The St. James Catholic School community gathered today in prayer and reflection to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season.
Led by Father John, students and staff came together in a meaningful liturgy, embracing this sacred time of renewal, reflection, and grace. Ash Wednesday serves as a call to deepen our faith, practice compassion, and prepare our hearts for the journey toward Easter.
“We are grateful to Father John for guiding us in prayer and helping us reflect on the significance of this holy season,” said Principal Jody O’Daiskey. “Lent is a time to grow spiritually and support one another in faith.”
As we embark on this Lenten journey, St. James Catholic School remains committed to fostering a spirit of kindness, generosity, and prayer within our school community.
Staff, students, and community members at St. James School gathered today to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a warm and welcoming pancake breakfast. The event was a wonderful opportunity for the school community to come together in faith and fellowship ahead of the Lenten season.
This special meal was made possible through the generosity of the Knights of Columbus and the dedication of St. James staff members, who arrived early to prepare and serve a delicious breakfast. Parent council members, student resource officers, Father John, and other church representatives also joined the celebration, adding to the spirit of community and connection.
A special thank you goes to Mme Ranich and the Student Council for their leadership in organizing, serving, and preparing this memorable event. Their hard work and enthusiasm ensured a successful morning filled with joy and gratitude.
St. James School extends its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to this meaningful tradition, reinforcing the values of service, togetherness, and faith.
On February 11th, Grade 1 students at St. James Catholic Elementary School had a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of emotions—both their own and those of animals—through an interactive visit from the Ontario SPCA.
Led by engaging discussions and educational videos, the session helped students recognize that, just like humans, animals express emotions in different ways. By observing how animals react to joy, fear, or stress—whether through wagging tails or seeking a quiet space—students drew meaningful connections to their own emotional experiences.
One student shared that learning about their dog’s feelings made them more attentive to its needs, while others reflected on how the videos helped them better understand their own emotions. The experience encouraged students to become more empathetic, not only toward animals but also toward their peers, fostering greater emotional awareness and understanding.
This visit was a valuable opportunity for students to develop mindfulness and compassion, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and respecting the emotions of all living beings.
It’s kindergarten Time! The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites families with children entering Kindergarten during the 2025/2026 school year to participate in the Kindergarten Registration Night on Thursday, January 23 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
This is a drop-in event, where you can explore everything you need to know about starting kindergarten for your child. Meet our friendly staff, learn about our programs, and see why the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is the perfect place for your little one to grow and thrive.
We can’t wait to welcome you and your future student!
Please Note: If parents are unable to make the Board registration night, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board welcomes families to contact their closest Catholic Elementary School to register and ask questions.
Kindergarten Registration Night
Both English and French Immersion Kindergarten programs are available at Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools for children turning four on or before December 31, 2025. Parents can register children at the following 12 schools:
For more information about the Kindergarten program at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please go to Kindergarten Program, or call your local school.
Register now for the 2024-25 School Year on our online registration platform. Please contact the appropriate elementary school for questions related to Kindergarten Registration Night and registering for Kindergarten.
St. James School extends heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated in this year’s Fill-a-Crib donation drive in support of the Pregnancy Care Centre and Infant Food Bank. Through the generous contributions of students, staff, and the community, the school was able to fill an entire SUV with essential donations, along with a monetary contribution of $341.90.
This initiative, which encourages the spirit of giving during the holiday season, is a testament to the incredible kindness and generosity of the St. James community. The donations will provide vital support to local families in need, ensuring that those facing challenging circumstances have access to essential baby supplies and food.
“Together, we’ve made a tangible difference in the lives of families in our community,” said Jody O’Daiskey, Principal of St. James School. “It’s truly inspiring to see the compassion of our students and staff. This drive reflects the true spirit of Christmas, and we are so proud of the efforts of everyone who contributed.”
St. James School would like to express their sincere thanks to all donors for their overwhelming support and commitment to making this year’s donation drive a success.
For more information about the Pregnancy Care Centre and Infant Food Bank, please visit https://pccifb.ca/.
The St. James School Art Club recently engaged in a spirited Halloween-themed art project, creating a series of intricately designed luminary jars. This hands-on activity allowed students to showcase their creativity while embracing the festive atmosphere of the season.
Under the guidance of Art Club Coordinator, students carefully crafted their luminaries, which featured a variety of designs ranging from traditional spooky faces to glowing pumpkins. The finished products are not only a testament to the students’ artistic abilities but also add a unique and festive touch to the school’s Halloween celebrations.
“We are incredibly proud of the students’ creativity and dedication to this project,” said Jody O’Daiskey, Principal at St. James School. “These luminary jars are a wonderful example of the talent within our school community, and they perfectly capture the spirit of Halloween.”
The luminaries will be featured in upcoming school events, adding a warm and inviting glow to the festive atmosphere at St. James School.
Excitement filled the halls of St. James as students and staff commemorated Franco-Ontarian culture on Sept. 25.
The school’s primary French Immersion students had an unforgettable experience, from mastering the art of baking ‘Pouding au chomeur’ to crafting a Franco-Ontarian flag adorned with their colorful handprints. The celebration continued with a lively dance party set to the rhythm of French music. Meanwhile, other classes proudly displayed their support for French culture and language by donning green and white attire and participating in a variety of engaging French-themed activities.
It was a day filled with appreciation and celebration of the Franco-Ontarian heritage.
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.
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!
Sudbury Catholic Schools are holding in-person Welcome to Kindergarten Nights. We’re thrilled to offer an in-person experience where you and your child can explore our schools, meet our dedicated Kindergarten Team, and participate in fun classroom activities. This event is not only an opportunity for your child and family to become familiar with their new school, but also a chance for us to warmly welcome you and your family to our SCDSB family. No matter if you’ve already registered or not, we invite you to attend and look forward to seeing you soon!
Attend a Welcome to Kindergarten Night
Below is a list of all the dates and details available for upcoming Welcome to Kindergarten nights at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Please contact the appropriate school for more information and to register.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.
The week will be divided into five sub-themes:
When we see
When we listen
When we reflect
When we learn
When we act
OCSTA Resources
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.
You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:
Board-Wide Celebrations
Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.
Toonies for Tuition Day
On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.
Catholic Education Week Mass
A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.
May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.
Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions
Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.
