For the past several years, Marymount Academy has held its annual Goals for Girls Ball Hockey Tournament. This tournament is organized by the school’s Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) and involves student and teacher floor hockey teams playing ball hockey round robin style with themed teams, creative uniforms and spirit awards. The Goals for Girls campaign is held to encourage young women to be physically active and to help them recognize and become involved in the many activities and opportunities available in their school and community. As well, this tournament is also a fundraiser in which monies raised are used to sponsor young women who cannot financially afford to play sports, and to purchase fitness equipment. This year, in addition to the school fundraising, a portion of the funds raised will go towards the Adaptive Canuck ALS Foundation. Marymount worked with retired teacher Michel Leroux, who was diagnosed with ALS a month after he retired from teaching, as well as a gentleman by the name of Jeff Perreault (who was also diagnosed with ALS about a year ago and is only in his mid-30’s). Together, they are trying to raise enough funds to help provide advanced stem cell treatments for all PALS (People Living with ALS), and the students and staff at MMA felt that this would be a great organization to also support with its Goals for Girls fundraiser. Alongside the one day ball hockey tournament, students also had the opportunity to soak their teachers with a bucket/dunk tank in the school. All teams that signed up to play paid an entrance fee, and that fee allowed each team member to attempt to hit a target that dumped ice-cold water on the teachers. As well, any student could pay five dollars for the opportunity to soak their teachers. Needless to say, the teachers who signed up were cold and wet for a big portion of the day as the final monies raised were over $3200.00 with a portion going to the Adaptive Canucks Foundation, as well as to support students in need. Mia Tullio, Co-President of the G.A.A. was happy that today was about the school and the community. “As Regals we are taught the importance of giving back to those who need support, both close to us, as well as in our community,” Tullio explained. “The culture of Marymount is very unique in that we really try to better ourselves, by helping others. Through this Goals for Girls event, we are able to engage in physical activity in a positive and spirited environment, but more importantly we are able to provide assistance to our fellow students who may need it, and are also supporting an organization that supports families, friends and neighbours right in our own community!”
Category: Community
Marymount Regals Step Up Their Annual Food Drive Challenge
One often hears about world hunger, but the reality is that hunger is also in our own community – especially in December and January. Every year, Marymount Academy holds an annual Christmas food drive to help stock the shelves of the Sudbury Food Bank in preparation for the holiday season. The school pairs up with “Kids Helping Kids”, which was founded by Edgar Burton and is the biggest food drive in Sudbury. One quarter to one third of the food received at the Sudbury Food Bank annually is collected from the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive. The founder, Mr. Burton, unfortunately is no longer with us, however his legacy and impact still lives on, especially in our Marymount community. This campaign has a special place in the Regals’ hearts as his wife, Sharon Burton, works in our school cafeteria. Her continuous kindness and generosity on a day-to-day basis has inspired many girls to give back to our community through this event.
Typically, the Marymount Catholic Charities Council (MC3) sets a goal of 5000 cans, but this year we decided to step it up. We set a goal of 10,000 cans and with a combination of non-perishable food and monetary donations, the Regals raised a total of 12,613 cans. This is the largest number of cans collected at Marymount since 2012. Lise Callahan, the teacher in charge of the drive was thrilled with the school’s response to the challenge. “We are incredibly proud of our Regals and know that their efforts in helping to alleviate food insecurity will impact many individuals throughout Greater Sudbury this Christmas season. What has had the most value and impact on our school has been the exposure that we have been able to bring around the topic of local hunger.”
Regals Ready to Wrap the Town in Red
Students at Marymount Academy have been working extremely hard these past few weeks trying to prepare as many red scarves as possible. Several weeks ago, Réseau ACCESS Network contacted local secondary schools to see if they would assist in their “Bundle Up in Red” campaign. According to their press release, the “Bundle Up in Red” campaign “is an awareness promotion utilizing red scarves to capture the attention of Sudburians. Red scarves will be distributed throughout the city. They will be tied around lampposts throughout major city streets and will be attached to trees in both Memorial and Bell Park. Individuals are encouraged to take and wear the scarves which will be tagged with facts about HIV/AIDS.” This campaign is to support HIV Awareness Week which begins November 23rd. Several Marymount Academy students took up this challenge and have been working diligently to get as many scarves as possible in preparation for distribution and already have over 350 scarves ready to go. It is the hope that this campaign will get people thinking and talking about HIV and is a unique way to get this very important messaging out into the community. Scarves can be kept or passed along and any leftover scarves will be donated to shelters. According to Brenda Thompson, teacher at Marymount, her students were onboard right from the first request. “We immediately had students approach us and say they wanted to be a part of this campaign,” Thompson explained. “That is the culture at Marymount Academy. Our students all the way from grade 7-12 are strongly encouraged to get involved in our community, and know that is it very important to give back. The students recognized that this “Bundle Up in Red” campaign was something very relevant for today’s s
Two SCDSB Students Named to Minister’s Student Advisory Council
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that two SCDSB secondary students have been selected to be a part of the Minister’s Student Advisory Council- TiCarra Paquet from Marymount Academy and Laura Rinaldi from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School.
According to the Ministry of Education’s press release, “Students who serve on the Minister’s Advisory Council have many responsibilities. The council meets with (Minister of Education Liz Sandals) twice during the terms and each member is required to participate in at least one regional student forum.
The council also provides:
– ongoing student perspectives, advice, recommendations, and consultations on the Ministry of Education’s policies, programs and practices;
– advice and feedback on the activities more specifically related to the ministry’s student engagement activities; and
– feedback on student-focused communication strategies and products, such as websites, brochures, pamphlets and video clips.
Council members also have many opportunities for leadership and skills development. During their term they learn about strategic planning and the formation of government policy, programs and practices. They also use on-line surveys and other communication strategies to engage their peers and raise awareness about programs and services available for Ontario students.”
Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board states, “On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we would like to congratulate both TiCarra and Laura for showing initiative and leadership, and we know that they will make us proud representing the voice of our students and our board provincially.”
June 2015 OAPCE Newsletter
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our Sudbury Catholic parents, the SCDSB would like to provide a link to the latest newsletter from The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE).
This month’s newsletter comes in three parts:
Learning About Residential Schools at MMA
On Friday, May 22, Marymount Academy had Elder, Gert Nootchtai come and speak about her residential school experience. Students TiCarra Paquet, and Starr Trudeau, along with aboriginal support worker, Carla Petahtegoose coordinated the event. Students from Gr 9 – 12 were able to shed some light on a very dark part of Canadian history. Elder Nootchtai spoke about how she wasn’t allowed to speak her language, or practice her culture at residential school, there were punishments in place according to what you did. Elder Nootchtai shared most of the time she did what she was told to avoid punishments . She also touched upon the “1960’s scoop,” when aboriginal youth were taken from their families by Indian Agents hired by the government, and then put into the residential schools or child protective services. At times her memory is unclear if her guardians were aware of what was happening or if they just took her to school without consent. On a lighter note she did mention some fun activities for her at Spanish Residential School was when the Native teacher was hired and she took them outdoors for walks a lot and the kids would always sign up for this to get out of school. Following Elder Nootchtai’s shared experience, staff and students participated in an activity that allowed students to experience what it felt like to be removed from a community. of Residential School survivors. In recognizing the trauma and historical truths of Canadian history, it was a very educational day, and Marymount Academy looks forward to embracing more FNMI culture in the school.
Driven to Give Event – June 13, 2015
Upcoming Event…
Marymount Academy and Belanger Ford in Chelmsford are partnering to present Driven to Give, a fundraiser to support MMA student Jazmin Ayotte’s battle with cancer.
Driven to Give is sponsored by Lincoln who will donate $50 to Jazmin’s fund for every household who test drives a Lincoln vehicle on Saturday, June 13th.
Everyone is invited to join us from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Belanger Ford in Chelmsford on Saturday, June 13th. There will be a barbeque, live entertainment, raffles, giveaways, and so much more.
Contact Information:
Belanger Ford
204 Michael Street
SCDSB Celebrates Sixth Annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards
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
MMA Regals Inspired by Olympic Gold Medalist
Olympic gold medal curler Brad Jacobs visited Marymount Academy on Monday May 4 to speak to the students about following their passions and not giving up on their dreams. Jacobs recalled his gold medal experience and explained that he has always been passionate about curling. By following his passion, he was able to inspire a nation and make his dreams comes true. The students were riveted by his experiences and were inspired by the champion and his tales of the Olympics.
Indigenous Celebration Held
The Diocesan Centre is planning an inclusive day of celebration based on indigenous culture, and would love a big turn out at this event. All students, staff, families and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend! It looks to be a great day planned!
INDIGENOUS CELEBRATION
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Fielding Park
5:30 am. Sunrise Ceremony ~
8:00 am. Pancake Breakfast ~
9:00 am. Teaching Carousel – Stations will be set up to be rotated through – 6 stations with 20 minute presentations at each~
a) Children drumming station~
b) Craft – decade of the rosary with four/six colour beads + leather OR~leather bookmark
c) 7 Grandfather teachings
d) Legends – Elders telling the stories~
e) Medicines and Wheel
f) Sacred Elements (fire keeper, tobacco, stones, feather, pipe, drums, smudge, animals) ~
11:00 am. Healing Circle – prayers, scripture (trilingual), blessing~
1:30 pm. Feast – “pot luck”
3:00 pm Travelling Song/Blessing~
For more information and access to resources, please consult:
http://arise-ssm.weebly.com