St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Through a celebration of our faith, all who enter our school may grow together as a Christian community. Within the community of St. Teresa of Avila
Catholic School, the mission of the staff, students, and parents is to respect and accept the uniqueness of each individual as a follower of Jesus.
All members are encouraged to realize their full potential - spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. Staff and Parents shall strive to
develop within each student: a sense of belonging; self-confidence; and an ability to interact positively with others; as well as, a sense of pride in themselves
and in their school community; an ability to problem solve; a level of respect for self and others; responsibility; and, the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Our
ultimate goal is to provide our children with the tools to become content, productive members of the community and the world of work.
The students of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic School will be provided the opportunity to learn in a loving Catholic community. As a Catholic School, students
are taught Catholic values and are prepared to be Jesus' followers, and to care for others. As a Catholic community we will develop our faith, and our
unique special gifts and share them with the world.
Motto
Together in Faith and Learning
Catholic Focus
St. Teresa of Avila Separate School, located at 6675 Montevideo Road in Meadowvale, is a community located in the northwestern part of Mississauga, and
officially opened on February 2, 1987. The school population reflects the diversity of its community. A large proportion of the community consists of recent
immigrants who come from across the globe to find a better life for their children, our students.
On May 30, 1987, the school was blessed, with Fr. Philip Nessinger of St. John of the Cross Parish, officiating. The mahogany cross on top of the building
was donated by the late Art Steffler, former school trustee for the Streetsville Separate School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic Separate School
Board.
The student population grew along with the community of Meadowvale. St. Teresa of Avila School’s original building could not accommodate its growing
school enrolment. As a result, an addition was built and in the Fall of 2001, St. Teresa of Avila School staff welcomed students to their newly renovated
facility.
St. Teresa of Avila School is named after St. Teresa of Avila, the patron saint of the sick. The school’s motto “Called to be Christ for Others” reflects the many
examples of social justice initiatives the students and staff undertake several times a year. These include contributing to food life essential drives, The St.
Vincent de Paul Society, Eden Food Bank, Dr. Simone's warehouse, activities for ShareLife and Operation Christmas Child. Our Adult Faith Ambassadors
and Faith in Action students model faith and leadership through monthly virtue assemblies/liturgies and the sponsorship of community families at Christmas.
Core Principles
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
Catholicity
St. Teresa of Avila's school community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centered
programs and services in the following ways:
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Masses, Virtues education, liturgies, virtue assemblies
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The Virtues, gospel readings and reflections are incorporated into the daily announcements
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Sacred space in all classrooms and common areas
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Various social justice initiatives are ongoing throughout the year: food drives, life essential drives, Angel on a Tree
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Strong relationship with parish
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Breakfast program
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Pastoral plan shared with the community
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Support to families in need in conjunction with School Social Worker
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Catholic Education Week is promoted and celebrated
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Rosary Apostolate
Learning Environment
St. Teresa of Avila's most recent EQAO Primary Division (Grade 3) assessment performance scores:
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Primary Reading: 56%
Primary Writing: 56%
Primary Mathematics: 41%
St. Teresa of Avila's most recent EQAO Junior Division (Grade 6) assessment performance scores:
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
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Junior Reading: 69%
Junior Writing: 64%
Junior Mathematics: 33%
Professional development with a focus on Mathematics will continue to put emphasis on the 3-part math lesson, UMCL problem solving model, use of
manipulatives and the realignment of the divisions to move toward school-wide common practices.
The school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning in the following ways:
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Parent and Family Literacy Centre – to promote school readiness
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Welcome to Kindergarten Night – home/school connection
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French Immersion Welcome day
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Young Minds at Play
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Parent Engagement Initiatives through Catholic School Council
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Secondary School students volunteering and provide tutoring
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All Star Reading Programs
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Junior Achievement
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Artists in the School
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Professional Reading Library with current Ministry documents and resources
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Organize school-based professional development in-services
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Teachers are life-long learners as well, acting as role models by attending in-services and courses for professional development
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Our Special Education model values and promotes the inclusion of all
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Emotional Wellness presentations for students, teachers and parents
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Homework Help- Grades 7 & 8
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
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My Blueprint- Grades 7 & 8
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All About Me- K to grade 6
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Digital citizenship opportunities
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Transition planning from home to school, grade to grade as needed and from elementary to high school
St. Teresa of Avila demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all
learners in several ways including:
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Professional learning opportunities both in and outside of school are supported by the Family of School Superintendent
Professional learning is part of staff meetings
Scheduled Professional Learning Community meetings
Data is used to inform instruction
School wide collaborative inquiry
EQAO after school tutoring
All grades are involved in a shared theory of action
Student intervention meetings are planned to develop next steps based on PM Benchmark and CASI data
Curriculum mapping with the Ministry Student Achievement Officer
Student work evidence is used to drive instruction
Implementation of Learning goals, Success Criteria, Descriptive Feedback, Differentiated instruction and Word Walls in classrooms
SMART board technology is used to enhance program delivery
Digital Citizenship promoted with the use of the Bring Your Own Device initiative and Dell Tablets
Involvement of Special Assignment Teacher and Student Achievement Officer
Monthly Special Services TEAM meetings are organized to determine and plan for students
Assistive technology is used to support student achievement.
School-wide use of Prodigy for Mathematics
School-wide use of the 3-part Math lesson, UMCL model, and use of manipulatives
Community Engagement
The St. Teresa of Avila school community ensures that our Catholic School Council reflects the diverse Catholic community in several ways
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Encouraging all parents to join in the partnership of their child's education
Having representatives from the parish form a strong bond between the Church and School
Providing an open and transparent Catholic School Council election process
Posting invitations to council meetings on the school web site and newsletters on a regular basis
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
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Making an information table available at major school events, such as Open House, to promote recruitment of new members/volunteers.
School Council delegates funds based on the diverse needs of the school community
School Council parish representative acts as a strong link between the church and school
Application for the Parent Involvement Grant and Pro-Grant for parent involvement initiatives and school presentations e.g. Michael Eisen from the
Youth Wellness Network, in partnership with St. Elizabeth Seton
Our school Breakfast Club has been able to run efficiently due to the outstanding commitment of our parent volunteers
Volunteers are welcomed and appreciated
St. Teresa of Avila's school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaborative partnerships in the following ways:
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Participation in ShareLife and United Way
Neighborhood Policing Unit officers
Peel Public Health- participation in a school Health & Wellness committee with staff and students
CCAC
Playground Activity Leaders (PALS) in conjunction with CYW
Junior Achievement
Authors/Artists in the School
Peel Police Liaison Officer education
RAID Drug Awareness Program
Peel Health Education
Swim to Survive program at Meadowvale Community Centre
Fire Department Educational visits
Knights of Columbus
Breakfast Club
Parish-Home-School
St. Teresa of Avila promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student
success by:
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Reminding parents and students of sacramental meetings
Supporting parish events and initiatives
Making announcements for the Parish over the PA system
Working in partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society
Inviting our priests to classrooms and school events
Inviting parents and guardians to all masses, liturgical celebrations and virtue assemblies
Physical Environment
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
The activities that St. Teresa of Avila school engages in, models, and promotes good stewardship of resources include:
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Recycling
Celebrating Earth Day
Encouraging student participation in the Eco-Schools Initiative and maintaining the gold certification
Building student awareness through guest speakers
Attentive to site safety
Promotion of a clean, healthy environment
Financial Responsibility
St. Teresa of Avila School demonstrates financial responsibility in the following ways:
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Aligning the School budget to School goals and student learning
Maintaining a balanced budget by following board processes to maintain fiscal responsibility and transparency
All guidelines and policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance e.g.- GAP & Financial Tool Kit
Aligning Catholic School Council funds toward school goals and success
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By June 2016, there will be a decrease in the proportion of students indicating that they feel bullied as indicated in the CCCC School Climate results.
Action Plans
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Leading and learning
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase successful practices that support collaborative inquiry gained through professional learning opportunities. There will
be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of collaboration
Action Plans
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry: All staff will apply knowledge learned from professional learning opportunities.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support transitions.
Action Plans
Enhancing Transitional Practices: Increase the number of seamless transitions
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support knowing the learner through assessment specifically an increase in the
proportion of students demonstrating the ability to articulate strategies that support their learning and increase in the proportion of educators who increased
their understanding of assessment 'as', 'for' and 'of' learning, as a result of professional learning opportunities.
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner through Assessment: To increase educators understanding of assessment 'for' and 'as' learning and therefore improve student
achievement
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St. Teresa of Avila Separate School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support effective instruction. Evidence for growth will include an increase in the
proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years and an increase in the proportion of educators who intend to apply
knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities.
Action Plans
During learning, students receive timely, ongoing, descriptive feedback based on co-created success criteria from the teacher and students
Responding Through Effective Instruction - 3-Part Math Lesson Model
Responding through effective instruction: Implementation of the Personal Electronic Devices
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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