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.
Category: Promoted Event
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.
Sudbury Catholic Students to Take Part in Walk for a Second Chance- April 28
Student from all four Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools will be taking part in the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury’s Walk for a Second Chance on April 28th, 2012. This walk is organized to support organ donation awareness and the Gift of Life which is an initiative that is fully supported by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and its students. On December 13, 2010, the Board launched its own challenge to the Greater City of Sudbury to be the first city in the province of Ontario to have 50% or more of its residents be registered organ and tissue donors, and have continued to spread the word to schools and the community about the importance of organ donation. Catherine McCullough, SCDSB Director of Education is very proud of Sudbury for embracing this initiative. “I am very proud of our Board for partnering with the Trillium Gift of Life Network for this very important initiative, and I encourage the entire community to join us in this challenge – to not only have Sudbury reach or even surpass the 50% registration for city-wide donation in Ontario, but more importantly, to recognize that there is no greater gift than the gift of life.”
David Dibrina, Sudbury Catholic Student Trustee, has been working with the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury to continue to keep organ donation awareness a priority with students. “Organ donation is so important in saving the lives of others,” Dibrina stated. “It truly is one of the most selfless acts that we can do that can positively impact so many people. Students need to make sure they are registered (beadonor.ca) and talk to their families so that they know what their wishes are.”
The walk will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bell Park Amphitheatre, Sudbury.
This is a walk for organ donation awareness and there are no monetary pledges.
For more information, please call (705)566-1328, or contact David Dibrina at St. Charles College at (705)566-9605.
Marymount Student Honoured to Participate in Rick Hansen Foundation Relay
Selected to be one of over 7000 medal bearers from across Canada, grade 8 Marymount Academy student, Carly Zulich was excited and nervous. As both sides of the sidewalk in front of her school was lined with hundreds of her peers, Zulich waited anxiously for her turn to run wearing the Rick Hansen medal, passed on to her from endurance athlete Tyrone Henry. Cheers from the students began as the police escort pulled onto the property with the Rick Hansen Foundation convoy and Henry following closely behind. After some inspirational words from the Foundation representatives, and Henry, Henry passed on the medal to Zulich so she could take her turn running her leg of the run as part of the 9 month long, and over 600 community relay across Canada.
“It is such an honour for our school and our student to take part in such an historic event.” Lori Holden, Vice Principal of the school stated. “ Carly is an exceptional student, and I know that she is so appreciative of this opportunity – just as we are as a school. We feel very fortunate to be a part of something so inspirational, as we have all been inspired by the accomplishments of Rick Hansen and his foundation.”