DUFFERIN PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Catholic School Improvement Learning Cycle 2018 2019 Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School MISSION STATEMENT Our school community is a place for all students to learn and grow in the faith of our Church. We respect and value the talents of all students and strive to help them learn to use their gifts wisely in serving the larger community. Our school community has many roots we value our diversity and cherish the richness it brings to all of its members. We strive to follow in the spirit of our namesake, Venerable Michael J. McGivney, who, as founder of the Knights of Columbus, searched for ways to reach out to those in need. We offer many opportunities for giving back as examples to our young learners to learn, grow and to be active in building and sustaining a community. We value academic excellence in all students and encourage each student to work towards his or her potential. MOTTO Many roots, growing together as one. CATHOLIC FOCUS Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School is an elementary school with approximately 460 students, of diverse social and ethnic backgrounds, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our school is equipped with a welcoming front foyer indicative of our Catholic faith and virtues, a gym, stage, library, computer lab, and literacy room. Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School is home to a Moderate/Severe Needs Class which is comprised of exceptional students from other schools within the Family of Schools. Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School opened its doors in 2004. Through the examples of our master teacher, Jesus Christ, we take our calling to reach out into the deep and be community for others. Our namesake, Venerable Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, exemplified the concepts of family, unity, compassion and charity for others. We follow his example through academic, spiritual and moral development, sacramental preparation, prayer, discipline, community and social justice initiatives. We are called to be Christ for others. At Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School our commitment to academic excellence is a shared responsibility. As a staff and Catholic School Council, we work hard bringing together students, parents, teachers, pastoral team, trustee and other partners to form a Catholic community in the service of the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of students in our care. Our students come to us with a variety of strengths and needs, with Catholic faith as our common bond. Our prayer life, liturgical celebrations, Virtue Assemblies, Sacramental Preparation, and our faith and Catholic values form the foundation of our school program. The curriculum is broad, balanced and relevant to the needs and
aspirations of all our students. A wide range of subjects and learning experiences are offered to develop the skills, abilities and talents of individual students. Accordingly, appropriate assessment procedures are employed regularly to motivate and encourage student success. To ensure coherence and wholeness, subjects are taught within the context of The Ontario Curriculum, Gospel values and sound pedagogical practices. In support of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board's Catholic Board Improvement Learning Cycle, Venerable Michael J. McGivney 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, Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic Elementary 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? Gospel values are a fundamental part of our daily teachings and interactions. Our Catholicity can be witnessed during morning and class prayers throughout the day, through our Family Life and Religion programs that are integrated across the curriculum, our class and school focus on the Catholic Graduate Expectations, and through the work of the Rosary Apostolate in the classrooms. At Venerable Michael J. McGivney, our Catholicity is displayed and shared with the community during monthly Virtues Assemblies, Liturgies, Masses and especially during Catholic Education Week. Our Catholic partnerships and collaboration can be witnessed through the various social justice initiatives we undertake (e.g., ShareLife, food drives, Terry Fox Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Knights' Table) and through the ongoing work of our Youth Faith Ambassadors. CATHOLIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Summary of the school's most recent (2017-2018) EQAO Primary Assessment Performance Reading Writing Mathematics 71% of students at or above Provincial Standard 69% of students at or above Provincial Standard 51% of students at or above Provincial Standard Summary of the school's most recent (2017-2018) EQAO Junior Assessment Performance Reading Writing Mathematics 86% of students at or above Provincial Standard 86% of students at or above Provincial Standard 63% 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. Student voice, engagement and well-being are valued and analyzed through our CCCCAT data which are routinely reviewed to continually ensure a safe, caring and inclusive environment. Our staff adheres to current OPHEA guidelines and to DPCDSB policy and procedures with regards to Anaphylaxis, Asthma, and Concussions. Additionally, our ongoing collaboration with various community partners such as Peel Regional Police and Peel Public Health helps us to foster an awareness and educate our students to adopt strategies that encourage safety and inclusivity. In addition, we have invited guest speakers into our school who further emphasize the importance of student well-being. The participation of our entire school community in our Bullying Awareness Action Plan (including the school's participation in Dufferin-Peel's anti-bullying week) and the continued commitment by our staff to provide various extra-curricular clubs, teams, and activities all encourage a safe, caring, and inclusive environment. CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT How does the school demonstrate that it values the involvement of community through partnerships and collaboration? At Venerable Michael J. McGivney collaboration amongst all stakeholders (parish, home, and school) is a key component ensuring a rich Catholic school community. Throughout the school year we strive to keep the community informed through our school twitter account, email communication, website, and class calendars. On a regular basis we value the input and contributions of our Catholic School Council (including our Parish Representative) during council meetings. We always encourage community participation during our monthly Virtue Assemblies, Liturgies, Masses, and during Catholic Education Week. Our school's Open House/BBQ and Parent Engagement evenings all foster our belief in the need for community input and involvement. 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. We are proud of our strong Catholic partnerships and collaboration amongst parish, home and school at Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School. Our Catholic partnerships and collaboration are lived and witnessed through the various social justice initiatives in which we participate (i.e. ShareLife, food drives, Terry Fox Foundation, Daily Bread Food Bank, The Knights' Table). Sacramental preparation is a key focus at Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School. Staff, student, family, and parish input and participation are highly valued in our Sacramental preparation. We also welcome our Rosary Apostolate from St. Marguerite d'youville Parish who pray the rosary school wide on a monthly basis.
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. Student health, safety, well-being, engagement and achievement are key priorities at Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School. We strive to achieve an inclusive and safe learning environment for all our learners through various means. Student voice and engagement are valued and analyzed through the use of our CCCCAT data. Additionally our ongoing collaboration with various community partners helps us to foster awareness and educate our students to adopt strategies that encourage student wellbeing and safety. Some of these partnerships include our work with: The Peel Regional Police and their Youth Education Programs and cooperation with the NPU officers; Our work with the Region of Peel Health Nurse and her continued participation with PALS, our Healthy School Team, our participation in the international iwalk day, and vaccinations; The continued adherence to any recommendations by our schools monthly Health and Safety reports; The continued adherence to current OPHEA guidelines; The continued adherence to DPCDSB policy and procedures with regards to Anaphylaxis, Asthma, and Concussion protocols; The continued support and collaboration with our school teams which include our Special Education Team, the board level ASD and Behavioural Teams, the school Psychologist, Social Worker, and Child and Youth Worker; The ongoing participation of our students and staff in our Bullying Awareness Initiative, including the school's participation in Dufferin-Peel's anti-bullying week; The continued commitment by our staff to provide various extra-curricular clubs, teams, and activities for our students throughout the year (i.e. Sports Teams, Walking Club, Choir, Chess Team, Dance Team, Rosary Club, Eco Team, Youth Faith Ambassadors, and Book Club). TECHNOLOGY How is the school committed to a responsible approach in addressing the technology needs of our learners in a global context? Addressing the technological needs and the education of our students as responsible Catholic digital citizens is ongoing at Venerable Michael J. McGivney School. As a school community we continue to promote the responsible usage of Personal Electronic Devices (with or without the ability to access the schools Wi-Fi) amongst our students and staff. With the help and support of our Catholic School Council we have provided every classroom with an Interactive White Board in order to meet their technological needs. Additionally, students, with the supervision of their teachers, are routinely encouraged to use the school's computer lab, Chromebook and ipad carts as appropriate. With regards to digital citizenship, all students at Venerable Michael J. McGivney will be completing their personal profiles, portfolios and digital citizenship activities through their All About Me (Kindergarten to Grade 6) or My Blueprint (Grades 7 and 8) program files. During
staff meetings and professional development sessions, staff is provided with up to date information regarding the applications and programs that can be used and integrated into their classrooms. SACREDNESS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT How does the school encourage the respectful and sustainable environmental practices of reducing, reusing and recycling? From the very beginning of creation scripture tells us, The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it. Genesis 2:15. We cannot follow God s command to care for the earth at the same time that we abuse the earth. All Catholics are called by Pope Francis to be environmental stewards of the earth. At Venerable Michael J McGivney Catholic School, staff and students work together to be good stewards of our earth by participating in various Eco School initiatives such as: our battery recycling challenge, waste audits and litterless lunches, the reusable water bottle challenge and our purchase of a water refill station, the development and upkeep of our school garden, the Kindergarten atrium and tree planting, and through the implementation of Paper Cut. Our monthly school newsletter and other reminders from the office are sent home electronically.