Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
With Jesus as our model, the staff of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School fosters life-long learning and, together with the family, the parish and the
community, strives for excellence in the tradition of Catholic education.
Motto
"ONE THROUGH PRAYER AND LEARNING"
Catholic Focus
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School is a secondary school of approximately 1,640 students, of diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds, from Grade 9 to
Grade 12. Our school population generally reflects the socio-economic mix found within Mississauga. Most of the surrounding community consists of a variety
of dwellings including apartment buildings, town homes, single-family dwelling homes situated in a geographic area that is in the north-west corner of the city
of Mississauga.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel was established in 1987 to support Catholic parents in their responsibility for the spiritual, religious, moral, academic and physical
needs of their children in accordance with the teachings of the Church. The school community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel is committed to the search for
excellence, the uniqueness of the individual and the education of the whole person while experiencing life in a spiritual community founded on gospel values.
The school community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a caring school and community environment that stresses tolerance and acceptance of others,
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 "One Through Prayer and Learning" was chosen
through the process of community consultation and reflects a holistic philosophy where religion and daily life are intertwined. As such, all activities of
administration, management, counselling, academic and pastoral work, prayer and worship, extra-curricular and intra-curricular involvement and community
service help to prepare Our Lady of Mount Carmel students for their lives in the community.
Our students come to us with a variety of strengths and needs, with our Catholic faith as our common bond. Our prayer life, liturgical celebrations, sacraments
and our faith and value systems form the foundation of our school program.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we are proud of our balanced religion, academic, arts, technology and athletics program. Our school offers students a wellrounded and value-centered education to help them make good choices for the future. It allows us to reflect and serve the entire community as we prepare
our students for post-secondary education and careers. The Catholic Graduate Expectations are infused into all courses of study and are expressed regularly
through daily morning prayer, prayers before each class/meeting, and regular virtues school-wide activities/celebrations. The curriculum planned and provided
in the school is broad, balanced and relevant to the needs and aspirations of all students. A wide range of subjects and learning experiences is offered in
order to develop the skills, abilities and talents of individual students. Accordingly, appropriate assessment procedures are employed regularly to motivate
and encourage student success. To ensure coherence and wholeness, subjects are taught against the background of The Ontario Secondary School
Curriculum, the Gospel values of Jesus Christ and sound educational practices.
Core Principles
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School
Learning Plan
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?
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Sacred spaces in classrooms
Students trained as leaders of the Rosary Apostolate Program leading St. John of the Cross Elementary students in saying the rosary
Gospel Values embedded in curriculum
Grade level retreats for all students
Faith ambassadors
Salesian retreat
Pro Life Club; March for Life
Social justice initiatives (Doctor Simone, Eden Food Bank)
School masses and liturgies, Vocations Day
Faith life of the school reflects Liturgical Calendar
Virtue of the Month (prayers, recognition of students)
Catholic Graduate Outcome Activities
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO Grade 9 mathematics assessment performance.
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Grade 9 Academic Mathematics: 90% of all students at or above provincial standard (level 3 and 4).
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics: 81% of all students at or above provincial standard (level 3 and 4).
Observations regarding school progress in Grade 9 EQAO: The Grade 9 Academic Math score increased by five percent. The Grade 9 Applied Math
score increased by five percent and is above the board
score.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) performance.
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OSSLT results for First-Time Eligible Students: 91% of all students at or above provincial standard (level 3 and 4).
OSSLT results for Previously Eligible Students: 55 % of all students at or above provincial standard (level 3 and 4) .
Observations regarding school progress on the OSSLT: The OSSLT First-Time Eligible results decreased by two percent while the OSSLT Previously
Eligible score decreased by 4 percent.
Both sets of results were at or above the board
level.
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School
Learning Plan
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
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Continuous Professional Development on professional activity days and staff meetings
Support for schoolwide professional learning communities are aligned to school goals
Implementaion of new technologies
teacher mentoring and in-service for technology skill acquisition
Professional library maintained in school library
MyBlueprint training for students and teachers
Destination Graduation for students and parents
Apprenticeship Fair and Class Presentations
Student Agenda Book (Academic, Celebrations, and School Events Calendar)
Support student applications to more personalized board programs
Student leadership opportunities (Student Voice)
Community and Social services partnerships (CAS, Rising Stars, AYSP, PCC, Peel Police, Red Cross, Canadian Blood Services, MADD, etc)
SHSM partnerships (MLSE, Sheridan College, UTM, Bell CTV-Globemedia,, etc...)
Guest speakers
Catholic School Council
Catholic School Council Guest Speaker Night
EQAO Info meeting
University/College Fair
Academic Awards Night
Parent/Teacher Nights
Grade 8 Parent Night
Christmas/Spring Concerts
Europe Trip Parent Meeting
Sports Team (Hockey Parent Meeting)
SOS Club (Cyphers)
Carmies
X Awards (co-curricular recognition awards)
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
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Cross Curricular Literacy
Team meetings
Alternative Education Program
Advanced Placement Program
Experience Success Program
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Major Assessments/on-line calendar for teachers to coordinate for students' best interests
Link Crew and leadership programs
Restorative Justice groups
Weekly TEAM meetings with Admin and Support Services team
Well-being committee
Huddle-up Anti-bullying program
School clubs and teams
Support for students transitioning into or out of high school
Get Ready and Summer Numeracy Program
5. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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All parents are invited to the Catholic Secondary Council (CSC) meetings through Chronicle, newsletter, website, syner-voice, and at parent-teacherinterview night
Catholic School Council Parish representative from the local parish (updates Council on current Parish events)
All CSC meetings are posted on our school sign to encourage attendance
In consultation with the principal, the Catholic School Council chair maintains electronic communication with parents
6. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By 6 Peel)?
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Cooperative Education and facilitation of Dual Credit Program
Native Studies program
Rosary Apostolate Program
School Outreach (eg. St. Vincent De Paul Eden Food Bank, Share Life)
Settlement Worker program, Community Police program (Peel)
Rising Stars
SHSM
Hockey program/course of study grade 9
Team Unbreakable
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.
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Students involved in St.John of the Cross Youth Group
School celebrations (Awards Night, Graduation Mass, retreats) held at St. John of the Cross Parish
School Masses with Eucharist Celebration from local Parish Priest
Parish Priest celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the school
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Parish Priest Blesses Outdoor Classroom
Catholic School Council Parish representative from the local parish (updates Council on current Parish events)
Regular meetings with Parish Team and pod Principals and Chaplain
Rosary Apostolate school leaders
Christmas baskets
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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Recycling program at the school
Eco-school certification
Breakfast Club for students
Outdoor Classroom
Intramural Program (Wednesday after school)
Alternative Education Eco-days Landscaping Project
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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Guided by Board financial support tool binder, policies and procedures
Maintain balanced budget to support student achievement
Department budgeting on 3 year plan with student focus
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By June 2016 there will be an increase in the number of students feeling engaged.
Action Plans
Social Justice Projects and Virtues Activities
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016 there will be an increase in successful practices that support collaborative inquiry.
Action Plans
Schoolwide Collaborative Inquiry (Learning Goals and Success Criteria)
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016 there will be an increase in successful practices that support transitional practices.
Action Plans
Alignment of Transitional Practices
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.
Action Plans
Use effective diagnostic practices
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Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secondary 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.
Action Plans
Effective Lesson Design (Learning Goals & Success Criteria, 3 part lesson, guided practice, cross- curricular)
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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