Catholic School Improvement Learning Cycle

Transcription

1 DUFFERIN PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Catholic School Improvement Learning Cycle All Saints Separate School MISSION STATEMENT All Saints Catholic Elementary School challenges students to: Develop as independent thinkers who are engaged in lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence in reaching their full spiritual, academic and physical potential; Acquire and demonstrate basic skills and attitudes that equip them for the future; Grow in an understanding of Roman Catholic teachings and traditions, and to incorporate these into their everyday lives; We fulfill our mission by providing an environment where we grow and learn within the context of a cooperative, community team of the Family, School and Church that is nurturing and safe, where the Christian ideals of mutual trust, responsibility, equality and respect for all are encouraged. MOTTO Dare to Learn! Dare to Dream! All Saints Building Roads to the Future CATHOLIC FOCUS All Saints Catholic Elementary School, is located in West Mississauga at 4105 Colonial Drive. It opened in September 1988 and was blessed on October 1, Its name celebrates the multi-faceted nature of the community, from which it draws approximately 350 students. The school is named in honour of "All Saints", the day the Catholic Church honours collectively all the saints, both officially recognized and those known only to God. The "saints" are not "super" human beings but those who realized the vocation for which all human beings were created. We are a caring faith-filled community that promotes tolerance and acceptance of others, a commitment to our Catholic faith, and a set of high expectations for student well-being and academic success. With the support, participation and collaboration of parent(s)/guardian(s) and parish we provide a safe, caring, healthy, inclusive environment for students to grow and learn rooted in Gospel values. All Saints Catholic Elementary School has been part of the St. Ignatius Loyola Parish community since its beginning. The school motto is "Dare to Learn! Dare to Dream! All Saints Building Roads to the Future. The school has a long history of participating in faith activities and social justice initiatives, including supporting Sharelife, St Vincent de Paul and the Canadian Food for Children charitable organization. Other endeavours include various food drives, donations and other activities for the local food bank, support for Terry Fox, Jump Rope for Heart and Hatz Off to Kids. We are dedicated to bringing together students, parents, teachers, our pastoral team, trustees and various outside partners to form a Catholic community in the service of the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of

2 the students in our care. All Saints Catholic Elementary School strives to provide students the opportunity to realize their full potential and come to be living examples of the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations. In support of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board's Catholic Board Improvement Learning Cycle, All Saints Separate School is further committed to: Deepening the understanding, appreciation and practice of the Catholic Christian lifestyle, with Jesus as role model; Aligning a school-wide approach to Catholicity, whereby all educational practices are implemented through a Catholic lens; Developing students who are fully alive in Christ, not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions. As a diverse educational community responding to God's call, All Saints Separate School fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and scripture while: Being authentic witnesses to our Catholic Faith; Being responsible stewards of God's grace in the world; Respecting human dignity; Modelling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion CATHOLICITY DUFFERIN PEEL S STRATEGIC SYSTEM PLAN CORE PRIORITIES How does the school community model, celebrate and nourish gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centered programs and services? All Saints Catholic Elementary School takes pride in developing the whole child using a Christ-centered approach. We continue to demonstrate and communicate that "each one is called by name" (Isaiah 43:7). Through the modelling of our Catholic faith, along with establishing and promoting programs like the Virtues (assemblies, announcements, awards and recognition), highlighting the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations, community outreach through fundraising, social justice initiatives and food drives, daily prayer and announcements that promote our Catholic faith, modelling Gospel values and virtues, differentiated instruction (to promote diversity and inclusivity in a safe and caring learning environment) and with the support of our Catholic School Council, each child develops spiritually, emotionally, physically and academically. We have grade 8 students teaching the rosary to our students throughout the school which will be supported by the Rosary Apostolate beginning in January. Students also experience prayer through Christian meditation. Additionally, support staff at the school help to demonstrate and communicate the unique nature of each individual through the work they do with

3 students (e.g. Special Education Resource staff, CYW, Social Worker, Psychologist, Speech-Language Pathologist, etc.). Our community partnerships are equally important. These relationships help to show that in our faith-filled environment, their contributions and involvement nurture understanding and compassion for all stakeholders in our school community (e.g. Neighbourhood Policing Unit, Children's Aid Society, Settlement Worker, Peel Public Health Nurse, PLASP Staff). Staff at the school help to bring out the unique gifts and talents of our students through various extra-curricular activities such as teams, clubs and sports. CATHOLIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Summary of the school's most recent ( ) EQAO Primary Assessment Performance Reading Writing Mathematics 75 % of students at or above Provincial Standard 84 % of students at or above Provincial Standard 72 % of students at or above Provincial Standard Summary of the school's most recent ( ) EQAO Junior Assessment Performance Reading Writing Mathematics 85 % of students at or above Provincial Standard 85 % of students at or above Provincial Standard 48 % of students at or above Provincial Standard Describe how the school fosters the achievement, well-being and continuous development of all through a caring, safe and inclusive environment. All Saints Catholic Elementary School focuses on each individual student with a goal to assist students in achieving their full potential academically, as well as, considering their well-being. The focus for school-wide improvement in creating a caring, safe and inclusive environment continues to be accomplished in many ways. We continue to review and respond to our safe schools data to further inform our practice and next steps. Our Catholic Community, Culture and Care Action Team has been working on creating a fluid plan to meet the needs of our students and community. The plan includes the following: Students are recognized at virtue assemblies, Boys2Men Night, bullying prevention and awareness programs (e.g. Whole school assembly and a theme for each day of the week during Bullying Prevention and Awareness week), working to book in-school presentations (e.g. X Fusion, Loretta Penny, presentations for Black History Month, RAID program, Youth Education Officer presentations, Scientists in the Classroom), as well as board-wide/family presentations (e.g. Youth Faith Rally) where students are provided opportunities for greater awareness about bullying and bullying prevention strategies founded on building safe and inclusive school communities. CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT How does the school demonstrate that it values the involvement of community through partnerships and collaboration? All Saints Catholic Elementary School continues to create Catholic conditions for learning, leading and ensuring the well-being of all students. This is evident in our community celebrations of organized masses and liturgical celebrations where parents and community partners are welcome to attend. The spiritual, social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of the students are addressed in activities organized by our youth faith ambassadors through their leadership in outreach initiatives, spirit days and community building activities.

4 Routine visits from our Trustee, Parish, Superintendent, Neighbourhood Policing Unit, Youth Education Officer and Peel Public Health Nurse also help to establish a healthy caring relationship with community stakeholders -- one founded on respect and trust. PARISH HOME SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS Describe how the school demonstrates strong partnerships and collaboration among Parish, Home and School that are based on mutual respect rooted in our lived Catholic Faith. All Saints Catholic Elementary School continues to create Catholic conditions for learning, leading and ensuring the well-being of all students. This is evident in our community celebrations of organized masses and liturgical celebrations where parents and community partners are welcome to attend. The spiritual, social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of the students are addressed in activities organized by our youth faith ambassadors through their leadership in outreach initiatives, spirit days and community building activities. Routine visits from our Trustee, Parish, Superintendent, Neighbourhood Policing Unit, Youth Education Officer and Peel Public Health Nurse also help to establish a healthy caring relationship with community stakeholders -- one founded on respect and trust. STEWARDSHIP OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Describe how the school is committed to healthy and safe learning and working environments that enhance well-being, engagement and achievement. All Saints Catholic Elementary School is committed to healthy and safe learning and working environments that enhance the well-being, engagement and achievement of students and staff. This is accomplished and can be observed through the following elements of classroom culture, which create healthy, spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and intellectual spaces for all learners. At All Saints, we model Gospel values. The virtues and the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations are infused in the curriculum and in our everyday practice. Staff review GAP annually and review the Catholic Code of Conduct with students. There are Catholic Code of Conduct assemblies for all students in September. Our CCCCAT works to ensure that initiatives and activities are planned in response to student needs. Staff are engaging in a culture of high expectations which helps to support the belief that all students can learn, progress, achieve and succeed. Transition practices like Welcome to Kindergarten, "Creating Pathways to Success" education and career/life planning program through the K-6 All About Me and Gr. 7 & 8 My Blueprint as well as high school information nights and attendance at Open Houses and Shadow Days also demonstrate our commitment to healthy and safe learning and working environments. TECHNOLOGY How is the school committed to a responsible approach in addressing the technology needs of our learners in a global context? All Saints Catholic Elementary School is committed to a responsible approach in addressing the technology needs of our students. Staff are engaged in continual professional development in technologies and pedagogy that supports the digital age. Through the explicit teaching of digital citizenship lessons, students are empowered to use technology appropriately. WIFI is available and both staff and students have the opportunity to bring their own devices to school which supports planning and effective instruction. Staff have access to use an ipad cart or

5 Chromebook cart for their students, in addition to the use of the Computer Lab, to enhance their learning experiences in the classroom and find additional ways of learning and assessment which promote digital literacy, media literacy, critical thinking skills, and responsible digital citizenship. Grade Seven students will also expand their knowledge with the use of Chromebooks and teacher professional development with the Edwin Project. The Technology Committee also works to support and build capacity with staff. SACREDNESS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT How does the school encourage the respectful and sustainable environmental practices of reducing, reusing and recycling? All Saints Catholic Elementary School is regularly awarded achievement as an Eco School. Our Eco Warriors plan and encourage participation in a number of intiatives, for example; promoting recycle, reduce, resuse and the use of re-usable water bottles, litterless lunches, lights out lunches and the use of GOOS paper. Morning announcements and events are brought to the attention of the school community on a regular basis. We continue to refine our school website and most parents access it on a regular basis for forms and information. We continue to send blasts to our community in order to support being a paperless school. Staff and students continue to explore options to reflect a deeper commitment to local and global stewardship of our environment.