St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
St. Cornelius School Mission Statement
The staff of St. Cornelius School strives to provide a safe, caring, inclusive environment which inspires academic excellence, continued personal faith
development and respect for all living things. Each individual is challenged to use his/her unique talents to contribute positively to the school community.
Parents, teachers, parish priest and students work together to promote the Gospel values and be living examples of God's message of love. Through our
shared efforts and commitment, we encourage our children to develop spiritually, intellectually, morally and socially in the image of Christ.
Motto
Together in Faith and Excellence
Catholic Focus
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St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board believes 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. The board 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, 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:
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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 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 principle 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:
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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.
SCHOOL HISTORY
St. Cornelius Catholic Elementary School, which is located at 16066 Innis Lake Road in Caledon East, was officially opened and blessed May 4, 1986, with
Fr. L.A. Ramsperger presiding. The school was named in honour of Pope Cornelius (251–253) who challenged Christian persecution under Roman Emperor
Gullus. Christians generally supported the “false” pope, Novatian, to avoid Cornelius’ penitent stand and Gullus’ wrath. It was also named in honour of
another Cornelius, Cornelius Murphy, who had donated land to St. Cornelius church in 1834.
Today, the school offers an extended French program as well as the regular academic program. St. Cornelius lives out its motto, “Together in Faith and
Excellence,” in its many activities. It involves its 687 students in social justice initiatives, including food drives, the annual appeal for ShareLife, and the
outreach done by the Youth Faith Ambassadors. These students organize clothing, food and toy drives, as well as assist the Liturgical Committee in planning
and implementing faith-based activities.
Core Principles
Catholicity
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St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
1. How does the school community model, celebrate and nourish gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services?
St. Cornelius models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services.
Daily interactions with all members of school community, including staff, teachers, students, administrators and parents serve as authentic witnesses to our
Catholic faith. We focus on monthly Virtues Education, both school-wide and class based. We celebrate our faith by attending mass and preparing for
respective sacraments: Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. Our social Justice initiatives facilitated by our Student Faith Ambassadors include
various food drives, etc. from St. John Albion Parish.
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 75% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Primary Writing: 80% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Primary Mathematics: 76% of students at or above Provincial Standard
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 92% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Junior Writing: 80% of students at or above Provincial Standard
Junior Mathematics: 48% of students at or above Provincial Standard
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
At St. Cornelius School, students, staff and parents are provided with numerous opportunities for life-long learning: students, in the rich environment of
learning at the school; staff, through job-embedded and professional learning opportunities; parents, through opportunities such as workshops at Catholic
School Council meetings, curriculum evening (i.e. Welcome to Kindergarten Night, Family Math Nights) and volunteer opportunities (Parent Volunteer
Reading Coaches). Teachers participate in inquiry learning team meetings facilitated through support of our Program Department. As well, teachers and
administration focus on capacity building opportunities on Professional Activity Days. St. Cornelius School strongly encourages the use and support of Co-Op
Students from our local Catholic secondary school, as well as University Teacher Candidates and DECE candidates. The school community is provided with
current information in school newsletters and through the school website focused on learning for all community members.
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
The St. Cornelius School Community is committed to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners. We believe
that all students can learn, progress and achieve. Staff meetings are embedded with professional learning and discussions around our board's shared
priorities, high yield strategies, and inquiry learning team collaboration. We use a variety of data sources to continuously monitor learning, to inform instruction
and assessment and determine our next steps. We differentiate instruction and assessment in response to student strengths, needs and prior learning and
we also respond to individual student learning needs through a strong team approach and through guided practice. St. Cornelius School promotes a wide
variety of extra-curricular opportunities across grade levels to support the well being of all learners including: Intermediate/ Junior Volleyball, Co-Ed Junior/
Intermediate Soft Ball, Junior/ Intermediate Cross Country, Junior/ Intermediate Basketball, Soccer, Chess Club, Lego Club, Choir, Karate Kids, Girls on the
Run, and Cursive Writing Club.
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St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
The diverse Catholic community is reflected in our Catholic School Councils. At St. Cornelius School, all members of the community are welcome, respected
and valued. All community members are invited to attend our Catholic School Council meetings. Our Catholic School Council is representative of the diverse
nature of our community. All parents are given the opportunity to participate in Council positions and activities. School Council attends our Curriculum Night
Open House to recruit new membership. St. Cornelius School provides opportunities to become involved in volunteer activities at the school (i.e., Milk
Program). School Administration is actively involved in “Learning Walks” to informally visit classrooms and is available to all parents and students. Regular
communication in the school newsletter and school website is offered and encouraged to Catholic School Council members.
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaborative (e.g., collaborative relationships)?
The St. Cornelius school team builds and sustains community partnerships. We have strong partnerships with Peel Health, who supports our school
community in several school initiatives (i.e. DPA Leaders Program). We have also a strong relationship with our neighbourhood O.P.P. Policing Unit, who
supports our community by interacting with students in the classroom (Bus Patrollers Program, O.P.P. Kids and G.R.E.A.T.- Gang Resistance Education and
Training programs, Shop with a COP Program and D.A.R.E Program). We also continue to support partnerships with the Dr. Simone's Canadian Food for
Children Foundation and support initiatives in conjunction with our parish, St. John Albion Parish, as our school community seeks to support those in need.
Parish-Home-School
1. Comment on how the school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success.
The St. Cornelius School community is actively engaged with St. John Albion Parish through our school liturgies, classroom visits by the parish priest, and the
collaborative sacramental preparation of students by our school staff, the parish and parents. Strong communication exists between the school, home and
parish which is clearly outlined in the school’s pastoral plan. Both school and parish have existing bulletin boards to positively promote each other. Through
the triad partnership, parish, home and school work closely together to encourage a support system of a faith-based curriculum, through prayer, liturgy, moral
justice and scripture.
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
The St. Cornelius School community engages in several activities to promote good stewardship of resources. As a school community, led by our Eco-Club,
we participate in a school-wide recycling program, litterless lunches and promote an eco-friendly environment. Our focus on environmental awareness is
through increasing student knowledge and develop skills and perspectives that foster environmental stewardship. For example, initiatives include reducing
food related waste, school wide waste audits and energy walkabout to assess energy being used (e.g., lights out focus). Our Eco-Club and school wide focus
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St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
have allowed us to be more active stewards of our local and global environment. We encourage teachers and students to utilize our outdoor classroom in the
Eco-Garden. We strongly encourage a reduction of paper use and photocopying offering alternative forms to provide information (i.e., use of SMARTboard)
and e-newsletters.
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
St. Cornelius School continues to be financially accountable and transparent by adhering to board guidelines, policies and expectations in this area. The
administration is responsible for maintaining budget expenditures reflective of sound decision-making, and demonstrate financial scrutiny to promote learning
opportunities and acquisition of resources. School purchases align with school and board goals/priorities to support student achievement and well-being.
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St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support the well-being of students at St. Cornelius School, as evidenced in the CCCC
survey.
SEF Indicator 2.5 Staff, students, parents and school community promote and
sustain student well-being and positive student behavior in a safe, accepting, inclusive and healthy learning environment.
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention
Collaborative Inquiry with a Focus on Well-Being, Leading and Learning.
Develop a CCCC Action Team
Focus on the integration of the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of teachers who are confident in applying their knowledge of practices that support collaborative
inquiry, based on their individual Theories of Action.
SEF Indicator 2.4 - Job-embedded and inquiry-based professional learning builds capacity, informs instructional practice and contributes to a culture of learning.
This indicator directly aligns with our school wide inquiry based on student achievement and well-being.
Action Plans
Focus on Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By June 2016, we will continue to support all learners in transitional practices (Kindergarten, High School and Divisional) as they continue in their journey of
self-discovery and self-direction.
SEF 5.1 – Comprehensive education and career/life planning programs meet the learning needs, interests, and aspirations of all students.
Action Plans
Creating Pathways to Success
Intermediate Pathways and Transitions
Transition to Kindergarten
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St. Cornelius Elementary School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students able to articulate strategies supporting their learning and an increase in the number of
teachers who are able to demonstrate their understanding of assessment for and as learning.
SEF Indicator 1.2 – A variety of relevant and meaningful assessment data is used by students and educators to continuously monitor learning, to inform
instruction and determine next steps.
Action Plans
Continue to develop effective practices in assessment for, as and of learning.
Continue to develop success criteria and learning goals.
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support effective instruction.
This will be evidenced by an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO
achievement level between assessment years.
SEF Indicator 4.2- A clear emphasis on high levels of achievement in literacy and numeracy is evident throughout the school.
Action Plans
Guided Reading
Three-Part Math Lesson Model
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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