Student Voice Matters: We Want to Hear From You

Posted on September 28, 2022 by admin

At Sudbury Catholic Schools we are committed to identifying and removing barriers so all students can achieve excellence in faith-filled, loving, safe and inclusive schools.

Ontario school boards are required to conduct a census to identify and address systemic barriers and discrimination. Under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan, school boards must collect data using a student census and report on the results. In support of the provincial requirement, as well as our commitment to providing, safe, equitable and inclusive environment SCDSB will be collecting voluntary, demographic and identity-based data through a voluntary student census survey, called Student Voice Matters.

We will be asking questions as identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code. These include: Indigenous identity, race, ethnic origin, religion, first language, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, status in Canada and socioeconomic status.

Student Voice Matters is being launched this year for Kindergarten to grade 12. For students in K-8 surveys will be sent to parents/guardians to be completed with their child. Students in grade 9-12 will complete the survey on their own.

If at any point parents or students feel uncomfortable with the question content, they will have the option of skipping and moving on.

What Will the Results Be Used For?

The results of the survey will be used to:

continue to identify and eliminate systemic barriers to student success
create more equitable and inclusive school environments
improve student achievement and well being
better understand the needs of our students

Completing the Survey

You would have already received an e-mail with more information regarding the census, as well as a link to the survey. Please contact your school if you have any issues accessing the survey.

Thank you for your participation and for your ongoing support of Catholic Education.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Welcome 28 International Students for the 2022-2023 School Year!

Posted on September 28, 2022 by admin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that 28 students have entered the International Education program for the 2022-2023 year; 21 students have arrived for the Fall Semester and seven new students will also be arriving in February 2023.

Countries of origin for current students include China, Hong Kong, Japan, Nigeria, Spain, and Vietnam. The Board will also be welcoming students in February from the countries of Bangladesh, China, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. The goal of the International Education program is to provide students with an authentic Canadian experience while they improve their English proficiency and prepare for success in an inclusive, caring, and innovative Catholic learning environment.

To date, students are registered at the following schools:

Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S: 1 Student
St. Benedict C.S.S: 12 Students
St. Charles College: 4 Students
Marymount Academy: 4 Students

The students who have arrived and their host families were welcomed to Sudbury and the Board during a barbecue which took place on September 27, 2022, at Marymount Academy.

“Each year, we are fortunate to welcome students from all over the world into our school communities. This year, we are welcoming 28 exceptional students throughout the year,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “Students will originate from 10 different countries! We look forward to connecting with these students throughout the year as they improve their English proficiency, make lifelong friends and experience everything our wonderful city has to offer! The success of our growing program is only possible through the caring and supportive approach offered by our amazing teachers and staff. We are very thankful for all that they do each day to make our program a success.”

“We are delighted to welcome new and returning students to the International Education program,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. “This year, we will be welcoming students from two new countries; Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In addition, our program continues to grow as more schools across the Board are welcoming students to their communities. The Board of Trustees is honoured to support a program geared toward diversity, connectivity, and inclusion.”

The success of the program is also a result of the many generous and supportive host families we have available. The board is always looking to recruit to fill the ever-growing community of host families at MLI Homestay. Interested families can contact Devon Crossgrove at dcrossgrove@mlihomestay.com or 705.507.8052. Being a host family is an amazing opportunity for our students and our families.

National Truth & Reconciliation Week 2022

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we are called to strengthen our faith-based, inclusive, and equitable community. This year, our community has been working hard in preparation for the 2022 Truth and Reconciliation Week – a five-day commemoration taking place from Monday, September 26th to Friday, September 30th. In between the personal activities being planned by our schools, we’re pleased to share that Sudbury Catholic’s Indigenous Education team has curated resources and materials to help students, staff, and community members commemorate this important week!

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Activities

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers a series of opportunities for classrooms to participate in events throughout the week of September 26 to September 30. More information and registration links can be found at: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The NCTR is the foundation for ongoing learning and research. Survivors, their families, educators, researchers, and the public can examine the residential school system to foster reconciliation and healing.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION WEEK 2022 is a national program open to all schools across Canada. The theme of this year’s week is Remembering the Children. Students will learn about the residential school system’s history and memorialize the lost children. Several Sudbury Catholic schools will participate in activities and educational sessions planned by the NCTR.

This year includes an expanded program with age-appropriate material for students in Grades 1 through 12.
Days 1 to 3 features pre-recorded videos and a live Q & A session. On September 30, students can view a live televised broadcast for Orange Shirt Day from their classrooms.
All sessions will be held virtually on Hubilo.

Nelson Professional Learning series also offers educators the opportunity to deepen their knowledge through a series of free webinars entitled The Whole Truth About Residential Schools. This series is about learning and teaching the history of Indian Residential Schools in Canada.

Learn More

Truth, Resiliency and Hope Event

Schools are invited to attend the Truth, Resiliency and Hope event planned by the Indigenous Community Collective. This event is occurring at Bell Park in Sudbury on September 30. At this gathering, attendees can commemorate survivors of Residential schools and acknowledge their resiliency. The event will begin with a sunrise ceremony and opening remarks. Later, a play entitled Debwewin (Truth) and a short video screening will premiere, and the event will finish with a Q & A session.

Learn More

Indigenous Community Collective – NDTR Event Poster

School Invitation

Event Agenda

Walk for Reconciliation

Board members at the Central Board Office are invited to attend the Walk for Reconciliation on September 30, 2022. This joint community event begins at N’Swakamok Friendship Centre (110 Elm Street). The group will then walk together to Bell Park, where they will attend the opening of the Truth, Resiliency and Hope event.

Orange Shirt Day in Honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30, we will join schools across Canada to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. We are reminded that Orange Shirt Day also offers an opportunity to honour and pray for those who never made it home. Our schools are encouraged to post to social media and utilize the hangtags #orangeshirtday and #sudburycdsb to allow our board to see these activities in action.

Available Support

In addition to the activities listed on this post, we recognize that each of our schools will be finding unique and creative ways to observe and honour this time. These events and activities may differ, but support is always provided. As we are reminded that this can be a difficult topic for many students, staff and families and should be taught with deep respect. For those who require support, there is help available through these contacts below:

Health Support Information:

If you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419