November 2020 - St. David Catholic Elementary School

St. David School Embraces Outdoor Learning

Posted on November 12, 2020 by admin

The staff and students at St. David have really embraced learning outdoors not only because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they see how the mental, emotional and physical well-being of students is enhanced when spending time in natural settings. The outdoor classroom and trails have given the students the opportunity to make deep and meaningful connections to their learning and the natural world around them. This year the school has created trails and signage in the forest, which is their little oasis of natural wonder. St. David believes that outdoor learning is critical in supporting the whole child and promoting a holistic education that challenges students to be more self-aware and have a newfound appreciation for all that is living. Students are working on their team building, communication and collaborative skills while fostering lifelong love for the outdoors.

According to Ms. Royer, the grade 2/3 teacher, “Our classroom loves to be surrounded by nature, connecting closer to God. We are so blessed to have this space where we can calm our minds, body and spirit”.

We Welcome Submissions to Our Annual Christmas Card Artwork Contest

Posted on November 2, 2020 by admin

As the weather gets cooler we turn our attention to the Advent season. We are looking for submissions for our annual Christmas card artwork contest. All students Kindergarten to Grade 12 are eligible to participate! Artwork should encompass our Catholic faith and help us to share in the joy of Christmas.

Artwork can be landscape or portrait and can be created in any medium (such as a drawing, painting etc). Submissions can be addressed and sent to the Board office at:

Attention: Christmas Card Contest
165A D’Youville street
Sudbury, Ontario
P3C 5E7

OR e-mailed to info@sudburycatholicschools.ca in a JPG/PNG or PDF format.

All submissions (whether in hard copy or e-mailed) should have the following information included in addition to the artwork:

Student first and last name
Grade
School

Artwork must be submitted by November 20, 2020 at 4 p.m. to be considered for the contest. The Board will choose one elementary design and one secondary design to be featured on our annual Christmas cards which are mailed to our Board Trustees, school administration and community partners. The winning entries will also receive a package of Christmas cards featuring their artwork!

St. David Students Participate in the Traditional Fall Harvesting of Sage

Posted on November 2, 2020 by admin

At St. David School, the students, in partnership with local community leaders, have the opportunity to learn on the land. Part of “learning on the land” involves learning about traditional medicines and the appropriate harvesting of these medicines to ensure that a rich plant ecological community continues to grow each year.

This fall, with the leadership of Mr. Will Morin, the school’s Ojibwe Language students harvested sage that was planted by a previous Ojibwe Language class. Sage, along with sweetgrass, cedar and tobacco, is one of the four sacred medicines in Anishnawbek culture. It is used in prayers and ceremonies.

The students of St. David Catholic School harvested and dried the sage and will be soon bundling it as to prepare it for use in smudging and ceremonies.

According to Mrs. Dawn Fielding, the Ojibwe Language teacher, “One of the most meaningful things that we can do for our students is connect them to the land. Our school community is privileged to be nestled in nature and have access to wonderful traditional people to support new learning for our students on the land.”