SCHOOL NAME:
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
SUPERINTENDENT: Josephine Nespolo
SCHOOL ADDRESS: 636 Glenholme Ave , Toronto ON , M6E 3G9
STUDENT ENROLMENT: 753
PRINCIPAL: Mary Stepien
TRUSTEE:
Maria Rizzo
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
2008-06-18
Page 2 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Nurturing Our Catholic Community
Goal
Faith Development
Division
To create and celebrate Catholic Community where all proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and where Catholic beliefs are modelled and integrated into the whole learning
experience.
JK - 8
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Helping Hands group initiated
by primary teachers.
Ongoing
Teacher
School resources
Ongoing
Students will become more
aware of and appreciate the
value of seniors in our
society.
Music teachers continue to
teach liturgical songs to all
classes. Teachers teach mass
responses.
Academic Year
Teacher
Board and Parish resources
Ongoing
Increased participation in
singing songs and saying
responses in mass.
Student Council will continue
to put FAITH IN ACTION in
motion. ( fundraising for Free
the Children- build a school
in Kenya; collect canned
goods for St. Vincent de Paul
Society, collect pop tabs for a
wheelchair, Terry Fox Run,
Pink Day, Jump Rope for
Heart, Crafts for St. Vincent
de Paul, Pennies for
Leukemia.
Academic Year
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
Terry Fox Org; Free the
Children;Red Cross,Heart
and Stroke Foundation, St.
Vincent de Paul Society.
Ongoing
Activities planned and
carried out to both fundraise
and raise awareness of world
situations. - dances, bake
sales, penny drives and so
on.
Reinforce through PA
announcements and class
initiatives such as drawing
posters, that we are all models
of Jesus.Invite guest speakers
for anti-bullying messages;
CYW classes; Celebrating
Diversity programme in May.
Ongoing
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
School resources
Ongoing
Improved positive
relationships in school yard;
less rough play and
arguments.
2008-06-18
Page 3 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Nurturing Our Catholic Community
Goal
Safe, Inclusive and Healthy Learning Environment
Division
To enhance the quality of the working and learning experience through improving schools and workplaces so that they contribute to positive healthy and respectful
relationships.
JK - 12
Identified Goal/Need
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
To know and apply
expectations of the Code of
Conduct by all administrative,
teaching and support staff, all
students and families; to
develop a school culture
which values diversity and
practices inclusion;
Academic Year
Principal
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
- School Code of Behaviour
is written in agendas ( gr 2
to 8); parent Handbooks
( Kdgn, Gr 1)
- teachers review code of
behaviour with all students
in September;
-Principal reviews code of
behavior with all staff at
first staff meeting of year;
-improved relationshiips on
staff, in school yard, in
classrooms;
To develop bystander
responsibility; students help
otheres by speaking out and
getting adult help.
Academic Year
Whole staff
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
- assemblies when specific
discipline issues are
discussed and reviewed;
- more children will come
foreward to report incidents
so that we can help all
students
To build a school community
that actualizes Gospel values;
to ensure that all classes have
liturgical tables; to continue
monthly liturgical
celebrations; to foster acts of
charity
Academic Year
Whole Staff
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
- daily prayers on PA
-monthly masses at Church
-prayer table in all classes
-reinforce : faith in Action
motto of Student Council by
continuing charitbale works
for our charities
To develop before and after
school behaviour
expectations;
To improve safe arrival
programme;
To establish code of bus
behaviour
Academic Year
Vice Principal
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
-children go home in pairs
or groups;
-improved behaviour on
busses;
-bus monitors
2008-06-18
Page 4 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Nurturing Our Catholic Community
Goal
Safe, Inclusive and Healthy Learning Environment
Division
To enhance the quality of the working and learning experience through improving schools and workplaces so that they contribute to positive healthy and respectful
relationships.
JK - 12
Identified Goal/Need
To identify specific areas of
yard where children can play
and not run into one another;
To improve painted games in
yard;
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Academic Year
Responsibility
Vice Principal
Resource
School resources
Status
Complete
Evidence of Improvement
- fewer injuries will be
happen
-children will use painted
games in groups; basketball
by grades;
Note: The principal will report to the school community on the effectiveness of each strategy at the end of the year how the plan worked based on the evidence of improvements.
2008-06-18
Page 5 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Nurturing Our Catholic Community
Goal
Increasing Enrolment and Retention in Grades JK-12
To support and implement a variety of local and system initiatives that actively enhance the school profile and promote the benefits of Catholic education.
Division
JK - 8
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
In cooperation with CSAC
continue community friendly
activities :Breakfast with
Santa, community pasta
night , spring time barbeque
and end of year pot luck
dinner.
Academic Year
CSAC with help from staff
Community Resources
Ongoing
As good news is spread
about our school
community, the school will
see an increase in numbers.
Continue the Intermediate
Arts Gala which was initiated
in 2004-05. This is a festival
which highlights the many
talents: artistic, dramatic,
musical, dance of the senior
students. Many parents attend
and enjoy the evening.
Academic Year
Coordinator
School resources
Ongoing
More Intermediate students
will voluntarily participate
in the gala. There will be an
increase in our intermediate
numbers as word travels
about our successful
intermediate programme.
Introduce Parent Education
Nights throughout the year.
Ongoing
Principal
Community Resources
Ongoing
Parent participation will
increase as new inservices
are provided.
2008-06-18
Page 6 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Literacy
To improve the overall level of students' literacy skills by enhancing their reading and writing proficiency through an interdisciplinary approach.
Division
Primary (JK - 3)
Charts
Running Records-Number of Students-20062007-Year to Date
Gap Analysis:
We wish to continue to assist at least 10% our students to
move to the next level.
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Partner Special Education
teachers with classroom
teachers in order to build
relationships and dialogue to
help improve teaching
strategies and assessment.
Ongoing
Teacher, Principal
School resources
Ongoing
Dialogue will become more
focussed among staff.
Collaboration among
teachers will increase scores
in test results.
Teachers of the same gade
will collaborate on planning
for the students.
Differentiated teaching
strategies will be part of the
ongoing dialogue.
Ongoing
Teacher
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
Grouping students will
become the norm. Students
will become more confident
in their everyday learning.
Resource staff to be invited to
be part of divisional meetings
for differentiated learning
strategies and evaluating and
examining EQAO
assessments.
Ongoing
Resource Staff
Professional Development
Ongoing
Teachers' planning meetings
will become more focussed.
2008-06-18
Page 7 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Literacy
To improve the overall level of students' literacy skills by enhancing their reading and writing proficiency through an interdisciplinary approach.
Division
Primary (JK - 3)
Charts
Running Records-Number of Students-20062007-Year to Date
Gap Analysis:
We wish to continue to assist at least 10% our students to
move to the next level.
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Focused professional
development on guided
reading via: - divisional
meetings;- in-class coaching
and modeling by peers; attendance at board/
secretariat sponsored
inservices.
Ongoing
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
Increased use of guided
reading in classrooms;
increased familiarity and
comfort level amongst
teachers as to how to
structure their classrooms to
effectively facilitate guided
reading.
Continue established Reading
and Writing buddies from Jk
to Grade 8.
Ongoing
Teacher
Classroom / school
resources
Ongoing
Enjoyment of reading and
writing will be observed by
teachers and parents.
Create Data Wall for Running
Records.
Ongoing
Teacher, Principal
Professional Development
Ongoing
Improvement in level of
reading and decoding.
2008-06-18
Page 8 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Literacy
To improve the overall level of students' literacy skills by enhancing their reading and writing proficiency through an interdisciplinary approach.
Division
Junior (4 - 6)
Charts
EQAO-Reading-20062007-Grade 6-All Students
Gap Analysis:
We wish to continue to assist 25% of our students to reach
level 3.
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Continue divisional sharing in
order to align evaluation
methods throughout the
division. Learn about "
Reaching Readers"
assessment.
Ongoing
Teacher, Vice Principal
School resources
Ongoing
Teachers will be "talking the
same talk". Divisional
meetings will be more
focussed. Teachers will be
more comfortable discussing
strategies among each other.
Students will improve their
reading and comprehension
strategies.
Purchase more up to date and
boy friendly reading materials
for classes.
Ongoing
Teacher, Principal
School resources
Ongoing
Students will enjoy reading
more and improve their
skills in assessments.
Continue Geography
Challenge.
Term 2
Teacher
School resources
Ongoing
Students improve their
knowledge of Canadian
geography. This will apply
to the "real " world. Reading
skills will also impriove
because of this cross
curricular activity.
2008-06-18
Page 9 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Literacy
To improve the overall level of students' literacy skills by enhancing their reading and writing proficiency through an interdisciplinary approach.
Division
Junior (4 - 6)
Charts
EQAO-Reading-20062007-Grade 6-All Students
Gap Analysis:
We wish to continue to assist 25% of our students to reach
level 3.
Strategy
To create a more unified way
of evaluating the students so
that the whole division agrees
on the levels. Divisional
meetings will be used to
discuss and compare
evaluation strategies.
2008-06-18
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Ongoing
Responsibility
Teacher
Resource
School resources
Status
Ongoing
Evidence of Improvement
Consensus will be reached
so that all members of the
division are evaluating the
levels in a simliar fashion.
Page 10 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Literacy
To improve the overall level of students' literacy skills by enhancing their reading and writing proficiency through an interdisciplinary approach.
Division
Intermediate (7 - 8)
Charts
CAT3-National Percentile-20062007-Grade 7
Gap Analysis:
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
To improve the overall level
of students' literacy skills by
enhancing their reading and
writing proficiency through
an interdisciplinary approach.
Ongoing
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
Increased familiarity among
Intermediate teachers with
Literature Circles and
Writers' Workshop and how
to structure their classrooms
to facilitate these activities.
Attend inservice for RAD
assessment.
Ongoing
Teacher
Classroom / school
resources
Ongoing
Teachers will carry out the
assessment twice a year.
Information will drive the
curriculum after the
assessment has been
completed and analyzed.
2008-06-18
Page 11 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Numeracy
Division
To improve the overall level of students' Mathematical literacy skills through problem solving experiences that involve the application and communication of concepts in
Mathematics.
Junior (4 - 6)
Charts
EQAO-Mathematics-20062007-Grade 6-All Students
Gap Analysis:
Move 20 % of level 2 students to level 3.
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Invite PLN teacher Michelle
jackson to present at a full
morning meeting.
Term 2
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
Classroom / school
resources
Ongoing
Teachers will begin
grouping students according
to needs among the grades.
Ensure that variety of
instructional approaches are
being used in conjunction
with appropriate resources
such as manipulatives and
technology
Ongoing
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
Classroom / school
resources
Ongoing
Teachers are knowledgeable
and articulate about the
benefits of using
manipulatives and
technology to teach Math.
Take survey of materials and
purchase more manipulatives
with Ministry funding.
Ongoing
Curriculum and
Accountability Department
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
Students will improve in
math scores. Classes will
have more materials at their
disposal.
2008-06-18
Page 12 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Numeracy
Division
To improve the overall level of students' Mathematical literacy skills through problem solving experiences that involve the application and communication of concepts in
Mathematics.
JK - 8
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Building a relstionship
between Intermediate teachers
and Marshall McLuhan Math
teachers.
Academic Year
Principal
Classroom / school
resources
Ongoing
Improvement in math
strategies. Grouping of
students to improve.
Ensure that a variety of
classroom manipulatives are
available for all the classes.
Ongoing
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
School resources
Ongoing
Increased use of math
manipulatives in teaching
math.
2008-06-18
Page 13 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Improving Student Learning and Achievement
Goal
Success for All
Division
To improve opportunities for all our students to achieve their desired destinations through a variety of programs, supports, assessment strategies and pathways
(apprenticeship, college, community living, university and the workplace).
Intermediate (7 - 8)
Strategy
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Responsibility
Resource
Status
Evidence of Improvement
Invite High School reps to
visit grade 6 - 8 students to
discuss variety of
programmes in high school.
Ongoing
Vice Principal
Board-wide resources
In progress
Children and parents will
make better decisions re
their high school
placements.
Researching careers from
Grades 6 to 8.
Ongoing
Teacher
Board-wide resources
Ongoing
Students will be able to
discuss the different
professions and careers and
learn of the great variety of
avenues that they can
follow.
Continue inviting Junior
Achievement presentations
and workshops for the
Intermediate students.
Ongoing
Teacher
Community Resources
Ongoing
The students will increase
their knowledge of the
working world.
2008-06-18
Page 14 of 15
School Learning Plan
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
2007 - 2008
Priority
Building Capacity to Lead and Learn
Goal
Empowering Catholic Leadership
Division
To develop and support Catholic Educational Leaders who are energizing, caring, visionary, student-focused and collaborative role models in building a Catholic professional
learning community.
JK - 8
Strategy
Encourage staff to participate
in various committees both at
the school and Board level.
2008-06-18
Divisional Consideration
Timeline
Ongoing
Responsibility
Teacher, Vice Principal,
Principal
Resource
School resources
Status
Ongoing
Evidence of Improvement
Many teachers will
participate and others will
try different committees.
More teachers will share in
the various administrative
functions of the school.
Page 15 of 15