Bishop David Motiuk School Plan for Continuous Growth 2017-2020 Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on Earth but yours. (St. Teresa of Avila)
Bishop David Motiuk School Plan for Continuous Growth 2017-2020 School Mission: Informed and inspired by our Catholic faith, the mission of Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School is to help our students grow as good and faithful persons while fostering their development as confident, reflective and capable learners who think critically and consider both local and global perspectives. School Vision: Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School is a Christcentered community that invites students to grow together in faith and learning. We celebrate and nurture the gifts and uniqueness of each child in an environment where students develop as thoughtful and independent learners who are well-equipped to deal with the opportunities and challenges that life brings. School Charism: The charism of Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School is to emulate the love and hospitality of Jesus in all that we do. Our charism is inspired by the life of Jesus. We recognize that all persons are created in the image and likeness of God and have an inherent dignity and worth. All persons are welcome and belong in our community of believers. We live the beatitudes and are bearers of the Word of God. School Context: (2 paragraphs) Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School is a new school serving the community of Lewis Estates in West Edmonton. We currently have 697 students in prekindergarten through grade nine, with 570 in elementary grades and 127 in junior high. We anticipate an additional 3 4 classes next year as high enrolment in kindergarten translates into additional grade one classes and enrolment in junior high increases. We have a very diverse population of learners at our school. 230 of our students are English Language Learners, mostly from the Philippines, which brings a rich dimension to our school. Since we are a self-contained pre-kindergarten to grade nine site, we are excited about creating a learning environment that will meet the needs of learners at all levels in our building. We are currently working with our students, families, staff and our namesake, Bishop David Motiuk, to set directions for our school. Data Analysis:
Note: District Monitoring provided us with composite data pulled from the schools where most of our students came from. This data is unofficial and is designed only to give us an indication as to the levels our students are achieving at along with general indicators as to areas to celebrate and areas for growth. Areas to celebrate Accountability Pillar Estimates indicate excellent measures in the areas of: Safe and Caring Program of Studies Education Quality Drop Out Rate Work Preparation Citizenship Parental Involvement District Satisfaction Survey 100 % of students in grades 4-6 indicated that their school teaches them to take care of the environment (2 % above the district average) 91.2 % of students in grades 4-6 indicated that they learned better using technology (4.9% above the district average) 98.8% of students in grades 7-9 indicated that religion classes make the Catholic faith meaningful to them (12% above the district average) 98% of students in grades 7-9 indicated that what they learn in religion classes makes them better persons (12% above the district average) 98.1% of students in grades 7-9 indicated that they feel safe in their school building (7.2% above the district average) Regression Analysis PAT/Diploma analysis Regression Analysis indicates that students in grade six have been performing as expected in English Language Arts, Math and Social Studies. They performed above expectations in science. These measures have been consistent over the past three years. Multiyear results indicate that students in grade six scored above the provincial average for the acceptable standard in English Language Arts and Science. Multiyear results indicate that students in grade nine scored above the provincial average for the acceptable score in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. *Results based on Number Enrolled
Our School Survey 83% of students in elementary grades indicated that they feel safe at school as well as going to and from school (8% above district average). 89% of students in elementary grades indicated that they have friends at school who they can trust and who encourage them to make positive choices (5% above district average). 87% of students in elementary grades indicated that they feel accepted and valued by their peer and by others at their school (5% above district average). 85% of students in junior high indicated that they believe education will benefit them personally and economically and will have a strong bearing on their future (8% above district average). 87% of students in junior high indicated that attending a Catholic school helped them explore their love of God and service to the community (7% above district average). 5 Marks of Catholic School Identity Assessment Although our school is new, we are pleased with the progress we are making in each of the Five Marks of Catholic School Identity. We are particularly pleased with our progress in Mark Two: Imbued with a Catholic Worldview. Our school: Provides students with opportunities to pray each day and at numerous times over the course of the day. Provides students with opportunities to attend religious celebrations and masses. Catholic worldview is evident in signage and artwork throughout the building. The school has a chapel which is open for students at all times and which provides a space for prayer and worship. Every classroom and teaching space has a prayer center with a Crucifix, candle, Bible, cloth with appropriate liturgical color. The school works with the local parish to support sacramental preparation. Students have many opportunities to take part in action and service projects that reflect Catholic teaching on social justice and charity. Students have opportunities to take part in faith experiences such as retreats.
Areas to target for growth Data Source Measures Goals in response to data Accountability Pillar District Satisfaction Survey The accountability pillar indicates one area of concern for Bishop David Motiuk: PAT Standard of Excellence Scores in both grade six and nine in each subject area. 93.8 % of students in grades 4-6 indicated that classroom learning activities are meaningful (3.6 % below the district average) 89.4 % of students in grades 4-6 indicated that they know how well they are doing in their school work (2.1 % below the district average) 90.8 % of students in grades 4-6 indicated that they feel safe on the playground during school hours (1.1 % below the district average) To achieve above provincial and district averages in Standard of Excellence scores in achievement tests in all subject areas. Regression Analysis PAT/Diploma analysis 80.2 % of students in grades 7-9 indicated that their school teaches them the value of healthy food choices and active living (4.9 % below the district average) 89.7 % of students in grades 7-9 indicated that their parent or guardian is involved in their education (1.8 % below the district average) Scores were below predicted levels in grade nine in all subject areas. Students scored below the provincial average in the acceptable standard in: Grade 6 Mathematics (significant) Grade 6 Social Studies Students scored below the provincial average in the standard of excellence in in both grade 6 and 9 in all subject areas. To improve academic achievement levels in grade 6 mathematics and social studies To increase the number of students achieving at the Standard of Excellence level on Provincial Achievement Tests.
Our School Survey In junior high, students scored higher the district in the area of: Bullying, Exclusion, Harassment students are subjected to physical, social, or verbal bullying or are bullied over the internet (24% as opposed to the district average of 17%) In junior high, students scored lower the district in the area of: Feel safe attending this school as well as going to and from school. 5 Marks of Catholic School Identity Assessment We are working on Mark One: Grounded in a Christian Anthropology. Although we have developed our mission, vision and charism, we still need to communicate it to our stakeholders and ensure that it is reflected in the culture and life of our school. To communicate our mission to all stakeholders and to ensure that it grounds policies and procedures in our school.
Goals: Goal: To refine our implementation of the Five Marks of Catholic School Identity District Correlation: District Goal 1: Live and enhance the distinctiveness of Catholic education District Sub Goal 1.3: Demonstrate commitment to and excellence in Catholic education. Sub Goal a) Build a strong faith-based community of believers. Strategy Provide frequent opportunities for staff and students to pray together Actions Provide opportunities for staff and students to pray Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, Formal/informal prayer, School celebrations School masses Students share their prayers during morning prayer Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Students and staff will be involved in meaningful prayer Students will contribute prayers to be shared during morning announcements. Students will become increasingly involved in planning and supporting celebrations at the school Promote the use of the school Chapel Encourage the use of the Chapel for individual prayer and classroom celebrations. Students and classes will make use of the Chapel Attend Mass as a school community at least twice during the school year. Pairing older students with younger ones when attending mass in order to create a sense of family and caring among students. Students will develop a sense of caring and concern for one another.
Invite parents to celebrate mass and school celebrations whenever possible. Parents will join us for celebrations and masses. Ensuring that the symbols and visual representations of our faith are prominently displayed in our school. Implementation of the new religion program Use the correct liturgical colors on classroom prayer tables. School celebrations mark important events in the liturgical year. Prayer centers and symbols of faith are evident throughout the school. Ensure that staff have refreshers and training in order to provide optimal instruction for students. Staff are able to deliver the new religious studies program effectively. Sub Goal b) Participate in school-wide and classroom social justice projects Strategy Create awareness of injustice situations locally and around the world. Actions Take advantage of teachable moments and stories in the news in order to talk to students about injustice and our Christian response. Measures/evidence of effectiveness Students will be able to speak about injustice and will develop a sense of right and wrong with regard to what our response to injustice should be. Provide opportunities for students to learn about and support the work of Catholic Charities on local and global levels. Examine work being done by organizations such as Development and Peace or Chalice on a global level as well as organizations such as Students will be able to articulate what different organizations do to support
the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation and Catholic Social Services at the local level. those in need at global and local levels. Provide opportunities for students to visit and volunteer time at agencies such as Hope Mission and the Edmonton Food Bank. Students will volunteer their time to assist agencies at the local level. Students will develop a sense of responsibility toward others in their community. Encourage students to initiate fundraising and action projects to support the work being done by Catholic Charities and organizations at global and local levels. Encourage students to be aware of concerns in the neighbourhood and to be considerate of people and property around the school. Students will initiate action projects in order to support work being done by various organizations. Students will treat property and persons with respect. Students will engage in action projects to help out in the community when possible.
Sub Goal c) Build the partnership between home, school and parish. Strategies Promote Bishop David s vision for Catholic Education. Actions Invite Bishop David to visit and celebrate with us whenever his schedule allows. Measures/evidence of effectiveness Bishop David visits regularly. Work to build the relationship between clergy and the school. Meet with the Annunciation family and encourage regular visits by clergy at the parish. Members of the clergy are present in the school. Support parents in faith development. Offer parent information sessions on faith-related topics, led by the school chaplain three times over the course of the school year. Parents attend sessions when they are offered. Support families by providing information about sacramental preparation at parishes students attend, but which are not affiliated with the school. Contact parishes that students attend in order to gather information for dissemination to families. Provide families with contact information for their own parishes. More students take part in the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. Celebrate when students receive sacraments and Invite parents to let us know when their child receives first communion or confirmation. Recognize students in the newsletter and on a dedicated bulletin board. Families and school staff celebrate important liturgical events together.
when grade four students receive Bibles. Invite parents and have a special celebration, led by Bishop David, for those students who have received sacraments over the course of the year. Present students with a small gift. Celebrations are wellattended. Invite parents and have a special celebration led by Bishop David in order to gift grade four students with their Bibles. Goals: Goal 2: To explore the possibility of offering International Baccalaureate Programming at Bishop David Motiuk School starting in the 2018-2019 school year. District Correlation: District Goal 1: ECSD students are successful District Sub Goal: 1.1 Identify and implement best practices that align with excellent early learning pedagogy and learning environments to realize transformed education as described in the May 6, 2013, Ministerial Order on Student Learning. An excellent start to learning necessitates a focus upon developing competencies and, in particular, the foundational competencies of literacy and numeracy, content and procedural knowledge. 1.2 Ensure the education experiences meet the diverse needs of our learners and are available to all students. 1.3 Develop a plan to increase participation in the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate high school programs.
Sub Goal a) Begin the process of becoming a Candidate School with the IB Strategy Provide information about the International Baccalaureate Primary and Middle Years Programmes to stakeholders. Actions Present to staff regarding with information about the IB Primary and Middle Years Programmes Measures/evidence of effectiveness Staff and parents will be wellinformed with regard to the advantages and costs of IB programming. Offer a parent information evening regarding IB programming. Determine level of interest in offering the programmes at Bishop David Motiuk. Conduct surveys for staff and parents with regard to offering IB programming. Staff and parents will have a voice as to whether or not IB programming will be offered at Bishop David Motiuk. Seek permission from the District to offer IB programming at Bishop David Motiuk. Prepare proposal to establish a focus program for the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Planning. The Assistant Superintendent of educational planning will approve our proposal. If approved, present the proposal to the District Strategic Leadership Council. DSLC will approve our proposal. The Board of Trustees will approve our proposal.
Communicate with the IB to begin the process of becoming a Candidate School. Submit required documentation and fees in order to begin the process of becoming a Candidate School. We will receive confirmation from the IB regarding our status as a Candidate school. Sub Goal b) Educating parents and staff regarding the PYP and MYP programmes. Strategy Ongoing communication and information about the IB and IB programmes. Actions Include short articles and information items about IB programmes in school newsletters and communications as well as in the staff Week at a Glance. Measures/evidence of effectiveness Parents and staff become comfortable with and knowledgeable about IB programming. Begin preliminary training regarding IB programmes. Begin school-based IB training for all staff. Once staffing for the 2017-2018 year is confirmed, begin making arrangements for Level 1 IB training for staff members who do not already have it. Knowledge of IB is consistent among all staff members.
Sub Goal c) Prepare for implementation of PYP and MYP in September 2018 Strategy Provide basic knowledge of IB programming for students and staff. Actions Introduce the IB Learner Profile and key elements of the program such as global citizenship and internationalmindedness. Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Students and staff will be well-prepared for implementation of IB programmes in September 2018. Develop learning commons as a center for learning and inquiry. Acquire and promote high interest reading materials for students. Add mother tongue and subject area resources for the learning commons. Learning Commons will become a center for inquiry and learning that is increasingly utilized by students. Invite community library staff to share information and resources with BDM staff, include them on parent or school community events ex) demo of learning, meet the staff) Promote inquiry-based learning and the development of research skills. Provide students with opportunities to take part in project-based learning, such as in a science Olympics project, as a means of developing inquiry skills. Student will develop skills in research and inquiry along with the ability to evaluate sources.
Allow students to inquire into different areas of interest and provide them with opportunities to research and to reflect upon their learning. Provide teachers with training and with apps for Chromebooks that will facilitate learning in the classroom. Make cross-curricular connections when teaching and learning in order to set the stage for transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning. Goal 3: To ensure that PAT scores exceed those of the province and the district in both acceptable standard and standard of excellence. District Correlation: District Goal 1: ECSD students are successful District Sub Goal: 1.1 Ensure the education experiences meet the diverse needs of our learners and are available to all students. Sub Goal a) Prepare students at all grade levels for achievement and learning.
Strategy Ensure that students are familiar with the types of questions that are asked on PATs. Actions Utilize Exam Bank Incorporate PAT questions throughout the year within curricular assessments Measures/ Evidence of effectiveness Students will achieve above district and province averages for standard of excellence and acceptable standard on provincial achievement tests. Ensure that students understand and practice with primary and secondary sources of information. Participate in field testing. Staff participation in marking of PAT exams Staff participation in validation of PAT items Incorporate SIOP strategies into teaching and learning at all levels. Maintain a balance between differentiating/ accommodating for students throughout the year while also preparing them for PATs and other assessments Accommodate different learning styles by using different teaching strategies and unique spaces within the building - maker space,
music/drama room, learning commons, foods lab, art room. Collaboration time and planning between core subject teachers, learning coach, parents and admin Provide opportunities for teachers to access professional development to support student learning. Staff SIOP training and incorporation of strategies into classrooms ESL support and LLI training Accessing district consultants to support teachers Sub Goal b) Provide students with opportunities to achieve at the Standard of Excellence level on Provincial Achievement Tests. Strategy Target instruction to high average students. Actions No missed assignments. Practice PATs so that students are aware of what tests are like. Measures/evidence of effectiveness Increased levels of students achieving at the standard of excellence level on Provincial Achievement Tests. Design unit tests that are in the same format as PATs. Teach strategies for decoding questions.
Focus on grade level standards Align lessons with key learner outcomes Require higher order thinking in assignments and activities Integrate writing into lessons and assignments in all subject areas. Set clear assessment targets and have students monitor their own learning and set goals for improvement as learners. Provide targeted instruction for areas of concern indicated on PAT analyses for all subjects. Provide more time for independent learning/inquiry for high average students. Require more critical thinking and extension activities in all grades and subjects.
Develop collaborative, project-based learning targeted toward exam preparation. Provide students with opportunities to reflect upon their learning. Review Date 1: Review Date 2: