St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Mission Statement
Peace, Love, Service and Excellence
These words have risen from the actions taken by our name sake, St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
Like our patron saint, we hope to create an environment of peace as we become peace makers within our school community,
and sending that message of peace out to others.
Like our patron saint, we hope to love unconditionally the way Jesus taught us.
To love others regardless of the differences knowing that we are all made in the image of God.
Like our patron saint, we hope to demonstrate the importance of service to others, as we work to reach out to
make this world a better place following Jesus’ examples of servant leadership.
Like our patron saint, we hope to strive for excellence and work to build and
enhance our skills in order to reach our true potential striving to build on the gifts given to us by our Lord.
We are St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Motto
Peace, Love, Service and Excellence
Catholic Focus
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Elementary School opened in 2006 but held classes in Blessed Trinity School, while its own building at 3345 Escada Drive
was being completed. St. Bernard students and staff moved into the new facility in January 2007. The school was blessed on May 23, 2007 with Fr. Vid
Vlasic of Merciful Redeemer Parish officiating. Our school community has continued to grow since our inception. The school’s present population of 708
students reflects a diverse community, where the many gifts and talents of our staff, students and parents are valued and celebrated.
The school’s motto is “Peace, Love, Service and Excellence.” These words are manifested in the life lived by our Patron Saint, St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Our
school community brings these words to life through various charitable activities, acts of servant leadership, dedication to community and our effort for
excellence in academics and athletics. We highlight the Virtues each month through award assemblies and through our words and actions. Our students are
provided with many opportunities to further develop their leadership skills allowing the light of Christ to shine through their actions.
St. Bernard has embraced the Rosary, as our Patron Saint was passionate about Mother Mary. St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote the Memorare of Saint
Bernard, which is about Mary and her willingness to assist those who seek her aid. During November and May, the community gathers weekly during lunch
hours to pray the Rosary. Throughout the year students, staff and parents are provided with several opportunities to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word and the
Liturgy of the Eucharist.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux School is part of the St. Josephine Bakhita Parish. This parish was established in 2009 and began celebrating weekly masses at St.
Joan of Arc Secondary School. The St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School community works with our parish team to help raise funds in order to build our
new Church. We continue to work as a team building the connections between home, school and parish as we help our students along their faith journey.
Core Principles
Core Principle School Response
Catholicity
1. How does the school community model, celebrate and nourish gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services?
Our school continues to focus on the Virtues through daily prayer, morning announcements, school bulletin boards, monthly award assemblies, and our daily
interactions with each other in our school community. We work together to create a safe and caring environment where everyone is made to feel valued,
accepted and appreciated. Students at St. Bernard of Clairvaux School are given opportunities to display servant leadership and be role models for others.
We are involved with various charitable fundraisers where we focus on helping others less fortunate. We are a community that values prayer with a focus on
the Rosary.
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 79%
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
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Primary Writing: 84%
Primary Mathematics: 76%
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Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO: The number of English Language Learners (ELL) in our Grade 3 cohort was 18% while the
Board (B) was 27%. The percentage of Grade 3 students born outside of Canada was 18% while the Board was 12%. The first language learned at
home other than English was 26%, while the Board was at 21%. At St.Bernard of Clairvaux, we have a high percentage of ELL learners whose first
language is not English, to the Board and the Province. Grade 3 girls and boys performed well in reading, with 79% achieving level three and above.
In Writing, students achieving at a level three was at 88% for girls and 81% for the boys. In Mathematics, even though the girls struggled at
68% (level 3 and above), it was an increase of 5% from the previous year; the boys increased from 80% to 83%. In the primary division, we will
continue to focus on literacy and numeracy skills.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 88%
Junior Writing: 92%
Junior Mathematics: 69%
Observations regarding school progress in our junior EQAO: results: the number of ELL learners in our grade 6 cohort was 12% while the Board was 16%.
Students born outside of Canada was 30% (B=16%) and the first language learned at home other than English was 25%, (B = 25%) for our Grade 6 students.
Boys performed well in reading at 81% at or above the provincial standard. The girls performed extremely well, with 96% achieving level three or above. In
Writing, 96% of girls and 89% of boys achieved a level three or higher. In Mathematics 81% of girls and 59% of boys are at or above level three. In all areas
our students continue to outperform the Board results (Provincial results not available). The junior division will continue to focus on literacy and numeracy
skills.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
At our school students are given several opportunities to be involved with field trips, guest speakers, various Arts programs, and opportunities to further
develop their leadership skills. We incorporate technology within the curriculum, as well as, encourage lifelong reading through our on-line reading program
and well as our Home School Connection Newsletters. We also provide information nights and guest speakers for our parent community in the evenings.
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
Our school staff works together in a team collaborative approach to identify the needs and challenges faced by our students as we, with the support of
parents, develop strategies to assist each child to grow to their potential. Listed below are some processes used to this end.
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Our School Special Services meet each month to review students within our school and make recommendations regarding programming and
assessments.
PM Benchmarks and CASI data is reviewed regularly and used to guide programming.
Monthly divisional meetings are used to enhance teacher skills and knowledge and grade level partners engage in teacher moderation and curriculum
planning.
Assistive technology is used for children with diverse learning needs.
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
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Special Education and ELL staff monitor student progress by meeting with classroom teachers on a regular basis.
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
The School Council encourages participation of all parents within our community and welcomes all parents to our meetings. Agendas and newsletters are
sent to all parents informing them of School Council events. There is an open and transparent process for School Council elections.
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By 6 Peel)?
Our school builds and sustains many community partnerships. We invite guest speakers to present to our students aligned to the Virtues program and we
have authors come in to share their work and we work with local companies for school events. Peel Police present various topics to all grade levels and our
Grade 1 students visit Peel Safety Village. We also collaborate with our Peel Health Nurse to support programs such as PALS and Peer Mediators and we
work in partnership with the YMCA to support students in a before and after school program. Our Grade 3 students are involved with the Swim to Survive
program and we also collaborate with community and library centers. In addition, our Needs Moderate/Needs Severe class is active in the community.
Parish-Home-School
1. Comment on how the school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success.
Our school works closely with our parish team in organizing School Masses, liturgies, opportunities for prayer, celebrations of the sacraments and supporting
various parish events and outreach programs. Our parish team visits our students within the sacramental grades and we plan retreats for our students in
Grades 2 and 8 to prepare for receiving the sacraments. Parents are always invited to attend all school liturgical functions. Our School Council supports
fundraising efforts initiated by the parish.
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
Our school engages in a variety of practices that support and promote good stewardship of resources. We are working to reduce the use of paper by placing
all monthly newsletters onto our websites and asking parents to access them in that way. Every classroom recycles and promotes good stewardship.
Our school has created a Green Team which is focusing on initiating ways to involve students in activities addressing an eco-friendly environment (GOOS
bin, Re-Think Drink Campaign, Waste Audit, Litterless lunches). Our school obtained a Gold medal status for our participation in our eco-school initiatives.
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
Our school uses a budget committee to ensure that all purchases are aligned to support school goals and student success. Funds raised by the School
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
Council are also used to support student success and financial accounting and expenditures are shared with our parent community. Board financial policies
and procedures are adhered to.
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
By June 2017, there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by the students in school as demonstrated in the CCCC
School Climate Survey results. If students feel more accepted, there will be less incidences of bullying.
Action Plans
Support learners well-being, feelings of acceptance at school through the work of the Catholic Community Culture and Caring Action Team
Continue to implement the Virtues program.(2.5)
Continue to provide students with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and demonstrate servant leadership. (3.4)
We all belong to God's Family
If we are more intentional in creating respectful conditions for well-being, learning and leading, in a positive climate, then by June 2016, parish and school
community will feel included, informed and engaged as demonstrated by observation, conversation and voice.
Action Plans
Continue to develop and/or maintain positive school-community engagement and partnerships.(6.2)
Continue to develop and maintain positive school-parish relationships.(6.3)
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators providing students with opportunities for collaborative practices as evidenced in classroom
activities.
Action Plans
To further enhance and increase opportunities for Student Voice and engagement. ( 3.1)
By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who will apply knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities into their
practice
Action Plans
To have students and teachers share a common understanding of the learning goals and related success criteria.(1.3)
To continue to create professional learning opportunities for staff.(2.1)
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support transitional practices, as demonstrated in student-staff-parent and community
observations and voice.
Action Plans
Enhancing Transitional Practices:To ensure timely and tiered interventions, which are supported by a team approach, and responds to the individual
student learning needs.(4.7)
Pathways and Transitions - Students, parents, and teachers understand the full range of pathways, options, programs and supports that are available.
(5.1, 5.3)
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
By June 2017, staff will get to know all learners, but particularly our diverse learners on a deeper level, so that there is an increase in instructional practices
that are personalized, differentiated and responsive to student needs
Action Plans
Timely and tiered intervention is supported by a team approach and created in order to respond to individual student learning needs.(4.7)
Students will be able to identify and communicate their next steps for growth and responsibly apply descriptive feedback to their own reflective thinking and
learning.
Action Plans
Descriptive Feedback
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St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
Increase in the number of students who are able to apply and communicate their thinking in Mathematics
Action Plans
Descriptive Feedback
Numeracy - To have teachers engage students in authentic, relevant, and meaningful inquiry.
Strategic Teaching of Application and Communication through the Mathematical Processes
Increased student achievement in reading for meaning as demonstrated in EQAO assessment results, PM Benchmark Data and CASI data
Action Plans
Continue to ensure instruction and assessment are differentiated according to student needs.(4.5)
Descriptive Feedback
Teachers continue to employ guided reading and guided instruction to enhance student learning. (4.2)
To continue to create professional learning opportunities for staff.(2.1)
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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