DUFFERIN PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Catholic School Improvement Learning Cycle 2017 2018 St. Agnes Elementary School MISSION STATEMENT Our Mission Statement: St. Agnes Catholic School seeks to provide a school climate which fosters the Gospel values, enabling our students to maximize their potential to love, learn, work and serve as Jesus did. With the school, parents, students, and the church working together, we attain success by educating students to their full potential. MOTTO Excellence and Cooperation CATHOLIC FOCUS St. Agnes Elementary School, which was opened in September 1989, located north of the centre of Brampton in Heart Lake at 103 Richvale Drive South. The school was blessed on June 3, 1990. The school, which has approximately 293 students, emphasizes prayer life, liturgical celebrations, the sacraments, and the Religion/Family Life programs. The school motto is "Excellence and Cooperation". The school is named after St. Agnes, who lived in Rome during the early fourth century. She was martyred for not denying her faith even when faced with death at age thirteen. On her feast day, two lambs are blessed at her church in Rome, and then their wool is woven into the palliums. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the board s community of learners, which includes five key groups: students; the parish, home and community; teachers and support staff; administrators and supervisory officers; and trustees. The board strives to be a Christ-centred system in which all may work and learn in a supportive, inclusive, meaningful, and respectful environment. Within the context of an authentic Catholic learning community, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School board strives to provide students with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society. In support of the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board's Catholic Board Improvement Learning Cycle, St. Agnes 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, St. Agnes 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? Classroom prayer centres are established and become an interactive presence for the students, with the changes of the liturgical calendar reflected in colours and symbols of our Faith. Our community prayers during opening exercises each day will include student involvement and leadership, and prayers will reflect the virtues and the liturgical calendar, and the richness of a variety of types of prayer, including music, traditional, and children s themes. We will support ShareLife, the Knight s Table, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and global outreach, and we will conduct food drives to help local families in need. Our teachers will integrate the morals and teachings of our Faith in all subject areas and aspects of our students days, and faithfully provide students with the rich experiences of our Religion and Family Life programs. Encourage staff and student to facilitate reflections in the school chapel. CATHOLIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Summary of the school's most recent (2016-2017) EQAO Primary Assessment Performance Reading Writing Mathematics 85% of students at or above Provincial Standard 88% of students at or above Provincial Standard 71% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Summary of the school's most recent (2016-2017) EQAO Junior Assessment Performance Reading Writing Mathematics 74% of students at or above Provincial Standard 74% 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. Ongoing teaching & learning, support and reinforcement of the expectations for the Image of the Learner (Institute of Catholic Education), shaped by our Catholic faith and gospel traditions and embedded throughout the Catholic Curriculum and resource materials, to support the acquisition of the Ontario Catholic School Graduation Expectations and knowledge, skills and values, for life- long learning Staff implements the Ontario Curriculum as the basis for teaching and learning Implementation of Raz Kids on-line access to current books at school and home Tutors in the classroom After-school homework help Bullying Prevention Programs (Peel Public Health, police and Arts in the School presenters) Professional Learning Communities are formed with inquiry based learning opportunities for staff, and to enhance student learning Reading Buddies to promote the development and love of reading Teaching Learning Cycles are designed to inform teaching/assessment practices, e.g., school & board wide assessments; Diagnostic, Formative and Summative, formal assessments, e.g., PM Benchmarks, CASI, CAT 3, classroom assessments etc., and informal assessments, e.g., observations, are implemented to identify student strengths/needs, enhance student outcomes and support professional growth for staff Student IEPs are developed to support at risk, and exceptional learner needs and, learning opportunities for growth Staff participate in School/Family/Board wide professional development opportunities to learn best practices Transition meetings and conferences are organized to support the transition of learners into Kindergarten, from grade to grade, from elementary into secondary schools and for students at risk Support Services Team: Special Education Teachers, Educational Resource Workers, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech and Language Pathologists, Child and Youth Worker, Nurses, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Boardwide services Data collection and analysis CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT How does the school demonstrate that it values the involvement of community through partnerships and collaboration?
Opportunities to become involved in volunteer activities, field trips, special celebrations, sports trip supervision, milk program, and many special events foster participation in the school School administration involvement and support for Council, visibility and accessibility, and open door policy is intended to provide a welcoming, inclusive school climate The provision of opportunities to support the involvement of all community stakeholders Communication is continually provided to invite informal participation in Council activities and meetings by all parents Parent Engagement events provided for parent participation Community partnerships and collaborative relationships Students are provided with opportunities to build on in-school experiences and activities to further explore personal interests, strengths and destinations, e.g., participation in out-of school excursions, retreats, school sports teams, dance, Arts in the School Programs, Secondary School Orientation Programs, Student Leadership opportunities, e.g., Office/Classroom helpers, support for a range of Educational Pathways for students transitioning into Elementary School from the home, from grade to grade, from Elementary to Secondary School, and for those at risk and/or identified as exceptional learners. Through support for the delivery of enhanced curriculum provided by community partners, Peel Health, Youth Education Officer class and school wide program and R.A.I.D, (Reduce Abuse in Drugs), etc. Support for Parent/Adult learners through participation in the School Volunteer Program, Catholic School Council, CCCSC Family of Schools Meetings, etc. Brampton Parks & Recreation Lunchtime Programs Cyber Bullying Awareness evening Anti-Bullying Programs University teacher training program Secondary School Co-op Program student placements Junior Achievement presentations for students Eye See Eye program (free eyeglasses for kindergarten students) Welcome to Kindergarten program Use grants to promote the appreciation and celebration of the diversity of our community and provide all students with a sense of equal and full belonging 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. St. Agnes school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success.
St. Agnes School community celebrates Masses, the Sacraments and liturgies together at St. Leonard Church, and in the school, with the nurturing of strong student and staff involvement. St Agems School community to use the school chapel as a sacred space for reflection. Our community will continue to be blessed with the unique experience of the presence of the Holy Eucharist in our school chapel on first Fridays of the month, and students will have the opportunity to visit and pray. Continued food drives at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, in support of families in need in our community, in cooperation with St. Leonard Parish outreach campaigns. 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. Moving towards using online payment system for all parents Working to reduce use of photocopying and paper waste Continue the development of digital communication with parents and school community Encourage the use of online forms Eco team initiatives TECHNOLOGY How is the school committed to a responsible approach in addressing the technology needs of our learners in a global context? Smartboard technology in classrooms Ipads and Chromebooks use to support student learning School technology committee aids and supports teachers in integrating technology SAT support for teachers in using technology to support pedagogy in meeting the needs of all learners Assistive technology supports for our SERT, SERC and Needs Severe students SACREDNESS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT How does the school encourage the respectful and sustainable environmental practices of reducing, reusing and recycling? The enhancement of our school wide recycling program - ECO School Certification Implementation of curriculum e.g., geography, science, religion, family life programs that foster respect for life and stewardship of resources
Purchasing of resources that reflect the diversity within the school Brampton Clean City Earth Day and presentations Continue green initiatives with strong student involvement Peel tree/flower planting initiatives