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

124 Northcliffe Blvd., York, Ontario M6E 3K4

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History & Tradition

St. Clare Catholic School, built in 1916, first opened its doors to children in 1919 with an enrollment of 358. Sr. St. Brigid, the first principal, had a staff of five teachers.

In 1958, the Sisters of St. Joseph had a new building for the girls. The Christian Brothers, who continued teaching the boys in the original building had their own new school by 1960. The separate girls and boys' schools were amalgamated in 1962 under Sr. Mary Carol, the new principal. In time, an addition joined the two new buildings, and Mr. Amendola was appointed the first lay principal at St. Clare. The school yards expanded as additional property was purchased on both Northcliffe and Westmount. Recent years have witnessed the removal of the original school building and the additional property was purchased on both Northcliffe and Westmount. Recent years have witnessed the removal of the original school building and the addition of a park at the south side of our property.

Today, St. Clare is a true community school, servicing a variety of needs through our adult education classes (English as a second language, computers), day cares, nightly community permits and Saturday religious education classes. We continue our partnerships with other public and separate schools and community-based agencies through our involvement in the Wilcox Project.

About our patron saint

St. Clare was born in Assisi in 1193. Inspired by a sermon of St. Francis, she at age 18, left her castle and father, Count Scifi, to follow the Poverello in a life of Christian poverty. She was soon joined by other girls and the young Order of the Poor Clares grew rapidly. St. Francis drew up the rule. Their absolute poverty, assiduous prayer, and the joy of communion with God have come to symbolize the true spirit of Christianity.

St. Clare, the greatest woman saint of the Franciscans, is represented in art as holding a ciborium in memory of the night in 1224 when she put the attacking Saracens of Frederick II to flight by raising the ciborium on high before them.

St. Clare died in 1258 as the passion of our Lord was being read, Our Lady and the angels conducting her soul to glory.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Strategies used to ensure a Catholic environment

• At St. Clare School, emphasis is placed on a common mission and purpose.
• Particular emphasis is placed on the development of the whole child (i.e. spiritual, academic, physical, social-emotional).
• The active involvement of the parish pastor is on-going to ensure a close link between home, school and church. Both staff and the parents of St. Clare community demonstrate a commitment to Catholicism and serve as positive role models of Catholic values.
• Our curriculum is Christ-centered and reflects gospel values and church teachings (i.e. Catholic doctrine, traditions and beliefs are stressed in all classrooms). Emphasis is placed on religion across the curriculum throughout the school day.

Strategies to ensure a safe and welcoming environment

• All school programs emphasize student self-esteem and mutual respect.
• A safe arrival program is in place.
• Particular emphasis is placed on the violence prevention policy. As a result, all school programs, policies and procedures reflect a deep concern for the safety and security of children.
• Our school behaviour code stresses responsibility for ones own actions. Behaviour expectations and student responsibilities are consistently reinforced.
• The involvement of parent volunteers in supervision (e.g. yard, lunchroom) is strongly encouraged.

Program modifications to meet individual needs

• Emphasis is placed on an integrated curriculum involving an activity-oriented, problem-solving focus. To this end, teachers are involved in collaborative divisional planning to ensure students make cross-curricular connections. Curriculum reflects the multicultural nature of Canadian society. Programs focus on all students and reflect the needs and learning styles of individual students.
• The study of the arts (drama, music, visual arts) is valued and integrated with other subject areas.
• Programs are modified for remedial and exceptional students to allow for the achievement of as many learning outcomes as possible. A variety of special education programs and services are available for these students and these in turn provide a broad resource base for teachers in regular classroom situations
• Special program support are available for students requiring English as a second language
• The use of student teachers, parent volunteers and university students to assist teachers with programs and remediation is encouraged.

Co-curricular programs

St. Clare School has offered an extensive and varied co-curricular program to its students. This includes the following activities:

• W5H (junior and intermediate), drama club, boys' and girls' junior intermediate volleyball, basketball, indoor primary soccer, track and field in addition to our house league schedule which is open to all students from grades 1 to 8. Also a math/science/science technology fair, book fair, computer club, Christmas pageant, spring fashion show and music festival.

School News

PA Days 2008-2009

• October 24

• November 14

• December 5

• February 13

• March 13

• June 26

TAPCE Commissioning Ceremony and presentation of Principal of Excellence Award
The Toronto Association of Parents in Catholic Education recently hosted its annual TAPCE Commissioning Ceremony of Catholic School Advisory Council Liaison Representatives to the Toronto affiliate of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education. This celebration of Catholic education focuses on the support and encouragement TAPCE provides to parents and guardians of children in the school system. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the 2006-2007 Principal Award of Excellence to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their school to help ensure a quality education for his/her students. This individual is one who works collaboratively with parents, and who combines passion with the ability to lead, challenge and support dignity for an inclusive environment. This year’s nominees are: Rosanne Morris from St. Louis, Pasquale Tari from Blessed John XXIII, Linda Alonzi from St. Charles Garnier, Lenore Wesierski from Transfiguration of Our Lord, Gerard MacNeil from St. Agatha, Bill Zyla from Josyf Cardinal Slipyj, Jane Cramer from St. Victor, Wendy Agnew from St. Dorothy, Thad Baker from The Divine Infant, John Shea from St. Clare, Dianne Parwicki from Father John Redmond, Carmela Giardini from Mary Ward and Lillian Kurnik from Holy Angels.

School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: