Several Marymount Academy students were presented with certificates, medals and monetary prizes on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. President of the Legion Branch 76, Dr. Fred Starr visited the school to congratulate the winners of a variety of categories for their annual Remembrance Day contest. Lucie Cullen, principal of the school was thrilled with the work the students had produced for the contest including posters, poems and stories. “As always, our students work very hard, and I am so pleased and proud that they have represented our school with such outstanding work!”
Category: Community
SCDSB Teacher Launches Third Book of Poetry
Marymount Academy English teacher Kim Fahner is a bundle of nerves. Even though this is her third time, she is having a hard time keeping her anxiety at bay. On Friday, December 7, 2012, Fahner will be launching her third book of poetry, “The Narcoleptic Madonna”. “Each time I launch a book I get so nervous,” Fahner said. “For the week or two before the launch, I get extremely anxious leading up to the day.” Her previous books, “You Must Imagine the Cold Here” (1997) and “Braille on Water” (2001) are, according to Fahner much different than her new book of poetry. “ “This new book is a collection of poems from the last twelve years. It deals with very personal issues like falling in and out of love, taking care of aging parents and, ultimately, coming to terms with mortality. It is a much more mature collection of poems. My inspiration has come from traveling – both physically, spiritually and emotionally. By traveling, I often find that I get to know myself better, and better understand my place in the world.” A teacher for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for 12 years, the majority at Marymount Academy, Fahner tries to teach her students that poetry is not a scary thing – that, in fact, she makes it her job to reverse their fear of this writing style. It is her hope that they leave her class with an interest in poetry. Fahner considers herself a poet who teaches, and frequently brings in other poets into the classroom to help inspire her students. “When you find creative people who can educate, it really brings out the creativity in kids,” Fahner states. “I think it is important to have artists as teachers in the classroom.” Interested readers can also check out Fahner’s writing on her online blog entitled The Republic of Poetry. (http://kimfahner.wordpress.com/) Here she writes her thoughts and reflections on her own life as well as events around her. From musings from her travels, to her inner dialogue when trying out new things, “The Republic of Poetry” gives her readers a glimpse into the thoughts and observations of life.
Fahner tapped on the creative talents of her fellow SCDSB teacher and friend Trish Stenabaugh for the artwork for her new book. Stenabaugh is a teacher at St. Charles College as well as a gifted artist so Fahner thought it would be a perfect fit for the artwork for her book cover. “Trish’s artwork is really vibrant. I am inspired by her as an artist and a friend.” Both ladies will be at the book launch which will be taking place on Friday, December 7 at the Ernie Checkeris Theatre at Thorneloe University. Some of Stenebaugh’s art will be on display and Fahner will be reading selected poems from her new book. Reading will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Food Drive at Marymount Academy
Every year Marymount Academy holds a Christmas food drive to help stock the shelves of the Sudbury Food Bank for the holiday season. Last year the school paired up with “kids helping kids” which was started by Edgar Burton and is the biggest food drive in the city. We raised and incredible amount of cans, over 13 thousand cans. They were told in September that they raised the most cans out of all the schools participating with “kids helping kids”. MMA was then rewarded with “the handing over of the official Vancouver Olympic torch” from last years winner, Lively District School. A group of students went to the mall on Nov 15th, and several tv and newspaper reporters were there including Mel from the radio who talked about how Edgar Burton ran with the torch in Sudbury during the Olympics. He then bought the torch for $500.00 and decided to donate it to the schools who raised the most cans. Marymount Academy now gets to keep the torch for one year
As well, on Monday Nov, 19th, our Marymount Catholic Charities council was asked to visit with the Mayor, her staff, Frank Elsner (the chair of the Sudbury Food Bank), several food bank volunteers, as well as Edgar Burton’s daughter and of course the media for the official signing of the Proclamation. Several MC3 members sat with the Mayor as she explained the process of the signing of an official Proclamation. The girls were thrilled to sit with the Mayor and to be congratulated for their efforts to help the less fortunate in our community. They told her how they just learned about the steps of a Proclamation in their Civics class at school. (they got to see it in action).
The girls were very impressed at being part of history, they were very proud of their efforts and vowed to continue helping our community.
Canadian Youth Golf Alliance
Despite the snow falling on the ground, several Marymount Academy students were eager to hear about golf at Sudbury’s Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on Monday, October 29, 2012. The day’s events, however, were about so much more than golf. Ryan Cooney, Executive Director of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance invited the group of students to learn all about the organization he founded just over a year ago – the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance. The mission of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance is “to lessen the risk factors for Canada’s ‘At-Risk Youth’ communities by facilitating efficient and effective programs in the areas of Golf Participation, Youth Employment, and Education. Through these programs, the youth of the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance learn character building principles such as integrity, responsibility, dignity, honesty, gratitude, and leadership.”
Cooney, who attended St-Charles briefly and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School for the majority of high school, is a graduate of St-Albert’s Adult Education School. Being a former at-risk student himself, he now works towards helping those who are in a similar position he once was. The former golf pro at Lively Golf & Country Club and the Timberwolf Golf Club, (who now holds a Master’s degree in Humanities), works with different community partners and various organizations to give students opportunities to better themselves through sport, business, and education. On days like the one organized at the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club, Cooney works closely with Brandon Beeson (the Northern Ontario Regional Director) and the Greater Sudbury Police Services to provide learning seminars, mentorship programs, and employability training for the students selected to be a part of the Day Event. The educational courses delivered by the CYGA and taught by Cooney are designed to allow the students to learn about themselves, others, their community, the larger community, and humanity as a whole. In addition to the programs, post-secondary scholarships and bursaries will be available to deserving members of the CYGA. In order to ensure all the programs and initiatives can be delivered, there is a dedicated fundraising team who believes in the CYGA’s vision and mission to support youth.
Dan Bartolucci, a teacher at Marymount Academy and the newly appointed Education Director for the C.Y.G.A. feels it is really a dynamic and very meaningful program. “I am inspired by how Ryan has turned his own life around and has committed to educating and assisting ‘at-risk’ youth. I truly believe that the C.Y.G.A. is going to be around for a long time to come and it is very exciting to be a small part of it – helping out the youth in our own community.”
For more information about the Canadian Youth Golf Alliance, please visit www.canadianyouthgolfalliance.com.
M.M.A. Gets Into the Books with Teen Read Week
As part of the first ever Sudbury Teen Read Week, Marymount Academy students in teacher Allison Cameron’s English class got to visit the Sudbury Public Library to take part in the official launch of the event. Along with two other secondary school classes, the Marymount students were welcomed by event coordinator Pierre Dubuc, the Child and Teen Programmer for the Greater Sudbury Library.
Teen Read Week is a literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association that began in New York. This is Sudbury’s first event and its focus is to encourage teens to regularly read books just for fun so that reading recreationally becomes a habit.
As part of the official launch, the students were encouraged to attain a library card if they didn’t already have one and learn more about the services and products offered at the library including books, e-books, dvd’s etc. Also on hand were representatives from several community organizations to talk to students about their connection to the library and literacy including Laurentian University, Cambrian College, College Boreal and the Student Action Center for Youth (S.A.C.Y.).
Cameron was excited for her class to be invited to the Teen Read Week Launch and encouraged all of her students to sign up for a library card if they didn’t already have one. “What a great opportunity for our students to see what amazing books are available to them,” Cameron stated. “This event is a great way to engage our students through recreational reading – it doesn’t just have to be about assignments and school work. Teen Read Week emphasizes the importance of reading books just for fun, and I am sure that my students will respond enthusiastically!”
Events are planned for the remainder of the week at several of the Sudbury library locations including a “Walking Dead Project Runway” competition on Thursday at the newly renovated South End Library. For more information on all of these events, visit the Greater Sudbury Library website at www.sudburylibraries.ca.
Surpassing Science Expectations Across a Nation
Students at Marymount Academy had a very unique opportunity on Friday, October 12, 2012. Classes from four different grades took part in what could be the world’s largest science lesson. Students from a grade 7, 8, 10 and 12 science class took part in the attempt at a world record for the largest practical science lesson with the hopes of inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. Alongside thousands of other Canadians, different groups took part in this activity across Canada as the official launch of National Science and Technology Week 2012 through Science.gc.ca.
Following strict guidelines, students had to sign in, and the entire activity was documented with time-stamped video and pictures to ensure the group was following the outlined rules. After a brief video introduction from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, the students watched another short clip that demonstrated the two different experiments – “the Kissing Balloons” and “the Water Mister”. Using simple materials such as balloons, string, plastic cups and water provided at each table, the students then worked together in groups to perform both experiments and document their findings. Working in the school’s cafeteria, giggles and laughter could be heard throughout as each student worked through their part of the experiment. Marymount science teacher Lise Callahan was the organizer for the event and made sure she followed all outlined instructions for her students to be included in this monumentous event. “It seemed pretty simple at first,” Callahan remarked. “Just sign up the students and provide the materials… however, I quickly realized that it was a much more involved process. We have to ensure that everything is done properly to be included in the world record attempt. The students have been quite excited leading up to this event and we are thrilled to be a part of it! At Marymount Academy, we have really outstanding students and knew that their level of enthusiasm for this project would be really high. I am proud of our school for participating and can’t wait to see if we do actually set the record!” All of the participants have to have their results sent by October 19 and would find out soon after if their attempt was successful for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records.
University Information Night – October 15, 2012
There will be a University Information Night on Monday, October 16, 2012 for all students interested in finding out more information about Ontario universities. Representatives from all 21 of the provinces universities will be on hand to answer any questions from prospective students including admission requirements, residence, scholarships, application processes and much more. Students and their parents or guardians will be able to attend three different presentations from universities that will be thirty minutes in length. After each presentation, a question and answer period will follow. This university information night was created to help students in their decision making process before they apply to universities beginning January 2013. This event will be taking place at Lockerby Composite School from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Marymount Academy Student Selected as Youth Ambassador for National French Forum
With a French father, and an English mother, Amanda Daigle knew that speaking both of Canada’s official languages would be an asset in her life. As a result, the grade 11 Marymount Academy student has been in French Immersion her entire academic career, and this year, it has provided her with an amazing opportunity. Daigle has been selected as one of thirty students from across the country to be a youth ambassador at the National Ambassador Youth Forum (Le Forum National des jeunes Ambassadeurs) which provides bilingual high school students the chance to meet like-minded student leaders from across the country. This event is hosted by French for the Future, a non-profit student-centred educational program that encourages and promotes bilingualism in Canada.
The one week forum will be taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, in which students will learn about diverse career paths and possibilities, take part in unique cultural events, as well as share their experiences and discuss the challenges and advantages of learning two languages. This opportunity came about from her teacher Christine Masimiliano. Masimiliano informed her class about the forum and Daigle decided that this was something she wanted to apply for. After writing her own letter explaining why she would be a great candidate, Daigle also had to provide two letters of recommendation to support her application. At the end of April, she got the call. This all expenses paid trip is something that Daigle is very, very excited for. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Daigle stated. “Not only will it allow me to strengthen my French-language skills, but I will get to make new friends, and learn how to be a better leader in my community.” Daigle is no stranger to being a leader, as she often takes part in community service activities in Sudbury, as well as being a part of the Girl Guides of Canada for many years. “I am very honoured to have been chosen to join the 29 other students for this national forum,” Daigle said. “French Immersion has opened many doors for me in the past, and I am confident that being selected as a youth ambassador for this national French forum will continue to open doors for me in the future!”
SCDSB Hosts Third Annual Turning Points Essay Awards Ceremony
Students, parents, teachers and invited guests gathered at the Sudbury Catholic District Board office on May 9, 2012 to take part in the SCDSB’s third annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards ceremony. This essay contest is an initiative which 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. As it is the third year, student participation has continued to grow as teachers have continued to encourage their involvement with this rewarding program. The secondary 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 Wednesday night’s celebration. The students were honoured for their efforts and several students had the opportunity to read their essays allowed. The audience was visibly moved by these emotional accounts and several of the teachers involved spoke of the courage and strength of their students to be able to write such heart-felt accounts of their experiences. Allison Cameron, a Marymount English teacher was the master of ceremonies at this event and was visibly moved after the students read aloud their essays. “Even after being involved with this initiative for three years, I am never really prepared for the poignant words our students have written and shared with others,” Cameron stated. “The courage of these students to express their deepest feelings and emotions about their life’s turning point is so powerful – for the student, and their families.” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Board echoed Cameron’s sentiments. “I am thrilled that the this program once again met with such success, and am so honoured that our students have courageously shared their most personal and meaningful life experiences. We are certainly overwhelmed by their talent and honesty involved in this writing experience.”
Marymount Academy Student Wins Mining Week Poster Contest
Five grade 5-8 classes in the city had the opportunity to win a Discovery Mining tour April 30-May 4 through a poster contest for this year’s Sudbury Mining Week – and one of them was won by Hanna Knutson. Hanna, a grade 8 student at Marymount Academy was thrilled that she was one of the five contest winners. Her teacher, Debra Michaud, suggested to the class that they enter the contest, so Hanna figured she had nothing to lose by submitting an entry. “I love to draw,” Hanna quipped. “I gave it my all and am so glad my hard work paid off!” As a result of the win, Hanna’s classmates get to join her on a trip to Dynamic Earth on Monday, April 30th, as her prize. “It was so amazing to find out that I won,” Knutson stated. “And the fact that my whole class gets to enjoy the trip to Dynamic Earth with me makes it even better!” The theme of this year’s Mining Week is “Mining and Technology for the next generation.”