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

67 Balsam Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4E 3B8

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Total enrolment 267
Principal Katherine Banfield
Tel: 416-393-5310 Fax: 416-393-5827
Superintendent Michael McMorrow
Tel: 416-222-8282 ext. 2730 
Parish St. John
794 Kingston Road
Toronto, Ontario M4E 1R7
416-698-1105
Local Trustee T.B.A.
CSAC Chair Angus Armstrong
Voice Mailbox #88310
csac.stdenis@tcdsb.org
After-School Programme 416-284-2344
Transportation For information, please call 416-229-5313

History & Tradition

St. Denis Catholic School opened its doors in September 1966. The school is named after the first bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, St. Denis, who was martyred for the faith on Montmatre, the mount of the martyrs. At the official opening on March 22, 1967 the school was dedicated to Rt. Rev. Denis O'Connor DPVF zealous pastor, devoted educator and faithful friend. He was the pastor of St. John's Church from 1932-1966 and a Metropolitan Separate School Board (now Toronto Catholic District School Board) trustee from 1947 to 1956. St. Denis has earned a well deserved reputation in the community offering a balanced core program combining the teaching of the gospel values, arts, language, math, science and technology and self and society. The school is committed to strong literacy and math programs to provide students with the tools and understanding for life long learning.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

A Catholic environment permeates the daily life of the school. Formal religious instruction occurs daily. Beyond this, dignity and respect for each other is fostered in ongoing interactions.

The school responds to the varying needs of students (i.e. intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, social, in the following ways:

  • incorporation of gospel values into the daily life of the students;
  • a focus on maintaining a safe, welcoming school environment through a positive behaviour code;
  • peer mediation, conflict resolution and guidance programs, and a safe arrival program;
  • an outstanding vocal music program;
  • an extensive co-curricular and extra curricular program such as choir, W5H, house leagues, strings etc.;
  • participation in Toronto Catholic District School Board inter-school sports events;
  • an effective homework policy that supports academic growth;
  • an active group of parent volunteers whose work supports students and teachers;
  • host school placement for students at the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto;
  • effective communication through school and classroom newsletters, curriculum evening, school performances;
  • modified programs; use of computers to facilitate writing; open ended activities to meet varying learning styles cross-peer tutoring;
  • alternate program (i.e. gifted, learning disabled, Metro-wide resource leader program);
  • the curriculum is enriched for all students through a variety of educational excursions including: overnight stays for the intermediate division, artist-in the-school programs, theatrical experiences etc.

At St. Denis Catholic School we continue to develop and promote initiatives to ensure a high level of success for students in literacy and numeracy which include:

  • direct instruction in phonics, grammar, spelling and reading strategies as well as reading and writing buddies and daily reading;
  • a primary grade book bag program which promotes shared reading;
  • the use of the arts and computer technology to enhance reading and writing skills;
  • increased direct instruction time in math.

School News

School Calendar 2010-2011

School Begins September 7, 2010
Thanksgiving Day October 11, 2010
Christmas break December 20-31, 2010
Family Day February 21, 2011
Mid-Winter Break March 14-18, 2011
Good Friday April 22, 2011
Easter Monday April 25, 2011
Victoria Day May 23, 2011
Last day of classes for elementary students June 29, 2011

PA Days 2010-2011

  • September 2, 2010 (Faith Development/Provincial Education Priorities)
  • November 19, 2010 (Parent Teacher Conference)
  • January 21, 2011 (Assessment and Evaluation)
  • February 18, 2011 (Parent Teacher Conference)
  • May 20, 2011 (Assessment and Evaluation)
  • June 30, 2011 (Provincial Education Priorities)

Newsletters


Kids for Kids

Five years ago, a class at St. Denis Catholic School was given a Lenten challenge to “pay it forward”, and some of the students came up with the idea for a charity for kids, by kids. That is when Kids for Kids was born. Since the start of this organization, the community has sponsored children in Africa, villages in South East Asia, participated in charity walks, and held drives for skates, food and clothing. Starting in January and through until June, Kids for Kids have planned to challenge the school population to participate in volunteer activities which will be celebrated on a school bulletin board.

This year’s focus for Kids for Kids is to help out the needy communities within Toronto. On December 9th, the students used the raised funds to prepare sandwiches at school, pack bagged lunches and later delivered them to those in need in downtown Toronto. 


 

St. Denis students decorate military helmets to support military families
The grade 3/4 class at St. Denis Catholic School recently received 1 of 100 military helmets which they decorated with a Canadian artist to support Canadian Military families. The helmets are meant to symbolize protection and Canadians’ hope to keep soldiers safe. The helmets were auctioned off at the True Patriot Love Foundation’s annual Gala November 10th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with proceeds being dedicated to the Military Families Fund.

         

St. Denis Greening Project--More

 

 

 

 

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010


Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010


EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO:

School Year

 

 

2008-2009

pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Grade 3 & Grade 6 Results

2007-2008

pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Grade 3 & Grade 6 Results

2006-2007

pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Grade 3 & Grade 6 Results

2005-2006

pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Grade 3 & Grade 6 Results

2004-2005

pdfLogo.gif (130 bytes)Grade 3 & Grade 6 Results


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