Staff and students at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board raised $1,923.10 to support the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee. Leaves of Change: Binaakwe Giizis is a fundraiser which took place on October 14, 2022, to promote environmental stewardship.
The goal of the fundraiser is to engage in civic and environmental responsibility by bringing attention to climate change and better understand how we can protect the earth for future generations. Throughout the day and the month of October, students and staff are encouraged to make more sustainable efforts. This includes cleaning green spaces by picking up trash and litter, recycling, using a reusable water bottle and reducing day to day waste, where possible.
In addition, October is known as Binaakwe Giizis – Moon of Falling Leaves. The fundraiser also served as an educational opportunity to understand, acknowledge, and respect Indigenous perspectives on caring for Mother Earth (Shkagamik Kwe).
“As a school board, it is our responsibility to create opportunities that teach the importance of protecting the earth for future generations.Environmental degradation affects the health and well-being of all peoples of North America and the world in many ways. By participating in this fundraiser, and the many planned activities, we help our community engage in volunteerism and create hope through environmental restoration,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
The Student Senate was able to collect 127 winter clothing items for their annual winter clothing drive! The campaign ran from October 7 – 21 and all four secondary schools and the Catholic Education Centre participated.
“It was a very successful campaign. Every school was able to contribute something, and we crushed our goal of 86 items by 41, with a final total of 127. It is always great to see what our school board community can accomplish. I would like to say thanks to our Student Senate members and Tracey Adams for helping promote this campaign. Also, a big thanks to those who were able to contribute,” said Jack Gouchie, Student Trustee.
“This coat drive is such an important campaign and is an amazing way for us to give back to our community. I am so proud that the Student Senate was able to donate 127 winter clothing items this year,” said Catena Hayden, Student Trustee.
16 schools within the Sudbury Catholic District School Board have registered with the Student Vote Ontario program which runs parallel with the Municipal Election. As part of the program, the entire student population at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S participated in a school wide mock election on October 20, 2022.
Student Vote is a program created by CIVIX; a national charity dedicated to strengthening democracy through civic education. Schools may offer a Student Vote event to a single class or to the entirety of the student body. Students engage in activities surrounding government and the electoral process and are provided necessary tools to stage a mock election in their school.
Last year, Bishop Alexander Carter had the highest percentage of students registered during the Provincial Student Vote event and were awarded the CIVIX School Award. The school has continued to be an active member of the program during the 2022 Municipal Election.
“Student Vote is a program that our entire school community remains passionate about. As a direct result of the hands-on and realistic approach this program offers, many students have chosen to exercise their right to vote once eligible. We want to thank Student Vote Ontario for providing us with the necessary tools and materials to stage these mock events during election periods,” said Stephanie Venturi, Principal of Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S.
“This exercise provided us with the opportunity to research the candidates and make an informed decision. I really enjoyed the event. Participating in the mock election has given me the confidence to vote in a real election once I am eligible,” said Gracie Auger, Grade 12 Student at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S.
Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased with the enthusiasm that the schools have shown toward promoting student voice during the election.
“One of our goals as a School Board is to continue to engage in activities that advocate for student voice,” she explained. “Student Vote programs afford students the opportunity to learn about the electoral process, research, and practice analytical skills in a hands-on scenario. We are proud to partner with Student Vote Ontario and provide our students with tools that promote citizenship and civic duty.”
For more information about Student Vote Ontario, please visit https://studentvote.ca/onmuni2022/.
During the week of October 11-14, 2022, Sudbury Catholic Secondary students participated in the Trades & Tech events presented by Skills Ontario. The Trades & Tech Truck is a mobile unit equipped with 10 different activities and simulators, allowing youth to explore skilled trades and technologies in an engaging and hands-on experience.
Sudbury Catholic Schools continues to provide innovative experiential learning experiences throughout the year. Experiential learning encourages students of all ages to participate in activities to develop transferable skills and help prepare them for the future. Partnering with Skills Ontario allows the Board to bring unique opportunities such as the Trades & Tech Truck directly to students and schools.
“The Trades & Tech Truck provides students with a safe and hands-on experience. The truck is equipped with a welder simulator, heavy equipment simulator, painting simulator, electrical trainer, and several other interactive stations. Through this experience, we can help properly demonstrate the skilled trades and technologies, along with the message that they are viable, first choice career options,” said Hayley Mackay, Trades & Tech Truck Driver with Skills Ontario.
“I think these skills are important to know not only for academic purposes, but also in our day-to-day lives. Participating in Skills Ontario events is beneficial to show students what career options are out there, as well provide life skills that will be used outside of school,” said Finlee, Grade 10 student at Marymount Academy.
“The experience was very cool and realistic. It’s awesome to learn about the various career options and have an opportunity to try them out first- hand. I feel like I learned a lot at the Trades & Tech Truck,” said Santino, Grade 10 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School.
October 18, 2022 is ECE/EA Appreciation Day! Today we acknowledge how very fortunate we are to have many wonderful, caring, and supportive Early Childhood Educators and Educational Assistants in our schools. Early Childhood Educators and Educational Assistants in our schools. Your knowledge, dedication, caring approach, and incredible work ethic helps our students to grow and reach their full potential. On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, thank you for making a difference and for supporting Sudbury Catholic Schools, through your continued commitment to our students and their well-being.
To help celebrate this occasion, the Board has created a short video.
Click Here to watch our 2022-23 ECE/EA Appreciation Day video!
On Friday, October 14th, 2022, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is inviting students and staff from all sites to increase their civic responsibility by participating in a fall fundraiser that gives back to the local green space!
SCDSB Leaves of Changewill recognize climate change during the changing season, as well as provide a teaching opportunity for Indigenous Education and caring for Shkagamik Kwe (mother earth). On this day, students/staff are encouraged to wear fall colours (red, yellow, orange, green, purple, and/or brown) and donate a toonie, where possible, to support the continued efforts of the Junction Creek Stewardship Community in Sudbury. The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee is an integral part of the Greater Sudbury community, working to improve the health of the unique urban waterway that connects us all and to promote the livability and value of our natural environment.
The goal of the fundraiser is to help our community engage in civic and environmental responsibility by bringing attention to climate change and how we can protect the earth for future generations. Throughout the day and the month of October, students and staff are encouraged to make more sustainable efforts. This includes cleaning green spaces by picking up trash and litter, recycling, using a water bottle, etc.
October is also where we honour Binaakwe Giizis – Moon of Falling Leaves. As this event is taking place during Binaakwe Giizis – it also serves as an educational opportunity to understand, acknowledge and respect Indigenous perspectives on caring for Mother Earth (Shkagamik Kwe).
Why Are We Doing This?
As a school board, it is our responsibility to create opportunities to teach the importance of protecting the earth for future generations.Environmental degradation affects the health and well-being of all peoples of North America and the world in many ways. For instance, industrial contamination and disruption of wildlife habitats combine to reduce the supply and purity of clean drinking water, traditional foods, and medicines. In addition, environmental degradation erodes the quality of life dependent on the purity of the land, water, flora and fauna. Further, this disruption greatly affects Indigenous peoples culture, languages, spiritual health, and well-being along with the life of all living things. By participating in this fundraiser, we help our community engage in volunteerism and create hope through environmental restoration.
Today is World Teachers’ Day! Together, we recognize and celebrate each member of our teaching team for their amazing work in providing our students with a caring, engaging, and innovative Catholic learning environment. We thank you for nurturing partnerships with parents and community partners, and for your excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. Thank you for your dedication and for fulfilling our daily mission of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit of each student within our system. We are stronger together.
On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board community, thank you for all that you do and many blessings for continued success! We are so fortunate to have such a strong team!
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!
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 2022is 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/
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.
