St. Joachim Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Within the community of St. Joachim Catholic School, the mission of the staff, students and parents is to respect and accept the uniqueness of each
individual as a follower of Jesus. All members are encouraged to realize their full potential – spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially and physically.
Staff and parents shall strive to develop within each student: a sense of belonging, self-confidence, an ability to interact positively with others, pride in the
school community, an ability to problem solve, respect for self and others, responsibility, and the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Our ultimate goal is to
provide our children with the tools to become happy, productive, and responsible members of society.
We, the staff of St. Joachim School, believe that it is the school’s responsibility to help children learn in a loving Catholic community. Our school teaches us
about Jesus, how to be His followers, and how to care for others. We need to develop our skills and to understand the technology to use our skills to face
future challenges. We need to develop our special talents so we can share them with the world.
Motto
Through a celebration of our faith, all who enter our school may grow together as a Christian community.
Catholic Focus
On May 11, 1979, St. Joachim Elementary School was opened and received its official blessing. The school was named after the father of the Virgin Mary
who was also the husband of St. Anne. Located at 435 Rutherford Road North, it has approximately 655 students of diverse backgrounds. The school
provides French Immersion for students in the Brampton area. The school motto, “Celebrating Our Faith,” is reflected in the intertwining of daily life and
Gospel Values. The St. Joachim School community has a strong sense of social justice and through a wide range of fundraising activities.
Core Principles
CATHOLICITY:
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Celebrating and embedding Gospel values throughout the Ontario Curriculum and resource materials, and are taught intentionally & incidentally to
support the acquisition of the Ontario Catholic School Graduation Expectations to support learning in our Christ centred programs
Signs of our Faith are evident in daily prayer with special intentions for members of our school community, liturgical and sacramental celebrations,
Religious Education and Family Life programs, Graduation liturgies and awards are aligned with the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
and recognize those students who are demonstrating the values, attitudes and actions of each of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
in addition to their knowledge and skills.
Fostering positive home/school/parish relationships, e.g., Pastoral School Visits, parent/community invitations to school masses, Family Advent Mass,
Sacramental and other celebrations
Active Adult & Youth Faith Ambassador Programs
Implementation of Safe Schools Policies, Bullying Prevention and Character Building/Leadership Programs, e.g., Peacemakers, PALS (Playground
Activity Leaders in Schools)
School Mission Statement
Creating ‘Sacred Spaces’ in all classrooms, the front foyer and School Chapel
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St. Joachim Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Pastoral Plan
implementing the ‘Virtues’ program and aligning each virtue with the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations in, monthly celebrations and
liturgies and the monthly newsletter
Ongoing support for student stewardship and social justice projects, e.g., Share Life, United Way, Terry Fox Run, Food Drives, "Called to Action"
Committee, Environment Club
Maintaining positive school-community relationships through the School Volunteer Program, Catholic School Advisory Council, School Community
Partnerships, i.e., Peel Regional Police, Peel Health, Peel Children's Centre, Co-operative Education Programs, Breakfast For Kids etc.
Newsletter items each month to support celebrations of Faith
Highlighting activities within the school to celebrate Catholic Education Week
Supporting families in need
Providing a daily Breakfast Club program available to all students
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:
The most recent EQAO data for St. Joachim School can be summarized as follows:
Grade 3
Primary Reading: 59%
Primary Writing: 57%
Primary Mathematics: 48%
Grade 6
Junior Reading: 83%
Junior Writing: 88%
Junior Mathematics: 34%
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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Ongoing teaching, learning, supporting and reinforcing our Catholic faith, Gospel values and traditions
Supporting the acquisition of the Ontario Catholic School Graduation Expectations through increased awareness and knowledge
Providing students with opportunities to build on in-school experiences and activities to further explore personal interests, strengths and destinations,
by participating in out-of school excursions/retreats, school sports teams, Secondary School Orientation Programs, My BluePrint, Student Leadership
opportunities, (Office/Classroom helpers, Faith Ambassadors)
Transition Planning 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
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St. Joachim Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Supporting the delivery of enhanced curriculum opportunities provided by community partners, Peel Health, HEAL Network, Youth Education Officer
and school wide presentations and programs
Supporting Parent/Guardianj/Adult learners through participation in the School Volunteer Program, School Council, CCCSC Family of Schools
Meetings, etc.
Partnering with Peel Children's Centre to provide evening Parenting sessions
Offering community programs to students such as Swim to Survive Program (City of Brampton), Ready, Set, Read (Brampton Library)
Mentoring University teacher candidates through Associate Teaching
Welcome new Kindergarten learners to the school community through a Welcome to Kindergarten Evening Session
Providing space for the Ontario Early Years Centre to operate at St. Joachim
Providing students with a seamless day by working in partnership with PLASP (Peel Lunch and After School Program)
Praying the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate
Providing engaging and authentic learning opportunities based on the Ontario Curriculum with entry points for all learners
Supporting Reading Development with an After School Reading Program for French Immersion Students
Recognizing Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week with guest speaker presentations and daily reminders to use your "WITS" (Walk away, Ignore,
Talk it out and Seek help) and "THINK" before you speak ( is it Thoughtful, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?)
Forming Professional Learning Communities to support ‘research in action’, inquiry based learning opportunities for staff
Providing Professional Development opportunities for staff to continue to refine their teaching and assessment practices, e.g., school & board wide
assessments; Assessment For, Of and As Learning, e.g., PM Benchmarks, CASI, CCAT 3, classroom assessments etc., and informal assessments,
e.g., observations, descriptive feedback., are implemented to identify student strengths/needs, enhance student outcomes and support professional
growth for staff
Developing student IEP's (Individual Education Plans) to support ‘at risk’, and exceptional learner needs and provide learning opportunities for growth
Support Services available to support learners and families
Focus on positive school climate
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaboratives:
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Providing all parents and guardians with information about the Catholic School Council Elections
Inviting volunteers to become involved in the school community through regular volunteer activities such as Book Cart operators, breakfast club
shoppers, field trips and reading programs
Creating a welcoming environment by School administration being visible and accessible throughout the day
Including all community partners: Trustee, NPU Officers (Neighbourhood Policing Unit, City of Brampton, Region of Peel, PLASP, Brampton Public
Library, Peel Children's Centre) in special events and daily school life
ESL Reception Centre
Through participation in curriculum related field trips
Participating in out of school family or board wide competitions such as sports teams, Chess Team, Toon Boom, Poetry Slam, Speech Competitions,
Forest of Reading Programs
Including our Community Partners; Peel Regional Police, Youth Education Officer, e.g., Children’s Safety Village, Peel Heath , Brampton Parks &
Recreation, Peel Children’s Centre, Kerry’s Place, A Place for Families (Ontario Early Years Centre), Archbishop Romero in providing opportunities to
enhance student learning
Collaborating with the PLASP (Peel Lunch and After School Program)
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St. Joachim Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Providing the use of our school through the permits process to support the community
Collaborating with various agencies dedicated to the support of student well-being, e.g., EYE SEE, EYE Learn Program, Dental Screening, Region of
Peel- Student Immunization Program
Brampton Clean City
Increasing awareness of the "No Child Without – Medical Alert Program" through newsletter inserts
PARISH-HOME-SCHOOL:
St. Joachim School promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success:
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Working in collaboration with Father James and the St. Anne Church Parish Team to support Sacramental Preparation and faith development with the
home
Providing support for Parish and Board charitable works initiatives, e.g., Share Life, St. Anne’s Church Food Bank, The Knight’s Table, Food drives,
Christmas Voucher Program etc.
Inviting all families to attend school Masses, liturgies, Virtues assemblies
Planning a Family Advent Mass to be held at St. Anne Church
Physical Environment
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Organizing a school wide recycling program
Implementing healthy eating programs and awareness activities, e.g., litter less lunch, the Big Crunch
Embedding the respect for living things and stewardship of resources in all curriculum areas curriculum
Purchasing of learning materials and resources that reflect the diversity within the school
Adopting a Park through the Brampton Clean City Program
Planning School wide Earth Week activities lead by the Eco Club
Utilizing photocopying codes for staff to increase awareness of photocopy usage
GOOS (Good On One Side) Bins to reuse paper
Digital Newsletters sent out to all families who have consented to Electronic Communication
Financial Accountability:
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Allocating funds according to learner needs, such as supplemental texts and resource materials
Maintaining a balanced budget that supports the School's Catholic Board Learning Plan
Allocating of a portion of fundraising monies to ‘Charitable’ initiatives
Allocating funds to support equitable access of students to resources for learning
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
Communicating to all Community Partners the purpose of School Fundraisers
Follow Board guidelines for financial accountability
Implement a Staff budget committee to provide input and suggestions on spending for school needs
Allocate funds to support adult and student faith formation
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St. Joachim Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Create reserve fund for unexpected expenses
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St. Joachim 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 proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by the students in the school as demonstrated by
the CCCC School Climate Survey.
Action Plans
Continue with activities that foster inclusion and acceptance amongst the school community
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the number of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of
collaboration.
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry Approach
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning and work habit of selfregulation as they prepare for Secondary School.
Action Plans
Continue to liaise with secondary school transition team to assist in effective transition
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of selfregulation.
Action Plans
Continue to use success criteria and learning goals.
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St. Joachim 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
Through explicit teaching of concepts, processes and skills within inquiry, students' learning will be supported.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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