St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
Mission *
Mission Statement:
St. Angela Merici School is a Catholic faith community that creates a Christ-centred environment.
Students grow in the realization that faith is a way of life which should permeate all their actions and decisions.
Our goal is to impart a deep conviction in individuals to bear positive witness in the Word and to challenge all to achieve excellence spiritually, socially and
academically.
About Us:
St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary School, which is located at 83 Edenbrook Hill Drive, opened on September 7, 2004, and was blessed on May 31, 2005.
The school's population of approximately 556 students reflects the cultural diversity of the Brampton West area. Our school was named in honour of St.
Angela Merici, an Italian Saint who was a tertiary of St. Francis. Following a vision from God, Angela was inspired to found the Ursuline teaching order. St.
Angela was afflicted with the loss of her sight but her sight was miraculously restored while she was praying to Jesus. St. Angela lived by her belief that,
“Education is only possible through love” and we continue to live by this statement.
Our motto of “Vision and Dedication” is lived out through the many opportunities our staff and students take to participate in social justice initiatives; these
include the annual Terry Fox Walk and Share Life contributions. Our students are aware of their responsibility to be Catholic caring citizens of our community
and therefore demonstrate their generous spirit through the participation of various social justice initiatives such as: food drives, toy drives, and raising money
for our parish of Guardian Angels. Monthly Virtues assemblies are conducted to celebrate those students who have demonstrated the Virtue of the Month and
to introduce the Virtue that will be the focus for the new month of the school year.
St. Angela Merici School has been part of Guardian Angels Parish since the inception of the parish. Our staff, students and school community through our
School Council participate in various fund raising activities to support the building of the Church. Weekly masses are celebrated at Guardian Angels Parish
Hall.
St. Angela Merici School is blessed to have our own prayer room in the school. Since 2009, we have completed our own prayer room in the school and
together as staff or a student community, we gather in prayer, reflection, and discussion.
Motto
Vision and Dedication - "Education is Only Possible Through Love" - St. Angela Merici
Catholic Focus
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the board’s
community of learners.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the board’s
community of learners, which includes five key groups: students; the parish, home and community; teachers and support staff; administrators and supervisory
officers; and trustees. The board 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, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School board strives “…to provide students
with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society.” 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, Dufferin-Peel fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and scripture.
The board continues to commit to the five guiding principles of our board's Strategic Plan 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, Dufferin-Peel 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
St. Angela Merici school community models, celebrates and nourishes the gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and
services by participating in the following:
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Virtues education, certificates and assemblies
Sacred space in all classrooms and school chapel/ prayer room
Gospel readings and reflections over the announcements every day
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
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Various Social Justice initiatives occurring throughout the year
Environmental focus – renewal and stewardship
Strong relationship with parish and parish team
Participating in the Rosary Apostolate with Guardian Angels Parish
Celebrating sacraments, masses, liturgies, and ShareLife initiative, ie. Shrove Tuesday to support parish
Welcoming newcomers and providing assistance to families through the School Social Worker
Implement Youth Faith Leaders to develop leadership skills
Initiate and implement additional "Green” projects
Emphasis on Restorative Justice
Share Life, Project Hope, Dr. Simone, and other charity activities
Homework Helpline
Catholic Secondary School partnership through Co-op program and volunteer opportunities
French Immersion Transition Planning for Grades 4 to 5
Transition Planning for Grade 8 to Grade 9
Special Education Model promotes inclusion of all
EQAO After School Tutoring
RAZZ Kids Home Reading Program
Learning Environment
Summary of St. Angela Merici's most recent scores:
EQAO Primary Division (Grade 3) Assessment Performance
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Primary Reading: 75%
Primary Writing: 75%
Primary Mathematics: 54%
Observations regarding school progress in Primary EQAO: Our students demonstrated a 5 % increase in reading and a 1% increase in writing; however
mathematics demonstrated a decrease of 12%. Deeper investigation of EQAO results indicate that a greater focus will be placed on numeracy for the 20152016 year.
EQAO Junior Division (Grade 6) Assessment Performance.
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Junior Reading: 78%
Junior Writing: 75%
Junior Mathematics: 44%
Observations regarding school progress in Junior EQAO indicate that reading, writing, and math will continue to be an area of focus for the Junior and
Intermediate divisions. A decrease in reading, writing and math scores demonstrates that continued supports in literacy and mathematics will be a focus
for the 2015-2016. Mathematics will continue to be a specific focus for the school.
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
School Community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning :
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Hosting of Co-op students in various classrooms
Homework Help Hotline - gr. 7-8
Transition Planning for Grade 8 to Grade 9
Teachers are lifelong learners as well, acting as role models by attending in-services, courses and workshops
Special Education supports will continue to model values and promote the inclusion of all learners of varying abilities
EQAO Afterschool tutoring
Afterschool Guiding Reading program for French Immersion students
Promote and support Summer LIteracy Camp and Intermediate Summer School programs
Commitment to continuous improvement in student achievements:
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Collaboration with Student Achievement Officer and Special Assignment Teacher (SAT)
Continued involvement in network supports, inviting participation of members from the School Improvement Team to participate in professional
development at Superintendent meetings
All grades involved in professional learning communities
Offering Lunch and Learns for staff
Differentiated instruction, Accountable talk and Descriptive Feedback are school-wide focuses
Class generated Anchor Charts
Class generated Success Criteria and Learning Goals
Empower Reading Program
PALS program with CYW support
Junior Leadership
Differentiated Instruction is occurring in all classrooms
SMART Board technology is used to enhance program delivery in the intermediate grades as well as SMART Board being installed in Library for
whole school access
Monthly Divisional Meetings with a focus on our Collaborative Inquiry
Integration meetings to plan next steps for students
Student generated anchor charts throughout all grades and the use of word/concept walls in classrooms
Co-creating success criteria and learning goals with students
Staff are actively involved in Collaborative Inquiries within the school and family of schools, in order to support student learning and achievement
Work with SAT teacher on junior/intermediate math initiatives
School level Professional Learning Community activities on an ongoing basis
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Catholic School Councils:
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
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Parents are strongly encouraged to join in the partnership of their child’s education
School Council meetings occur monthly and are open to all parents and guardians of the St. Angela Merici community
Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the faith life of the school
PRO Grant initiatives allow for parent participation in activities organized by School Council.
Events are planned that encourage parent participation
Representatives from the parish form a strong bond
Parent Loaning Library - books and videos available to help support parents
Community Partnerships and Collaboratives
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Students attending Peel Safety Village, Stephanie's House: Fire Education Safety Program
Brampton Clean City: 3 R's, Harvest Clean-up, Litterless Lunches, Lunch Audits
Brampton NorthWest Connects - School Participation
Strong partnership with Peel Police Community Safety Officers: Anti-bullying: Cyberbullying, RAID
Terry Fox walk
Jump Rope for Heart
Rose Theater - live performance opportunities
Cassie Campbell Recreation Centre : Swim to Survive Program, Winter Lights participation, Skating,
PARISH HOME SCHOOL
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Masses celebrated with Father Jan throughout the year in accordance with Liturgical calendar
Liturgies and Celebrations - throughout the year
Provide announcements for the Parish through our newsletter
Encourage parents to be part of Sacramental preparation
Participation in the St. Angela Merici Feast Day celebrations
Liturgies held in the school Prayer Room both by class and staff
Encouragement of school community involvement in parish building activities for our new parish church, Guardian Angels
Parents/Community invited to all Celebrations and expression of our Faith
Financial support to ShareLife, Guardian Angels Parish: Building Fund
Physical Environment
St. Angela Merici School models and support good stewardship of resources by celebrating and organizing such programs as:
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Eco Team
Celebration of Earth Day
Celebration of Waste Management Week
Stewardship activities- bulb planting, harvest clean-up
Litterless Lunches are encouraged
Essay contests
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
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Participation in Peel Water Festival activities
Participation in Credit Valley Conservation initiatives
Striving for Eco-School re-certification
Lights Off
School "Green Team" Recycling program
Eco initiatives with the Region of Peel
Alignment with the Catholic Caring Community Action Team
St. Angela Merici demonstrates fiscal responsibility by:
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Aligning the budget to school goals and student learning.
Maintaining a balanced budget
Adhering to all guidelines and policies and using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance
St. Angela Merici School demonstrates financial accountability by ensuring that funds are collected and expensed by the school in compliance with all
Board protocols.
Annual Budgets reviewed monthly
Fundraising activities are determined in consultation with the Catholic School Council and are reported upon as per Board protocols
Purposeful spending in support of the Catholic School Learning Plan
Social Justice and Community fundraising
Charitable donations to community and outreach program wherever possible
Prompt attention to health and safety reports and response to acts of vandalism
Students are encouraged to be responsible stewards of all school learning materials
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
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 other students in the school, as
demonstrated by the CCCC school climate survey.
Action Plans
1.0 If we are more intentional in creating respectful conditions for well-being, learning and leading in a positive climate (e.g. creating a healthy social
space by inviting the voice of all learners and active listening, a healthy spiritual space by identifying needs and practicing virtues), then all learners will
feel safe, included, supported and welcomed.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support collaborative inquiry and apply knowledge gained through professional
learning opportunities and networking, as demonstrated by the CBLP professional learning feedback.
Action Plans
2.0 If we continue to embrace collaborative inquiry as a process for learning, then all learners will be actively engaged as collaborative contributors in
building and mobilizing knowledge.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of 2016, St. Angela Merici School will see an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement in the learning skill and
work habit of self-regulation as evidenced through report card data.
Action Plans
3.0 If we continue to intentionally engage collaboratively in transitional practices to support learner well-being and development, then learners will
progress in their journey of self- discovery and self-direction toward vocation.
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support knowing the learner through assessment.
Action Plans
4.0 If we continue to intentionally focus on assessment for and as learning, then all learners will use metacognitive strategies to analyze, articulate and
responsibly act on their own reflective thinking and learning.
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St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students achieving a level 3 or 4 on the EQAO assessments.
Action Plans
5.0 If we continue designing effective lessons, making use of collaborative work (three-part lesson, guided practice/guided reading) in flexible groupings,
then learners will effectively communicate their critical and creative thinking to develop and apply processes, skills and strategies across disciplines.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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