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National Truth & Reconciliation Week 2022

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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

2022-23 School Year Calendar!

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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.

Wednesday, May 10, to Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Hosts Transition to School Event!

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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!

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

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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!

Register For 2022-23!

Sudbury Catholic Teacher Receives Prestigious Math Award

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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  

SCDSB Students Build Their Skills with Carpentry Activities!

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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.

Photo Gallery

Sudbury Catholic School Board Honours Recipients of the 2022 Chairperson’s Award

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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 passionate about Catholic education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success. 

St. Charles College Secondary Teacher, Jillian Ospina and SCDSB Chair, Michael Bellmore.

Jillian Ospina is a Teacher at St. Charles College who always strives to put students at the center of her work. Her dedication to innovation and learning is evident, and she always ensures she contributes her positive energy to the classroom and the larger school community. She goes above and beyond for students and staff who want to engage in technology learning and will encourage them share ideas to enhance projects and pedagogy. She empowers students to collaborate, inquire and develop their communication skills through IT and take risks as they learn from one another. She consistently looks for ways to enhance student learning by building a sense of initiative and ingenuity through different coding projects and digital content. She has also been instrumental in developing diverse platforms to provide both educators, students and parents support which was particularly important during the pandemic.

Ginny Long is a Teacher at St. David’s Elementary School. She has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students and does this by modelling respect, compassion, empathy and humour every day. Her approach to student issues and situations is inspirational, and she forges relationships with all those around her through kindness and care, sprinkled with her contagious laughter. Ginny is a highly motivated educator known to support the development of the whole child. She ensures the importance of culture and identity, and Indigenous pedagogy are an integral part of her daily practice and achieves this by working with community partners. She is always ready to think outside of the box and provide opportunities for learning that meet the needs of her diverse classroom. 

SCDSB Chair, Michael Bellmore and St. Davids Elementary Teacher, Ginny Long.
St. James Elementary Teacher, Graham Kent MacNeil and SCDSB Chair, Michael Bellmore.

Graham Kent MacNeil is an Intermediate Teacher at St. James Elementary School. Kent is a true leader in faith and a compassionate, steady, and selfless person for students and staff in times of difficulty. He looks for solutions to expand strategies for any students who is struggling and ensures his students feel like they are part of a family. He is self-driven and self-taught in technology and pioneered the use of Google Classroom, in addition to obtaining formal accreditation as a Google Educator. Kent also developed internal digital reporting, illustrating his initiative and ingenuity to embrace technology and make positive changes. Kent always has a smile and kind words and recognizes the good in everyone.  

“We are honored to recognize three exceptional individuals who can only be described as difference makers and leaders within our inclusive Catholic learning community,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Jillian, Ginny, and Graham are inspirational individuals and positively impact our community by representing what it means to be a leader in learning and faith. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to recognize our 2022 recipients and thank them for both their continued service and unwavering commitment to Catholic education.” 

This year’s award winners will be honoured formally during Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s 2022 Employee Recognition Night on May 26th, 2022. Help us celebrate our 2022 Chairperson Award Recipients as well as our Retirees and 25 Year employees by tuning into our celebration on YouTube!

2022 Virtual Employee Recognition Night

Five Sudbury Catholic District School Board Students Will Advance to the Canada Wide Science Fair!

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The Sudbury Regional Science Fair, which took place virtually during March 21st – April 3rd, 2022, is a meaningful learning experience where Sudbury’s four School Boards, can provide opportunities to students from Grades 7-12 to show case their knowledge in different areas of science. Sudbury Catholic District School Board was grateful to participate once again in the Regional Science Fair and allow our students to enjoy hands-on learning experiences by extending their discovery in biology, chemistry, technology, and other areas.

This year approximately 15 projects represented the Board in the Regional Science Fair. The number of project topics was diverse again this year, with exciting subjects ranging from “Theoretical Gravity Control”, “Hacking an Air-Gapped Computer”, Creating a “Self-Hitting Hammer,” and more. We want to thank our judges and educators for guiding our students and continually finding new opportunities for hands-on learning and growth.

MMA Student, Kate Bouchard – 2022 Best In Fair Winner!

Following the Fair, Sudbury Catholic Schools, students, and families were invited to attend a virtual celebration organized by the Sudbury Regional Science Fair on April 10th, 2022. This virtual celebration highlighted the winners of divisional awards, special awards and celebrated students’ achievements. At this celebration, we are pleased to announce that Sudbury Catholic students collected ten awards, including Best of Fair which was presented to Kate Bouchard, a student from Marymount Academy for her project, “Go With The Flow“. We are also thrilled to announce that in addition to Kate’s amazing project , 4 other projects submitted by SCDSB Students have also been selected to advance to the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) taking place on May 16th, 2022, in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The students and projects that will advance to the Canada Wide Science Fair include the following: 

“Each year, our students present unique and creative science fair projects. This year was certainly no exception,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “We are very excited to see the number of participants continue to grow, and we are proud of our students who represented us incredibly well again. We thank our judges and our educators for guiding students and continually finding new opportunities for hands-on learning and growth. We wish the students who are moving on to the 2022 Canada-Wide Science Fair the best of luck!” 

 “Science Fair was so much fun, and I think it’s because I was passionate about my topic.” Says Best in Fair Winner and CWSF participant, Kate Bouchard. “I chose something that I was interested in and genuinely wanted to learn more about. It helped me be more engaged, and because I was interested in what I was learning, I felt like I could explain it better and put forth more effort in making it better. I am really looking forward to be a part of the CWSF in May!” 

Some of MMA’s Regional Science Fair students stop and smile with their regional science fair medals! (Middle left Best in Fair Winner – Kate Bouchard)

Dylan Nelson, a Grade 8 student from St. Benedict, will also be attending the Canada Wide Science Fair with his unique project where he created a Self-Hitting Hammer. This idea was inspired by his passion for building things and from wanting to help his grandmother.

“I was trying to think of something inventive to do. I wanted to create something new, and I realized that I like building things, so I wanted to make a new type of hammer that would allow someone who cannot hammer a nail with a normal hammer still perform that task. My experience was fun because I spent time with grandpa, who helped me construct it, and I was able to make my project about making something that would help my grandma.”

Pictured is St. Benedict Student and Regional Science Fair Honouree Dylan accepting his award from the SCDSB Director of Education, Joanne Bénard and Principal of St. Benedict, Laura Kuzenko.

Overall, we are pleased to celebrate the contributions and participation of all our schools and students in this meaningful learning opportunity. We would like to end our post by congratulating all students, educators, and schools on their participation and effort in making the 2022 Science Fair a success! The ten project winners included projects from Marymount Academy, projects from St. Benedict and one project from St. Charles College. 

Please visit the following link below to view all the wonderful projects brought forward by Sudbury Catholic Students this year.  

Sudbury Catholic Science Fair Projects: LINK

Picture Gallery

Sudbury Catholic Schools Appoints Second Student Trustee for the 2022 – 2024 term

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Catena Hayden as a Student Trustee for the 2022-2024 term. Catena is a Grade 10 student at Marymount Academy and joins her fellow Student Trustee Jack Gouchie. Together, they will bring forward student voice at the Board table. 

Catena is an active community member at Marymount Academy. Since 2018, Catena has been a member of the Student Administrative Council (SAC) and enjoys collaborating with her peers and teachers to organize spirit days and fundraisers to enhance the educational experience for all.  She is passionate about helping others and wants to make a difference in her community by inspiring students to get involved in intiatives that deepen their learning and demonstrate service to others. This past year, Catena joined the Sudbury Catholic Student Senate to connect with fellow secondary students in SCDSB’s four secondary schools to help promote campaigns such as Toonies for Tuition, Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving, and the Can Tab Drive. Catena is eager to represent the voice of students at the board table. 

In addition to being a devoted student and committed to academic excellence, she is also proud to be in the French Immersion Program and appreciates diverse cultures. Upon her secondary graduation, she aspires to become an aerospace engineer and will start completing the Architecture and Engineering Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) offered through Marymount Academy in the Fall 2022. 

While away from school, Catena practices her faith as an active member of her Catholic Community at Our Lady of Hope Parish. In addition, Catena volunteers her time to help causes, like the fundraiser for Ukraine at Immaculate Conception.

“I am honoured that I was selected to serve as Student Trustee for the next two years. I am excited to use this opportunity to grow as a leader, share my ideas, and help represent students from all Sudbury Catholic schools at the Board table.” – Catena Hayden, Student Trustee.

“Sudbury Catholic District School Board welcomes Catena Haden as our second Student Trustee,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “Catena is an exceptional student and has demonstrated an impressive commitment to her school and community. We have great faith she will make all voices heard and look forward to her many contributions throughout her term at the Board table.“

Sudbury Catholic Students Participate In Stand Up For Social Justice Program!

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Three Social Justice students from Cambrian College created and coordinated a FREE program called Stand Up for Social Justice. This program brings 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 provides students with the tools to start their own social change conversation by engaging in interactive and educational activities and discussions. In the three workshops, students will be presented with social justice concepts and answer questions about the possibilities of potential career paths through college education. 

The Stand Up for Social Justice program is currently being delivered as an after school virtual club for grades 5 & 6 students. Our first session was held on Monday April 11th and the topic was “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.  

We would like to thank Cambrian College for their continued partnership and look forward to the next sessions!

Pictured is Cambrian College student Taylor presenting the first workshop.

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