Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Mission Statement
The mission of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, in partnership with the family and church, is to provide, in a responsible manner, a Catholic
education which develops spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social, and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to meet the
challenges of the future, thus enriching the community.
We, God’s people, staff of Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School strive daily to meet all aspects of our vocation, such as, to teach and learn from each other
and our students. We believe that literacy and numeracy are fundamental life skills. We endeavour to teach these essential processes in our classrooms.
Motto
Striving in Learning
Catholic Focus
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School
Learning Plan
Sts. Martha and Mary’s Catholic Focus
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; sacramental life; 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 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, 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.
Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School located in Mississauga at 1760 Bough Beeches Boulevard in the Glenforest community. The school population of
approximately 365 students reflects the diversity of east Mississauga. The school has a well established reputation for academic excellence.
Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School named for the patron saints Martha and Mary who were sisters of Lazarus whom was raised from death by Jesus. In
Roman Catholic tradition, Mary of Bethany, also identified as Mary Magdalene, known as the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet. In scripture, Luke 10: 38-42,
the sisters were visited numerous times by Jesus, where Martha, following tradition of hospitality which is paramount in the Middle East goes to work to serve.
This story in scripture helps us to understand and overcome our distractions and worries and listen to word of God.
Living our virtues daily, through prayer, faith-based and social justice activities, the Student Leadership team, as servant leaders, like St. Martha’s model,
facilitates various food drives and charitable fundraisers.
Core Principles
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic 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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Daily interactions with all members of school community, including staff, teachers, students, administrators and parents as authentic witnesses to our
Catholic faith
Monthly Virtues Education foci
Celebration of our faith by attending mass and preparing for respective sacraments: Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation
Social Justice matters facilitated by Intermediate Student Leaders (Youth Ambassadors)
Faith with Works (F.W.W.) Student Ambassadors
Sacredness of the Environment imbedded in all aspects of the school and reinforced through classroom instruction and Eco-Team initiatives
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 77%
Primary Writing: 94%
Primary Mathematics: 78%
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO: as reflected across the assessment indicate high academic achievement in writing, and
decrease in student performance on the reading and writing assessments.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 97%
Junior Writing: 97%
Junior Mathematics: 76%
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO: sustained progress in reading, writing and mathematics with a slight increase in each subject.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
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Teachers participate in Teaching-Learning Cycle sessions facilitated by division at the school.
Capacity growth on Professional Activity days.
Peel Regional Police Youth Education programs
Peel Public Health support
Peace Pals
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
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Active participation of teachers in the Teaching – Learning Cycle and through commitment to effective lesson design, responsive classroom,
technology, Catholic Graduate expectations.
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School
Learning Plan
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School Council actively engages in six monthly meetings with a vast number of elected and non-elected parents who
attend. School Council constitution has been amended to include 19 parent elected and appointed members, in addition, School Council is well
represented by two staff members.
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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Through the efforts of School Council and school administrator parents are encouraged and actively engaged in wide number of volunteer positions
within the school, offering remedial assistance in class, such as, All Star Reading program, Central Text Room, educational excursions, coaching,
community barbeque, and major fundraising initiatives.
Peel Regional Police and Peel Public Health partnerships
Collaboration and transition planning with associate Philip Pocock Secondary School
School access to various groups through permit use, i.e., Girl Guides, International Language
Communication of school community events and activities, through newsletters, school website and school e-mail (one-way) and information bulletin
board
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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Through the triad partnership, parish, home and school work together to encourage a support system of a faith-based curriculum, through prayer,
liturgy, scramentality, moral justice and scripture.
maintain school-parish relationship with Father Darrin Corkum and foster priest visits to the school and respective classroom, particularly sacramental
years of grades 2 and 8
sharing Sts. Martha and Mary parish news with school community
inviting school community to support Sts. Martha and Mary parish events i.e., bundle Sunday
participate in school-parish symposium
School Council and staff facilitate Family Advent mass at Sts. Martha and Mary parish
Pastoral Plan
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School
Learning Plan
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Facilitate school-wide recycling program and participates in eco-school initiatives
Provide litter less yard and encourage reduction of consumable packing in lunches.
Reduce paper use and photocopying offering alternative forms to provide information i.e., parents encouraged to access school website and school
one-way e-mail
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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Administrator responsible for maintaining budget expenditures reflective of sound decision-making, and demonstrate financial scrutiny to promote
learning opportunities and acquisition of resources.
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By June 2016, there will an increase in successful practices that support well-being. Evidence of growth for students will include: 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; an increase in
the proportion of students indicating that they are likely to report incidents at school, as demonstrated by the CCCC School Climate Survey results.
Action Plans
Active listening and practicing virtues by inviting the voice of all students.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support collaborative inquiry. Evidence of growth for students will include: an increase
in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of collaboration; an increase in the proportion of
educators who are confident to apply knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities, as demonstrated by CBLP professional learning (e.g., exit
tickets)
Action Plans
Embrace collaborative inquiry as a process for learning.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support transitional practices. Evidence of growth for students and educators will be: an
increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of self-regulation; the implementation of the
Individual Pathway Planning (IPP) tool.
Action Plans
Engage collaboratively in transitional practices.
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Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support knowing the learner through assessment. Evidence of growth for students and
educators will include: an increase in the proportion of students able to articulate strategies supporting their learning, as demonstrated by perceptual data, e.g.,
EQAO questionnaire; an increase educators understanding of assessment for and as learning opportunities demonstrated by professional learning feedback at
PLC's.
Action Plans
Focus on assessment for and as learning.
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support effective instruction. Evidence of growth for students will include: an increase in
the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years; an increase in the proportion of educators who intend to apply
knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities, as demonstrated by PLC feedback.
Action Plans
Design effective lessons.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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