Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
PASTORAL PLAN
School Name:
School Mission Statement:
TOGETHER WITH THE FAMILIES OF ST. EDITH STEIN SCHOOL AND
ST. JOSEPHINE BAKHITA PARISH,
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING A COMMUNITY
THAT EXPRESSES THE JOY AND HOPE
OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH AND VISIBLY SYMBOLIZES A DEEP
COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, LIFE-LONG LEARNING
AND FAITH DEVELOPMENT
School Motto: TO HAVE A FRIEND, YOU MUST BE A FRIEND
OPENING DOORS OF
“
MERCY”
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Pastoral Plan
2015-2016
Pastoral Plan Links to Strategic Plan/Catholic Board Learning Plan:
 Link: Strategic Plan Board Strategic Plan
To support our Board Strategic System Plan, our school continues to foster a Catholic
Learning Environment that develops a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment.
By creating a Sacred Space for students to have a quiet space to be one with the Lord,
explicitly teaching the Virtues and modeling the Gospel values, the students at our
school are submerged in an environment that supports and meets their needs in their
respective faith journeys.
 Link: Catholic Board Learning Plan CBLP 2013-2016
As stated in our Catholic Board Learning Plan, teams of learners will embrace the
power of "co" through the collaborative inquiry process to improve well-being, learning,
and achievement as demonstrated through co-planning, co-teaching and co-learning. At
St. Edith Stein, our classrooms have processes in place for students to suggest schoolwide and classroom activities. A positive learning environment is established to support
student engagement and belonging. Teachers consistently support activities that are
created collaboratively and reflect the diverse needs and interests of students. Using
our school Voice Boards and classroom Wonderwalls, our students engage in and
contribute to a positive school and classroom culture.
Our Parish: St. Josephine Bakhita
Pastor: Rev. Mark Villanueva
Parish website: www.stjosephinebakhita.ca
Message from the Pastor:
Greetings in the Lord! St. Josephine Bakhita Parish recognizes that strong parish-home-school
connections are foundational to supporting the development of students in the Ontario Catholic School
system. We will continue to guide and support the work of schools in Sacramental preparation. Through
the continuation of sharing best practices with our elementary schools, students will affirm their
Catholic faith in word and action through a variety of initiatives.
We wish the students of St. Edith Stein School a blessed and fruitful school year and moving forward,
look ahead to the success of all students.
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Pastoral Plan
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Message from the Catholic School Council:
Together with the families and staff at St. Edith Stein School, the Catholic School Advisory Council has
the opportunity to influence the educational experiences as students continue in their faith
journeys. We hope to provide valuable insight to the Board and administrator as they cultivate a truly
authentic Catholic education for our children. Through fundraising initiatives, we hope to support the
goals of the Catholic School Learning Plan of St. Edith Stein School. We are eager to promote a sense of
community where both students and parents are engaged in school initiatives.
Catholic Education Week Theme: Opening the Doors of Mercy
Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you to reflect on the significance of Catholic education’s
presence and contribution in our Church, and in our society.
May 1 – 6, 2016 is Catholic Education Week.
April 29, 2016 May 3, 2016 May 4, 2016 May 5, 2016 May 20, 2015 -
Virtues Assembly (hosted by 5/6, 6) Liturgical Celebration
Wellness Day
Welcome to Kindergarten
French Café
Crowning of Mary Celebration
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Faith Formation:
Forming ourselves in our Catholic faith is a foundational element in helping each of us
understand and live in the example of Christ.
School Faith Goals
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Staff and students will deepen their understanding of Catholic Virtues through implementation of
our VIRTUES program and through student Virtues Awards and Assemblies
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The school community will actively develop an appreciation, understanding, and knowledge of the
Mass.
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Students at all grade levels will improve their knowledge and enhance their understanding of our
Christian Faith Story as told in both Testaments of the Bible.
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The school community will continue to expand initiatives in stewardship and social justice, which
meet individual, local and global community needs, always being mindful of a Catholic perspective.
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The school will continue to expand our goal to have students more frequently and authentically
reflect on “How can I [they] contribute to the common good?”
Sacramental Preparation:
As Catholics we understand sacraments to be "outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace."
Together in partnership with our parish, we support the preparation of God’s children in
receiving the sacraments.
Event
Reconciliation
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Grade 2
Grade 7 and 8
FEBRUARY 23, 2016 @ 10:30am
Merciful Redeemer Parish
MAY 15, 2016 @ 3:00pm
Merciful Redeemer Parish
March 4, 2016 @ 10:00am
St. Edith Stein School
Confirmation
confessionS
confirmation
APRIL 8, 2016 @ 7:00PM
Merciful Redeemer Parish
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Liturgical Celebrations:
The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and
share in prayer.
Celebration
Opening Mass
Remembrance Day Assembly
Advent Mass
Stations of the Cross
Easter Mass
Year End Mass
Date
October 6, 2015 @ 1:15pm
November 11, 2015 @ 10:45am
December 11, 2015 @ 1:15pm
March 24, 2016 @1:00pm
April 8, 2016 @ 9:15am
June 14, 2016 @ 9:15am
Social Justice / Outreach Activities / Charities:
Catholic Social Teachings of the Church root our actions in supporting human dignity and the
preferential option of the poor which calls us to serve the most vulnerable in the world.
Our school community works together as one family as we support one other and respond to the
needs of the larger community, through such activities as Food Drives, Recycling Program, Share
Life, United Way, etc.
September
Terry Fox Run / Dufferin Peel United Way Walkathon / Open House
October
Thanksgiving Food Drive / PALS program begins / Litterless Lunch Days
November
United Way (Staff Dress Down Days on Fridays) / Walk to School Days
December
Christmas Outreach / Mitten Tree / St. Josephine Bakhita (Family Gift
Baskets / World Vision / Christmas Concert / Staff Liturgical Advent Celebrations
January
Peel Waste Presentation
February
Share Life Spirit Days / Winter Walk to School Days
March
Share Life – Roll Out the Quarters / Easter Food Drive
April
Sponsor a Family at Easter / Youth Faith Rally
May
Share Life
June
Parish Building Fund Walkathon
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Recognizing Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations:
Framed by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE), our graduates will be
effective communicators, reflective thinkers, lifelong learners, collaborative contributors, caring
family members, responsible citizens and discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith
community.
As a Catholic community of learners including and
involving students, home, school and parish, we are
committed to the principles inherent in the following:
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We live and grow in our faith by modeling
ourselves after our Lord, Jesus Christ.
We appreciate our own uniqueness and the
uniqueness of others by treating each other
with courtesy, consideration, kindness and respect.
We build and foster school spirit by sharing, cooperating and learning from each
other, recognizing that people are our greatest resource.
We realize learning is a lifelong process in an ever-changing world and that we
must take personal responsibility for our own learning and education.
We provide a nurturing environment, in order that students may empower
themselves, resulting in confident, creative risk takers and problem solvers in
academic and social experiences
We foster a work ethic that includes pride and satisfaction in the quality of work
through collaboration and communication among all members of our school
community.
We are informed and involved citizens who identify and respond respectfully to
the human and environmental needs and issues of our global community.
We strive for excellence in everything that we do in order to achieve our personal
best academically, spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially.
We value and encourage the contribution and cooperation of all the St. Edith Stein
community members in the achievement of all our goals.
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Pastoral Plan
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ONTARIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL
GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS
Adapted Wording for Elementary Students
Developed by Huron-Perth CDSB and St. Clair CDSB
I AM A BELIEVER!
 I believe that God is an awesome God
 I believe and have faith in God
 I believe that God is with us always
 I believe that we can talk to God anytime &
anywhere, through prayer
 I believe in the stories of the Bible
 I believe in the stories of Jesus' life, death &
resurrection
 I believe in the Church community, celebrating
Mass, and the seven Sacraments
 I believe in forgiveness
Because I am a believer, I will live my life like
Jesus.
I HAVE A VOICE!
 I speak, write and listen as Jesus would want
me to
 I care about others and speak up for them
 I am honest
 I think carefully before I react or speak
 I respect all people and their languages
 I listen to the Word of God
Because I have a voice, I will use it lovingly, and I
will live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE IDEAS!
 I have thoughts and opinions that matter
 I make good choices
 I have hope for the future
I AM A TEAM PLAYER!
 I co-operate with others in all that I do
 I value everyone's work
 I respect and listen to others
 I think of others before myself
 I follow rules of fair play
 I work hard in school so that I can build my
community and make it a better place
Because I am a team player, I know that 'Together
is Better', and we will live our lives like Jesus.
I CARE!
 I love God, myself and my family
 I care about and respect my 'family' at school,
at Church, in the community, and the world
 I care about and respect God's creation and
everything in it
Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will
live my life like Jesus.
I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES!
 I am a peace-maker I am fair
 I am forgiving
 I follow rules and do my share
 I help the poor and care for people in need
 I stand up for what is right
 I know that all life is precious
Because I accept my responsibilities, I can make a
difference, and will live my life like Jesus
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Pastoral Plan
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I solve problems with knowledge,
understanding and prayer
 I know we are all equal and special
Because I have ideas, I have a purpose, and I will
live my life like Jesus.
I AM A LEARNER FOR LIFE!
 I use my gifts and talents given to me by God
 I always do my best
 I build on my strengths and weaknesses
 I set goals
 I accept change
 I am proud of the good things I do
 I am thankful for the gifts of others
Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my
dreams, by living my life like Jesus.
Celebrating Virtues:
A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral
standard. When we practice these virtues we strengthen them and thereby make the presence
of God more and more visible in the world around us.
Catholic Community Virtues Program and Assemblies
Each month, the school population celebrates the Virtue of the month. Dates and times of our Virtues
assemblies will be posted in our monthly newsletters and on our school website Events page. The Catholic
Virtues program incorporates a variety of activities related to the virtue including announcing the names
of students who earn Virtues Awards. Assemblies include the presentation of awards to students who
continue to demonstrate the virtues of our faith.
September OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune-
FAITH
EMPATHY
CONSCIENCE
HOPE
SELF CONTROL
RESPECT
KINDNESS
LOVE
ACCEPTANCE
FAIRNESS
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Visible Signs of Living our Faith:
Through symbol and service, we are instruments of God’s love whose work within our
communities stands as a witness to our faith.
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Adult Faith Ambassadors gatherings for staff
School Wide Liturgical celebrations and gatherings student led by classes and Youth
Faith Ambassadors
Youth Faith Ambassadors as faith leaders in our school
Staff Liturgies and Reflections
Prayers, Readings and reflections during morning announcements
Daily classroom prayer: beginning of the day, lunch and dismissal
The foyer of the school welcomes students, staff, parents and visitors in a Faith-filled
community. The signs of our Faith, including the altar, Seasonal Altar displays,
Virtues program posters and scenes of the life of St. Edith Stein, are visual reminders
of our common heritage and the liturgical seasons.
Classrooms have a prayer table/corner for individual prayer opportunities/focus for
class celebrations
Daily Religious/Family Life Education
Informal living and teaching of our faith occurs throughout our day in our
treatment/respect of others
Missionary presentations to students (Rosary Apostolate monthly visits)
Resources provided to parents supporting a better understanding of the Family Life
Education curriculum
Our new Chapel Prayer Space provides a place for our students to be closer to our
Lord
We all strive to being living icons of Faith
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Resource List for Parents/Guardians:
 Religious Education Curriculum - Ontario Religious Education Curriculum
 Family Life Curriculum - Ontario Family Life Curriculum
 Fully Alive Program information - Ontario Bishops' information on Fully Alive
Resource List for Schools:
Board
 Vocations Units
We have Vocations units as part of the Grades 2, 5, and 8 curriculum. The goal of these
supplementary units is to deepen one’s understanding of God’s call – the “vocare” – to
various forms of life within the Church.
 History of the Parish
Through the resource book Our Story, Our Tradition, Our Journey, grade 7 students have
the opportunity to learn about the history of our parish.
 Enduring Gift Video
School-Based
St. Edith Stein School website
http://www.dpcdsb.org/STEIN
Please access our website for information regarding the Virtues Program, Parent
Council, Catholic Community and St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.
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