St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
Mission *
We believe that by providing children with a forum to develop their faith and increase their knowledge of Christ, they will continue to grow as learners and
builders of Christian communities. We believe that through a cooperative partnership among the school, family and church, every learner will be provided with
the opportunity to become a valued and contributing member of society. We believe that it is only by involving and fostering an appreciation for their learning
that the children who are entrusted to our care will become lifelong learners. We believe that we must foster an atmosphere of mutual respect in order to help
children grow in self-esteem and self-confidence. We believe that a supportive, nurturing Catholic environment will help each child grow into a positive role
model for other members of the community.
Motto
"Faith in God and Service to Others"
Catholic Focus
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St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School first opened in 1983. For 31 years, the school has been dedicated to helping children reach their potential and to
respect diversity.
Our school believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the school’s community of learners. The school 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, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School strives “…to provide students with the opportunity to realize their potential
and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society.” St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, as a school of 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 principal 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, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere
rooted in tradition and scripture. The school continues to commit to the guiding principles of Learning for All: K-12 (draft) 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, our school 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
CATHOLICITY
Our school community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centered programs and
services by:
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Bringing our school Pastoral Plan to life
Fostering 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: X Movement, PALS (Playground Activity
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St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
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Leaders in Schools), and Youth Faith Ambassadors, in order to support students in developing qualities of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate
Expectations.
Continued implementation of the ‘Virtues’ program: monthly liturgies, Newsletter ‘Virtue’ inserts, school display case.
Adult Faith Ambassador Programs
Having sacred spaces in all classrooms and common areas
Having Gospel readings and reflections over the announcements every day
Providing the various school-wide Social Justice initiatives occurring all year long
Our environmental focus – renewal and stewardship - and Eco Schools participation and certification
Having visible Faith symbols in the school
Our School yard painted pavement games used to promote Cooperative Play
Welcoming new comers and providing assistance to families through the School Social Worker, Newcomer Reception Centres, and Settlement
Worker
Continued support for student stewardship and social justice projects: Share Life, Terry Fox Run, Food Drives, Christmas Charity Initiatives to support
the Parish.
Continued development of positive school-community relationships: School Volunteer Program, Catholic School Council, School Community
Partnerships (Peel Regional Police, Peel Health)
Catholic Education Week Activities
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The most recent EQAO data for St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School can be summarized as follows:
Gr. 3 Results:
Primary Reading: 67%
Primary Writing: 83%
Primary Mathematics: 61%
Gr. 6 Results:
Junior Reading: 85%
Junior Writing: 100%
Junior Mathematics: 70%
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 in the following ways:
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Students are provided with opportunities to build on in-school experiences and activities to further explore personal interests, strengths and
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St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
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destinations: participation in out-of school excursions/retreats, school sports teams, dance, Arts in the School Programs, Secondary School Orientation
Programs and Student Leadership opportunities
Ongoing teaching & learning, supporting & reinforcing the expectations for the Image of the Learner (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 life- long learning
Math Homework Help Hotline
Transition Planning for Grade 8 to Grade 9
Transition Planning from FDK to Gr. 1
Teachers are lifelong learners as well, acting as role models by attending inservices, courses and workshops
Special Education model values and promotes inclusion of all
Support for Parent/Adult learners through participation in the School Volunteer Program, Catholic School Council, All Star Reading Program.
Support for the delivery of enhanced curriculum provided by community partners: Peel Health, Youth Education Officer class and school wide
programs.
Welcome to Kindergarten Evening
Co-op Program in association with St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
Gideon Bible Program
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
Differentiated Instruction is occurring in all classrooms
SMART Board technology is used to enhance program delivery
Monthly Staff Meetings with a focus on a School Collaborative Inquiry planning, instruction
Student IEP’s are developed to support ‘at risk’, and exceptional learner needs and, learning opportunities for growth
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 - EQAO, CASI, PM Benchmarks, PRIME, CCCC Survey
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
At St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School we ensure that our Catholic School Council reflects our diverse Catholic community and builds and sustain
community partnerships in collaboration as:
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Parents are strongly encouraged to join in the partnership of their child’s education
Catholic 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. are welcomed
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
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St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
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We organize events to bring Arts into the School
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)
Classes participate in curriculum related field trips
We are involved in co-curricular/intra, and/or inter-school/ board wide competitions: sports teams, ECO Conference, Science Olympics, Poetry
Competition, Forest of Reading Programs.
The involvement of our Community Partners: Peel Regional Police, Youth Education Officer, Peel Children’s Safety Village, Peel Heath (PALS)
is prominent
We work in collaboration with the PLASP before/after school programs
We work in collaboration with the School Settlement Worker assigned to the school
We encourage permits that support and/or enhance student well-being, e.g., EDGE Program, Brampton Parks & Recreation, Sports teams, etc.
We collaborate with various agencies dedicated to the support of student well-being: SEE HEAR, Region of Peel- Student Immunization Program,
Dental Screening etc.
We are involved in Brampton Clean City and Recycling
We welcome Fire Department Visits
Participate in the Terry Fox Walk
Participate in ShareLife fundraisers
Have the No Child Without program
We refer newcomers to the ESL Reception Centre
We host Rotary Club donations of dictionaries
Organize the Welcome To Kindergarten Program
PARISH-HOME-SCHOOL
These are some of the ways that St. Marguerite Bourgeoys 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. Joseph and Fr. Mani of St. Anthony of Padua Parish to support Sacramental Preparation and faith
development with the home
School has regularly scheduled masses throughout the liturgical season
Posting of Parish bulletin on our school websites with highlights in the school newsletter
Encourage parents to be part of sacramental preparation
The school provides support for Parish and Board charitable works initiatives: Share Life, Food drives, etc.
Mass, Sacramental, Virtue and other celebrations support collaboration with, and participation by the home and parish
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
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St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
Here are some of the ways that we model and promote good stewardship of resources at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School:
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Celebration of Earth Day
Litter less 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
Establish photo-copying limits for staff to reduce paper consumption
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Listed below are the ways that St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School demonstrates financial responsibility:
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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
All guidelines and Board policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and 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. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 We will provide a safe learning environment that encourages risk-taking needed for learning, where the voice of each learner is valued and heard within a
supportive community.
Action Plans
Continue to develop the progressive discipline model in approaching student behaviour from a proactive and preventative perspective by encouraging cooperative play and problem solving.
Embrace the cultural diversity of students by encouraging them to share their own personal or family experiences.
To cultivate a growth mindset.
To develop stewardship, both of faith and in the earth
To highlight the monthly virtues by coming together as a school and working on demonstrating the virtues in our classrooms.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 We will cultivate a co-learning stance within an inquiry based approach to learning, which will deepen understanding for all learners.
Action Plans
All professional learning opportunities support collaborative and inquiry-based approaches to deepen understandings of student learning needs.
Job embedded and inquiry-based learning builds capacity, informs isntructional practice and contributes to a culture of learning
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 We will support the diverse learning needs of all learners ensuring successful transitions along the journey of learning from Early Years to Secondary School.
Action Plans
Students have opportunities to build on in-school and out- of -school experiences and activities to explore further their personal interests, strengths,
career and destinations
Students, parents/guardians and teachers will understand the full range of pathways, options, program and supports that are available
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St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Separate School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 We will implement diagnostic assessment practices that will make thinking and learning visible (to teachers, students and parents) in order to inform
instruction that enables all students to learn.
Action Plans
Analyze EQAO and other data to identify focused interventions for improvement.
Assessment data is used by staff to plan, differentiate, determine goals, monitor progress and determine next steps.
Develop Success Criteria and Learning Goals with the students.
Every classroom environment will foster literacy learning with rich environmental texts (eg. anchor charts, student work, etc.) that are aligned to the
underlying literacy expectations.
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 We will implement effective lesson designs (3 part lessons) that are responsive to the needs of all learners through the use of activating, developing and
consolidated thinking that will incorporate 21st century global perspectives.
Action Plans
Adopt a Growth Mind Set in all staff and students
Continue to implement the 3 part math lesson plan through focussed discussion in the areas of questioning and consolidation.
Learning is deepened through authentic, relevant and meaningful student inquiry
The diverse learning needs of each student will be supported by literacy instruction/assessments/evaluation that are varied in nature and provide the
learner with on-going, timely and descriptive feedback.
To develop Learning Goals and Success Criteria with the students.
To implement an effective Balanced Literacy programme for diverse learners.
To provide effective teaching through collaboration.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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