Family Literacy Day 2023

Posted on January 19, 2023 by admin

Family Literacy Day is an important event that is celebrated annually in Canada on January 27th. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of literacy and the role that families play in supporting the literacy development of their children.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board recognizes the crucial role that literacy plays in the success of our students. Literacy is not only the ability to read and write, but also the ability to understand and use information in a variety of contexts. It is essential for academic success and for personal growth and development.

We also acknowledge the important role that families play in promoting literacy at home. Research has shown that children who have parents and guardians who read to them, talk to them, and encourage them to read independently, have a stronger foundation in literacy which can help them succeed at school.

That is why we encourage all of our families to participate in Family Literacy Day activities. Reading together as a family, visiting the library, and participating in literacy-related events can all be fun and engaging ways to promote literacy and support the literacy development of our students.

On this Family Literacy Day, let’s celebrate the power of literacy and the importance of families working together to support the literacy development of their children. Let’s work together to create a literate and informed community, where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Family Literacy Day 2023 Theme: Celebrate your Heritage

Canada is a diverse country full of different cultures. On Friday, January 27th, 2023, ABC Life Literacy has encouraged us all to take time to explore and learn more about our heritage with our families. To help celebrate this day, we encourage students, educators, and families to check out the following resources and activities from ABC Life Literacy Canada.

Resources

ABC Life Literacy Canada Website

Activity Sheet

Activity Book

Poster

Bookmark

PSA

St. Albert Adult Learning Centre welcomes YMCA Settlement Worker!

Posted on December 14, 2022 by admin

The Settlement Worker in the Schools(SWIS) program is a partnership with YMCA Immigration Services and Sudbury Catholic District School Board in providing settlement services to the students and their families. Services are provided on an ongoing and as-needed basis.

SWIS Services may include:

Information and orientation sessions about the education school system focusing on support for school registrations, student requirements and education terminology
Support in attending parent/teacher interviews
Social Integration support to participate in school events and activities
Needs assessment and referrals to community resources
Community connections to support systems within the schools and community
Social integration support to participate in school events and activities
Information sessions to school staff to ensure cultural awareness and understanding of the challenges newcomers face adjusting to a new academic environment
Study Buddy Initiatives

St. Albert Adult Learning Centre welcomes Melanie-Lynn Grandmont as the main contact for Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Appointments with SWIS can be scheduled at the St. Albert Adult Learning Centre location or at schools in the directories below.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Directory of Schools

To schedule an appointment, call 705-921-6921 or email melanie-lynn.grandmont@ymcaneo.ca directly.

For more information about immigration services, refer to the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.

YMCA Settlement Worker in Schools

PEACE Program is a One Stop Shop For Christmas Gifts!

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Carlee Vendramin

One Stop Shop

St. Albert Adult Education Centre had a special visitor last week. Graduate from St. Charles College, Joey Gagnon dropped by the school to check off his Christmas shopping list. The PEACE Program was his one stop shop for unique and one of a kind custom made gifts.

We can’t say what Joey bought but we can say, he’s going to make a lot of people happy including the students who need to replenish their inventory.

About the PEACE Program:

PEACE (Personalized Experiential Alternative Caring Education) program is an alternative school for teens who have anxiety, depression and personal issues that interfere with their schooling. It is a second chance for many students, where students can have teacher support, learn techniques to overcome obstacles, and learn new skills through Peace Pens: a student-run, self sustaining business. These high-school aged students earn credits creatively, and partake in engaging alternative activities including fitness, outdoor education, and art workshops. All pens and other products in the PEACE shop are custom made and created from start to finish by students in the program. Each item has its own unique style reflective of the creator. Any item purchased will come with an insert containing a description of the program, the type of wood or acrylic used, and the name of the student who created the item.

Second Sunday of Advent: The Bethlehem Candle / Symbolizing Faith

Posted on December 2, 2022 by admin

December 4 marks the second Sunday of Advent for 2022. Together, we all await the birth of a baby boy, the light of the world, coming to transform us, so that we can transform the world. The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8th. The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season of Advent and are represented by the colour purple. During Advent it is fitting that we celebrate the virtue of patience, for we recognize that we are patiently awaiting Jesus’ coming.

Advent Prayer

Dear Lord,

Send down Your Spirit to guide me during Advent this year. May the Holy Spirit help me journey closer to You and lift me up when I feel down and led me when I feel lost. I may stumble at times, but I know my ultimate journey is to draw closer to You and build Your kingdom here on earth–a kingdom that Jesus’s birth, life and death helped secure.

Amen.

Candle
The first Sunday of Advent represents the Candle of Bethlehem symbolizes Faith and Love.

Advent Resources

The Jesse Tree

Best Advent Ever

Pray as you Go

Children’s Advent Calendar

Busted Halo

First Sunday of Advent: The Candle of Prophecy / Symbolizing Hope

Posted on November 25, 2022 by admin

November 27 marks the first Sunday of Advent for 2022. Together, we all await the birth of a baby boy, the light of the world, coming to transform us, so that we can transform the world. The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8th. The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season of Advent and are represented by the colour purple. During Advent it is fitting that we celebrate the virtue of patience, for we recognize that we are patiently awaiting Jesus’ coming.

Advent Prayer

Dear Lord,

Amen.

Candle
The first Sunday of Advent represents the Candle of Prophecy and symbolizes Hope.

Advent Resources

The Jesse Tree

Best Advent Ever

Pray as you Go

Children’s Advent Calendar

Busted Halo

2022 Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

Posted on November 21, 2022 by admin

November 20th, 2022 is the beginning of Ontario’s 9th annual Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. This week allows school boards to focus the spotlight for one week on promoting safe schools and creating a positive learning environment.

Bullying prevention promotes the development of healthy relationships that involve respectful interactions between people, face-to-face and online. The goal is to help ensure that all students have healthy, safe, respectful and caring relationships with everyone in their lives.

Teachers, parents/guardians, and other adults support and act as role models for students by showing them how healthy relationships can work. Students’ positive relationships with other students depend on positive relationships with adults.

Students who have healthy relationships will be less likely to bully others, more likely to support students who are bullied and better able to reach their educational goals. Together, we are all invited to learn more about bullying by exploring reverent resources and participating in activities to identify and eradicate it.

Resources

Prev Net Tip Sheets

Prev Net – Bullying Info for Parents

Kids Help Phone

Bullying Canada

Ontario: Bullying – we can all help stop it

Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens!

Posted on October 31, 2022 by admin

We are proud of our Francophone heritage.

On September 25th, 2022, Sudbury Catholic Schools celebrated Franco-Ontarian Day! This celebration is an annual opportunity to learn about Franco-Ontarian culture and history in real life and bring awareness to this wonderful community on an occasion that combines education, fun, language, and history. As the number of FSL students and families continues to grow, it is important for Sudbury Catholic to infuse French Culture into the classrooms.

In our video that highlights our Franco-Ontarian celebrations, we use the phrase, “Ma Francophonie, j’y tiens!”, which translated from French means, “We are proud of our Francophone heritage!”

In addition to annual celebrations, FSL teaching and learning is being further supported in our community through our FSL Plan. One of the most important goals of Sudbury Catholic School’s three-year FSL Plan is improving student confidence and proficiency. We’re committed to providing french language learners with the support they need, and to continue to offer programming that is evidence-based and engaging.

“With what we currently know about how kids learn to read, our Board has committed to shifting from a balanced to a structured literacy approach. Structured literacy provides explicit instruction of the key components of literacy so that students develop excellent pre-reading and reading skills. This approach also guarantees early identification of students at-risk through assessment. The best interventions can then be used to support and move students along. With purposeful reading instruction and interventions, students will demonstrate increased achievement in the FSL program. Literacy leads to proficiency, confidence, and an enthusiasm for life-long learning. And that’s the best gift of all” – Camille Heaton, FSL Consultant.

National Truth & Reconciliation Week 2022

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are called to strengthen our faith-based, inclusive, and equitable community. This year, our community has been working hard in preparation for the 2022 Truth and Reconciliation Week – a five-day commemoration taking place from Monday, September 26th to Friday, September 30th. In between the personal activities being planned by our schools, we’re pleased to share that Sudbury Catholic’s Indigenous Education team has curated resources and materials to help students, staff, and community members commemorate this important week!

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Activities

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers a series of opportunities for classrooms to participate in events throughout the week of September 26 to September 30. More information and registration links can be found at: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The NCTR is the foundation for ongoing learning and research. Survivors, their families, educators, researchers, and the public can examine the residential school system to foster reconciliation and healing.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION WEEK 2022 is a national program open to all schools across Canada. The theme of this year’s week is Remembering the Children. Students will learn about the residential school system’s history and memorialize the lost children. Several Sudbury Catholic schools will participate in activities and educational sessions planned by the NCTR.

This year includes an expanded program with age-appropriate material for students in Grades 1 through 12.
Days 1 to 3 features pre-recorded videos and a live Q & A session. On September 30, students can view a live televised broadcast for Orange Shirt Day from their classrooms.
All sessions will be held virtually on Hubilo.

Nelson Professional Learning series also offers educators the opportunity to deepen their knowledge through a series of free webinars entitled The Whole Truth About Residential Schools. This series is about learning and teaching the history of Indian Residential Schools in Canada.

Learn More

Truth, Resiliency and Hope Event

Schools are invited to attend the Truth, Resiliency and Hope event planned by the Indigenous Community Collective. This event is occurring at Bell Park in Sudbury on September 30. At this gathering, attendees can commemorate survivors of Residential schools and acknowledge their resiliency. The event will begin with a sunrise ceremony and opening remarks. Later, a play entitled Debwewin (Truth) and a short video screening will premiere, and the event will finish with a Q & A session.

Learn More

Indigenous Community Collective – NDTR Event Poster

School Invitation

Event Agenda

Walk for Reconciliation

Board members at the Central Board Office are invited to attend the Walk for Reconciliation on September 30, 2022. This joint community event begins at N’Swakamok Friendship Centre (110 Elm Street). The group will then walk together to Bell Park, where they will attend the opening of the Truth, Resiliency and Hope event.

Orange Shirt Day in Honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30, we will join schools across Canada to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. We are reminded that Orange Shirt Day also offers an opportunity to honour and pray for those who never made it home. Our schools are encouraged to post to social media and utilize the hangtags #orangeshirtday and #sudburycdsb to allow our board to see these activities in action.

Available Support

In addition to the activities listed on this post, we recognize that each of our schools will be finding unique and creative ways to observe and honour this time. These events and activities may differ, but support is always provided. As we are reminded that this can be a difficult topic for many students, staff and families and should be taught with deep respect. For those who require support, there is help available through these contacts below:

Health Support Information:

If you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419

Sudbury Catholic Schools Hosts Transition to School Event!

Posted on July 22, 2022 by admin

Sudbury Catholic wants to help families prepare for the next step of learning in a supportive program about transitioning to school!

Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce our upcoming virtual event “Transition to School,” designed to provide the support students need to take the next step in their learning journey!

From August 29-31st, students and families are invited to attend live, online presentations from various Sudbury Catholic teachers to help them prepare for a new chapter this fall. Each session will run twice throughout Aug 29-31. See below for session dates/times and click here to attend!

Additional Event Information

Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior teachers will cover essential topics during this event. By attending, you will learn what to expect as a new student, know what to do if you want to speak with a resource or guidance teacher, learn who the key people you should connect with and so much more! Sessions will also deliver simple strategies to help ease anxiety and teach essential organization skills to help support student success.

“Getting ready to take the next step in any learning journey can be scary. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the first day of grade 12, the transition to a new grade level should be smooth and worry-free. Because every child’s journey is unique, each presentation will focus on how to help students in that grade level prepare for Sept, so they can reach their full potential at school.” – Jennifer Connelly, St. Francis Principal

No sign up required!

Students and parents can join teachers live on Aug 29-31, to help them prepare for school in September. To join the event, click the button below!

JOIN THIS EVENT!

Sudbury Catholic Teacher Receives Prestigious Math Award

Posted on June 17, 2022 by admin

Julie Denomme, Secondary Teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter CSS

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to congratulate Bishop Alexander Carter CSS secondary teacher, Julie Denomme, who was formally recognized by the University of Waterloo and inducted into The Society of Descartes Medallists for her exceptional work in mathematics.

The Society of Descartes Medallists was founded in 1968 by the Rene Descartes Foundation for the Advancement of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo. Sine 1968, the Society meets annually to pay tribute to Ontario mathematics and computer science teachers identified as worthy of special recognition. Every year since it was established, the Foundation has admitted a small number of new members, chosen for their contribution to the noble cause of mathematics education.

Denomme, was only one of two recipients recognized by the Rene Descartes Foundation in 2021. Denomme attended the 53rd Rene Descartes Medallist Dinner on June 11th, 2022, in Waterloo where she was able to officially be inducted into the Society.

“We are so proud of Mrs. Denomme for her exceptional dedication to student learning. Her fearless approach to embracing new teaching and evaluation strategies makes a real difference in our school. She consistently uses her passion to evolve her instruction on important subjects and improve the way students learn to make a real impact on their education. For instance, in 2015, her leadership and commitment were key support in improving EQAO scores, which resulted in Bishop Alexander Carter winning the Bette Stevenson Award.” – Stephanie Venturi, Bishop Alexander Carter Principal

“It is a great honour to be chosen as one of the 2021 Descartes Medallists. Teaching is a rewarding profession where I am provided the chance to motivate others on a daily basis. But honestly, it’s the smiles on the students’ faces that makes it all worth it. Thanks to everyone who has given me the opportunity to educate and, hopefully, inspire my students everyday.” – Julie Denomme, Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary Teacher

“The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s mission is to realize each student’s potential within an inclusive Catholic Learning Community by nurturing their mind, body, and spirit. Ms. Denomme embraces her teaching vocation and provides a dynamic, rich classroom environment where students are able to take risks, learn from their mistakes and grow in their understanding. We are all so proud of her and are very fortunate that she has chosen to teach in our schools. Bishop Alexander Carter and the entire School Board Community extend our congratulations to her for this well-deserved award.” – Joanne Bénard, Director of Education

For more info on Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca