St. Faustina Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Working through the open arms of Christ, the St. Faustina Catholic School community of dedicated staff, parents and parish collaborate to establish
atmospheres of positive learning that respects the uniqueness of each individual child. Children will be nurtured in the development of self-esteem and selfdiscipline, enabling them to celebrate the Christian values of respect, communication, honesty and love. The integration of faith, culture and knowledge
provides a stimulating environment that encourages children to grow emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually to their full potential as responsible,
contributing members of society.
We are St. Faustina Catholic Elementary School.
Motto
Jesus, I Trust In You
Catholic Focus
St. Faustina Elementary School, located at 3420 McDowell Drive, opened in September 2002 and was blessed on October 9, 2003. The school population of
approximately 545 students reflects a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds representing the diverse culture found in the Mississauga North area. This
year we will infuse the theme, “Our School, Our World - Make It A Better Place" along with our school-wide pledge to embrace the theme "Love, Forgive,
Rejoice" in support of the Catholic Education Week theme, "Opening Doors of Mercy."
St. Faustina is named for St. Faustina Helena Kowalska who was born in 1905 in Poland. The school’s Mission statement highlights the school’s vision to,
“establish [an] atmosphere of positive learning that respects the uniqueness of each individual child.” We work collaboratively with the Parish, Catholic School
Council and our Trustee to ensure St. Faustina School supports Catholic parents in their responsibility for the spiritual, religious, moral, academic and
physical needs of their children in accordance with the teachings of the Church. We strive to provide a learning environment where models of Gospel Values
and Catholic doctrines, teachings and beliefs are integral components of the daily life of our school. Our prayer life, liturgical celebrations, virtues education,
sacrament life and our faith and value system form the foundation of our school. We demonstrate our faith in school through the preparation of the
Sacraments, school celebrations of the Eucharist, staff liturgies, and ongoing support of our community and the community at large through various social
justice initiatives. We are part of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.
Core Principles
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?
The St. Faustina School community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values on a daily basis. Gospel values are integrated and infused into all
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St. Faustina Elementary School
Learning Plan
teaching and learning as we continually follow the example of Jesus. We foster spiritual development within the image of Christ through daily prayer,
classroom and school-wide liturgical celebrations and through our virtues education program. In addition, social justice opportunities are provided throughout
the school year organized by staff and student leaders. Food drives, Christmas Outreach, Share Life, and the Terry Fox Walk/Run are some of the many
ways the St. Faustina school community celebrates and nourishes gospel values.
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
Primary Reading: 73% of students at or above level 3
Primary Writing: 75% of students at or above level 3
Primary Mathematics: 59% of students at or above level 3
School results decreased this year compared to last year's results in Reading by 5%, in Writing by 3% and in Mathematics by 2%. Over time from 2011-2014
there has been a 7% increase in Reading, a 1% decrease in Writing and an 8% decrease in Mathematics. 73% of students report that they like math most of
the time. There is a significantly greater percentage of ELL learners at the school 43% compared to that in the Board 27%. School plans will continue to
focus on literacy and numeracy.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
Junior Reading: 85% of students at or above level 3
Junior Writing: 90% of students at or above level 3
Junior Mathematics: 58% of students at or above level 3
School results in reading increased this year compared to last year's results in Writing by 4%. School results decreased this year compared to last year's
results in Reading by 1% and in Mathematics by 11%. Over time from 2011-2014 there has been a 6% increase in Reading, a 17% increase in Writing and a
9% decrease in Mathematics. 47% of students report that they like math most of the time. School plans will continue to focus on literacy and numeracy.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
The St. Faustina School staff and parents are provided with opportunities for life-long learning. Students participate in opportunities within the community to
develop life skills on school trips, through the Milk and Cookie Program and Snack Shack. Students learn about further education opportunities, through
Secondary School Information Sessions and excursions to post-secondary institutions. School staff is engaged in job-embedded professional learning such
as co-planning and co-teaching and various workshops in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Technology. School staff is also engaged in collaborative
grade level planning to support their learning and the learning of the students in their care. In addition, our Special Assignment Teacher provides shared
opportunities to fully implement the Balanced Literacy Strategies and also provides opportunities for co-planning and co-teaching in Mathematics. Parents
are also provided with opportunities for learning such as a collaborative partnership with the Region of Peel in providing a Primary Family Literacy evening
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St. Faustina Elementary School
Learning Plan
program and at Catholic School Council meetings. The school community is also provided with 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.
St. Faustina 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. We use a variety of data 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. The school team, classroom
teachers, administration, special education resource teachers, English as a Second Language teachers, and members of the support services team respond
to individual student learning needs through a strong team approach.
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. Faustina, all members of the community are welcomed, respected and
valued. All community members are invited to attend Catholic School Council meetings. Our Catholic School Council is representative of the diverse nature of
our community.
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By
6 Peel)?
The St. Faustina 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. PALS, CCCCAT, Healthy Schools Certification, IWalk). We have also a strong relationship with our
Neighbourhood Policing Unit and our Youth Education officer who support our community by interacting with students in and out of the classroom. We
continue to nourish our relationship with before and after school programs such as PLASP. We also continue to support partnerships with the St. Vincent de
Paul Society and the Eden Food For Change 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. Faustina School-Home-Parish partnership is a fundamental component of school success. At St. Faustina, we are actively engaged with St.
Josephine Bakhita parish through our school liturgies, classroom visits by the parish clergy, and the collaborative sacramental preparation of students by our
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St. Faustina Elementary School
Learning Plan
school staff, the parish and parents. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend school liturgies, virtue assemblies and masses. Strong communication
exists between the school, home and parish, clearly outlined in the school’s pastoral plan.
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
The St. Faustina School Community engages in several activities to promote good stewardship of resources. As a school community, we promote an ecofriendly environment by participating in a school-wide recycling program, a waste reduction program, a conservation of energy initiative, an anti-idling program
and Walking Routes /IWalk programs to promote clean air/healthy being, and a beautification program. We also continue to support our community members
in need, as we engage in food drives and social justice initiatives such as ShareLife Activities, the Terry Fox Walk, Christmas Family Outreach, Give a Kid a
Hand (collection of hats, mittens and scarves to support those in need for the winter season) and Hats Off to Kidz in support of Sick Kids Hospital. St.
Faustina School continues to model stewardship and is deeply committed to supporting all members of our community and the community at large.
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
St. Faustina School will continue to be financially accountable and transparent by adhering to board guidelines and expectations. We also continue to comply
with the Catholic School Council Budget and Banking processes and we continue to adhere to monthly reporting and reconciliation of the school budget.
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St. Faustina Elementary School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By June 2017, the proportion of students indicating they feel excluded or not accepted will decrease compared to the CCCC School Climate Survey data of
Spring 2015.
Action Plans
1.1 By June 2015, the proportion of students indicating they feel bullied will decrease compared to the CCCC School Climate Survey data of March 2013.
Action Plans
Creating Catholic Conditions to support student well-being, learning, leading and earthly stewardship
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who intend to apply knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities as
demonstrated by professional learning feedback (exit tickets, focused conversations between staff and administration).
Action Plans
Embracing the power of "co". Teams of learners involved in collaborative practices
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 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 selfregulation as demonstrated through report card data.
Action Plans
Transition Practices to support self-regulation
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 as demonstrated by perceptual
data (EQAO questionnaire, student responses).
Action Plans
Informed instruction that enables all students to learn
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St. Faustina Elementary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By June 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who apply knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities to design
more effective lessons to meet the needs of all learners.
Action Plans
Embracing the power of "co". Teams of learners involved in collaborative practices
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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