Marymount Academy

National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day

May 28 to June 3, 2023, is National AccessAbility Week!

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an annual initiative that celebrates, promotes, and showcases the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our country, and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an accessible Canada. Since 2019, Easter Seals Ontario has recognized the Wednesday of National AccessAbility week as the Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt to raise awareness for accessibility and disability inclusion and make a pledge to help remove physical, attitudinal, and systematic barriers in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The following educator resources are available: 

Elementary: English | French

Secondary: English | French

Red Shirt Day

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. The 2023 Red Shirt Day takes place on Wednesday, May 31. Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Red Shirt Day to promote messages of support for people and families living with disabilities.

About Red Shirt Day 

Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada. Learn more!

Resources 

Red Shirt Day Resources

Easter Seals Website

Rick Hansen Website

Poster

Handout

Pledge

Pledge Examples

Colouring Sheets

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Films & Documentaries for Adults

Ted Talks

Bishop Student Appointed to Student Trustee at Sudbury Catholic Schools 

Grade 10 Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S. student Julia Parenteau has been appointed as the newest Sudbury Catholic District School Board Student Trustee for the 2023-2025 terms. The appointment took place at the April 18, 2023 Board meeting. Julia will join fellow Student Trustee Catena Hayden beginning August 1, 2023. 

Julia is a devoted leader both on her school’s Student Council and on the Student Senate. Seen as an active member of the community, Julia spends much of her time volunteering at her local church and serving as a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Committee. She has also devoted time to serving food to veterans and their families and volunteering at various events for the Maison Sudbury Hospice. 

Julia is strong advocate for student voice and believes it is a necessary for student development and growth. She hopes to bring more attention to mental health and well-being within schools and create resources to help students and school environments navigate appropriate solutions. 

“I believe it’s important for students to be involved in their education because, with an absence of involvement, their lives and our school communities would lack growth. When a student is involved in their education, they ask questions and make a point to self-assess their progress and attitude towards school. It’s these kinds of students who not only better themselves but also their school environment because they set examples and show good habits that other students may feel they need to pick up on,” said Julia Parenteau. 

“Julia is a passionate and dedicated individual. Her commitment to bettering our school system and helping her fellow students is inspring not only to her peers but to us as well. We look forward to working alongside her, as we continue to champion Student Voice at the Board table ,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. 

Marymount Academy Student Receives Outstanding Youth Award for Her Work with OSAID

Morgan Sheppard, Grade 12 student at Marymount Academy has received the Outstanding Youth Award which was presented to her at the Committee Of Youth Officers of Ontario (COYO) Conference on February 24, 2023. 

The Outstanding Youth Award is given to those aged 12-25 for their outstanding interaction with youth in their community. This recipient makes a positive difference in their community through advocacy and actionable work focused on youth issues. The award is given out annually at the COYO Conference in Niagara Falls. 

Morgan has been involved with Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) both at the local and provincial level for two years. Currently she is the only member of OSAID in Sudbury who is part of the youth advisory team for Ontario. She is incredibly passionate about the cause and supporting her local community. In addition to her work with OSAID, Morgan is also a member of the Student Senate at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and is heavily involved in various charity events and fundraisers at Marymount Academy. 

Morgan is proud of the work she has accomplished and is thrilled to be a recipient of this year’s Outstanding Youth Award. 

“I am incredibly honoured to have received the Outstanding Youth Award at the 2023 COYO Conference and would like to extend my thanks to the Committee of Youth Officers as well as Matt Evans and everyone else on the OSAID team!” she exclaimed. 

“Morgan is very passionate about supporting this organization and its cause – and sending the important message to her fellow youth that driving impaired, high or distracted can have a serious impact on their future,” said Cassandra Tenbergen, Principal of Marymount Academy. 

For more information about the Committee of Youth Officers of Ontario and the Outstanding Youth Award, please visit https://coyo.on.ca

2021-22 Director’s Annual Report

We are very pleased to present the Director of Education’s Annual Report for the 2021-2022 school year

We thank our Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, staff, students, families, volunteers, community partners, and our parishes for their continued support and commitment to Sudbury Catholic. Together we are providing a caring, progressive, high quality Catholic school system that is nurturing our students – mind, body, and spirit.

Wearing Blue & White for Bell Let’s Talk Day 2023

To raise awareness of the importance of open dialogue surrounding mental health, Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites students, staff, and community members to wear blue and white on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023. By wearing blue and white (symbolic colours for the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign), our hope is for our Board community to unite and visually and emotionally show our support for mental health initiatives.

Share With Us!

The Sudbury Catholic School community is encouraged to share their actions with our Board by tagging us on social media and sending pictures, captions, and highlights to info@sudburycatholicschools.ca

About Bell Let’s Talk Day

Bell Let’s Talk Day is an important event celebrated annually worldwide and is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and breaking the silence around mental illness.

Sudbury Catholic recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being for our students. Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, and it plays a vital role in the success of our students both in and out of the classroom.

We also acknowledge the importance of reducing the stigma around mental illness and encouraging open and honest conversations about mental health. The more we talk about mental health, the more we can help those struggling and support them in getting the help they need.

That is why we encourage all of our students, staff, and families to participate in Bell Let’s Talk Day activities. Whether it’s through social media, in-school events, or one-on-one conversations, every action counts in the fight against mental health stigma.

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights ways we can all create meaningful change and take action by doing one or more of the following:

  • Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
  • Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
  • Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
  • Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies 
  • Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health 
  • Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

On January 25th, let’s continue to work together to create a safe and supportive environment for all our students. Let’s break the silence around mental health and support each other in promoting mental wellness.

To learn about the activities and events planned for Bell Let’s Talk Day, and view a variety of resources, check out our Bell Let’s Talk Day 2023 resource page.

Family Literacy Day 2023

Family Literacy Day is an important event that is celebrated annually in Canada on January 27th. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of literacy and the role that families play in supporting the literacy development of their children.

Sudbury Catholic District School Board recognizes the crucial role that literacy plays in the success of our students. Literacy is not only the ability to read and write, but also the ability to understand and use information in a variety of contexts. It is essential for academic success and for personal growth and development.

We also acknowledge the important role that families play in promoting literacy at home. Research has shown that children who have parents and guardians who read to them, talk to them, and encourage them to read independently, have a stronger foundation in literacy which can help them succeed at school.

That is why we encourage all of our families to participate in Family Literacy Day activities. Reading together as a family, visiting the library, and participating in literacy-related events can all be fun and engaging ways to promote literacy and support the literacy development of our students.

On this Family Literacy Day, let’s celebrate the power of literacy and the importance of families working together to support the literacy development of their children. Let’s work together to create a literate and informed community, where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Family Literacy Day 2023 Theme: Celebrate your Heritage

Canada is a diverse country full of different cultures. On Friday, January 27th, 2023, ABC Life Literacy has encouraged us all to take time to explore and learn more about our heritage with our families. To help celebrate this day, we encourage students, educators, and families to check out the following resources and activities from ABC Life Literacy Canada.

Resources

ABC Life Literacy Canada Website

Activity Sheet

Activity Book

Poster

Bookmark

PSA

For Girls, By Girls: Marymount Students Participate in International Day of the Girl Conference

Two girls sit at a simulator

In honour of International Day of the Girl, Marymount Students attended the ‘For Girls, by Girls’ conference on October 11 at Science North. The conference was designed for girls in Grade 6-8 and provided them with the opportunity to discuss the trades and technology and the various career options available to them. 

The conference included a blend of workshops and panel discussions. The keynote speaker was Kendra Liinamaa, a local welder who has completed various apprenticeships with Vale. The panel discussion was moderated by Danielle Robb, a millwright apprentice, and included Marymount students Roselyn Urena-Tejada, Jade Goodson and Heather Walinga.  In addition, participants were allowed to participate in three different workshops. Workshop options included:

  • Boombox Kit Build, hosted by Skills Ontario (English)
  • Exploring the Skills Ontario Trade and Tech Truck (Bilingual)
  • Tools 101, hosted by Milwaukee Tool (English): Showcasing the latest Milwaukee innovation from hand tools to power tools including safety products. 
  • VEX Code VR (bilingual), hosted by Michael Frankfort
  • Electrical Bugs (Francophone), hosted by College Boreal 

Students left feeling inspired and motivated by the conference,  and are eager to further explore their career options. 

“I feel like I know more about jobs that I never would have considered before, “ Alana, Marymount Student

“I thought it was very hands on and interactive. I loved learning and being inspired by the women at the workshop“  Maddie, Marymount Student.

Student Voice Matters: We Want to Hear From You

At Sudbury Catholic Schools we are committed to identifying and removing barriers so all students can achieve excellence in faith-filled, loving, safe and inclusive schools.

Ontario school boards are required to conduct a census to identify and address systemic barriers and discrimination. Under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan, school boards must collect data using a student census and report on the results. In support of the provincial requirement, as well as our commitment to providing, safe, equitable and inclusive environment SCDSB will be collecting voluntary, demographic and identity-based data through a voluntary student census survey, called Student Voice Matters.  

We will be asking questions as identified in  the Ontario Human Rights Code. These include: Indigenous identity, race, ethnic origin, religion, first language, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, status in Canada and socioeconomic status. 

Student Voice Matters is being launched this year for Kindergarten to grade 12. For students in K-8 surveys will be sent to parents/guardians to be completed with their child. Students in grade 9-12 will complete the survey on their own.

If at any point parents or students feel uncomfortable with the question content, they will have the option of skipping and moving on. 

What Will the Results Be Used For?

The results of the survey will be used to:

  • continue to identify and eliminate systemic barriers to student success
  • create more equitable and inclusive school environments
  • improve student achievement and well being
  • better understand the needs of our students

Completing the Survey

You would have already received an e-mail with more information regarding the census, as well as a link to the survey. Please contact your school if you have any issues accessing the survey.

Thank you for your participation and for your ongoing support of Catholic Education.

2022-23 School Year Calendar!

School Year Calendar 2022-23

View our resources below to access this year’s school calendar.

School Calendar 2022-2023

Elementary Calendar for 2022-2023

Secondary Calendar for 2022-2023

Important Dates

  • First day of school for students is Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
  • Second semester for secondary students begins on Friday, February 3, 2023.
  • Last day of school for students is Friday, June 30, 2023.

EQAO Dates

Fall 2022
Wednesday, November 2, to Wednesday, December 7, 2022, with individual student results reported by end of January 2023.

Spring 2023
Wednesday, March 1, to Wednesday, April 26, 2023, with individual student results reported by mid-June 2023.

Semester 1
Wednesday, January 11, to Friday, February 3, 2023, with individual student results reported after each student completes the assessment

Semester 2
Wednesday, June 7, to Wednesday, June 28, 2023, with individual student results reported after each student completes the assessment.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Hosts Transition to School Event!

Sudbury Catholic wants to help families prepare for the next step of learning in a supportive program about transitioning to school!  

Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce our upcoming virtual event “Transition to School,” designed to provide the support students need to take the next step in their learning journey!

From August 29-31st, students and families are invited to attend live, online presentations from various Sudbury Catholic teachers to help them prepare for a new chapter this fall. Each session will run twice throughout Aug 29-31. See below for session dates/times and click here to attend!

Additional Event Information

Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior teachers will cover essential topics during this event. By attending, you will learn what to expect as a new student, know what to do if you want to speak with a resource or guidance teacher, learn who the key people you should connect with and so much more! Sessions will also deliver simple strategies to help ease anxiety and teach essential organization skills to help support student success. 

Getting ready to take the next step in any learning journey can be scary. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the first day of grade 12, the transition to a new grade level should be smooth and worry-free. Because every child’s journey is unique, each presentation will focus on how to help students in that grade level prepare for Sept, so they can reach their full potential at school.” – Jennifer Connelly, St. Francis Principal 

No sign up required!

Students and parents can join teachers live on Aug 29-31, to help them prepare for school in September. To join the event, click the button below!

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