St. Francis Flames and families demonstrated their Christmas spirit this season by donating 3 500 canned food items and a cash donation to the Edgar Burton Food Drive. Teachers, Mme Dupuis (Gr.5/6 F.I.) and Ms. Visentin (S.E.R.T.) kicked off the food drive in early December with a themed collection for each week of the month such as baby food, canned and packaged food items. Families made donations on their way into the school’s Christmas concert on December 17 topping up a final total. Student helpers were excited when the army arrived to collect the wonderful donations for our community. A big thank you to students, families and staff for all of your donations!
Sudbury Catholic Schools Help Make Winters a Little Warmer!
The Student Senate at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has helped make winter a little warmer for our community! Throughout the month of October, the Student Senate spearheaded a campaign to collect gently used winter coats in all sizes. The Senate, which is comprised of 15 secondary students, also encouraged other schools to participate in this initiative.
Together, Sudbury Catholic Schools collected 436 coats and winter accessories, surpassing last year’s number of 200 coats and winter accessories. Working with Derek Cashmore of Cooper Equipment Rentals, the coats will be donated to those in need throughout the Greater Sudbury community.
“The Student Senate are seen as leaders and innovators not only in their schools but across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board,” said Amanda Barry, Teacher Facilitator of the Student Senate. “They are truly difference makers and I am honoured to work alongside them year after year.”
“It was amazing to see our schools all come together and support such a wonderful cause,” said Ryan Scarpellini, Student Trustee and member of the Student Senate. “We are excited to continue to grow the campaign year after year and continue to make a difference in our community.”
St. Francis School Celebrates Learning Disabilities Month
The Grade 2 F.I. class from St. Francis School participated in the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury Awareness Celebration on October 8, 2019. The Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury’s flag was raised this morning at James Jerome Sports Complex. Mayor Brian Bigger was on hand to officially mark October as Learning Disabilities Awareness Month in Greater Sudbury. St. Francis student assisted with the flag raising along with a number of students in the crowd that cheered during the event. Students also planted blue flags which can be seen along Paris Street until the end of the month. Each flag represents someone in Sudbury who has a learning disability.
Honouring Reconciliation: Sudbury Catholic Schools Participate in Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Orange Shirt Day recognizes the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and is an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board participated in Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2019. Staff and students throughout the system participated by wearing these shirts or their favourite orange shirt as a reminder of the importance of this day.
Hello God!
During recent months, several classes at St. Francis School have been participating in making beautiful “God Boxes” out of cards. The children then had the opportunity to fill them with tangible things that remind them what to thank God for as well as what to pray for.
Many boxes have been made, along with bible verses given to them. The verses tell us of God’s unending love for all his children. The students have been very eager to decorate their boxes. Each student personalized their own box, and were encouraged to bring it home, continuing to fill it with new hopes and prayers.
Many thanks to Sheryl Taylor (Registered Child and Youth Worker/Educational Assistant) for her help with the activity.
St. Francis Flames Wear Yellow for Daffodil Campaign
St. Francis students and staff wore yellow to kick off the start of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Campaign in April. The daffodil is a symbol of strength and courage in the fight againstt cancer. Since the 1950s, bright yellow daffodils have arrived in communities across Canada to mark the beginning of Daffodil Month in April. Yellow daffodil stickers were worn at the elementary school to show support for Canadians living with cancer. A cheque for $502.00 was presented to Ms. Burns and Ms. Crispo from the Canadian Cancer Society who graciously attended the school’s assembly to speak to students. The cheque was presented on behalf of the families, students and staff of St. Francis School who made the donation possible. Cancer has touched many of the St. Francis families, friends, staff and even students in some way. The school’s event organizer for the Daffodil Campaign, Ms. Graziella Visentin, was thrilled with the support shown by the school’s families, students and staff for this worthwhile cause. By sharing of ourselves and helping those around us, we are, in essence, practising Christian stewardship, which is the school’s virtue for the month of April. Each year the amount raised increases and the school hopes to continue with this beneficial fundraiser to help cancer patients in our community.
A “Purr”-fectly Great Day to Learn about Pet Responsibility at St. Francis
The students of FDKFI in teacher Mme Lachance and Mme Lynne’s (ECE) class at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School had a special guest recently. Charms the cat came by for a special visit as the students have been learning about the value of having a pet in the home. Although they are cute and cuddly, the children soon found out that owning a cat also requires care and responsibility. A pet is like a family member and it requires special care and love.
ST. FRANCIS CELEBRATES LITERACY DAY!
On January 27, the students from St. Francis Catholic Elementary School celebrated Literacy Day. Students in kindergarten to grade six were asked to donate gently used books from their home and trade them in for“new” books. The event was organized by Special Education Resource Teacher, Ms. Graziella Visentin who encourages the use of technology to assist with reading as well as the use of traditional hardcopy books to practice reading skills. The school cafeteria and gathering room had a wide variety of book titles on display for students to choose from. Students also donated English and French books. The book swap originally began between two primary classrooms and eventually grew to involve the whole school over the last few years due to its success. The book swap provided an excellent opportunity for students to exchange books within their school community, encourage the love of reading and recycle books. Students enjoyed selecting free books to take home for Literacy Day.
St. Francis Rocs Their Mocs
St. Francis Catholic Elementary School staff and community partners participated in ‘Roc your Mocs’ campaign. The campaign is helping a resurgence of pride in North American Tribes. In support of this campaign, even ‘Baby Riley’, Roots of Empathy baby in the FDK class wore her mocassins during her monthly visit to the classroom.
Thanksgiving Feast at St. Francis
St. Francis Catholic Elementary School Life Skills and Communication classes celebrated Thanksgiving with a feast at the school. The students were given the opportunity to participate in preparing the delicious meal — turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and corn. The students decorated the room with beautiful artwork posters of what they are thankful for during this blessed occasion. Life Skills student, Shane Dempsey, stated that ‘I am thankful for my teacher and her sister to help make the delicious turkey’.