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

333 Firgrove Crescent, North York, Ontario M3N 1K9

• School News

• Safe School Plan

• Student Transportation Services (Bus Routes)

Homework Website

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

Professional Activity Days 2012

• January 27, 201
• February 17, 2012
• June 1, 2012
• June 29, 2012

PA and Exam Day Calendar 2011-2012

School News

St. Francis de Sales students participate in the June 22nd event with "Let's Talk Science" and Quanzar
- Let's Talk Science News Release

Award Winning Student
Congratulations to Nicolas White for being recognized at the "Yes I Can" Awards by the Council for Exceptional Children. The awards are presented on May 4th at the National Yacht Club.

Nicolas is a student currently attends St. Francis DeSales Catholic School.  He has evolved though diligence, hard work and dedication in the areas of academics but especially in the areas of self-advocacy and social skills.

This school year, Nicolas reached several goals in the classroom and the school community related to self-advocacy for example, Nicolas controls his emotions by using Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) instead of fighting. He is able to Stop his emotions before he loses control, make a Plan and ask the teacher for help when needed during conflicts. He has developed new social skills and is polite and friendly. He is now able to play with his friends and accepts responsibility for his behaviour. Where he used to be impulsive he is able to help himself. As a result he is better able to focus on his school work and has reached new goals in his academics. 

Nicolas has assumed the practical responsibility for oneself by recognizing his need to regulate his behavior both at home and at school. In so doing he has utilized accommodations related to emotional control. Through this process Nicolas has become knowledgeable of his rights as a student and the rights of others. This has led him to reach new heights in terms of his academic and social goals but most importantly as a responsible individual in the school community.

Celebrating 2010 – 2011 Exemplary Practices

International Learning Program: Getting to know You
The International Learning Program: Getting to know You at St. Francis de Sales school is a literacy-based program with multi cross-curricular connections. Its scope is the international mutual learning partnership between grade four students from South Africa (Western Cape Department of Education) and our grade four students.

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2011-2012

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2010-2011

School Learning Improvement Plan -- 2009-2010

Safe School Plan -- 2010-2011

EQAO Assessment Results

EQAO: