Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

3150 Pharmacy Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario M1W 3J5

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Welcome to Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy!

At Epiphany of Our Lord we believe that every child is unique and has individual talents and needs. We strive to maximize the potential of each of our students and foster Christian values of self-esteem and respect.

Our school mission is to “Respect Self, Respect Others, Respect God” 

Student Uniforms

A navy and white uniform with an optional red vest was introduced in September 2002.

History & Tradition

The school was renamed Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy in September 2002. The school, formerly named St. Cyprian Catholic School, was officially opened in the spring of 1976, with a student population of more than 150 students. Graduates of the school have been enrolling in Mary Ward, Francis Liberman, Brebeuf College and St. Joseph Morrow Park Catholic Secondary Schools.

With the name change to Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy, came the introduction of school uniforms, a focus on Mathematics, Science and Technology, and close partnerships with Mary Ward Catholic High School.

Catholic education

Epiphany of Our Lord continues to provide 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. The catechetical program, as approved by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, is the foundation for the instructional program in religious education. Among a variety of strategies employed to ensure a Catholic environment, we practise the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Acts of charity such as participation in food drives, the ShareLife campaign, Out of the Cold, Catholic Children’s Aid and supporting families in need, both within the local community and global community are encouraged as gestures of Gospel values at work.

Religious instruction, family life programs, and values education, provide students with a firm foundation in their faith development. A number of faith activities including liturgies and para - liturgies are organized throughout the year, especially during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Grade 8 students perform community service as part of their preparation for confirmation. Grade 2 students prepare in conjunction with the church for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

Mathematics, Science and Technology Focus at Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy

The goal of Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy continues to be a focus in the areas of Mathematics, Science and Technology in order to promote independent learning and hands-on-learning experiences. Students are learning the skills necessary for research and presentation of their investigations.  Students are encouraged to become independent thinkers and investigators through guided exploration of the five science and technology curriculum strands. Students learn the research and communication skills necessary for the research and presentation of their investigations. The science curriculum is broken into five strands:

1) life systems 2) matter and materials 3)energy and control 4) structures and mechanisms 5) earth and space systems.

A science and technology laboratory has been built and students, beginning in kindergarten, all use the lab. The idea is to teach the students to use mathematics effectively, and science as well. The Ontario curriculum is being taught, however we enrich it with as many Science, Mathematics and Technology focuses where possible.

Science/Math/Technology Focus 2007-8

*Scientists in the Schools present particular strands of Science 2 times a year to each class

*Mary Ward High School students conduct “Science Discovery Days” 3 times a year at our school where the high school students conduct lessons to complement the various strands in Mathematics and Science for the elementary students

*Mary Ward High School students tudor Grade 7 students for a period of 6 weeks in the area of Mathematics

*Grade 7 & 8 students visited Mary Ward High School for their Science Discovery days and worked in the High School lab with the high school students on Solutions/Chemistry and Biology studies

*all intermediate students conduct their science experiments in the lab and experiments can be conducted as a result of sufficient resources

*all data management/tables/graphs/spread sheets are created in the lab

*Research Statistics Canada web site is used by grades 7/8 in the lab to create spread sheets and graphs and to research population characteristics and statistics for geography units.

*Computers are used for media studies; ie: creating power point presentations, brochures, books, graphic organizers, story maps

*All grades use the computer lab for research assignments

*Teachers assign student’s to complete student link programs from the board website that are relevant to the curriculum

*Math support is used in the lab especially the Nelson website

*staff professional development in-services are conducted in the lab regarding webcasts

*Teachers are able to integrate technology into the curriculum because a computer lab is available for class instruction

*the wireless network, laptops and projector allow teachers to use websites as a teaching tool with presentations on the large screen

*Family Math Night

*Open House Science/Technology/Mathematics Focus during Education Week

*the Library technician uses the computer lab for Math/Science games/activities for 30 minutes a week per class grades 1-6

*Collaboration between older students and younger students

*Manipulatives and an experiment based approach supports the Mathematics curriculum

*the teachers continue to network with Mary Ward High School teachers

*the teachers at our school plan/assess/mentor and deliver curriculum together

*the teachers dialogue during monthly divisional meetings

*collaborative teaching for the junior split grades for the 6 Traits of Writing allows more time for Math/Science investigations in the classroom

*common Mathematics times are scheduled across the curriculum

*Math take-home books are used for all Grade 1 students

*School trip to Metropolitan Toronto zoo to study Living Things/Classifications among the school

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

A vital component of the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s vision statement is the desire to foster a safe and welcoming learning environment that is an example of Christian community. Our safe arrival program is one example of this mission in action. Through cooperative parent-school communication, parents advise the school regarding their child’s absence. In the event that the school is not notified and absence occurs, parents are contacted immediately in order to determine the whereabouts of their child. In addition, every effort is made to attend to the health and safety of the students. We encourage parents to notify us of health conditions which may affect their child at school. Our school is a nut and shellfish free school due to allergies. Students are reminded not to share food or bring in products that may contain nuts or shellfish.  We encourage parents to notify us of health conditions which may affect their child at school.

As part of providing a safe and welcoming environment, we maintain two qualified teachers with first aid training. We also provide conflict management programs to the students and have trained peer mediators out at both recess breaks. Two staff members supervise the outdoor periods from 8:40 – 3:30 daily. Children who take the school bus are supervised until the bus arrives for pick up at 3:50 each day. A Safe School Committee exists with members representing parents, staff and students in order to discuss on a regular basis the safety and well-being of all stake holders. Many “safety” initiatives occur in the form of theme events such as “Peace pledges, Gossip free day, Earth Week, Daily Physical Activity, Peace Chains, Character Assemblies”.

It is our desire to make all members of our school community feel welcome when entering Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy. The school is locked from 9:00-3:30 for safety, however a video entrance procedure is in place and visitors record their names at the front office. We are pleased to provide information about our school and community and maintain collaborative communication with all educational stakeholders. This year our Catholic School Advisory Council is creating a Parent Handbook which includes the schools’ code of conduct and all other relevant information for parents. We are pleased too publish this book by the end of June 2008 so that all new registrants may receive a copy.

Clear expectations for student behaviour are another important element of school life. General guidelines for behaviour are presented to the students in a variety of formats including monthly student character building assemblies, newsletters, announcements, and classroom discussions. Regular review and reinforcement takes place throughout the year. The Safe School Policy of the TCDSB reflects our serious commitment to the well-being of all members of the school community.

The curriculum emphasizes principles and methods that allows us to accommodate the various abilities, needs, and interests, as well as the differing racial and ethno-cultural backgrounds, of all the students in the community. At. Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy, in order to meet the wide-ranging needs of individual students, teachers have been trained to deliver “differentiated instruction” within the regular classroom to modify programs in order to provide appropriate programs. Special programs support students with specific and exceptional needs.

Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy offers a full range of extra and co-curricular activities. Soccer, volleyball, basketball, indoor tennis, indoor soccer, cross country, track and field are the sports that are offered, as well as a String Instrument program for students in grades 5-8, and vocal music from grades JK-5. We also have a drama program that is offered after school by Arts Express (fees required). This year we are hoping to expand our activities to include a Reading and Science Club. We have many celebrations throughout the year that include “Carnaval, Play Day, Hallowe’en dance-a-thon, Advent Christmas Concert, Family Math Night, Remembrance Day, Swim to Survive (gr. 4), Grade 7/8 Mansfield Outdoor Education 4 day experience.

Communication is an important aspect of our day to day experiences and we are thankful for the commitment of our Catholic School Advisory Council (C.S.A.C.) A group of supportive parents meet on a regular basis to support activities that occur in the school. Communication is the key to a shared partnership in education, and parents are kept informed of progress on an ongoing basis as well as at formal conference. Monthly newsletters are sent home to assist in keeping parents informed about school activities and directions as well as reminder notices for major events.

Please drop by our school anytime to receive information or have a tour.

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