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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. 5371 |
| Parish | St. John 794 Kingston Road Toronto, Ontario M4E 1R7 416-698-1105 |
| Local Trustee | Angela
Kennedy 416-512-3411 e-mail: angela.kennedy@tcdsb.org |
| 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 2012
| Family Day | February 20, 2012 |
| Mid-Winter Break (inclusive) | March 12-16, 2012 |
| Good Friday | April 6, 2012 |
| Easter Monday | April 9, 2012 |
| Victoria Day | May 21, 2012 |
| Last Day of Classes, Elementary | June 28,2012 |
Professional Activity Days 2012
- January 27, 201
- February 17, 2012
- June 1, 2012
- June 29, 2012
Newsletters
Reporting live from Afghanistan!
Corporal Tim Driver, who attended St. Denis Catholic School until June of
2000, spoke directly from his base camp to the entire St. Denis staff and
students on Friday, June 4th. Tim reminisced with the staff about his own
elementary teachers and shared his fond memories with the students of an
adolescence past. Now his efforts go to try and bring even a small measure
of childhood innocence to the shattered youth of a war torn nation. St.
Denis students asked such questions as “What kind of games do Afghani
children play?” They were rather surprised that despite the miles and
circumstances that the children played much like they do. With technology
abound in the halls of St. Denis, Skype provided an opportunity to
communicate directly with Tim via computer. He was able to see and talk with
the entire student body as they quietly and respectfully listened to him
recount memories and respond to questions in the school gym.
How exactly did this come to be? Once again community spirit thrives in the beach... A chance meeting between a St. Denis staff member and Tim’s younger sister Emily, resulted in the knowledge of Tim’s deployment to Afghanistan. The discussion of the meeting came up in the St. Denis staffroom. It was unanimously decided that the little school with the big heart would adopt and support one of their own.
With that decision made, each classroom took a turn to write to Tim. Some students simply wrote well wishes and good luck, while others questioned his feelings about what things were like and others wrote narrative stories that he could share with his fellow officers. I’m sure that some were more coherent than others, however we have had word that since our conversation on Skype, Tim has finally received and read all the letters sent by students at St. Denis!
We have also had the pleasure of meeting Tim’s family with whom we are able to follow Tim’s journey as well as anyone can. We keep Tim and his family in our prayers and hearts until he is home again, safe and sound.
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.
School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2011-2012
School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2010-2011
School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010
EQAO Assessment Results
School Year | EQAO Assessment Results |
| 2010-2011 | |
| 2009-2010 | |
| 2008-2009 | |
| 2007-2008 | |
| 2006-2007 | |
| 2005-2006 |
