St. John Catholic Elementary School

Leading with Kindness: The Sudbury Catholic District School Board Recognizes This Year’s Winners for the Chairperson’s Award 

Each year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board recognizes employees who embody the Board’s mission, vision and values. The Board is pleased to recognize Maurice Martin and Sheri Neuts as the two recipients of the 2023 Chairperson’s Award.  

Maurice Martin is a Grade 2 Teacher at St. John School. He is described as a positive, kind, and generous teacher and is well recognized by the students, staff, and families as a leader. Maurice fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity – he ensures that all students feel welcomed and valued. As a teacher, he leads by example and teaches his students how to be collaborative contributors and a responsible and caring member of society. Maurice is also seen as an active member of the St. John School community – he is regularly involved in planning faith celebrations, assisting with school assemblies, and organizing special events such as Franco Fun days. He continually supports his colleagues and always makes time to listen, lend a hand, share a story, and have a laugh. Maurice makes learning fun for all and is well respected by all who work and learn alongside him. 

Sheri Neuts is an Educational Assistant at St. Charles Elementary School in Chelmsford. Sheri is seen as the ‘face of friendship’ at the school and her loyalty, kindness and sincerity have resulted in long lasting connections with students, staff, and families throughout the years. She is credited by her colleagues for creating a safe space for learning. Sheri works hard each day to showcase and celebrate the unique gifts and talents of all students. Whether helping to organize a collaborative school activity, or dedicating extra time to learning how she can support students – Sheri is aware of the needs of the students and her fellow colleagues. She is the first person to volunteer to organize an event or assembly and is always available to support staff members. Sheri’s positivity and generous spirit shines through, and she is an invaluable member of the St. Charles School community. 

“We are very honoured to celebrate this year’s Chairperson’s Award recipients. As Board Chair, it is such a privilege to take the time to recognize Maurice and Sheri – both of whom are well-respected by their school communities and by the Board as a whole,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “They each embody our mission and vision effortlessly, and are proof that leading with kindness and generosity creates a more positive and nurturing learning environment for all. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank all those who nominated individuals this year, and we are especially grateful to our two recipients for their ongoing commitment and service to our school system and to Catholic education.” This year’s award winners will be recognized at the annual Employee Recognition Event happening on June 6, 2023.

National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day

May 28 to June 3, 2023, is National AccessAbility Week!

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an annual initiative that celebrates, promotes, and showcases the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our country, and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an accessible Canada. Since 2019, Easter Seals Ontario has recognized the Wednesday of National AccessAbility week as the Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt to raise awareness for accessibility and disability inclusion and make a pledge to help remove physical, attitudinal, and systematic barriers in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The following educator resources are available: 

Elementary: English | French

Secondary: English | French

Red Shirt Day

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. The 2023 Red Shirt Day takes place on Wednesday, May 31. Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Red Shirt Day to promote messages of support for people and families living with disabilities.

About Red Shirt Day 

Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada. Learn more!

Resources 

Red Shirt Day Resources

Easter Seals Website

Rick Hansen Website

Poster

Handout

Pledge

Pledge Examples

Colouring Sheets

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Films & Documentaries for Adults

Ted Talks

Step into the Classroom with SCDSB’s Welcome to Kindergarten Nights

Sudbury Catholic Schools are holding in-person Welcome to Kindergarten Nights. We’re thrilled to offer an in-person experience where you and your child can explore our schools, meet our dedicated Kindergarten Team, and participate in fun classroom activities. This event is not only an opportunity for your child and family to become familiar with their new school, but also a chance for us to warmly welcome you and your family to our SCDSB family. No matter if you’ve already registered or not, we invite you to attend and look forward to seeing you soon!

Attend a Welcome to Kindergarten Night

Below is a list of all the dates and details available for upcoming Welcome to Kindergarten nights at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Please contact the appropriate school for more information and to register.

School Date Time
St. Anne Wednesday, May 17, 2023 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles School Wednesday, May 3, 2023 5:00-6:30 p.m.
St. David School Monday, June 26, 2023 1:00 p.m.
St. Francis Thursday, June 8, 2023 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Holy Cross Wednesday, May 31, 2023 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Holy Trinity Wednesday, June 7, 2023 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Thursday, May 18, 2023 4:30-6:30 PM
St. James Friday, June 2, 2023
St. John Thursday, May 4, 2023 11:00-12:00 PM
St. Joseph N/A N/A
St. Mark N/A N/A
St. Paul Wednesday, May 3, 2023 4:30-5:30 PM
Pius XII Tuesday, May 23, 2023 4:00 – 6:00 PM

View our Kindergarten Program Brochure 

Catholic Education Week: We are Many, We are One

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.

The week will be divided into five sub-themes:

  • When we see
  • When we listen
  • When we reflect
  • When we learn
  • When we act

OCSTA Resources

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

Board-Wide Celebrations 

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.

Toonies for Tuition Day 

On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.

Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.

Register Now for SCDSB’s Annual Carousel Event!

Registration is now open for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation. 

When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School  

Address: 2993 Algonquin Drive 

Carousel topics will include: 

Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming.  Click here to view our session descriptions!

 *FREE CHILDCARE & LIGHT SUPPER WILL BE PROVIDED. 

Save the Date for SCDSB’s Carousel Event – Free Childcare & Supper Provided!

Save the date for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)!  Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation. 

When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School  

Address: 2993 Algonquin | Sudbury, ON | P3E 6K2

Carousel topics will include: 

Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming. 

*FREE CHILDCARE & LIGHT SUPPER WILL BE PROVIDED. 

Registration information will be coming soon!

Kindergarten Students at St. John School Have a Sweet Visit to Maple Hill Farm

Kindergarten students at St. John School had a sweet field trip when they visited the Maple Hill Farm in Hanmer! Students had the opportunity to have a 90-minute guided tour of the facility where they learned how maple syrup is made and even got to taste some of the final product! 

Field trips such as these provide students with real world knowledge in a fun and engaging environment. It’s safe to say, students certainly enjoyed their experience!

“I had so much fun today! I can’t wait to come back with my family,” said Ellie Borton-St.Louis Kindergarten student. “My favourite part was tasting the taffy – it’s so good!” said Grace Rinta. 

Check out the highlight video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wciCBP5Ipis

Be Heard! We Invite you to contribute to our 23-24 Budget Consultation

In preparation for our budget discussions, we invite our staff, parents/guardians, community partners and students to provide feedback regarding our programming and resources. Your feedback is important to us to ensure that we are representing your priorities as we engage in the budget process.  We are asking that you identify areas that have been working well and your top priorities for the next school year.  We are using ThoughtExchange so that everyone has a chance to share their perspectives and understand what’s most important to the group. These thoughts will help guide our discussions before we move ahead together.

Feel free to include as many thoughts as you like.  Click the Participate button to share your thoughts and then rate at least 20-30 of the thoughts that others have shared. Your participation is confidential, so no one will know who shared or rated which thoughts. Please come back often until April 14 to rate new ideas.

High ratings tell us you strongly support the idea and low ratings tell us you strongly do not support the idea; both are important.

Quick Tips:

1. This exchange is confidential. Your thoughts will be shared, but not your identity.

2. Please be polite and respectful as you share and rate thoughts.

3. If you see a thought that is rude, hurtful or identifies a person or group, you can report it by clicking in the upper right corner of the thought.

4. You do not need to rate all thoughts in this exchange. It is appreciated and recommended that you rate about 30 thoughts over the time the exchange is open.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Celebrate Shrove Tuesday!

On Tuesday, February 21st, Sudbury Catholic District School Board celebrated Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, as a way to prepare for the start of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is traditionally a time for repentance, forgiveness, and reflection in the Catholic faith, and is marked by the consumption of pancakes made with rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar.

By celebrating Shrove Tuesday, Sudbury Catholic Schools help students understand the spiritual significance of the Lenten season and encourage them to reflect on their own faith and actions.

In celebration of this day, Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to share some highlights from the celebrations that took place at various schools. We would like to thank all our volunteers for their help in and out of the kitchen. Your generosity and kindness have made this day even more special for our Sudbury Catholic community. We are grateful for your support and for helping us celebrate this important tradition.

School Highlights

St. Joseph

What’s better than pancakes? Pancakes with a cause! On Pancake Tuesday, St. Joseph school opened its doors for a community-wide Shrove Tuesday feast. Attendees enjoyed fluffy pancakes, sizzling sausages, and a topping station where they could create their own stack.

But this wasn’t just any pancake breakfast. St. Joseph school also took this opportunity to give back to the community by raising donations for the Northern Ontario Families of Children With Cancer. This incredible organization supports families who are dealing with the challenging realities of childhood cancer, providing them with vital resources and support during this difficult time. The event was a huge success, with attendees not only enjoying a delicious meal but also coming together to support a cause that is close to our hearts.

Pius XII

On the joyous occasion of Shrove Tuesday, Pius XII Catholic School was filled with the delicious aroma of freshly made pancakes, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers. Individuals from the Knights of Columbus, Sudbury Catholic Schools, and Holy Redeemer Church all joined forces to prepare a scrumptious breakfast for students and staff alike. Pius XII Catholic School is grateful for the generosity and kindness of these volunteers, who embody the spirit of community and fellowship that makes the school so special.

Holy Trinity

The warm and welcoming atmosphere of Holy Trinity’s Kindergarten classroom was made even more special by the efforts of early childhood educators who gave their time and energy to create a memorable Shrove Tuesday experience for all. Mme. Jessica, Mme. Angele, Mrs. Yasko, Mr. Vicedomini, and Ms. Casey put their flipping skills to the test and treated Kindergarten students with their very own pancake party.

Marymount Academy

Marymount Academy students celebrated Shrove Tuesday at their school with a hearty pancake breakfast. In addition to indulging in stacks of pancakes, the students learned about the spiritual significance of this special day in the Christian calendar. The breakfast was made possible thanks to the culinary expertise of staff, including Mrs. Shewring, Ms. Coluzzi, Ms. Tenbergen, and many others, who ensured that the pancakes were piping hot and ready for the students when they arrived. Overall, it was a fun and educational event that left everyone feeling satisfied and enriched.

St. Benedict C.S.S

In the Southend of Sudbury, students and staff at St. Benedict kicked off the week in grand style with a delicious pancake feast in honour of Shrove Tuesday! This feast was made possible thanks to the outstanding efforts from staff volunteers at the school. Mr. Pappin, and Mr. Sipos went above and beyond to make enough pancakes to feed the whole Bear family!

St. David

St. David Catholic Elementary School always finds creative ways to make every occasion special and Shrove Tuesday was no exception. The staff at St. David went above and beyond to create a mouthwatering pancake breakfast that left the entire school of Dragons grinning from ear to ear! The school’s dedication to creating fun and memorable experiences for its students is a testament to its commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment.

Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Conception Catholic School students celebrated Shrove Tuesday in true style with stacks upon stacks of pancakes. The breakfast spread was the perfect way to kick off the Lenten season, a six-week period leading up to Easter. As the school community gathered to celebrate this joyous occasion, they were reminded of the importance of sharing in each other’s joy and coming together in times of celebration. Immaculate Conception Catholic School is proud to carry on this delicious tradition year after year, and looks forward to many more pancake-filled Shrove Tuesdays to come!

Ash Wednesday 2023: The Start of the Lenten Season

Ash Wednesday is an important day for the Catholic community, and we are honoured to commemorate it annually at Sudbury Catholic Schools. This year, on February 22, 2023, our students, faculty, staff, and parish partners will come together for Mass to receive ashes on their foreheads, symbolizing the beginning of the Lenten season.

As we embark on this journey together, we encourage our community to concentrate on meaningful themes, such as the gift of life and showing kindness, generosity, and compassion towards others.

During Lent, we place a special focus on “almsgiving,” where we donate money or goods to those in need and perform other acts of charity. Though these acts of service are conducted year-round, we encourage everyone in our community to reflect deeply on how they can show more compassion and generosity towards others during the Lenten season leading up to Easter.

As a Catholic school board, we believe that faith is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and we are committed to nurturing the spiritual growth of our students. We strive to instil a deep respect for Christ’s teachings and inspire them to live according to his values. On this Ash Wednesday, let us renew our faith and commitment to God and unite in love, compassion, and kindness as a community.

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