Why we're proud of Mr. Rocchetta's summer students

NEWS RELEASE

HURON-SUPERIOR
CATHOLIC DISTRICT
SCHOOL BOARD

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Mayor Amaroso thanks HSCDSB students

SAULT STE. MARIE - Honouring their city that's known to be “Naturally Gifted,” Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) summer school students from Mario Rocchetta's social science classes have decided to gift back to the local community.

For the month of July, Rocchetta challenged his Grade 9 and 10 students to partake in a makeshift Celebrity Apprentice project that saw the youngsters competing in teams to raise awareness and funds for the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie.

The teacher intended for his students to have a hands-on learning experience while making a difference in the community.

“I created this project last year to further help students to experience the curriculum in a more meaningful way,” said Rocchetta. “The focus is on teamwork but more importantly on reaching out to help others, as this is what we are called to do in Catholic Education.”

Students from Rocchetta's Learning Strategies and Civics/Career Studies courses were very particular about choosing to work on behalf of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie. After learning from Principal Wayne Greco about Rotary's mission of service above self, the students were inspired in their quest to affect change within their local community.

“I am very proud of Mr. Rocchetta's students as they have worked toward the Catholic School Graduate Expectations,” remarked Greco. “They continue to develop their God-given potential and make a meaningful contribution to society. The students have reached out in a way that demonstrates compassionate leadership and partnership with all members of our community.”

Upon hearing about the work being done at St. Basil Secondary, the site of this year's summer school program, Mayor Debbie Amaroso surprised the HSCDSB students on Wednesday with a special visit to their classroom.

She commended the teenagers for their service to the Sault and encouraged them to continue to blaze a trail of leadership for young people in the community.

Councillor Frank Fata, who also visited the class as a representative of the city, echoed similar sentiments.

“It is amazing to see what these students have accomplished to contribute positively to charity in this community,” said Mayor Amaroso. “It instills in them some sense of community that they may not have had the opportunity to prior to this. It's just phenomenal to watch this happen.”

To raise awareness about the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, students created educational posters and displayed them throughout the school.

Funds were raised in a variety of ways, from donations made by students and teachers across all of the classrooms, to support from the community and local restaurant Aurora's Westside.

“We're extremely thrilled that our donation will help others in Sault Ste. Marie,” gushed Rocchetta. “It's very special that we've discussed City Council throughout our Civics course and are now being visited by Mayor Amaroso and Councillor Fata. It's an awesome moment for our young leaders.”

On Wednesday, the classes made a cheque presentation to the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie in the amount of $1,288.08.

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