Cloudy skies cleared quickly and the sun appeared for the Grade 1 and 2 students at Holy Cross School so that they could spend a wonderful day at the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. The children went out hiking, carried out a pond study and played various games outdoors to gain a better understanding of the needs and adaptations of animals in Northern Ontario, and how we can do our part to protect them.
Bears Teach Cubs About Electricity
On Tuesday, October 4, the grade 5/6 class at Holy Cross had the chance to visit Michael Sipos’ science lab at St. Benedict to learn more about circuits and energy. Mr. Sipos arranged stations with different types of circuits for the students to build to help them to better understand the Electricity unit for the grade 6’s and the Conservation of Energy unit for the grade 5’s. They enjoyed putting the theories they had been studying in class into action and they were all thrilled when they managed to to get their buzzers to sound or their lights to turn on to show that they had completed their work correctly.
The most hair-raising part of the lab was when Mr. Sipos brought out the static energy generator to show the students how electrons could be created through friction to run through their bodies.
Students enjoyed walking across the campus to learn in a different environment and to experience what daily life is like at St. Benedict in this engaging transition activity.
Professional Development Day
On Friday September 30, the staff at Holy Cross worked with David George, a consultant with Franklin Covey, who worked with us as we continue our journey with “The Leader In Me” using the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. David is a former principal and implemented the “7 Habits” at his school, leading them to become the first “Leader In Me” school in Canada. He took our staff through the process of working with and setting “Wildly Important Goals” for our school and with our students. Staff explored Academic and Leadership Goals for Holy Cross and learned a process for bringing the School Improvement Goals to the classroom and then to each child in the class. What a motivating, useful and thought-provoking day!
Meet Steve & Nona!
Mrs. Lucciantonio’s Grade 4/5 class went on a virtual field trip to South Africa on September 23, to meet Steve and Nona. These penguins were a pleasure to meet. The students were able to ask questions to the scientist, as the presentation was live through Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants.
Cubs participate in annual water festival
On Wednesday, September 21st, the Grade 3 and 4 students at Holy Cross school, had the opportunity to participate in the 12th Annual Children’s Water Festival at Anderson Farm in Lively. The students had a great time learning all about water through a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations, such as, working together to complete a wetland puzzle, and reviewing boat safety while sitting in an OPP boat.
Cubs take the lead on a patterning adventure
Mme Blais-Callaway’s Grade 4/5 FI class leaped into patterning this week, hosting the board’s new Intensive Support Facilitators and Superintendent Nicole Bédard in their class for a hands-on math lesson. Using tiles and pattern blocks, they showed their guests how they used tools to help them to visualize how their patterns grew, extending patterns, and creating new ones of their own. The facilitators would like to thank the Holy Cross school community, especially Grade 4/5 FI, for the invitation and wonderful learning opportunity. We appreciate your leadership, Cubs!
Holy Cross Cubs challenge the Marymount Regals to raise funds for Fort McMurray
On Thursday May 19th the students from Holy Cross School challenged the students from Marymount Academy to show their school spirit by making donations to the victims of the Fort McMurray fires. Students made donations to be able to wear their pajamas to school. The fundraiser began with a conversation that Tania Fay initiated with her grade 2 French Immersion Class. “I had met a teacher from Thunder Bay and through twitter learned that his class was challenging others to help those devastated by the fire. So in my class it began with a conversation and I asked them, how could we make a difference and help this community. The rest was the children,” explained Tania.
The schools had each set goals to raise $500.00 or more and were excited to see which school would be victorious in the friendly battle. The Regals fell just shy of their goal raising $436.30. The Cubs were delighted to more than double the Regals efforts collecting a total of $1025.11. In this challenge however there were no losers as all staff and students from both schools should be commended on their efforts in raising a combined total of $1461.41 for a great cause.
One student in Mme Fay’s class was so moved by the stories of the victims that she wanted to do more. Maili Jutila asked her mom to contact a local new business run by two sisters who design their own jewellery to see if they would be interested in
co-designing a special necklace. Max and Mel of “Mwords” were instantly moved by Maili’s desire to help and jumped on board. Maili sent them her design ideas which included a sketch of her two hands with the words “helping hands” written inside.
The campaign is launching this week and all proceeds from the necklace sales will be donated to Fort McMurray relief efforts.
Coding at Holy Cross
Students in Mme Fay’s Grade 2 FI and Mrs. Lucciantonio’s Grade 3/4 English have begun the adventure of “coding”. They worked together to program a “human” robot to stack cups into a predetermined layout. A fabulous opportunity for authentic learning!
Praying the Rosary
Ms. Visentin’s Grade 1 / 2 students at Holy Cross School honoured Mary by praying the rosary together. Many of the rosaries which the students brought to school had a wonderful family history or story which was shared with everyone. The children were very proud to know that their prayers were being recited on the very rosary their parents, grandparents and even great grandparents once held, years ago.
Students and Teachers
Laurentian University primary ABQ participants were provided with some hands-on learning at Holy Cross. Students in Mme Sarmatiuk’s grade 3 FI class and Mme Blais-Callaway’s 4/5 FI class led a session on the use and impact of technology in the classroom. Students shared how their learning has been transformed by the use Showbie in their classroom. Students also taught the LU students how Explain Everything works and the benefits of using this app in a variety of subject areas. Students enjoyed the opportunity to “be the experts”.