Character Development Archives - Page 2 of 3

SCDSB Celebrates Sixth Annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards

Posted on May 13, 2015 by admin

Invited students, parents, teachers and invited guests gathered together on May 6, 2015 to take part in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Sixth annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards ceremony. This essay contest is an initiative that stems from the Learning Partnership, which is an organization that champions a strong public education system to deliver innovative programs, credible research, policy initiatives, executive leadership and public engagement across Canada. Turning Points is a character development and literacy program that allows students to reflect on their fundamental values and, through a process of self-reflection and dialogue, write a narrative essay about a significant event, or turning point in their lives. The Turning Points Essay Contest is a powerful character development and literacy program that all 4 of our secondary schools, as well as the intermediate students at St. Anne participated in this year. There are 3 divisions, Grade 7/8, Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12. Cash prizes were awarded for secondary essays and all essays will also be published in an annual anthology that will be sent to students and participating schools next year. The  students that took part in this contest and authored the winning essays were awarded plaques, a copy of the publication, as well as monetary awards at the celebration.  Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Board was on hand for the celebration and awarded the students their prizes. After hearing the students read their essays, Bénard was visibly moved by their words and experiences. “I want to thank these students for sharing with us your strength and resiliency, and for being able to see the shining light in your experiences,” Bénard stated. “You have shown us that everyday is a blessing by sharing your emotional stories of strength and courage, accounts of laughter and tears, your deepest secrets, greatest fears, and biggest triumphs. What emerges as these essays take shape is just magic, and it reminds us all of the goodness and beauty in all of our students.”

Top Winners include:

Grade 11/12 Division

First Place – Mia Tullio
Second Place – Emily Brohart
Third Place – Taylor Emery

Grade 9/10 Division

First Place – Jenna Hoolans
Second Place – Julia Moore
Third Place – Alexis Gunther

Grade 7/8 Awards

First Place- Madison Penrose
Second Place – Amy Lucas
Third Place – Kaylee Kruk

Regals Fight Cancer Campaign Surpasses Goal

Posted on April 24, 2015 by admin

On April 24, 2015, Katherine Boyce, Marymount Academy student and the school’s Catholic Charities Council president asked the entire school student body to stand up if they have ever had anyone in their life that had been affected by cancer. One by one, every single student, staff member, and invited guest stood up. Upon seeing the entire gym full of people on their feet, Boyce spoke to the group, “This is why we stand up to Cancer –this is why Regals Fight Cancer!” The school wrapped up their Regals Fight Cancer campaign with a variety of head-shaving, dying, hair donating, and leg shaving – which was all dependent upon the amount of monies raised to support one of their own – a grade 12 student who is battling cancer, and to give to the Northeastern Ontario Cancer Foundation. In the end, the Regals surpassed their $10,000 goal, raising over 21,000 dollars to support their fellow regal and the NOCF. Heads were shaved and dyed, and the students enjoyed seeing their teachers support both Marymount, and Greater Sudbury community by following through on their promises. Several students and teachers also had their hair cut and donated for wigs for chemotherapy patients who have lost their hair. Lucie Cullen, principal of the school was emotional throughout the presentation. “Katherine Boyce made mention at the beginning of the presentation that Marymount is a family,” Cullen explained. “And in every sense of the word this is true. Today shows how close we are as a school community, a strong Regal family, supporting one of our own as well as giving back to our city. As always this school community makes us incredibly proud!”

Experiencing Performance Art and the Written Word at MMA

Posted on April 21, 2015 by admin

“If you were an animal, what animal would you be?” This was the question that Tanya Neumeyer, a Toronto based poet posed to one of the English classes at Marymount Academy on April 17, 2015. Neumeyer, a published poet and workshop facilitator, was in town to perform at the (W)rites of Poetry event that night, but visited several of the English classes on April 16 and 17 to work with the students to help encourage their development of poetry and their creative process. The students had to immediately react to the question by acting out which animal best reflected their own personalities. Through these types of activities – performance art and written word, Neumyer encouraged the students to break down their own barriers and feel confident to perform in front of others. “It is always such a great experience for our students when Tanya comes to visit and work with them in small groups and classes,” Lucie Cullen, principal of Marymount Academy explained. “It is such a unique, positive experience that is hugely impactful on the students. It really helps give them a voice and expresses their own creativity.”

Regals Fight Cancer

Posted on April 17, 2015 by admin

As part of the school’s new fundraising campaign, the students at Marymount Academy are getting a sweet treat. For the month of April, students and staff are raising funds to support the Northern Ontario Cancer Foundation, as well as one of their fellow students who is fighting her own battle with cancer. The school’s cafeteria supplier – Chartwell’s, donated 250 cookies for students to purchase with monies raises to go towards their Regals Fight Cancer fundraiser. Students also had the opportunity to purchase Regals Fight Cancer sweatshirts that they can wear certain days every week for the month of April in place of their regular uniform top.
Marymount Academy students will be out in all areas in Greater Sudbury on the evening of April 23 to do door-to-door canvassing for their fundraising initiative. The school’s fundraising efforts will be announced on the morning of April 24 with several teachers willing to have their hair shaved, dyed cut and donated depending on how much money has been raised. For more information, please call the school at (705) 674-4231.

Marymount Academy Celebrates International Moment of Laughter Day – April 14th

Posted on April 16, 2015 by admin

Studies have shown that laughing not only lowers blood pressure and reduces stress hormone levels, it also improves cardiac health, boosts T cells, triggers endorphins, and is a fabulous ab workout! Best of all, laughter has been proven to increase our overall sense of well-being. So, the goal for the day at Marymount Academy on April 14, 2015 was to get people laughing!
The staff posted several hilarious visual jokes around the school, and told jokes between periods over the P.A. system.
At lunch, students who told the librarian a funny joke won a prize. Also, secondary students were invited to join the Improv Club for several “moments of improvised laughter” while elementary students were invited to vote for their funniest teacher.
The winner by a landslide was teacher Debra Michaud! She received a silly headband and a jar of candy along with the coveted Wand of Laughter. Teacher Colin Lapalme came in a distant 2nd and received a bag of leftover candy.
It was a “funderful” day at Marymount Academy. Laughter really is the best medicine.

St. David Catholic School and the Grade 12 Marymount Leadership Class Encourages The Love of Reading in Kindergarten Students

Posted on April 16, 2015 by admin

The Full Day Kindergarten class at St. David Catholic Elementary School recently partnered with the grade 12 Leadership Class at Marymount Academy to begin a new reading initiative to support reading achievement for FDK students. The classes first met at the local MacKenzie Street library and now visit each others classrooms twice a month to read together. “I super duper love to read with my buddy, its fun and we get to have name tags that are the same” said Lexus Dumas, FDK student. The initiative will continue until June when the classes will get together for a reading party to celebrate their partnership and reading success.

The (W)rites of Spring Poetry Evening – April 17, 2015

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

First and foremost, Kim Fahner is a writer. With three published books of poetry under her belt, another almost complete, as well as a new novel in the works, Fahner is immersed in the world of writing. On top of this, Fahner is also a full time teacher at Marymount Academy, where she often brings her world of writing and the appreciation of the written word, her students, and the community together. The result is the event that she has planned for April 17, 2015.

Remembering a similar event back in 1998 put on by Roger Nash, former Greater Sudbury Poet Laureate, and Ontario Representative for the League of Canadian Poets at the time, Fahner thought that a similar event would be a great way for the Sudbury community to celebrate National Poetry Month in April. Contacting some of her poet friends, the (W)rites of Spring Poetry Evening came into being, sponsored by the League of Canadian Poets, The Canada Council for the Arts, and Marymount Academy. The evening will be a celebration of poetry for the community, with five notable Canadian poets slated to perform: Tom Leduc (current Poet Laureate for Greater Sudbury), Roger Nash (past Poet Laureate), Kim Fahner (Sudbury poet), Susan McMaster (Ottawa poet), and Tanya Neumeyer (Toronto performance poet). The theme for this month is poetry that celebrates food, but a wide variety of poems will be performed. People of all ages are invited to attend, and it is Fahner’s hope that the evening is an opportunity for the community to appreciate really great poetry. “When I think back to the event in 1998, I recall a really amazing evening that brought together talented writers and people who really appreciated poetry,” Fahner stated. “ I really believe that art elevates people, so I think this will be a brilliant evening that celebrates the beauty of poetry.”

Books will be for sale, with poets available for signings after the event. Refreshments will also be for sale. Admission is free, but there will be a silver collection with proceeds being directed to support the Poet Laureate’s Young Writers’ Guild at the Greater Sudbury Public Library. For further information, please call Kim Fahner at Marymount Academy at (705) 674-4231.

Fore!! CYGA Youth Take to the Links

Posted on October 14, 2014 by admin

On Wednesday, Oct. 8th youth from a few local high schools along with their golf mentors braved some cool temperatures and some brisky winds to compete in a friendly tournament put on by the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance and hosted by Lively Golf & Country Club. The 1st Annual CYGA Youth Invitational is a new addition to the golf program for the CYGA. All of the youth who played in the tournament were from Marymount Academy, Lasalle Secondary School, and Lively District Secondary School. The youth involved also take part in the CYGA’s Education Program, studying a variety of issues surrounding risks that they face in life, which is a core part of the Philosophy of Life courses in the CYGA’s curriculum. The format of the tournament is unique – three youth plus one golf mentor. Many of the participants were swinging a golf club for the first time so much of the time was spent by their golf mentors explaining the overall game and culture of golf. Much of the focus was placed on golf course etiquette, some of the important rules of golf, and the fundamentals of hitting a golf ball. Marymount Academy student Marika Moskalyk said: “it was a great day overall, and it was really neat to see some of the students from other schools that are studying the same topics that we have been discussing during the Philosophy of Life classes. I love discussing the real life issues that we face and the fact that we were able to do this while learning more about the game of golf was even more cool.” The CYGA’s Education Chair Dan Bartolucci – who is also the Athletic Director at Marymount Academy – was extremely happy with how the day unfolded. “It was so nice to see youth from three local high schools getting together to learn more about this great game, and more importantly, learn more about each other and the risks they are commonly faced with. This year, many students at Marymount Academy approached me to ask if they could be a part of the CYGA group. They recognize the importance of talking about some of the risks that they face in their adolescence, and they appreciate the alternative environment provided for them during the monthly discussions. I’m delighted to see the growth that the CYGA has endured over the past few years and look forward to the future of our organization.”

Ryan Cooney, the Founder and Executive Director of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance has been travelling between Northern and Southern Ontario to facilitate the classroom discussions. Cooney states, “When we founded the CYGA we had no idea what the impact would be on the youth we serve. It is becoming very clear that all three of our programs have significant impact on the youth, in very different ways. The discussions we have on the philosophy of life provides a platform for youth to discuss real life issues they face. What we have learned over the past few years is that every youth faces different types of risk, or at least they interpret the risks they face in very different ways. In our classes we discuss pragmatic solutions to the social problems that are relevant in their lives, and the youth often come to their own conclusions on how they can best avoid these risks. The employment program is effective as it allows youth to work full-time in the summer months when not many employers find hiring youth for two months a year a viable business option. Golf, as most of us golfers know, allows for a temporary escape from life, all the while teaching us life lessons. Reflecting on the impact of all three programs we’ve developed, and listening to the youth, I am very proud of the work we are doing.”

Regals Learning How to Play With Fire

Posted on October 7, 2014 by admin

Students at Marymount Academy were given the opportunity of a lifetime on Friday, October 3, 2014. Dan Bartolucci, teacher and program leader for the school was contacted by Captain Blake Desjardins from the Greater Sudbury Firefighter Services to see if there was any interest in the students to take part in female firefighter training. Seeing it as a perfect fit for the students, Bartolucci readily agreed- and 12 students were selected to take part in the day’s events. Students met with Bartolucci, as well as the school’s vice principal, Lori Holden at the Emergency Services training facilities located at the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre in Azilda early Friday morning, and spent the entire day going through different firefighting scenarios including forcible entry, live fire simulator, reduced profile and tight spaces, etc. The group spent an exhausting day working through all of the different training sessions and getting a first hand glimpse of real fire fighting work. “When I say exhausting, that is an understatement,” Bartolucci explained. “This day was a real glimpse into the life of a fire-fighter on the job. It was an outstanding opportunity for these students and has absolutely inspired some of the girls to pursue their dreams in this field. Wearing 100 lbs of gear and walking into smoke and fire – absolutely incredible! At Marymount, we always try to give our students a variety of opportunities to ensure we are supporting their long term goals and successes!”

Exploring Careers and Beyond At Marymount Academy

Posted on November 12, 2013 by admin

Marymount Academy students had the opportunity on Friday, November 8 to look into their futures. Over 22 different presentations were set up for the students – all by women in successful careers willing to share their stories. Brenda Thompson, head of guidance for the school set up this career day to showcase a variety of careers to inspire the students. The students could sign up for four of the 22 different presentations including a firefighter, a physiotherapist and a carpenter. What was really great for the students was that several of the presenters were also graduates of Marymount Academy and they shared their journeys from their Marymount days down the path to their present careers.
“With a school made up of all female students, we know it is important to inspire the girls and help them recognize their unlimited potential,” explained Thompson. “Our students do very well academically, and we know that it is key to showcase a multitude of career options for them to help them achieve their own successes.”