Pauline Vanier Catholic E S
Learning Plan
Mission *
Pauline Vanier Catholic School provides opportunities for each student to become a responsible, resourceful life-long learner and builder of Christian
communities.
Members of our school community are called upon to share their unique God-given talents in creating a learning environment of the highest academic
standards and deepest faith commitment.
Students, staff, parents and parish are called to work in partnership on the journey of “Learning and Growing Together with God/Apprendre et Croitre avec
Dieu.
Motto
LEARNING AND GROWING TOGETHER WITH GOD
Catholic Focus
Catholic Focus
We, the community of Pauline Vanier School, in partnership with the students, parents and the Catholic Church, are dedicated to fostering the development of
each child in the fullness and likeness of God. We offer each student the opportunity to develop individual talents in a welcoming and safe environment. We
will prepare our students to meet the challenges of the future and empower them to help others. We will provide them with the skills and opportunities to
obtain the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.
Core Principles
Catholicity
Pauline Vanier’s school climate promotes a philosophy of respect for the dignity of all persons (created in God’s image), and upholds the physical, social,
emotional and spiritual integrity and safety of all its members. Gospel values are modelled and nourished through morning prayers over the PA lead by
students, school masses, a focus on one-virtue-each-month, making classroom connections to gospel stories and the life of Jesus, encouraging “hands-on”
social outreach projects that actively engage the community, the application of progressive discipline practices that focus on personal transformation and
restorative practices, and the creation of visible signs of God’s love, school-wide and in classrooms, through the use of sacred symbols and the Sacred
Space. We also have an environmental focus on renewal and stewardship, a strong relationship with the parish and offerings of assistance to families in need
of support, primarily through the school’s social worker.
Learning Environment
Commitment to continuous improvement of student achievement is evident in widespread participation by teachers in the Collaborative Inquiry process, the
consistent presence of the SAT and SWST to model and focus interventions, staff vigilance in making accommodations and modifications as per students’
IEPs, teacher enrolment in AQ Courses and Summer Institutes, and staff commitment to on-going communication with parents through phone calls, monthly
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Pauline Vanier Catholic E S
Learning Plan
calendars and the student agenda. Students are assisted with social and behavioural challenges through ERW, CYW and/or SW intervention, as well as
intramurals, PALS (Grades 5-7), Circle of Friends and extracurriculars. Bus monitors are trained to assist with safe loading and transport of students.
Progressive discipline is used school-wide to promote personal responsibility and to provide a way to learn/grow from one’s choices. Youth Faith
Ambassadors, Circle of Friends (playground co-operation) and P.A.L.S. promote a strong sense of community and accountability. We use Education for All
and Learning for All as foundational documents which put children first. Other ways that the school promotes excellence in academic achievement include:
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Differentiated instruction
SMART board technology in eight classrooms. 3 sets of ELMO's , Proximas and Laptops are available for use.
Integration/Transition meetings to plan next steps for students
Breakfast Club-to promote community building, positive start-up to the day and better nutrition
Peer Tutoring, after school EQAO tutoring when offered, Summer Literacy Camp and Grade 7-8 Summer School enhance student learning
Team Meetings and Triads focus on students with specific learning/social/behavioural needs and scaffold supports to address them
PLASP partnerships age 15 months and up.
Primary Division
-Primary Reading: 79%
-Primary Writing: 79%
-Primary Mathematics: 76%
Junior Division
-Junior Reading: 96%
-Junior Writing: 92%
-Junior Mathematics: 52%
OBSERVATIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS:
Teachers in the primary and junior division will continue to focus on mathematical processes and high yield strategies to ensure student understanding of
math improves and student and staff self -efficacy.
Across divisions teachers will expand their understanding of collaborative inquiry with a focus on numeracy.
Lifelong learning is supported through School Council activities that encourage broad participation of the parent community, the Welcome to Kindergarten
program that helps parents to cultivate a “readiness for school,” parenting and homework tips in the monthly school newsletter, education of parents through
parent/teacher interviews, on-going communication with parents re: student behaviours, thereby promoting a shared understanding of, and responsibility
(school/home) for, progressive discipline; participation in student learning through Snuggle Up and Home Reading Programs. Other efforts to support life-long
learning include:
Parent volunteers in the classroom and school
Math Help Hotline
RAZ Kids and A-Z learning
Transition planning
Teachers modeling life-long learning by attending in-services, courses and workshops
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Pauline Vanier Catholic E S
Learning Plan
School presentations to promote critical thinking and wholesome lifestyle choices (Police Presentations, South Fletcher’s Library and Recreation Center,
Toronto Conservation Authority, Go Girls, Game On and Brampton Parks and Recreation).
Youth Faith Ambassadors to cultivate student leadership
CCCC Safe Schools Committee
Instructional time is protected
Student Agendas provided to each student by the Pauline Vanier Catholic School Council
Community Engagement
School Council sends a letter to all parents/guardians early in the school year with an invitation to participate in School Council as an elected member and/or
as a volunteer for a variety of committees and activities. Parents of all backgrounds are encouraged to get involved and share their gifts. Parents have a high
profile on a daily basis in the school and play an active role assisting with Breakfast Club, volunteering in the library and working as Lunchroom supervisors.
One major fund raiser and one minor fund raiser are used to purchase resources, to supplement the programs. Activities of School Council go beyond fundraising to an advisory and support role.
The school has established on-going relationships with musicians and artists in the school, Peel Police, Boys and Girls Club of Canada, the Breakfast Club of
Canada, Peel Health, Brampton Clean City and Recycling, P.A.L.S. , Big Brothers and Sisters (Go Girls), The Rosary Apostolate, Peel Safety Village and
South Fletchers Library and Recreation Center.
Parish-Home-School
The school is vitally connected to St. Jerome’s Parish by assisting the parish with sacramental preparation and by inviting the pastor to celebrate Mass and
visit students preparing for the sacraments. There is parish representation on School Council. Some school newsletters feature a Faith-Parish section. The
parish bulletin is available at the school.
Physical Environment
Each classroom is responsible for collecting recyclables and participating in the school’s recycling project. Pauline Vanier celebrates Earth Day by actively
engaging in a neighbourhood clean-up. We also encourage litterless lunches. We have achieved Silver Eco-school certification. Staff will work with the
CCCC and Youth Faith Ambassadors to strengthen our eco-awareness and reduce our footprint.
The school demonstrates financial responsibility by tracking and limiting the use of the photocopier, making frugal decisions regarding school budget,
conducting one major fund raiser a year to support student learning, ensuring that all expenses and sources of income are carefully tracked and ensuring that
the school maintains a balanced budget. The school has a budget committee that acts in an advisory capacity to the principal. School Council carefully
discerns how to best distribute fund-raising monies. All guidelines and policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance.
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Pauline Vanier Catholic E S
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support the wellbeing of students at Pauline Vanier, as evidence in the CCCC survey.
Action Plans
Creating Catholic Conditions for Wellbeing, Learning and Leading
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support student success in numeracy.
Action Plans
Professional Learning and Instructional Leadership
Building Collaborative Practices Thorough Inquiry
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
If we intentionally engage collaboratively and focus on students strengths and diverse learning needs of all students we will ensure a more successful transition
of students on IEP's .
Action Plans
Enhancing Transition Practices
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
By June 2016, there will be an increase in the successful practices that support knowing the learner through the use of descriptive feedback on assessment for
and as learning.
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner Through Assessment
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Pauline Vanier Catholic E S
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
By June 2016 there will be an increase in successful practices that support effective instruction in numeracy and result in increased student achievement on the
Individual Student Report from EQAO.
Action Plans
Responding Through Effective Instruction
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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