St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. John of the Cross School Mission Statement
As a nurturing Catholic community, made up of students, staff, parish and families, committed to the highest quality academic and spiritual growth...we
develop our children as self-directed life-long learners.
Motto
"Committed to Spiritual and Academic Growth"
Catholic Focus
St. John of the Cross Elementary School, which is located in Mississauga at 3180 Aquitaine Avenue, opened in September 1983 and was blessed on June
21, 1984 by Rev. Nessinger, O. Carm., of St. John of the Cross Parish. The school has a population of 254 students.
St. John of the Cross School is named after a Carmelite priest who lived in Spain during the sixteenth century. Best known for spiritual writings, St. John of
the Cross called people to a deeper relationship with God and with each other. He was declared a “doctor” of the church, an honorary title given to saints
whose work has made a great contribution to theology.
The St. John of the Cross Mission Statement speaks to the parish, home and school triad as a nurturing Catholic community committed to quality spiritual
growth and academic growth. In partnership, we work towards developing self-directed, life-long learners. As a community, we celebrate and live the virtues
and strive to be good Christian stewards who receive God’s gifts gratefully, cherish and tend these gifts in a responsible manner and then share them in
justice and love with others. Our Catholic Student Council members model faith, social justice and leadership through a variety of activities including initiating
fundraising activities for ShareLife, promoting food drives for St. Vincent de Paul, and encouraging the sponsorship of children in need at Christmas.
St. John of the Cross School has been a part of St. John of the Cross Parish since its inception. The parish priests come to the school to celebrate the
Eucharist and to make sacramental visits on various occasions throughout the school year. The whole school is transported to the Church in June for our End
of the Year/Graduation Mass and each December our entire community comes together at the Church to celebrate our annual Family Advent/Feast Day
Mass.
Core Principles
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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The gospel values and the virtues are integrated throughout all components of school life
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St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
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The community works together to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and healthy environment through the CCCC Action Team
The school actively supports a variety of social justice projects and charity fundraisers. (i.e. Eden Food Bank, Dr. Simone Food for Children, Terry Fox
Foundation, Share Life/United Way, Sick Children's Hospital)
The school continually fosters the parish/school/home relationship - posting the Sunday bulletin on the school bulletin board, ensuring parents are
made aware of all parent meetings regarding sacramental preparation, invitations to the parish priests to visit the school, invitations to parents to
attend all Liturgical celebrations and Virtue assemblies
Catholic values are integrated throughout the school day and within all curricular areas
Prayer tables are evident in all classrooms and prayer cloths are changed with each liturgical season
School Focus on prayer - virtue prayers are said daily over PA, Rosary Apostolate volunteers visit each classroom once a month
Front foyer glass display focuses on the Virtue of the month
Library resources on display reflecting Virtue of the month
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 80%
Primary Writing: 90%
Primary Mathematics: 87%
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO:
The Primary scores continue to remain above the Board levels. We continue to focus on Board expected practices in Literacy and Numeracy to support
student achievement.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 100%
Junior Writing: 100%
Junior Mathematics: 84%
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO:
Our Junior Reading and Writing scores increased by 6% from last year. Our Junior Mathematics scores also increased by 12% from last year. We continue to
focus on Board expected practices in Literacy and Numeracy to support student achievement.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning.
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A variety of activities are available to allow students to learn more about their full potential; extra-curricular, (Chess Club; Math Club; Heads Up, Book
Club, sports/athletics) Artist in the School programs; Guest speakers and authors/illustrators; Peel Police Programs including RAID and Education
Officer programs
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St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
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High Interest/independent reading texts in all classrooms
Teachers are part of a professional learning community with a focus on Math and co-teaching/co-planning
Information nights and guest speakers for parents - Pro Grants have made these supports possible
Parent/student evenings – i.e. Open House BBQ, Book Fair,Christmas Craft Night with Santa, Welcome to Kindergarten evening
Placement of Secondary School Co-Op students and Volunteer Secondary students to support athletic activities
Supporting candidates from various Teacher Education programs
Attendance at Central Committee of Catholic School Council special events is encouraged
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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Focus on 'assessment for learning'
Focus on data to assess learning needs
Divisional learning team meetings to support collaboration (i.e., PLC's, Moderated Marking)
SMARTboard technology, Personal Electronic Devices and Tablets are used to enhance program delivery
Students are provided with access to multiple learning opportunities, differentiated instruction
Services as provided by Special Services Team
TEAM and Triad meetings to identify needs and determine strategies for support
Colloboration with Ministry of Education Student Achievment Officer to support school Initiatives
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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All parents are invited to attend meetings- notices are given through newsletters, the school website and the monthly newsletter calendars
Open and transparent process for school council elections
New families are given information about our Catholic School Council
Ministry Parents Reaching Out Grant is used for parent engagement -surveys are utilized to solicit community input
2. 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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The Learning Partnership 'Welcome to Kindergarten Program' is offered each spring
Junior Achievement visits to junior and intermediate classrooms
Eye See Eye Learn Program
Peel Police – Community Education Officers and RAID program
Supporting local community agencies (Eden Food Bank; St. Vincent de Paul)
Swim to Survive Program at Meadowvale Community Centre
Visits by Public Library
Peel Literacy Workshops for Early Literacy Development
Peel Health, Fire Department Educational visits
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St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
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Artists in the school
Scientists in the School
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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Communication with parish regarding parent meetings for sacramental preparation
School Council provides 'remembrance' to all students who receive the sacraments
Teacher involvement in Sacramental Parish meetings
Supporting various parish events
Stewardship Corner in the Parish Bulletin
School has the responsibility for the Bulletin Board in the Church foyer once / year
Invitations to priests to visit classrooms and to participate in Family Events
School Council Parish Rep and Teacher Parish Rep attend parish meetings
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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Recycling Program
Earth Week Activities (i.e., "Litter-less" lunches)
Guest Speakers from Region of Peel to raise awareness of our environment
Electronic communication with staff is utilized whenever possible
Electronic communication with parents is utilized as appropriate (e.g. newsletter; school website)
Awareness of energy conservation – i.e.ensuring lights are off when rooms are not in use
Continue to maintain and upgrade Eco-schools certification
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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Budget template is utilized which shows how funds are aligned to school goals and student success/achievement
Catholic School Council funds are geared to school goals and student success
Balanced budget and adherence to Board financial policies and procedures
Ensure that all financial reports are accurate, transparent, and submitted according to policy timelines
Use of the Financial Support Tool provided through the Board Finance Department
Access to the Ministry Speak-up Grant to support school initiatives
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St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
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St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.1 By June 2016, we will create opportunities for a safe environment that encourages risk-taking and develops a growth mind-set which will demonstrate an
increase in the proportion of students indicating that they feel safe in the school, as demonstrated by the CCCC School Climate Survey results.
Action Plans
Safe Learning Environment
1.2 By June 2016, the proportion of students in the junior and intermediate grades indicating they feel excluded will continue to decrease compared to the CCCC
School Climate Survey baseline data.
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention Plan
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.1 By June 2016, as a school community we will support and foster student ownership for their own learning as demonstrated by the number of students and
teachers participating in the inquiry process and the number of staff and students asking for further growth opportunities.
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry Skills
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.1 By June 2016, there will be an increase in implementing successful practices that promote transitional development of learner by creating student
profiles/portfolios that focus on student needs as they transition through grades.
Action Plans
Transitional Strategies & Best Practices
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St. John of the Cross Catholic School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.1 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support student achievement in the areas of literacy and numeracy of each learner
through meaningful varied assessments as demonstrated through EQAO scores, Report Card data, CASI and PM Benchmark data, learning skills and student
work habits.
Action Plans
Differentiated Instruction & Multiple Assessment
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.1 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful teaching practices that support effective student instruction that will help students become more
effective problem solvers as demonstrated by an increase of students achieving levels 3 or 4 in classroom assessments.
Action Plans
Focus On Best Teaching Practices
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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