St. David Catholic Elementary School

Celebrating Our Custodial Team!

Custodian stands in front of a school outside.

October 2, 2022 was National Custodial Appreciation Day! Let us take the time today to acknowledge every member of our custodial team including custodians, assistant custodians, cleaners, BSTs and maintenance staff for the outstanding work they do each and every day! Thank you for your dedication to ensuring our schools and Board office buildings are kept cleaned, safe and well-maintained throughout the year. You continue to ensure that our facilities are inviting to the community and contribute to the health and safety of all students and staff.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, thank you for all that you do. 

To help celebrate this occasion, the Board has created a short video.

Click Here to watch our 2022-23 National Custodial Appreciation Day video! 

Remembering the Children: Sudbury Catholic Schools Honours Truth and Reconciliation Week

cut out of t-shirt designs

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board joined Boards across the province to recognize, learn about and commemorate the legacy of residential schools during the week of September 26-30, 2022.

Throughout our board, we are committed to supporting Indigenous voices, learning what we do not know, and implementing the Calls to Action. Truth and Reconciliation Week 2022 is a free national program provided by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and is open to all schools across Canada. This year, the theme of the week was ‘Remembering the Children’. Schools across the Board participated in the program throughout the week as they learned about the history of the residential school system and memorialized the children that were lost. Activities featured pre-recorded videos and live question-and-answer sessions.

In addition, students and staff were invited to attend the Truth, Resiliency and Hope event planned by the Indigenous Community Collective at Bell Park. The event commemorated survivors of Residential Schools and acknowledged their unwavering resiliency. The event began with a sunrise ceremony and opening remarks followed by a play entitled Debwewin (Truth) and a short video screening. 

All Board students and staff were also invited and encouraged to wear Orange Shirts on September 30 in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In addition, schools also completed their own activities, events, and teachings throughout the week. Examples of school-based activities included:

  • Grade 3 French Immersion class at St. James School participated in a collaborative art project to honour Orange Shirt Day.
  • Kindergarten classes at Holy Trinity School welcomed Indigenous Support Workers into their classrooms to discuss the importance of Truth and Reconciliation and learn about the four sacred medicines.
  • Marymount Academy students designed orange shirts to wear and honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • St. Benedict C.S.S created a visual display that was made available to staff and students throughout the week. The display included information about Truth and Reconciliation, powerful stories and artwork contributed by students. 

“As a system, we continue to find ways to honour and acknowledge Truth and Reconciliation and respond to the Calls of Action. We recognize that reconciliation is not something that can be achieved in one hour, one day, or one week. Rather, we focus on rebuilding relationships with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples and communities daily. The Board supports opportunities for our staff and students to come together in support of intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. 

Please see the following video produced by the Board highlighting the various activities:

Further information about Truth and Reconciliation Week provided by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation can be found at the following link: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/

Further information about the Board’s plan for Truth and Reconciliation can be found at the following link: https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/indigenous-education/indigenous-education/

Student Voice Matters: We Want to Hear From You

At Sudbury Catholic Schools we are committed to identifying and removing barriers so all students can achieve excellence in faith-filled, loving, safe and inclusive schools.

Ontario school boards are required to conduct a census to identify and address systemic barriers and discrimination. Under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan, school boards must collect data using a student census and report on the results. In support of the provincial requirement, as well as our commitment to providing, safe, equitable and inclusive environment SCDSB will be collecting voluntary, demographic and identity-based data through a voluntary student census survey, called Student Voice Matters.  

We will be asking questions as identified in  the Ontario Human Rights Code. These include: Indigenous identity, race, ethnic origin, religion, first language, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, status in Canada and socioeconomic status. 

Student Voice Matters is being launched this year for Kindergarten to grade 12. For students in K-8 surveys will be sent to parents/guardians to be completed with their child. Students in grade 9-12 will complete the survey on their own.

If at any point parents or students feel uncomfortable with the question content, they will have the option of skipping and moving on. 

What Will the Results Be Used For?

The results of the survey will be used to:

  • continue to identify and eliminate systemic barriers to student success
  • create more equitable and inclusive school environments
  • improve student achievement and well being
  • better understand the needs of our students

Completing the Survey

You would have already received an e-mail with more information regarding the census, as well as a link to the survey. Please contact your school if you have any issues accessing the survey.

Thank you for your participation and for your ongoing support of Catholic Education.

National Truth & Reconciliation Week 2022

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 CanadaThe 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. 

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. 

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

2022-23 School Year Calendar!

School Year Calendar 2022-23

View our resources below to access this year’s school calendar.

School Calendar 2022-2023

Elementary Calendar for 2022-2023

Secondary Calendar for 2022-2023

Important Dates

  • First day of school for students is Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
  • Second semester for secondary students begins on Friday, February 3, 2023.
  • Last day of school for students is Friday, June 30, 2023.

EQAO Dates

Fall 2022
Wednesday, November 2, to Wednesday, December 7, 2022, with individual student results reported by end of January 2023.

Spring 2023
Wednesday, March 1, to Wednesday, April 26, 2023, with individual student results reported by mid-June 2023.

Semester 1
Wednesday, January 11, to Friday, February 3, 2023, with individual student results reported after each student completes the assessment

Semester 2
Wednesday, June 7, to Wednesday, June 28, 2023, with individual student results reported after each student completes the assessment.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Hosts Transition to School Event!

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!

An Education That Inspires: Register Now for the 2022-2023 School Year!

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites parents and students in all grades to register with Sudbury Catholic Schools for the 2022-2023 school year!

Parents can register their children for Kindergarten (for children turning 4 years of age on or before December 31, 2022). There are both regular and French Immersion programs available. For a full list of English Catholic elementary schools, please go to the following link

Parents and students are also invited to register for secondary schools. All of our secondary schools offer grade 7 to 12 programming in both Regular and French Immersion. For a full list of English Catholic secondary schools, please go to the following link

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board offers Catholic education to 6200 students in 18 schools across Greater Sudbury. With a strong foundation based on the Catholic faith and traditions, all schools offer a comprehensive range of programs and services with a commitment to excellence in learning for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Sudbury Catholic Schools provide inclusive, caring and innovative learning environments that promote student growth and well-being. The Board has a strong focus on the arts, athletics, academics and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math), established community partnerships, an active Parent Involvement Committee, and a growing International Education Program. 

For more information about the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, including how to register, please click the button below!

Sudbury Catholic Teacher Receives Prestigious Math Award

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  

Grades 5-6 Students Learn About Social Justice in A New Club Formed by Cambrian College Students!

Social Justice students from Cambrian College created and coordinated a program called Stand Up for Social Justice. This program brought their passion and knowledge on the subject of social justice to our students by creating awareness and discussions in the hopes of inspiring change. The Stand Up for Social Justice program provided our students with the tools to start their own social change conversation by engaging in interactive and educational activities and discussions. The Stand Up for Social Justice program was delivered as an after school virtual club for grades 5 & 6 students.  

In the workshops, students were presented with social justice concepts and answered questions about the possibilities of potential career paths through college education. 

Sessions included: 

Food Insecurity: Using a variety of activities, students developed a basic understanding of how food affects our day-to-day lives (i.e. our physical, emotional and mental health as well as our development).  In addition, students learned why nutritious meals are important and the benefits of homemade vs store-bought/take-out.  Finally, our students had the opportunity to use their math and problem solving skills while working with a budget.  

Social Movements: Using a variety of activities, students learned about the history behind significant social movements and their impact on our communities. Students  worked on their own social justice poster and these posters served as a reminder that their voices can be powerful vehicles for change. 

Love Mother Earth: Using a variety of activities, students learned their power to help and connect with the Earth. Students created their own project that aligns with the 3 R’s (Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose). These projects were transferred to the Earth during planting season and students were reminded of their missions to give back to our mother Earth. 

Grade 5, St. David student Wynter stated that, “Through this program, I learned to really use my voice to say something about issues; and that it’s important to speak up. The meetings were a safe space for me.  I felt comfortable to share whatever I was feeling.”

Wynters mother said, “I was so pleased when my daughter first came home with the Social Justice flyer.  She told me she wanted to join, and that I had to sign her up right away!  I thought it was a great opportunity for her to make new connections, and possibly a new friend.  It was a nice way for her to meet students from other schools who share some of her values. The program also gave my daughter two gifts: commitment and responsibility.  As a parent, I felt a sense of pride.  Thank you for that.”

Our students enjoyed their sessions and we would like to thank Cambrian College for their continued partnership and look forward to working together next academic year.

Pictured is Wynter with her Love Mother Earth Activity and Cambrian College Swag Bag.

SCDSB Students Build Their Skills with Carpentry Activities!

Last month, during education week, almost 1600 Sudbury Catholic students had a blast participating in a hands-on activity that promoted the skilled trade of carpentry. 

After being provided carpentry tool kits to construct three different carpentry projects in their classrooms, students in grades 3-6 from various schools were all smiles as they built their skills in this unique hands-on learning opportunity. With the help of teachers, students assembled wooden binoculars, wooden wheelbarrows, and whiteboards with wooden easels and were happy to test their creations in the end. Overall, students had a great time and were excited to have the chance to learn more about the carpentry profession. 

Check out our photo gallery below to view some of our outstanding elementary students using these carpentry kits in action! 

The Importance of Learning Skilled Trades Early in School! 

The skilled trades offer students a variety of rewarding and lucrative career opportunities. In fact, it is estimated that one in five new jobs in Ontario is expected to be in trades-related occupations. With an aging workforce, employers are looking for skilled tradespeople who can help build and maintain our province and provide essential services. 

That is why getting tools into young hands early is the best way for students to see themselves and explore the idea of a trade-related occupation. We are excited to announce that the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has invested in purchasing brand new tool kits and are offering these full classroom sets for classes and students to borrow.

If a class or school is interested in loaning out the tool kits please contact: christina.raso@sudburycatholicschools.ca or daniel.levecque@sudburycatholicschools.ca for more information.

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