This year was the 11th Annual Roots of Empathy Baby Celebration at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. The Roots of Empathy (ROE) program was implemented in a number of our schools across Simcoe County and Muskoka this year, and is designed to raise social/emotional competence and increase empathy in students from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Mackenzie Oliver, student at St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School, has been chosen to receive the Diana Award. Named after Princess Diana, the award recognizes outstanding young individuals who promote positive social action through their communities.

Our Lady of Grace and Holy Cross celebrated National Aboriginal Day with whole school events as students rotated to a number of stations to learn about and engage in First Nation, Métis and Inuit culture, games and skills.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) and Nipissing University have reached an agreement, which enables Nipissing students to use available classroom and gymnasium space at St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School in Bracebridge.

Two Grade 10 students from St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School in Bracebridge entered the Muskoka Novel Marathon together. Mackenzie Kuhn and Madelaine Vanderberg have been writing together for five years, collaborating on school projects and learning each other’s styles.

This year marked the 20th Anniversary of National Aboriginal Day - and an additional opportunity to promote a deeper understanding about the rich culture, history and many contributions of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people to Canadian society.

Grade 9 students at Jean Vanier Catholic High School in Collingwood are taking hands-on learning to a whole new level. They are using 3-D printers and software to create prosthetic hands for individuals on the other side of the world.

Four Simcoe County high schools took part in the Festival of High School Musicals and Drama Competition put on by the Barrie Music Association, and St. Theresa's Catholic High School in Midland took home the ultimate prize.

What better way to celebrate National Aboriginal Day, than recognizing one of our nation's heros. On Tuesday, June 21, Grade 4-8 students and staff from St. Peter the Apostle CS in Parry Sound, joined their community to celebrate the unveiling of of a life-size monument of war veteran, Francis Pegahmagabow.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) Young Author Awards is always a tough competition. Thousands of students from across the province participate in the program.

On Friday, June 10, the Town of Penetanguishene hosted the Champlain Legacy of Friendship. The event included educational activities, music and demonstrations to commemorate Champlain’s legacy.

Earlier this month, St. Antoine Daniel Catholic School in Victoria Harbour, was approached by Tay Township Councillor, Catherine Root, to help promote Tay Bike Day, held on June 18. Soon after, principal George Luck, was contacted by Canadian Tire JumpStart - a charity that helps children with financial barriers participate in sports and physical activity.

The Olympic dreams of St. Thomas of Aquinas Catholic Secondary School student Deanne Rose have come true!

Attention future computer programmers! St. Mary’s Catholic School in Collingwood is offering a FREE 5-day Power of Coding summer camp for SMCDSB students entering Grades 7, 8 and 9.

The School Within a College (SWAC) program is one of the many amazing opportunities that our high school students have. The program allows students, aged 17-21, to graduate from high school, when other circumstances or obstacles may have dictated otherwise.

For the past five months, the St. Joseph’s Catholic High School rowing team has been training endlessly in preparation for their season. Back in January, the athletes were running 5K and circuit training, before finally being able to get themselves onto Kempenfelt Bay after the ice had melted. Five days a week, the students were out practising bright and early, and were lucky enough to witness the sunrise each morning.

What is “salad dressing day” you might wonder? It is a spirit day where students can dress up as their favourite salad dressing of course!

The grade 9 and 10 students in Mr. Forester’s history class are taking on a very special project - keeping the stories and memories of Muskoka veterans alive.

After an amazingly successful winter season, the Catholic School Athletics of Simcoe County (CSASC) continued their winning season this past spring. In both individual and team events, students demonstrated hard work, determination and great sportsmanship.

This year at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Collingwood, Mrs. Anstey’s class took on the task of organizing and promoting the event at the school, and what a job they did! On May 20th, the students at SMC got outside and jumped their way to an amazing feat.

From robotics to cupcakes and everything in between, approximately 1,800 Grade 7 and 8 students from around Simcoe County were introduced to more than 30 skilled trades Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the Elmvale Community Centre.

The winners have been chosen and our own Leah, from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Collingwood, placed second in the world!

Grade 7 students from Notre Dame Catholic School in Orillia have been “hanging out” online with their Grade 6 pals at St. Angela Merici in Bradford.