Catholic Education and Mental Health Week 2023
#SNCDSB is celebrating both Mental Health Week and Catholic Education Week from May 1 to 7, 2023, by prioritizing our mental and emotional well-being. We recognize the importance of caring for our mental health while nurturing our spiritual growth.
Follow us on social media for special events happening throughout this important week!
#MentalHealthWeek #CatholicEducationWeek
Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in all eight schools embarked on a personalized literacy journey using the Greenfield Learning Lexia platforms. This includes the Lexia Core5 Reading program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 and the Lexia PowerUP program for Grades 6-8.
The Lexia Core5 Reading program offers students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 individualized literacy instruction based on diagnostic data. Its blended learning design balances students' individual work with direct, explicit instruction activities and/or skill-builder activities during the Literacy block. Teachers have been using Lexia to complement classroom literacy instruction and provide differentiation through a menu of activities and learning opportunities. Lexia Core5 is designed with a range of learners in mind, building their phonemic awareness and phonics so they can move from "learning to read to reading to learn”. Teachers are using Lexia Core5 Reading during literacy centers or as independent assignments to be done at school or at home. The program gives teachers a diagnostic profile for each student so they can monitor ongoing skills development, including word recognition, vocabulary knowledge, syntactic knowledge and reading comprehension.
Lexia PowerUp Literacy is designed to accelerate literacy gains for our readers in grades 6–8. PowerUp blends online student-driven instruction with teacher-delivered lessons and activities while simultaneously addressing gaps in fundamental literacy skills while building higher-order thinking skills. PowerUp addresses the instructional needs of a wide range of students as it is personalized to the needs of individual students. Each student begins their journey in PowerUp based on their individual strengths and needs, and adaptive instruction differentiates learning as students progress through each of the three strands of PowerUp: Word Study, Grammar, and Comprehension. Embedded progress monitoring, actionable data, and scripted lessons have empowered teachers to deliver the exact instruction each student needs.
We are so incredibly thankful that this intentional learning resource is being used across the system as educators intentionally plan their Literacy blocks to meet the individual needs of each of their students.
The Superior North Catholic District School Board is thrilled to recognize and celebrate that three of our students have completed the entire Lexia: Power Up Program. Benjamin, Sawyer and Abigail have successfully achieved all foundational skills that are taught in elementary schools, as well as more advanced grade-level comprehension and analytical skills.
Congratulations, Benjamin, Sawyer and Abigail, on completing Lexia PowerUP.
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Mr. Stephens and Mrs. Baker, Superior North Catholic District School Board(SNCDSB) Math Leads, regularly visit SNCDSB schools to support teachers and students in their math learning. This year SNCDSB has rolled out a new math program that aligns with the 2020 Ontario Math curriculum. MathUp supports all educators from Kindergarten to Grade 8, and beyond.
Mr. Stephens worked alongside the Kindergarten team (Mrs. Sarah Traintinger and Mrs. Stacy McGuire) at St. Edwards Catholic School in modelling an inquiry-based math lesson from MathUP. The class was trying to figure out how to orally measure and estimate the passing of time in seconds. They investigated that most 3-syllable words when counting match up to the passing of one second. They tried counting outloud ‘one-briella, two-briella, three-briella’ and ‘one-mercedes, two-Mercedes, three-mercedes.’ They explored other ways to count and then embraced our learning in a friendly competition to measure how long it takes to get dressed for recess by gearing up with our winter wear. This MathUP inquiry lesson is one of many within the program. Kindergarten learning is often spontaneous and centered around student interests. The MathUP program was created with this type of teaching in mind and offers many sample inquires like the one explored during this lesson but it also offers possible jumping-off points to spark curiosity for future lessons.
Mr. Stephens asked Mrs. Traintinger and Mrs. McGuire what they thought about the newly purchased MathUP program: “Math Up is a great program because all of the resources, i.e. - games, number talks, inquiries, and lessons are all in one place, and we can easily access it as our student interests change. Our students love it, and we had such a fun time with Mr. Stephens learning about measurement.”
Congratulations to all the winners of our "School is Cool" Attendance Poster Contest! We are proud to announce the following students as the winners:
- Leigha, Grade 4 - Holy Angels Catholic School
- Erin, Grade 7 Holy Saviour Catholic School
- Mohamed, Grade 6 Our Lady of Fatima
- Ashley, Grade 6 Our Lady of Lourdes
- Coby, Teagan, Leah, St. Edward Catholic School After School Program
- Ryder, Grade 7 St. Hilary Catholic School
- Quinn, Grade 5 St. Joseph Catholic School
- Gwyneth, Grade 3 St. Martin Catholic School
The students' hard work and creativity in designing these posters have truly impressed us. We are confident that the posters will inspire fellow students to attend school regularly and achieve academic success.
Mental Health Week is May 1-7, 2023. SNCDSB is ready to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week and work together to continue to break down the barriers and stigma attached to mental health and shed light on why universal mental health care is needed now.
Stories let us share information in a way that creates empathy which in turn promotes a feeling of emotional connection between individuals, groups, families and communities.
During #CMHAMentalHealthWeek, we can harness the power of storytelling to help build connections and understanding between each other while strengthening our communities.
Use #MyStory to join the conversation.
Mental Health and Well-being Resources for Students, Staff, Caregivers, and Families:
Kindergarten Registration is now open! Parents and guardians are invited to contact the principal in their Superior North Catholic District School Board community school to learn more about our schools and programs and schedule a visit!
After you complete the online registration, the Principal in your community will contact you with more details!
This week, Skills Ontario joined Holy Saviour School's Grade 4 and 7 & 8 classes virtually to present information on technology and trades. After learning about different career paths linked to trades and what different trades are, students participated in some hands-on learning with Skills Ontario.
The Grade 4's constructed airplanes using simple materials such as straws, elastics and golf tees. Students explored how to modify their designs to achieve optimal flight time!
The Grade 7 & 8 students experimented with Wiggle Botts, exploring robotics and techniques to create different movements with their Bott. What a great learning opportunity! Thank you, Skills Ontario!
Experiential learning at Superior North Catholic District School Board is inquiry-based student-led investigations through science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Experiential learning that engages community partnerships and makes explicit connections between curricular areas, careers, trades, technology and land-based activities.
The Grade 7/8 students from St. Edward Catholic School and St. Hilary Catholic School travelled to Thunder Bay on Monday, March 27, to visit Confederation College. Students participated in two hands-on workshops and enjoyed a complimentary lunch in the cafeteria. The two workshops engaged students in hands-on activities related to civil engineering and film production. It was a wonderful experience for students to meet instructors and tour the campus. Students had the opportunity to visit the student lounge and get to know the campus.
For students living further away from Confederation College, two online workshops were provided by Confederation College. Grade ⅞ classrooms were invited to learn virtually from Confederation College about the programs offered, life on campus and the four pathways available to students.
Confederation College joined the Grade 7 & 8 class at Holy Saviour Catholic School virtually to share information about different career opportunities! This is an exciting time for students as they begin to plan for their future.
Catholic Parent Involvement Committee
The purpose of the Catholic Parent Involvement Committee is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the Board level to improve student achievement and well-being. Ontario Regulation 612/00 requires all Ontario school boards to establish a Parent Involvement Committee and outlines its composition, function and mandate.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Each Board in the Province of Ontario is required to establish a Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) as defined in Ontario Regulation 464/97 made under the Education Act, Special Education Advisory Committees. SEACs help school boards understand the special needs of exceptional children as well as formulate and implement favourable policies, programs, and services.
Indigenous Education Advisory Committee
Your voice can help shape the delivery of Indigenous educational programs and services. In 2014, through the Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Education indicated that all school boards would establish formalized processes, such as establishing IEACs to support local implementation of the framework. IEACs provide guidance to school boards and schools in building stronger relationships with their communities, sharing information, identifying promising practices, and enhancing collaborative work to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student achievement and well-being.
Audit Committee
The primary role of the Audit Committee is to provide assurance to the Board of Trustees that the school board has the appropriate culture, personnel, policies, systems and controls in place to safeguard the school board's assets and to accurately report financial information to internal and external users.
The St Hilary Storm held a day of exciting and engaging traditional winter activities for Indigenous cultures across Canada, including the Inuit, Siksika and Anishinabeg.
Organized into multi-grade groups to promote leadership for intermediate students, all St. Hilary Catholic School students tested their strengths and skills as they participated in the one-foot high kick, the kneeling jump, and other Inuit games. They tried their hand-eye coordination as they hurled "spears" at target hoops and their endurance as they ran on snowshoes. They listened to traditional legends, constructed inuksuit, and enjoyed delicious bannock courtesy of Erin and Martina of the Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee. The Storm was honoured by the presence of the Nip-Rock High School Drum Group, which anchored the opening ceremonies of their Winter Games, shared their knowledge of the drum and even had students join in the drumming. Students and staff left school at the end of the day exhausted from the excitement, exertion and fresh air but still exhilarated by all of the learning, teamwork and fun.
The Gichigiiwedin Winter Games have been held by schools in the Superior North Catholic District School Board in some fashion for more than seven years. The original iteration saw students from St. Edward Catholic School, St. Joseph Catholic School, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School and St. Brigid Catholic School gather in Nakina for a day of friendly competition and teamwork as they participated in activities such as snowshoeing, sledding, hoop dancing, and traditional Inuit games meant to develop participants skill, strength, and endurance. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the games shifted to an online, asynchronous format, so the games at St. Hilary Catholic School marked the first time that the games were held as a whole-school, live and in-person event since 2019.
One student said afterward that "This was a super fun day. I had lots of fun learning. Hearing the sound of the drums was probably my favourite time of the day. I had such a wonderful day."
Miigwetch to all of the organizers, participants and special guests!
Thank you to the Red Rock Indian Band (RRIB) and the Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee, who offered an exciting educational opportunity to grade 5-8 students at St. Edward Catholic School in Nipigon. It was a fantastic opportunity to be part of this land-based learning where students learned how to snare a rabbit and were exposed to the Ojibwe vocabulary for each step.
The rabbit snaring activity was led by Lauren Michelle, RRIB Brighter Futures Coordinator and Ted Wawia, RRIB Well-Being Worker and the Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee.
The students were excited to participate in the project, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Students learned about the history of their local area and were taught the necessary skills to track and set snares and gained valuable practical skills and knowledge.
St. Joseph Catholic School was blessed to have Priscilla and Dallas Fisher come to the school to share the teachings of the Cedar Bath. Every class was welcomed by Dallas with a drink of cedar water, the option to smudge and the singing of the Bear Song. Then students learned how to bathe themselves by listening attentively to Elder Priscilla as she guided them through the steps of mindfully washing their hair, face, hands and arms using cedar water. Finally, each student emptied their bucket of cedar water and was given a pinch of tobacco to offer as a Miigwetch to Creator.
It was a beautiful experience that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you, once again, Mrs. Meshake for bringing Anishannabe culture into St. Joseph Catholic School.
Grades 6,7,8 classes from Holy Saviour Catholic School participated in a beading exercise led by sisters Jackey Michano and Brenda Rouselle. In preparation for this activity, students learned the importance of beading and its significance to the Anishinaabeg culture. Through this exercise, the students also learned about The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Meegwetch, Ms. Michano and Mme. Val for organizing this significant activity and learning experience. Thank you to Superior North Catholic District School Board for providing the funds to support this opportunity.
On April 21, 2023, all staff from the Superior North Catholic District School Board gathered together virtually for our annual Indigenous Education Day. Trustees, Senior Administration, Principals, System Support Team, Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, Educational Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Custodians, Cleaners and Catholic Education Centre Staff and guests united to participate in an incredible and powerful day of learning.
The day started with amazing drumming from students from St. Edward Catholic School in Nipigon. Miigwech to Judy Wawia, Marilyn Netemegesic, Mrs. Donna Borg and the St. Edward Catholic School drumming group for opening up the SNCDSB Indigenous PD day in a good way.
The Superior North Catholic District School Board (SNCDSB) Indigenous Education Advisory Committee and our Professional Development Sub-Committee members have really championed these days over the last several years, and this year - we were very fortunate to have Marlo Beaucage from Wabum Tribal Council work with our educators and all of our staff on how to support and plan for Indigenous education through land-based learning that engages the whole school and connects to the Ontario Curriculum. Marlo was amazing and very skilled at connecting Indigenous education with spirituality.
Paul Tsekouras, Superintendent of Education, said, “Celebrating our staff and planning incredible learning opportunities for all of our students this spring has definitely been a couple of highlights of my work recently, and I am excited to see how our schools can extend their learning from the Indigenous Education Professional Development Day, and engage our communities, our elders and local knowledge keepers, our partners, and each other in creating rich, land based-experiential learning opportunities for our students.”
During the day, the Board also recognized our amazing staff at our 27th annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony. It was heartwarming to recognize and celebrate our incredible, dedicated staff and our retirees for the impact and difference they have made to our schools and system.
The following staff were recognized and received their pin for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service with Superior North Catholic District School Board:
5 Years
- Barry Biggs
- Rima Mounayer
- Sarah Clowes
- Sarah Savage
- Samantha Gagnon
- Lindsay Costa
- Tim Griffin
10 Years
- Billy Luby
- Ashley Muir
15 Years
- Terri Harmer
- Hugh McCorry
- Rose Halonen
20 Years
- Maria Cashman
- Chantal Roy
- Betty Gillman
- Michelle Martin
25 Years
- Kerry Desjardins
30 Years
- Maria Sirard
- Lise Foucault-Clark
The Board acknowledged and celebrated the contributions of Retirees:
- Dyann Kreps
- Sue Borutski
- Dana Allen
- Joselyne Cloutier
- Elizabeth Lines
- Maria Sirard
Guardian Angel Award
The Superior North Catholic District School Board Guardian Angel Award honours a person who has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic Education through their dedication and devotion to the Superior North Catholic District School Board community. Each of our eight schools submitted a nomination this year, and each nomination received showed evidence of the nominee's contribution above and beyond their regular role. Such attributes included were:
- demonstrates a commitment to co-workers well being
- establishes a positive culture and tone in the school
- supportive of school activities and initiatives
- makes good things happen
- exemplifies the Catholic virtues (respect, empathy, justice, patience, responsibility, compassion, forgiveness, stewardship, tolerance, honesty)
Congratulations to our 2023 Guardian Angel Award Recipients:
- Brenda Figliomeni, Volunteer, Holy Angels Catholic School
- Holly Ellis, Teacher, Holy Saviour Catholic School
- Aloysius Coffey, Custodian, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
- Cindy Fairbrother, Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
- Donna Borg, Teacher, St. Edward Catholic School
- April Boress, Educational Assistant, St. Hilary Catholic School
- Sylvia Meshake, Teacher, St. Joseph Catholic School
- Mandy Salvador, Teacher, St. Martin Catholic School
Through the nominations received, it was evident that each of them has gone above and beyond to contribute to Catholic education enhancement.
During her Director’s address, Maria Vasanelli thanked all Superior North Catholic District School Board staff for their contributions and day-to-day efforts to ensure authentic Catholic education for all and make a difference in the lives of our students.
“Growing up, I always was actively involved in the community… In Manitouwadge, with it being such a small community and having so many things to do here, everything is just a step out your front door.”– Aaron Baker, Principal at Our Lady of Lourdes
The Superior North Catholic District School Board is proud to announce that Terri Harmer has been awarded Principal of the Year from the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO).
CPCO (Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario) is the professional association for Principals and Vice-Principals in Ontario's publicly-funded Catholic school system.
Terri began teaching at Holy Saviour Catholic School in Marathon in 2007, and when the school’s principal abruptly left in 2016, she stepped up to fill the role of principal when it desperately needed a leader.
Terri is an inspiration to students and staff as well as to her principal and vice principal colleagues. She connects with students and leads her staff through a healthy mix of humour and humility, cooperation and compassion. Maintaining adequate staffing for our schools has been an ongoing challenge since the advent of the pandemic, and Terri routinely steps in to fill the role of staff members for whom no replacement can be found. She has at times this year been an occasional teacher, a casual educational assistant, a custodian, a cleaner, a lunchroom supervisor and her own administrative assistant, sometimes filling multiple roles simultaneously. She has also been an integral part of the local CPCO negotiating committee as well as an integral part of the wider Catholic educational community.
Through her leadership, the school supports the local women’s shelter and retirement home, has championed outdoor learning space to the benefit of the entire town and has coordinated with parish clergy to ensure the ongoing provision of opportunities for faith formation and the celebration of Catholic culture. In between her tireless efforts at the school and throughout the community, Terri has earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership and Management from Royal Rhodes University to add to her academic accolades, including Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Lakehead University, OCT specializations in reading and religious education, and multiple additional qualifications in special education and mathematics.
All of this is done with a tireless and infectious joy; unwavering dedication to her school, students, staff, community and parish; and a clarity of purpose and devotion to her calling as a Catholic educational leader and servant of Christ.
Terri received her award at the CPCO awards gala in Toronto on April 14, 2023
Congratulations Terri!
The Ministry of Education has approved the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar.