Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S.

Calling all and educators: We are very pleased to invite you to our Virtual Parent Engagement Series!

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Every week throughout the month of May, join virtual learning/information sessions as we create an online community of support for parents and educators. Sessions include Internet Safety, Supporting Students Through the COVID-19 Pandemic, Google Classroom: The Parent Connection, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Learning About the Dangers of Human Trafficking, French as a Second Language Supports, Reading supports through Lexia, and Reading and Writing!

Sessions will take place each week in May from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. virtually on Zoom. Don’t miss out! Register now at the following LINK.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

We Proudly Announce This Year’s Recipients of the 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 each passionate about Catholic education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success.

Cathy Spencer is an Educational Assistant at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S who always strives to put students first. She has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students at risk, often taking the lead on projects such as the Open Doors program and the Breakfast Club. Through Cathy’s everyday positive attitude, she is a beacon of light for staff and students alike. She is regarded as a kind individual who brings a smile to all who meet her in the halls at Bishop and makes everyone feel welcome and included.

Ginette Toivonen is the Indigenous Education Facilitator for the Board. Through this position, she ensures that the Catholic values are integrated with the Ojibwe Seven Grandfather Teachings. As Indigenous Lead, Ginette has created many opportunities for students to feel comfortable and safe at school while learning with their peers about Indigenous knowledge and World views. Ginette is an innovative, caring and inclusive individual with a true passion for what she does.

Melanie Johncox is an Literacy & Basic Skills instructor at St. Albert Learning Centre who supports our adult students at the Sudbury District Jail four days per week. In her role, Melanie works directly with students on their individual learning plans, approaching each student with a caring and supportive approach and ensuring that they have the resources that they need to succeed. Melanie models Jesus and our Catholic values in her interactions with all learners and is seen as an empathetic and compassionate member of the St. Albert Learning Centre community.

“Each year, I have the honour of recognizing individuals who are difference makers and leaders within our Catholic learning community,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These individuals are always inspirational and are a true representation of what it means to be a leader in learning and faith. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to recognize the recipients and thank them for their continued service and commitment to Catholic education.”

This year’s award winners were recognized at the April 21 Board meeting and will be honoured formally at a later date.

SCDSB Learn@Home Site for Parents and Students

Please view the following link which contains resources designed to help support and to compliment what teachers have planned as we move to a distance learning approach.

SCDSB Learn@Home Site

Resources for Learning at Home

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In response to the CONVID-19 virus, Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health advised all 72 Ontario School Boards to close their schools from March 14 – April 5, 2020 to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. While our schools are closed, we are committed to keep you informed.

Learn at Home Portal

The Ministry of Education has launched a new online platform to
help students continue learning while schools are closed. While these materials
do not replace what students have been learning at school, during this unusual
time, these at-home activities offer quick and easy access to resources for students
from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Elementary
resources are designed to help young students learn at home with interactive
activities that encourage participation through entertaining and stimulating
digital content. High school content was designed with a focus on STEM courses
and ensure core competencies and skills are reinforced.

Learn at Home Portal

Supporting Student Mental Health

We know this is an uncertain time for our province and our country. Students may experience a range of emotions during the COVID-19 situation. Please see the following resource from School Mental Health Ontario designed to provide mental health support and tools for students:

School Mental Health Ontario

Other Resources

Ministry of Education Letter to Parents

Sudbury Public Health

Government of Canada

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we thank you for your partnership and cooperation as we do our part to practice social distancing and flatten the curve. We will continue to keep you updated on our website and on our social media pages.

Student Senate Fundraises for Australia!

Student Senate gathers in their funraiser t-shirts

On Wednesday, February 26th, Student Senate members from all four Sudbury Catholic secondary schools helped wait tables at Tony V’s restaurant to raise funds in support of Australian bushfire relief. In addition to cash donations, a percentage of proceeds from meal purchases will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Bushfire Appeal to provide food, clothing, and essentials, and recovery support to individuals and families in need. The students raised a total of $1220 ($500 from the restaurant and $720 in cash donations). Thank you to Tony V’s for supporting this fundraiser event!

Save the date for this year’s PIC Carousel!

A women talks to a classroom full of parents.

Parent Involvement Committee proudly presents their annual Carousel Event for parents, educators and community partners!

  • When: April 7, 2020 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Where: St. Benedict School, 2993 Algonquin Road

Sessions will include: Vaping, Bullying, Cybercrime, Human Trafficking, Social Media, Secondary Programs and Pathways, Supporting Students at Home, Coding, and Helping Support Children and Youth who Experience Anxiety.

Save the date and stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Travel the World While Earning Credit!

Girl overlooks New York City

Travel the world, while earning a course credit! We are excited to offer secondary students an affordable, experiential learning program that enables students in Grade 8-10 to earn a credit while travelling to Ottawa, Montreal, New York City, and Toronto while earning Civics/Careers credits (Course Codes (CHV/GLC). Space is limited to 35 students and is available to students in regular and French immersion programming. Register now at the following link.

For more information contact Christina Raso, Experiential Learning Consultant at christina.raso@sudburycatholicschools.ca.

Sudbury Catholic Students and Staff Participate in National Sweater Day to Combat Climate Change

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Each year on the first Thursday of February, Canadians are asked to turn down their heat and wear sweaters to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation. Founded by WWF-Canada in 2010, more than a million Canadians have participated in National Sweater Day.

In an effort to combat climate change, Sudbury Catholic Schools participated in this initiative on February 6, 2020. Staff and students at Holy Cross School, St. David School, St. James School, St. Charles College, Marymount Academy, Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S and the Catholic Education Centre brought their warmest sweaters as schools turned down the heat by 1.5 degrees celsius throughout the school day. Though the change in temperature was nominal; collectively, we as a Board made a statement regarding climate change and its impact on our world.
“National Sweater Day gave our staff and students an opportunity to reflect on how rising global temperatures are impacting the planet and how together we can help to reduce climate change by making small changes in our daily live,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “By making a commitment to the planet on National Sweater Day, students and educators better understand the powerful impact that they can have.”

You’re Invited! Travel Opportunity for current Grade 8, 9 & 10 Students

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Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to offer both an English and French Immersion Grade 10 Civics and Careers travel for credit course during the summer of 2020. This course has two components. The first component consists of an eLearning module during the first two weeks of July. The second component consists of an 8 day trip that will take students to Ottawa, Montreal, and New York City during the second two weeks of July. The travel portion of the course will be organized by EF Educational Tours. We are hosting an information night for parents/guardians who are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity. Please join us!

Marymount Academy
The Gymnasium
February 5th 2020
7 PM

RSVP to the meeting at: www.eftours.ca/creditinfo

For more information contact:

Christina Raso, Adult Education & Experiential Learning Consultant at 705 673-5620 EXT 208
Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of School Effectiveness
705 673-5620 EXT 301

Sudbury Catholic Schools Honoured by Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario

Staff stand together.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been honoured by the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario. Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School was awarded the Michael Carty Award for their project ‘Inspiring and Developing Christian Leaders.’

Staff engaged students, inspiring them to complete campaigns to better the local and greater community. Students were encouraged to take the lead and complete projects throughout the year. The Student Council brought the school together to organize student groups in ‘villages’. The Villages worked together to create monthly competitions and fun days.

This year also marked the school’s 7th Annual Memorial Walk, where staff and students gather together to remember specifically a staff member and student who passed away, as well as all those in our lives whom we have lost. Students were able to raise over $2000 to support our students in need and community projects. The school hopes to continue the program through Leadership Training with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, fundraisers for their sister school in Tanzania and more student led projects.

The school is thrilled with the success of this initiative and how the school community came together to support local causes.

“The goal of the inspiring and developing Christian leaders project was to align our culture to our vision and values of the school. It also involves a lot of work with parents. Staff and students. Receiving this award not only recognizes their hard work over this past year, but it also allows them to continue their work into this school year,” said Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of Bishop Alexander Carter.

The Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario has also honoured four secondary students as Catholic Student Award Recipients:
• Julia Gardener: Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S
• Annika Renaud: St. Benedict C.S.S
• Amy Godin: Marymount Academy
• Katelyn Pichette: St. Charles College

“We are very proud of our secondary students for being honoured by the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education. “We know that each of them will go on to accomplish great things in the future and we look forward to hearing about their next adventures.”

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