jr, as well as several people who spoke of their life experiences as donors and recipients. SCDSB Trustee Paula Peroni shared with the crowd the anguish of losing her son in an accident as well as the joy of finding out a year later that he lives on in both a 23 year old female and 79 year old man who were given the gift of vision through the donation of her son’s corneas.
Other community partners on hand included the Irish Heritage Society, Sudbury Regional Hospital staff, several city councillors, any many more key city players who were asked to help spread the gift of life message.
An important part of this initiative included the next day in-servicing of several Civics and Religious Education teachers at all four of the Board’s secondary schools as organ and tissue donation will now be a part of the curriculum at Sudbury Catholic -making it one of the first Boards in Ontario to do so.

On December 7, 2010 trustees from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board gathered for their Inaugural Board meeting at which time Barry MacDonald and Paula Peroni were acclaimed as Chair and Vice-Chair (respectively). Both Chair MacDonald and Vice-Chair Peroni will serve in their newly elected positions for the 2010-2011 school year.

Barry MacDonald represents Zone 6 and is beginning his eighth term as a trustee with with Sudbury Catholic previously sitting as Vice Chair. In his address to the Board, MacDonald expressed his gratitude to the other trustees for having faith in him and “looks forward to working together with fellow trustees, community partners and all stakeholders to ensure that the Board is delivering exceptional Catholic Learning for all SCDSB students.” As well, MacDonald told the group that “previous Chairs have set the bar and is really looking forward to the challenges ahead,and working on them together as a team.”

Paula Peroni, representing Zone 5, brings to her role 13 years of trustee experience having served 2 years as Ontario Catholic Trustee Association (OCSTA) President, 2 years as OCSTA Vice President, 2 years as Canadian Catholic Trustee Association (CCSTA) Vice President and is currently sitting as CCSTA President. As well, Peroni has served several terms as Sudbury Catholic Chair and Vice Chair. Peroni also expressed her thanks to her fellow trustees for their confidence in her abilities and felt privileged once again “to be an integral part of such a dynamic, faith-filled system that influences so positively the community of which it serves.” Peroni also added that she happily accepts the position of Vice Chair. ”It feels good to be back in a leadership role at Sudbury Catholic and I am excited to be part of such a talented team. I am very optimistic that it is going to be a great year.”

Also in attendance were newly elected trustees Michael Bellmore (Zone 3), Ray Desjardins (Zone 2), and returning trustees Jody Cameron (Zone 4) and Estelle Scappatura (Zone 1). As part of the Inaugural meeting, all trustees, Senior Administration and invited family and guests celebrated with a mass with Auxiliary Bishop Noel Simard at which time they took their oaths and were officially sworn in as Sudbury Catholic trustees.

Corpus Christi teacher Daniela Visentin has organized a Corpus Christi Free The Children Club for the school.  On Nov. 18th, the students  who are part of the club, took a Vow of Silence in order to raise awareness amongst students and staff, that would help give a voice to children around the world who suffer quietly due to poverty, war and oppression.  The club hopes to embark on various projects throughout the year to continue to build awareness for this very worthy cause.