School Councils
Success Stories
Making a Difference: School Council Success Stories
This section highlights some of the many accomplishments of School Councils across the Rainbow District School Board. Below, you will find a variety of inspiring stories about topics ranging from the launch of literacy programs to the re-greening of schoolyards. These success stories illustrate how School Councils are making a difference in Rainbow Schools. Want to share your School Council success stories? Simply send your information and photos to: info@rainbowschools.caA Community Playground is Born:
Copper Cliff Public School
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| From left, Norm Blaseg, Superintendent, School Council Chair Sue Verrilli, Mayor Dave Courtemanche and Judy Noble, Principal of Copper Cliff Public School, during the unveiling of the new playground. | Erica Conlin, Grade 4, Copper Cliff Public School. | Breanna Charlebois, Grade 1, Copper Cliff Public School. |
New playground equipment was unveiled at Copper Cliff Public School on September 9th, 2004 thanks to the leadership of the School Council and impressive community support.
Major sponsors, including Inco, the City of Greater Sudbury and Rainbow District School Board, participated in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion and launch the new school year.
The School Council raised $40,000 for the community playground over three years, through donations from local businesses, municipal groups and the friends and families of Copper Cliff Public School. The School Council also sold a school cookbook and hosted a spaghetti dinner and silent auction sponsored by the Italian Club.
“The children and families of Copper Cliff Public School and the community of Copper Cliff are very excited about the play structure,” said School Council Chair Sue Verrilli. “The playground continues to help enhance the growth and development of the children and will promote physical activity for many years to come.”
Dream Becomes a Reality:
Assiginack Public School
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| From left, SK student Skylar Trimmer, Grade 5 student Kristen McKenzie and School
Council members Tracy Cooper and
Lianne Hovingh during Assiginack Public School’s ribbon cutting ceremony to
officially unveil the new
activity/basketball court during the school’s Open House. |
Assiginack Public School’s vision to build an activity/basketball court dated back to the 1990s when Assiginack’s students held soup sale days to raise money for basketball standards.
With a lot of hard work, creative fundraising and tremendous support from the business community, Municipal Council, School Council, professional associations, staff and students, the dream has become a reality! A total of $8,400 was raised and about $3,800 was donated by the Assiginack Community Improvement Association, Southeast Lions, ETFO, Brown’s Busing, the OPP and Manitoulin Transport.
“Phase I of our playground improvement project is complete,” said Assiginack Public School Principal Wayne Murdock. “Phase II will include leveling our field, installing a soccer field with permanent posts and installing a track. Together, I know that one day soon we will all make this a reality as well.”
A Special Thanks:
Algonquin Road Public School
On November 12, 2004, members of the School Council along with students and staff of
Algonquin Road Public School
spearheaded a special ceremony to thank the community for its support – one year
after a fire occurred at the school.
School Council Chair Monika Berens commended the quick action of teachers, staff and Greater Sudbury Fire Services who ensured the safety of students first and foremost. “Our celebration helped students view the fire from a different perspective,” said Berens. “We wanted to show students how many people were and are involved in keeping them safe each and every day.”
Sparky the fire dog along with the Deputy Fire Chief, Chief Fire Prevention Officer and Public Safety Officer also took part in the community celebration.
From Barren to Beautiful:
Jessie Hamilton Public School
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| Turning the vision into reality: Front row, from left Landscape architect Liz Peekstock, former lead teacher Kathy Ranney, Mackenzie Brown, Vice-Principal Kristi Fransen, Brendan Ranney and Kyra Ranney. Back row, from left, School Council member Pam Brown, Rachael Hargan and School Council Chair Mary Lou Hargan. In the first phase of the project, 131 tree shrubs and perennials indigenous to the area were planted. The next phase will include more re-greening, seeding and planting. |
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| Landscape architect Liz Peekstock developed the plan to transform the grounds at
Jessie Hamilton Public School with
input from all stakeholders. |
School Council and former lead teacher Kathy Ranney were the driving force behind the project. Community improvement funds were provided through City of Greater Sudbury Ward 1 Councillors Terry Kett and Eldon Gainer.
Landscape artist Liz Peekstock gathered ideas from teachers, students and parents to prepare plans and drawings for the re-design. The school received donations of materials and labour from local businesses and parents.
With wonderful community support, Jessie Hamilton Public School has turned its once barren playground into a lush learning environment with outdoor classrooms and nature paths. The area provides a perfect place for teaching students about the importance of respecting the environment.
The greening project at Jessie Hamilton Public School has beautified the schoolyard and enhanced the community. In addition, students now have shaded areas where they can seek protection from the sun.
Books + Music + Fun = Reading Rocks:
Confederation Secondary School
With the help of students, teachers and the generosity of Desjardins Food Basics in
Valley East, the School Council at
Confederation Secondary School successfully launched “Reading Rocks”, an innovative
reading initiative.
Rainbow School participants included Grades 2 to 8 students at Redwood Acres Public School, Pinecrest Public School, Valley View Public School and C.R. Judd Public School.
“Each school developed individual plans to promote reading that involves students, parents/guardians and community members,” said Mike Mirka, Principal of Confederation Secondary School. He added: “School Councils have provided invaluable support for the program.”
Students who reached their monthly reading goals were invited to a rock concert featuring Confederation Secondary School’s popular Evolutionary Band. An astounding 1,000 readers attended the concert on April 13, 2006.
Heritage Heroes:
Northeastern Elementary School
When the Sudbury Regional HISTOR!CA Heritage Fair launched its Spring 2006 “Heritage
Heroes” fundraising campaign, a
generous Rainbow school was added to “The Honour Roll of Heritage Heroes”.
Members of the School Council along with the students, staff and faculty of Northeastern Elementary School donated funds to support the annual Fair.
“Thanks to the generosity of schools, School Councils and the community at large, the 10th Annual Sudbury Regional HISTOR!CA Heritage Fair was a huge success,” said Heritage Fair Chair Shirley O’Neil. “We are certainly proud to have Heritage Heroes right here in Rainbow Schools.”
Unveiling of New Playground Structure:
Long Lake Public School
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| From left, Trustee Doreen Dewar, Principal Dawn Chew, Councillor Doug Craig and School Council Chair Lori Bot celebrated the unveiling of a new playground structure at Long Lake Public School. The school raised an impressive $31,000 for new playground equipment. |
Long Lake Public School is the little school that can make big things happen!
The School Council spearheaded a fundraising drive with phenomenal results - $31,000 for a new playground structure through corporate donations, private donations and events at the school.
Major sponsors included the City of Greater Sudbury, TeraNorth, Toppazzini Construction, John R. Hamalainen Engineering Ltd., Pioneer Construction, Carriere Industrial Supply Ltd., Jim’s Automotive, Karson Cartage, KCK Construction, VCL Construction, and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
“The play structure is a welcome addition to this community school that has experienced significant re-greening in recent years,” said School Council Chair Lori Bot.
This School Council success story was marked by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 16, 2006.
Revitalized Outdoor Plans:
Markstay Public School
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| A new 10 x12 red shed stands on the grounds of Marskstay Public School thanks to generous corporate donations and impressive community support. |
Improvements to Markstay Public School’s outdoor facilities are underway thanks to the leadership of the School Council and generosity of the school and business communities.
The Playground/Refurbishment Committee, a sub-committee of the School Council, raised over $5,000 through corporate donations from Rainbow Concrete, True Steel Security and other small businesses. KaBoom, a not-for-profit American company in partnership with The Home Depot, provided the school with a considerable grant. Students of Markstay Public School also raised funds through the sale of raffle tickets.
“Phase I of our sports field improvement plan would not have been possible without the support of our parents and community members,” said Kathy Wachnuk, Principal of Markstay Public School. “In addition to helping with funding, they have also provided us with a number of in-kind donations, including the use of a backhoe and other building equipment.”
The School Council, along with a group of parents and community volunteers, constructed a 10 x 12 shed to store the new outdoor equipment that has been purchased with the funds.
Once complete, students of Markstay Public School and other members of the community will enjoy new outdoor facilities including, a volleyball court, a soccer field and brand new sporting equipment.
A Community Fundraiser:
Princess Anne Public School
Princess Anne Public School’s 2006 Spring Craft Show is a true community success story.
On Saturday, April 8, 2006, students, staff, parents and other school community members raised approximately $4,000 through this fundraising event in support of Princess Anne Public School’s School Council Playground Structure Committee.
Organized by parents, the Spring Craft Show attracted close to 40 vendors and featured a number of activities including an Easter egg hunt, a cotton candy stand, the sale of spirit wear and more.
Kindness Knows No Borders Nor Bounds:
Churchill Public School
The first week of March 2006 was “Charger Mexicano Carnaval” week at Churchill
Public School. The school hosted fun
events to raise money to purchase supplies for a school in Mexico.
“The motivation behind our Carnaval was to support our new friends at "The Little Yellow School House" on the Isla Mujeres,” said Principal Mary French.
During March Break, four Churchill staff members travelled to the Mayan Riviera. During their stay, they visited a school for students with special needs called Centro de Apoyo Psicopedagogico (which means 'Little Yellow School House').
“Churchill staff, students and our School Council decided it would be wonderful to assist this school in great need,” said Principal French. Over $1,000 was raised. She added: “I always knew we had very special school community here at Churchill Public School.”
In the Spirit of Winter Fun:
Wembley Public School
Students, alumni, staff, parents and the School Councils of Wembley
Public School and Princess Anne Public School joined together on Thursday, February
2, 2006 to take part in the first
ever, Wembley Winter Fun Festival.
Held at the Delki Dozzi Park and Field House, the event kicked-off at 5 pm when students and their families arrived with skates and crazy carpets in hand. After a fun-filled evening of skating and sliding, everyone was invited to warm up with a hot cup of cocoa, a crusty roll and all the chili and beans they could eat.
The Winter Fun Festival also featured a “Chili Cook-Off” where both Rainbow School Principals and School Council Chairs competed for the “Chili Cook-Off” and “Best Beans” trophies.
School Council Chair Julie Beare attributes this Wembley Public School success story to "incredible student, alumni and parent support!"
"We could not have done this without the assistance of our former Wembley students," said Beare. "During the event, we had six secondary student volunteers help out with a number of chores, including setting-up and cleaning-up, in addition to the all-important cook-off ballot counting."
She added: "We also couldn't have done this without the generosity and support of our parents. Thanks to them, we received over 20 pots of homemade chili and beans, more than enough to feed everyone!"
Embellishing our Schoolyard:
Central Manitoulin Public School
A total of 340 cedar trees now surround the schoolyard at Central Manitoulin Public
School thanks to the School
Council’s 2005-06 improvement plan.
On Sunday, April 23, 2006, staff and parents of Central Manitoulin Public School dug out approximately 200 small cedar trees, which were transported to the school and then replanted around the schoolyard the following Monday.
“The tree planting initiative was successful in many ways,” said Stan Drystek, Acting Principal of Central Manitoulin Public School. “It has embellished our schoolyard boundary and has given our School Council confidence in organizing meaningful improvement projects.”
Healthy Minds and Bodies:
Wanup Public School
At Wanup Public School, close to 125 students receive hot and cold breakfast daily
compliments of the school’s
Breakfast Club.
Run by the School Council, the Breakfast Club offers a variety of healthy, nutritious foods from the Canadian Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
Major government sponsors include Childhood/Enfance, Breakfast for Learning and Better Breakfast Better Future. The School Council also hosts an annual fundraiser to support the Breakfast Club.
Wanup Public School Principal Pierrette Zuk commended the School Council for managing the successful morning program. “By serving delicious breakfast five days a week, our dedicated School Council members, parent and community volunteers are preparing young minds and bodies for a great day of learning,” she said. “What better way to start the school day than with a healthy, nutritious breakfast.”