St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
We believe that education is a life-long process involving physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development.
To this end we will strive to promote the full development of children in the image of Christ. We believe that each member of the St. John the
Baptist School Community is unique and special and has a positive contribution to make to society.
We aspire to be living examples of Christ's message of love, serving as role models in the Christian formation of all members
of the Community. We endeavour to "touch the hearts and minds of those with whom we work," and in co-operation with our parents, and our
parish priests, we will assist children in their own personal development of faith and appreciation and understanding of the Gospel values.
Together, we will provide a friendly and caring environment that inspires academic excellence, fosters self-esteem, and promotes respect for
others.
We are St. John the Baptist Catholic School !
Motto
“Preparing the Way”
Catholic Focus
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the board’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. The board 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 Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School board strives “…to provide students
with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society."
The board 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 principle 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, Dufferin-Peel 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 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;
modelling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service.
To strengthen its Catholic identity, Dufferin-Peel 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
The Catholic School Learning Plan has been aligned with the Catholic Board Learning Plan to address the board's five core principles of:
Catholicity, Learning Environment, Community Engagement, Parish-Home-School, and Physical Environment.
Catholicity:
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Follow board religion and family life curriculum
Maintain a very positive and active relationship with Holy Family Parish as per pastoral plan
Promote and sustain initiatives in the following areas: safe schools, diversity education, monthly virtues, adult and youth faith ambassadors, social
justice, charitable campaigns and social outreach
I Can Make a Difference Campaign which focuses on volunteer community service hours and "virtues in action"
School wide Saint groups to promote collaboration and inclusivity amongst all grades
Begin day with school and classroom prayer
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Random Acts of Kindness focus K to 8
Peacemaker and Virtues certificates monthly
Monthly virtues assemblies
School wide focus on Bullying Prevention lessons and Positive class building exercises weekly
Monthly visits from Rosary Apostolate community representatives to foster prayer in the school community
Ensure sacred places are present in school and classrooms
Food Drives and other charitable events (e.g. Terry Fox, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Toy Donations, Operation Christmas Child)
Share life and United Way campaigns
PALS (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools)
Youth Faith Ambassadors
Adult Faith Ambassadors
Encourage parent volunteers in the life of the school
Use of WITS Program and materials in primary to supplement bullying lessons
Learning Environment:
The school's most recent EQAO primary division assessment performance is as follows:
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Reading - 77%
Writing - 95%
Mathematics - 65%
In comparison to the EQAO scores from last year, we have made gains in all areas. We will celebrate our successes, but will look for ways to move
forward for following years. Math will continue to be an area of focus.
The school's most recent EQAO junior division assessment performance is as follows:
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Reading - 65%
Writing - 76%
Mathematics - 34%
More focus and attention is needed in the area of Math. This will continue to be a school focus this year. We will also look to further
develop instructional support in the areas of Reading and Writing.
The school community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning as follows:
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School promotes a culture of high expectations and supports the belief that all students can learn, progress and achieve;
School wide Independent Reading focus, with a further focus on boys' literacy
School council supports, through fundraising, school initiatives, such as the purchase of Literacy Room, Math materials, technology (iPADS);
Students, parents and staff understand the full range of pathways, options, programs and supports that are available;
Timely and tiered interventions, supported by a team approach, respond to individual student learning needs;
Professional learning materials available to staff;
Opportunity for teachers to collaboratively plan Inquiry based units in Science, SES, History and/or Geography
Opportunity for teachers to collaboratively explore various uses of the iPADS and to share with other staff during staff meetings
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
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All staff provided with IQ: A Practical Guide to Inquiry-Based Learning and used for PD at all staff meetings
Summer institute programs available for staff;
Resources purchased to support priority curriculum areas;
Math homework help line for intermediate students;
Tutoring club and Homework club provided at lunch recess for all students
Secondary students volunteer and provide tutoring;
Co-op and University Teaching Candidates;
Transition planning for grade 8 students;
Special Education model values and promotes inclusion of all;
Pro-Grant opportunities;
Medic-Alert;
The school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners as follows:
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Students and teachers share a common understanding of the learning goals and related success criteria;
A variety of valid and reliable assessment data is used by students and teachers to continuously monitor learning, to inform instruction and assessment
and to determine next steps;
Teacher moderation opportunities are available to staff;
All star reading program;
Collaborative Inquiry Question implementation in grades K - 8 plus establishment of common math practices school wide
Empower Reading program;
SMART Board implementation in all divisions;
Use of technology to engage all students (Raz Kids for reading; Prodigy Website for Mathematics)
iPADS used throughout all grades (3 iPAD carts in total)
Differentiated instruction is occurring in all classrooms;
Student generated anchor charts and rubrics;
Monthly staff meetings with a focus on instructional goals and sharing best practice (specifically in the areas of inquiry and iPAD use;
Reflection of current teaching strategies during staff meetings via article study;
Integration meetings to plan next steps for exceptional students;
Promotion of healthy habits through the Healthy Schools Program;
Girls and Boys Night In initiatives to build relationships and promote well-being
Promotion of ECO friendly school through various initiatives throughout the year;
Utilize special services: CYW (Child Youth Worker), ERW's(Educational Resource Worker), SW(Social Worker), Psychologist, SAT(Special
Assignment Teacher), SLP(Speech and Language Pathologist), ELL (English Language Learners)
Social Worker to begin girls group (HEAL) with a focus on intermediate girls and their well-being
Focus on Growth Mindset philosophy with staff and students
Community Engagement:
Our Catholic School Council reflects the diverse Catholic community as follows:
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School council elections, meetings and activities are promoted to all community members. Active participation of all community members is
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
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encouraged, celebrated and recognized;
Encouragement of diverse speakers at meetings;
Opportunities to become involved in Volunteer activities at the school;
Communication through Council updates in newsletter.
Establish TWITTER feed for school community
Our school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaborative relationships as follows:
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School community works collaboratively with local OPP services, Caledon / Bolton community services and the Region of Peel department of Health.
(ie. PALS(Playground Activity Leader in Schools), DARE(Drug Abuse and Resistance Training), OPP Kids and community food drives, Peel-Health
Walk to School Wednesdays
YMCA community before and after school care on site;
Student teachers and Coop students in the school;
Parish-Home-School:
Our school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success as follows:
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Active participation with Holy Family Parish team;
Parish newsletters are posted when available;
Participation in Sacramental Preparation;
Work with Parish to offer School Masses throughout the year;
Priest and youth minister visits to the school;
Parish supported activities, such as food drives, families at Christmas.
Work collaboratively with youth minister at Holy Family Parish on YFA commissioning ceremony for BECDM Family of Schools
Physical Environment:
Good stewardship of resources is promoted as follows:
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Regular use of materials recycling whenever possible;
Encouragement of "Green" initiatives such as litterless lunches, earth hour and promotion of reusable water bottles;
Attainment of "Eco School" status from the Ministry of Education;
Photocopy codes to reduce use of copies.
Regular eco-friendly initiatives added throughout the year by our school Eco-Team
The school demonstrates financial responsibility as follows:
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Follows financial guidelines to help ensure accountability and accuracy;
Allocate available funds in a manner that meets highest priority needs;
Align budget to school goals and priorities;
Provide library funds to support school goals;
Literacy Room purchases;
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Numeracy Resources purchased to support school goal;
Smart Board technology in classes.
3 carts of iPADS
Financial Accountability:
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School budget is aligned to school goals and student learning
Maintain a balanced budget - following provisions set about in Financial Tools binder
use of Non-Board funds for student initiatives
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All guidelines and policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance
Through the allocation of a portion of fundraising monies to ‘Charitable’ initiatives
Through ‘reuse’ and/or sharing of texts and/or resources where available with other schools
Through the encouragement of staff to reduce paper use in the school
School Fundraisers
Create reserve fund for unexpected expenses
School Fundraisers follow Board Policy.
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By June 2016, the number of Junior students indicating they feel connected and safe will be maintained on the Safe Schools Survey
Action Plans
bullying prevention strategies weekly
Cross grade Saint groups
Focus on 15
I Can Make a Difference Campaign
Intra school clubs/activities
Virtues Program
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 If students are motivated to read (esp boys) and reflect on their reading using critical thinking skills then students will show improvement in reading and
writing in EQAO results
Action Plans
Focus on accountable talk during open ended discussions
Provide opportunities for high interest reading
Social Science/Science Inquiry Unit Planning
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 If we engage grade eight students in transitional activities with the highschool, students will feel supported, have a sense of belonging, and feel less
anxiety as they move into grade nine. Transition planning to also include all students on an IEP.
Action Plans
Early contact with highschool to ease transition of grade 8 students
Transition planning for students on an Individual Education Plan
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St. John the Baptist Elementary School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 If teachers focus on assessment for learning and as learning, then students will improve their critical thinking skills and set specific next steps for their own
improvement in all subject areas
Action Plans
Focus on growth mindset
Focus on process feedback
Opportunities for student goal setting and next step for improvement
Provide multiple opportunities for students to self-assess their work
Timely and specific teacher descriptive feedback to support the learner
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 If teachers focus on accountable talk using open ended questions which encourage critical thinking across all subject areas (focus on 3 Part Math lesson),
then students will improve EQAO achievement in reading, writing and math over time
Action Plans
Incorporate accountable talk strategies into all subject areas
Math Tutoring
School wide focus on improving math
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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