Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
Mission *
Mission Statement
Our school community is a place for all students to learn and grow in the faith of our Church.
We respect and value the talents of all students and strive to help them learn to use their gifts wisely in serving the larger community.
Our school community has many roots – we value our diversity and cherish the richness it brings to all of its’ members.
We strive to follow in the spirit of our namesake, Venerable Michael J. McGivney, who as founder of the Knights of Columbus,
searched for ways to reach out to those in need. We offer many opportunities for giving as examples of young learners to learn,
grow and to be active in helping to build and sustain a community.
We value academic excellence in all students and encourage each to work to the potential given to each.
Motto
"Many roots, growing together as one"
Catholic Focus
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic Focus
Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School is an elementary school of approximately 480 students, of diverse social and ethnic backgrounds, from
Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our school is equipped with a welcoming front foyer indicative of our Catholic faith and our Virtues, a double gym, stage,
library, computer lab, and literacy room. Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School is home to a Moderate/Severe Needs Class, which is comprised of
students from other schools within the Family of Schools. Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School opened its doors in 2004. Through the examples of
our master teacher, Christ, we take our calling to “reach out into the deep” and “be community” for others. Our namesake, Venerable Michael J. McGivney,
founder of the Knights of Columbus, exemplifies the concepts of family, unity, compassion and charity for others. We follow his example through academics,
spiritual and moral development, sacramental preparation, prayer, discipline, community and social justice initiatives. We are called to be Christ for others.
At Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School our commitment to academic excellence is a shared responsibility. As a staff and Catholic School Council,
we work hard bringing together students, parents, teachers, pastoral team, trustee and other partners to form a Catholic community in the service of the
spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of students in our care.
Our students come to us with a variety of strengths and needs, with their Catholic faith as our common bond. Our prayer life, liturgical celebrations, Virtue
Assemblies, the Sacraments, and our faith and Catholic values form the foundation of our school program. The curriculum is broad, balanced and relevant to
the needs and aspirations of all our students. A wide range of subjects and learning experiences are offered to develop the skills, abilities and talents of
individual students. Accordingly, appropriate assessment procedures are employed regularly to motivate and encourage student success. To ensure
coherence and wholeness, subjects are taught within the context of The Ontario Curriculum, Gospel values and sound educational practices.
In support of the Dufferin – Peel Catholic School Board Improvement Plan, Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School 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 school-wide approach to Catholicity, whereby all educational practices are implemented through a Catholic lens;
Developing students who are fully alive in Christ, “not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes and actions”.
As a diverse educational community responding to God’s call, Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic School fosters and nourishes an inclusive atmosphere
rooted in tradition and scripture 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
Modeling all learners after Jesus, as ministers of compassion and service.
Core Principles
Catholicity
1. The school community models, celebrates and nourishes gospel values in the teaching and learning of our Christ-centered programs and services:
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Identifies and applies Gospel values into daily living
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
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Community morning prayers
School Masses
Sacramental preparation
Virtues Assemblies each month
Rosary Club
Rosary Apostolate
Application of Gospel lessons in daily encounters with staff and students (i.e. What would Jesus do?)
Integration of Catholic lens in curriculum
School-Wide Advent Retreat
Staff and student involvement in social justice projects
Faith Ambassadors - Monthly liturgies for staff
Youth Faith Ambassadors
Promotion of Ontario Catholic Expectations amongst the staff, students and parent community
Learning Environment
1. The school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance are:
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Primary Reading: 56%
Primary Writing: 52 %
Primary Mathematics: 46 %
2. The school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 75 %
Junior Writing: 76 %
Junior Mathematics: 51 %
3. The school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning through:
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Primary, Junior & Intermediate involvement with SAT
Staff participation in NTIP sessions
Youth Faith Ambassador Program
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
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Link enduring understandings from our Virtues Program to all subjects
Catholic School Council support of School Goals
Professional Learning Communities for each division
Access Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat (LNS) resources
Access Consultants from the Program Department
4. The school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners by:
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Data analysis to assist with identifying needs and next steps
Use of PM Benchmark and CASI data to guide instruction
Implementation of Balanced literacy
Implementation of Levelled Literacy Intervention Program
Shared planning time / collaborative planning
Use of differentiated instruction
Implementation of IEPs to ensure inclusion for all students
Use of 3 - Part Math Lesson
Teacher moderation and collaboration
Community Engagement
1. The school community ensures that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community by:
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Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in their child's education
Parent Involvement Survey sent out to the community
Participation in fundraisers
Attendance at Catholic School Council meetings
Catholic School Council – Open House
Parent Information Nights with Guest Speakers
2. The school team builds and sustains community partnerships and collaboratives (e.g., collaborative relationships, Success By 6 Peel) through:
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Ongoing dialogue, attendance at Staff meetings,
Welcome to Kindergarten Evening with Peel Health
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
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Ongoing scheduling of visits by Peel Police Education Officers to all grades
Ongoing visits by Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPUs)
Support of St. Marguerite d'Youville Parish activities - including Helping Hands, ShareLife, etc.
Support of Knights of Columbus; Knights table through Food Drives
Peel Health Nurse supporting the Healthy School Team & PALS Program
Newcomer Settlement Worker is available to parents
Parish-Home-School
1. The school promotes the engagement and active participation of the parish and home as a fundamental component of student success by:
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Use of Agenda
Annual meetings to determine Masses, Sacraments, Graduation
Information is shared in School Newsletters, classroom letters, school website and Twitter
Ongoing invitation to priest and pastoral team to visit school
Grade 2 Reconciliation and Communion Retreats
Grade 7 and 8 Confirmation Retreats (Fall and Winter)
Post parish Bulletin in the school
Catholic Education Week Activities
Support ShareLife through St. Marguerite d'Youville Parish
Physical Environment
1. The school engages in activities that model and promote good stewardship of resources:
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ShareLife
Food Drives
Recycling
Spirit Days
Eco-Schools Project
Earth Day Activities
Healthy Schools Activities
2. The school demonstrates financial responsibility through:
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
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Monthly budget review
Maintain balanced budget
Priorities are aligned with school improvement goals
Following all Board Policies
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
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 successful practices that support student well being.
Action Plans
Bullying Prevention
If we are more intentional in creating respectful conditions for well-being, learning and leading in a positive climate, then all learners will feel safe,
included, supported and welcomed.
Increase community awareness of the Catholic Graduate Expectations
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support collaborative inquiry.
Action Plans
If we continue embrace collaborative inquiry as a process for learning, then all learners will be actively engaged in learning.
Use collaborative inquiry approach to professional learning activities (i.e. teacher moderation, assessment to guide teaching and gradual release of
responsibility.
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support transitional practices.
Action Plans
If we continue to intentionally engage collaboratively in transitional practices to support learners, then learners will progress in self-discovery and selfdirection toward vocation.
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support knowing the learner through assessment.
Action Plans
If we continue to intentionally focus on assessment for and as learning, then all learners will be able to articulate and responsibly act on their own
reflective thinking and learning.
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Venerable Michael J. McGivney Catholic
School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5.0 By the end of June 2016, there will be an increase in successful practices that support effective instruction.
Action Plans
If we continue to design effective lessons, making use of collaborative work, then learners will be able to develop and apply processes, skills and
strategies across disciplines.
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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