“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.”
Category: Community
Spelling Like a Champ
Marymount Academy student Julia Burns is a spelling bee champ. The grade 8 student recently won the regional spelling bee for the Regional completion for the intermediate division which was held at Tom Davies Square on April 12, 2015. On May 3, Burns will be traveling to Toronto to take part in the provincial spelling bee sponsored by the Spelling Bee of Canada. Burns has always enjoyed spelling and has taken part in previous competitions, but had never come out on top. Encouraged by her teacher Debra Michaud, the Marymount Academy student decided to give it a go and studied the 2015 Study List to prepare for the competition. When asked about the upcoming event, Burns was quick to say she was very nervous but excited to take part. “We are extremely proud of Julia and her efforts,” Lucie Cullen, Marymount Academy principal stated. “She is a delightful girl and we know she will represent Marymount strong in the next stage of the competition, like a true Regal!”
Regals Fight Cancer
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
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
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.
OAPCE Monthly 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). To read this month’s newsletter, click here: Parent Partner Newsletter – Easter 2015
Annual Marymount Academy Spring Gala
Fore!! CYGA Youth Take to the Links
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
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!”
St. Charles College To Host University Information Program
St. Charles College will host representatives from all of 21 of Ontario’s universities on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 7:00 – 9:00pm. The University Information Program (UIP) is free and all secondary school students and their parents/guardians are welcome to attend.
Students who are considering university will be able to speak to university representatives and learn more about different admission requirements, scholarships, residence the application process, campus life and much more. The University Information Program is designed to help graduating students make an informed decision before they apply to universities in January 2015.
“We are proud to offer this information program for students and parents in our community,” says St. Charles College Program Lead of Guidance Silvia Faggioni. “ It is important that students make informed decisions regarding their future. This is a perfect opportunity to explore universities across Ontario, meet representatives and ask questions – all while not having to leave Sudbury.”
At this event, students and their parents/guardians will be able to attend three 30-minute university presentations. A question and answer period will follow. After the presentations, students will be able to visit all Ontario university representatives for the remainder of the evening.