St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
We, the faculty of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School celebrate spirituality and diversity through achieving,
believing and community living in an inclusive Catholic environment.
We, the parents of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School, in partnership with staff and students,
are dedicated to our children’s spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical development in a secure environment,
at home and in class. Working together, we attain success by educating students to their full potential.
We, the students of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School, act and learn as a Catholic community.
We demonstrate our love for God by respecting each other and by trying to meet the expectations of our parents and teachers.
Motto
LIVING OUR VISION EVERYDAY!
Catholic Focus
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
St. Francis of Assisi School believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the school’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. St. Francis of Assisi School 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 staff strives “…to provide students with the opportunity to realize
their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society.” The school is further committed to:
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deepening the understanding, appreciation and practice of the Catholic Christian lifestyle, with Jesus as role model;
aligning a system-wide approach to Catholicity, whereby all educational practices are implemented through a Catholic lens;
developing graduates who are fully alive in Christ, “not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions”;
encouraging unique approaches to support system priorities and the principal strands of faith education: prayer and liturgy; sacramentality; morality
and justice; and scripture and church.
As a diverse educational community responding to God’s call, St. Francis of Assisi fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and
scripture. The board continues to commit to the guiding principles of Learning for All: K-12 (draft) and to Dufferin-Peel’s Equity and Inclusive Education Policy
(developed in accordance with the provincial Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy), while:
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being authentic witnesses to our Catholic faith;
being responsible stewards of God’s grace in the world;
respecting human dignity;
modeling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service.
To strengthen its Catholic identity, St. Francis of Assisi School will continue to develop opportunities for faith formation of students and staff, together with an
educational program which strives to integrate the board’s fundamental beliefs and values into all of its endeavours.
Core Principles
Catholicity
The school community at St. Francis of Assisi is committed to the pursuit of excellence, the uniqueness of the individual and the education of the whole
person. St. Francis is a caring school and community that stresses tolerance and acceptance of others (i.e. Bullying Prevention programs, Virtues program)
and commitment to our Catholic faith and high academic standards. We provide a safe and comfortable learning environment where models of Gospel
values, and Catholic doctrines, teachings and beliefs are an integral part of the daily life of our school. The school motto was chosen through the process of
community consultation and reflects a holistic philosophy where religion and daily life are intertwined. All activities at St. Francis of Assisi – academic and
pastoral work, intracurricular and extracurricular, prayer and worship, administration and management – help to prepare our students for their lives as
Catholics in the community. Our Code of Behaviour and our student recognition program are based on the values espoused by our patron Saint Francis of
Assisi. Our students come to us with a variety of strengths and needs, with their Catholic faith as their common bond. Our prayer life, liturgical celebrations,
the sacraments and our faith and Virtues program form the foundation of our school program. At St. Francis of Assisi, we are proud of our balanced religion,
academic, arts, technology and athletics program. We offer students a well-rounded and value centered education to help them make good choices for the
future. The actions, activities, programs, events, etc. outlined in our Pastoral Plan are authentically and meaningfully undertaken throughout the year.
Learning Environment
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
EQAO Results
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Primary Reading 82%. This is an increase of 9% from the previous year.
Primary Writing 80%: This is an increase of 4% from the previous year.
Primary Mathematics 60%: This is a decrease of 4% from the previous year.
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO: There was an increase in the areas of reading and writing, and a decrease in the area
of mathematical skills compared to the previous year.
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Junior Reading 84%: The results have decreased by 1% from the previous year. Increase of 11% as a cohort, since students were in Grade 3.
Junior Writing 82%: The results have decreased by 7% from the previous year. Decrease of 2% as a cohort, since the students were in Grade 3.
Junior Mathematics 65%: The results have decreased by 3% from the previous year. Decrease of 11% as a cohort, since students were in Grade 3.
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO: There was a slight decrease in the areas of reading, writing and mathematical skills of the junior
EQAO from the previous year. The students demonstrated an increase in reading, a slight decrease in writing and a decrease in mathematics as a cohort
since they were in Grade 3.
School Community Supports for Life-long Learning
At St. Francis of Assisi School, a wide range of learning experiences are offered to develop the skills, abilities and talents of individual students that will
benefit them for years to come. To ensure coherence and wholeness, subjects are taught in accordance with the Ontario Curriculum, the Gospel values of
Jesus Christ, the example of St. Francis of Assisi and sound educational practices. We are proud of the tireless efforts of our faculty towards continuous
improvement and a quality learning culture where children feel safe and comfortable as they develop their skills that will serve them well as they continue to
learn in years to come.
Our school proudly supports opportunities to our students through the following initiatives:
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School Council Fundraising
Huddle Up / PALS
School Volunteer Program
Youth Faith Ambassadors
Rosary Apostolate
School Musical Production/Talent Show
Sports Programs (teams, intramurals)
School Mass attendance at St. Francis of Assisi Church
Monthly Virtue Assemblies
Student/Staff Outreach Opportunities (i.e. ShareLife, United Way, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Charity Gift Drive, etc.)
Community Police Officers
Bullying Prevention Programs
Open House/Curriculum Night
Eco Friendly School Certification
Artists in the School
Choirs (Primary / Liturgical / Festival)
Colour Houses
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
Commitment to Continuous Improvement in Student Achievement and Well-Being of All Learners
At St. Francis of Assisi School, we continue to focus on the development of critical literacy skills across the curriculum in all grades. The improvement of
critical literacy is evidenced through a variety of assessments including CASI, PM Benchmarks, PLC results, EQAO, ERW support, support services, staff
meeting professional development and through use of data available in Skopus data warehouse.
This year's school goal focuses on continuing with guided reading/guided practice in the area of Literacy in all divisions, through school-based
support, Consultant support, and Special Assignment Teacher support. We continue to focus on the development of inquiry and integration of the Arts and
Social Studies. Differentiated assessment procedures are employed regularly to motivate and encourage student success.
Community Engagement
At St. Francis of Assisi School we provide direction and support investments in presentations, guest speakers, programs and the purchase of Literacy and
other resources that are reflective of the diversity within our community. Students are offered presentations, programs and resources that reflect the diversity
of our school, including culture, gender and variation of needs and interests (i.e. X Movement, Interactive K-8 Drum / Vocal Clinics).
At St. Francis of Assisi School we continue to develop and provide opportunities for community participation in school activities, (i.e. Family Masses,
Sacramental Celebrations, Virtues assemblies and other school assemblies, Open House, BBQ/Curriculum Night, etc.) We continue to expand and enhance
community partnerships with the Peel Health nurse, Peel Police Youth Education Officer, RAID, PLASP, Parish representatives (refer to Pastoral Plan).
We eagerly welcome regular school visits from our parish priest.
Invitations are extended to our School Trustee and Parish Priest to Community Open House, BBQ, school events and Council meetings. Our school trustee,
Sharon Hobin, regularly attends school events and works collaboratively with members of the community to support student learning.
Parish - Home - School
At St. Francis of Assisi School regular engagement and active participation of the parish and home are a fundamental component of student success. Parish
planning meetings are scheduled with administration. Our parish priest takes part in school events including the community BBQ, School Council meetings,
staff liturgies, sacramental preparation, etc.
Physical Environment
St. Francis of Assisi engages in a variety of activities that model good stewardship of resources, including:
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Recycling program
Electronic communication (newsletter, updates, bulletins, etc.)
Twitter account
School environmental assemblies
ECO School initiative (water bottle Wednesdays, boomerang lunch, battery exchange)
Youth Faith Ambassadors providing social outreach opportunities(eg. gently used clothing drive)
St. Francis of Assisi School demonstrates financial responsibility by ensuring that the school budget is aligned to system/school goals, particularly in terms of
improved student achievement. Administration attends and supports attendance at in-service sessions related to finance templates/ tools and other budget
initiatives. Regular and ongoing use of Financial Support Tools such as iRen reports are used to monitor and track school budgets. There is an awareness of
Policies/Procedures, review of monthly statements, use of supply teacher budget tracking sheet and a collaborative approach to allocating funds.
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by students in the school, as
demonstrated by the CCCC School Climate Survey.
Action Plans
1.1 Use data from CCCC survey to inform CCCC action plan
Bullying Prevention (SEF 3.4)
Virtues In Action (SEF 3.4)
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who confidently apply knowledge gained through professional learning
opportunities, as demonstrated by the CBLP professional learning feedback.
Action Plans
Collaborative Practices (SEF 2.1)
Job-Embedded and Inquiry-Based Professional Learning (SEF 2.4)
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of
self-regulation, as demonstrated by the self-regulation learning skill on the provincial report card.
Action Plans
Authentic Learning Experiences and Experiential Learning (SEF 5.2)
Transition Meetings (SEF 5.1)
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St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in learners' feelings of engagement, sense of hope, and academic success, as demonstrated by Growth
Mindset Surveys.
Action Plans
Descriptive Feedback (SEF 1.4)
Use of Assessment Data (SEF 1.2)
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students achieving a Level 3 or 4 on the Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO assessments, as
demonstrated by EQAO results.
Action Plans
Achievement in Literacy (SEF 4.2)
Achievement in Numeracy (SEF 4.2)
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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