Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

35 Saffron Crescent, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 3T8

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History & Tradition

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School has served this diverse community for more than 40 years.  Though the community and school have grown and changed in many ways over the years, the focus of the school, to provide quality education based in Catholic traditions and beliefs, has remained constant.

The principles that govern the school's service to the community are summarized in the school philosophy. Key elements of this philosophy are:

• We provide a Catholic education that will develop the spiritual, physical, intellectual, social, and emotional well-being of each student who is valued as an individual of worth and dignity.
• We are in partnership with the parents and the clergy in carrying out our responsibilities.
• We believe that parents are the primary educators and that their input must be sought and taken into account.
• We seek to provide support and assistance to students with special needs in the least restrictive and most enabling environment.
• We actively support and promote the Mission Statement of the Board.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of our Students

The maintenance of  a Christian community is the underlying principle that guides our responses to diverse student needs. We developed a student appreciation program that recognizes the accomplishments (i.e., academic, social) and positive characteristics of students throughout the school. Reading   buddies provide opportunities for older and younger students to interact with one another in a helpful and supportive manner.  Many volunteers work in the school (i.e., parent and church community, university students from York University, teacher candidates from Faculties of Education -- York University and OISE/UT), as classroom helpers or within programs such as Tutors in the Math/Science Classroom and a Community-Based Literacy Intervention program. Also, we offer a middle French Immersion program and an instrumental music program for interested students.

The school staff provides a range of co-curricular programs and activities:  chess club; primary, junior, and intermediate soccer; junior and intermediate volleyball; softball; environmental club; cross country; math/science fair; student council; mass choir; school choir; drama club, Winter Carnival; card trading club; Christmas paraliturgy; basketball; track and field; junior and intermediate W5H; school newspaper, math olympics; Balanced Literacy program; charity events; junior and intermediate houseleagues; swim team; computer club.

The school provides a safe and welcoming environment based on school-based policies and procedures, such as a safe arrival program and regular re-enforcement of the behaviour code.  Also, the school works closely with other community agencies in matters of security and safety.

The staff meets on a monthly basis to coordinate different co-curricular programs and to evaluate their effectiveness. The teachers meet by division on a monthly basis to coordinate their in-class programs, ensuring that curriculum initiatives from the Ministry of Education and the School Board are implemented in a timely and effective manner.

The progress of each student is carefully monitored and programs are differentiated as required. The school-based support team, composed of the principal, vice principal, classroom and special education teachers, and education assistants meet regularly to develop plans of action, in terms of program accommodation and modification, the use of special materials, and the administration of informal/formal educational assessments. Parents are informed about all program accommodations and modifications and their input and cooperation are sought as individual programs are developed.

Board and community resources beyond the school, such as the social worker, guidance counsellor, psychometrician, assessment and programming teacher, speech and language pathologist, deaf and hard of hearing itinerant teacher, interpreter, and occupational therapist are consulted to assist parents and teachers in addressing the student's needs.

Mission Statement
The mission of our school community is to educate students in mind, body, and spirit to become responsible Catholic members of society.

School News 

Professional Activity Days 2012

• January 27, 201
• February 17, 2012
• June 1, 2012
• June 29, 2012
   

PA and Exam Day Calendar 2011-2012
 

French Cafe
Mimes, Cirque du Soleil acrobats, decadent croissants, and “Celine Dion” singing, “la vie est belle” were just some of the highlights at Nativity of Our Lord’s French Café on Thursday, May 5^th. Café Nativité was truly a “celebration of the spirit” through the Arts and the Core French / Extended French program at Nativity during Catholic Education Week.

The school community enjoyed French culture and entertainment both in the day and in the evening. To the delight of many, students were dressed up as French painters, pastry chefs, and Parisian citizens. A variety of performances, including Cirque du Soleil acrobats, French Can Can dancers, French-Canadian Folk dancers, and Marcel Marceau mime impressionists provided the audience with a taste of French culture. More importantly, Café Nativité provided our school community with the unique opportunity to come together to celebrate a culture that is important to Canada. Students in grades 3 to 8 showcased their talents in French, drama, music, and visual arts.

At first, the students were nervous to use their French language skills in such a public setting, but over the course of the evening they learned they were more proficient than they had thought. Many even observed that “more people can speak French than [they] thought,” and "enjoyed learning about all-things French!" Not only did the school community feel like they were spending an evening in Paris, but staff, parents, and students were excited to see how the life-giving Spirit of God and His graciousness are very much alive at Nativity of Our Lord! Très bien tout le monde!

Celebrating 2010 – 2011 Exemplary Practices

Multiple Exceptionalities “Character Education Program”
At Nativity of Our Lord, we have designed and implemented a “Character Education Program” for our Multiple Exceptionalities (ME) students to fill a needs gap where many students were unable to settle to complete assignments, and lacked social skills to work independently and in groups. The Program provides a structured daily routine of independent study as well as daily teaching and discussion of “Character Traits” designed to improve self-esteem, self-confidence, and socialization through peer and adult
interactions. The Program tests newly learned skills in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment and has resulted in inspiring and extraordinarily positive student outcomes.

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2011-2012

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2010-2011

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2010-2011

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: