St. Charles Garnier Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

20 Stong Court, North York, Ontario M3N 2X9

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History & Tradition

St. Charles Garnier Catholic School is located in a busy multicultural North York community. The school first opened in 1973 as a collection of portables where farm fields used to be. The school building was completed for the opening of the 1975-1976 school year and the student population grew very rapidly. At one time there were over 730 students!

Our graduates often return and express appreciation and pride in having attended Garnier. There are a number of our present children whose parents are former graduates themselves. One of our students, Joe Barbieri, has become a priest and is now working in Rome.

Our school is dedicated to St. Charles Garnier who was one of the renowned group of Canadian Martyrs. A Jesuit priest from Paris France, Father Garnier arrived in the mid-17th century to a land of forests and small native villages. He worked to spread the Christian faith among the tobacco tribe of the Huron community. They lived in the valleys of the Blue Mountains near present-day Collingwood, Ontario.

During an attack by a fierce Iroquois tribe, Father Garnier was shot and then clubbed with a tomahawk as he tried to help others. He gave his life trying to help others hear and believe the teaching of Jesus. It is an important tradition at our school to honour this Canadian Martyr during a celebration on his feast day, September 26.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Traditionally, St. Charles Garnier Catholic School has had the reputation of offering a welcoming and safe Catholic environment for our students. In the 1989 School Review 97% of parents agreed that they felt welcome in the school. Strategies that are successful include:

• The staff acts as Christian role models.
• Sacramental life and religious instruction permeate all instruction.
• Liturgical and paraliturgical celebrations are continuous and relevant for our children.
• Safe arrival program is in place.
• The development of a new code of behaviour will enhance the safety and well being of the children.
• The conflict managers program enable students to solve their own problems and work out difficulties with trust and respect.

Programming is another important area of classroom life. The changing needs of students are reflected in the curriculum and the ever expanding area of technological literacy. A central component of instruction includes modification of programming to meet the diverse educational needs of our children. Special education and English as a second language programs as well as many co-curricular and extra-curricular activities service these many needs.

School News

PA Days 2009-2010

• September 2, 3

• November 13

• December 4

• March 5

• June 30

TCDSB Exemplary Practice Award Winner
St. Charles Garnier Catholic School (North York)--“Information Evening for Grade 7 & 8 Parents--This project focuses on promoting student success by providing teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers and parents with a variety of intervention resources to support and build on student learning and address student behavioural needs in proactive ways.  Intervention and support strategies are aligned with Ministry of Education expectations to provide stakeholders with a variety of strategies that are personalized, precise and specific to the individual learner.  Intervention strategies are in alignment with Catholic beliefs and traditions to educate students to their full potential by providing support and guidance in what students need in order to learn; integrating Catholic, Christian beliefs in the total learning experience.

School Learning Plan -- 2008-2009

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: