Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Orange Shirt Day recognizes the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and is an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board participated in Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2019. Staff and students throughout the system participated by wearing these shirts or their favourite orange shirt as a reminder of the importance of this day.
Students at Sudbury Catholic Schools completed another year of summer learning this month! 60 students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 completed the three-week Summer Learning Program at St. David School from July 8 – July 26, 2019.
Students participated in a literacy and numeracy program, which supported students in improving their skills at their own pace. The program also featured various activities centered around Indigenous culture. The program was led by both classroom teachers and camp counsellors, providing a full educational team to participating students. Through the online tool and app Lexia, teachers and counsellors were able to provide a visual experience for both the literacy and numeracy components, and students are able to continue to access their account from home throughout the summer.
As in past years, each morning began with a physical activity which helped to energize students and build confidence so that they were ready to learn. This year, the group participated in Zumba sessions provided by Zumba Vibe.
The Board is thrilled with student participation in this year’s Summer Learning Program.
“The work and effort that goes into making the summer learning program a success each year is truly inspiring,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “With the right tools, support and amazing staff, participating students were able to improve their skills and enjoy the experience along the way!”
The Summer Learning Program is a Ministry funded program which aims to promote literacy and numeracy learning for students during the summer months in fun and engaging ways.
The Native Language students at St. David Catholic School embarked on a campaign of education. Students promoted and educated their peers on “Orange Shirt Day”. This day of remembrance was started by Phyllis Webstad. Ms. Wedstad wore an orange shirt on her first day at residential school when she was six years old. When the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation student arrived at the school, her shirt was removed and taken away.
Webstad began her annual Orange Shirt campaign in 2013 and has since shared her story with thousands of Canadians. St. David School was proud to participate in celebrating the resilience of the families impacted by the residential school system.
St. David Catholic Elementary School was greeted by “Me to We – Youth in Action” award winner, Autumn Peltier, from Wikwemikong First Nation who visited the Native Language class students.
She and her mother Stephanie talked about her travels around Mother Earth fighting for water, including representing Canada in the Children’s Climate Conference in Sweden, meeting our Prime Minister, and kicking off this year’s Water Walk.
The group then sang Water Song and offered tobacco to the School’s brook, which was named after Autumn. Students enjoyed the discussion and activities and can’t wait until their new friends visit again!
St. David Catholic School held an Ash Wednesday celebration to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time when Catholics prepare for Easter by fasting, repentance and moderation. In the Old Testament, people used ashes as a sign of repentance.
The students and staff of St. David Catholic School spoke about how to better walk with God in practical terms. This means being kind to each other and supporting each other in times of need. According to the school vice principal, Mr. Colin Lapalme, “As a school community, it is beautiful when we can come together and celebrate our faith”.
Students and staff at St. David Catholic School leaned about how traditional First Nation hand drumming represents the heartbeat of mother earth. Elder, teacher, and musician, Verna Hardwick, spent the afternoon with various classes at St. David School teaching students about the importance of the drum in Indigenous cultures. Students learned new songs and had the opportunity to participate in a drumming circle. “It was a beautiful experience not only for my students, but also for myself. Mrs. Hardwick was a wonderful teacher. She encouraged the students to build their self confidence by singing and drumming proudly. She also shared traditional teachings, some Ojibwe words and phrases and most importantly stressed the importance of respect with the students and participants”, stated grade 3/4 teacher Ginny Long.
Grade 10 student Hannah Morningstar is about to be the “face of Naig”. NAIG is the North American Indigenous Games and she will be featured on posters and banners to promote the event in Toronto this summer.
Hannah will be in Toronto tomorrow to see the pictures taken last year as part of a news conference for the games. She has participated in the games in 2014 as a track and field athlete. This time, she is hoping to qualify for track or volleyball. The tryouts are taking place right now.
This semester, Hannah is taking Indigenous Studies. She beams with pride when talking about representing her country and culture. “This is such an honour” she says.
The games being held in July will bring more than four thousand athletes to Toronto.
On Wednesday, June 22 2016 Jeff Stewart from the Spirit of World Drumming spent the day at St. David Catholic School, drumming with students ranging from kindergarten to grade 6. In the drum circles, students were introduced to a variety of drums and percussion instruments from around the world. Music concepts, verbal / non-verbal language and mathematical awareness were integrated into cultural awareness to create a fun learning experience for all students!
“Mr. Stewart was a wonderful teacher, not only for our students, but also for our staff members. He re-inforced the importance of the arts in the curriculum and its positive impact on both literacy and mathematical achievement. He also spoke of music supporting students find their voice. It was a wonderfully positive and fun day.” stated Cindy Blinn, kindergarten teacher at St. David School.
St. David Catholic School celebrated National Aboriginal Day with a school wide Indigenous themed payday. The students learned about First Nation identity and culture while having fun outdoors. All students received a complimentary pizza lunch by local company, “Over the Atlantic” owned by former St. David School student, Joseph Mansourian. “Caring for each other, teamwork, and overcoming obstacles were the theme for the day. The students enjoyed the outdoor experience and opportunity to be leaders”, stated Lindsay Michel, FDK teacher and National Aboriginal Fun Day planner.
For Catholic Education Week, Mrs. Gran’s Full Day Kindergarten class at St. David Catholic School, invited Elders into the classroom to teach youth the skill of quilting. Previous to the quilting lesson, students learned about shapes and transformations in their math inquiry. Pictured are student, Xavier Wesley and quilter, Katie Begley working together to plan out his quilt square.
Catholic Education Week ended in a culminating activity whereby the students worked with Elders to create a paper quilt that is now on display for the school to view. Classroom teacher Jennifer Gran said, “it is important for the children to interact with people of various ages as they share their ideas and learn from each other. This was a wonderful sharing of generational knowledge”.
