Sudbury Catholic District School Board

2024 Carousel Event Recap: A Night of Education, Connection, and Community

Earlier this week, on April 15th, 2024, parents, guardians, educators, and community members gathered at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School for the highly anticipated Carousel Event hosted by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Parent Involvement Committee. 

The event, designed to engage, educate, and empower, featured workshops on Children’s Mental Health, Cyber Safety, The Foundations of Reading, Building Resilience, Autism Support, French Language Learning, Online Well-Being, Secondary Pathways, and more. With a diverse range of sessions, there was something for everyone to explore. 

Before diving into the evening’s workshops, guests enjoyed a complimentary pasta dinner, fostering connections and anticipation for the educational feast. While parents, guardians, educators, and community members immersed themselves in learning, a dedicated team of early childhood educators treated attendee’s children to an evening of supervised activities and games. The free childcare ensured parents with young children and toddlers could fully engage in the workshops while their children remained close by. 

Reflecting on the evening, one of the highlights was undoubtedly the sense of community and collaboration that radiated throughout the event. From the arrival, attendees forged connections, exchanged experiences, and shared invaluable strategies and ideas for supporting their children’s educational journey. Educators and fellow presenters seized the opportunity to engage directly with families, fostering deeper partnerships and a shared commitment to nurturing future generations.

Participants departed with actionable insights and resources to enrich their children’s learning and well-being as the event ended. The Carousel Event once again underscores the significance of collaboration between parents, educators, and the broader community in shaping the future and education for current and prospective students.

Thank you to the members of the Parent Involvement Committee, including PIC Chair Amanda Dittrich and Vice-Chair Paola Stefanuto, for their work in organizing a successful event. Thank you to Holy Cross School and the staff and student volunteers for ensuring a smooth and seamless venue for learning to flourish. Thank you to our external and internal presenters, who provided excellent workshops featuring valuable resources and handouts to allow attendees to explore relevant topics further.   

To all who attended and contributed to the success of the Carousel Event 2024, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to thank you for your enthusiasm, participation, and commitment to education. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of students, families, and our educational community. Here’s to another year of learning, growth, and connection!

Holy Cross Admin & Student Volunteers & PIC Vice Chair
Dinner
Building Resiliency Session - Ana Santos
Welcome Table
Compass for Secondary Success - Monica Dailey
Secondary Pathways
School Based Mental Health Services - Laurie Milling
The Foundations of Reading - Stacey Copeland
Supporting Autism - Sherrie Belzile
Supporting Autism - Natalie Lippert-Murdoch
Supporting French Learners - Camille Heaton
Cyber Safety - Kathryn Howard
Welcome Table
Online Well-Being - Peter Prochilo
YMCA Booth
YMCA Booth
Student Volunteers
Childcare
Childcare
Childcare
Childcare
Childcare
Childcare
Holy Cross Exterior
Holy Cross Exterior
Holy Cross Exterior
Thank you!
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Did you miss this year’s Carousel Event? 

Mark your calendars for next year’s edition. Our annual Carousel event normally takes place in the spring, but if you have questions, ask your school council chair for more information. Your presence and participation are invaluable as we strive to build a stronger, more vibrant community through education.

Join Us For SCDSB’s Annual Carousel Event – Register Now!

Registration is open for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Join us for an evening of networking and workshops on timely topics in Catholic Education.

Event Details: 

When: Monday, April 15, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School | 2997 Algonquin Road 

Carousel topics will include: 

Mental Health & Well-Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resilience, Autism Support, Bullying Awareness & Prevention, Preparing Your Child for High School Success, The Foundations of Reading, Supporting French Language Learners and more. Click here to view our session descriptions!  

 *FREE CHILDCARE & DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED. 

How To Register? 

Click Here to Register:  2024 CAROUSEL EVENT

2024 Workshop Topics

2024 Registration Form

Sudbury Catholic Announces Chair and Vice Chair of Parent Involvement Committee  

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Dittrich as Chair and Paola Stefanuto as Vice Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for the 2023-2024 school year.  

2023 PIC Chair – Amanda Dittrich
2023 PIC Vice Chair – Paola Stefanuto

Amanda is a parent at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School where she serves as Vice-Chair of the Catholic School Council. She looks forward to working with parents, principals, and administration to enhance parent and guardian engagement at Sudbury Catholic Schools. 

“I am honoured to assume the role of Chair for the Parent Involvement Committee at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Working together with the Board and parent councils, I hope to strengthen the vital connection between school and home. I am eager to help families navigate the special needs program offered through the Board. In addition, I look forward to enhancing the level of support provided to families by working with our committee to advocate for the needs of families across Sudbury Catholic Schools. I am excited about the journey ahead and the positive changes we can collectively bring about.” Said Amanda. 

Paola Stefanuto has been a part of the Catholic School Council since her children began Kindergarten. She has two children who attend St. Benedict School in Grade 11 and 12 where she serves as Co-Chair of the Catholic School Council. As Vice Chair of PIC, she looks forward to helping other parents get involved, and provide more supports for families. 

“I have always believed that when parents are involved, it paves the way for students to be actively engaged in their education. By involving parents, we not only nurture their children’s academic growth, but we also contribute to their child’s social, emotional, and physical development. As Vice-Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee, I am thrilled about the opportunity to foster greater parent engagement in our school communities. By providing parents the support and information they need to get involved, we can help each child find their place and build the confidence they need to progress in life.” Said Paola

Catholic Education Week: We are Many, We are One

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes:

  • When we see
  • When we listen
  • When we reflect
  • When we learn
  • When we act

OCSTA Resources

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

Board-Wide Celebrations 

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.

Toonies for Tuition Day 

On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.

Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.

Register Now for SCDSB’s Annual Carousel Event!

Registration is now open for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation. 

When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School  

Address: 2993 Algonquin Drive 

Carousel topics will include: 

Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming.  Click here to view our session descriptions!

 *FREE CHILDCARE & LIGHT SUPPER WILL BE PROVIDED. 

St. Paul School Hosts Successful STEM Night for Families

In partnership with Science North and learning support staff from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, the Catholic School Council at St. Paul School hosted a one-hour STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) session. St. Paul families and students enjoyed a night of hands-on learning activities as they rotated through several stations. 

Students and family members were able to try out all the activities and went home with some of the things they built and a pamphlet of STEM activities they could try at home.

The night was a huge success and students left feeling inspired!

“It was really fun! I really liked making the catapults to throw the pompoms.  I made it from popsicle sticks, elastics, and a plastic spoon,” said Catherine McAvoy, Grade 3 student. 

“STEM night was awesome. I really liked the connector magnetic blocks that Science North brought. I built a vehicle,” said Maxx Roy, Grade 5 student. 

“You could build things with marshmallows and toothpicks. I made a chair. STEM night was awesome!” said Quentyn Robillard, student in Grade 4.

“Family STEM Night brought our school community together where families were engaged in learning while having fun at the same time. STEM activities spark curiosity and prompt questions about how the world works around us. It was great to see so many of our families get involved,” said St. Paul Principal Cara Soehner.

Level Up! Open House for Parents and Guardians

See what students experience at the Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair. Talk to experts about the skilled trades as a rewarding career path for your child.

You’re invited to the Level Up Open House:

November 14, 2022
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Steelworkers Hall
66 Brady Street

Check out the poster for more details!

Sudbury Catholic Announces Chair and Vice Chair of Parent Involvement Committee

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the appointment of Will St. Amant as Chair and Sage Thorne as Vice Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for the 2022-2023 school year. They were appointed to their positions during the first PIC meeting of the year, held on October 27, 2022.  

Will St. Amant has two children who attend St. John School in Grade 3 and Grade 6 and a stepdaughter who attends St. Charles Chelmsford in Grade 3. In addition to his placement on PIC, he is also the Vice Chair of the School Council at St. John and is eager to learn more about the system. He looks forward to working alongside the Board to advocate for students. 

“I am excited to increase my knowledge of the Board alongside the other members of the Parent Involvement Committee and help provide further support to students who need it most. Together, we will continue to advocate for students and families across the system,” he said.

Sage Thorne is a costume designer and is guardian to her nephew who attends St. David School. Both Sage and her nephew have enjoyed their time at St. David School; Sage also serves as Co-Chair for School Council. As Vice Chair of PIC, she looks forwarding to helping other parents get involved, and provide more supports for families. 

“I am eager to find alternative ways to interact with families throughout the Board. Through PIC, I hope to provide resources and supports that make information more accessible to parents and families,” said Sage. 

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