Anne Fitzgerald School Plan for Continuous Growth 2016-2019 Information Package As God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12) May 2016 Page 1
Edmonton Catholic School District Foundation Statements District Mission Statement Inspired by Love of the Father Faith in Jesus Christ Hope from the Holy Spirit We believe in God and we believe that each person is created in the image and likeness of God that each child is a precious gift and sacred responsibility in the goodness, dignity and worth of each person that Christ is our model and our teacher in celebrating and witnessing our faith in transforming the world through Catholic education that Catholic education includes spiritual growth and fulfillment that learning is a lifelong journey that all can learn and develop their gifts in building inclusive Christ-centered communities for service to one another that all have rights, roles and responsibilities for which they are accountable that Catholic education is a shared responsibility in which parents have a primary role The mission of Edmonton Catholic Schools is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. District Vision Our students will learn together, work together and pray together in answering the call to a faith-filled life of service. May 2016 Page 2
A Statement of 21 st Century Learning in Edmonton Catholic Schools Preparing our students for a world not yet realized In keeping with our Foundation Statement, the students and staff of Edmonton Catholic Schools commit to 21 st century learning. In support of hopeful Christ-centered living, in a society transformed by globalization, technological innovation and human ingenuity, 21 st century learning complements our commitment as a Catholic community of learners, leaders and educators. Edmonton Catholic Schools fosters faith-based learning that deeply engages all staff and students in 21 st century learning opportunities. All facets of the learning system curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, accountability and resource allocation are in support of 21 st century learning. Students will be creative, digitally aware, critical-thinking global citizens, analysts, communicators and producers engaged in learning that is conceptual and authentic within a faith-based environment. Guided by our moral compass and focused on the common good, students and staff will be self-directed, adaptable, discerning and curious, as they engage individually and collaboratively in 21 st century learning. Defining Statement of Inclusive Education for ECSD: Katholos-Education for Life for All In accordance with our District Foundation Statement, all resident* students and their parents/caregivers are welcomed into our schools. The Learning Team is committed to collaborating, identifying, applying and monitoring practices enabling all students to reach their potential, spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and academically within the Programs of Study alongside their peers. (*as defined by the School Act). May 2016 Page 3
Anne Fitzgerald School Plan for Continuous Growth 2016-2019 School Mission: At Anne Fitzgerald School, we grow together in a positive, nurturing environment so all can develop as holistic individuals in a Christ-centered, 21 st century learning environment. School Vision: At Anne Fitzgerald School our students will learn together, work together and pray together in answering the call to a faith-filled life of service. School Context: Anne Fitzgerald School is in the well-established neighborhood of Kernahan in Clareview. Anne Fitzgerald is home to a very dynamic population. Our children have many diverse learning abilities with numerous and various severe disabilities. Anne Fitzgerald School has four 100 Voices classes, two fulltime Kindergarten classes. Our Early Learning program is very strong and continuously growing. We have two grade ones, grade twos and grade threes and a class of each from grade four to six. This year we have the HUB program for elementary. Our focus this year is to ensure that our HUB is successful by implementing positive behavioral supports. We are also focusing on improving literacy for our struggling readers. Our Parish is St. John Bosco Church which is in walking distance. We have an excellent relationship with our parish priest Father Romano. He is an extremely important member of the Anne Fitzgerald Community. The parents that are involved are very dedicated. We communicate with parents regularly through telephone, emails, our website, front entrance monitor and face-toface both at school and during Parent Advisory Meetings. Review of Previous Year s Goals: May 2016 Page 4
Goals Achieved/continue modify Evidence/data used Goal#1 All students and staff at Anne Fitzgerald School will celebrate and promote Catholic Education through our inclusive actions, tolerance, love and understanding. We will continue this goal for this year. This goal was reviewed with the entire staff through process work. We looked at this goal and determined what was achieved and what needs to continue for the current school year. We looked at the strategies we used to help us accomplish our goals. We did eliminate the strategies that were not moving us forward or supporting our success and added strategies and actions. Satisfaction Survey and Accountability Pillar. Goal # 2 An excellent start to learning (100 Voices and Div. I) and success for every student in our school community. We will continue this goal for this year however, it will be modified and our actions will be very targeted for kindergarten. This goal was reviewed with the entire staff through process work. We looked at this goal and determined what was achieved and what needs to continue for the current school year. We looked at the strategies we used to help us accomplish our goals. We did eliminate the strategies that were not moving us forward or May 2016 Page 5
supporting our success and added strategies and actions. Goal#3 Our school community is in its second year of implementation of Leader in Me program. The entire faculty will model and teach the Leader in Me Philosophy. This goal was achieved. Analyzed the Regression Analysis, PAT results, Satisfaction Survey and Accountability Pillar and data collected from our Kinder Redesign initiative with St. Bonaventure This goal was reviewed with the entire staff through process work. Analyzed TTFM, Satisfaction Survey and Accountability Pillar. Areas to celebrate Data Analysis Accountability Pillar Excellent Overall -Program of Studies, Education Quality, and Parental Involvement Very high Achievement Program of Studies, Education Quality, Parental Involvement and School Improvement District Satisfaction Survey The five scores highest above the district average. Parents: May 2016 Page 6
1. How satisfied you are with the bus transportation 2. Please indicate level of satisfaction with the superintendent s leadership 3. Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the trustee leadership in the district 4. Overall how satisfied you are with the quality of education in Alberta 5. Overall how satisfied are you with the quality of education your child is receiving in school Staff: 1. I am satisfied with the way student discipline is handled 2. The approach to conflict management with adults in our school/site is reflective of our core values 3. District P.D. provides me with an opportunity to improve my work skills 4. I have the appropriate opportunity for input into decisions that affect my job 5. I am satisfied with the communication from my school/department Students: only four from the students 1. I know how well I am doing in school work 2. What I learn in Religion helps me to be a better person 3. I feel safe in my school building 4. I am challenged to do my best Regression Analysis All subject areas are = PAT/Diploma analysis Achieved above the provincial average in Mathematics and Social Studies Tell Them From Me Student participation in sports Grade 4 and 6 -Students participation in school clubs Grade 6 - Students with a positive sense of belonging Grade 4 and 5 - Students with positive of relationships Grade 5 and 6 Hours per day reading for fun Hours per day spent using the phone Grade 4 and 6 - Students that value schooling outcomes Grade 4 - Students with positive homework behaviors Grade 4 - Hours per day doing homework Grade 6 - Students with positive behaviors Grade 4 - Students who are interested and motivated Grade 4 and 6 Effort Grade 5 and 6 -Students meeting and nearly meeting Canada s Food Guide Grade 6 - Students consuming less than 5 sweet or fatty foods per day Grade 5 - Hours per day spent doing moderate physical activity Grade 4 - Hours per day spent doing intense physical activity Grade 5 - Bullying and Exclusion Grade 4 and 6 Feels safe attending this school May 2016 Page 7
5 Marks of Catholic School Identity Assessment Mark Two: An excellent Catholic School has a visible and Tangible Catholic Vision evident in its physical space, liturgical celebrations and prayer life. Mark Five: An excellent Catholic School recognizes that each and every stakeholder is responsible for the common good. We work very closely with our parish priest. Father Romano is very active in our school and we attend mass monthly. Areas to target for growth Data Source Process Goals in response to data Accountability PAT Excellence is an issue however it did Pillar improve from last year. 2015 8.8% 2016 10.3% School Improvement declined 2015 92.5% 2016 83.9% We are addressing these issues with our second goal and the hiring of a Literacy Teacher and our Kinder Redesign project with St. Bonaventure District Satisfaction Survey 5 scores that are furthest below the District average: Parents: 1. My child s school has a positive reputation 2. My child has the opportunity to participate in social justice activities at school 3. I am satisfied with the way that student discipline is handled in my child s school 4. I am welcome in my child s school 5. Level of satisfaction to access information about activities in the school Staff: 1. Our school demonstrates care for the environment 2. Care and concern is evident in day to day interactions at our school 3. Our school works as a team in our school May 2016 Page 8
4. I am satisfied that our school council is filling I s advisory role 5. Overall I am satisfied with the quality of education in Alberta Students: 1. I enjoy learning about the Catholic faith 2. Student Behavior is handled properly 3. My school gives me the opportunity to use a variety of technology tools 4. I am better by using a technology in my school 5. My parent/guardian helps me with my learning Regression Analysis PAT/Diploma analysis Tell Them From Me 5 Marks of Catholic School Identity Assessment Goals: All subject areas are = Standard of Excellence was below the province in all subject areas Students with a positive sense of belonging Hours per day spent reading books for fun Hours per day on computer and video games Hours per day spent doing homework Students who are interested and motivated Students with moderate or high levels of anxiety Mark One - An excellent Catholic School is driven by a mission which views all men and women with an inherent dignity as sons and daughters of God. Mark Two: An excellent Catholic School has a visible and Tangible Catholic Vision evident in its physical space, liturgical celebrations and prayer life. We will be creating a mini chapel area in our studio There were very minimal differences - no areas of significance We need to be better at communicating our school mission statement. We will ensure it appears on all our communications and our website. We will also ensure that the faculty knows what our mission statement is. We will be creating a mini chapel area in our studio Goal #1 By June 2017, all students and staff at Anne Fitzgerald School will celebrate and promote Catholic Education through our inclusive actions, tolerance, love and understanding as expressed in Mark 2 of The Five Marks of Catholic School Identity and Learner Competencies formed through Catholic Education May 2016 Page 9
District Correlation: District Goal One: Live the distinctiveness of Catholic education 1.1 Demonstrate the distinctiveness and advantages of Catholic education 1.2 Promote and foster the presence of Edmonton Catholic Schools in the education, Church, civic, business and government communities 1.3 Demonstrate commitment to and excellence in Catholic education 1.7 Continue to enhance and strengthen our Catholic identity through the Five Marks of Catholic School Identity Implementation Plan (2015-2018) (Five Marks of Catholic Education) and continue teacher faith formation through the Five Marks of Catholic School Identity and the Excellent Catholic Teacher (The Excellent Catholic Teacher) Sub Goal a) Students and faculty will deepen their Catholic identity Strategy Actions Students and the faculty will celebrate and promote Catholic education through actions and behaviors Students will be provided with engaging faith experiences Incorporating the use of our bibles into other subject areas To share and reflect on our relationship with God Daily Students will recognize that we are all God s children and will show love, tolerance and understanding to all our classmates and the Anne Fitzgerald School community Students will be given the opportunity to write and read prayers for our daily announcements Publicly recognize students for receiving their sacraments Students will plan and organize various school celebrations Using the new Religion curriculum to create inquiry based unit projects Creating a more welcoming prayer/religion area in the school mini chapel in the studio Students will invite parents to our celebrations Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Increased participation in religious activities Increased parental involvement Increased participation in Sacramental Preparation Students will strengthen their relationship with St. John Bosco Parish through bimonthly attendance at mass Student engagement and having the students use their rosaries Rubric and students achievement Observe how often students go to our mini chapel May 2016 Page 10
Teaching religion throughout the entire school day. Ensuring it is not limited to a block for religion class Include members of the parish team in our school celebrations Visible signs of our Faith are overt throughout the school and accessible to students. Information on Sacramental Preparation will be made available at the office with parish contact information for families considering themselves or their children receiving them. School wide participation in the Anne Fitzgerald Faith Day Students in Grades 2-6 will celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, at school, during the seasons of Advent and Lent Teaching the rosary and using the rosary as part of our practice Arrange for Knights of Columbus to deliver the Rosary Kit to the school, for the use in all classrooms Culminating project for each religion unit Purchase items to create our mini chapel space Have an item created by each classroom for our mini chapel Students are purposely choosing to independently use their bibles daily Use the bible as a reader s response tool and are writing about their understanding of the New Testament Students naturally using compassionate language without prompting in peer interaction Less incidences of negative behavior form students Creating their own personal meaning with God and able to articulate this Analyze data from surveys May 2016 Page 11
Students keep their bibles in their desks and are free to use their bibles at any time as a resource for reflection in any subject area Incorporate sharing into our faith into our daily class meetings Read stories about accepting differences and similarities Teaching students to recognize emotions in themselves and others Class discussions about how we are all God s children and are unique Teachable moments Permeating our Catholic beliefs throughout all the subject areas Sub Goal b) Students will learn about social justice and charity and then demonstrate through actions our call to service Strategy Teachers will teach the students about social justice and charity using the 5 levels During the school year, students, together with their teacher will choose a social justice project based on Catholic teaching Students will participate in various activities that demonstrate the importance Actions Classes will research, based on curriculum, an area to focus on Teachers will present ideas at a staff meeting Classes will plan and carry out whole school social justice projects Classes will support various projects; Sign of Hope Campaign, St. Vincent DePaul Measures/evidence of effectiveness Reflections by students Attitude towards helping others Being tolerant and accepting of others Reach a goal of $1000 raised for Sign of Hope and the ECSD Foundation May 2016 Page 12
of charity and caring for the environment Students will take ownership of how they can support The Sign of Hope Campaign and raise awareness of the services provided Leadership students will volunteer within the school and in the community to provide and enhance leadership skills and provide service to others while modeling a faithful community Food Bank, The Marian Center, The Humane Society Students will prepare posters and announcements advertising the social justice project and the benefits of school wide participation Involvement of various leadership teams; Patrols, lunch monitors, Leader in Me Team, office helpers, milk monitors Students will participate in various service projects throughout the year; Terry Fox run, Sign of Hope Campaign, visiting seniors at St. Michaels throughout the year and planning activities to engage with the seniors Collecting hats /gloves for the homeless Holomador - being tolerant and accepting of others Students decide on the fundraising activities. Grade 4 and 5 working in partnership to set a goal and then work backwards to accomplish the goal. Leadership modelling for others Planned activities and outings Providing service to others Students are engaged and excited to continue work for Sign of Hope and other charities. Data form the Tell It from Me survey All students being involved in all aspects of the school community Experience the importance and the rewarding feeling of service for others May 2016 Page 13
Monthly leadership assembly Goal 2: By June 2017 Anne Fitzgerald will have decreased the number of students on our struggling reader list according to the F & P scores and other measures through regrouping of students school -wide according to ability and targeting specific learning needs in literacy using a variety of resources including additional staff to support our students success. District Correlation: Goal two - Every student is successful Goal: three: The Edmonton Catholic School District is inclusive Goal four: Quality teaching and school leadership Goal Five First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are successful Strategy To review our student literacy performance in all grades and determine abilities of all our students to establish better instructional practices to increase those performance measures by the end of the year. Actions Hired a 0.5 literacy teacher F & P all students to determine levels beginning, middle and the end of the school year. Group students per ability in multi-age groups and provide daily guided reading in small groups for the most struggling readers. Invest in a comprehensive Language Learning Intervention (LLI) kits and train support staff to provide intensive, regular and targeting support for students in a dedicated space. Review Guided Reading practices in each classroom and offer professional development for teachers to create school-wide continuity of practice in supporting literacy development and improvement in students. Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Using F & P more regularly throughout the year, by June 2017, our Struggling Reader list will be reduced by a minimum of 15% Reduced number of students receiving targeted LLI instruction Student PAT scores in Grade 6 ELA will continue to positively demonstrate achievement to their potential as predicted from their Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test SLA scores in Literacy for student in Gr. 3 will continue to demonstrate more students achieving higher levels of response quality from the previous year Fewer students in all grades reading below grade level according to F & P scores May 2016 Page 14
Reinvest into contemporary and relevant classroom levelled libraries Kindergarten students preparedness to readily begin Gr. 1. Provide for Sacred Literacy Time each morning where the whole school will engage in literacy activities each day of the week Implement a Flex Block for Full day Kindergarten program with a focus on literacy and numeracy to target specific needs of student in giving them an excellent start to learning. Kindergarten Redesign. Continue our partnership with St. Bonaventure school in our full day kindergarten redesign. Goal #3 By June 2017, all faculty will continue to gain as much knowledge and expertise in positive behavioral practices as possible. We will implement these strategies to ensure success for all our students with challenging behaviors District Correlation: Goal two - Every student is successful District Alignment Goal three - The Edmonton Catholic School District is inclusive District Goal Four: Quality teaching and school leadership District Goal Six: First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are successful Strategy Create a very strong and cohesive team with our Actions Debrief with HUB team weekly Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness May 2016 Page 15
teachers, emotional behavioral specialists, educational assistants, therapeutic assistants and paraprofessionals to gain greater knowledge and expertise in positive behavior practices to ensure all our students inclusively and in the HUB are successful. Positive Behavioral Practices PATHS Curriculum Attend as much professional development that is available to us in behavioral intervention and trauma and development Provide and ensure our faculty can attend as much professional development that is available in behavioral intervention and trauma and development Created the Positive Behavioral Supports in Practice video series in conjunction with our district and RSCD. Always implementing the Positive Behavioral Supports Ensuring all new staff know how to implement the positive behavioral supports Collect data to see decreased behaviors. Track how much time our HUB students are in the inclusive classroom. Track the progress each student is making in all subject areas. Students ability to choose their own problem solving strategies Students are solving their problems independently Present on Positive Behavioral Supports in Practice at ULEAD and possibly other conferences Our faculty can mentor other schools and open our site for visitations Professional reading in this area Transition students successfully back to their community schools. Coach the community school s faculty to ensure May 2016 Page 16
success with the transitioning of our HUB students Classroom teachers collaborate successfully with the HUB team Collaboration time is given for the classroom teachers and the HUB team Strictly follow behavioral plans Daily follow up with teachers and the HUB team on successes and failures Students successfully integrated into classrooms with supports diminishing and the students become more independent Review Date 1: March 2017 Review Date 2: June 2017 May 2016 Page 17