On April 21, 2023, all staff from the Superior North Catholic District School Board gathered together virtually for our annual Indigenous Education Day. Trustees, Senior Administration, Principals, System Support Team, Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, Educational Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Custodians, Cleaners, Catholic Education Centre Staff and guests united together to participate in an incredible and powerful day of learning.
The day started with amazing drumming from students from St. Edward Catholic School in Nipigon. Miigwech to Judy Wawia, Marilyn Netemegesic, Mrs. Donna Borg and the St. Edward Catholic School drumming group for opening up the SNCDSB Indigenous PD day in a good way. The Superior North Catholic District School Board (SNCDSB) Indigenous Education Advisory Committee and our Professional Development Sub-Committee members have really championed these days over the last several years, and this year - we were very fortunate to have Marlo Beaucage from Wabum Tribal Council work with our educators and all of our staff on how to support and plan for Indigenous education through land-based learning that engages the whole school and connects to the Ontario Curriculum. Marlo was amazing and very skilled at connecting Indigenous education with spirituality.
Paul Tsekouras, Superintendent of Education, said, “Celebrating our staff and planning incredible learning opportunities for all of our students this spring has definitely been a couple of highlights of my work recently, and I am excited to see how our schools can extend their learning from the Indigenous Education Professional Development Day, and engage our communities, our elders and local knowledge keepers, our partners, and each other in creating rich, land based-experiential learning opportunities for our students.”
During the day, the Board also recognized our amazing staff at our 27th annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony. It was heartwarming to recognize and celebrate our incredible, dedicated staff and our retirees for the impact and difference they have made to our schools and system.
The following staff were recognized and received their pin for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service with Superior North Catholic District School Board:
5 Years
- Barry Biggs
- Rima Mounayer
- Sarah Clowes
- Sarah Savage
- Samantha Gagnon
- Lindsay Costa
- Tim Griffin
10 Years
15 Years
- Terri Harmer
- Hugh Mccorry
- Rose Halonen
20 Years
- Maria Cashman
- Chantal Roy
- Betty Gillman
- Michelle Martin
25 Years
30 Years
The Board acknowledged and celebrated the contributions of Retirees:
- Dyann Kreps
- Sue Borutski
- Dana Allen
- Joselyne Cloutier
- Elizabeth Lines
- Maria Sirard
Guardian Angel Award
The Superior North Catholic District School Board Guardian Angel Award honours a person who has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic Education through their dedication and devotion to the Superior North Catholic District School Board community. Each of our eight schools submitted a nomination this year, and each nomination received showed evidence of the nominee's contribution above and beyond their regular role. Such attributes included were:
- demonstrates a commitment to co-workers well being
- establishes a positive culture and tone in the school
- supportive of school activities and initiatives
- makes good things happen
- exemplifies the Catholic virtues (respect, empathy, justice, patience, responsibility, compassion, forgiveness, stewardship, tolerance, honesty)
Congratulations to our 2023 Guardian Angel Award Recipients:
- Brenda Figliomeni, Volunteer, Holy Angels Catholic School
- Holly Ellis, Teacher, Holy Saviour Catholic School
- Aloysius Coffeey, Custodian, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
- Cindy Fairbrother, Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
- Donna Borg, Teacher, St. Edward Catholic School
- April Boress, Educational Assistant, St. Hilary Catholic School
- Sylvia Meshake, Teacher, St. Joseph Catholic School
- Mandy Salvador, Teacher, St. Martin Catholic School
Through the nominations received, it was evident that each of them has gone above and beyond to contribute to Catholic education enhancement.
During her Director’s address, Maria Vasanelli 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.