Guardian Angels Elementary School Learning Plan Mission * Our Catholic school mission is to foster the spiritual, academic, social and emotional wellbeing of our diverse, Guardian Angels school community. We dedicate ourselves to promoting 21st Century teaching and learning, collaborative relationships, responsive citizenship, creative thinking and Catholic leadership. Our goals include promoting the Face of Christ in all we do and promoting academic achievement across the curriculum. Our Catholic teachings on Respect, Acceptance and Love are punctuated by our dedication to the Gospel values, our Catholic Virtues and our Catholic traditions. Motto To Light, To Guard, To Rule and Guide Catholic Focus Guardian Angels Catholic Focus In September 2002, Guardian Angels Catholic School opened its doors for the first time. Over the past 13 years, Guardian Angels Catholic School has grown into a vibrant community that truly reflects the school's motto, "To Light, To Guard, To Rule and Guide." Within the context of an authentic Catholic learning community, Guardian Angels strives to provide students with the opportunity to realize their full potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to society. The school is further committed to: • • • • • 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. respecting human dignity deepening the understanding, appreciation and practice of the Catholic Christian lifestyle, with Jesus as role model modelling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service developing graduates who are fully alive in Christ Core Principles Catholicity 1. Guardian Angels models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centred programs and services. • • • • • • Virtues are embedded into daily school life Virtues are displayed in public spaces via posters School begins with prayer and reflection on the gospel Gospel values are integrated across all subject areas Visual images, sacred space Pastoral plan Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:12:46 AM 1/6 Guardian Angels Elementary School Learning Plan • • • • Parish Home School Connections Social Justice initiatives CCCC Team Staff, students, parents demonstrate gospel values/ beliefs through everyday interactions and participation in liturgical celebrations Learning Environment 1. Guardian Angels most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance. • • • • • Primary Reading: 73% Primary Writing: 81% Primary Mathematics: 73% Observations regarding school progress in primary EQAO: Sustained progress. Reading increased by 4%. Writing decreased by 9%. Mathematics increased by 7%. Guardian Angel school continues to promote 21st. Century learning in a Catholic context. Our Catholic School Learning Plan focuses on mathematics as an avenue to foster student well-being. The 3-part math model is a key component of teaching and learning in the classroom. Our EQAO scores are a testament to the power of the inquiry model. 57% of Grade 3 students like math. Teachers give students the opportunity to collaborate in all subjects in a variety of ways. Teachers are also reflecting and working in a co-learning model during staff meetings to develop their theory of action statements. By sharing student evidence, teachers have the opportunity to reflect upon and provide descriptive feedback to each other in relation to instructional design and assessment. Students are becoming critical risk takers in all aspects of school life. . 2. Guardian Angels most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance. • • • • • Junior Reading: 77% Junior Writing: 82% Junior Mathematics: 62% Observations regarding school progress in junior EQAO: Reading decreased by 5%. Writing decreased by 4%. Mathematics increased by 9%. Guardian Angels students continue to demonstrate progress in the areas of writing and math in the junior division. Our Catholic School Learning Plan continues to emphasize the importance of math and literacy across the curriculum through an emphasis on Guided Reading, collaborative inquiry and the 3-part math model. Teachers are collaborating in professional development sessions to reflect on their best practices in the areas of instruction, assessment and content to move students as well as themselves forward. Mathematics instruction continues to be a direct focus in the junior division. Classroom teachers are given PD opportunities through staff meetings, co-teaching days, and POD days to explore ways to improve teaching and learning in numeracy. 3. The Guardian Angels community supports and provides opportunities for life-long learning. • • 21st Century Learning, Parent Engagement Nights Empower Reading Program Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:12:46 AM 2/6 Guardian Angels Elementary School Learning Plan • • • • Community engagement through community programs Programs and Pathways Leadership/diversity conferences for students Professional Learning opportunities for staff 4. Guardian Angels demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners. • • • • • • • • • Collection and analysis of assessment data Identification of strengths, needs and areas of growth Differentiation of instruction Divisional meetings Teaching Learning Cycle and teacher moderation Professional Learning Cycles Assistive technology and Smart Boards School trips Through goal setting and self-reflection (MyBluePrint Grade 7-8 and portfolios Grades 1-6) Community Engagement 1. Guardian Angels school community ensures that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community. • • Parents are welcomed and encouraged through ongoing communication by newsletters and discussions Diversity is respected and valued by the school community 2. Guardian Angels' school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaborative relationships. • • • • • • • • • • • • Guardian Angels Parish pastoral connection and visits Open House and BBQ CCCSC Training Session Catholic School Council Monthly Meetings Presence of Superintendent, Pastor and Trustee Peel Police Education Programs Peel Health Parks and Recreation Programs Visual arts, Science, Black History Month activities and ECO Presentations Foster co-operative relationships with Cassie Campbell Co-op placements for high school and university students After school programs and extra-curricular activities Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:12:46 AM 3/6 Guardian Angels Elementary School Learning Plan Parish-Home-School 1. Guardian Angel promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success. • • • • • • Masses are held in the school gymnasium Parents are invited to participate in the school mass Parish information is listed on the school website Sacramental preparation that encourages parental participation Outreach projects such as food drives Sacramental retreats Physical Environment 1. Guardian Angels engages in activities that models and promote good stewardship of resources. • • • • • Eco projects Light - Out Lunches, Earth Hour Participation in Green initiatives Litterless lunches Eco-based lessons 2. Guardian Angels school demonstrates financial accountability • • • • • • Follow outlined board policy and procedures Fundraising events follow board policy and procedures School budget is aligned to school goals and student learning Maintain a balanced budget All guidelines and policies are adhered to using tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance Prompt attention to health and safety reports and response to acts of violence Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:12:46 AM 4/6 Guardian Angels Elementary School Learning Plan Creating Catholic Conditions for Well-Being, Learning and Leading Outcomes 1. By June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support student well- being. Action Plans Teachers will use best practices to promote student wellness Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry Outcomes An increase in the proportion of students who have demonstrated improvement on the learning skill and work habit of collaboration. Action Plans Develop Collaborative Practices Through An Inquiry-Based Approach Enhancing Transitional Practices Outcomes By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support the transition of all students especially "at risk" students in our school as evidenced by and increase in the proportion of students who demonstrate improvement in the learning skill and work habit of self-regulation. Action Plans Programs and pathways meet the needs of all learners. Knowing the Learner through Assessment Outcomes 1.0 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 Creating a Growth Mindset Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:12:46 AM 5/6 Guardian Angels Elementary School Learning Plan Responding through Effective Instruction Outcomes 2.0 An increase in the proportion of educators who intend to apply knowledge gained through professional learning opportunities. Action Plans Build Staff's Capacity on Effective School-Wide Discipline Creating a Growth Mindset An increase in the proportion of students improving their EQAO achievement level between assessment years. Action Plans 3 Part Math Lesson/3 Part Lesson Planning Model Guided Practice/Guided Reading Students and teachers share a common understanding of the learning goals and sucess criteria Outcome Timeframe Action Plan Priority Long-term High Medium-term Medium Short-term Low Not Assigned Not Assigned Powered by SkoVision™ 12/17/2015 10:12:46 AM 6/6