Looking back at the 2020-2021 School Year
Director's CornerI think that we can all agree that this past year has been extraordinary, not simply because we find ourselves in a pandemic, but it has been extraordinary because of how our staff, our students, our parents, guardians and community have responded to this reality. Over this past year and half, you have demonstrated resilience, optimism and strong leadership. You have lifted each other up and helped one another through these challenging times. Our staff with our parent/guardian partners have gone the extra mile to passionately serve and support our 6000 plus students and we are very blessed to have such an amazing team at Sudbury Catholic. While it certainly is not the year we all envisioned, I can’t help but feel immensely proud to be part of the Sudbury Catholic School community. We do have much to be thankful for, whether that is achieving success in a competition, surpassing a personal goal or graduating and moving on to another stage in life. In this month’s blog we have included a few examples, among many of the accomplishments this past year calling us to say thank you and to look back and celebrate.
Sudbury Catholic Students & Staff are part of a Guinness World Record!
In May 2021, Skills Ontario invited Ontarians to participate in setting out to attain the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement for Largest Online Video Chain of People Passing and Using a Screwdriver. The record attempt was open to anyone, any age across the province, with a minimum goal of receiving 251 video submissions. A call out was made to Sudbury Catholic students, families and staff.
“We truly enjoy partnering with Skills Ontario as they always have innovative and fun ways to promote the skilled trades and technologies to our students. We were especially excited to be able to join this initiative as a community. We are ecstatic to know that we made history!” said Christina Raso, Experiential Learning Consultant.
Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of School Effectiveness gives a tremendous round of applause and a sincere word of thanks to all of the students and staff that participated in the Skills Ontario Guinness World Record Breaking event. “All of the participants from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board once again rose to the challenge and had a hand in surpassing the goal of 250 linked individuals with a final count of 381 submissions!”
Jump Rope for Heart – Holy Cross School
Students at Holy Cross school once again participated in the ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ campaign – this year they found a way to hold the event virtually. Students and families came together to raise $5,521, almost doubling their initial goal! Well done Cubs!
Be Kind T-Shirt Campaign – St. Charles College
Deep in the heart of the pandemic, when the world was growing weary, the staff and students in Mrs. Allen’s Learning Support Classroom launched and executed an innovative idea: the Be Kind t-shirt campaign. The class of 11 originally anticipated 50 shirts would be sold but then they had requests from all over the world – they were fulfilling 550 orders! The students were involved in the design, creation, marketing, selling, and shipping components. Educational Assistant Mrs. MacDonald described the classroom in March as an assembly line.
Today, students can be seen wearing their shirts in class and out in the community. The team is already in the process of developing a new plan for the fall and once again, all funds raised will go to life skills programming in the areas of cooking, crafting, gardening and novel studies all the while sprinkling the world and community they live in with some much needed upbeat positivity.
Success at Skills Ontario Competition
Veronica Zulich, a grade 11 student enrolled in the Hospitality & Tourism SHSM program at St. Benedict C.S.S competed in her third Skills Ontario cooking competition on May 4th, 2021.
In Part 1 of the competition, Veronica demonstrated her competency in some fundamental cooking skills including recipe conversions, precision vegetable cuts and a whole chicken breakdown. She also prepared a French Rolled Omelet stuffed with Brie and Mushrooms accompanied by a side Salad in an Emulsified French Dressing. The French omelet is considered to be a cornerstone skill that every chef should be able to demonstrate. For Part 2, Veronica prepared a Thai Style Chicken Stir-fry, with Green Curry Sauce, accompanied by Brown Rice Pilaf. It is during this stage that Veronica showcased her creative plating skills to “wow” the judges. Her teacher at St. Benedict, Mike Sipos and restauranteur Mark Gregorini of Verdicchio Ristorante have mentored Veronica virtually throughout her preparation and practice sessions.
At the provincial level competition May 4th, Veronica achieved first place! She then moved onto the National competition which was virtually held on May 28th, 2021, claiming the silver medal in cooking! Congratulations on your achievements Veronica! Yum this meal looks delicious!
Isaac Chandler, a Green Industries SHSM student at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S also competed in the Skills Ontario competition in the CNC Woodworking category where he achieved gold! View his award winning woodworking project below. Congratulations Isaac, we are so proud of you!
Honouring Our 2021 Grads
The end of the school year is a welcome time for our elementary and secondary graduates and truly a time for celebration and joy as they reflect on their accomplishments and look toward the future. While our schools were unable to hold traditional graduation ceremonies, they found unique ways to honour and celebrate our students! Here are a few ways our schools honoured our graduates!
Marymount Academy created a photo opportunity which allowed graduates and their families to come pick up their diploma in their formal attire and take a few photos to remember the occasion!
St. David School hosted a drive-by celebration so that Grade 6 students and their families could come to the school and receive a celebration package, take photos and say goodbye to their teachers and St. David staff members before moving on to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School!
St. Charles elementary school celebrated their Grade 6, 7 and 8 students with special photo opportunities throughout the end of June. They also celebrated with graduate profiles which were showcased on the school’s social media.
SCDSB Staff Take Part in Walking Challenge – Completing Enough Steps to Walk to Australia!
During the month of May, the Board launched the SCDSB Staff Walking Challenge which encouraged staff members to create a team of four and track their steps each week. 46 eager teams of competitors participated in the challenge walking a total of 29, 941, 502 steps which is the equivalent to 22, 815 KM! This would take us from Sudbury, Ontario to Adelaide, Australia. We congratulate all participants! The challenge served as a reminder of the importance of making our health a priority and instilling habits that we can use beyond the school year.
A message from our Student Trustees
As we conclude the 2020-2021 school year, we say goodbye and thank you to Rosaria Nero and we welcome Jack Gouchie to the Board table.
Rosaria Nero, Grade 12 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, served as a Student Trustee for the 2020-2021 term. Throughout her term she enjoyed interacting with the other members of Student Senate, organizing events and initiatives and representing student voice at the Board table. Here, she leaves a message of thanks to the Sudbury Catholic community.
Jack Gouchie is currently a Grade 10 student at St. Charles College. He will join fellow Student Trustee Kylie MacGregor for the 2021-2022 School Year. He looks forward to working alongside Kylie and learning more about the Board and Board of Trustees while working throughout the year to provide support to his fellow students.