St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. John Fisher Catholic School Mission Statement:
We believe in providing a positive school environment that enhances its members to grow spiritually, emotionally, socially, and intellectually to
their fullest potential.
We believe in the development and sharing of Christian values as witness in the Catholic tradition.
We believe in fostering a mutually cooperative relationship among the home, school and parish to develop the full uniqueness of the
individual.
We believe in individual dignity, encompassing age, gender, race, capability and culture.
We believe in the constant growth in the preparation for the future, while cherishing the richness of our past.
Motto
"Learning In God's Light"
Catholic Focus
In 1961 the separate school board for the Township of Chinguacousy, Roman Catholic School Section No. 24, Chinguacousy Township, founded St. John
Fisher Separate School, which today is called St. John Fisher Catholic Elementary School. When the school first opened, students were housed in three
different locations: a portable borrowed from the public school board, in a Protestant church, and in a factory wing loaned by a local developer. The school
board worked with the Archdiocese of Toronto to purchase two properties, one for the school at 220 Balmoral Drive and one next door for St. John Fisher
Church. The school was completed in November 1962 and its close relationship with the parish continues.
St. John Fisher, after whom the school was named, was born in 1459 in England. In 1483 at the age of fourteen, he entered Cambridge University and
eventually became its chancellor for life. For years John Fisher was a friend and counsellor of Henry VIII, but their differences over the Church led to Fisher
being executed for high treason on June 22, 1535, a month after becoming a cardinal. At the time many saw learning and belonging to the Church as ways to
gain money and power, but Fisher valued learning as a way to come closer to God and others.
Today the school of 525 students seeks to follow his example and be inspired by its motto, “Learning in God’s Light.” The school also reaches out to help the
community through various social justice initiatives through it’s Student’s for Solidarity program as well as ShareLife, support for the St. Vincent de Paul
Society and generously donating to the surrounding community to those in need. St. John Fisher celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary in May 2011.
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
Core Principles
CATHOLICITY:
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Fostering of positive home/school/parish relationships: Pastoral school visits, parent/community invitations to school masses, Sacramental and other
celebrations
Continued support for the principal strands of faith education: daily prayer, liturgical & sacramental celebrations, Religious Education and Family Life
programs, Graduation and other school/classroom celebrations.
Implementation of Safe Schools Policies, Bullying Prevention and Character Building/Leadership Programs: Playground Activity Leaders in
Schools (PALS), and Circle of Friends, and Buddy Bench.
Continued implementation of the ‘Virtues’ program: monthly celebrations, Newsletter ‘Virtue’ inserts, school display case.
Adult Faith Ambassador Programs
Sacred space in all classrooms and common areas
Gospel readings and reflections over the announcements every day
Various school-wide Social Justice initiatives occurring all year long (Ex. Thanksgiving, Christmas food drives, etc.)
Students For Solidarity group to initiate Social Justice activities
Environmental focus – renewal and stewardship - Eco Schools participation and certification
Visible celebration & presentation of Faith icons in the school
School yard pavement games to promote Cooperative Play
Continuation of school Breakfast Program
Welcoming new comers and providing assistance to families through the School Social Worker, Newcomer Reception Centres, and Settlement Worker
Use of St. John Fisher Neighbourhood Learning Place for welcoming potential new students into the school
Creation of ‘Sacred Space’ in the classroom/school,
Continued support for student stewardship and social justice projects: Share Life, United Way, Knight’s Table, Terry Fox Run, Food Drives,
Christmas Families Committee.
Continued development of positive school-community relationships: School Volunteer Program, School Council, School Community Partnerships (Peel
Regional Police, Peel Health, Co-operative Education Programs)
Catholic Education Week Activities
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:
The most recent EQAO data for St. John Fisher School can be summarized as follows:
Gr. 3 Results:
Primary Reading: 60%
Primary Writing: 60%
Primary Mathematics: 57%
Gr. 6 Results:
Junior Reading: 85%
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
Junior Writing: 89%
Junior Mathematics: 45%
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Staff continue to review and analyze data to determine next steps in supporting student well-being and achievement
The school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners:
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Students are provided with opportunities to build on in-school experiences and activities to further explore personal interests, strengths and
destinations: participation in out-of school excursions/retreats, school sports teams, dance, Arts in the School Programs, Secondary School Orientation
Programs, Student Leadership opportunities (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS), Student Bus Patrollers, Office/Classroom helpers and
support for a range of Educational Pathways for students transitioning into Elementary School from the home, from grade to grade, from Elementary to
Secondary School, and for those ‘at risk’ and/or identified as exceptional learners).
Ongoing teaching & learning, support & reinforce the expectations for the Image of the Learner (Institute for Catholic Education - ICE), shaped by our
Catholic faith/ gospel & traditions and embedded throughout the Catholic Curriculum and resource materials, to support the acquisition of the Ontario
Catholic School Graduation Expectations and knowledge, skills and values, for lifelong learning
Math Homework Help Hotline
Transition Planning for Grade 8 to Grade 9
Transition Planning from Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) to Gr. 1
Teachers are lifelong learners as well, acting as role models by attending inservices, courses and workshops
Participating in Math Well-Being Network
Special Education model values and promotes inclusion of all
Musical presentations to promote Arts in our school
Support for parent/guardian learners through participation in the School Volunteer Program, School Council, Central Committee for Catholic Schools Family of Schools Meetings.
Support for the delivery of enhanced curriculum provided by community partners: Peel Health, Youth Education Officer class and school wide
programs.
Peel Regional Police - Reduce Abuse in Drugs (RAID) program
Welcome to Kindergarten Evening
Numeracy Night
Co-op Program in association with St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
University teacher candidates
Rotary Club of Brampton dictionary program for Grade 3 students
Staff implements the Ontario Curriculum as the basis for teaching and learning
Professional Learning Communities are formed to support ‘research in action’, collaborative inquiry based learning opportunities for staff, and to
enhance student learning/outcomes
Reading Buddies
All Star Reading Program
Differentiated Instruction is occurring in all classrooms
SMART Board technology is used to enhance program delivery
Common grade level planning time where applicable
Monthly Staff and Divisional meetings with a focus on a School Collaborative Inquiry planning, instructional strategies
Integration meetings to plan next steps for students
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Staff participate in School/Family/Board wide professional development opportunities as appropriate to needs
Transition meetings are organized to support the transition of learners : into Kindergarten, from grade to grade, from elementary into secondary
schools, for students at risk and with exceptional learning needs
Ongoing Data collection analysis - Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), Comprehensive Attitude Strategies Interests (CASI),
PM Benchmarks, Catholic Community Culture and Caring (CCCC) Survey
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaborations:
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Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to join in the partnership of their child’s education
School Council Election information is sent home to all parents/guardians
Opportunities to become involved in Volunteer activities/committees/classroom field trips/special celebrations, etc.
School administration ‘walk abouts’, visibility and accessibility and open door policy is intended to provide a welcoming, inclusive school climate
The provision of opportunities to support the involvement of all community stakeholders
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend events which foster development of the whole child including: Numeracy Night, Christmas Concerts, XMovement Parent Engagement, Open House, Curriculum Night, Family Movie Night
Arts in the School
Student representatives reflect the student body
Representatives from the parish form a strong bond with school
The school team builds and fosters community partnerships through staff participation in school to school (family-wide) learning teams (PODs)
Through participation in curriculum related field trips
Through the implementation of co-curricular/intra, and/or inter-school/ board wide competitions: sports teams, Student Speech competitions- Catholic
Women’s League, Forest of Reading Programs.
Through the involvement of our Community Partners: Peel Regional Police, Youth Education Officer, Peel Children’s Safety Village, Peel Heath
(PALS), Brampton Parks & Recreation, Peel Children’s Centre, Kerry’s Place, Archbishop Romero
By working in collaboration with the PLASP before/after school programs
By working in collaboration with the School Settlement Worker assigned to the school
Through the encouragement of permits that support and/or enhance student well-being, e.g., Brampton Parks & Recreation, Sports teams, etc.
Through collaboration with various agencies dedicated to the support of student well-being: EYE SEE, EYE Learn Program, Region of Peel- Student
Immunization Program, etc.
Brampton Clean City and Recycling
Fire Department Visits
Terry Fox Walk
Sharelife and Knights of Columbus fundraisers
Knight's table support through food drives
No Child Without program
ESL Reception Centre
Rotary Club of Brampton
Brampton Clean City
See-Hear Program
The St. John Fisher Neighbourhood Learning Place
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Welcome To Kindergarten Program
St. John Fisher Knights of Columbus
PARISH-HOME-SCHOOL:
St. John Fisher School promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student
success:
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The school works in collaboration with Fr. Grima and the St. John Fisher Parish to support Sacramental Preparation and faith development with the
home
School attends masses at Parish monthly
Primary Classrooms attend mass weekly
Provide announcements for the Parish over the PA system
Posting of Parish bulletin in foyer of school
Encourage parents to be part of sacramental preparation
The school provides support for Parish and Board charitable works initiatives: Share Life, Helping Hands, The Knight’s Table, Food drives, etc.
Mass, Sacramental, Virtues and other celebrations support collaboration with, and participation by the home, school, and parish
End of the Year Mass to celebrate St. John Fisher Feast Day
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:
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Celebration of Earth Day
Litterless and Lights Out Lunches are encouraged
School-wide recycling program
Through the delivery of curriculum e.g., geography, science, religion, family programs that foster ‘respect for life’ and stewardship of resources
Through the purchasing of learning resources that reflect the diversity within the school
Earth Day
Establish photocopying pan to reduce copying
Movement towards Digital Classrooms
Learning environments that are responsive to the varied needs of our learners.
Board Grant for refresh front of school
Board Grant for new school sign to promote our Catholic School identity
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 Board policies
use of Non-Board funds for student initiatives
All guidelines and policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance, accountability, and financial transparency
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
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
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School Fundraisers aligned to Board policy
Create reserve fund for unexpected expenses
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by students in the school, as demonstrated by
the CCCC School Climate Survey results
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention
Health and Wellness initiative
Promote A Safe, Caring, Inclusive and Healthy School Community
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of 2016, there will be a movement towards developing a school culture focused on a growth mindset to help support the Board Mathematics
Strategic Plan.
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry Approach
Staff Professional Development on Growth Mindset
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of Gr. 8 students who are prepared for Secondary School transition through a variety contexts
and active engagement
Action Plans
Supporting successful student transitions from Grade 8 to Grade 9
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who display an understanding of assessment as it relates to the categories of the
achievement chart
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry Approach
Reflective Thinking and Learning
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St. John Fisher Elementary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years
Action Plans
3 Part Lesson Framework
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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