Today marks the start of the Cardinal Classic in the St. Charles College gymnasium.
More than fifteen school teams are registered for the yearly fall tournament.
Junior and senior teams are in action all Friday and Saturday.
Cards Athletic Director Darren Michelutti is overseeing the tournament.
The grade 11 Current Aboriginal Issues class participated in the 5th annual Sisters in Spirit day of commemoration in Sudbury. The day began at Tom Davies Square with mayor Brian Bigger proclaiming October 4th as Sisters in Spirit Day in Greater Sudbury, where we honour women and girls who were victims of violence and who are no longer with us.
The speeches were followed by an awareness march to N’Swakamok Native Friendship Center. While at the Friendship Center, the students heard some powerful stories and songs, they viewed the “Red Dress” campaign and enjoyed a traditional feast.
Teacher, Jennifer Petahtegoose says “Our students felt honoured to participate in this day, singing, drumming and carrying our school board’s eagle staff in the walk.”
Miigwetch to Lisa Osawamick, Aboriginal women’s violence prevention co-ordinator with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, for allowing us to attend this day of commemoration and feeling part of the solution in raising awareness to this important issue.
As part of spirit week at St. Charles College, each grade of students, along with the staff sport a different colour on the Friday to close the week. This day also happened to coincide with the anniversary of the Franco-Ontarien flag which takes place this weekend.
Mme. Rocca in grade 7 & 8 French Immersion teamed up with Mr. Boisvert in the high school F.I. program to celebrate the green and white flag which was raised for the first time on September 25th, 1976 at Laurentian University in Sudbury.
Mrs. Narozanski’s religion students discussed how they, as humans, can act more like Jesus in today’s world. The students talked about giving back and being selfless through acts like visiting the sick, participating in the upcoming food drive and taking care of elderly people.
The students then traced their hands. Their name was placed on the palm, the pinky and ring fingers showcased their personality traits and the middle finger featured something the students did not like to do very much. The index finger showed something they love and the thumb was reserved for setting a goal that would make them more Christ-like this school year.
The hands were then transformed into a beautiful flower on the Religion bulletin board with a very befitting quote: “We are each unique and beautiful; but together we are a Masterpiece!”
It’s a week intended for all the students at St. Charles College but it is especially exciting for new grade 7, 8 and 9 students. Spirit week is filled with theme days such as colour crusade and twin day but it all begins with character day today.
Today at school, staff and students are decked out in Pokemon gear, Harry Potter costumes and even a couple Where’s Waldo characters have surfaced.
Students Amariah and Grace Levac went all out on a hot, muggy day, along with classmate Ben Amari. All three students are in grade nine are especially excited for the full slate of activities on Wednesday for grade nine day.
Rev. Gerald Lalonde C.S.B., the last Basilian Principal of St. Charles College, died in Toronto on June 14, 2016 at 79 years of age. He was in the 50th year of his priesthood. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Father Lalonde served in various roles at St. Charles College: teacher, Department Head, Vice-Principal and Principal (1983-1985).
Most recently, he was the pastor of Our Lady of Peace church in Capreol. He was a much respected and much loved priest!
A Mass will be offered for Father Lalonde on Tuesday, September 20 at the Church of Christ the King at 12:05 pm. After the Mass, everyone is invited to go to the Caruso Club Restaurant for the luncheon buffet. The upper level of the restaurant has been reserved for this group. The cost of the buffet is $12.35 + taxes.
This year was the first year that grade seven and eight students were introduced to the mix at St. Charles College. The high school which has been in existence since 1951 introduced a 7-12 model in September 2015. That meant there was not one but two sets of graduates this year.
June saw more than 200 grade twelve students cross the floor and then another 100 students again to form the first ever graduating class.
Along with their diploma, each grade eight student was given a special gift in preparation for grade nine next year in the high school setting.
In photo: Grade eight students Loukus Lalonde and Aidan Ragognia head down the aisle to become two of more than 100 grade eight graduates for the first time in St. Charles College history.
Recently our secondary schools students had an opportunity to attend a sweat lodge building and ceremony as part of the “Bundle Roots Program”. The event was hosted by Indigenous Education Secondary Support staff & teachers. At this event we had students from various cultures take part. The turnout was great and the weather was wonderful. There were three secondary schools that took part in this activity. The Sweat lodge was held on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek territory.
The sweat lodge is a structure, which is dome shaped made using natural materials given to us by the land. sweat lodges are used by Indigenous people on Turtle Island for ceremonial prayers. The ceremony and traditions associated with the sweat lodge vary from region to region but are similar in nature.
Students were able to partake in constructing the sweat lodge which was a rich learning experience for all staff and students. All the young men and women took part in constructing the sweat lodge. The Elders were both helpful and insightful for the youth and the staff, and shared their knowledge.
We completed our very full day with a very delicious feast, along with a spirit plate given back to our sacred helpers during this ceremony.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board hosted a secondary Powwow on June 1st 2016 at St. Benedict School. This was an opportunity for our Indigenous community to share their culture with non-Indigenous community members. Some of the dancers at the Powwow were secondary school students who attend our schools. It was exciting for our participants to see the dancers. Students were also able to share their culture and the style of dance. Those who partook in this event were able to celebrate Indigenous tradition and culture.
Through SCDSB we integrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, history and perspectives in our curriculum. As an indigenous support worker we try to bridge gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Having a celebration like this brings people together.
The Pow wow celebration was our first this year for our Catholic secondary schools. Many of those who attended the Powwow have never experienced a cultural activity such as this. It is with hope that with the continued support of secondary staff we can strive for more exposure of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Culture. Our students and faculty were given the opportunity to see dancers in full regalia. The students shared songs and the drumming was breathtaking Miigwetch.
It’s National Aboriginal Day and here at St. Charles College we not only embrace all cultures but we also celebrate the diverse culture and unique heritage of our First Nation, Inuit and Metis people. This day also marks the Summer Solstice.
Two weeks ago, a number of our students participated in a pow wow aimed to bring children from all four school boards together in song and dance.
The “Honouring our Youth” Pow Wow was also an opportunity for our SCC students to showcase their talents.
