Blessed John XXIII Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

175 Grenoble Drive, North York, Ontario M3C 3E7

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History & Tradition

Blessed John XXIII Catholic School had its beginning in September 1972. At that time the 240 students who had enrolled, and their teachers, were accommodated at St. Anselm Catholic School and at St. Bonaventure Catholic School. The school's administration was also located at St. Bonaventure.

By the fall of 1973 the building was ready for occupancy and the official opening of the school took place in the spring of 1974. Every year the student body increased so that an addition was built in 1982. Enrollment peaked in 1984 at 720 students. Then began a period of general declining school enrollments which persisted throughout the 80s.

The school was dedicated to Pope John XXIII, one of the most beloved popes of modern times and one of the 20th century's most noble, admired and respected of men. He was elected pope on October 18, 1958 and passed to his eternal reward on June 3, 1963. He was beatified in the Fall of 2003 and the school's name was changed to Blessed John XXIII Catholic School. The legacy of Pope John XXIII has formed the basis of many of the traditions and values of the school hat bears his name. The themes that defined his papacy were his constant quest for world peace, his love of his fellow man, his humility and his passion for the union of all Christians. He was a loving pastor, a builder of bridges, a man of peace and his tolerance and his teachings serve as a beacon and guide to the wonderful multicultural, multiracial, multilingual community that is Blessed John XXIII Catholic School.

The school and parish have always enjoyed a good working relationship. Weekend masses were offered to the community from the school gymnasium until 1977. That year saw the opening of the worship centre which, in the spirit of ecumenism cherished by Pope John XXIII, serves both the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian believers of the Flemingdon Park community.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

At Blessed John XXIII we strive to provide an education that is excellent in all its aspects, in which the Catholic faith and Christian values are an integral part of the curriculum and the life of the school.

To ensure that learning can take place in a safe and secure environment the following are implemented:

• Behaviour code in which mutual respect, cooperation, and sharing are constantly promoted as important values in our social experience.
• Safe arrival program. When parents do not contact the school to report their child's absence the secretary telephones home or the parent's workplace to establish that the child has not indeed set out for school thus ensuring the safety of the child.

In addition to the regular class program, additional program components which strive to meet individual needs include

• Special education program
• Enrichment/gifted program
• English as a second language program
• French as a second language program - beginning in grade 1
• Computer literacy program
• Vocal and instrumental music program
• Multiple Exceptionalities Program (primary and junior division)
• Kindergarten Language Program
• 5th Block (Balanced Literacy, primary division)
• Chess Instruction
• Scientist in the Schools
• Junior Achievement
• Arts for Children
• Mentoring 1

In attempting to provide educational excellence we recognize that we must accommodate the needs of all our students be they physical, emotional, social, intellectual or spiritual. All students have access to the regular program and to the educational mainstream program delivery and expectation of output are modified to meet individual needs.

A wide range of co-curricular programs is also available

• Chess
• Reading buddies
• School choir
• Public speaking
• Sports - both interschool and house league i.e. volleyball, basketball, baseball, tennis, skating cross-country, track and field
• Chess Club
• Remembrance Day Service
• Black History Month Celebration
• Asian History Celebration
• Recorder
• Scoutsabout
• Mentoring 1:1

Partnerships with many community organizations make valuable contributions to the education of our students

• Business basics operated by Junior Achievement of Canada. The program gives grade 5 and 6 students their first look at the business world.
• North York Parks and Recreation. Skating at the Flemingdon Arena is made available to our students one afternoon a week.
• Flemingdon Playground Paradise is available two afternoons a week.
• Secondary school co-op students--St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School
• Community College co-op students (Centennial)
• Faculty of Education students (University of Ontario)
• Numeracy and Literacy Program for grades 7 and 8 students (after-hours Ministry of Education)

School News

June 26
PA Day

Basketball Freethrow Competition
Blessed John XXIII and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Schools were participants in this year’s Knights of Columbus Toronto Council 1388 Basketball Free Throw Competition. This community building event is an initiative of the Knights of Columbus, in collaboration with the Catholic School Advisory Council at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Not only was it a lot of fun for the entire community, it served to strengthen relationships between Catholic schools and this Catholic service organization. The top contestants, from each age division, as well as the overall winners, were eligible to advance to the Knights of Columbus District Competition later this year.

TCDSB Opens Parenting and Family Literacy Centres
The Toronto Catholic District School Board has opened eight new Parenting and Family Literacy Centres in its schools. An opening ceremony took place take place on November 20th at St. Dorothy Catholic School with Open Houses taking place at all locations the same day.  A large gathering of families from the St. Dorothy centre, TCDSB superintendents, trustees, Ministry representatives and the school’s parish priest were on hand to show support for the program.  The literacy centre prepares children, up to six years of age, for entering a formal school setting.  The program also enthusiastically encourages families to be active members of their children’s learning experiences.  These centres focus on language, numbers and social skills through play, music and reading. The following schools now have Parenting and Family Literacy Centres: Blessed John XXIII Catholic School, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School, St. Barbara Catholic School,  St. Barnabas Catholic School, St. Charles Garnier Catholic School, St. Dorothy Catholic School, St. Wilfrid Catholic School, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School.  Parenting and Family Literacy Centres are school based programs where parents/caregivers and children, birth to six years of age, participate in play-based activities that focus on the development of early literacy and numeracy skills.  Regular centre hours vary from location to location. Centres at Blessed John, Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Barbara, St. Barnabas, St. Charles Garnier, St. Dorothy and St. Wilfrid are generally open in the mornings on regular school days, while the centre at St. Francis de Sales is open in the afternoons.

School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: