St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

333 Firgrove Crescent, North York, Ontario M3N 1K9

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History & Tradition

St. Francis de Sales was a bishop of Geneva in 1602. As a boy, he studied very hard and prayed a great deal. When he was 24 years old, he became a doctor of law, and soon after was offered the position of a senator in the senate of Savoy. He told his father he did not want to be a senator, but a priest, so Francis was ordained on December 18, 1593. One of his first assignments as a priest was to do missionary work in Chablais. All but 20 people in the whole province had given up their religion. He began to distribute leaflets explaining Catholic doctrine, and through these he reached more people than he could have reached by preaching.

He spent five years as a missionary and, in 1602 became bishop of Geneva. He was known for his great kindness to everybody, and for teaching people how to love God.

He died at age 56 after serving as bishop of Geneva for 20 years.

In all his talks and writings, St. Francis de Sales insisted that those who want to love God must learn meekness. “If there were anything more excellent than meekness, God certainly would have taught it to us, yet there is nothing to which He so earnestly urges us all, as to be meek and humble of heart,” said Francis. Pope Pius IX made St. Francis de Sales patron of all Catholic writers.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic School first opened in 1971.

Meeting the Diverse Needs of Our Students...

Strategies used to ensure a Catholic environment include a loving and caring school environment, a multitude of activities for children, religion and family life programs, a guidance program, special presentations (see above--school and community), ongoing communication, monthly student of the month assemblies for primary, junior and intermediate levels, principal's awards, environmental certificates, clubs, after-school programs and more.

A student welcoming program, with ambassadors in each classroom, has been established so that new students may feel welcome. Safety patrollers assist students crossing the busy Firgrove Crescent, after-school adult checks are made on the traffic circle and school grounds to ensure students are leaving safely, and a no-violence tolerance policy is in effect both on and off school grounds. A strict discipline policy exists and is communicated in September by newsletter to all parents and students. Certain rules are reinforced at monthly divisional assemblies. A safe arrival program ensures that parents are contacted if their children are absent unless previous notification has been given. A late policy also exists--late slips are issued where necessary, parents must sign, explain lateness and return them to the school.

Curriculum initiatives include, unit studies, thematic approach, stress on particular subjects such as science, drama, music, technology and computer literacy. Our gifted teacher carries out an effective enrichment program for all grade levels. Chess clubs, W5H, quiz teams, young authors, public speaking competitions, etc. are all forms of enrichment. The extensive use by staff of a midi-lab involving keyboards and computers has enriched the technology program at all levels.

Curriculum modifications occur daily both at the classroom level and in the many special education programs available: language impaired (primary/junior/intermediate), language disabled, developmentally delayed, English as a second language (primary/junior), ESL (intermediate), special education (primary/junior), special education (intermediate), gifted, remedial.

Much modification of curriculum occurs to meet individual needs. Individual volunteer assistance is made available to many pupils experiencing difficulties. Combination programs are available in several combined grade classes.

School priorities are developed with community consultation at Catholic School Advisory Council meetings, school assemblies (e.g. curriculum night) and in monthly newsletters. Monthly staff and divisional meetings help staff to determine aims and general school objectives, such as:

• Discipline--formal behaviour code
• Science--purchase of experimental equipment; committee formed
• Computers and technology
• Standardized tests--grade 5
• Early literacy
• Community relations
• Dramatic arts

In previous years, behaviour codes, religious, environmental objectives, stresses on poetry, AGI model, improving school curriculum, computer literacy, improving school community relations, all have met with good results. Ownership by staff, the parent community, the student body and others affected (e.g. custodians) has been obtained prior to successful implementation.

School News

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)

St. Francis de Sales Teacher a “Great Teacher”
Antonietta DeSantis, a teacher at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, is one of three national winners in Canadian Family magazine’s “Great Teacher Awards”.  She was chosen from among hundreds of nominations from across the country and was profiled in the magazine’s September issue.  She will also receive $1500 for educational supplies and programming.

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2009-2010

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: