St. Barbara Elementary School
Learning Plan
Mission *
At St. Barbara Catholic Elementary school we believe that the Parish, the School and the Home, working in partnership, are dedicated to our children's
spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical development in a safe and secure environment, at home, and in school. Working together, we attain
success by educating students to their full potential.
We are a Catholic community. We demonstrate our love for God by respecting each other and by striving to meet the expectations of our Catholic faith, the
Ministry of Education, and those established by parents, teachers and students.
Our mandate is to encourage in children the life-long desire to learn, find joy, delight and enthusiasm in the learning experience. Students should grow in
sense of self-worth, respect for all members of our community, personal responsibility in the uses of freedom, and love of God. Students have the right to go
to school. With that right comes the responsibility to respect the rights of others.
Motto
Freedom to Learn. Freedom to Pray.
Catholic Focus
St. Barbara Elementary School, which is located at 1455 Samuelson Circle, opened in September 2001 and was blessed on May 2, 2002. By 2006, St.
Barbara’s student population has begun to decline. This year, 2015 there are 476 students enrolled at St. Barbara. St. Barbara School continues to be part of
the St. Joseph (Streetsville) Parish community.
St. Barbara School is named after the 3rd century saint that was imprisoned, tortured and eventually had her head severed by her own father because of her
conversion to Christianity and her refusal to worship pagan gods. Her strong faith, love and martyrdom for Jesus are a reminder to staff, students and
community members of the need to keep God first and foremost in our lives. We celebrate her feast day on December 4th.
In consultation with the community, St. Barbara has chosen its motto, “Freedom to Learn, Freedom to Pray,” to reflect the Catholic emphasis on prayer and
personal integrity and achievement through all manners of education: academic, spiritual, emotional, physical and social. Our staff organize and lead the
students in many social justice and faith development initiatives. Initiatives include annual contributions to the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Share Life, various
charities and monthly Virtue assemblies.
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?
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Daily Prayers and intentions
Visual Signs of our Faith throughout the hallways and classrooms in our school
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St. Barbara Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Acts of Charity, Food Drives, Angel on a Tree, Packs of Hope
Celebration of the Eucharist four times a year
Whole school Lenten Retreat and Sacramental Retreats for Grade 2’s & 8’s
Virtue assemblies incorporating our Catholic Graduate Expectations
Learning Environment
1. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO primary division (Grade 3) assessment performance.
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Primary Reading: 76
Primary Writing: 62
Primary Mathematics: 64
Over the last 5 years, St. Barbara’s Grade 3 EQAO performance has either exceeded or been equivalent to the school board results. The results
reflect the teaching and learning that begins in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3.The students are provided a multitude of experiences to consolidate
their literacy and numeracy skills. The area of focus will continue to be: co-construction of learning goals and success criteria and providing students
with descriptive feedback that will enhance student learning both in literacy and numeracy.
2. Please summarize the school’s most recent EQAO junior division (Grade 6) assessment performance.
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Junior Reading: 92
Junior Writing: 92
Junior Mathematics: 75
Over the last 5 years, St. Barbara’s Grade 6 EQAO performance has continued to exceed or be equivalent to school board results. The reading and
writing results reflect the students' ability to independently access their critical thinking skills. In the area of mathematics, our focus will continue to
promote and support a diversified instructional model of mathematical fluency and the seven mathematical processes, in order to meet the learning
needs of all students.
3. Describe how the school community supports and provide opportunities for life-long learning.
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Engage all staff in professional learning teams, TLCP's and provide opportunities for networking and co-planning.
Develop responsible Christian citizens as outlined by the Catholic Graduate Expectations.
4. Outline ways the school demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement and supports the well-being of all learners.
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Supporting learners in seamless transitions giving care and attention to their needs and over all well-being in a variety of contexts (21st Century
Learning)
Attention to differentiated instruction and assessments to address individual learning needs of students
Use of data to guide instruction, i.e. CASI, Benchmarks, Prime, School Climate Survey
Community Engagement
1. How does your school community ensure that Catholic School Councils reflect the diverse Catholic community?
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Invitations to community to join Catholic School Council
Publication of meeting dates and invitations to attend meetings, quarterly newsletters from Catholic School Council
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St. Barbara Elementary School
Learning Plan
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Plan events to strengthen community relationships, i.e. Open House, Skating Evening, Chuck E Cheese, ECO events and celebrations
School Masses at St. Joseph's Parish, school liturgies, virtue assemblies etc.
2. In what ways does the school team build and sustain community partnerships and collaboration?
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St. Barbara has a “Best Start” Program, PLASP before and after school care for JK/SK to grade 7
Peel Police community programs are brought into the school
Peel Public Health Programs working in conjunction with our Healthy Schools/ECO Teams to foster care for oneself and our environment.
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.
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Parents, Priests, Trustees and Board personnel are invited to all school events, especially masses & liturgies
School masses are at St. Joseph’s Church
Visits from pastors
Joint preparation for sacraments
Physical Environment
1. What activities does the school engage in that models and promote good stewardship of resources?
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St. Barbara has a well established Eco Team - Gold Certified
ƕ Litterless Lunch
ƕ Lights Out Program
ƕ G.O.O.S. Bins
ƕ Walk to School Program
ƕ Waste Reducing Program and challenges
ƕ Big Gulp Challenge
ƕ "Take Me Outside Day"
Outdoor School Beautifcation Program and Perennial Fundraiser
2. Outline the ways the school demonstrates financial responsibility.
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School budget is aligned to board goals vis-a-vis improved student achievement
All allocations align with board procedures and all accounting practices are monitored by the admin staff on a monthly basis.
All staff and Catholic School Council are aware of the proper protocol and best practices for handling cash in the school.
All Catholic School Council generated funds are allocated to specific goals regarding student achievement.
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St. Barbara 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 well-being, as indicated by CCCC School Climate Survey Results.
Action Plans
1. Bully Prevention
Building Collaborative Practices Through Inquiry
Outcomes
2. By June 2016, St. Barbara Staff and students will be well versed and proficient in the collaborative inquiry model as a process for learning and enhancing
student achievement. As a staff, we will continue to assemble as professional learning teams and engage in dialogue that centers on the learner; actively and
critically listening to all stakeholders involved in the learning process.
Action Plans
Collaborative Inquiry
Enhancing Transitional Practices
Outcomes
3. By June 2016, St. Barbara Staff and community partners will intentionally engage in transitional practices that span from early years to grade 8, to support
learner well-being and development, then learners will progress in their journey of self-discovery and self-direction.
Action Plans
Transitional Practices
Knowing the Learner through Assessment
Outcomes
4. By June 2016, St. Barbara Staff and Support Services Team will be engaged in a deepened and enriched understanding of assessment for and as learning.
The focus is to identify and target students in need, including early identification, diverse learning styles, individual interests, preferences and experiences to
affirm the dignity of all students.
Action Plans
Knowing the Learner Through Assessment
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St. Barbara Elementary School
Learning Plan
Responding through Effective Instruction
Outcomes
5. By June 2016, St. Barbara teachers will have an increased aptitude in designing effective instruction to support the learner of the 21st century, understanding
that all learning begins with the end in mind, guided by our Catholic Graduate Expectations and the Ontario Curriculum.
Action Plans
Responding Through Effective Instruction
Outcome Timeframe
Action Plan Priority
Long-term
High
Medium-term
Medium
Short-term
Low
Not Assigned
Not Assigned
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