St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently recognized for its participation in “Our Dreams Matter Too” – a walk for culturally based equity for First Nation children. The walk is organized to say now is the time for First Nation and non- Aboriginal children to work together to ensure all children in Canada receive equitable, culturally based services that help them succeed and feel proud of who they are. The project began as a result of the school’s vice principal, Dan Stargratt introducing the Grade 7/8 FI class to “Shannen’s Dream” which is a student and youth focused campaign designed to raise awareness about inequitable funding for First Nations children, and encourages supporters to write letters to their Member of Parliament, to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and to the Prime Minister of Canada. The students then brainstormed and came up with the idea of getting involved with the “Our Dreams Matter Too” initiative by having all Grade 4- 8 students at St. James write letters to the Prime Minister to look at federal school funding. This past June, the St. James students presented their letters to Member of Parliament Glenn Thibeault to bring to Ottawa. This past October, the students were sent a certificate of appreciation from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for their participation in the initiative. The students are Chris White, Katrina Cayen and Enara Iturregui.
Go St. James Go! Run Scott Run!
Pumped up by the cheers of his friends and teachers, St. James Bear Scott Chandler gives it his all at the finish line of the 4th Annual Laurentian University Cross-Country Challenge. Held on a beautiful sunny day in September, St. James was thrilled to send more than 95 students from Grades 3 – 8 to this exciting event. The enthusiasm of students to participate in the Junior 1.8 km race and the Senior 3.1 km race inspired St. James Staff to continue their promotion of life-long fitness and healthy living.
St. James Bears Give Their School A Hug
On Wednesday, October 10, students at St. James Catholic School joined thousands worldwide as they gave their school a hug.
“Give Your School a Hug™ day provides an opportunity for students all over the world to identify how to make their school better and invite members of the school community to join them to create a caring, safe and accepting school.” (Idea created by Heartspeak)
Superintendent Rossella Bagnato joined staff, students and parents as they gathered to literally give their school a hug.
St. James Bears Who Care!
Dressed in their best jammies, brothers Jackson and Carter Drigo proudly show off their coin donation in a specially decorated can. St. James held a PJ Day and coin drive on Friday, October 5th. Students brought in loose change in support of a local family whose young son has been diagnosed with cancer. Heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, students were reminded that even though the young boy attends a different school, we are all part of a larger community and we are thankful for the chance to show our support . The single day event raised more than $1700 for the family of 5 yr-old Carson Widdifield.
Costco Donates Backpacks to Students at St. James School
St. James students Paige, Torance and Ava celebrated their first day of school with new backpacks. These backpacks were graciously donated by Costco Wholesale, Sudbury.
St. James Has Green Thumbs
Miss Cuda (grade 8 teacher) along with the Grade 7 and 8 students as St. James Catholic planted a native species garden at the front of the school. Financial support was received for this action project through the EcoLeague™ Program at Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF).
Commitment to Stewardship at St. James
During Catholic Education week the Grade 8 students at St. James Catholic school painted birdhouses as a demonstration of the Virtue of Stewardship. The students learned the importance of placing birdhouses around their home because they provide nesting sites for birds. Providing nesting sites helps preserve bird populations. Stewardship is the responsible management of God’s Earth and the simple act of hanging a birdhouse is living out this commitment.
Celebrating Safe Schools at St. James
Earlier this year, the St. James Safe Schools student council, named C3 (Catholic, Community and Culture) was awarded a Government of Ontario “Speak Up Grant” for their inclusive education campaign. In organizing activities, the C3 aims promote a positive school culture of mutual acceptance and inclusion.
A recent C3 campaign was an in-school Safe Schools Button Contest. All students were given the opportunity to design a button that reflects the safe, caring, inclusive environment at St. James Catholic School. Several members of the school community judged the button submissions and three student designs were published as button badges for every student in the school.
The three winners are Lidia Campagnaro (grade 4), Joshua Laronde (grade 4) and Christopher De Poli (SK).
Lidia Campagnaro’s explains that in her design “everyone is holding hands to show that at St. James we’re like a family and we treat each other respectfully”.
Joshua Laronde’s button is “meant to show that St. James school is welcoming to everyone”.
SK student Christopher De Poli’s button depicts a bear, the St. James mascot “because we are all St. James Bears”.
St. James Students Look Through Gods Eye
Using an ancient tradition originating from Mexico, the Grade 5/6 French Immersion class at St. James Catholic School wove yarn around two sticks glued in the shape of a cross to create a “Sikuli”–“God’s Eye”. This tradition of the Huicholl Indians of Mexico is based on the belief that the person that “God’s Eye” was created for, will be more knowledgeable to the ways of Jesus and wiser. According to the belief, the father creates a Sikuli (God’s Eye) for their newborn and continues to add a length of yarn to the Sikuli on the child’s birthday until the child is 5 years old.
St. James SK-FI Students Celebrate Their Love of Music
Students in the SK French Immersion program at St. James Catholic School celebrated their love of music with a Spring Sing-Along. As part of the school’s Catholic Education week, the children performed a number of French songs for their parents and grandparents. Afterwards, they had the chance to share in some refreshments with their families.