D'Arcy McGee Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

20 Bansley Avenue, York, Ontario M6E 2A2

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History & Tradition

D'Arcy McGee Catholic School is named after Thomas D'Arcy McGee who was one of the Fathers of Confederation. Born in Carlingford, Ireland, April 13, 1825, he emigrated to America at the age of 17, and later came to Montreal where he founded a newspaper called “The New Era”. He then moved into politics and played a major role in bringing about the confederation of the provinces to form the new country of Canada. His life was brought to an untimely end in 1868 by an assassin's bullet. Our school proudly bears his name and honours his memory as a great Canadian.

D'Arcy McGee was constructed as an open concept school in September, 1968. It was designated a senior school to accommodate two feeder schools, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John Bosco Catholic Schools, and to offer the type of facilities, programs and experiences suited to the needs of students at this age level. It is now a full elementary school, serving students in grades JK through to grade 8.

In 1983 the school was redesigned and the walls went up to create single self-contained classrooms. The science lab, technological education, family studies and music facilities are among the best in the system.

Since 1982 D'Arcy McGee has offered a middle French immersion program (grades 5-8) designed to teach French to non-francophone children. Students study half their subjects in French and the other half in English.

Throughout its history, D'Arcy McGee Catholic School has provided quality Catholic education to the residents of the Vaughan-Oakwood community.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Catholic Foundation:

D'Arcy McGee Catholic School provides a learning environment where models of Gospel values and Catholic doctrines, teachings and beliefs are an integral part of the daily life of the school. Religious instruction and family life programs provide students with a firm foundation in their faith development. Faith activities planned throughout the year are: liturgical celebrations, participation in food drives, and ShareLife campaigns.

The curriculum facilitator will be assisting with in-service in language arts and mathematics. Our staff attends regular workshops in this area: The history in-service for transition years, the transition years outcome-based in-service, the balanced literacy conference. Programs for the exceptional and English as a second language/dialect student are included.

Enrichment:

We provide a thematic student of the week program to celebrate positive accomplishments. Enrichment activities are an integral part of classroom programming to provide students with the opportunity to work at advanced levels i.e. W5H and chess clubs.

Literacy:

Several programs exist which assist the students in the area of literacy: home visits (junior kindergarten level), paired reading, remedial instruction, peer reading, partners in action (librarian and classroom teachers), young authors' conference, and library reading club.

School-based support team:

We presently offer several special education classes - specific learning disabled, academically delayed, developmentally disabled, language impaired, and gifted. Support programs are offered to those students who require specific assistance in speech and language, hearing impaired, occupational therapy. Program modification is done in the regular program and assistance/intervention takes place as required.

Music and the arts:

D'Arcy McGee offers vocal and instrumental programs to students during the regular school day. Students are also encouraged to participate in choir, band, and recorder club. Classes participate in the school Christmas concerts and Catholic Education Week themes.

Technological education:

Hands-on experiences with building materials and other mechanical devices provide our students from junior kindergarten to grade 8 with the opportunity to apply mathematical, scientific and technological principles to their day to day activities. We offer our intermediate students the opportunity to work in a science lab setting. The science fair is also an integral part of our program. Overall, our students are offered a well rounded, balanced program integrating science, mathematics and technology.

Teaching and learning:

Our staff co-ordinates the learning process through team planning and team teaching. Divisionally, topics and themes are developed so that students are exposed to the required skills, content and the standards set out in the provincial curriculum. Our programs encompass a variety of teaching strategies which include large and small group instruction and individualized teaching.

Co-curricular program:

A significant portion of our program is offered outside the school. Excursions are integrated into the academic curriculum. Several large culminating activities are planned during the year. These include science, mathematics and technological fairs, concerts, musicals or drama presentations. Individualized optional activities are planned outside of the regular school day on the basis of student interest and availability of staff and time. these include house leagues for all students, athletic tournaments such as: soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross-country, track and field, softball. Academic festivals are offered for W5H, music presentations, band and visual arts.  

School News

PA Days 2008-2009

• October 24

• November 14

• December 5

• February 13

• March 13

• June 26

French Public Speaking
Congratulations to Amanda Calabretta for placing 1st in the grade 7-8 semi-finals of the French Public Speaking Contest for the north region in the Core French category, Isaura Calle who placed 2nd in the Extended French category for the same age group and Chloe-Joy Silaney for placing first in the grade 7-8 age group in the Immersion category. Amanda went on to win the city championships in her category.

CSAC Information

Minutes from CSAC Meetings

• January 2008
• November 2007
• October 2007

School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: