St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Mission Statement
Quis Ut Deus
"Who is with God"
We, the community of St. Michael Catholic Secondary School are committed to the Gospel values as a foundation for student success.
We believe that every student can and will achieve 8 credits a year. We believe that every student can and will be involved in at least one school
extracurricular activity. We believe that school, home and parish are accountable to one another.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend, protect and pray for us.
“We are with God”
Motto
Quis Ut Deus
"Who is with God"
St. Michael the Archangel ~ Pray for us
Catholic Focus
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St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
St. Michael Catholic Secondary School’s Catholic Focus
St. Michael Catholic Secondary School strives to inspire its students from the charism of St. Michael. The school motto that is derived from the
name “Michael” – Who is with God, is at the heart of our communal faith journey. It is our goal that each staff and student will come to recognize
that they are created in the image and likeness of God and that God resides in every human being. This fundamental aspect of our Catholic
identity is supported through prayer, liturgical experiences, sacramentality, scripture, retreats, and all extracurricular activities which are rooted in
our Christian story and Catholic Virtues.
The support for our students extends itself to the greater Bolton community. The Parish is closely connected with our school. The parents are invited and
encouraged to be active participants in the development of their children and the school community. As a Catholic educational community, the teachers,
support staff, administrators, supervisory officers and trustees are called to lead by example. We are all called to form our professional responsibilities in our
Christian values in order to support the communal effort of raising our youth. Together we work to create caring, inclusive and loving young people who will
graduate from our school to share their gifts with the world. With a foundation of faith, our students will have the capacity to continue to build communities of
justice and peace rooted in the dignity of all human life.
Core Principles
Catholicity:
The St. Michael school community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs
through:
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School staff and student leaders model strong faith connections
Four school masses throughout the year
Weekly liturgy in the Chapel
Promotion of Catholic Code of Conduct
Daily prayer (ending with "St. Michael, pray for us") and reflections, both school wide and in individual classrooms and activities
Sacred space in classrooms
Faith based images displayed through the school building and campus
Chaplaincy Team (which includes staff, student, parish and community representatives)
Religious focused retreats that are organized on a grade by grade basis
Comprehensive Grade Nine retreat day that accommodated all grade nine students (composed of a number of activities that focused on Gospel
values, community building, our Board’s Virtues Program and principles of anti-discrimination)
Girls Night In
Boy's Night in
GTA Feed the Homeless
Thinkfast event
March For Life
Kid's Help phone
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St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Terry Fox Walk
Equity Conference
ShareLife fundraisers Social Justice initiatives (e.g. Dominican Republic Trip, Knights Table, Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Baskets, Food Drives)
Music Ministry
Group counselling sessions by Social Workers, School Psychologists and Child and Youth Workers to promote children’s mental health
Grief counseling sessions
Get Ready Program
Educational Leadership and Peer Tutoring courses (PATH)
Learning Environment:
Grade 9 Math EQAO:
Summary of the school's most recent EQAO Grade 9 mathematics assessment performance:
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Grade 9 Academic Mathematics: 94%
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics: 90%
Observations regarding school progress in Grade 9 EQAO: Our Applied math scores are 12% above the previous year. Our Academic scores are 3%
above from the previous year. We will continue with the strategies and remediation that were used last year
Grade 10 OSSLT:
Summary of the school's most recent OSSLT results:
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OSSLT results for First-Time Eligible Students: 83%. Literacy scores are 6% above the provincial average.
Observations regarding school progress on OSSLT: Continue the focus on At-Risk students, continue cross-curricular support through literacy crosscurricular resource and use board supports assist our teachers. Release days for literacy initiatives. Communication to students and parents using
website and twitter.
Life-Long Learning:
The St. Michael school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning through:
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Promotion of experiential learning opportunities in all subject areas
Blended Learning/UDL
Using technology to support teaching and learning
Educational Leadership and Peer Tutoring courses
Exposure to the arts, athletics and technology
Availability of a variety of leadership opportunities for all students
Staff Professional Development
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St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Conference funding for both staff and students
Faith development
Guest speakers / motivational speakers
Commitment to Continuous Improvement in Student Achievement:
The St. Michael school community is committed to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners
through:
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After school /lunch extra help sessions in core subject areas
Promotion of Differentiated instruction in all classrooms
Promotion of technology in classrooms to improve instruction/learning
Scrolling announcements/ Live MIC TV broadcasts
Effective use of Student Success Teacher and Student Success Initiative staffing
Promotion of emergent technology in classrooms (Interactive Smartboards and graphing calculators)
Educational Leadership and Peer Tutoring courses
Hand timetabling for students with unique learning needs
Use of automated phone system to inform parents of upcoming evaluation periods and mark reporting cycles
Use of school website as an integral communication tool to parents
Use of bi-weekly e-mails to parent community
Podcasts related to numeracy and literacy activities
Development and use of math "survival guide" and "literacy skills guide"
Celebration of student achievement via academic awards
Promotion of Safe Schools policies and practices
Community Engagement:
The St. Michael school community ensures that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community through:
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Monthly Catholic School Council meetings
Open meeting format that ensures a welcoming environment where all parents feel comfortable attending and contributing
Elected members of council are reflective of the demographics of the school community
Catholic School Council has an effective communication system that utilizes email, the school’s website, auto-dialer system
Strong connection between the local parishes and the Catholic School Council
The St. Michael school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaboratives through:
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Cultivating partnerships with a variety of community organizations (Caledon Wellness Centre)
Partnership with the Rotary Club, Caledon Community Services, Kinsmen Club, Brampton Music Theatre, Caledon Arts Council, Caesar's Event
Centre
School hosting a Halloween Haunted House for community children
Organizes a variety of events that welcome the greater community into the school: Feast of St. Michael, Annual Dinner Theatre event, Awards Night
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St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Participation in the Bolton Santa Claus parade and at St. Michael hosted Children's Community Christmas Party
Parish/Home/School:
St. Michael promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success through:
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School masses, liturgies, sacramental awareness, Feast day and Grad Mass
Grade level retreats: Grade 9: Holy Family Parish Theme: Social Justice, Grade 10: Mt. Alverno: Theme: Relationships, Grade 11: Ecology Center
Hockley Valley Theme: Aboriginal Spirituality, Grade 12: Inner City Walk
Period 4 masses and Chapel visits
Participation in Thinkfast
Parent / Teacher Conference Night
Grade 8 Parents' Night
Physical Environment:
St. Michael models and promotes good stewardship of resources through:
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St. Michael achieved certified silver eco school status
In-school recycling and composting program
School leadership teams cleaning up the school campus and the surrounding community
Community clean up
Water bottle campaign
Water bottle fill stations
St. Michael demonstrates financial responsibility through:
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Full compliance with the Board’s financial policies and procedures
Tracking of expenditures using Board approved accounting software
Promotion of economical ways to communicate (use of school website, use of auto-dialer phone system)
Transparent fiscal reporting
Ethical fundraising in line with Board policies and expectations of Toronto Diocese
On-going exploration of opportunities to save money (photocopying allocations, reduction of supply teacher costs, maximizing the use of Board and
Ministry funds)
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St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1. By June 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating that they are likely to report incidents at school, as demonstrated by the CCCC
survey.
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention
Establish and support Link Crew Program.
Process established to help support all students.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2. By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who are confident to apply knowledge gained through Professional Learning
opportunities.
Action Plans
21st Century Learning
Engage and support students by creating a culture of high expectations for all types of learners.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3. By June 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
Students, parents and teachers understand the full range of pathways, options, programs and supports that are available.
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4. By June 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who increased their understanding of assessment for and as learning.
Action Plans
Guided Reading
School Collaborative Inquiry on assessment and evaluation.
Teachers familiarize themselves with instructional leadership through program and superintendent opportunities.
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St. Michael Catholic Secondary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5. By June 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years.
Action Plans
Common instruction and assessment language used in all classrooms.
Continue to support staff development through the math menu, professional development conferences (OAME and CHAMP)
Familiarize students and parents with expectations of OSSLT in order to increase success.
Numeracy Expected Practice - 3-Part Lesson Model
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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