Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary Mission Statement
We, the Catholic Community of the Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School,
will nurture, inspire and educate our children
in a physically safe and emotionally secure environment.
We will promote the spiritual, emotional and
intellectual potential of each individual
and encourage a lifelong love of learning.
We are Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School.
Motto
Living, Loving, Learning
Catholic Focus
Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School, which is at 2840 Duncairn Drive, opened in September 1998, and was blessed on May 13, 1999, by Fr. J. Wasik,
Pastor of Merciful Redeemer Parish. The school, which is in northwest Mississauga, has a population of approximately 530 students from Full Day
Kindergarten to Grade 8 who come from a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds reflecting the ever increasing diversity of cultures found within
Mississauga. In September 2010 the French Immersion Program began with Grade 1 and will continue until Grade 4 at Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary
School. The French Immersion Program for Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 will continue at Our Lady Of Mercy Catholic School. The Full Day Kindergarten Program
began in September 2013.
Our students come to us with a variety of strengths and needs, with their Catholic faith as their common bond. Our prayer life, liturgical celebrations,
sacraments, and our faith and values system form the foundation of our school. The school motto, “Living, Loving, Learning,” reflects a holistic philosophy
where religion, school and daily life are intertwined. Our faith in action and outreach programs work to support St. Vincent de Paul, ShareLife, Eden Food
Bank, United Way, Terry Fox and Sick Kids Foundation.
Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School stands firmly in its commitment to be a caring, safe and inclusive school community rooted in the Gospel values of
Respect, Responsibility and Dignity for All.
Core Principles
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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Catholicity
1. How does the school community model, celebrate and nourish gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services?
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Continue to integrate the virtues program within the school culture (i.e. morning announcements, classroom curriculum, pastoral plan, virtue
assemblies etc.)
Continue to embrace social justice and community outreach projects ( i.e., Toonie Tuesday, ShareLife, United Way, Terry Fox, Sick Kids, St. Vincent
de Paul, Youth Faith Ambassadors, and Adult Faith Ambassadors, etc.)
Continue to promote positive school community engagement ( i.e., Parent Volunteers, Co-Op Placements, Teacher Candidate Placements, Junior
Achievement, ECO Projects, Rosary Apostolate and Community Morning Monthly Prayer)
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 85%
Primary Writing: 77%
Primary Mathematics: 73%
Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO:
Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School continues to perform well on EQAO assessments in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. Our reading,
writing and mathematics scores were above the Board results. Our reading scores were higher than the Board results by 14%. Our writing scores
were higher than the Board results by 1%. Our mathematics scores were higher than the Board results by 9%. Writing and mathematics are identified as a
focus for 2015-2016. We will continue to work with our Special Assignment Teacher, Student Achievement Officer through teacher participation in
Professional Learning Communities in these areas.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 81%
Junior Writing: 91%
Junior Mathematics: 63%
Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO:
Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School continues to perform well on EQAO assessments in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. Our reading
scores were in alignment with the board results. Our writing and mathematics scores were above the Board results. Our writing scores were higher than the
Board results by 9%. Our students scored higher in mathematics when compared to the Board by 10%. We will continue to be supported through our Special
Assignment Teacher, Student Achievement Officer and teacher participation in Professional Learning Communities with an emphasis on numeracy.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
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Conference funding: Summer Institutes; Reading for the Love of It; When Faith Meets Pedagogy; Math Conferences
Professional Reading Library with current Ministry documents and resources
Organize school-based professional development workshops/inservices
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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Support participation in all Family and Board workshops/inservices
Youth Faith Ambassadors
Exposing students to authentic learning experiences such as competitions, athletics, social justice projects, excursions in the community etc.
Homework Help (Grades 7 - 12)
Voila Homework Help for French Immersion Students
Transition Planning Grade 4 French Immersion at Divine Mercy School to Grade 5 French Immersion at Our Lady Of Mercy School
Transition Planning Grade 8 to Grade 9
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
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Provide common planning time for grade level teachers
Continue to provide Teacher Moderation opportunities
Continue to engage in Teacher Learning Communities and use data to guide our instruction
Continue to develop Outcomes to support student achievement
Continue to develop Class Profiles, Student Intervention Meetings and implement Creating Pathways to Success Portfolios
Continue professional learning as part of staff meetings
Involvement of and collaboration with Special Assignment Teacher and Student Achievement Officer
Continue with our school wide literacy and numeracy block
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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Provide an open and invitational forum rooted in Christ that values the contribution of all stakeholders. All parents are invited and welcomed to
meetings and events through information shared in the monthly newsletter. Catholic School Council elections are an open, welcoming and
transparent process.
Support various school-based diversity activities, presentations and cultural events such as various artists, presenters and speakers.
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By 6 Peel)?
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Continue to strengthen collaborative community relationships through educational training and ongoing communication with: Merciful Redeemer
Parish; Peel Police Community Youth Education Officers and Neighbouring Policing Unit Officers, Reduce Abuse In Drugs (RAID) Program; Region of
Peel Public Health Nurse; PALS Program; PLASP; Peel Safety Village; No Child Without Program; and local businesses that support school-based
initiatives
Collaboration and transition planning with St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School and Our Lady Of Mercy School
School access to various community groups through permit use
Communication of community events and activities posted in newsletter/bulletin board and our website
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.
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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Meet with Pastor to plan Sacramental dates and liturgical celebrations for school year.
Collaborate with Pastor and Liturgical School Committee to develop our School Pastoral Plan.
Collaborative Sacramental preparation by clergy and staff.
Dedicate time, efforts and energies in supporting and contributing to ShareLife
Continue to provide ongoing communication between home, school and parish
Parish priests regularly visit classrooms and Sister Diane visits the Grade 2 classes as they journey toward the sacraments of Reconciliation and First
Holy Communion
Timely communication with parents regarding parish sacramental meetings, the Edge Program, Teen Mass and parish events
Parish Priests are invited to attend our Monthly Community Prayer.
Rosary Apostolate and Monthly Community Prayer in the school foyer.
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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Recycling program; established ECO Club; Going Green – paperless communication between school and community; use of School Sign as a means
of “green” communication; Litterless lunches and snacks; Earth Day activities; community clean-up projects; promote use of reusable water bottles,
energy conservation by turning off lights, etc.
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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School continues to follow Board policies, practices and procedures to ensure financial transparency and adheres to fiduciary responsibilities.
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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of Divine Mercy students that feel safe, included and supported at school, as
demonstrated by the CCCC School Climate Survey results.
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention Program
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of June 2016, through the continued use of collaborative inquiry as a process for learning, all learners will be engaged in building and sharing
knowledge as evidenced by collaborative conversations and exit tickets.
Action Plans
Co-Learning Inquiry
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of learners who have effectively transitioned through the grades by successfully using a
TEAM approach that supports student transitions in a variety of contexts.
Action Plans
Support Transitions for all students K-8
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students able to articulate strategies supporting their learning, as demonstrated by
perceptual data survey results (EQAO).
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
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Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement levels between assessment years.
Action Plans
Effective Instruction
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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