St. Albert Learning Centre

Difference Makers: The Sudbury Catholic District School Board Recognizes This Year’s Winners for the Chairperson’s Award

Collage of three winners

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award. All three individuals have demonstrated a strong commitment to Catholic education and to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment focused on ensuring the success of all students.

Nancy Bellemare-Perron is a teacher at Holy Trinity School who has made a true impact on her students. Through her teaching, she has provided students with opportunities to learn and engage in several community initiatives and understand the importance of supporting others in our community. Nancy provides a safe and caring environment for all who enter the classroom and goes out of her way to make students and parents/guardians feel included, engaged and motivated. She embraces innovation in her teaching, and tailors lessons and activities to match learning needs, providing support wherever it is needed for both students and parents/guardians alike.

Megan Murphy is the Principal of St. Albert Learning Centre and the current Remote Learning School. She provides a welcoming environment to all who enter the school and motivates her staff to continue to help students overcome obstacles to reach success – whatever that means for them. She continually promotes other teachers in their endeavors to obtain grants for experiential learning opportunities and supports and encourages teacher innovation that will enhance student learning. Through her recent role of Principal of the Remote Learning School, Megan has also helped facilitate a virtual learning environment that is engaging and focused on student success.

Jennifer Petahtegoose is an Indigenous Language Teacher at St. Charles College. Jennifer embodies the Board’s vision of being leaders in learning and faith completely and is seen as a leader in her school. Jennifer challenges her students to get involved in peaceful initiatives such as water walks and other social justice activities. Through her role, she facilitated the school’s first Indigenous studies student club and instituted the Red Bird drumming program. She provides rich programing through guest speakers with Elders such as Vince Pawis and Chief John Beaucage and is a founding member of the SCDSB Indigenous Education Advisory Committee. She has participated and assisted with the school’s Antioch Retreats and is a regular Extraordinary Minister of Holy Eucharist. Faithful and kind, Jennifer is well respected by the entire St. Charles College community and is selfless in her vocation.

“We are very proud to announce this year’s winners of the Chairperson’s Award. As in past years, we are privileged to be able to honour and recognize three individuals who truly embody our mission and vision as a Board and are seen as difference makers, innovators and trailblazers,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Each year, our committee has the tough, but important job of choosing honourees from the numerous applications received. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are grateful to all who nominated individuals this year, and we thank our recipients for their continued service and commitment to Catholic education.”

This year’s award winners will be recognized alongside last year’s winners in a special virtual recognition event to be held later this Spring.

We are Thankful for our ECEs and EAs Today and Everyday!

Today, we celebrate and honour our ECEs and EAs in a special way. We are very fortunate at Sudbury Catholic to have many wonderful, caring and supportive Early Childhood Educators and Educational Assistants in our schools. The support and care that they provide our students each and every day in helping them to grow in mind, body and spirit is foundational to their success.  We thank them for their support, their gentle guidance, for inspiring, for helping to create a growth mind set, for helping our students believe in themselves and for all of their contributions to our schools and to our system.  Their expertise and commitment inspires our students to grow and to reach their full potential. You truly are amazing!  

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we thank you for making a difference within the classroom and beyond! 

Celebrating World Teacher Day

Graphics of teachers

On October 5th, we recognize and thank our dedicated and inspiring educators who work tirelessly to support our students in reaching their individual goals. During such unprecedented times our educators have stepped up to ensure that our students continue to receive a quality Catholic education and the supports they need to be successful both in the classroom and in our remote school. Thank you for nurturing their mind, body and spirit through the engaging opportunities that you provide. Last school year when our schools closed due the COVID19, you found ways to connect with them and to continue to support them through various actions such as care pkgs, food programs, social media, the modified graduation celebrations and of course through the various platforms that you were using. We were all so proud of how resilient and creative you were and continue to be. Our students are better because of who their teachers are. Thank you for always going the extra mile for them.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we thank you for putting our students first and helping us to achieve our vision of being leaders in learning and faith. You truly are amazing!

Recognizing our Custodial Staff for National Custodial Worker Appreciation Day!

Photos of Custodians

October 2, 2020 is National Custodial Appreciation Day! It is a day to thank and appreciate each and every member of our custodial team including custodians, assistant custodians, cleaners, BSTs and maintenance staff! We are especially grateful for their efforts in helping us to prepare for our school reopening, and for their ongoing diligence in keeping our schools and buildings clean. Your efforts are helping to keep us all safe.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, we are extremely thankful for all that you do. Let us take this opportunity to say thank you!

We Proudly Announce This Year’s Recipients of the Chairperson’s Award

Graphic

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award. All three individuals embody the Board’s mission, vision and values. They are each passionate about Catholic education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success.

Cathy Spencer is an Educational Assistant at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S who always strives to put students first. She has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students at risk, often taking the lead on projects such as the Open Doors program and the Breakfast Club. Through Cathy’s everyday positive attitude, she is a beacon of light for staff and students alike. She is regarded as a kind individual who brings a smile to all who meet her in the halls at Bishop and makes everyone feel welcome and included.

Ginette Toivonen is the Indigenous Education Facilitator for the Board. Through this position, she ensures that the Catholic values are integrated with the Ojibwe Seven Grandfather Teachings. As Indigenous Lead, Ginette has created many opportunities for students to feel comfortable and safe at school while learning with their peers about Indigenous knowledge and World views. Ginette is an innovative, caring and inclusive individual with a true passion for what she does.

Melanie Johncox is an Literacy & Basic Skills instructor at St. Albert Learning Centre who supports our adult students at the Sudbury District Jail four days per week. In her role, Melanie works directly with students on their individual learning plans, approaching each student with a caring and supportive approach and ensuring that they have the resources that they need to succeed. Melanie models Jesus and our Catholic values in her interactions with all learners and is seen as an empathetic and compassionate member of the St. Albert Learning Centre community.

“Each year, I have the honour of recognizing individuals who are difference makers and leaders within our Catholic learning community,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These individuals are always inspirational and are a true representation of what it means to be a leader in learning and faith. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to recognize the recipients and thank them for their continued service and commitment to Catholic education.”

This year’s award winners were recognized at the April 21 Board meeting and will be honoured formally at a later date.

Sudbury Catholic Staff Celebrate Board Wide Wellness Day!

Wellness is the quality or state of being healthy in mind, body and spirit – especially as the result of deliberate effort. It is seen as an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.

Sudbury Catholic Schools staff put their wellness first by participating in a Board Wide Wellness Day! Staff were encouraged to complete a wellness activity throughout their work day that would help enhance their mind, body and spirit. From walking to yoga, indulging in a healthy lunch or trying meditation, the possibilities seemed endless!

Great job by all participants!

SCDSB Bringing Literacy to the Community

Christine McCracken, a teacher with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board does not teach out of your typical classroom. With the board since October, 2015, McCracken works with adult learners in two different locations. One of her locations is on the Atkikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Reserve. The second is at the Sudbury jail. It is this second location that inspired a call-out to her fellow SCDSB staff. After meeting with the learners in jail, she realized that many were desperate for something to read. McCracken brought the newspaper in with her during her visits and they couldn’t get enough. After some inquiry, she realized that there weren’t very many books available to the inmates. Inspired by the enthusiasm of these learners, McCracken discussed some strategies with her principal at St. Albert, Aaron Barry. The two decided to do a call-out to all SCDSB staff to see if anyone wanted to donate any new or gently used books to the Sudbury jail. After only a two-week collection period, the staff had donated close to 500 books. “We currently have at least 50 inmates taking part in this programming at the Sudbury jail,” explain McCracken. “We even already have a few really close to getting their high school diplomas. Reaching out to them in this environment has inspired them to want to continue their education after as well, which is wonderful. These books will really help in their learning!”
The St. Albert principal explained that through the St. Albert Learning Centre, some of these individuals were able to gets some credits through PLAR which is the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition program. This assigns credits to individuals towards the secondary school diploma (OSSD) for knowledge and skills that they have acquired outside of secondary school. “McCracken has been a real inspiration with these particular learners as she really motivates learning and encourages them to continue working towards their OSSD,” Barry stated. “Through the support of the SCDSB, we are able to bring continuing education to a group that may otherwise not consider continuing on with their education. It is a great program, and we are thankful to all of our coworkers and SCDSB staff for their generous book donations –they will make a positive difference!”

For more information about continuing education, PLAR, or getting your OSSD, contact St. Albert Learning Centre at (705) 673-3031.

St. Albert’s Personal Support Worker Program Receives Official Accreditation

A full class of twenty-four students was on hand for the announcement on Wednesday, January 10, that the St. Albert Adult Learning Centre Personal Support Worker (PSW) program has officially received accreditation in their program. The PSW program began accepting students in September 2010 and is currently hosting its fourth PSW class. Approximately 100 students will have graduated from this accredited program by June 2012 with over 90% of students finding work in their field. What makes the PSW program at St. Albert unique, is that students can obtain their PSW certificate as well as credits towards their high school diploma. Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board commented to the group about this wonderful accomplishment. “The staff of St. Albert has worked so hard to make this opportunity available for its students,” McCullough stated. “Receiving official accreditation for the program is evidence of this hard work. The students who have, and are taking part in this program, continue to show success in their new careers. On behalf of St. Albert, I would like to thank all community partners, long term care facilities and community care agencies who have helped the St. Albert PSW program grow through accepting students for their experiential placements. Together we are making the greater City of Sudbury a healtheir place to live.”

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