Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Cardinal Newman Catholic School Mission Statement
The Catholic tradition is rooted in the Word of God.
All members of the community are considered to interpret the present historical period within the context of gospel values in fostering personal,
social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical growth to its fullest potential. As a Catholic school community, we are committed to preparing children
to develop in a framework of Catholicity, knowledge and values that benefit society.
Motto
Where Heart Speaks To Heart
Catholic Focus
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
1/7
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School is located at 698 Balmoral Drive in Brampton, as built in 1968 and dedicated on June 29, 1968. Originally
called John Newman, the school is named after John Cardinal Newman, a man of vision, who was born in England in 1801. A devout Anglican, Newman was
a founder of the Oxford Movement; in 1845 after much self-examination he became Roman Catholic. He was ordained in 1847 and won may converts to the
church. On September 23, 2010, the school community celebrated the Beatification of Cardinal Newman with a liturgy. A portrait of Blessed John Newman is
displayed in the school’s front foyer. The school’s motto, “Where Heart Speaks to Heart”, is evident in the integration of faith and daily life at the school which
has a population of just over 500 students who come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. This is Blessed Cardinal Newman's personal motto,
translated from the original Latin "cor ad cor loquitur". The school has an active social justice outreach, including Thanksgiving, Advent and Lenten food
drives for the Knights’ Table. At Christmas, the school collects non-perishable food items and financial donations to buy gifts and food for needy families in
the community. Classes also raise funds for ShareLife. Prayers are said in our school chapel during liturgical celebrations and at lunch hours.
Our Catholic Focus is as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Promote successful partnerships through Pastoral Planning
Provide continued support for the principal strands of faith education, e.g., daily prayer, liturgical & sacramental celebrations, Religious Education and
Family Life programs, Graduation and other school and classroom celebrations, etc.
Continued implementation of Virtues education
Celebration of Mass and liturgical events for the community
Support social Justice initiatives throughout the school year (food drives, Share Life hockey game, Terry Fox, ShareLife Staff Dress Down Days, mitten
and clothing collections, , etc.)
Implement Safe Schools Policies, PALS, Friendship Groups, Restorative Justice Initiatives
Morning Gospel prayer reflections and chapel liturgies throughout the year
Youth Faith Ambassador Initiatives
Adult Faith Ambassador Initiatives
Sacred spaces at each student entry (i.e. large cross and spiritual quotes), in classrooms and throughout the school
Memorial Garden at front of school
School Mission statement
Core Principles
CATHOLICITY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Model Gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services
Celebrate and nourish the distinctive Catholic nature of our school communities throughout our learning environment
Support the needs of all learners through team approach and tiered interventions
Provide and support opportunities for life-long learning for students and staff
Commit to continuous improvement in student achievement and well-being for all learners
Ensure that Catholic School Advisory Council reflects the diverse Catholic community
Support and advocate that Catholic School Advisory Councils receive resources required to fulfill their role
Build and sustain community partnerships and collaborative relationships
Continue to enhance and use technology to communicate and connect with our partners in support of student needs
Affirm that the local parish, St. John Fisher, is an essential part of the Catholic school community
Promote active participation of home and parish as a fundamental component of student success
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
2/7
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
•
•
•
Model and promote good stewardship of resources as per Pope Francis' On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si')
Be financially responsible
Respond to the emerging needs and trends within our diverse community.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) and junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School Response:
2014-2015 EQAO RESULTS:
Primary: Reading 62%, Writing 69%, Mathematics 56%
Junior: Reading 58%, Writing 62%, Mathematics 27%.
Staff continue to implement research-based high-yield strategies and demonstrate commitment to learning at divisional discussion meetings and other
opportunities for co-planning and co-teaching. Staff continue to receive support through our POD work with our Special Assignment Teachers. Focus on
numeracy will continue, as it will throughout the board and province. Literacy support will continue with focus on guided reading, guided practice and word
study as opposed to rote spelling. There will be increased focus on inquiry-based learning and less emphasis on teacher-directed learning.
The school community supports and provide opportunities for continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all
learners:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Homework Help (Grades 7-12)
Transition planning Grade 8 to Grade 9
Special Education models, values and promotes inclusion of all
Teachers are lifelong learners, acting as role models, by attending in-services, workshops and courses.
Active partnership with community groups, e.g. City of Brampton, Earnscliffe Recreation Centre (After-School Programs, Swim to Survive) Smart Start,
Region of Peel Literacy, Sheridan College Iron John and Iron Joan Justice Mentors)
Catholic School Advisory Council
In-school presentations to support curriculum expectations and experiences
Out-of-school excursions to support curriculum expectations and experiences
Differentiated instruction and assessment is occurring across the school
SMART Board technology is used to enhance program delivery
iPad Cart is used to enhance program delivery
Common grade level planning time is provided to teachers as permits by schedules
Whole Staff Meetings alternate monthly with Divisional Meetings (K-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8)
Staff implement the Ontario Curriculum as the basis for teaching and learning
Staff attend School/Family/Board professional development inservices and workshops as appropriate to needs
Students experiencing challenges are monitored and receive opportunities for extra support
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
3/7
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
•
•
•
•
Individual Education Plans are developed to provide accommodations/modifications to some students’ programs to assist them in achieving Ministry of
Education expectations
Transition meetings are organized to support the transition of learners e.g. into Kindergarten, from grade to grade, from elementary to secondary
schools, for students at risk & with exceptional learning needs
Support services available as required e.g. Speech and Language Pathologist, Psychologist, Child and Youth Care Worker, Social Worker
The school team builds and fosters community partnerships through staff participation in school to school (BNE Family) learning teams (PODs)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaboratives through:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Parents are strongly encouraged to join in the partnership of their children’s education
Parent representatives reflect our diverse Catholic community
Newsletter invitations for parents/guardians to attend CSAC meetings
Students visit Peel Safety Village
Fire Department visits
Active partnership with community groups, e.g. City of Brampton (Earnscliffe Recreation Centre (After-School Program, Swim to Survive) Smart Start,
Region of Peel Literacy, Sheridan Colleges Iron John and Iron Joan Justice Mentors)
Through the implementation of co-curricular intramural and intermural competitions: sports teams, Student Speech competitions (Catholic Women’s
League), Forest of Reading Programs through Book Club
Working in collaboration with the PLASP Before & After School Programs
Working in collaboration with the School Settlement Worker assigned to the school
See-Hear Program
Welcome To Kindergarten Program
PARISH-SCHOOL-HOME
Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental
component of student success:
•
•
•
•
•
School Masses and non-Eucharistic liturgies
Parish bulletin available in school foyer
Catholic School Advisory Council Parish Representative is active liaison between St. John Fisher Parish and our school
Sacramental preparation through St. John Fisher Parish is supported, encouraged and advertised
Participation in Cardinal Newman Feast Day celebration – October 9th
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School promotes good stewardship of resources through:
•
Eco-School Focus
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
4/7
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
•
•
•
•
•
•
Recycling program
Energy Conservation (i.e. turning off light, G.O.O.S.E. paper)
Active Eco-Team
Celebration of Earth Day
Litterless Lunches
Reduce photocopying by setting eco-goals.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School demonstrates financial responsibility:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
School Generated Funds proposal submitted to Supervisory Officer in October of each year
School budget is aligned to school goals and student learning
Maintain a balanced budget - following provisions set about in Financial Tools binder
Use of Non-Board funds for student initiatives
All guidelines and policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance
Through ‘reuse’ and/or sharing of texts and/or resources where available with other schools
Create reserve fund for unexpected expenses
School Fundraisers follow Board Policy
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
5/7
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading
Outcomes
1.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students indicating that they feel accepted by students in the school, as demonstrated by
the CCCC School Climate Survey results.
Action Plans
Engagement of students in collaborative social justice and diversity activities
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of educators who intend to continue to develop knowledge gained through professional
learning opportunities in collaboration with others, as demonstrated by CBLP professional learning feedback.
Action Plans
All staff will participate in our collaborative inquiry to facilitate deliberate and precise teaching of strategies
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skills and work habits of
self-regulation and collaboration.
Action Plans
Improve student performance learning skills and work habits
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of 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, as demonstrated by CBLP professional learning feedback.
Action Plans
All staff will participate in our collaborative inquiry to facilitate deliberate and precise teaching of strategies
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
6/7
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By the end of 2016, there will be an increase in the proportion of students achieving a level 3 or 4 on the EQAO assessments.
Action Plans
Expanded guided reading/writing and guided practice as part of balanced literacy program
Professional development in numeracy with focus on effective implementation of 3-part math lesson and other strategies. Additionally, a focus on
developing understanding of inquiry learning.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
Powered by SkoVision™
12/17/2015 10:12:36 AM
7/7