Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Our mission is to bring to life our school's motto of "justice, love, peace" through the witness of each student and staff member. Our goal is for our students
to realize not only their academic potential, but their ability to impact the world as stewards of the earth and advocates for social justice. Our hope is that
through their experiences at Notre Dame: our students are empowered through an appreciation of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate expectations; grow
in their faith,; and understand that God's love for them is unconditional.
Motto
Justice, Love and Peace
Catholic Focus
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
1/7
Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
Notre Dame Secondary School was established in 1983 to serve Heart Lake in Brampton and the communities of Caledon, Orangeville, Bolton, and
Georgetown. Notre Dame opened with eight teachers and a principal in BD Fleming Public School. In its third year, the school moved to a board holding
school, which was on the Sheridan College campus and in 1990 moved to its present location at 2 Notre Dame Avenue.
The Notre Dame community, which has 1500 students, is richly diverse in its cultural background, athletic and artistic interests and academic choices. It is
united by Lorne Howcroft's belief that together everyone can make a difference in our world by living the school motto, "Justice, Love, and Peace".
Academically, Notre Dame offers a wide range of programs including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, University, College, and
Workplace streams, and also a non-profit Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program.
The Notre Dame community serves its local and its global neighbours, donating an average of 30,000 pounds of food annually to Brampton's food banks, and
donating money and supplies to many countries in need around the world. For the past few years, the school has also supported a social justice mission to
Nicaragua where students have had the opportunity to help communities in need.
In 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:
•
•
•
•
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 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:
•
•
•
•
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
Core Principle School Response
Catholicity
•
Promotion of monthly virtues - Throughout the school year the monthly virtue is promoted through morning reflections, assemblies and social justice
activities organized by departments. The virtues are also modeled by staff and students in behaviour and interactions with one another. Students are
nominated and honoured each month for putting the monthy virture into action through our "Virtuous Heroes" initiative. Each Department will work to
develop lessons to assist teachers in promoting the virtues in their class.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
2/7
Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
•
•
•
Adherence to our Pastoral pPan - We will strive to live our school mission of justice, love and peace through our words and actions. Liturgies, retreats,
classroom and co-curricular activities will promote a desire to be more like Christ through Christian character and virtues development whenever
possible. We will work to build a strong, caring faith-centred community which exhibits humility, patience, hospitality and forgiveness. We will continue
to strengthen out school-parish-home relationship triad by invitation and positive involvement of all our community partners in our Catholic education
goals. St. Leonard Parish will collaborate with us to help serve our many pastoral needs.
Observation of our theme “Called to wholeness: mind, body, spirit" (year 2).This theme will be used on our school website and newsletters, on the
outdoor sign, and in our liturgies and retreats. We will observe signs that we are a Catholic school inside and outside .
We will also begin work on celebrating the Jubilee Year of Mercy starting in Advent, and highlighted during Catholic Education Week.
Learning Environment:
EQAO Results:
•
•
•
Grade 9 Academic Mathematics: 87 % Level 3 or 4
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics: 35% Level 3 or 4
The schools EQAO math scores continue to be below the board average but have shown improvements over the last number of years. We will
continue to work with students of both the Applied and Academic Math levels in order to improve further on our scores. We will continue to align our
Grade 9 Math program with the EQAO test.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) results:
•
•
•
OSSLT results for First-Time Eligible Student: 86%
OSSLT results for Previously Eligible Students: 55%
Observations regarding school progress on the OSSLT: consistent results over the past three years.
Students are also encouraged to be life-long learners in many ways:
•
•
Through our many extracurricular activites, we are able to provide students with the opportunity to take on leadership roles within their club or sport
teams. They develop team building skills and learn to work with staff and students beyond the classroom.
Our student mentorship program allows our senior student to work with some of our junior students providing tutoring in various subject areas.
Students are provided the opportunity to put into practices the virtues they are taught.
We demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and support the well-being of all learners through various initiatives:
•
•
•
•
•
The Student Success team works closely with the school staff in identifying students at risk and in providing options for both staff and students
to achieve their learning goals. The Credit Recovery and Alternative Education program allow those students who have either fallen behind or have
become disengaged with school, the opportunity to reengage and get caught up with their peer group.
The Academic Resource Department works with teachers to ensure that those students with an Individual Education Plan receive the necessary
supports to meet with success.
Teachers are incorporating Learning goals and Success Criteria in order to help students be more aware and responsible as learners.
Grade 9 teachers will provide students with opportunities to reflect on their learning skills and work habits to allow them to become aware of areas for
improvement
Our Child and Youth Worker offers lunchtime workshops for grade 9 and 10 students experiencing anxiety at school.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
3/7
Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
Community Engagement
Our school community ensures that our Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community in several ways:
•
•
The Catholic School Council works cooperatively with the school to ensure that the diversity of the community is being represented.
The Council offers workshops and guest speakers during the school year and enourages all members of the community access to these events.
Our school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaborative initiatives by:
•
•
•
•
Meeting with the coterminous school team to discuss issues affecting both schools and to develop a line of communication to assist in dealing with
any issues that may arise.
Our Neighbourhood Police Unit will continue to be actively involved in our school community. They will visit classes to discuss issues such as internet
safety and will participate in charitable events.
The school has partnered with Ste Louise Outreach Centre by supporting their efforts to continue to feed the needy of the community with food drives.
Various clubs (i.e. School Council) have supported many charitable initiatives ( Milk Bag Mats, Haiti Relief, Nicaragua Mission) .
Parish-Home-School
The school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success:
•
•
With the support of our Chaplaincy team, the school continues to develop the relationship between school and parish. The school continues to make
itself available to the parish when needed .
Our parish priest celebrates monthly morning masses in our chapel, and students, parents and staff are invited to attend.
Physical Environment
We continue to engage promote good stewardship of resources through many initiatives:
•
•
•
We became a certified eco-school in 2013 and achieved silver status in 2014 through the efforts of our Green Team.
Our Green Team is helping to raise awareness about recycling and global climate change (i.e.: Recycling Wednesdays, School EcoFair, and many
lunch time activities)
Staff and students have adopted various areas around the school and have planted and maintained gardens.
We demonstrate financial responsibility:
•
The school adheres to policy and procedures concerning fiscal responsibility. Board, School generated funds and School Council funds are managed
according to board Accountability Guidelines.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
4/7
Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
5/7
Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
By the end of 2016 we will see a decrease in peer conflicts and the number of students struggling with anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Action Plans
Ensure students, parents and teachers understand the full range of pathways, options, programs and supports that are available.
Analyze Data from CCCC Survey
By the end of 2016 we will see an increase in the number of students who indicate that they feel comfortable and safe at school. We will see an increase in the
number of students who indicate they are aware of the online reporting system.
Action Plans
Ensure students, parents and teachers understand the full range of pathways, options, programs and supports that are available.
Analyze Data from CCCC Survey
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
By the end of 2016 we will see an increase in collaborative practices in our school community that will enhance student (and teacher) engagement and efficacy.
Action Plans
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
By the end of 2016,
secondary plans.
our transitional initiatives will more effectively assist students to understand themselves as learners, and help them as they make post-
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, we will have implemented increased metacognitive opportunities in our classes to ensure that students are becoming reflective, responsible
learners.
Action Plans
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
6/7
Notre Dame Secondary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, we will see an increase in EQAO and OSSLT achievement levels.
Action Plans
After School Math Help
Assessment and Evaluation Alignment
EQAO Math Prep.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:33 AM
7/7