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St. John Bosco Catholic School is climbing the ladder to becoming the best school in Durham Region.

It is a very friendly and welcoming environment for newcomers who visit our school and has many unique characteristics that make it special.

We are a gold-certified EcoSchool, our library is diverse and inviting and our technology program is expanding every day through our school and class Web pages.

Our school has been working tirelessly to maintain our reputation as a gold-certified EcoSchool. We have organized an Eco team, which has been working on four main areas. These areas include school ground greening, energy conservation, waste reduction and ecological literacy. We have received several awards from the Durham Catholic District School Board for our efforts. The Eco team is teaching students, as well as staff, to become more environmentally aware.

Our large and diverse library allows students to explore the world through the eyes of many. Books bring the world to life for all students, whether primary, junior or intermediate.

St. John Bosco is also the place to be when looking for technology. Teachers and students use a variety of technologies like smartboards, clickers and computers to interactively communicate ideas. Our intermediate division uses Apple computers to bring learning to life; using iLife, Comic Life and other programs to express ideas. Students are also exposed to e-learning with podcasts where they can review lessons using any media player.

Above all, St. John Bosco Catholic School is the place to be!

-- Rebecca Casalino, Jasmine Douglas and Brooklyn Chenery are students at St. John Bosco Catholic School in Oshawa who worked together to produce this column about their school.
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Technology is key at St. John Bosco


Nov 21, 2008 By: Melissa Mancini

OSHAWA -- At St. John Bosco, computers and curriculum go hand in hand.

“The big thing this year has been working on our technology programs and promoting technology as a tool for teaching and learning,” said Maria Vasanelli, former principal of the school.

The Catholic elementary school has 460 students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. The school is a “faith-filled community” with great literacy and sports programs and lots of professional development opportunities for students, Ms. Vasanelli said.

And lately the school has been a breeding ground for the tech-savvy.

In the past year students and staff have been benefiting from new technology that has been installed in Grade 3, 6 and 7 classrooms. Each of the classrooms in those grade levels have recently received a “smart board.” The boards add a visual and technological side to learning, Ms. Vasanelli said.

A smart board is a white board that has the capabilities of a computer screen. Any screen can be projected on the board. Teachers can use electronic markers to do work right into the large white screen. After the lesson is over work can be saved onto the computer hard drive. Teachers can access special lesson plans online.

It makes lessons more interactive and is really helpful for teaching children who are visual learners, Ms. Vasanelli said.

Students are “totally excited and engaged” and teachers are growing professionally by using the new tool, she said.

“We’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were,” Ms. Vasanelli said.

Ms. Vasanelli is hoping that even more classrooms will have the teaching tool soon.

“Funding is the issue, but we work for a wonderful board that supports this.”