On October 23, 2020, all staff from the Superior North Catholic District School Board gathered together virtually for our annual Faith Development Day. It was an opportunity for our team to reflect on their faith and nurture hope to bring back to our classrooms to inspire our students. Young people are the hope for the future, and as teachers and leaders, it is our responsibility to support their dreams for a better world.
The day was co-facilitated by Paul Tsekouras, Superintendent of Education and Ben Jewiss, Principal of Remote Learning, as well as Catholicity and Special Projects Lead. Trustees, Senior Administration, Principals, System Support Team, Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, Educational Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Custodians, Cleaners and Catholic Education Centre Staff united together to participate in liturgical celebration and professional reflection. The day was an opportunity to identify supports we need to continue to support our Catholic Education program and system.
During her opening remarks, Director of Education, Maria Vasanelli, shared with staff that although we face many challenges there are signs of hope everywhere around us such as supporting each other during a crisis - like the one we are living through now - COVID, teachers welcoming our students back with open arms this past September, taking care of the elderly who once took care of us, working as a team to better achieve our goals as a school board, having our students participate in events that highlight injustices so they may be corrected, growing environmental consciousness and the awareness of climate science, maintaining civility and integrity in our relationships and much more. She 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!
"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope." - Thomas Merton OCSO
Participants took part in a virtual mass officiated by Father Terry Sawchuk. After the mass, Father Terry provided an inspiring message around hope.
The day also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss and share in like roles what they need to support Catholicity within and across schools. Input and feedback was collected to inform future planning and next steps.
The Board's 25th Annual Celebration of Excellence was held to honour employees for their dedication and years of service to the Superior North Catholic District School Board and to recognize significant contributions of Educators to our Catholic school community.
The following staff were recognized and received their pin for 5, 10, 15, 25 and 30 years of service with Superior North Catholic District School Board:
5 Years
- George Scott, Catholic Education Centre
- Deana Figliomeni, Catholic Education Centre
- Andrew Walsh, Holy Saviour School
- Kristina Jankowski, Holy Saviour School
- Nanette Rochon, Our Lady of Lourdes
- Carolyn Williams, St. Edward Catholic School
- Sarah Savage, Our Lady of Fatima
- Amanda Monks, Trustee
10 Years
- David Mauro, St. Martin Catholic School
- Dorothy Shawayahamish, St. Joseph Catholic School
15 Years
- Pamela Legree, St. Hilary Catholic School
25 Years
- Johanne Bergeron, St. Martin Catholic School
30 Years
- Christine Guignard, Holy Saviour
- Denise Paris-Brown, Holy Saviour
Years of Service Recipient Celebration Video
The Board acknowledged and celebrated the contributions of Retirees:
- Pina Luomala, St. Joseph Catholic School
- Stephanie Romiti, Catholic Education Centre
- Dauphine Campbell, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
- Leah Vanderwey, Catholic Education Centre
- Lynn Jankowski, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
- Christine Guignard, Holy Saviour School
Retiree Celebration Video
Good Shepherd Award
The Superior North Catholic District School Board Good Shepherd Award honours a person or group who models the qualities of a Good Shepherd and has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic Education through their dedication and devotion to our school communities. Any person within the Superior North Catholic District School Board community may nominate a person or group.
Good Shepherd Award Celebration Video
Congratulations to Marline Ilijow and Rita and Maurice Desroches- our 2020 Good Shepherd Award Recipients. Through the nominations received, it was evident that each of them has gone above and beyond to contribute to Catholic education enhancement!
Marline Ilijow, 2020 Recipient of the Good Shepherd Award
Rita and Maurice Desroches, 2020 Recipients of the Good Shepherd Award
According to Tsekouras, "the day was a Faith Day and Celebration of Excellence unlike any other that has been celebrated before in our system. It is a day that when we look back in the coming years, we'll remember that no matter how physically and socially distanced we were asked to be - that we came together, through technology, as one system, united in faith and hope".
The day was indeed a day of learning and strengthening our commitment to Catholic education.