St. James Catholic Elementary School

St. James Students Build Bird Feeders to Welcome Spring 🔨 

With spring just around the corner, students at St. James School are getting ready to welcome local wildlife in a hands-on learning experience!

Today, students in Mme. Ranich’s class had the opportunity to build bird feeders with the guidance of Mr. Atkinson, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Experiential Learning Consultant. As part of this engaging activity, students researched the types of birds they hope to attract, deepening their understanding of local wildlife and ecosystems.

In the coming days, the students will personalize their bird feeders with creative designs before filling them with food—helping to support and observe local bird populations as the season changes.

This initiative is part of St. James School’s commitment to experiential learning, blending hands-on activities with research and creativity to foster curiosity and environmental awareness among students.

For more information about St. James School and its programs, visit https://st-james.sudburycatholicschools.ca/

St. James Families Gather for Classroom Read Alongs on Family Literacy Day 📖

St. James School proudly celebrated Family Literacy Day today with a special event that brought students and families together through the joy of reading. Parents in Mme Hagen’s class joined their children in the classroom to share stories and foster a love of literacy.

“We are grateful to the parents who took the time to participate in this meaningful experience,” said Jody O’Daiskey, Principal of St. James School. “Engaging families in literacy activities helps strengthen students’ reading skills and fosters a lifelong love of learning.”

Family Literacy Day, recognized nationwide, highlights the importance of reading and learning together as a family. At St. James School, initiatives like today’s event reinforce the school’s commitment to creating enriching opportunities that support student success.

St. James School extends its appreciation to all parents who attended, with a special acknowledgment for those who participated from Mme Hagen’s class. Their involvement made the day a memorable and impactful experience for students.

St. James School Students Shine at Walden Winter Carnival Boxcar Derby 🏁

Mme Widder’s Grade 3 students at St. James School showcased their creativity and enthusiasm at this year’s Walden Winter Carnival Boxcar Derby, where they raced their handmade boxcars in an exciting display of innovation and teamwork.

The students worked hard to design and build their boxcars, and their efforts paid off with incredible performances at the event. A special congratulations to Jessica, who placed third in Best Dressed, and Charles, who secured second place for Furthest Distance. Their achievements reflect the dedication and ingenuity of all participants.

St. James School extends its gratitude to the parents who supported this initiative, particularly those who helped transport the boxcars to the carnival. Their involvement was instrumental in making this hands-on learning experience a success.

The school community is incredibly proud of all the students for their enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and creativity. Events like these reinforce the importance of collaboration and experiential learning at St. James School.

St. James School Students Learn Cross-Country Skiing with Spirit North ⛷

This week, students at St. James School had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of cross-country skiing right in their own backyard. Thanks to the support of Finn from Spirit North, students gained valuable skills and insights into this winter sport, all while enjoying the great outdoors.

“We are so grateful to Finn from Spirit North for sharing his expertise with our students,” said Ms. Gorman, the organizer of the activity. “It was a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in physical activity and learn about cross-country skiing in such a hands-on and fun way.”

This exciting event underscores St. James School’s commitment to promoting physical fitness and outdoor activities, allowing students to experience new adventures while developing valuable skills.

The school would like to extend a special thank you to Finn from Spirit North and Ms. Gorman for making this activity possible.

St. James School Choir Delivers Stunning Performance at Sudbury Wolves Game 🎶

St. James Catholic School is proud to congratulate its talented choir for their exceptional performance of “O Canada” at the Sudbury Wolves game this past weekend. The choir’s rendition of the national anthem was met with enthusiastic applause, showcasing their hard work and dedication.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the school’s dedicated staff, Mme McIntyre, Mrs. Moores, and Mme Ranich, for their tireless efforts in preparing, coordinating, and organizing the students for this special opportunity. Their commitment ensured a smooth and memorable experience for all involved.

St. James Catholic School is proud to contribute to the vibrant culture of our community and continues to provide students with unique opportunities to showcase their talents.

About Sudbury Catholic Schools
Sudbury Catholic Schools serves a diverse community of students across the Sudbury region, offering quality education in a faith-centered environment. The Board is committed to fostering excellence in learning while nurturing students’ personal and spiritual growth.

St. James Students Shine at Anderson Tree Lighting Ceremony 🎄

On December 14, students from St. James Catholic School brought festive cheer to the community as they performed at the Anderson Tree Lighting Ceremony. The talented group of students filled the evening with holiday spirit through their heartfelt musical performance, adding a special touch to this annual celebration.

The St. James choir, under the guidance of their dedicated music teachers, captivated the crowd with a selection of holiday songs that highlighted the joy and warmth of the season. Their performance was a wonderful showcase of the talent and hard work that students at Sudbury Catholic Schools continually demonstrate.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding performance at the Anderson Tree Lighting,” said Jody O’Daiskey, Principal of St. James Catholic School. “It was a memorable evening for all involved, and our students were thrilled to contribute to such a beautiful community event.”

The Anderson Tree Lighting Ceremony, a beloved tradition in the city, brings people together to celebrate the start of the holiday season. St. James students were honoured to be part of this special occasion and to share their holiday spirit with the Sudbury community.

Sudbury Catholic Schools extends its gratitude to all those who attended the event and supported the students’ performance. This event is a shining example of the school board’s commitment to fostering student engagement and contributing to the local community.

St. James Students Explore Strong and Stable Structures with Let’s Talk Science 🚀

On December 3rd, students from Mme Ranich and Mrs. Slonina’s classes at St. James Catholic School took part in an exciting and educational hands-on activity as part of their science lessons. With the support of Let’s Talk Science, the students explored the concept of strong and stable structures.

The students were tasked with designing and building their own bridges using toothpicks and marshmallows. Once their structures were complete, they tested their bridges’ stability by hanging pennies in a cup, a fun challenge that helped them understand the importance of balance and strength in design.

The activity concluded with a round of applause for Group 4, who successfully supported an impressive 49 pennies on their bridge, demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork.

St. James Catholic School would like to thank Let’s Talk Science for this engaging and educational experience that helped students learn about the principles of engineering and structural integrity in a hands-on and fun way.

About St. James Catholic School
St. James Catholic School is committed to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment that helps students grow academically, socially, and spiritually. With a strong focus on innovation and hands-on learning, St. James inspires students to reach their full potential.

St. James School Student, George Catherwood, Makes Big Acting Strides 🎬

St. James Catholic School is excited to share that George Catherwood, a Grade 2 student, has already achieved incredible success in acting, just over a year after starting his journey.

George has been featured in a global Kleenex commercial and has appeared in several films as a background actor, including performing a stunt alongside Lena Headey from Game of Thrones.

Next, George will take on the role of lead actor in a major brand commercial, marking another milestone in his growing career.

Acting has become George’s true passion, and through his journey, he has learned the value of hard work and developed skills that will help him in the future.

The Bear Family at St. James is incredibly proud of George’s achievements and can’t wait to see what comes next for him!

Check out George in action here: Watch George’s performance

Keep up the great work, George! 🐻📽️

St. James School Students Celebrate Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week with Friendship Bracelet Activity 🌈

St. James School recently participated in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week with a meaningful and creative activity designed to promote kindness and friendship. Student council members led classes in a friendship bracelet-making initiative, where students crafted bracelets inscribed with words of kindness and love.

The bracelets, made with care, were either kept as a reminder of the importance of kindness or shared with friends to spread positive messages throughout the school community. This initiative highlights the school’s commitment to fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity.

“As we mark Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, we are reminded of the power of kindness in creating an environment where all students feel valued,” said Jody O’Daiskey, Principal of St. James School. “These small acts of kindness, like sharing a bracelet with a friend, contribute to a larger culture of respect that we strive to nurture every day.”

St. James School encourages students to continue spreading kindness and positivity beyond the classroom, embodying the spirit of unity and compassion that is at the heart of the Sudbury Catholic Schools community.

St. James Donates Cookies to the Sudbury Food Bank 🍪

Mme Gabriella and Mme Kayla’s students sweetened the holiday season by donating cookies to the Sudbury Food Bank. The cookies, which were creatively designed as melted snowmen charmed everyone who attended.

Thanks to the hard work and creativity of the students, the cookies raised a total of $110, which will go directly to helping families and individuals who are facing food insecurity. With the impressive buying power of $1 equaling $6, the funds raised will be able to provide much-needed support, potentially offering up to $660 worth of food to the local community.

Mme Gabriella, students and the Sudbury Food Bank would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Amanda Aitchison, whose generous donation helped families in need. Her contribution played a key role in amplifying the impact of this initiative, allowing the group to make an even greater difference.

The cookies were donated back to the school, where students had the chance to enjoy them while supporting a great cause.

E-mail Copied to Clipboard