We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2021-2022 school year.
We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.
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.
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 Change will 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).
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.
There were a lot smiles on students’ faces this past week at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School. The brand new school for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has had a great first week opening its doors on September 4th, for over 410 south end students.
The JK to Grade 6 school is an outstanding new facility and incorporates a multitude of energy saving measures marking it as an extremely “green” school. As well, Holy Cross has implemented brand new technology features that will allow all the students to “be connected” on a variety of levels with computers, smartboards, ipads, amplification systems, etc. It is a dual track school with both regular English as well as French Immersion programming available starting off with four full day early learning classrooms (two regular English and two French Immersion).
Louise Franklin, Principal of Holy Cross was delighted with the first week and is excited to see both the students and staff settling into their classrooms. “It is wonderful how in only a few days, we have forged extremely positive relationships between staff, students and families in this new Catholic school community.” Franklin said. “We are so fortunate to be able to offer this outstanding facility, and exceptional educational opportunities to our south end families.”
Barry MacDonald, Chair of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board echoed Franklin’s comments. “Holy Cross is an amazing school with myriad of cutting edge attributes including its green features, as well as its technology infrastructure. We are very proud of the hard work done by the staff and the board to ensure a smooth opening, and are excited to experience this brand new environment during this upcoming school year. What makes it exceptionally unique is the campus approach in the south end – servicing the needs of families for pre-school (daycare), elementary (Holy Cross) and secondary (St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School) students all on the same property – making it a truly full-service campus.”
