St. Charles Catholic Elementary School is proud to celebrate the success of its Family Literacy Day Carousel, held last month in the school gymnasium. The event brought families together to enjoy interactive activities and foster a shared love of reading and storytelling.

Parents, guardians, and students engaged in a variety of literacy-themed stations, each designed to spark creativity and inspire a passion for reading:

• “Take a Crunch with Munsch”: Families shared apples while reading timeless Robert Munsch stories, making this station a crowd favorite.
• Chelmsford Library Read-Aloud: Attendees were captivated by engaging stories brought to life during a special read-aloud session.
• “Colour with Clifford”: Creativity was in full swing as students and families enjoyed colouring activities inspired by Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
• “Make Your Own Turtley (Franklin) Awesome Bookmark”: Families created personalized bookmarks, a keepsake to remind them of the importance of literacy.

“We are so pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm from both families and staff,” said principal Christine McCracken. “Family Literacy Day is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community and celebrate the joy of reading together.”

“I love Family Literacy Day because it’s so much fun! Reading with my family is special, and I like that we get to spend time together and enjoy silly books. We read Fancy Nancy, and I even made a bookmark! I can’t wait to bring it home and read more with my family.” – Nora Hotson, St. Charles Student

“Family literacy is very important in our home, so attending this event together was a wonderful experience. It was great for our kids to see us excited about reading and to share that excitement with their teachers and peers in a family-oriented environment. Our favourite part was reading stories along the caterpillar wall and enjoying apples.” – Elyssia Demeter, Parent Council Chair for St. Charles Elementary School.

St. Charles Elementary is committed to fostering literacy and lifelong learning, and events like this are an important part of that mission. The school extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants and partners, including Chelmsford Library, for helping make the event such a success.

Thank you to everyone who joined our schools in celebrating the power of stories and the joy of learning together!

In January, Mme. Lewis’ class had the pleasure of welcoming Greater Sudbury Police Constable Mathieu Lecavalier and Resource Officer Stephen Katulka for an important lesson about bullying. Students engaged in meaningful discussions about respect, kindness, and standing up against bullying. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and commitment to fostering safe and inclusive school environments! 

During their visit, Constable Lecavalier and Officer Katulka shared valuable insights on how to recognize, prevent, and address bullying, emphasizing the importance of empathy and community support. Their visit not only educated our students but also reinforced the strong relationship between our school and local law enforcement.

We look forward to future collaborations with the Greater Sudbury Police Service to continue promoting a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all students.

Photo: Constable Lecavalier and Officer Katulka engaging with students during the anti-bullying session.

Ready, Set, Shine!

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:

School	Programs	Address	Phone
St. Anne	English French Immersion	4500 St. Michel St. Hanmer, ON P3P 1M8	705.969.2101
St. Charles School	English French Immersion	26 Charlotte St. Chelmsford, ON P0M 1L0	705.855.4955
St. David School	English	549 Frood Road Sudbury, ON P3C 5A2	705.674.4096
St. Francis	English French Immersion	691 Lilac St. Sudbury, ON P3E 4E2	705.674.0701
Holy Cross	English French Immersion	2997 Algonquin Road Sudbury, ON P3E 4X5	705.586.3686
Holy Trinity	English French Immersion	1945 Hawthorne St. Sudbury, ON P3A 0C1	705.470.5123
Immaculate Conception	English French Immersion	1748 Pierre St. Val Caron, ON P3N 1C5	705.897.4483
St. James	English French Immersion	280 Anderson Dr. Lively, ON P3Y 1M8	705.692.3974
St. John	English French Immersion	181 William St. Garson, ON P3L 1T7	705.693.2213
St. Joseph	English	8 St. Paul St. Killarney, ON P0M 2A0	705.287.2712
St. Paul	English French Immersion	1 Edward Avenue North Coniston, ON P0M 1M0	705.694.4482
Pius XII	English	44 Third Avenue Sudbury, ON P3B 3P8	705.566.6080

Learn more about Kindergarten

For more information about the Kindergarten program at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please go to Kindergarten Program, or call your local school. 

Kindergarten Program

Pre-Register for 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.

Edsemblie – Online Registration Platform

Mme Winn’s Grade 2/3 class from St. Charles Elementary School embraced the spirit of giving this holiday season by spreading joy to the residents of St. Gabriel Villa. With generous support from their parents, these thoughtful students collected and purchased items to fill 17 stockings, each brimming with gifts to brighten the seniors’ day.

Some students had the special opportunity to hand-deliver the stockings, sharing warm wishes and holiday cheer. The heartfelt appreciation from the seniors was truly touching, with smiles and gratitude creating memorable moments for everyone involved.

This inspiring act of kindness showcases the power of community and the true meaning of the holiday season. Well done, Mme Winn’s class!

St. Charles Elementary School kicked off June with its 18th Annual Jonathan Hetu Walk, an annual event supporting the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC). This walk honours Jonathan Hetu, a former student who bravely fought cancer and passed away in September 2004.

Although current students and staff at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School may not have known Jonathan Hetu personally, his legacy lives on through this annual walk. This year, the school raised over $11,000, bringing the grand total to over $147,000 in eighteen years.

History of the Jonathan Hetu Walk

The first Jonathan Hetu Walk was organized in 2005 by one of Jonathan’s teachers, David Nicholls. The walk became an annual event, celebrating Johnathan’s bright spirit and fostering unity, strength, and collective action within the school and surrounding community. David Nicholls spearheaded the event for many years until his unexpected passing in 2019. Since then, school staff including Maria Peplinski, Brent Peplinski, and Ronald Belanger have continued organizing the fundraiser, honouring both Jonathan and David while supporting children and families in Northern Ontario.

“We are incredibly proud of our entire school community for continuing to support this walk that honours the legacy of kindness and compassion that Jonathan and David cultivated in the St. Charles community,” said Principal Christine McCracken. “Reflecting on what has been achieved by our community over the past 18 years is quite simply astounding. The achievement is a result of the collective effort of past and present students, staff, and families. We are so grateful that we have been able to help provide hope, support, education, and advocacy to families who have a child with cancer.”

In addition to the walk, the school honours Jonathan by presenting an annual award to students who exhibit a positive attitude, participate in sports, and have a love for learning. This year, Chloe Durepeau and Ty Thibault received the Jonathan Hetu Award.

Chloe Durepeau said “I’m so honoured that I was chosen for the Jonathan Hetu Award. I wish that I could have met Jonathan because he sounded like a great guy.” 

“I am grateful for being recognized as a student with a positive attitude. I truly enjoy coming to school and being with amazing teachers and all my friends. I am so proud to be a member of the St. Charles Ram family and to represent Jonathan Hetu. This wouldn’t be possible without the amazing School Staff,” stated Ty Thibeault.  

Jonathan and David’s memory continue to inspire the community at St. Charles Elementary School. The annual walk has become a important tradition, bringing the community together and supporting a cause that remains close to their hearts. 

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award. All three individuals embody the Board’s mission, vision and values. They are passionate about Catholic education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success. 

“It is with great honour that I extend my warmest congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Sudbury Catholic Chairperson’s Awards: Lynn Dubois, Toni Kritz Roque, and Maria Peplinski,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These three outstanding individuals embody the true essence of leaders in learning and faith, inspiring us with their passion and dedication. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board Community, we express our deepest gratitude for their unwavering commitment to Catholic education and their significant impact on our learning community.”

Lynn Dubois is an Educational Assistant at St. Albert Learning Centre. She is a compassionate, steady, and selfless individual that students and staff rely on. Known as the “Shop Boss,” Lynn supports students in the PEACE and under 18-year-old programs to develop practical skills that help them advance in their education and build confidence in themselves. She dedicates countless hours to the woodshop, helping students produce handmade creations that strengthen their expertise in areas of creativity, innovation, and experiential learning practices. Lynn’s commitment to teaching, accompanied by her strong work ethic, fosters community and makes a difference in the lives of those around her. The success of the PEACE Program is a testament to her hard work and innovative approach, with student attendance and achievement rates excelling under her support.

Toni Kritz Roque is a teacher at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Garson. Possessing a profound passion for learning and faith, Toni fosters a growth mindset among her students, encouraging them to tackle a challenge head-on and view failure as an opportunity for growth. Beyond the classroom, she is an involved and dedicated volunteer who regularly organizes extracurricular activities, coaches sports teams, and plans school-wide events. Through her collaboration, leadership, and compassion, Toni creates a nurturing learning environment where everyone feels supported. She regularly uses her creativity and baking talents to put a smile on staff and students’ faces, fostering a strong sense of community within the school. She recognizes that education is about more than just academics—it’s about the holistic development of each individual.

Maria Peplinski is a Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) at St. Charles Elementary School in Chelmsford. She is known as the school’s ray of sunshine who goes above and beyond to positively impact the people around her while ensuring each student realizes their full potential spiritually, academically, and emotionally. Maria’s positive approach to education, creative ideas, and strong commitment to fostering literacy development demonstrate her ability to enrich student engagement and learning in her community. At school, she is the frontrunner who leads her community in monthly virtues, maintains displays reflecting Catholic values, and promotes. In her interactions, Maria models Jesus and provides fair and compassionate support by never failing to encourage others. Maria’s initiative and ingenuity shine through her leadership of school-wide events, from “The Great Big Crunch” and month-long literacy challenges, enriching student engagement and improving literacy development. Her positivity, flexibility, and unwavering support make her a true leader to the students and staff at St. Charles.

Congratulations!

This year’s Chairperson’s Award recipients will be formally honoured during the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Employee Recognition Night, scheduled for June 12th, 2024. This event promises to be a momentous occasion as the Board comes together to celebrate excellence, leadership, and commitment.