VISITING COMMITTEE PREFACE

Transcription

1 VISITING COMMITTEE PREFACE We, the Visiting Committee, wish to commend you, the pastor, administration, faculty, staff, parents, and student body of St. Bonaventure Catholic School for working together to make the School a loving, caring, and learning environment. We pray that the good work that you have done and the plans that you have made for the future will help you become an even better school. The team found our three days at St. Bonaventure Catholic School professionally rich and personally rewarding. We experienced a community where everyone is striving to provide a Catholic, Christ-centered, academically excellent, and safe school environment in which all children can achieve their God-given potential and make a positive difference in the world. We wish to thank all of you, pastor, principal, faculty, staff, parents, and students for your warm and gracious hospitality. May the Christ we serve bless you with every success as you journey into your future.

2 IMPROVING STUDENT LEARNING A Self Study for: St. Bonaventure Catholic School Bradbury Lane Huntington Beach, CA Continuous School Improvement - Focused On High Achievement Of All Students WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 1

3 IMPROVING STUDENT LEARNING Self Study Report St. Bonaventure Catholic School Bradbury Lane Huntington Beach, CA (714) Principal: Janice Callender WCEA/WASC Visiting Committee Chair: Carol Grewal Respectfully Submitted to: Western Catholic Education Association Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Schools California Department of Education March 4-6, 2014 WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 2

4 Acknowledgements WCEA/WASC Visiting Committee Carol Grewal, WCEA/WASC Chairperson St. Brendan s School, Principal 940 Laguna Honda Blvd, San Francisco, CA Mary Beth Boyer Serra Catholic School, Fifth - Eight Grade Math Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Tracey MacIntosh St. Hedwig School, Fifth Grade 3591 Orangewood Ave. Los Alamitos, CA Sharon Rands St. Edward s School, Principal Calle La Primavera Dana Point, CA Mark Shoenberger St. Anne Parish School, Science/Computers 1324 S. Main St. Santa Ana, CA Francie Shutler St. Norbert School, Seventh Grade 300 E. Taft Ave. Orange, CA Jeanette Tennant Our Lady Queen of Angels, Second Grade/JH Math 750 Domingo Dr. Newport Beach, CA Kathleen Zaleski Mission Basilica School, First Fifth Math & Science El Camino Real San Juan Capistrano, CA WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 3

5 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 2013 WCEA/WASC School Leadership Team Mrs. Janice Callender Principal ( ) Vice Principal ( ) Mrs. Judy Luttrell Principal ( ) Mrs. Kim White Mrs. Kathy Kustura Mr. Eric McCann Mrs. Dorothy Mullin Mrs. Nikki Martin Self Study Site Coordinator First Grade Teacher Self Study Junior high Coordinator ( ) Junior high Mathematics Teacher Self Study Junior high Coordinator ( ) 6 th Grade Teacher Self Study Middle School Coordinator Fifth Grade Teacher Self Study Elementary School Coordinator, Kindergarten Teacher WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 4

6 Preface Founded in September 1965, Saint Bonaventure Parish first established a school building to serve Catholic families in the rapidly growing northern sector in the city of Huntington Beach. While the church was being built, services were held in a warehouse, eventually moving to the new school building. Completing the vision of the pastor, Msgr. Michael Duffy, the school opened in 1966 under the auspices of the Irish Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM) with a staff of five teachers and two hundred and forty-three students in grades one through three. Each of our pastors, Fr. Michael Duffy, Fr. Kerry Beaulieu, Fr. Bruce Patterson, and Fr. Joseph Knerr have worked tirelessly with each principal to ensure the School s ministry to children is effective and strong, foremost our Catholicity. Sr. Raphael Lynch (now Sr. Carmel) was the school s first principal, and she ultimately served as principal for two additional assignments. Sr. Carmel was succeeded by Sr. Anne Broderick, Sr. Catherine Burke, Sr. Sheila Donegan, Mrs. Judy Luttrell, and Mrs. Janice Callender. Each of the school s principals has been dedicated to strengthening the charism of the Presentation Sisters founder, Nano Nagle. The Presentation Sisters remain a strong presence in our school. Their motto, coined by Nano Nagle, has been adopted as our school s motto. We strive to bring the light of Jesus and the Gospel to all, not with words, but deeds. PBVM Sister Maria is a full-time teacher in Grade 8 and Sr. Carmel Lynch continues to volunteer to ensure the success of our Annual Giving Campaign, now in its fifth year. Since 2009, we have been privileged to partner with another Religious community, the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters. Given the scarcity of Religious vocations, we are blessed that the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters share their significant gifts with our community. St. Bonaventure School is presently celebrating its 47th anniversary with 626 students in sixteen full-day classrooms, grades one through eight, three full-day kindergarten classes, and two fullday transitional kindergartens. Throughout its history, one of St. Bonaventure Catholic School s greatest strengths has been our highly involved school families. Their generosity, volunteerism, and good will ensure our students that each day is a great day to be a Saint! WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 5

7 Dear WCEA/WASC Visiting Committee: Principal s Message It is with pride that I welcome you to St. Bonaventure Catholic School. St. Bonaventure s commitment to academic excellence is a recurring theme woven throughout our educational programs. While we understand the importance of our academic obligation, we are also very aware of our students spiritual growth. It is important that we are reminded of our mission and what we promise to our families as partners in their child s education. St. Bonaventure Catholic School operates as a ministry of St. Bonaventure Parish. Our mission is to partner with parents, the primary educators of their children in matters of Faith, to provide a Catholic Christ-centered, academically excellent and safe school environment in which all children can achieve their God-given potential and make a positive difference in the world. Our mission is supported through a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum aligned with the national common core and state standards, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and a highly qualified and nurturing faculty. Our School-Wide Learning Expectations ensure that our graduates become: Active Christ-Centered Catholics, Life-Long Learners, Effective Communicators, and Responsible Citizens. We strive to create a safe learning environment and a spiritually rich education. Our graduates are well prepared for the challenges of area high schools including: Cornelia Connelly, Mater Dei, Servite, Rosary, Huntington Beach, Marina, and Ocean View High School. Our alumni continue their education and graduate from prestigious colleges and universities. The WCEA/WASC process has been extremely beneficial; as a result of the process, our students will benefit greatly. Our attached Action Plan is evidence that we have analyzed our data and that we are committed to improving student achievement. Blessings in Abundance, Mrs. Janice Callender, Principal WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 6

8 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement.. 3 SBS School Leadership Team. 4 Preface. 5 Principal s Message. 6 SBS School Staff. 8 Chapter 1 - Introduction A. How the Self Study was Conducted 12 B. Involvement and Collaboration of Shareholders in Completing the Self Study. 14 Chapter 2 Context of the School A. School Profile (with supporting data) 17 B. Use of Prior Accreditation Findings to Support High Achievement of All Students Chapter 3 Quality of the School Program A. Assessment of the School s Catholic Identity. 30 B. Defining the School s Purpose. 37 SBS Mission Statement & School Philosophy SBS Leveled SLEs and Indicators for Primary Grades.. 42 SBS SLEs and Indicators for Grades SBS School Pledge C. Organization for Student Learning.. 45 D. Data Analysis and Action to Support the Achievement of all Students.. 50 E. High Achievement by all Students Toward Clearly Defined SLEs and Curriculum Standards. 57 F. Instructional Methodology to Support High Achievement of All Students 62 G. Support for Student Spiritual, Personal, and Academic Growth. 67 H. Resource Management and Development to Support High Achievement of All Students. 74 Chapter 4 Action Plan A. Design and Alignment of the Action Plan with Self Study Findings.. 79 B. Capacity to Implement and Manage the Action Plan WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 7

9 SBS School Staff and Positions Name Father Joe Knerr Janice Callender Jenny Muecke Sr. AnneMarie Dang Erin Harkin Position Pastor Principal Teacher - Sprouts Teacher - Sprouts Teacher - Kindergarten Denise Grant Nikki Martin Julie Sabatino Kim White Lisa Calderone Gina MacLean Kadie Hellbusch Teacher - Kindergarten Teacher - Kindergarten Teacher - 1st Teacher - 1st Teacher - 2nd Teacher - 2nd Teacher - 3rd Melissa Quijada Tracy Edmisten Kristin Pickett Dorothy Mullin Maria Viers Donna Grier Teacher - 3rd Teacher - 4th Teacher - 4th Teacher - 5th Teacher - 5th Teacher - 6th WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 8

10 Eric McCann Donna Jakubowski Shana Stanley Sr. Maria Kelly Teacher - 6th Teacher - 7th Teacher - 7th Teacher - 8th Anjanette Ciccoianni Kathy Kustura Viviana Bruno Phat To Kim Switzer Jennifer Galasso Teacher - 8th Teacher - Math 6th-8th Teacher - Spanish Teacher - Technology Teacher - Music Teacher - Girls PE Gary VanMoorleghem Meaghan Carey Sr. Deliah Nguyen Suzi Brennan Sr. Joanne Nguyen Sr. Tho Pham Shelly Carey Teacher - Boys PE Aide - Sprouts Aide - Sprouts Aide - Kindergarten Aide - Kindergarten Aide - Kindergarten Aide - 1st Alicia Ludolph Sally Pallach Karie Wilson Aide - 1st Aide - 2nd Aide - 2nd WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 9

11 Jennifer D'Alessandro Sarah Plummer Katie Jordan Melinda Vogel Aide - 3rd Aide - 3rd Aide - 4th Aide - 4th Bethany Day Anita Rodrigues Sandra Gordon Catherine Knipper Paul Stanford Martin Ferri Aide - 5th Aide - 5th Aide - 6th-8th Technology Coordinator IT Administration Associate Network Administrator Brett Jones Celeste Flynn Erin Gonzales Kay Rawson Kathi Vogel Colleen Hoffmann Fran Johnston Outreach Concern / Counselor Attendance / Heath Room Teacher - Learning Support Extended Day Director Librarian Business Manager Office Receptionist Valerie McHenry Pam Peach Rose Bryant Office Receptionist Office Receptionist Administrative Assistant WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 10

12 Linda Cook Cathy Smith Kathleen Moore Mia Eadington Accounts Payable Registrar Advancement Advancement Jose Bernal Brian Tran David Floyd Donald Ryono Custodian Custodian Yard Duty Yard Duty WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 11

13 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION A. HOW THE SELF STUDY WAS CONDUCTED The administration and faculty of St. Bonaventure Catholic School, in collaboration with shareholders, have annually reviewed the 2008 self-study Action Plan. The resulting review, submitted each year to the Diocese of Orange, noted the progress, revisions and implementation of the self-study Action Plan. In order to introduce and inform administration and the WCEA/WASC chair Mrs. Kim White of the 2012 ISL protocol, a meeting was held with Mrs. Sally Todd, the Associate Superintendent of the Diocese of Orange in the spring of Preparation for the WCEA/WASC accreditation planning process began in earnest in the spring of A leadership team was formed consisting of the principal, vice principal, and three faculty members representing each of the grade levels: primary, intermediate and junior high. Preliminary work on the self-study began in the fall of Faculty meetings were held twice a month to introduce faculty and staff to the WCEA/WASC process and 2012 ISL protocol, initiate and formulate a timeline for completion, identify shareholders, designate committee chairs, and form faculty and shareholder committees. The process was communicated to the shareholders through the twice-monthly Family Envelope, and at monthly School Board, Parent Faculty Association, Advancement, Endowment, Parish/Staff and Java with Judy and Jan meetings. In the fall of 2012, utilizing faculty meetings, work began on Chapter 3, Quality of the School Program. Using Google Surveys five surveys were developed and disbursed to all shareholder groups: parents, faculty, staff, governance boards, and grade level student surveys. Upon completion of the surveys, the results were analyzed and incorporated into the self-study written narrative. Throughout the school year committee groups of shareholders and faculty members met to create drafts of their assigned section. The drafts were then submitted to the committee chairs, reviewed and then re-submitted to the faculty and shareholders for additional input before a final draft was created. In the fall of 2013 the goals for Chapters 1-3 were reviewed and determination was made as to the school s goals that would have the greatest impact on student learning. Work on the Action Plan began in the fall of 2013 and was WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 12

14 completed in October of A draft of the self-study was sent to the committee chair and the Associate Superintendent in October of 2013 for review. Final revisions were made in November of 2013 with the document going to final print in December of WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 13

15 B. INVOLVEMENT AND COLLABORATION OF SHAREHOLDERS IN COMPLETING THE SELF STUDY The school involves all shareholders in data review, analysis and dialogue about perceived accomplishments in the area of student learning, and in developing, implementing, and monitoring goals for improvements in student learning. In March 2008, St. Bonaventure Catholic School completed our most recent self-study report and visit following the Focus on Learning protocol of the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As in each prior accreditation visit, St. Bonaventure Catholic School earned the maximum six-year accreditation. Since our last accreditation visit, St. Bonaventure Catholic School faculty, staff, and administration have partnered with our pastor, parishioners, school families, alumni, and community partners in an on-going process of self-assessment and school improvement to improve student learning. Despite significant changes in school leadership since the 2008 selfstudy, our shareholders focus has not strayed from our school s mission to partner with parents, the primary educators of their children in matters of faith, to provide a Catholic, Christ-centered, academically excellent, and safe school environment in which all children can achieve their Godgiven potential and make a positive difference in the world. During the interim between our last accreditation visit and the present, recommendations from the 2008 self-study were reviewed and revised annually by school administration and key shareholders to ensure the recommendations remained valid and focused on improving student learning. Some recommendations ensured the school s short and long term viability, such as the development of a formal Strategic Plan in Other recommendations were implemented to improve student learning, such as redesigning the junior high schedule to ensure more effective Language Arts instruction. Shareholder input resulted in revisions being made to replace the Peacemaker Program character education curriculum with an anti-bullying life skills program developed by the school s psychologist. This program was delivered by classroom teachers in conjunction and collaboration with the school s psychologist. Our annual on-going self-study process continued through 2012 when the principal and vice principal identified an accreditation Leadership Team. The principal, along with the school accreditation coordinator introduced the Improving Student Learning (ISL) instrument, WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 14

16 process and timeline to parents, faculty, and staff in the spring of 2012 through the monthly Family Envelope, Consultative School Board, Parent/Faculty, Advancement, Endowment, Parish/Staff and Java with Judy and Jan meetings. For the remainder of the school year, shareholders met formally at faculty meetings to discuss and plan for school-wide participation in the self-study planning process. The principal and school site accreditation coordinator continued to provide self-study guidance and invited participation in the self-study process to the Parent Faculty Association (PFA), Consultative School Board, and Parish staff. During the school year, the self-study planning process continued at meetings allocated for discussion, research, and data analysis to assess the school s success in improving student learning based on ISL 2012 criteria. After shareholder and faculty review and revision of the school profile, philosophy, mission statement, and expected school-wide learning results, groups continued to meet regularly to discuss the status of the implementation of the 2008 Action Plan, improvements in student learning, review collected and analyzed data and draft narratives that reflected group findings. In May 2013, draft narratives describing each shareholder group s process, discussion, data collection and analysis, observations, and recommendation were submitted to the self-study leadership team via Google Docs. The draft narratives were compiled during the summer of 2013 and then submitted in September of 2013 to shareholders and faculty for review and feedback for accuracy and completeness. As the school year came to a close, the self-study completion was influenced by several major school-wide transitions. In June of 2013, the former principal moved to another school in the Diocese of Orange. The vice principal assumed the principal position, and the school currently remains without a vice principal. Due to increased enrollment in the transitional kindergarten program, an additional transitional kindergarten class had to be added for the school year. One accreditation leadership team member stepped down to be available to assume other leadership roles. A new leadership team member was added in August of Finally, major construction began on campus to reconfigure current work and office space and plan for additional classrooms to accommodate the growing transitional kindergarten program. The principal and leadership team coordinator worked through the summer to ensure a productive and seamless transition as faculty returned after the summer break. At the beginning of the school year, accreditation planning process meetings continued with the WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 15

17 addition of a monthly late start day. Data analysis was completed and incorporated into the draft report. In October of 2013, a final draft of the report was submitted to shareholders and faculty for review and final approval. Once approved, the final report was provided to the chair of the WCEA/WASC accreditation visiting committee. Throughout the self-study and school improvement process, it was evident that our shareholders consider our mission to evangelize students and families and to provide outstanding academic preparation for our students, a high priority. Our school s charism is rooted in the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary s (PBVM) founder Nano Nagle s family motto, Not Words, But Deeds. This motto is clearly alive and well almost 50 years after the founding of our school. Faculty, staff, administration, parents, volunteers, various boards, and the parish community affirmed their dedication to serving students throughout the self-study. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 16

18 CHAPTER 2 CONTEXT OF THE SCHOOL A. SCHOOL PROFILE (with supporting data) Community Profile Most of the 626 transitional kindergarten through grade eight students served by St. Bonaventure Catholic School reside in the 24.6 square mile city of Huntington Beach, located at the northern tip of Orange County, California. Huntington Beach is a nationally known coastal community referred to as Surf City, U.S.A. The 193,616 residents of Huntington Beach comprise a diverse community with an average annual income of $99,098. Students attending St. Bonaventure Catholic School also reside in the surrounding communities of Westminster, Sunset Beach, Fountain Valley, and outlying communities. Like many coastal communities in Orange County, California, home prices in Huntington Beach have not declined as steeply as home prices nationally during the recent economic downturn. The median price of a single-family home in Huntington Beach is $677,300, a value that is significantly higher than median home price of $584,100 in Orange County as a whole. It is possible that the disparity between home prices in Huntington Beach and housing budgets of young families with schoolage children could result in a decline in St. Bonaventure Catholic School s enrollment in the next three to five years, as families ability to settle in Huntington Beach declines if housing prices continue to rise. Moreover, the median age of Huntington Beach residents is 40; as the population ages, child-bearing and rearing declines in the city, enrollment at St. Bonaventure Catholic School could decline. St. Bonaventure Catholic School Student Profile Of the 34 elementary schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, St. Bonaventure Catholic School has ranked in the top three with the highest enrollment during the past ten years. Twenty-three of the elementary schools in our Diocese have higher tuition and registration fees than St. Bonaventure Catholic School. We continue to have robust enrollment, which helps to keep tuition affordable, but requires a good deal of ingenuity in using our modest and limited space efficiently and wisely. (See Appendix A-2) The students who attend St. Bonaventure Catholic School mirror the ethnic makeup of Huntington Beach, as the majority of students are white. According to U.S Census data, 67.2% WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 17

19 of the population of Huntington Beach is white, 17.1% is Hispanic, and 10.9 % are Asian. The remaining 4.7% of residents in Huntington Beach are comprised of other ethnicities. (See Appendix A-2) The students who attend St. Bonaventure Catholic School mirror the socio-economic, ethnic, and faith community of St. Bonaventure parish. Of the 414 families who are enrolled in the school 396 are registered parishioners at St. Bonaventure Church. Twelve enrolled families are registered parishioners of neighboring Roman Catholic parishes including St. Anne s Catholic Church in Seal Beach, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Huntington Beach and St. Hedwig Church in Los Alamitos. Six families enrolled at St. Bonaventure Catholic School are members of other faith traditions including Coptic and Buddhist. Because the majority of parishioners do not have children in attendance at the school, it is incumbent upon school administration, faculty, staff, students, and families to ensure the broader parish community understands and embraces the singular role of the school in ensuring the faith formation of students, and the future viability of the Roman Catholic Church. Moreover, the school continually strives to encourage school families to worship weekly and contribute generously to St. Bonaventure Catholic Parish with their time, talent, and treasure. For example, school families and faculty participate and volunteer to support the annual parish festival and hosted the school s first Father-Daughter Dance with 100% of net proceeds donated directly to the parish building fund. Faculty, staff, parents and students recognize the important role the school serves as a ministry of the greater parish community. Students serve regularly at weekend and weekly masses as lectors, altar servers, and as members of the school choir. Parents and faculty serve as Eucharistic Ministers, lectors and sacristans. Service to the local and wider community consists of supporting the parish s homeless ministry through the HOPE office and monthly student Jesus Jeans Days that support various diocesan charities. Advent and Lent provide additional opportunities to support the less fortunate in the parish community through food and clothing collections as well as the community at large through the Holy Childhood Association. All St. Bonaventure Catholic School students who apply to local Catholic high schools are accepted. Approximately 49% of our graduates go on to the local Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Orange such as: Mater Dei High School, Servite High School, Rosary High School and Cornelia Connelly High School. The remaining graduates attend the local public high schools in the Huntington Beach City School District or Ocean View School District. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 18

20 Junior high math and language arts teachers attend annual formal articulation meetings with the local public school district and with the Diocesan Catholic high schools. St. Bonaventure Catholic School students are well prepared for high school, often placing in advanced classes. (See Table 2-1) Results of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills for grade eight students indicate that by the time they graduate, students are performing in the 75 th percentile or higher in language arts and math. (See Appendix B-3) In an effort to further strengthen student performance in all grades in math, reading and writing, a number of initiatives and scheduling changes have been introduced since our last accreditation including Writing Roadmap, Step Up to Writing, Singapore Math, and a modification of the junior high language arts schedule. The local school district in which St. Bonaventure Catholic School resides carries out the Child Find mandate that requires the school district to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities. As a result of this obligation twelve of our students have been identified through Ocean View School District as needing special education services. After consultation with the public school district and the students parents and teachers at St. Bonaventure Catholic School it was determined that these students would remain at the school and be supported with an Individual Service Plan (ISP) through St. Bonaventure Catholic School. Our Diversified Learning Support (DLS) teacher regularly consults with the public school district and partners with classroom teachers to support students with short or long-term learning exceptionalities. St. Bonaventure Faculty and Staff Profile Like other Catholic schools nationally, lay staff primarily perform the various ministries of St. Bonaventure Catholic School. Appendices A-3 and A-4 describe gender, ethnicity, experience, certifications, and faith traditions of school faculty and staff. Of the founding order, the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM), only one full-time sister remains on the teaching staff. As part of our 2010 Strategic Plan, the school identified a goal to recruit another religious order of sisters to the school. Over the past four years, we have been blessed and honored to welcome the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters (LHC), who have joined the staff as Instructional Aides, a Campus Ministry Director, and a transitional kindergarten teacher. St. Bonaventure Catholic School adheres to diocesan requirements for teacher credentialing. With the addition of Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) coordinators on the school staff, newly credentialed teachers receive support and mentoring for two years through WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 19

21 this reflective process. Teachers hired at St. Bonaventure Catholic School are required to have a current California teaching credential and follow and complete all diocesan employment procedures including Safe Environment and Religious Certification. Nine teachers hold Masters Degrees in Education. All faculty are members of the National Catholic Education Association as well as other professional organizations, regularly apprise themselves of professional development opportunities to enhance their professional growth, serve as department chairs, grade level chairs, liaisons to boards, support parish ministries, coordinate extracurricular academic and after school programs, and volunteer to conduct diocesan workshops. St. Bonaventure Catholic School students are blessed to have a dedicated school leadership team, faculty, and support staff with long-standing ties to the school as alumni, multi-generational families, parents, and former parents who are employed at the school. Eight faculty and staff are alumni and 21 faculty and staff are parents of alumni. Approximately 20 alumni parents currently have children enrolled in the school. We are proud to say, Once a Saint, always a Saint. St. Bonaventure, Legacy of Excellence Then and Now Founded in September 1965, Saint Bonaventure Parish first established a school building to serve Catholic families in the rapidly growing northern sector in the city of Huntington Beach. While the church was being built, services were held in a warehouse, eventually moving to the new school building. Completing the vision of the pastor, the school opened in 1966 under the auspices of the Irish Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM) with a staff of five teachers and two hundred and forty-three students in grades one through three. While the school was under construction, Blessed Sacrament School in Westminster shared their facilities with our students. Each of our four pastors has worked tirelessly with each principal to ensure the school s ministry to children is effective and strong, foremost in our Catholicity. Four of the school s six principals have been Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Despite their declining numbers in our school, the Presentation Sisters remain a strong spiritual and religious presence at St. Bonaventure Catholic School. Their motto, coined by their founder Nano Nagle, has been adopted as our school s motto: Not Words, But Deeds. St. Bonaventure Catholic School is presently celebrating its 48th anniversary with 626 students in sixteen full-day classrooms, two classes per grade in grades one through eight, three WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 20

22 kindergarten classes, two transitional kindergarten classes, and a full-time teaching staff of twenty-eight. The Diversified Learning Support teacher regularly partners with parents and the full-time teaching staff to support student learning in the classroom and facilitates public school district assessment for students with possible learning exceptionalities. In addition, she supports and reinforces classroom concepts and skills with small group instruction to ensure that each child reaches his/her full potential. With the retirement of the school s former psychologist at the end of 2013 the school contracted with a counseling service, Outreach Concern. An Outreach Concern counselor is on campus two days a week from 8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. and partners with parents and teachers to assist students in relation to social behaviors that may adversely affect academic success. Our Informational Technology Coordinator, two support staff and Digital Literacy teacher collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure 21 st Century digital literacy skills and educational technology is fully integrated into instruction, learning, and assessment. A fulltime librarian ensures that students have access to traditional books as well as electronic books and resources, supports student research, coordinates yearly author presentations and book fair and facilitates the Accelerated Reader program. In addition, the school provides a full-time health technician to monitor daily student health, maintain medical records and schedule yearly student health screenings for vision and hearing. The average student/teacher ratio at St. Bonaventure Catholic School is 30:1. The inclusion of Instructional Aides that assist teachers with one-to-one and small group instruction in grades kindergarten through six, adjusts the ratio to 17:1. An administrative and office support staff comprised of a business manager, registrar, billing staff, office manager and staff, and an advancement team, enables the principal to maintain a safe and efficiently run campus that supports high achievement of all students. The Extended Day Care program operates daily before and after school from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and services approximately 150 students per day, with a support staff of eleven adults. The program provides on a daily basis: healthy snacks, homework support, arts and crafts and physical exercise in a safe, nurturing, faith-filled environment. Throughout its history, one of St. Bonaventure Catholic School s greatest strengths has been our highly involved, committed and dedicated school families. Their generosity and willingness to volunteer and support our various programs continue to ensure that our mission to provide a Catholic Christ-centered, academically excellent and safe school environment can be achieved. Parents become members of the Parent/Faculty Association upon enrollment at the school. This WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 21

23 active organization engages in fundraising that not only builds community but supports the school s ability to provide affordable tuition and sustain multiple academic programs that enhance and improve student growth. Volunteers support the Meet the Masters, an interactive, multi-media art program, Jump for Joy, a physical education program for first graders, the Diocesan Junior high Academic Decathlon, Science Fair, serve as room parents, coordinate the hot lunch program, chaperone study trips and serve as coaches for the school s varied athletic programs. In a parent survey conducted at the end of the school year, parents indicated that their commitment to St. Bonaventure Catholic School is rooted in the strong sense of community and faith-based programs that permeate the school. (See Appendix C-2) St. Bonaventure Catholic School Governance St. Bonaventure Catholic School operates as a ministry of St. Bonaventure Parish, under the direction of the pastor, Rev. Joseph Knerr. The school leadership team is comprised of the Principal, Campus Ministry Director, Safety Supervisor, Maintenance Supervisor, Health Technician, Extended Day Care Director, Athletic Director, Librarian, Institutional Advancement Coordinator, Business Manager, and Technology Coordinator. The school leadership team meets once per week to ensure the faith formation, safety, and education of our students. The principal attends monthly Parish staff meetings to regularly confer with the pastor and the various parish ministries. In addition to the parish staff meetings the principal and pastor meet monthly to discuss issues related to the parish and school. The Consultative School Board is comprised of parent volunteers and a faculty representative who meet monthly to advise the pastor and principal in the following areas: Mission/Faith Development, Strategic Planning, Institutional Advancement, Marketing and Communications, Finance, and Public Policy. St. Bonaventure Catholic School is privileged to have dedicated and effective advisory committees whose participation informs decisions affecting students. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 22

24 Chapter 2A Evidence Appendices: Current Enrollment Information Appendix A-2 Ethnic Breakdown Appendix A-2 Faculty Profile Appendix A-3 Staff Profile Appendix A-4 Parent Surveys Appendix C-2 Document Evidence: DE2A-1 SBS Advisory Committees Photo Evidence: PE2A-1 & PE2A-2 SBS Then and Now Photo Evidence External Website: WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 23

25 B. USE OF PRIOR ACCREDITATION FINDINGS TO SUPPORT HIGH ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL STUDENTS The school has used the prior accreditation findings, both those discovered by the school and those identified by the Visiting Committee, and other pertinent data to ensure high achievement of all students and to drive school improvement. St. Bonaventure Catholic School has used the prior accreditation findings, most notably the prior Action Plan and other pertinent data to improve learning of all students. Our shareholders have partnered in a continuous process of school improvement since our previous self-study. Therefore, as the needs of our students changed so did our goals. In terms of prior accreditation findings, our 2008 Action Plan included three focus areas: development of a formal Strategic Plan; improvement of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) reading and language scores in eighth grade to the 90th national percentile, increased implementation and integration of the Peacemaker Program to support students in making decisions based on Gospel values and an increased participation in service projects. Target Goal #1 Strategic Plan During the school year, the principal contracted with a consultant from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) to coordinate development of a three-to-five year formal Strategic Plan. A twenty-member strategic planning committee was formed, comprised of the pastor, school administrators, faculty, staff, parents, non-parent parishioners, and alumni. The Strategic Planning Committee met for five eight-hour meetings during the school year to identify areas of strength, areas for growth, opportunities for improvement, and challenges to the viability of St. Bonaventure Catholic School. The Strategic Plan was completed in May Due to a change in the pastor, the plan was not approved by the new pastor, Fr. Joseph Knerr until January After approval by the pastor it was shared with the Consultative School Board and then communicated to shareholders on the school website. In September 2011, the principal provided the Consultative School Board with an executive summary of the Strategic Plan. The Consultative School Board was charged with leading and/or implementing the areas of Catholic Identity, Governance, Finance, and Marketing. In response to the executive summary, the Consultative School Board formed several subcommittees to implement the Strategic Plan. In May 2011, the Consultative School Board members assessed WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 24

26 their achievement in each of those areas of responsibility and identified areas of the Strategic Plan still in need of implementation. By the end of the 2013 school year, several elements of the Strategic Plan had been implemented successfully. As of June of 2013 the implemented areas are as follows: Catholic Identity Shareholder survey determined that the school is doing an excellent job in student faith formation and sustaining and growing Catholic Identity among the students. The survey noted that a growth area was a need for family payer opportunities and a greater outreach from the parish. As a result the Faith Formation Committee and the Parent/Faculty Association hosted the first Celebrating Community family picnic in April In addition, a family rosary was hosted in April of Governance The Governance subcommittee submitted suggestions for revising the School Board Constitution. The revised constitution was presented to the School Board in May of 2012 and approved in June of Finance The Finance subcommittee met regularly to discuss fundraising, FACTS options, the SCRIP program, facility needs, sibling discounts and tuition. Marketing The Marketing Subcommittee established local news outlet contacts and successfully implemented a process of regularly communicating school news to local and diocesan news outlets. Communication The Communication Subcommittee proposed changes to the former discipline/demerit policy as well as a proposal for a formal grievance policy in the Student/Parent Handbook. These changes have been implemented in the current Student/Parent Handbook. The current Consultative School Board will continue to address and implement the Strategic Plan during the school year with a focus on completion by June of WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 25

27 Target Goal #2 ITBS Performance Reading, English/Language Arts ITBS Performance Math As a result of disaggregating the 2009 ITBS data in relation to math, beginning in 2010 school administration formed a committee comprised of faculty members, to investigate and gather data on the math curriculum (McGraw Hill, California 2002)used in grades kindergarten - grade six. In addition to the core math curriculum, Accelerated Math, a self-paced, automated computer program designed for math practice and drill, was used as supplementary support in grades four through six since Based on the analysis of standardized, formative and summative assessment data, the core math curriculum and the supplementary math curriculum was reassessed and a determination was made to research and adopt a math curriculum that would support documented student needs in the area of math. In conjunction with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, administration made the decision to eliminate the Accelerated Math program and introduce Singapore Math in grades K - 2 for the school year. Full implementation of the Singapore Math program in grades K 5 will be complete in the school year. Beginning in 2010, school administration formed a math faculty committee to investigate our school s math curriculum, McGraw-Hill Mathematics California Edition 2002, to identify areas of growth needed to improve student learning. Since 2003, Renaissance Learning s Accelerated Math program was in use in grades four to six. Accelerated Math is a self-paced, automated computer program designed for math practice and drill. After re-assessing the use of McGraw- Hill Mathematics and Accelerated Math at the end of the school year, in conjunction with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, the principal made the decision to eliminate Accelerated Math and introduce Singapore Math for the school year. At the start of the school year, all math teachers and Instructional Aides were inserviced on-site in using Singapore Math. Additionally, teachers who were implementing Singapore Math in grades kindergarten through two received a second on-site in-service training in the fall of Parents as well were offered an in-service on the new math program in order to support student learning at home. Since 2011, a new grade level has implemented Singapore Math with teachers attending in-services prior to as well as during implementation of the program. Preliminary pre and post benchmark assessment data seem to indicate student math WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 26

28 proficiencies, particularly in number sense, are improving since the elimination of Accelerated Math and the implementation of Singapore Math. Test results in math cannot be directly correlated to previous years due to new norms introduced for ITBS beginning in In addition, due to the relatively short time the program has been implemented in the primary grades additional time is needed in order to collect data that will allow valid measurement of student growth. Target Goal #3 Peacemaker Program The third recommendation of our prior self-study was for students to make informed decisions based on Gospel values. This would be accomplished by emphasizing the principles of the Peacemaker Program. The primary purpose of the program was to assist the child in integrating and practicing peacemaker skills in their daily life both at school and at home. During the school year, the Vice Principal investigated other character building, anti-bullying programs for possible implementation. The goal was to identify a program suited to our students needs during the school year. During the school year, the school psychologist, an ordained Catholic deacon, developed age and grade appropriate anti-bullying presentations, life skills presentations, and parenting classes that aimed to achieve the goal set in 2008; to support students in making decisions based on Gospel values. He continued through May 2013 to implement anti-bullying lessons in grades kindergarten to five and introduced a life skills program in grades six to eight infused with Gospel values. With the school psychologist s retirement in June of 2013 St. Bonaventure Catholic School has introduced a counseling service Outreach Concern to continue and support this goal in collaboration with the classroom teachers. In addition, in September of 2013 the school purchased the Benziger Family Life Series for grades kindergarten through eight that incorporates Gospel values throughout each lesson and places an increased emphasis on the way we relate to our family members, to each other, and relationships in general. Teachers, aides, staff, yard duty supervisors, and parent volunteers, support the implementation of positive discipline approach and re-direction of student behavior according to gospel values in their daily relationships with the students. The administration, faculty, and staff at St. Bonaventure Catholic School have had multiple opportunities to grow and reflect on their understanding of Gospel values through retreats, faith formation in-services, prayer activities, yearly attendance at the Los Angeles Religious Education WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 27

29 Congress workshops, and participation in the Information for Growth (IFG) assessments. The school has implemented an annual Nano Nagle Day to strengthen connections between St. Bonaventure Catholic School students, faculty and staff with the Presentation Sister s communities that serve the poor. A select number of eighth grade students are acknowledged with the Nano Nagle award at graduation for being examples of an Active Christ-Centered Catholic and living the characteristics that Nano Nagle espoused during their years at St. Bonaventure Catholic School. Monthly assemblies recognize students who demonstrate the characteristics of our School-Wide Learning Expectation; an Active Christ-Centered Catholic. Throughout the year teachers are also presented with a Nano Nagle lantern in recognition of their efforts to bring the Light of Christ to their students at St. Bonaventure Catholic School. The twice-monthly Family Envelope, posters, and signs on campus are also used to promote and encourage Gospel values among our community. The faculty is in the process of gathering data to access the success of these efforts that have been implemented to replace the Peacemaker Program. Informal and formal tools have been used such as: Sycamore Education to track student discipline, gathering data on student reflections in relation to their attainment of the characteristics of an Active Christ-Centered Catholic and Responsible Citizen, review of the results of the annual Assessment of Children/Youth Religious Education (ACRE) test administered to grades five and eight, and parent surveys. Each year, St. Bonaventure Catholic School faculty and staff reflect on and assess the needs of our student population in relation to our Action Plan. Programs are evaluated, reviewed and communicated to shareholders on a yearly basis. The focus is to continually strive to improve student learning, by taking advantage of new technologies and teaching methodologies as they become available so all students can continue to grow toward attaining our School-Wide Learning Expectations by the time the graduate from St. Bonaventure Catholic School. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 28

30 Chapter 2B Evidence Appendices: A.7 School Profile Standardized Testing Program DE2B1 Document Evidence: DE2B1Standardized Testing Program DE2B2 Strategic Planning update example from School Board Minutes DE2B3 School Board Minutes Link DE2B4 Character Trait List DE2B5 Character Trait Development and Religion Video/DVD List DE2B6 Outreach Concern Introduction DE2B7 Nano Nagle Award Winners DE2B8 Active Christ Centered Catholic Award Winners SBS Website: Strategic Plan Link Archived Evidence: Administrative Offices School Board Meeting Minutes in Administrative Offices Strategic Plan in WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 29

31 CHAPTER 3 QUALITY OF THE SCHOOL S PROGRAM A. ASSESSMENT OF THE SCHOOL S CATHOLIC IDENTITY The school is Catholic, approved by the Local Ordinary (Canon 803), provides authentic Catholic teaching, opportunities for community worship and participation in the sacraments, and promotes evangelization and service to the community. St. Bonaventure Catholic School is a single parish Roman Catholic school in Huntington Beach, California, and is approved by the Bishop of Orange, which provides Catholic teaching opportunities for community worship, participation in the sacraments, and promotes evangelization and service to the local community and beyond. St. Bonaventure Catholic School was founded in September of 1965 to assist parents in their role as primary educators in faith formation as well as in the academic education of their children. Guided by our mission statement and philosophy as well as guidelines described in National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (Center for Catholic School Effectiveness, 2012), Catholic Identity (Western Catholic Educational Association), and in the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching (US Conference of Catholic Bishops), St. Bonaventure Catholic School strives to ensure that the Roman Catholic faith permeates all aspects of school life and curriculum. Our mission statement explicitly states the key role of families in fulfilling the call to community and participation. Since our last selfstudy, our mission statement has been twice reviewed and revised by shareholders to ensure our mission is centered in the person of Jesus Christ and to sustain and grow our Catholic ministry. During our strategic planning process in 2009, the mission statement was revised to include the word Catholic. During the course of our current self-study, the words primary educators of their children in matters of Faith were added to our mission statement to emphasize parents roles in partnering with the school in the New Evangelization, specifically evangelizing their children. During the strategic planning process and during our current self-study, the pastor, school administrators, and the extended community of shareholders worked to revise the mission statement and to clearly communicate it school-wide via the electronic Family Envelope and the school s website. Revisions to the mission statement were prompted also by results of shareholders surveys and Consultative School Board recommendations. Our mission statement WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 30

32 is proudly displayed in every classroom, on the school website, and in the Student-Parent Handbook. School leadership uses the mission statement as the starting and ending point of St. Bonaventure Catholic School s planning and implementation throughout the school year. As a ministry of St. Bonaventure Catholic Parish, the school community strives for a strong bond with all of the other ministries and with the parishioners not directly involved with the school. For example, during Vocation Week, students write thank-you cards to parish clergy and religious and students write cards to the newly baptized of the parish to welcome them to our community. Catechesis during school hours occurs formally once per day in religion class in all grade levels. Religion class is a core academic subject at St. Bonaventure Catholic School. Students spiritual growth and development is reviewed at parent teacher conferences and documented in progress reports/student learning assessments (SLAs - formerly called report cards). Students in grades one and two complete a two-year program to receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in their second grade year. Older students who are not baptized and/or have not received First Reconciliation and First Eucharist have the opportunity to attend Religious Education courses offered by the Parish after school hours. All full-time teachers must maintain Basic Catechist certification. St. Bonaventure Catholic School follows the religion curriculum provided by the Diocese of Orange and approved by the Bishop of Orange. All teachers and some support staff attend the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. Each year, students in grades five and eight complete the ACRE assessment. The Consultative School Board and school administration collaborated to identify areas of strength and growth and analyze data gathered in the ACRE assessment. For example, data gathered in the school year indicated a need for a greater emphasis on prayer in the home, resulting in several initiatives to promote home prayer. The initiatives include the Partners in Faith newsletter available on our school web site that supports parents in raising faithful Catholic children. Additionally, the school is implementing a Saint Pilgrimage in which students will take home a grade appropriate religious icon and prayer journal for personal reflection. In addition, our 7 th and 8 th grade students are encouraged to participate in the parish led Living in Faith Together (L.I.F.T) program. Each year the faculty completes the Information for Growth (IFG) assessment. The Faculty Faith Formation Committee, who makes recommendations to administration based on the data WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 31

33 collected, analyzes results from the IFG survey. Teachers and parents attend parish led workshops and presentations. This coming year, planned time will be set aside for sharing information from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress among faculty. This committee also recommends instituting a Lent and Advent day of Recollection for faculty and staff to provide more opportunities for spiritual growth. Each grade level attends weekly Mass and each grade level has a turn at preparing an all-school liturgy. Every grade participates in Eucharistic Adoration. All students from grades three through eight participate in reconciliation services twice per year. Students and teachers have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist during the weekly Mass. Families are invited to join the student body in all-school Masses as Eucharistic ministers and lectors. All shareholders are encouraged to attend school liturgies such as: the October Rosary, All Saints Day Mass, Feast of the Presentation Sisters Mass, Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass, Grandparent s Day Mass, Ash Wednesday Mass, World Day of Prayer Mass, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning, Volunteer/Nano Nagle Day Mass, Baccalaureate Mass, plus many other liturgies and prayer services throughout the school year. Both our Grandparent s Day reception and volunteer appreciation Masses and brunches support our community by recognizing the dignity of volunteer work. Students participate in liturgy as cantors, altar servers, gift bearers, and readers. Once per month, the school community comes together before school for an assembly/prayer service during which the community joins in prayer and individual students are recognized for achievement of the School-Wide Learning Expectations and awarded certificates. Every day St. Bonaventure Catholic School begins and ends its day with prayer. Monday and Friday mornings, student led prayers are broadcast on the school s closed circuit television network. The broadcast includes reflections on the lives of the Saints and Sunday s Gospels. Every day ends with a school-wide recitation of an Act of Contrition to allow time for the school community to reflect upon their daily actions. Each Tuesday morning before school, the faculty joins in prayer before their weekly meeting and all shareholder meetings begin and end with prayer. All grade levels participate in service projects to support the poor and vulnerable. Some of the service projects include food drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as collection of hygiene products during Lent for those in need. Our school s efforts to recycle daily plastic WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 32

34 waste and a twice yearly drive to recycle ink-cartridges and other electronics, supports our students in caring for God s creation and becoming responsible citizens in a global community. Student Council organizes regular fundraisers for the poor and vulnerable including the monthly Jesus Jeans Day, Pennies from Heaven, and Heifer International projects. Many students partner with their parents at the annual Parish Festival to run food and game booths. Students in grades seven and eight volunteer as homework helpers in the Extended Day Care center two afternoons per week. Additional student-driven service projects organized by grade level include a grade seven baby shower with donations going to a local life center. Grade three provides handmade blankets for Project Linus, and school supplies are collected for low-income families through the ministries of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters. Students participate in multiple projects to care for God s creation, including the Annual Interfaith Prayer Service and the Blessing of the Waves in Huntington Beach. Our seventh and eighth grade students complete twenty service hours per year. These serviceoriented projects contribute to the spiritual growth and faith formation of the participants and help students in understanding and living the Gospel; I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. (John 13:15) Grades two through eight participate in age and grade appropriate annual retreats. Each year, returning faculty and staff attend a one-day spiritual retreat to prepare for the new school year. Our mission, catechetical plan, worship, prayer, Christian service projects, and opportunities for retreat and reflection strongly support permeation of Catholicity throughout our school and extended parish community. Each year, school administration prepares a year-end shareholder survey and analyzes results based on a specific aspect of Catholic Identity drawn from Appendix C.1 and C.2 of the ISL protocol and based on our school s mission statement. According to the responses in the surveys, along with input from shareholders, revisions are made to school faith formation and academic programs to ensure that strong Catholic Identity infuses all aspects of school life. School administration communicates with the Office of Catholic Schools, the Bishop s Office, and the pastor to ensure on-going school improvement and strong Catholic Identity. In addition to participating in monthly principals meetings hosted by the Superintendent, communicating information between the Deanery s four principals and the Superintendent, the administration participates in monthly parish staff meetings, and meets frequently with the pastor to ensure the WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 33

35 school s mission is fully realized. The administration participates in monthly Consultative School Board meetings and monthly Parent-Faculty Association meetings to sustain and grow the mission of the school. The principal also attends monthly Catechetical Plan meetings, Advancement Board meetings, Annual Spring Auction Dinner Dance and Gala planning meetings, and golf tournament planning meetings to ensure that Catholic Identity permeates off campus events. For example, music at the gala or silent auction items must be consistent with our Roman Catholic faith. Each year, the second grade parents prepare two silent auction baskets that have a First Eucharist theme. Faculty meetings include a focus on faith formation and curricular programs that enhance and support students faith journey. The administration meets diocesan leadership requirements and regularly participates in professional development and administrative retreats. Each Monday morning the School Leadership team meets, prays, and discusses both long and short-term plans to ensure school initiatives sustain and spread the school s Catholic mission. Since our previous self-study, school leadership has had a vision for continuous school improvement and has consistently established networks of shareholders to realize the school s mission and vision. These include re-designing of the school website to prominently feature Catholic elements, implementation of a student database system, acquisition and implementation of instructional technology tools for teachers and digital literacy tools for students, and acquisition of new religion texts. Also, the school has fostered a strengthened sense of community with the parish beyond the school including participation in parish festival, hosting events that include school families and parishioners together, such as the annual spring school/parish picnic. School administration publishes new initiatives or changes via the Family Envelope, the parish bulletin, and the school website. Additionally, the principal hosts a monthly coffee meeting open to all shareholders to discuss matters pertaining to school mission and school improvement. Strong visible signs of our Catholic identity can be seen throughout the entire school, which reinforces prayers, sacraments, and liturgies. Each classroom has religious bulletin boards, prayer tables/corners, crucifixes, statues and icons. Student work is displayed that reflects the school s religion curriculum. These visible signs can also be observed throughout the entire facility, including the courtyard, front office, and administrative offices. Additionally, over the past two school years St. Bonaventure Catholic School has instituted Blue Shirt Days in honor of Our Mother Mary s feast days. Throughout the school community, blue shirts are now known as the prayer that you wear. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 34

36 In conclusion, St. Bonaventure Catholic School offers academic education presented in the context of Catholic faith. Focusing on understanding and fully incorporating various expressions of Catholic faith throughout our school ensures the tradition of Catholic education is continuing at St. Bonaventure Catholic School as it has over the past 47 years. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 35

37 Significant Accomplishments Chapter 3A Self Study Summary Goals 1. Expansion of schoolwide weekly Mass attendance to include kindergarten and transitional kindergarten 2. Increased worship as a school community 3. Implemented SLE awards to recognize students that demonstrate Christ-like behaviors 4. Creation of Faith Formation teams within the PFA and Consultative School Board 5. Instituted Blue Shirt Days in honor of Marian Feast Days 1. Develop a sense of community with St. Bonaventure Catholic Church Parish 2. Implement more spiritual growth opportunities for SBS staff 3. Expand articulation and collaboration of faith formation matters among shareholders Evidence Appendices: A.1 School Profile A.5 School Environment C.1 Parent Surveys C.2 Staff Surveys Document Evidence: DE3A01 Mission Statement DE3A02 School Philosophy DE3A03 Handbook DE3A04 Religious Education Link DE3A05 Professional Development Records Archived in Administrative Offices DE3A06 Partners in Faith DE3A07 L.I.F.T. DE3A08 Family Envelope Archived on SBS website DE3A08 School Calendar Archived on SBS website Photo Evidence: PE3A01 Thank you cards PE3A02 School Assemblies PE3A03 Food Drives PE3A04 Blessing of the Waves Environment Evidence: EE3A01 See kindergarten classrooms for Saint Pilgrimage Mary and prayer journal EE3A02 See recycling bins around school WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 36

38 B. DEFINING THE SCHOOL S PURPOSE The school s purpose is defined through the school s mission statement, philosophy, measurable Schoolwide Learning Expectations, Arch/diocesan curriculum standards (local curriculum standards where Arch/diocesan standards don t exist), and other governing authority expectations. Our school s purpose is clearly defined in our Mission Statement and School-Wide Learning Expectations. Since our previous self-study, the Mission Statement has been revised twice: once during our strategic planning process in 2009, when the word Catholic was added and once during our current self-study when shareholder groups met twice to revise it. During our current self-study, the Leadership Team reviewed the mission statement and solicited input from shareholders in supporting student faith formation and learning. Additionally, there were two large-group shareholder meetings during the school year to discuss and revise the mission statement and SLEs. Data collected from those meetings was synthesized by the Accreditation Leadership Team and presented to shareholders. Leveled SLEs were developed for grades K-2. SLEs were minimally adjusted in grades 3-8 to clarify measurability and update language to reflect technological advances in our society. SLEs were color-coded, and a picture symbol was adopted across all grade levels to use as a cohesive instructional and visual learning aid for both teachers and students. The revised mission statement and student learning expectations were adopted in March They were communicated to shareholders through Consultative School Board meetings, Parent/Faculty Association meetings, the Family Envelope, and school website. The SLEs drive curriculum, instruction, and assessment to support student achievement. The SLEs are contained in our Student-Parent Handbook, posted in every classroom and office, and published on our website. Each day, students recite the St. Bonaventure Catholic School Pledge, which builds school community and engages students in a daily commitment to achievement of the SLEs. Each teacher incorporates the SLEs into the curriculum in many ways. Demonstration of the SLEs is incorporated into daily lessons. SLE cards/posters were developed as a visual aid and are referenced by teachers and students to connect and cross-reference the SLEs to academic curriculum. In the 2012/2013 school year, teachers began using Atlas Curriculum Mapping System web-based software to align the SLEs in their lesson plans and WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 37

39 curriculum maps with National Common Core standards, California content standards, and Diocesan Curriculum standards, striving to improve student knowledge and articulation of our SLEs. This encourages conversation among our professional teaching community and vertical alignment of instruction between grade levels. The students SLAs have all the SLEs printed on them. The SLEs are displayed on the front page of the Sycamore Education database, the school website, in every classroom, on grades kindergarten through two daily home communication folders, on grades three through eight agendas, as screen savers on school classroom computers, and on banners displayed in common areas of the school campus. The faculty and administration met to discuss ways in which the SLEs are measured. Grade and age-appropriate rubrics were developed in March of 2013 to monitor student achievement of each of the SLEs. SLE portfolios are maintained for each student. The portfolios are currently being merged with the newer grade level rubric system to give the students more accountability and ownership of their mastery of the SLEs. The goal in the near future is to transfer this portfolio/rubric system to a digital format. The rubric system works in the following manner: Grades kindergarten through two uses a developmental and holistic SLE rubric. The younger students are evaluated each trimester by their teachers. The completed rubrics are placed in their student portfolios with accompanying work sample evidence. This approach demonstrates a more global impression of students mastery of the leveled and age-appropriate SLEs. In grades three through eight, classroom teachers conference with each student and together evaluate the students progress toward attainment of the SLEs. Through student self-evaluation, students have an opportunity to express their understanding and reflect on their progress toward mastery of the SLEs. Teachers use these evaluations to inform curriculum planning, to address the needs of the general student population, identify advanced learners, identify those students exhibiting learning challenges, and identify multiple learning styles. This information is used to inform, and differentiate instruction to improve student learning. However, the SLE rubrics have not been in place long enough for a conclusive longitudinal study of the rubric s effectiveness. Through engaging in the self-study process, the committee also concluded that students and staff could better measure the value of our SLEs by adding eighth grade graduation/exit interviews to our SLE evaluation process. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 38

40 St. Bonaventure Catholic School is highly effective in integrating the SLEs into the curriculum to meet the needs of all students. The school s goal is that every child becomes an Active Christ- Centered Catholic. The administration, faculty, and parish community lead by example to ensure that Catholic values are woven throughout the curriculum. Administration and faculty model prayer, attend Mass, participate in the Sacraments, and serve as lectors and Eucharistic ministers. As a ministry of the parish community, school families have the opportunity to participate in the Liturgy of the Word, Lenten Fish Fry, Soup for the Soul, Ministry Fair, Children s Choir, Girl/Boy Scouts, and the Parish Fall Festival. The school encourages the students to become Effective Communicators by expressing their feelings and demonstrating confidently and with poise, what they are learning through the integration of several forms of media. Many grade levels encourage communication by cross-curricular thematic unit plays such as: the school Christmas Program, the kindergarten Commotion in the Ocean, 1st grade s God Bless the USA play and Jump for Joy musical, 4 th grade s Gold Dust or Bust musical, and 5 th grade s Stations of the Cross presentation. Additionally, all teachers utilize daily classroom integration of technology as another method for students to communicate their learning. Life-long Learners are supported and encouraged through student engagement, projects that apply learning to real-world situations, a challenging curriculum based on the individual learners and providing differentiated instruction. Teachers make accommodations and modifications through the use of differentiated instruction, project based learning, and use of instructional methodologies that utilize higher level thinking skills. Last but not least, to help every child become a Responsible Citizen the school inspires and models compassion for others through daily prayer, classroom Christian service projects, school-wide drives for those in need, individual rewards for academic and sports, environmental projects and an emphasis on living the Catholic Character Trait of the month. In conclusion, after thorough evaluation of our school s purpose, St. Bonaventure Catholic School administration and faculty felt that it was vital to institute a school-wide curriculum mapping system, which would support a standards based continuum leading to a cohesive and comprehensive rigorous curriculum. Grade level SLE rubrics were developed to guide the transition to a more collaborative, student led SLE evaluation and reflection method. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 39

41 Significant Accomplishments Chapter 3B Summary Goals 1. Implemented SLE aligned curricular mapping in grade level curricular areas 2. Developed and implemented SLE Rubrics for all grades 3. Leveled SLEs for primary grades 4. SLEs color-coded with picture references to enhance student learning 1. Develop a longitudinal study to measure the efficacy of the newly implemented SLE rubrics 2. Develop digital student portfolios to assess efficacy of SLEs and inform instruction to improve student learning. Evidence Appendices: Appendix A.1 Appendix A.2 Appendix A.3 Document Evidence: DE3B-1 SBS Mission Statement and School Philosophy DE3B-2 SBS School Pledge DE3B-3 Leveled Primary SLEs DE3B-4 Grades 3-8 SLEs DE3B-5 Leveled Primary SLE Rubric DE3B-6 Grades 3-8 SLE Rubric DE3B-7 SLE/Technology Assessment Staff Survey Results Photo Evidence: PE3B-1 God Bless the USA PE3B-2 Gold Dust or Bust PE3B Parish Festival PE3B-4 Student Outreach Projects PE3B-5 School Assembly PE3B-6 All School Mass Photos PE3B Parish Ministry Fair Environmental Evidence: EE3B-1 Character Trait of the Month Poster EE3B-2 SLE Posters EE3B-3 School Philosophy print EE3B-4 Exterior SLE banners EE3B-5 Character Trait of the Month posters EE3B-6 SLE Learning Visual Aides EE3B-7 SLE Wallpaper on computers Video Evidence: VE3B-1 Stations of the Cross VE3B-2 Annual Giving Promotional Video VE3B-3 God Bless the USA play VE3B-4 Nano Nagle Song Archived Evidence: AE3B-1 SLE Portfolios (archived in administration office) AE3B-2 Family Envelope (archived on school website) AE3B-3 School Board Agendas and Minutes (archived in administration office) WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 40

42 MISSION STATEMENT Saint Bonaventure Catholic School operates as a ministry for the parishioners of Saint Bonaventure Parish. Our mission is to partner with parents, the primary educators of their children in matters of Faith, to provide a Catholic Christ-centered, academically excellent and safe school environment in which all children can achieve their God-given potential and make a positive difference in the world. SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY Christ is the reason for Saint Bonaventure Catholic School. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in our classrooms. He inspires our administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, and parish community to spread the Gospel message, to build community, and to serve others. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 41

43 School-Wide Learning Expectations for Primary Grades Graduates of Saint Bonaventure Catholic School are capable of being: Actiive Chriist-Centered Catholliics Who: Act like Jesus would. Participate in prayers, Sacraments, and Mass. Help others in need. Liife-Long Learners Who: Practice reading and learning in all subjects. Work hard to reach learning goals. Know that hard work and effort lead to results. Effectiive Communiicators Who: Share ideas by speaking clearly and listening well. Express self through music, art, writing and drama. Responsiiblle Ciitiizens Who: Work and play well with others. Care about the Earth and recycle. Take responsibility for their actions. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 42

44 SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS AND INDICATORS FOR GRADES 3-8 Graduates of Saint Bonaventure Catholic School are capable of being: ACTIVE CHRIST-CENTERED CATHOLICS WHO: Participate regularly and eagerly in the prayers, sacraments and liturgical celebrations of the Catholic Church in order to better know and serve God. Serve others as Jesus did especially the poor and vulnerable, through words and deeds. Demonstrate forgiveness, kindness, and understanding. Resolve conflict peacefully. Demonstrate on-going individual Catholic faith formation through knowledge of scripture, Church beliefs, Church history, and tradition. Demonstrate respect and appreciation for the God-given gifts and talents of others in fulfilling God's plan and use individual God-given gifts and talents to serve others to fulfill God's plan. LIFE-LONG LEARNERS WHO: Demonstrate curiosity and eagerness to learn and are determined and self-directed in seeking knowledge. Demonstrate mastery of challenging subject matter as defined by National, State, and Diocesan standards. Demonstrate ability to apply what has been learned to real-world situations. Efficiently, ethically, and independently locate, access, interpret, evaluate, and apply information from a variety of sources. Read and think critically to make informed real-world decisions. Set goals, use various organizational tools, and evaluate progress to achieve goals. Practice healthful habits in order to fulfill God-given potential. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS WHO: Write clearly and effectively to suit purpose and audience. Speak to an audience with honesty, confidence and poise. Listen attentively, ask questions, and respond appropriately to others. Use technology as a tool to gather information, solve problems, and communicate ideas. Demonstrate courtesy and respect when communicating with others. Integrate various media and forms of expression to effectively communicate with others. RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WHO: Assume responsibility for choices, successes, and challenges. Work cooperatively with others. Participate actively as local and global citizens to promote peace and social justice. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, fairness, and good sportsmanship. Demonstrate responsible stewardship of Earth's resources. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 43

45 St. Bonaventure Catholic School Pledge Today I pledge to live the values that St. Bonaventure Catholic School teaches. I promise to be an Active Christ-Centered Catholic, a Life-Long Learner, an Effective Communicator, and a Responsible Citizen. I will strive to keep Jesus: in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart. WCEA ISL 2012 St. Bonaventure Catholic School 44