St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School Mission Statement
St. Richard Catholic School strives to develop a community of lifelong learners by providing a caring and Catholic environment which fosters spiritual,
intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth. The children are our highest priority. Working together as partners: home, church and school, we attain
success by striving to develop students to their highest potential.
Motto
St. Richard School Motto
THINK CLEARLY. FEEL DEEPLY. ACT WISELY.
FOLLOW HIM CLOSELY.
Catholic Focus
St. Richard Catholic Focus
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School, which is located at 7270 Copenhagen Road, opened in 1975 within the northern boundaries of Meadowvale. At
various times, St. Richard shared its space with others, including St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary School, St. John of The Cross Parish, and St. Francis of
Assisi Anglican Church. A special altar, complete with a tabernacle provided by the Carmelite Seminary, was constructed in the gymnasium and the Altar
Ladies provided banners and flowers. The school motto, “Think clearly, feel deeply, act wisely, follow him closely,” is modeled on a traditional prayer of St.
Richard, a thirteenth century scholar, reputed to be sensible and practical as well as energetic, modest, and loving. The school actively participates in
charitable and social justice projects.
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School strives to develop a community of lifelong learners by providing a caring and Catholic environment which fosters
spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth. The children are our highest priority. Working together as partners: home, church and school, we
attain success by striving to develop students to their highest potential. As a diverse educational community responding to God’s call, St. Richard fosters and
nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and scripture. As a community of Catholic learners, we strive to be authentic witnesses to our Catholic
faith. At St. Richard School, parents, staff and students gather regularly in prayer and for Eucharistic celebrations. In our daily work we:
•
•
•
Are responsible stewards of God’s grace in the world;
Are respectful of human dignity;
Model learning and teaching after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service.
To strengthen its Catholic identity, together with Dufferin-Peel, we will continue to develop opportunities for the faith formation of students and staff, with an
educational program which strives to integrate the board’s fundamental beliefs and values into all of our endeavours.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:48 AM
1/6
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Core Principles
Catholicity
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School has established several core principles. They are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
All staff endeavour to act with compassion and empathy during interactions with all community members. Staff demonstrate self- discipline and strive
to foster self-discipline in their students.
Using resources such as PowerPoint slides, students will increase their participation in our celebrations of the Eucharist by learning Mass responses.
Daily school prayers as well as classroom prayers will be prevalent. All staff and students will learn to pray the rosary with the contribution of
the Rosary Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Toronto whose volunteers will visit St. Richard School monthly.
The school community will celebrate Masses regularly at St. John of the Cross Church.
Staff will place the prayer table in a visible and accessible location in the classroom.
Ongoing nurturing of the monthly virtues will be evident.
The school will participate in appropriate social justice initiatives.
Home, School and Parish
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force behind our community of
learners. We strive to be a Christ centered system which fosters and actively promotes a positive relationship between home, school and parish. At St.
Richard we continue to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Establish active interaction between the school and parish that includes teacher/administrator and clergy meetings.
Invite parish priests to visit the classes.
Celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as well as other seasonal liturgical celebrations.
Invite parents to attend all liturgical events.
Regularly publish parish and school liturgical events in our school newsletter.
Work closely with the parish to communicate key dates for sacramental preparation.
Learning Environment
Following are the results of St. Richard's most recent provincial assessments of primary and junior reading, writing and mathematics:
Primary
•
•
•
Reading - 86% of students achieved at or above the Provincial standard.
Writing - 96% of students achieved at or above the Provincial standard.
Mathematics - 82% of students achieved at or above the Provincial standard.
Junior
•
•
Reading - 81% of students achieved at or above the Provincial standard.
Writing - 68% of students achieved at or above the Provincial standard.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:48 AM
2/6
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
•
Mathematics - 55% of students achieved at or above the Provincial standard.
We are proud to note that scores on the most recent EQAO assessment placed St. Richard primary students above Dufferin-Peel School Board achievement
results. We will continue the excellent work in developing literacy proficiency this school year. We are very pleased with the junior results in reading. The
primary focus for staff development and student achievement will be mathematics although we will continue the best practices that contributed to our
students' successful improvements in literacy skills. Staff will be working with special assignment teachers and with their same grade teaching partners to coplan and co-teach math lessons using a refined approach to boost student inquiry and understanding.
Community Engagement
We are active in seeking to strengthen and develop community partnerships for the ultimate benefit of our students and parents. Collaborative partnerships
and relationships are built and sustained by reaching out and accessing community professionals. These professionals add an expertise and authoritative
presence to the classroom teacher’s instruction. These include the following initiatives:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Police education through the Youth Education Officer (bullying prevention, community helpers, substance awareness and abuse)
R.A.I.D. (Reduce Abuse In Drugs) Peel Regional Police department program
Healthy Schools Recognition Program
Healthy Snacks at recess for all students
Region of Peel Public Health nurse for bullying prevention, primary recess activities for students (PALS), and self-image development programs
Ontario Early Years Centre
Liaison with the public library
Swim to Survive Program for Grade 3 students
Eco Schools
Physical Environment
St. Richard School is also engaged in providing a fiscally responsible, healthy and environmentally friendly learning environment. A few of the visible signs of
our commitment to the environment are:
•
•
•
•
•
Participation in recycling and yard maintenance activities.
Reduction in photocopying.
Presentation by non-profit organizations such as Earth Rangers to educate and promote green activities outside the school, with the aim of fostering
stewardship of the environment and our natural resources.
An active school Eco Club.
School goal to improve upon our last year's "silver" Green Schools Certification...striving for "gold" certification for the 2015-2016 school year.
The Principal will demonstrate fiscal responsibility by:
•
•
•
Ensuring that all school board financial policies and protocols are adhered to.
Striving to achieve an annual balanced budget.
Ensuring budget allocations are aligned to school goals.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:48 AM
3/6
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:48 AM
4/6
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0: By June 2016, teachers will observe an increase in the proportion of students demonstrating the work habits of initiative, self-regulation and independence.
Students will learn to respond without judgment and will help facilitate risk-taking in a safe and inclusive environment.
Action Plans
RICHA 1: Teachers will be deliberate in careful and ongoing instruction of active listening and responding with empathy in conjunction with the Safe
Schools and bullying prevention initiatives. There will be a focus on the learning skill of self-regulation and the virtue of self-control.
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0: By 2016 the increasing use of collaborative practices and inquiry by teachers and students will increase active and critical listening.
Action Plans
RICHA 3: Differentiated Instruction in Mathematics will help all students enter into the learning goals at a point they can be successful in.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0: By 2016 all staff will provide equitable, diverse, inclusive and responsive programming and continue to plan for and participate in the support of student
transitions in a variety of contexts.
Action Plans
RICHA 9: During learning, students receive ongoing, descriptive feedback based on the success criteria from the teacher and from peers
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0: By June 2016 there will be an increase in the proportion of students who effectively apply descriptive feedback to their learning and who can articulate that
learning.
Action Plans
RICHA 6: Teachers will use descriptive feedback based on specific learning goals.
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:48 AM
5/6
St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0: By 2016, the continued implementation of effective instruction using expected practices that are responsive to student needs, collaborative and focused,
will lead to improved communication of student learning.
Action Plans
RICHA 10: Use assessment data to determine area of focused instruction
RICHA 11: Review the Seven Mathematical Processes with staff and plan for their inclusion in math instruction.
RICHA 7: If we continue to apply best practices in the instruction of literacy, math, science and social studies, while increasing student talk time through
collaborative and inquiry focused activities, critical thinking and effective communication will be enhanced.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:13:48 AM
6/6