St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
The mission of the St. Marguerite d'Youville School Community is, education is an exercise in trust which blossoms into an adventure of risk, love and
service. A Catholic education, bounded in the sacraments, tradition and sacred stories of the Church is directed toward the transformation of society based on
the conviction that life is good, that we are called to community and that we must seek justice and equality for all God's creation.
The life of our patroness, St. Marguerite d'Youville, was one of complete trust in Divine Providence. Her confidence in God's grace freed her to risk the
challenges posed by adversity and fear of the unknown. Her fundamental belief in the giftedness of life resulted in a strong love for the sick and poor in the
city of Montreal during the eighteenth century. She accepted the gospel challenge to become "servant of all" as she ministered to the indigenous people, the
French, and the English in a colonial world scarred by war, poverty and disease.
The gospel challenge accepted by Marguerite d'Youville clearly portrays the dynamics of a good Catholic secondary school. Using Marguerite d'Youville as a
role model of the religious dimension of Catholic education, we must strive:
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to teach and to learn that Catholic education is based on trust in God and God's care of each of us
to teach and to learn that Catholic education challenges everyone to risk living a Christian life in a culture which often promotes only personal gain
to teach and to learn that the fundamental outcome of Catholic education is love for all of God's creation
to teach and to learn that Catholic education calls us to live lives of service in the building of God's reign.
Pastors, pastoral workers, chaplains, teachers, and support staff, share with parents this gospel challenge in the formation of young people of integrity and
justice.
St. Marguerite d'Youville, Pray for Us! God of Providence, guide and protect us!
Motto
To Trust, To Risk, To Love, To Serve
Catholic Focus
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
St. Marguerite d’Youville believes that the Catholic faith, as expressed through Gospel values, is the driving force in the school’s community of learners, which
includes: students; the parish, home and community; teachers and support staff; administrators and supervisory officers; and trustees.
Staff and students are part of a Christ-centered community. Together we work in a supportive, inclusive, meaningful, and respectful environment within the
context of an authentic Catholic learning community.
Our school community strives “…to provide students with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring
citizens who contribute to society.” St. Marguerite d’Youville 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 with the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations who are fully alive in Christ, through their knowledge, skills, values,
attitudes, and actions;
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.
As a diverse educational community responding to God’s call, St. Marguerite d’Youville fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere rooted in tradition and
scripture. We continue to commit to the guiding principles of Learning for All and to Dufferin-Peel’s Equity and Inclusive Education Policy 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, St. Marguerite d’Youville will continue to encourage equity and diversity by focusing on hiring and promotion practices,
professional and staff development, and curriculum development and learning resources, so that all feel valued as part of the fabric of our diverse community.
We will also continue to facilitate the 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.
Core Principles
St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School’s Catholic School Learning Plan address five core principles of: Catholicity; Learning Environment; Community
Engagement; Parish-Home-School; and Physical Environment.
CATHOLICITY
St. Marguerite d’Youville celebrates and nourishes gospel values in teaching and learning through the following:
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Professional collaboration to reach and support individual learners in preparation for OSSLT
The role modelling by staff as authentic Catholic witnesses
The continued spiritual development of staff and students within the image of Christ through daily prayer, liturgical celebrations, and retreats
throughout the year
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Creating a caring, inclusive, and safe school environment
Monthly commitment to the Virtues program including the visual display of posters in our classrooms and throughout the school as well as reflections
on the virtue of the month
Chaplain meets with School Council Chair to share Pastoral Plan
Grade nine and grade twelve masses in the chapel
Each department will take ownership for the school’s commitment to the virtue of a Month
Increased opportunities for students and staff to learn more about and experience social justice, service, and stewardship of the earth
Prayer is seen as an essential component to every class
School prayer brings the school together as a community through one prayer that unites all.
Turning compassion into action in various outreach projects including our school Walkathon and Mass
Morning prayer takes on a variety of forms; student and teacher led and incorporation of technology through DYTV
Active involvement of our safe schools/diversity team, implementing differentiated instruction, anti-bullying education and awareness, Girls Night In and
Boys Night Out, Multicultural Night
Relentless promotion of a sense of equality and equity
Clubs such as d'Y Cares, Justice League, Students for Life, Breakfast of Panthers and Spirit Council promote principles of Catholic Social Teaching in
their daily activities
Department Heads retreat to empower and rejuvenate school leaders so they can bring their renewed faith and enthusiasm to their departments and
classrooms
Provide more opportunities for staff to come together as a faith community
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Summary of the school’s 2013-2014 most recent EQAO Grade 9 mathematics assessment performance:
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Grade 9 Academic Mathematics: 83% of students achieved level 3 or higher
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics: 67% of students achieved level 3 or higher
Observations regarding school progress in Grade 9 EQAO: An increase in Academic results by 3% and an increase in Applied results of 26%
Continue to focus on support for applied level students.
Summary of the school’s most recent Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) performance:
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OSSLT results for First-Time Eligible Students: 80%
OSSLT results for Previously Eligible Students: 42%
Observations regarding school progress on the OSSLT: No change in FTE results by 5% and an increase in PE results of 14%
Continue to focus on students in Applied Level, Locally Developed - especially special needs, and Previously Eligible students for intensive support.
The school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning through:
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School council, parish participation, volunteers, secretarial and custodial involvement in school activities
Professional development at every staff meeting
Opportunities for staff to Share best practices at department and staff meetings
New Teacher Mentorship Workshops delivered at the school
New Teacher Induction Program
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
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Financial support of staff to participate in PD opportunities outside of the board
Print resources provided to staff at monthly meetings focusing on instructional teacher strategies
The school community demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and support for the well-being of all learners through:
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Administration engages in and provides opportunities and tools for Professional Development for all staff
The Catholic School Learning Team collects, utilizes and shares data in order to inform practice and support student achievement school-wide
Department Heads work collaboratively with members through a professional learning cycle to develop departmental Theories of Action to improve
student achievement
Teachers Invest in the development of knowledge and skills and competencies of individuals and groups at the school to focus on assessment literacy
and instructional effectiveness
Teachers provide differentiated instruction that will ensure success of all students in accordance with the Universal Design of Learning Model
Resources are available by administration, consultants, department heads and support staff to support diverse learning needs
Support networks are available ongoing with subject specific homework help during lunches and afterschool
Alternative programs are provided to support learner needs such as Alternative Education programs (ACCESS), Humber Dual Credit Program
(SWAC), Credit Recovery programs
Transitional programs are in place to support learner well-being from elementary to secondary through to graduation and beyond with the “Get Ready”
Program for Grade 9 students, Link Crew mentorship program, Resources are available to support diverse learning needs, PostSecondary Parent/Student Night, College/University fairs, Cooperative Education, OYAP, and other experiential education programs
Ongoing student success team consultations take place to support students at risk
Continued focus to increase Parent/Guardian engagement with website communication, auto-dialers to parents, school newsletter publications, twitter,
parent-teacher interview nights, post-secondary and new to grade 9 information nights
Provide a variety of opportunities for student to be leaders and mentors
Provide a variety of opportunities for students to be engaged outside of the classroom
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School ensures that its Catholic School Council reflects the school’s diverse Catholic community by:
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Actively encouraging all parents to join School Council through the communication of this information to parents and guardians via school website,
twitter, Syner-voice messages and regular communications sent home
Dates of monthly meetings and contact information for School Council members is posted on the school website
Parents and guardians are invited to participate in School Council via an invitation shared at Grade 9 Orientation
Parents and guardians are invited to participate in New to Grade 9 Registration Information night, Post-secondary Information night, OSSLT
information night, Parent-teacher interviews
Personal invitations are extended as appropriate
All parents are encouraged to attend monthly School Council meetings
Use of PRO grants
The St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School builds and sustains community partnerships through:
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Strong relationship with Peel Regional Police Neighborhood Policing Unit
Intentional School for MAHN - Mental Health and Addiction Nurse support
Pilot Project with the Student Support Leadership Initiative which includes partnerships with AYSP, PCC and other community agencies in effort to
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
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address children’s Mental Health issues
Involving different community groups in our reach-ahead activities for the SHSM students
Growing success in our Co-op and OYAP programs through collaboration with many partners in the workplace in peel region and beyond the borders
of peel
Mentorship and Leadership programs with various groups such as Link Crew, Ontario Student Leadership Forum
Humber College Dual Credit
PARISH-HOME-SCHOOL:
St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of
student success through:
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Engagement with St. Marguerite d’Youville Parish is actively promoted through monthly meetings between school and parish
Grade level masses throughout the year with parish priests
Sacrament of Reconciliation offered by Parish priests at various times throughout the year
St. Marguerite d’Youville Annual Walkathon fundraiser raises funds for Share-life and other Charities
School community annual Christmas basket donations to families in need from the St. Marguerite d’Youville Parish
Family of Schools mass at the Parish
Grade 10 student volunteers to lead confirmation retreats for the Parish
Graduation mass at our parish
Grade 9 class-wide retreat
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:
St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School is engaged in the promotion of good stewardship of resources through:
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Certified GOLD Eco School
Eco Schools school wide initiatives
Ongoing recycling system in the classrooms and cafeteria
Community clean up in partnership with Brampton Clean City Committee
Greening the school: Mulching trees, spreading topsoil and replacement tree planting has been done and is ongoing with our Green Industries class
and our Green Force Club
Vote Earth Hour campaign with sign-up sheets, results and lights out in the school during announcements and reflection
St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School continues to demonstrate financial responsibility by:
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The school demonstrates financial accountability by ensuring that funds are collected and expensed by the school in compliance with all Board
protocols
Financial reports on record for Principal and Department Heads to review and monitor for accuracy of expenses and revenues
Financial reports on record for disclosure and accountability to the School Board and school community when required
Purchases are processed according to Board procedure/guidelines
School board suppliers, Board tenders and Blanket vendors used when possible
Appropriate staff are trained/advised on purchasing policies and procedures of the Board
Banking procedures/controls are established to show full disclosure, proper record keeping and maintaining accuracy of funds
Monies and cheques given to the Head Secretary for deposit, are counted in the presence of two people and the deposit forms are verified and initialed
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
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by both parties for accountability
Monies and cheques are deposited in the bank in a timely fashion, or until such time, secured in a safe/vault, in a secure locked room to ensure
security
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1. By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of initiative.
Action Plans
Creating Catholic Conditions for well-being
Knowing the Learner
myBlueprint Learning Style Inventory
Student Well-Being and Engagement Initiatives
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2. By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who intend to apply the knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities
that support collaborative inquiry.
Action Plans
Assessment Practices
Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Resources
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3. By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students, per applicable cohort, successfully completing grade nine with their respective credit
requirements.
Action Plans
Increase Credit Accumulation
IPP - Individual Pathways Plan
Secondary School Registration and Transitions
Transitions Program and Initiatives
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School
Learning Plan
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4. By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who increased their understanding of assessment for and as learning, as a result of
professional learning opportunities.
Action Plans
Assessment Practices
Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Resources
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5. By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students achieving a level 3 or 4 on the EQAO assessments (Math and OSSLT) in Applied and
Academic cohorts.
Action Plans
Accelerated Reader
EQAO Intensive Supports
Literacy Focus Days
Professional Development for Math Teachers
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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