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January
27, 2010
St. Charles Reads
(and Sings) for Family Literacy Day
"Sing for
Literacy" was the theme of the 2010 "St. Charles
Reads" Family Literacy Day celebration. This
amazing event was held at the St. Charles Centre mountain location
(150 East 5th) on January 27, 2010.
The musical magic came
from Chad Pilon, a local musician and Educational Assistant with the
board. The crowd was impressed by his performance of the Miley
Cyrus hit, the Climb, a song which mirrored the challenges faced by
many the students.
"The simple
acknowledgement that you need help takes a lot of courage,"
Chad said.
In a speech to the
attendees, local MP David Christopherson added his words of
encouragement, as well.
"It's a tough road
to hoe when you you've dropped out of school", he added,
"It's much easier with a high school education."
"As long as you've
got a book, you've got a friend beside you," he added. "A
book allows you to go anywhere, anytime just by flicking a switch
– that switch is reading."
The importance of
literacy was also echoed in the statements of all the other invited
guests.
"Some of the most
special times with my own children have been the times we read
together," said Catholic School Board Chairman Pat Daly.
Director of Education
Patricia Amos added, "Reading not only helps parents bond with
their children, but it helps set the stage for them to become
lifelong learners."
Local author, Ardyth
Brott mentioned that her best childhood recollections were reading
Huckleberry Finn and other classics while camping.
"They are memories
not only of Mark Twain's marvellous stories, but memories of family
togetherness" she added, "'Once upon a time' are the four
most important words you can tell a child."
Brott ended the
afternoon with a presentation about the simple power of language and
a reading of her acclaimed children's book, Jeremy's Decision.
Brott said the best teaching is done through stories.
"Words are
power," she concluded. "You can make your life sing with
words."
Chad
Pilon is joined by LBS Supervisor Christine Hendrie (centre) and
LBS students Colleen Ferguson
(left) and Terry Passalacqua (right).
Local
Author Ardyth Brott reads from her aclaimed Children's book,
Jeremy's Decision.
Links
January
24, 2010
Life Changes for St. Charles
PSW
Grads
After graduating, the
St. Charles PSW students will soon be starting a new chapter in
their lives. After months of schooling and challenging work
placements, most of the grads have already been hired on to
full-time positions. They'll bring dedication, knowledge, and
caring to their new posts.
Before embarking on
their life-changing careers, a wonderful graduation ceremony was
held on
January 24, 2010. Tears, laughter, and music filled the St. Charles
East 5th gym. The grad were all beaming with pride as they received
their hard-won certificates and diplomas.
"This PSW
class showed great determination and a true commitment to
learning", said PSW Instructor
Joanne DeRubeis, "I wish them all continued success."
The
PSW graduating class. Click
picture to enlarge.
Links
December
15, 2009
Deputy Immigration
Minister Visits St. Charles
Deputy Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration, Chisanga Puta-Chekwe, spent psome time
on December 15th visiting ESL
classrooms at the St. Charles Adult Education Centres.
"I wanted to see an
ESL classroom in action," he told
the students. "Ontario has redesigned the ESL
program. I wanted to make sure that it's student-focused."
The Deputy Minister saw
St. Charles' student focus first hand when he stopped by Mona Baig's
ESL Level 4/5 classroom. Puta-Chekwe
engaged the students in a lively discussion regarding their
backgrounds and former professions.
Baig's class of 17 adult
learners included a doctor from Haiti, a dentist from Brazil, a
journalist/chef, a teacher/geophysicist from Iraq, a metallurgist
from Russia, a professional artist, an accountant from Bogota,
Columbia, and a firefighter – none of whom are currently working
in their chosen field.
"In my country, I
worked as an office secretary but here, I am at school to learn
English," said Salma Barry. The others were also full-time
students, with most planning to head to Mohawk College for further
certification following their stint at St. Charles.
When asked about his own
background, Puta-Chekwe responded, "I'm not as interesting as
you."
Wishing the students
success, he said, "It's up to each and every one of you to have
faith in yourselves."
"Most of our adult
learners come to us with degrees and credentials from their own
countries," said Nancy DiGregorio, Superintendent of Education
for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
"They are highly skilled and educated. Our task is to help them
overcome barriers such as language so that they can find work in
their field and begin to contribute to Ontario's economy."
"What you are doing
is changing people's lives," Puta-Chekwe told the St. Charles
staff at the end of his visit.
"They're changing
ours as well," replied Vice-Principal, Sandi Mlekuz.
Left
to right: Regional Advisor Elizabeth Duval; Superintendent of
Education Nancy DiGregorio; Student Jin Fang Xu; Principal of
Continuing Education Bob Goodwin; Deputy Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration Chisanga Puta-Chekwe; St. Charles Site Supervisor Neelam
Tandon; ESL Supervisor Susan Friscolanti; and Vice-Principal of
Continuing Education Sandi Mlekuz.
Deputy
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chisanga Puta-Chekwe visits
the ESL class of Mona Baig
Links
December 8, 2009
St.
Charles ESL Extravaganza Gets Front Page Treatment
On December 8, 2009, St.
Charles held its popular annual ESL Extravaganza at the East
5th (mountain) location. This incredible event
showcases the many amazing talents of ESL and LINC students from all
the St. Charles Centres.
Students, staff, media,
and dignitaries were treated to singing, dancing and fashions
from around the world. The packed house went wild for every
performer. Students from different ethnic backgrounds showed
solidarity with each other despite language, political, and
religious differences. Canada's wonderful multi-cultural splendour
was definitely on display.
Even the instructors got
into the act when they sang We Are the World to cap off this incredible
celebration.
Even the Hamilton
Spectator took notice. In their December 9th edition, they included a
story and a picture of the event on the front page.
There was also a beautiful picture on the third page and a photo
slideshow was placed online.
Links
December
2009
St.
Charles Barlake Help the Needy at Christmas
The St Charles Adult
Education Centre at 60 Barlake Avenue
is getting into the Christmas spirit in a big way. Two students in ESL
instructor Breanne Mamone's class approached her to participate in Operation
Christmas Child. Breanne mentioned it to the other
instructors and the idea grew to the point where a total of 88
gift-filled shoe size boxes were collected. These boxes will be sent
to orphanages around the world. With each gift filled box, an extra
$7.00 was needed to be added for postage.
Most of the adult
students at St Charles are new Canadians and are themselves
struggling to settle down in a new country, but that was not going
to stop them. The students came up with the idea of selling coffee
and baked goods on their breaks and they eventually collected
$700.00 dollars for the postage. The love and energy that went into
filling these boxes is heart warming.
Many thanks to the St.
Charles students and staff for making 88 children happy this
Christmas. Operation
Christmas Child is a hands-on charity that anyone can
participate in. Each gift-filled shoe box is used to bless the life
of a child living in a desperate situation. On Christmas Day each
box will be flown to third world countries and hand delivered to
needy children living in orphanages around the world.
Operation
Christmas Child began on October 10, 1990, when Dave and
Jill Cooke of Wrexham, Wales watched a television broadcast about
Romanian orphanages. The Cookes wanted to do something to help the
children living in the orphanages and realized what they could offer
was the gift of love. A convoy of nine trucks was filled with
medical supplies, food, clothing, and Christmas gifts. The trucks
were driven into Romania marking the small beginnings of what is now
the world's largest children's Christmas program.
Staff
and students of St. Charles Barlake with the boxes they'll be
sending. Click picture to enlarge
October 22, 2009
St. Charles Graduates
Explore Endless Possibilities
St. Charles Adult
Education held its 26th graduating class ceremony on Thursday,
October 22, 2009. This year's theme of "Endless
Possibilities" highlighted the 170 graduates' struggles and
achievements in a very heartfelt and moving ceremony.
Principal Bob Goodwin
publicly acknowledged the collective personal growth and
achievements of the graduates which was echoed by Trustee Lou Agro,
Superintendent Nancy DiGregorio and Vice-Principal Sandi Mlekuz.
Kurtis Hartog, this
year's valedictorian, spoke about overcoming adversity and keeping
focused on the endless possibilities that exist for all graduates.
He added that, while life is full of struggles, the focus needs to
be on moving forward and never giving up on oneself.
"Remember the hard
work it took to get here and all the times you fell, you got back up
and brushed yourself off", he said, "Things will always be
worse if you stop trying and give up."
Each year, St. Charles
continues its partnership with community sponsors and the students
who embark on their educational journey toward the attainment of
their Ontario Secondary School Graduation diplomas.
The revamped St Charles
Adult High School was launched at the mountain site this past
September, expanding on the tradition of offering a wide array of
secondary school credit courses in an adult friendly environment
which maximizes the skills and needs of today's adult student.
Valedictorian
Kurtis Hartog, speaks to the St. Charles graduates
Links
June
26, 2009
Summer Food and Fun
at St. Charles
The fact that many of
them had to return in the summer didn't stop the staff and students
from having fun. The transition from the fall session to the
summer session was met with celebration at every St. Charles school.
For example, our Barlake
Ave location had a wonderful BBQ party. They pulled out all
the stops: food, clowns, piñatas, and a whole lot more.
We hope everyone has a
wonderful summer!
St.
Charles students fire up the grill
Clowning
Around
The
staff show off their cool piñata
June
26, 2009
St. Charles LINC
Student Wins Poster Contest
Jin Fang Xu, a St.
Charles LINC student at our Main
Street West location, has won The 2009 TESL Ontario Poster
Contest.
Her beautiful design was
chosen on June 26th from 35 other entries throughout Ontario.
We are very proud of her.
Click
picture to view full size
Click
here to view the runners up.
Links
June
18, 2009
PSW Graduates Look
Forward
The St. Charles
PSW
Graduation on June 18, 2009 gave students a chance to look back and look forward.
This special night
included speeches, live music, laughter, tears, and much more.
Many spoke of the challenges faced with starting a new course and
the fun they had with their fellow students and the staff at St.
Charles.
"Today is our first
day of being the leaders, doers, and problem solvers for people who
cannot help themselves or just need a little help.", said
graduate Crystal Pilon during her speech, "Those who persevere,
who give it their all and approach each day with optimism will
ultimately meet success and happiness."
"With dedication,
we can do anything or make any dream come true," she added,
"But, as we grow older and encounter success, we must not
forget those who have had it rough, whose lives may have hit some
potholes on the way, and we must take care of those who need a
helping hand."
PSW
teacher, Joanne Derubeis echoed those sentiments in her speech
to her students.
"You are leaders
who can make a difference by providing excellent care that
ultimately enhances a person's quality of life-that is your
goal.", she said, " This will require
strength, faith, and courage to meet the demands of such a
challenging role. I have confidence that you will all succeed and
make our school St Charles proud."
Most of these graduates
have already been hired in new positions where they will use the
skills learned at St. Charles. We wish them well in their
future endeavours.
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| Tori
MacEachern speaks to her fellow PSW
grads |
Rena Turnbull and Crystal Pilon talk
about their experiences at St. Charles |
Links
June
17, 2009
St. Charles Students
Enjoy Niagara Falls
Approximately 100 lucky ESL/LINC
students from St. Charles Young Street
and their instructors visited Niagara Falls on June 17, 2009.
They had an opportunity
to experience one of the world's natural wonders and Canada's number
one tourist attraction.
Everyone had fun and got
to see an important part of the Canadian identity!
Our
students enjoy the beauty of the Falls
Instructors
Birol Sarigul (left) and John Rajic (right) feel the refreshing
Niagara mist
Links
Archive
of Older Stories
Upcoming
Events from the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
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