Pius XII Catholic Elementary School

The SCDSB Takes Part in Treaties Recognition Week

November 1-7 is Treaties Recognition Week, an important time of year where Ontario students acknowledge and learn about treaties as well as the histories, perspectives, and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) is celebrating its participation in Treaties Recognition Week. This year, we honour Indigenous histories, perspectives, and contributions through meaningful lessons, presentations, readings, events and celebrations for students and staff at all our schools.

School Highlights

St. John

At St. John Catholic Elementary School, students in Mrs. Galipeau’s class learned about wampum belts in an activity where they could make their own belts out of Lego. Students in Grade 5 and 6 created the 1764 Treaty of Niagara wampum belt. Pictured are Nathan and Olivia, Jaguar students proudly showcasing their class’s completed belt. Wampum belts represent agreements and promises that last “as long as the sun shines and rivers flow”.

St. Charles

On Nov. 2nd, Grade 2 students in Mrs. Child’s class at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School read “Dakota Talks About Treaties.” Afterwards, they created a word web to describe what the word “treaty” means. Also, reading a story was Ms. Trudeau and Ms. D’Angelo’s class! “A Family Cookout” was read to help students explore measuring objects. Afterwards, Ms. Trudeau led an engaging lesson on making bannock where students used their knowledge in a real-life context. However, reading wasn’t the only popular activity. Mrs. Blakely’s grade 1 class learned all about the medicine wheel, smudged, made wampum belts and created their very own classroom treaty.

St. David

At St. David, a school-wide activity was implemented in preparation for the week. The Grade 5 class mapped the forested area in an educational exercise that touched on Indigenous identity, history, and ways of being. In an abundance of activities, students learned about treaties, promises, wampum belts and what it means to be indigenous. The school listened to “The Drum Calls Softly” and students created versions of the artwork in the video.

Pius XII

Over at Pius, Treaty Recognition Week was in full force. The school’s Grade 6 students took part in a lesson that included constructing their own Wampum commitment string. Wampum commitment string symbolizes an agreement of respect and peace. Collectively, all the strings will attach and form a family circle to honour Treaty Week.

St. James

To commemorate Treaty Week, the students in Grade 2/3 FI at St. James explored the significance of wampum belts as representations of promises that were made to last. They recreated the Treaty of Niagara wampum belt with Legos and other materials and mapped out some of our province’s treaties.

St. Bens

St. Benedict’s kicked off Treaty Recognition Week with Smudging available to students and staff. Classes participated in the Treaty Awareness dialogue. For example, Treaty is ‘Legally Binding’ and that there is also a ‘Sacred Element’ to the agreements. In addition, the school’s Life Skills Class learned and designed a Wampum Treaty Belt of their choosing. Tobacco was offered to our Indigenous Support Worker, Ms. Agowissa, for knowledge sharing. “We Are All Treaty People and are in the Robinson Huron Treaty region.”

Other highlights included secondary students participating in the Robinson Huron Treaty “Treaty Talks with Tomorrow’s Leaders”. Students were able to listen to different Ogimaak/Chiefs from RHT communities share treaty knowledge past, present and future about ‘Gweksijigewin’ (making things right). This knowledge was applied on Friday, Nov. 5th, with presentations from the students.

Treaties Recognition Week

It truly is very exciting to see what beautiful things our schools are doing to honour this essential part of the learning experience. Thank you to all our staff and community leaders, who took the time to capture and share some of the many wonderful things they were able to participate in this week. For more school activity updates, check out Indigenous Education SCDSB.

Students and Staff Embrace Franco-Fun Day

a collage of students wearing white and green.

Staff and students took part in Franco- Fun Day: a day dedicated to celebrating French language and Franco-Ontarian culture! Here are just a few ways our schools joined in on the fun:

  • St. Charles College students were treated to a live concert by Steph Paquette!
A man plays a song on-screen.
  • Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School staff and students got into the spirit by wearing white and green in honour of the Franco-Ontarian flag.
a collage of students and staff wearing white and green.
  • Immaculate Conception Catholic School students participated in a workshop by Ariko. They loved learning how to play the spoons and learning the dance steps. They listened to the song Mon beau drapeau and discussed the meaning of the Franco-Ontarian flag. The students then drew their own flag while listening to les chansons à répondre!

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Lowers Flags in Honour of BC Residential School Victims

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The Sudbury Catholic District School Board joins communities across Canada in honouring and praying for the 215 Indigenous children whose bodies were discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk-emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory. 

To honour their lives, flags at all SCDSB schools and board buildings will be lowered for nine days (May 31-June 8) – a total of 215 hours to represent each of the 215 children. As a sign of our collective mourning, the Board will also be participating in the National moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. today as we honour and acknowledge the children who never returned home.

“Today, we honour the lives of the 215 Indigenous children who will not be coming home. It is a heartbreaking tragedy and while there are no words to truly express the deep mourning those impacted are experiencing, we humbly offer our prayers that they and their families will find healing. We also acknowledge the pain and trauma this brings to all Indigenous peoples across the country, and we recognize the need for ongoing truth and reconciliation. May God continue to watch over the 215 souls and their families,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of the Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

“All Sudbury Catholic District School Boards schools and facilities are standing in solidarity with communities across Canada in honouring the 215 Indigenous children. While it is indeed an unspeakable tragedy, we send continued prayers and healing to all those affected and to the Indigenous communities in the Sudbury area and across the country. We have lowered all flags for 215 hours and will join the National moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. As a system, we are also wearing orange shirts on Wednesday, June 2 and will unite in a collective prayer service as a reminder that every child matters,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Attempt Event 2021!

What do these three young men have in common?

They just submitted their video to smash a world record!

Skills Ontario is excited to announce a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt event. We would like to invite everyone to participate in making history by helping them to break the record for Largest Online Video Chain of People Passing and Using a Screwdriver!

The call went out yesterday to Sudbury Catholic staff and students to help Skills Ontario. Both staff and students have been eagerly participating.  Kent MacNeill, remote learning teacher assigned the challenge to all his grade 7 & 8 science students!

Anyone of any age, across the province can join the fun!  Skills Ontario’s minimum goal is to receive 251 individual video submissions.

In order, to secure the record please make sure all guidelines are followed,  refer to the   Educational Guide & Attempt Guidelines and video. For additional information, refer to: Guinness World Record Attempt 2021

All participants must sign a photo/video release form when uploading their video. Participants 18 years and younger must have a parent/guardian sign the form.

All participants will be added into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 20 $50 prizes!

Deadline to submit is June 2nd 2021!

Join Us and Learn How to Be Future Ready With XELLO!

The Parent Involvement Committee is very pleased to once again to support virtual learning sessions throughout the winter and spring.

XELLO is an engaging university/ college and career readiness software that unlocks every student’s potential by opening their eyes to future possibilities and equipping them with skills and resources for the future. In this session hosted by XELLO,participants will explore and learn more about the many tools and features of this platform, and how XELLO can be used to support students and parents as they navigate secondary and post-secondary opportunities.

Don’t miss out, register HERE!

Canadian Parents for French Offering Programs This Spring

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Canadian Parents for French Ontario is offering free French virtual programs for students from Grade 1 to 12 funded by the Ministry of Education from May to August to support French as a Second Language students.

Click the link below for more information about this exciting opportunity!

Free French Virtual Programs

Join Us and Learn What Influences Vaping and Cannabis Use!

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The Parent Involvement Committee is very pleased to once again to support virtual learning sessions throughout the winter and spring.

This presentation will look at what influences the use of vaping and cannabis, with vaping as a form of cannabis use, as well as a substitute for cigarette smoking. Dr. Bassis has been a licensed Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario since 1982, practicing in the area of clinical psychology. He is a member in good standing of the Ontario PsychologicalAssociation, AAPB, and the American Clinical Hypnosis Society. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology & Human Behaviour from United States International University, San Diego,California in 1972 and has been in private practice since 1989.

Don’t miss out, register HERE!

Stay tuned for more information this upcoming session!

May 19 – 5 Steps for High School Success: Broadening Student Horizons Through the Exploration of Xello and Specialized Secondary Programs in the SCDSB.

Join Us and Learn How to Stay Safe Online!

The Parent Involvement Committee is very pleased to once again to support virtual learning sessions throughout the winter and spring.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the cyber security industry, Danny Pehar has become one the industries foremost experts, providing awareness to Fortune 500 companies, working with the FBI cyber task force and providing cybersecurity content through Forbes magazine and Global Television.In this session, Danny will teach you how to protect yourself, your colleagues and your family from the threats and vulnerabilities brought on by the digital age. You will laugh,learn and be empowered to know you can make a difference.

Don’t miss out, register HERE!

Stay tuned for more information about these upcoming sessions:

  • May 12 – Vaping and cannabis use with Dr. Edward Bassis
  • May 19 – 5 Steps for High School Success : Broadening student horizons through the exploration of Xello and specialized secondary programs in the SCDSB

Join us and Learn About the Benefits of Financial Literacy for Your Child

The Parent Involvement Committee is very pleased to once again to support virtual learning sessions throughout the winter and spring.

Financial Literacy is a new section in the grade 1 to 8 math curriculum. Students will not only learn to count and recognize money, but they will also be exposed to saving, budgeting, and even investing. This will ensure that they become more self-sufficient and financially stable at a young age, and provides an opportunity for students to develop a good relationship with money so that they may set realistic financial goals for themselves in the future. This session will explore financial literacy and the benefits of incorporating it into the classrooms at Sudbury Catholic Schools!

Don’t miss out, register HERE!

Stay tuned for more information about these upcoming sessions:

  • May 4 – Cyber Safety with Danny Pehar, Cybersecurity expert
  • May 12 – Vaping and cannabis use with Dr. Edward Bassis
  • May 19 – 5 Steps for High School Success : Broadening student horizons through the exploration of Xello and specialized secondary programs in the SCDSB

Join Us and Learn How to Identify and Prevent Human Trafficking!

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The Parent Involvement Committee is very pleased to once again to support virtual learning sessions throughout the winter and spring.

Our next session is on March 31: Nicole St. Jean, Sudbury and Area Victims Services, will talk about increased internet use, signs to look for, grooming techniques and resources. This is important information for every parent to know. We hope to see you there and also encourage you to share this invitation with others.

This session will take place on March 31 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Don’t miss out, register HERE!

Stay tuned for more information about these upcoming sessions:

  • April 21 – Financial Literacy
  • May 12 – Vaping and cannabis use
  • Cyber safety (TBD)
  • 5 Steps for High School Success : Broadening student horizons through the exploration of Xello and specialized secondary programs in the SCDSB (TBD)
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