Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 PASTORAL PLAN School Name: Notre Dame Secondary School School Motto: “Justice, Love, Peace” Theme for the Year: “Called to Wholeness: Mind, Body, Spirit (Year Two)” Christ is the reason and centre of our school. We can’t separate spiritual, emotional, physical, social growth from our mission to develop “whole” graduates. Our duty is to engage students in becoming mature people of virtues and gospel values. Retreats. Grade 9: 2 or 3 homeroom classes will combine for a day retreat at St. Anne’s Church led by the Chaplaincy Leader and 5 senior student peer leaders. Students will participate in Mass, cooperative games, group discussion, lunch, and reflection on virtues and goals. Grade 10: Religion classes will attend the Relationship Compass program led by two Jewels for Jesus facilitators to learn about healthy dating relationships and the spiritual and emotional consequences of premarital sexual activity and the benefits of marriage. Hot lunch included. Grade 11: Religion classes will gain first-hand experience inside 4 houses of worship: Catholic Chapel, Sikh gurdwara (includes free hot lunch in their langar), Hindu BAPS mandir, and Buddhist temple. Students will reflect on the Church’s teaching on interfaith dialogue and respect for our sisters and brothers of all faith beliefs. Page 1 of 8 Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 Grade 12: Religion and philosophy classes will participate in high ropes (or low ropes) to take a “leap of faith” into graduation and vocation discernment. Morning and afternoon reflection and meditation are led by the Chaplaincy Leader. Hot lunch is included. Other retreats (e.g. student council): PIP retreat - TBA – possible day of Mercy (service) or outdoor facility with Catholic facilitators Hopestone Co-op retreats – half-day retreats at St. Anne’s Church led by Chaplaincy Leader or designate Grade 11 IB retreat – as above (4 houses of worship) Grade 12 IB retreat – as above, plus 3 extra days in May to experience and grow in faith, service, and community-building (e.g. social justice outreach) because Grade 12 IB do not take religion as a credit Salesian Catholic Leadership retreat – six grade 11 students will participate in April combined with 5 other Dufferin-Peel high schools ESL Retreat – pending funding (students already attend their grade-level retreats) SHSM retreat – Catholic Social Teachings will be the focus of a retreat day in semester 2 led by Chaplaincy Leader/Catholic facilitators. Page 2 of 8 Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 Activities of a Religious Nature o Each school must identify activities of a religious nature with a substantial component of ritual and prayer (Eucharistic and Non-Eucharistic) Activities of a Religious Nature with a substantial component of ritual and prayer Daily prayer – each morning at 8:22 and before each class all day Advent Masses with Fr. John Noson – Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25 in the cafeteria – grade level (4 groups) Advent wreaths in classrooms – blessing on Mon. Nov. 30 – plus twice a week in-class prayers (during Lent and Advent) Advent door decorating – month of December – religious themes Sacrament of Reconciliation – TBA – in Advent and Lent with Fr. John Noson – in the Chapel (one-on-one) – Thurs. December 10 PIP Art Olympics – Wed. Dec. 16 (library and Chapel) Virtue/Fruit of the Month awards – each month, students are nominated by teachers for Christ-like behavior and rewarded with a dress down day Ash Wednesday liturgies – Wed. February 10 periods 1 and 2 Lent activities – fasting, prayer, almsgiving – initiatives weekly THINKfast 28 hour overnight retreat – Feb 19-20 (for 80 students) Holy Thursday Stations of the Cross – Thurs. March 24 periods 1 and 2 Catholic Education Week – Masses TBA – first week of May at St. Leonard’s Church – walking pilgrimages (school to church, return) – with Fr. John Noson Graduation Liturgy and Lunch – Monday, June 27 at 10:30 am in the gyms Monthly morning Mass in Chapel – 7:45 am with Fr. John Noson Life Chain, 40 Days for Life and March For Life – May 12 in Ottawa (optional trip) Vocations Day and vocations speakers in grade 10 career classes - TBA Page 3 of 8 Pastoral Plan Development Pastoral/Outreach Activities Pastoral Activities Toys for Tots Christmas donation drive – led by World Issues Group – December 7-11 Nicaragua Social Justice Team – weekly Thursdays after school (11-day trip in March to Santa Julia) Culture Shock – multicultural evening festival – May 19 Development and Peace student day – November 17 When Faith Meets Pedagogy student forum – Oct. 22 Bereavement ministry ongoing Hospital visits ongoing Grade 12 Give Back Days – St. Francis Table (limited to 14 students per date with the Chaplaincy Leader) Give out rosaries as requested – classes learn how to pray the rosary (sign up basis) Easter Celebrate Life activities (5 days) Encourage use of reusable water bottles and coffee mugs through incentive/reward program Graduation Ceremony – Tuesday, June 28 – contains prayers, Scripture, priest blessing, etc. Award Ceremony – Friday, October 16, 2015 – period 1 – emceed by Chaplaincy Leader (contains prayer, Scripture, etc.) Page 4 of 8 2015-2016 Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 Catholic Education Week May 1 – 6, 2016 is Catholic Education Week. Highlight activities or events planned for the Week: Pilgrimage to St. Leonard’s Church with 2 Masses for all students and respective teachers. Dates TBA. Catholicity across the school In collaboration with each department head, departmental activities and/or events that infuse Catholic teaching, faith formation, and Catholic culture into the curriculum and the classrooms are highlighted. The content within the CGE Faith Planner may be used to support this portion of the Pastoral Plan. Department Special Education Special Education Departmental Activities and/or Events PIP – Random Acts of Kindness – Planning of Independence students watch and record peers and teachers performing random acts of kindness within the school community (and beyond) – each week the PIP students select someone/group to receive a gift of freshly baked cookies to acknowledge the Homework Helpers – this program provides an opportunity for some of our most gifted students to share their academic talents in a supportive way – nourishing the minds of students who are in need of academic sustenance. Our PIP students also contribute to this program by nourishing the bodies of the participants - providing snacks for the tutors and their students. Moderns A traditional or non-traditional Catholic prayer to be recited (by students or a teacher) over the PA (once per month) in French and/or in other predominant languages in our community, in order to foster a Catholic spirit of inclusion and multiculturalism. Mathematics The mathematics courses will help students address the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation that they adopt a holistic approach to life by integrating learning from various subject areas and experience. Business 1) curriculum will be infused with Catholic Graduate Expectations 2) curriculum will be infused with related Catholic Social Teaching/ Scripture 3) prayer in every class, not just first period 4) reflections on lives of the saints, on special feast days The Mental Health and Wellness Committee will continue to provide professional development for staff and students surrounding mental wellbeing. The Committee is committed to providing students with opportunities for increased awareness regarding mental health issues through the delivery of key note speakers and other activities the first week of April 2016, at our first Mental Health and Wellness Week, this is in keeping with the CBLP Shared Priority of Creating Catholic Conditions for Wellbeing, Learning and Leading and the CSLP outcome of providing Page 5 of 8 Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 students opportunities for improved Mental Health and Wellness, feeling safe and accepted by students at school, and to see a decrease in peer conflicts and the number of students struggling with anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Technological Studies Computers in Education English Art Religion/Theology See Business. Also, help with construction of prayer aids. See Business. Also, students help with PowerPoint/videos. Stations of the Cross in the Chapel will gradually be replaced by student art based on student reflection/interpretation of each station (mixed media and photography) Knights for Life: March for Life and LifeChain and 40 Days for Life Campaign. Teaching classes who volunteer about the rosary (by Chaplaincy Leader) Science The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations will be addressed with students on a daily basis and throughout the unit of study. Guidance Social Science Physical Education Mental Health and Anxiety initiatives by CYW and Psychologist. School Environment reflective of our Faith These religious icons, symbols and visible expressions of our Catholic identity are present in the school environment: Classroom prayer tables with purple, green, white cloths and Advent wreaths. Tree of virtues will be completed in the cafeteria by June 2016 (painted mural). The Chapel is the central sign of our faith in sacred space. The Blessed Sacrament is housed in the tabernacle from September to June annually. Collaborative School Culture These activities are organized by the School Catholic Community Culture and Caring Action Team: Click here to enter text. Page 6 of 8 Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 Parish Connections Planned and existing initiatives that maintain and enhance positive relationships with the local parish communities: We invite Fr. John Noson at St. Leonard’s to minister with staff and/or students regularly. We also use St. Anne’s Parish hall to host grade 9 retreats (and co-op retreats). Fr. John often visits for Mass or Reconciliation. Staff Faith Development Catechesis and faith formation among our staff: Advent retreat (Theme of Hope, organized by the Staff Faith Ambassador and Chaplaincy Leader), Staff Mass (Nov. 2 All Souls), staff prayer partners (18 people pray for each other all year long). Staff Day of Mercy service trip planned with $1,000 funding by Director. Transitions Students supported in the area of Transitioning from Grade 8 to Grade 9, from Grade 12 to Post Secondary as well as from one grade to another: Chaplaincy-led peer ministry team visits up to 6 feeder schools to lead a miniretreat to assist with transitions in the spring. The Chapel is open during parent information nights and Grade 8 feeder school tours. Vocations Vocations to religious life and pastoral ministries promoted through: We invite the Toronto Vocations Directors (sisters, brothers and priests) to set up displays, give talks and visit grade 10 career studies and religion classrooms. Dates TBA. Students are trained as lectors here at school. Page 7 of 8 Pastoral Plan Development 2015-2016 Pastor (St. Leonard) Rev. John Noson_________________________________ Chaplaincy Leader G. Anderson______________________________________ Faith Ambassador and Faith Reps: D.McLachlan(Ambassador/Head)_______________________________________ A.Coulter___________________________________________________________ L.Greer_____________________________________________________________ D.Bilof_____________________________________________________________ T.Piechota__________________________________________________________ L.Tersigni___________________________________________________________ D. McWilliams_______________________________________________________ P.Huczek(Religion)___________________________________________________ D.Pretto____________________________________________________________ K.Brown___________________________________________________________ J.Tramble___________________________________________________________ S.Bradley___________________________________________________________ J. Sciarretta_________________________________________________________ R.Rusac____________________________________________________________ D.Lorkovic__________________________________________________________ V.Ciavarra__________________________________________________________ Chair of Catholic School Council: ______________________________________ Vice Principals: L.Deme _____________________________________________ P.Petrucelli_________________________________________________________ G.Renda___________________________________________________________ Principal J. Lezon___________________________________________________ Superintendent D. Oude-Reimerink_____________________________________ Page 8 of 8