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| Total enrolment | 177 |
| Principal | Nick Biagini Tel: 416-393-5346 Fax: 416-393-5162 |
| Superintendent |
Doug Yack Tel: 416-222-8282 ext. 2267 |
| Parish | St. Philip Neri Church 2100 Jane Street North York, Ontario M3M 1A1 416-241-3101 |
| Local Trustee |
Sal Piccininni Tel: 416-512-3403; Fax: 416-512-3403 e-mail: sal.piccininni@tcdsb.org |
| CSAC Co-Chairs | Mario Ricci and Malka Edery Calderon Voice Mailbox #88346 csac@stgerardmajella@tcdsb.org |
| Child Care Centre | 416-245-6756 |
| Family Resource Centre | Centro Bienvenidos 416-397-6037 |
| Transportation | For information, please call 416-229-5313 |
History & Tradition
St. Gerard Majella Catholic School was first built as a relocatable school and opened in the fall of 1971. It was a 12-room complex, including four classroom pods, a library, as well as a kindergarten and administrative area. In response to population growth a permanent building was constructed as one of the first “open area concept” schools, with two large classroom pods downstairs and one large area upstairs. The building was completed in time for the commencement of the 1971 school year. The official opening ceremony and solemn blessing of the school took place on June 4, 1972. The 25th anniversary celebration of St. Gerard Majella School took place during the 1996/97 school year.
The patron saint of our school is St. Gerard Majella who was born near Naples on April 23, 1726 and canonized by Pope Pius X on December 11, 1904, St. Gerard worked as a tailor as a youth and he eventually was accepted by the Redemptorists as a brother in 1749. St. Gerard became renowned for his remarkable power of prophecy. As a result, he was made spiritual counselor to many of the religious in various communities. St. Gerard Majella died of tuberculosis in 1755 at the age of 29. Women the world over have adopted St. Gerard Majella as the patron saint of expectant mothers. The feast day of St. Gerard Majella is October 16.
How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students
- St. Gerard Majella's breakfast club was initiated as a result of the fundraising efforts of the school community as well as donations from local community businesses as well as the Knights of Columbus. The St. Gerard Majella breakfast club provides students with a nutritious start to the school day and a safe and warm place for the students to wait until the school day commences.
- St. Gerard Majella School is actively involved with charity work such as parish food drives, Christmas baskets and a dance-a-thon for Food for Children.
- Students and parents (school community strategic planning team) have worked in close partnership in drafting a code of discipline for our school.
- The Catholic School Advisory Council is involved in safe school projects such as: the building of a sidewalk on Heavitree Drive; purchase of recess playground equipment; school yard line and wall painting; removal of classroom carpeting with tile replacement.
- House leagues are organized for the winter months for physical fitness and safe play.
- Our school has been an active three-year participant in the self-esteem project which was expanded for the 1995/96 school year to incorporate conflict resolution.
Curriculum initiatives
Curriculum modifications
- The school community strategic planning team (parents & teachers) and cross-divisional teams of teachers meet on a regular basis to determine the needs of our students.
- Programs will continue to be modified to meet student needs--SBST to assist.
- Additional programs such as paired reading (primary students read with older students under the supervision of psychometricians); social skills group (conducted by our social worker); parent classroom volunteers; remedial groups with educational assistants.
Technology & computer literacy
- Curriculum room has been expanded to include a wider variety of materials.
- Divisional “math & technology weeks” and ongoing class activities to build skills.
- Teacher professional activity workshops such as “structures”.
- Strategic planning goal: to incorporate the development of reading and writing skills in the area of technology i.e. reading for meaning, understanding technical terminology.
- Each classroom has been assigned at least one computer; our plan includes expanding the number of computers with the assistance of Catholic School Advisory Council funds; further teacher in-services; updating existing equipment; integration of computer skills in programs.
Co-curricular program
- House league and a variety of sports teams coached by our teachers and volunteers.
- Public speaking, book club ordering, drama in the school--haunted house, concerts.
School News
May 7
The Living Rosary
student presentation of
the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, followed by a 60-student representation
of a section of The Rosary - 1:15 p.m. in the gym
May 12, 2008
7-9 p.m.
School Accommodation Review Meeting
St. Philip Neri, 20 Beverly Hills Drive, North York
June 19, 2008
7-9 p.m.
School Accommodation Review Meeting
St. Gerard Majella
June 26
PA Day
Toronto
Catholic District School Board Celebrates Exemplary Practices
Each year, the Toronto Catholic District School Board
is proud to acknowledge innovative programs and special projects at
local schools with the TCDSB Exemplary Practice Award. The winners
of the ninth annual awards were honoured at a special ceremony and
reception in April. Among the winners is:
St. Gerard Majella Catholic School (North York): St. Gerard Majella Roadrunners’ Club—Goals were to raise student morale, overall school spirit and student fitness levels, improve overall academic achievement and promote leadership amongst students and teachers.
“Each year we are impressed with the variety and quality of submissions that we receive for consideration for the Exemplary Practice Awards. It reminds us of the amazing things that can be accomplished when the many partners in Catholic education focus their energies on a common goal,” says Director of Education Kevin Kobus. “These winners have distinguished themselves by boldly daring to implement new approaches to learning, and who have succeeded in their endeavours. It is our hope that others will be inspired in their pursuit of new and innovative ideas that will continue to build upon the quality of education in our Catholic schools.”
St. Gerard Majella Trout Hatchery
The
brown trout fish hatchery at St. Gerard Majella Catholic School is in
full operation and presently has approximately 100 brown trout in the
tank. They are small and still have their own egg yolk attached. The
plan is that the students will adopt a fish and in May they will release
their adopted fish into Black Creek. Staff and students have been
working closely with retired Chaminade College Science teacher, and
fisheries guru, Bob Giza and Shidon Murphy from the University of
Toronto. Students receive daily reminders over the public address system
that the fish are growing. Staff ties this project directly into their
relationship with God by reminding students that the fish is one of the
symbols of our faith and the fish was used by Christ to perform one of
his greatest miracles.
School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008
EQAO Assessment Results
Year | Grade 3 | Grade 6 |
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