St. Mark Separate School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. Mark School, a diverse Catholic community of life long learners, rooted in faith and guided by our Gospel values, works collaboratively to ensure each
individual develops to his/her maximum potential in accordance with the standards set out by the Ministry of Education and the Ontario Catholic School
Graduate Expectations. We are committed to student well being and student achievement. We are committed to meeting the needs of all students by
providing ongoing assessment and a system of support that will ensure student success for all.
Motto
Growing, Learning and Serving in the Love of Christ . . . Leave Your Mark at St. Mark!
Catholic Focus
St. Mark School believes that our Catholic faith, as expressed through the Gospel values, is the driving force in our community of learners, which includes five
key groups: students; the parish, home and community; teachers and support staff; and trustees. The school strives to be a Christ-centred community in
which all may work and learn in a supportive, inclusive, meaningful, and respectful environment. Within the context of an authentic Catholic learning
community, it strives “…to provide students with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who
contribute to society.” St. Mark School is highly committed to:
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deepening the understanding, appreciation and practice of the Catholic Christian lifestyle, with Jesus as role model;
aligning a school 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 school priorities and the principal strands of faith education: prayer and liturgy; sacramentality; morality and
justice; scripture and church.
As a diverse educational community responding to God's call, St. Mark School fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and scripture
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, we will continue to develop opportunities for faith formation of students (Virtues Program/Youth Ambassadors/Social
Justice) 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
Core Principle School Response
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St. Mark Separate 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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We value and focus on People, Equality, Community, Sharing and Service, with a Global view of Catholic contributions worldwide
We work as a triad with Home-School-Parish to value, identify and integrate each person’s role and responsibility to implement and sustain an
exemplary Catholic Education rooted in our Gospel Values
Eucharistic Celebrations aligned to our liturgical calendar
Prayer centres in classrooms
Visible Symbols throughout the school
Virtues in Action
Social Justice and Outreach initiatives
Share Life, United Way, St. Vincent DePaul, Hope for Haiti, Eden Foodbank, Salvation Army
Daily Prayers as a School Community
Learning Environment
Summary of the school’s most recent (2012-2013) EQAO Primary Assessment Performance
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Primary Reading: 82% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Primary Writing: 82% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Primary Mathematics: 82% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Summary of the school's most recent (2012-2013) EQAO Junior Assessment Performance
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Junior Reading: 88% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Junior Writing: 91% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Junior Mathematics: 76% of students at or above Provincial Standard
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
St. Mark School students, staff and parents are provided with numerous opportunities for life-long learning.
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Students, in the rich environment of learning at school
Staff, through job-embedded and professional learning (Teachers as lifelong learners)
Parents, through opportunities such as workshops at Catholic School Council meetings, curriculum evenings, and volunteer opportunities
Special Education model values and promotes inclusion of all
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St. Mark Separate School
Learning Plan
The school community is also provided with information in school newsletters, via our electronic messaging to the community and through the school website
- all focused on learning for all community members.
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
The St. Mark School Community is committed to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners. We believe that
all students can learn, progress and achieve. We use a variety of data to continuously monitor learning, to inform instruction and assessment and determine
next steps. We differentiate instruction and assessment in response to student strengths, needs and prior learning and we also respond to individual learning
needs through a strong team approach.
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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Promotion of Catholic School Council participation in all areas of the community
Collaborative partnership with school trustee, Sharon Hobin
Opportunities are offered to all stake holders e.g. Community gatherings, Guest Speakers for parents - Pro Grant Participation
Opportunities to become involved in Volunteer activities/committees/classroom field trips/special celebrations, etc.
Linkage with Peel Police Community Officers and Peel Health
Resources in our Library that reflect Diversity
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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Community and ongoing involvement with Parish Youth Groups
Junior Achievement Involvement
Continual work with Peel Regional Police, R.A.I.D. Program Gr. 6, Peel Youth Education Officer
Continual work with the Peel Health Nurse
Partnership with the Living Arts Centre Mississauga
Partnership with the Eden Community Food Bank and Salvation Army
Support and particpate in Terry Fox Foundation initiatives
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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Support and encourage monthly visits by Father Tim Hanley and Father Charles
Support Sacramental Preparation with the Parish
Maintain good relationship with the Parish priests and church support staff
Continue support of the retreats for Confirmation Candidates
Encourage participation of Parish Events with all parents/guardians
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St. Mark Separate School
Learning Plan
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Food Drives
Outreach Programs with the Parish
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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Subject specific resource Rooms ie. Literacy, Numeracy, Science
Recycling in all classrooms and school
Eco School Certification
Earth Day Cleanup Program
Beautification Program for school plant
Participation of ‘Earth Hour’
Participation in the Ecosource
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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Budget allocations based on: student needs/school wide needs / divisional needs / grade level needs
Good Record Keeping
Following Board Policy
Wise Use of Donations
Use of Cash Submission Form
Demonstrate Fundraising Responsibility
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St. Mark Separate 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 proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by students in the school, as demonstrated by the
CCCC School Climate Survey results.
Action Plans
Creating a Healthy, Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment for All Learners.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support building collaborative practices through inquiry.
Action Plans
Building Collaborative Practices through Inquiry
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support an enhancement of transitional practices.
Action Plans
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful assessment practices that support knowing the learner for evaluation and reporting purposes.
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner Through Assessment
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St. Mark Separate School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices at St. Mark School that support effective instruction.
Action Plans
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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