The Northeastern Catholic District School Board’s Timmins Transition Team is pleased to announce a contest for the naming of the new Kindergarten to Grade 4 school set to open in September 2017.    As part of the recent Pupil Accommodation Review process, the decision has been made to consolidate Sacred Heart School and St. Paul School into a new Catholic Elementary School.

The Catholic Elementary School Renaming Contest is open to all students, staff, our Catholic School partners (ie. Catholic School Councils and Parent Councils, Parishes, C.W.L., etc.), parents, family members and all members of the general public.   NCDSB wants this community wide contest to reflect the policies of the Board of Trustees that call for open public participation.

Tricia Weltz, Superintendent of Education and Transition Team Chair, commented “We are very excited to engage our students, their families, our staff, and all stakeholders in this opportunity.  We believe that the selection of a name for a school is a significant step in establishing community and a sense of belonging.  From the name, the culture of the school community will evolve.  We hope that the name of our new Kindergarten to Grade 4 school will develop a unique identity and spiritual bond for our students, their families, and our staff.”

The process for the naming of our new Kindergarten – Grade 4 school will be as follows:

STEP 1: (October 27 – November 7, 2016)

  • For two weeks, community members will have the opportunity to share their ideas for school names.
  • Names can be emailed, called-in, shared on the website, mailed in, or dropped off at schools.

STEP 2: (November 8, 2016)

  • The committee will short list the submissions up to 5 options.

STEP 3: (November 9 – November 18)

  • The options will be shared.  Open voting will take place.   (Different strategies will be put in place to encourage as much voting as possible).

STEP 4: (November 21, 2016)

  • Tabulation of voting results

STEP 5: (November 30, 2016)

  • The final 2 options will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the regularly scheduled board meeting.

STEP 6: (December 9, 2016)

  • The Director of Education will announce the name of the school at the Inaugural Board Meeting.

STEP 7: (December 12, 2016)

  • The names of all people who submitted the “winning” school name will be placed in a draw for a mini iPad.

The proposed name for a new school shall give consideration to the following criteria:

  • Schools shall be designated as either “Catholic Elementary or Catholic Secondary School” in their official school name unless otherwise approved by the Board.
  • The duplication of names within the Northeastern Catholic District School Board shall be avoided.
  • The name of the school shall be such that it does not encourage inappropriate abbreviation or nicknaming.
  • The final choice of a school name shall rest solely with the Board.

PRINCIPLES TO FOLLOW

The name…

  • will be of inspiration to the students, families, and staff of the school.
  • will reflect the traditions and gospel values of the Catholic Church.
  • may have a Canadian or local community association.
  • will reflect in a positive manner the Board and the Catholic Faith.
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