When the Grade 7 and 8 students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora, Ontario were asked about their ideal classroom, there was no shortage of suggestions.

Sparked from the idea to bring “home” into homeroom, the Grade 7 and 8 classroom spaces were reimagined. From inspiring paint colours to transformative desk spaces to interactive learning opportunities, the students worked with staff from the Kenora Catholic District School Board to create that classroom.

The school transformed their classrooms into learning studios and promotes new forms of learning. Other than an inspiring space for learning, the outcome revealed a student-educator decision-making process where all voices were heard and all ideas considered.

“It’s about how the KCDSB infuses Catholicity into everything we do,” explains Trina Henley of the KCDSB, adding that the St. Thomas Aquinas classroom transformation did just that.

Read more: Student Storytelling: Kenora Catholic District School Board releases Innovative Learning Video...

Is your school ready to take on a Toonies for Tuition Fundraiser? But don’t really know what to do? We’ve put together a list of popular yet creative Pinterest-worthy ideas for a school fundraiser that’ll have your students laughing, teachers smiling and parents engaging while getting total gratitude from us for your contribution and commitment to giving other kids from across Canada access to Catholic education.

Okay, here goes:

Host a Nearly New Sale: With so many children in school, there are plenty of parents who have closets busting with outgrown clothes. In the school gymnasium, host a Nearly New Sale, where parents can donate used children’s clothing and invite the community to the sale. All proceeds can go to Toonies for Tuition. Hot Tip: Put specific guidelines on the clothes that you’ll accept. E.g. clothes no older than three years and outline brand-names you’ll take so that quality clothes are donated.

Read more: Five Pinterest-worthy Toonies for Tuition Fundraiser Idea for your School

Back in June, CCSTA President Marino Gazzola and Executive Director Julian Hanlon travelled from Ontario to Saskatchewan to meet with federal politicians to discuss one thing: the Theodore Case.

This comes after the Court ruled that the government must stop funding non-minority faith students to attend separate schools (read: CCSTA's Statement on the Ruling).

As such, CCSTA wanted to demonstrate its support to the Saskatchewan Catholic School Board Association.

So, they arranged to get in front of politicians to talk about the situation and what it means – and could mean – for Catholic education opportunities in the province.

Working alongside Matt Triemstra from Ensight Canada, Mr. Gazzola and Mr. Hanlon had many meetings with individual MPs and caucus members from Saskatchewan.

“We first provided them with information about CCSTA in general, and more specifically to inform them of the background and current status of the Theodore matter,” explains Mr. Gazzola. “We were successful on both counts.”

Read more: CCSTA Execs Meet with Saskatchewan Politicians, talk Theodore Case