Sts. Cosmas and Damian Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

111 Danesbury Avenue, North York, Ontario M6B 3L3

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Homework Website

History & Tradition

Sts. Cosmas & Damian Catholic School was opened in September 1982. The school, built in 1950, was formerly named Danesbury Public School. The building is leased from the North York Board of Education (now the Toronto District School Board).

Sts. Cosmas & Damian are excellent role models for children, because of their care for people. Sts. Cosmas & Damian school is named after twin brothers who were born in Arabia. They were doctors and lived in Egaea, Cilicia where they ministered to the sick and needy. They were renowned for their skill as healers through their work as early pharmacists. They worked hard and long hours and would not accept monetary rewards for their services. Their generosity to others serves as an admirable role model for us to follow.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

School rules are developed in conjunction with Ministry of Education and Toronto Catholic District School Board Policies, and are established for the benefit of all.

In a school community formed by Catholic beliefs and traditions, our mission is to educate students to their full potential by providing:

A safe and welcoming learning environment that is an example of Christian community

It is our primary goal to affirm all students to make them feel welcome and secure.

Safe arrival program

After attendance is taken, absentees are reported by 9:15 am. The secretary calls home to verify reasons for absence when there has been no notification given. Two staff members are assigned daily duty in the playground. Two additional staff are assigned bus duty.

Integration of Catholic, Christian beliefs into the total learning experience

Our ultimate goal is to provide a caring academic and social environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning, autonomy in decision-making, self-discipline and respect for self and others.

With respect to this goal, our mission is infused by the spirit of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ: “Love thy neighbour as thyself” and “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”.

These expectations are not limited to regulating behaviour but rather set forth to serve a much more positive function: to provide a curriculum that will prepare students to accept the various responsibilities that will be placed upon them in the future. The purpose is first to create an environment where learning can proceed without disturbances and distractions. The second purpose is to promote academic achievement as well as the achievement of good character.

Respect and tolerance in a non-threatening environment

Sts. Cosmas & Damian reflects the multicultural diversity within Toronto. At Sts. Cosmas & Damian we meet the needs of these students by providing programs for the following: English as a second language students, oral, deaf and hard of hearing students and special needs students.

French

Our school piloted the new grade 7 & 8 program “Entre Amis I et II” which was implemented recently in all TCDSB elementary schools for grade 7 and this year for grade 8.

Special Program

Saints Cosmas and Damian is home to the largest Deaf and Hard of Hearing oral department in the TCDSB.  Our program caters to children with a significant hearing loss who use hearing aids and cochlear implants in order to learn to listen and speak. The children in the program use personal FM systems, as well as, sound field systems.

The students come from all around Toronto and have access to bussing. The teachers in the program are specially trained in Deaf and Hard of Hearing studies. Each child works towards the goals in their Individual Education Plan, with varying degrees of integration and educational supports.

School News

PA Days 2009-2010

• March 5

• June 30

Dancing Classrooms Canada Championship
CONGRATULATIONS to the Sts. Cosmas and Damian Ballroom Dancing Champions. On June 16, 2009, the Dancing Classrooms Canada Championship was held at the Palais Royale Ballroom with participating schools from the TCDSB and TDSB. Six couples from each participating school competed and were judged on skill, form, and attitude. The participating schools danced through two rounds of dances that included the merengue, tango, fox trot, swing, and rumba. The ten schools competing that evening were the finalists from individual year-long competitions throughout the 2008-2009 academic year. The Dancing Classrooms program allows the students to not only grow in skill, but maturity, kindness, respect, self-esteem, confidence and all while having fun! Although Sts. Cosmas and Damian are the reigning champions for two years in a row, congratulations should also go to the Pope Paul Elementary participants that achieved a bronze status and Holy Angels that won a gold status that evening. Great work and effort to all that participated and thanks to all the supporters that came to enjoy the talented dancers.


 

TEAM Math Olympics
Six TCDSB students who were successful in this year's TEAMS Math Olympics: Gold winners Claudinne Naidas from Our Lady of Grace and Andrew Tran from St. Stephen; Silver winner Stephen Wen from St. Bonaventure, Bronze winner Sara Maltese from Sts. Cosmas and Damian and first runners-up Lindsay Tabeena from Holy Spirit and Cedrik Ruiz from Our Lady of Fatima. The gold, silver and bronze winners advance to the Ontario Mathematics Olympiad in Peterborough's Trent University on May 29th and 30th.

Work of Eco-Team Continues
In 2007-2008, Sts. Cosmas and Damian began several school-wide Eco initiatives in an effort to help the environment.  These efforts earned Sts. Cosmas and Damian  School a “gold” certification, the highest  Eco School certification possible.  These initiatives continue today, and include greening projects ,  such as ,  the planting of new trees and  including a butterfly garden .  We also reduce litter through recycling programs and weekly litterless lunches, and  focus on energy conservation by turning off lights, computer monitors, printers, etc. when not in use.  We have also established an Eco-friendly  resource  area in the library to help better educate students on  how to help the environment, and  we have created   a school-wide pop-tab collection program   with the hope of collecting enough pop-tabs to help manufacture a wheelchair.  This program provides students of all grades the chance to learn about the benefits of helping the environment .  It enables students to get involved in eco-friendly endeavours, and creates an increased awareness and respect for the environment. 

Eco-Team goes for the gold
Congratulations to Sts. Cosmas and Damian Catholic School's Eco Team. Students submitted letters describing school eco-initiatives for the Canadian Tire September Green Contest and were awarded first prize.  The winning student entries were submitted by Eduardo and Gonzalo in grade 6 and Alessandra and Josie in grade 5.  Personnel from Canadian Tire came to present the school with a plaque and the eco-students with various prizes.  Each eco member was given a 'green gift bag' with a Canadian Tire gift card, coupons for CFL light bulbs, a beverage container, a pizza lunch and the school was awarded trees to plant in the field.  The school is eagerly awaiting the Spring to plant the trees that will help augment the greenery on our property.
 

Monthly Newsletters and Calendars:

• June 2009 Calendar
• May 2009 Calendar
• December 2008 Calendar
• November 2008 Calendar
• January 2008 Calendar
• December 2007 Newsletter
• December 2007 Calendar
• School Apparel Order Form
• November 2007 Newsletter
• October 2007 Calendar
• October 1007 Newsletter

CSAC Information

Agendas

• October 22, 2008

Minutes

• November 19, 2008
• October 22, 2008
• September 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• February 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• May 2007
• November 2006

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: