The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 1369 and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board have ratified a new three-year collective agreement effective September 1, 2003 to August 31, 2006. The new agreement includes improvements in the areas of uniforms, boots and trade certificate allowances while the monetary portion of the contract will see employees’ salaries increase by 2 percent effective September 1, 2003, an additional 1 percent in January, 2004 and 1 percent in June, 2004. The same increases are scheduled for 2005 and 2006.

Ray Vincent, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic School Board is pleased with the fact that the contract has been ratified by the membership stating that, “I would like to thank both negotiation committees for having arrived at this three year agreement. These negotiations were carried out in the spirit of goodwill and compromise by both parties. The Board has provided what is good and fair to our employees while remaining within the confines of what our budget can afford. CUPE Local 1369 staff are, and will continue to be a key component in the board’s plan to provide quality Catholic education to our children.”

David Chezzi, President CUPE Local 1369 is also pleased with the ratification vote stating that, “with all of the instability, staffing cut backs and reductions in funding levels by the Provincial government handed down to boards in recent years, members can now breathe a sigh of relief. By signing this deal, members now have the opportunity to feel a sense of security in their jobs for the next three years,” continued Chezzi.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has embarked upon a new program to help students and teachers support recently introduced Provincial initiatives such as the Student At Risk Program. Effective September 2, 2003 Enzo Del Riccio has been appointed by the Board to the position of Pathways for Success Program Principal to co-ordinate strategies and initiate support programs to assist students at risk in Grades 7 through 12. The Pathways for Success Program Principal position will focus mainly on the areas of literacy, numeracy and Pathways to Employability and will review programs and methodologies to identify and develop supports that build on existing successful practices. In addition, a steering committee will also be created to establish a Vision Mission, and Guiding Principles that connect and align this initiative with the Board Mission and system practices.

Mr. Del Riccio is well qualified for the position of Pathways for Success Program Principal. His educational background consists of a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Laurentian University and a Bachelor of Education Degree followed by a Master’s Degree in Education from Nipissing University. He is also a specialist in the field of Special Education and has worked in public education for 17 years as an elementary school teacher, a secondary school teacher and at Cambrian College’s Special Needs Centre. Del Riccio arrives at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board after spending several years at St. Charles College as an English/Social Science teacher, a Program Leader and Guidance Counsellor.

Ray Vincent, Chair of the Board stated that, “the position of Pathways for Success Program Principal is critical in offering direction and support to students that may require a revised program . Mr. Del Riccio will be an integral part of our curriculum team acting as a resource person to the entire system in assisting all partners to better understand the needs of students at risk in our schools,” stated Vincent. Zandra Zubac, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic School Board is also very pleased with Mr. Del Riccio’s appointment.

The Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) and Laurentian University co-sponsored the 2003 Summer Law Institute for secondary school teachers in Sudbury held at Marymount Academy recently. Madam Justice Patricia Hennessy, Justice of the Superior Court of Ontario, (above photo at podium), provided the opening remarks for the sessions which focused on the criminal justice system, family law, native/aboriginal law issues, and labour law.

The Summer Law Institute Program was designed to support legal education in Ontario secondary schools by providing secondary school teachers with up-to-date information on the justice system. These symposiums bring together teachers, judges, lawyers and law school faculty for a free-flowing and candid exchange. Secondary school teachers from both the Sudbury Catholic and Rainbow District School Boards were given the opportunity to review key justice issues with the province’s top judges. The symposium also enabled teachers to establish contacts that would become a valuable resource to them in their efforts to teach legal studies in a way that is relevant and meaningful to students.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to welcome our students, parents, teachers and staff for the 2003/2004 school year. We hope you’ll check the SCDSB website often to keep up to date on the latest news. Our very best wishes for a happy and successful year in your SCDSB “School to Believe In”.

SCDSB secondary schools are holding welcome back to school barbeques for new grade 9 students. Students will have an opportunity to pick up timetables, tour the school and meet school staff and each other. Homeroom and locker assignments may be available as well.

Bishop Alexander Catholic Secondary School will welcome students on Wednesday August 27th from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

Marymount Academy will welcome students on Wednesday August 27th from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will welcome students on Wednesday August 27th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

St. Charles College will welcome students on Thursday August 28th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Hope to see you there!

Some of the results of the 2003 Kiwanis Festival in Sudbury follow. SCDSB congratulates our students and teachers for their excellent showing.

 
Marymount Academy – Director: Mr. Dick van Raadshooven



Mixed Ensemble: GOLD – 88

Junior Concert Band – GOLD – 90

Awarded the Kiwanis Club of Sudbury Scholarship – $150.00



Kyla Corelli – ( Solo Entry) Speech Arts and Drama GOLD – 86 & 90.

Award: Algoma Chapter Beta Sigma Phi Xi Master Scholarship $50.00



St. Charles College – Director: Mrs. Stephanie van Druenen



Concert Band – GOLD – 88

Jazz Ensemble – GOLD – 90

Award: The Beverly LaPierre School Music Scholarship – $150.00

The Jazz Ensemble also performed at the Music Festival Awards Concert, April 12 at the Fraser Auditorium



Christopher Spina – Saxophone ( Solo Entry) GOLD – 87

Award: INCO Limited: $50.00



Michael Guillemette – Baritone – Brass ( Solo Entry) GOLD – 89

Award: INCO Limited: $50.00



Sarah Rodrigues – Own Composition – Piano ( Solo Entry) GOLD 88



The St. Charles College Jazz Ensemble and Marymount Academy Ensemble received the highest marks out of all the High School Bands entered this year (11 entries). St. Charles College was invited by the Adjudicator to enter the Provincial Music Festival Taped Competition for Bands.

Sean Sullivan, a graduate student of St. Charles College, saw any post-secondary economic woes disappear in late June after he was informed by Laurentian University that he was the recipient of the National Dean’s Entrance Scholarship for Excellence in Social Science valued at $20,000. During the school year, acting on the advice of his guidance counsellor, Sean sent an application to Laurentian University along with an accompanying letter outlying his career and academic goals, community service and a list of awards and achievements he had received while attending St. Charles College. As Laurentian
already had a transcript of his marks, Sean had to provide two letters of reference
to complete the application process. In early June, Sean was ecstatic when he received a letter form Laurentian University informing him that he had
won the Dean’s Award. Sean immediately phoned his parents who were in
Cincinnati, Ohio at the time to share the great news.

Sean Sullivan receives National Dean’s Entrance Scholarship to Laurentian
University.With respect to academic and career goals, Sean intends to pursue
an Honours Bachelor Degree in Psychology while attending Laurentian University.
“I have always been interested in how the mind works,”stated Sean.
“For that reason, I intend on either becoming a medical doctor or a psychologist.”

An integral part of the application process also involved an examination of
Sean’s volunteer commitments and community service. While attending St.
Charles College he was a volunteer member of the St. Charles Student Council,
and helped organize the school’s annual food drive which brought in 52,000
food items for the Inner City Food Bank. Sean’s most satisfying experience
in voluntary community service was his role as a Peer Mediator at St. Charles
College. Peer Mediation is a volunteer program, (non-credit) in which select
students are trained in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Conflict Management.
These students then serve as peacemakers within the school, intervening as mediators
in conflicts between fellow students.

In addition to dedicating time to the community, Sean also demonstrated his
leadership capabilities in extra-curricula activities during his 5 years in
secondary school while playing on the School Reach Team, (a trivia competition
between schools). In 2000 he organized the team when a teacher was not available,
and since then, has served as team captain.

Sean Sullivan’s talents do not confine themselves to the realm of academia
or fund-raising only, as he also has a flair for the arts.. His major extra-curricular
activity while attending
St. Charles College was acting in the school’s drama club appearing as
Theseus in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Simon Starkweather in “Murder’s
in the Heir,” and most recently he undertook the leading role of Willy
Wonka in the popular play production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
He was also a member of the St. Charles College Junior Band for two years, and
a member of the schools’ Graduation Committee, the Science Enrichment
Club and Amnesty International. In addition, Sean also managed to hold down
a part-time job at Topper’s Pizza in Garson while attending St. Charles.

Sean’s list of awards, and achievements are equally impressive and include
the following;

• member of the SCC Drama Club, he won Best Supporting Actor in 2001, Best
  Male Performance in 2002 and 2003.
• participated in the University of Toronto National Biology Competition
  in 2002 and 2003, representing St. Charles College
• member of the St. Charles Club for five years, ( average over 80% )
• winner of the Basilian Award in grade nine, presented to the student best
  exemplifying the school motto of “Goodness, Discipline & Knowledge.”
• represented Canada, Sudbury and St. Charles College as a youth delegate
  at the December 2000 Student Human Rights Conference at the United Nations
  headquarters in New York City.
• Valedictorian for the OAC graduating class 2003
• winner of the R.J. McCarthy Bursary

Congratulations to Sean Sullivan on winning the National Dean’s Entrance
Scholarship for Excellence. In winning this award, Sean exemplifies the expectations
of Catholic Graduates in terms of knowledge, values, attitudes and actions.
May his search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest continue
to be grounded by strong Christian values. Good luck and best wishes to Sean
Sullivan on behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

Trustees with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board proved successful in passing a balanced budget for the 2003-2004 school year. The Board approved a budget of $57,943,878 during its last meeting of the school year before the summer break. The new budget will maintain the 2002-03 level of programs and curriculum services and will also incorporate new initiatives in the areas of special education such as additional special education classes, increased in-school special education resource, specialized teachers for speech correction, the deaf and the blind, additional educational assistants and increased funding for professional development.

With respect to curriculum, the 2002-2003 level of support for curriculum services including professional development, special assignment teachers and secondary school co-ordinators, as well as the level of teacher support in curriculum in-service has been maintained. The budget allows for the retention of the Faith Animator position at 50% capacity, and provides for two chaplains in the secondary schools. There will be no reduction in the amount of the support from technology and school-administrative lines. In addition, all elementary schools will have from .7 to 1.3 full time secretaries. Included in the 2003-04 budget are the start up costs associated with the introduction of the Grade 10 classes at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School and the renovation costs for St. Francis School as a result of the consolidation of St. Anthony school with St. Francis for the 2003-2004 school year.

Zandra Zubac, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, attributed the fact that the Board was able to bring in a balanced budget to the additional funding provided by the provincial government stating that, “Thanks to the increased spending in education recommended by the Rozanksi report, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will continue to maintain its high level of commitment to our students and teachers and to Catholic Education.” Ray Vincent, Chair of the Board, stated that, “Last year’s budget placed the Board in a very difficult situation. With respect to the 2003-2004 school year budget, the Sudbury Catholic Board finds itself in a much better position. Grant revenues have increased by $3.6 million over last year’s levels which is a direct result of the funding committed by the government for salaries, benefits, supplies, special education and transportation. It is also important to note that the Board was able to meet school council, parental, and staff requests for additional hours for secretaries by increasing the minimum to 25 hours per week. This will not only add efficiencies to our school system but also provide a valuable degree of safety for each child at school.”

Sister Pat Carter (pictured left) , Vocation Director with The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, visited Grade 6 classes across the North earlier in 2003 and challenged the students to become people of prayer and service. Sister Pat announced an essay and poster contest that invited students to draw upon their religious education program entitled “You Shall Be My Witness”, and reflect on who has been a good witness of the Gospel message to them. They were asked to write their reflections in an essay or create a poster to give specific examples of how this person was an effective witness of Jesus’ love. The winner for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board was Alex McGilles from St. Mark School in Markstay. Alex wrote about her special relationship with her grandmother Aileen Large, and her grandmother’s special relationship with God. Aileen Large is a teacher with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Congratulations Alex and Aileen!

 

My Witness to God Have you ever felt like someone you know is an angel that fell from heaven? Well I do and it’s my Nana Aileen. She is my witness to God. My Nana is my witness to God because she is a very special person. She goes to church every Saturday and if she misses then she goes on Sunday or Tuesday. My Nana always volunteers to do stuff for our church, like when the Deacon asks our community to read for our church my Nana always says “yes”. She willingly offers to make sandwiches whenever there is a funeral. She also makes sure that there are severs at our church to help the priest. She always asks me to participate and because of her influence I serve at funerals and I help with children’s liturgy. My Nana also takes care of my family and me. When my best friend moved to Virginia my Nana was there to help me push back my tears. She also helped my Dada (Grandpa) when he was sick with cancer. She stayed with him every second of the day until he passed away. Also, just this summer she came to my house to see my Papa when he was sick with cancer and he also died. She comforted me by ensuring me that Papa was at peace with God. My nana goes to school and teaches kids about God. She teaches five times a week for one hundred ninety days and she never complains around the children. At school three times a day she prays. She prays for kids and their families who do not have a house to go to. She also prays for the sick and for the deceased. She even prays for my family that we may live for eternal life in heaven. I feel that I will always be able to look towards my Nana for spiritual guidance and I pray to God to look after her. Alex McGilles St. Mark School, Markstay