Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
As Catholic teachers, we uphold our faith commitment to our students and our teaching. We celebrate spirituality and diversity in the values of achieving,
believing and community living in our inclusive Catholic school environment.
As Catholic parents, we work in partnership with staff and students. We are dedicated to our children's spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical
development fostered in secure and happy home environments. Working together, we attain success by educating students to their full potential.
As Catholic students, we learn in and act as a Catholic community. We demonstrate our love for God by respecting each other and ourselves and by trying to
meet the expectations of our parents and teachers.
Motto
Hands to Serve, Hearts to Love - Growing in the Image of God
Catholic Focus
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Learning Plan
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School, at 1120 Runningbrook Drive, was established in 1980 as Mother Teresa of Calcutta and was housed
in Runningbrook Public School, an open concept school without partitions of doors. The school shared the building with employees of the Peel Board.
Eventually the Board purchased the building and had it blessed in September of 1984. Renovations were done in 1997 and 1998. After Mother Teresa was
beatified in 2003, the school's name was changed to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Our school motto "Hands to Serve, Hearts to Love," is based on the
example of Mother Teresa. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious community of nuns to serve the 'poorest of the poor". Our school has a
Rosary Apostolate Program (which is supported by The Rosary Apostolates adult group) with students learning and reciting the Rosary on a monthly basis,
with a May celebration as culminating activity. Other outreach projects include, supporting local food banks, supporting a child through World Vision, lending a
hand to a variety of relief efforts, our annual Terry Fox event, and support of initiatives throughout the parish.
Our Catholic Focus as part of The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Community
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 principle strands of faith education: prayer and liturgy; sacraments; 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 our Catholic identity at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta we will continue to develop opportunities for faith formation of students and staff, together
with an educational program which strives to integrate Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board's fundamental beliefs and values into all of its endeavours.
Core Principles
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Learning Plan
Catholicity
Our school community models, celebrates and nourishes Gospel Values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-Centred programs and services through;
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Virtues Education Program
Virtues/Walking in the footsteps of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awards
Community Board that gives students a venue for their voices to be heard - when responding to a particular question or statement that is posted
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (formation of students)
Liturgies, Celebrations and Sacramental Celebrations
Sacred Space in all classrooms and common areas
School Adult Faith Ambassador Program
Social Justice Projects, ShareLife, Stewardship Activities, ECO Team, Food Drives, Terry Fox Walk, Angels on the Tree, Christmas Toy Drive
School Staff Community Response Initiatives
September Community BBQ/Open House
Welcoming newcomers and providing assistance to new families to Canada through the school Social Worker
Learning Environment
Summary of the school’s most recent EQAO Primary Division (Grade 3) assessment performance (percentage of students at levels 3 and 4);
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Primary Reading: 77%
Primary Writing: 76%
Primary Mathematics: 73%
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO for 2014/2015: Results indicate a slight increase in - Reading and Mathematics and a
decrease in Writing, as compared to 2013/2014. School results were above Board averages.
Effective practices in Literacy continue to be consolidated, with clear expectations for all students. Our School's Catholic Learning Team with input
from all staff have determined that a focus on effective lesson design with a focus on Numeracy will have a positive impact on increasing student
achievement.
Summary of the school’s most recent EQAO Junior Division (Grade 6) assessment performance (percentage of students at levels 3 and 4);
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Junior Reading: 81%
Junior Writing: 77%
Junior Mathematics: 67%
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO 2014/2015: Results indicate that there was a decrease in the areas of Reading and Writing
and a slight increase Mathematics, as compared to 2013/2014. School results as compared to Board averages were equal for Reading, slightly below
in writing and slightly above in math.
Effective practices in Literacy continue to be consolidated, with clear expectations for all students. Our School's Catholic Learning Team with input
from all staff have determined that a focus on effective lesson design with a focus on Numeracy will have a positive impact on increasing student
achievement.
As a school (K - 8), with support from Administration and our SAT (Special Assignment Teacher), we will continue to focus on Guided Practices in
Reading, Writing, and a more intense focus on Math.
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Learning Plan
The school community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning through;
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Grade 8 Community Service Hours
Co-op student placements from John Cabot Secondary School
Student teacher placements
Promoting the Homework On Line Program
Teachers in our school continue to be life-long learners, acting as role models by attending in-services and workshops
All staff participate in divisional learning teams
Artists in the School Presentations – to foster the development of life skills beyond the classroom
Peel Police School Programs, Peel Health, Healthy Food/Nutrition Committee and Program
Our Special Education model values and promotes inclusion of all students
The school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners through;
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Use of assessment data to identify strengths/weakness
Guided Teaching/Guided Practice
Guided Reading Program
TLC (teacher learning cycles)
Differentiated Instruction
SMART Board technology and I Pad and PEDS are used to enhance program delivery
Common Grade Level Planning amongst the Primary and Junior Divisions has been implemented
Continued Professional Development for all staff members
Collaboration with SAT
Co-constructed (teacher/students) generated Anchor Charts that ensure common understanding in student friendly language, that can be used
towards the creating of Success Criteria.
Community Engagement
Our school community ensures that the Catholic School Council reflects the diverse Catholic community through;
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Continued partnership with St. Patrick’s Parish
Invitations to attend Catholic School Council Meetings and Workshops
Community BBQ sponsored by CSC
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School Council is open to all parents, staff members and community partners
The school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaboratives through;
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Collaboration with St. Patrick’s Parish
Collaboration and transition planning with John Cabot Secondary School and other local high schools
Community (NPU) Police Officers, Police Liaison Officer, Peel Police Youth Education Program
Community BBQ
Peel Health, Walking Wednesdays
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Learning Plan
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Continued collaboration and open dialogue with John Cabot Secondary
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Parish-Home-School
The school promotes the engagement and active participation of the School/Parish and Home as a fundamental component of student success through;
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Consistent communication with home
Sharing St. Patrick Parish news
Providing announcements for the Parish over the PA system and bulletin board
Inviting school community to participate and support St. Patrick Parish events
Encouraging all parents to be part of Sacramental Preparation
Fostering school-home-parish partnerships
Physical Environment
Activities the school engages in that model and promote good stewardship of resources;
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Recycling Program (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) - all staff becoming more aware of paper use and taking steps to reduce use and waste
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School has completed Silver Stage of the ECO School's initiatives and we continue to move towards next level
Promote respect for all the beauty of nature and people that God has given
Participation in care for all resources/equipment
Litterless Lunches are encouraged through our Healthy Foods Committee
Integration of environmental responsibility with Gospel Values/Virtues Program
Ways in which the school demonstrates financial responsibility;
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Maintaining a balanced and sustainable budget
School budget is aligned to school goals and student learning
Following all Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Policy and Procedures with regards to Financial Responsibility including attendance at Board
in-services
Fundraising Events by Staff and Catholic School Council, such as Lamontagne Chocolates
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic 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 at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School indicating that they feel acceptance by other
students in the school, as demonstrated by the CCCC School Climate Survey.
Action Plans
Catholic virtues integrated through our daily life of the school.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016 there will be an increase in the successful practices that support collaborative inquiry amongst staff and evidence of growth will be visible in
students' effective use of success criteria and self-assessment which will improve students' learning skills and work habits.
Action Plans
Building and using collaborative practices.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016 the diverse needs of all learners will be supported by ensuring successful transitions along the learning journey from Kindergarten to
Secondary School.
Action Plans
Transition from Elementary to Secondary School
Transition to and from Kindergarten
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By June 2016, teachers will increase their assessment practices (for, as and of learning) which will empower students to take ownership of their own
learning. This will be demonstrated through students' ability to effectively use success criteria and self-assessment to articulate their understanding and develop
insights about their own learning.
Action Plans
Development of Learning Goals and Success Criteria
EQAO Data Analysis
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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016 at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School there will be an increase in successful teaching practices that support effective instruction, as
demonstrated through the use of anchor charts, learning goals and specific descriptive feedback for all learners.
Action Plans
21st Century Learning/ Responsive Design Environment
Effective Instruction
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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