St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
The mission of St. John Paul II School, in partnership with the Family and Church, is to provide, in a responsible manner, a Catholic
education which develops spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to
meet the challenges of the future, thus enriching the community.
Motto
Spiritual, Academic, Social, Excellence.
Catholic Focus
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School represents the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board's belief 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. St. John Paul II 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, St. John Paul II Elementary School in collaboration with 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.” St. John Paul II Elementary School 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 Catholic graduates who are fully alive in Christ, “not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values,
attitudes and actions” by promoting and infusing the Catholic Graduate Expectations
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
St. John Paul II Elementary School, as a diverse educational community responding to God’s call, fosters and nourishes an inclusive
atmosphere rooted in tradition and scripture. We continue to be committed to the guiding principles of Education for All, 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 and promoting human dignity
Modelling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service.
To strengthen our Catholic identity, St. John Paul II Elementary School will continue to develop opportunities for faith formation of
students and staff, together with an educational program which strives to integrate our fundamental beliefs and values into all of our
school's endeavours.
Core Principles
CATHOLICITY
St. John Paul II Elementary School community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs
and services:
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Virtue Assemblies each month
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Liturgies (at school as well as at Holy Family Parish church)
Integration of Catholic lens throughout all areas of the curriculum
Sacred space in all classrooms and common areas
Distribution of seasonal liturgical symbols (Advent wreath, alter cloths)
Gospel readings, prayers and reflections in classrooms and over PA daily
Social justice initiatives ie. Work with Dr. Simone, Terry Fox Run, Grandfriends, Transition Place, Youth Faith Ambassadors, United Way/Share Life
Faith Ambassadors (seasonal liturgies for staff)
Youth Faith Ambassadors (participation at Commissioning Ceremony in October, Social Justice)
Environmental focus – renewal and stewardship - Eco-team (Litterless lunch, Walk to School, Recycling, Idle Free Awareness)
Diversity Team (Peace Tree/Harmony and annual BECDM Diversity Conference)
Parish collaborations: Edge, School Masses, Retreats
Peers nominate each other for Virtue Awards
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
St. John Paul School's most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance are:
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Primary Reading: 72%
Primary Writing: 75%
Primary Mathematics: 69%
Observations regarding St. John Paul school's progress in primary EQAO:
- Increase in all 3 areas over time
- Higher results than Board average
- Solid numbers working at Level 4
- High gender gap in Literacy
- Increase in ELL over time
St. John Paul School’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance are:
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Junior Reading: 79%
Junior Writing: 84%
Junior Mathematics: 42%
Observations regarding St. John Paul School's progress in junior EQAO:
- Significantly low Math score
- Gender gap of 19% in Math
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
- Good attitudes in Math and high confidence levels of students
St. John Paul II School community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning through:
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Presence of Co-op students and Teacher Candidates
Homework Help for students in Grades 7 - 8
Math tutoring after school for grade 3 & 6 students achieving lower than the provincial standard
Transition Planning for Grade 7 as well as, Grade 8’s going into Grade 9
Welcome to Kindergarten Night
Special Education team collaborates with teachers to promote inclusive education for all
Collaboration with Peel Health to provide PALS program, and STEPS program
Catholic School Council support of literacy materials
Link and ensuring understanding from our Virtues Progam to all subjects
Professional Learning Communities for staff
Commitment to Eco Schools and environmental awareness
St. John Paul School demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all our school learners by:
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Leveled Literacy Intervention Reading program
Use of PM Benchmarks and CASI data to guide instruction
Implementation of Balanced Literacy
Shared planning time/collaborative planning
Use of differentiated instruction
Implementation of IEPs with transition plans to ensure inclusion of all students
Teacher collaboration
Community Engagement
SMART board technology used to enhance program delivery
Divisional meetings with a focus on numeracy achievement
Student generated anchor charts
Collaborative Inquiry Cycles across grade levels
Literacy and Numeracy supported by Special Assignment Teacher
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
St. John Paul School community ensures that our Catholic School Council reflects our diverse Catholic community by:
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All meetings advertised through monthly newsletters and school website
Meetings open to all in the community
Parish Representative actively maintains focus of School Council activities
Catholic School Council present at Open House/Welcome to Kindergarten
Parent Information Nights with guest speakers - PRO Grant
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
St. John Paul II School's team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboration through:
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Ongoing dialogue, atttendance at staff meetings, Welcome to Kindergarten evening with Peel Health, CCAC, Speech Language Pathologist
PALS program through Peel Health
Ongoing visits and dialogue with Neighbourhood Policing Unit (OPP Caledon)
Junior Achievement in Intermediate grades (7 & 8)
Primary students visit Peel Safety Village
Intermediate students maintain partnership with local Senior’s Residence
PARISH-HOME-SCHOOL
St. John Paul II School promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success by:
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Close relationship maintained with school and parish pastoral team
Annual meetings with Holy Family Parish to determine schedules for Masses, Sacraments and Graduation
Ongoing invitation for Holy Family Parish pastoral team to visit school/staff
Information is shared through monthly school newsletters, classroom letters and school web page
Grade 7’s attend parish retreats
School acts as liaison in providing information and direction for students preparing to receive Sacraments
Parish pastoral team invited to special school activities and they are present for school liturgical celebrations
Pilgrimage to Church by odd numbered grades supported by School Council
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
St. John Paul II school engages in a variety of activities that models and promote good stewardship of resources through the following:
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School “Green Team”
Recycling program
Celebration of Earth Day
Guest speakers
Annual BECDM Diversity conference for grade 7 students
Maintenance of Learning Garden
Litterless lunches encouraged throughout the school year
Share Life/United Way activities (i.e. Chalice)
Spirit Days - various themes throughout the year
Food Drives (Donations to various community agencies)
Christmas Giving Tree
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the number of students who indicate that they feel accepted, supported and safe at school as demonstrated by
the CCCC School Climate Survey results
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated high achievement in the learning skills of collaboration and
initiative.
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry
Collaborative Inquiry Model of Student Learning
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, there will be improved consistency in practice within teaching and learning through collaboratively engaging in transitional practices.
Action Plans
Support student transitions
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, the proportion of students who demonstrate a high achievement in the area of higher order thinking skills (critical and creative thinking,
self-regulation) will increase.
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students attaining a high level of achievement on EQAO.
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
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St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who feel supported across grades through strategies that infuse the principles of
inclusive and responsive instructional planning.
Action Plans
Differentiated Instruction
Students as Co-Learners
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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