Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan Mission * We, the community of Holy Spirit Catholic School, in partnership with the students, parents and the Catholic Church, are dedicated to fostering the development of each child in the fullness and likeness of God. We offer each student the opportunity to develop individual talents in a welcoming and safe environment. We will prepare our students to meet the challenges of the future and empower them to help others. Teaching for The Father, Inspired by The Son, Guided by The Holy Spirit. Motto Teaching for The Father Inspired by The Son Guided by The Holy Spirit. Catholic Focus On September 2, 2005, Holy Spirit Elementary School, located at 25 Bloomsbury Avenue in North East Brampton, opened to approximately 570 students. Holy Spirit was solemnly blessed on June 8, 2006 with Father Papais and Father Marco presiding. Holy Spirit belongs to St. Patrick Parish in Wildfield and has a close relationship with the Parish community. Masses and liturgies are celebrated at the school, while sacraments and special occasion such as a visit with the Bishop, are held at the Church. Inspired by the Trinity, the school motto is “Teaching for the Father – Inspired by the Son – Guided by the Holy Spirit.” Holy Spirit has a reputation of generously helping those in need locally and globally. The school is involved in a variety of social outreach and community events such as food drives and fundraising events. Throughout the academic year the school community participate in a variety of social, athletic, skill building and academic program. Holy Spirit is a strong Catholic community of learners, where faith is practiced daily and the students are challenged to grow in the image of Christ. Our Story. Our Tradition. Our Journey, 2011 Core Principles CATHOLICITY School Based Initiatives: • • • • • • School Mission Statement Visible celebration & presentation of Faith icons in the school Support of the principle strands of faith education (e.g., daily prayer, liturgical & sacramental celebrations, Religious Education and Family Life programs, Graduation and other school/classroom celebrations) The creation of a ‘Sacred Space’ in the classroom/school Infusing Catholic Values into the Ontario Catholic curriculum Family Life and Religion program Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 1/7 Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan • • • • • • • • Implementation of the ‘Virtues’ program Teachings of the Virtues through daily announcements Virtue Assemblies Valuing the dignity of the person through the Virtues via the implementation of Safe Schools Policies, Bullying Prevention and Leadership Programs (e.g. PALS, Peer Mediators, Peel’s Bullying Prevention) Schoolyard pavement games to promote Cooperative Play Implementation of strategies to support inclusivity (e.g. Diversity) Through Adult & Youth Faith Ambassador Programs Catholic Education Week School-Parish-Home Relationship: • • • • • • The Catholic liturgical year developed with the pastoral team Fostering positive home/school/parish relationships (e.g., Pastoral School Visits, parent/community invitations to school masses and Sacramental and other celebrations) Newsletter inserts to support celebrations of Faith Through the continued support for student stewardship and social justice projects (e.g., Share Life, United Way, Knight’s Table, Sidewalk Chalk Campaign(Childhood Cancer Awareness) Terry Fox Run, Food Drives and Helping Hands) Through continued development of positive school-community relationships (e.g., School Volunteer Program, Catholic School Council, School Community Partnerships, i.e., Peel Regional Police (NPU, RAID, Youth Education Programs) Peel Health, Co-operative Education Programs, York Teacher Candidates Welcoming immigrants via the Newcomer Reception Centres Ecological Stewardship: • • • Peace Garden Eco School Certification-Silver Rating Healthy School Recognition and promotion of a healthy lifestyle and food choices LEARNING ENVIRONMENT The most recent EQAO data for Holy Spirit School: EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance. • • • Primary Reading: 67% Primary Writing: 86% Primary Mathematics: 72% EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance. • • Junior Reading: 79% Junior Writing: 76% Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 2/7 Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan • Junior Mathematics: 50% The school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners: Collaborative Practices (e.g. Inquiry, Enhancing Transitional Practices): • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Collaborative Inquiry Ongoing Professional Learning among staff: conference funding, Summer Institutes, additional qualification courses, family and board in-services and collaborative inquiry Ongoing use of school data to assess student learning strengths and needs Collaborative Inquiries are designed to inform teaching/assessment practices (school & board wide assessments), diagnostic/formative assessments (PM Benchmarks, CASI, CAT 3), classroom assessments for as and of learning(observations, descriptive feedback) are implemented to identify student strengths/needs, enhance student outcomes and support professional growth for staff Professional Learning Communities are formed to support ‘theory in action’, inquiry based learning opportunities for staff, and to enhance student learning/outcomes Staff implements the Ontario Curriculum and supplementary documents (e.g. Growing Success) as the basis for teaching and learning Ongoing development of learning goals and success criteria to support student learning Ongoing use of school data to assess student learning strengths and needs Ongoing development to implement the ‘Focus on Five’ Model across the divisions to support guided reading/practice Student generated anchor charts to support their learning Board technology is used to enhance program delivery Team and integration meetings to plan next steps for our diverse learners Student IEP’s(Individual Educational Program) are developed to support ‘at risk’, gifted, exceptional learner needs and to develop learning opportunities for growth Staff participate in School/Family/Board wide professional development opportunities as appropriate to needs Transition meetings are organized to support the transition of learners: into Kindergarten, from grade to grade, from elementary into secondary schools, for students at risk and with exceptional learning needs Support Services available when needed Creating Conditions for Learning: • • • • • 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, Artists in the School Programs), Secondary School Orientation Programs, Student Leadership opportunities (e.g. PALS, Youth Faith Ambassadors, Diversity, Office/Classroom helpers) and support for a range of Educational Pathways for students transitioning into elementary school (e.g. from the home, from grade to grade, from elementary to secondary school, and for those ‘at risk’ and/or identified as exceptional learners) Implementation of Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) CCCC survey data School wide Bullying Prevention Program (Peel Public Health) Reading Buddies Community Partnerships: Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 3/7 Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan • • • • • • • • • • • • Grant Opportunities Through support for the delivery of enhanced curriculum provided by community partners (e.g. Peel Health, Youth Education Officer and Peel Bullying Prevention) Support for Parent/Adult learners through participation in the School Volunteer Program, Catholic School Council, CCCSC Family of Schools Meetings, etc. Liaise with the Public Library Family Literacy Program (night sessions through Region of Peel for parents and JK – 8 students) Gideon Bible Program University teacher candidates Support High School and College Co-op Program Author visits Eye See Eye No Child Without (Medical Alert) Welcome to Kindergarten and Family Literacy Program COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaborations: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Catholic School Council Election information is sent home to all parents/guardians Opportunities to become involved in volunteer activities/committees/classroom field trips/special celebrations etc., foster expanded participation in the school by way of interest and/or expertise (knowledge/skills) School administration visibility and accessibility; open door policy is intended to provide a welcoming, inclusive school climate Pro Grant to engage the community Artists and Authors in the School Guest speakers through Catholic School Council The school team builds and fosters community partnerships through staff participation in school to school (family wide) learning teams ESL Reception Centre Participation in curriculum related field trips Implementation of co-curricular/intra, and/or inter-school/ board wide competitions (e.g., sports teams, Student Speech competitions (Catholic Women’s League), Silver Birch/Red Maple Reading Programs) Involvement of our Community Partners: Peel Regional Police (Neighborhood Police Unit, Youth Education Officer, Children’s Safety Village), Peel Health (Pals, Bully Prevention Program), Brampton Parks and Recreation, Peel Children’s Centre and Archbishop Romero Working in collaboration with the Family Day before/after school programs Encouragement of permits that support and/or enhance student well-being (e.g., Brampton Parks & Recreation, Sports teams) Collaboration with various agencies dedicated to the support of student well-being (e.g., EYE SEE, EYE Learn Program, Region of Peel-Student Immunization Program) Gideon Society Brampton Clean City Dairy Farmers No Child Without – Medical Alert Program Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 4/7 Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan PARISH-HOME SCHOOL Holy Spirit School promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success: • • • The school works with the home in collaboration with Father Vito and St. Patrick’s Parish to support Sacramental Preparation and faith development The school provides support for Parish and Board charitable works initiatives, e.g. Share Life, Helping Hands and food drives The school participates with the home and parish in school Masses, Virtues and liturgical celebrations PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT • • • • • • • • The organization of a school wide recycling program Eco school rating of silver The implementation of healthy eating programs (e.g., litter less lunch) The delivery of curriculum e.g., geography, science, religion, family programs that foster ‘respect for life’ and stewardship of resources Purchasing learning resources that reflect the diversity within the school Peace Garden Green Committee Establish system for staff to reduce copying and use of G.O.O.S paper FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY • • • • • • • • • Allocate funds appropriate to learner needs (e.g., resources) Maintain a balanced budget Allocate a portion of fundraising monies to ‘Charitable’ initiatives Encourage staff to reduce paper use in the school School Fundraisers Follow Board guidelines for financial accountability Staff budget committee to advise on spending for school needs Budget Tracker / Cash Net Communication to community Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 5/7 Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading Outcomes 1.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating they feel accepted in school, as demonstrated by the CCCC School Climate Survey results. Action Plans Bullying Prevention CCCC Plan to improve School Climate Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry Outcomes 2.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the confidence of staff to apply knowledge gained through student assessment data, collaborative inquiry and professional learning opportunities. Action Plans SEF 2.4 Job-embedded and inquiry-based professional learning builds capacity, informs instructional practices and contributes to a culture of learning. Enhancing Transitional Practices Outcomes 3.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who are prepared for seamless school transitions through appropriate planning and resource supports. Action Plans Transition Planning Knowing the Learner through Assessment Outcomes 4.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increased understanding of assessment for and as learning for staff through professional learning opportunities and collaborative inquiry. Action Plans SEF 1.3 Students and educators build a common understanding of what students are learning by identifying, sharing, and clarifying the learning goals and success criteria. Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 6/7 Holy Spirit Elementary School Learning Plan Responding through Effective Instruction Outcomes 5.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years. Action Plans Implementation of differentiated instruction and assessment Outcome Timeframe Action Plan Priority Long-term High Medium-term Medium Short-term Low Not Assigned Not Assigned Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:13:54 AM 7/7