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 

PA Days 2009-2010

• September 2, 3
• November 13
• December 4
• March 5
• June 30

Nativity of Our Lord First in Tree Decorating Contest
In December, a team of six grade 6 students and their teacher were invited to decorate an 8-foot tree with handmade ornaments for the Valhalla Inn Christmas Tree Decorating Contest.  The students worked during their spare time to create ornaments of white and silver to go with their theme “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”.  Over 100 corporate guests and staff voted on their favourite tree and the group from Nativity won First Place out of the five contestants. 

L to R Back Row:  Kezia Rafique, Kalyani Komoseng, Katie Armstrong, Brook Francis; Front:  Linda Markos and Daniela Desimone with teacher Rochelle Jakymyc 

Nativity of Our Lord Information Night on the Internet and Cyber-bullying
On Thursday, October 30, 2008 Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School held an information night for parents and students in Grades 6, 7, and 8.  Constable Scott Mills from the Toronto Police Service presented an interactive workshop on using the internet and technology as tools to prevent cyber-bullying and youth violence.  He shared many valuable pieces of information such as the need to set privacy options and not to post serious looking pictures that can be easily used in identity theft.  Constable Scott Mills also emphasized the importance to nurture and maintain positive relationships between parent and child.  Removing the internet is not a solution.  Learning how to use it wisely and making smart choices about what you put on line are part of the solution.  Constable Scott Mills also talked about Crime Stoppers and the valuable work they do searching for missing children and keeping us informed about crimes happening in our neighbourhoods. This information night was a positive event and a key preventative strategy in continuing to build and strengthen relationships with parents, the school community, and the Toronto Police Service.                                                 

Right:  Constable Scott Mills, Community Officer/Legal Graffiti Art, Toronto Police Service

Submittted by:  Elisa Arciero, Vice Principal, Nativity of Our Lord

Basketball Championships
Congratulations to the girls' basketball champions, Nativity of Our Lord who, this year beat St. Malachy 49 - 39 in the final game. These two schools have met for the finals the past three years. The boys' final was between St. Dominic Savio and St. Wilfrid. This game had a wild finish, as the lead changed many times in the last few minutes. Congratulations go to the St. Dominic Savio team who pulled off a 56 - 55 win in the dying seconds!
Congratulations to all the athletes and their coaches who worked hard all season and provided the fans with exciting basketball in downtown Toronto on a snowy Friday night!
A special thank you to the South Athletic Region and master convenor John Albert for his organization. We look forward to more basketball highlights next year!


Nativity of Our Lord, girls' champs

School Learning Plan -- 2008-2009

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: