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

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)

2009-2010 Exemplary Practice Award Winner
St. Jane Frances Catholic School for “Future Aces Builds Character through the H.A.P”
The Future Aces Program is an equity and character model that fosters good behaviour with a meaningful message that can be applies to all aspects of life encouraging responsible citizenship and striving to be the best that we can be.  At St. Jane Frances Catholic School, we have implemented daily Future Aces announcements, Future Aces newsletter run by students and a Writers for Peace website.  The HAP program (Homework Assistance Program) was implemented to provide community outreach by educating the whole child through homework assistance, mentoring and enrichment activities that assists students in meeting the daily challenges of the curriculum. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning and after school students from grades six through eight receive assistance with assignments, projects, study skills, planning and organization of assignments.  High school students help tutor our students with homework assignments while earning their community service hours.  The primary goal of the Homework Assistance Program is to provide a learning environment where students can seek assistance with homework and projects, expand their academic skills and develop into lifelong learners.

Exemplary Teaching Award

St. Jane Frances Homework Assistance Program
Every Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. or 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. -- Details

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Sixth Speakers Series by Josephine Virgilio.--Details | Event Photos
The event featured a performance by singer-song writer Justin Hines (pictured below).

St. Jane Frances Celebrates Holy Week--Photos and details

St. Jane Frances Application for Exemplary Practice Award--Details

My Hero--An Essay Written by Josephine Virgilio, Teacher at St. Jane Frances

Dr. Herbert Carnegie has lived a remarkable 89 years. 

He’s been a professional hockey player, champion golfer and philanthropist. 

He’s also an honorary chief of the York Regional Police and founder of the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation. He has ten hall of fame honours, and has received seven medals including the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and the Order of Canada, among other decorations, for his work fighting racism and giving back to his country. 

History came to life when Mr. Carnegie visited our Saint Jane Frances School community both in September and October establishing continued professional development at our school with respect to the Future Aces Program.  It was special for the teachers and students to meet a real community hero. 

More than just textbooks and curriculum, Toronto Catholic Schools are focused on the importance of Catholicity and on building good character and Carnegie’s visit will help staff do just that. 

 “We can talk about character and that has an impact,” Josephine Virgilio, a junior/intermediate teacher at St. Jane Frances Catholic Elementary School said.  “But when we introduce students and teachers to a people of character and they can see the individuals and hear them and touch them, they feel what it means to be a person of character”, Ms. Virgilio succinctly stated.  

Our personal journey reflects how we see the world.  The Future Aces program aligns itself cotermiously with an inclusive curriculum. Listening to the story of Dr. Herbert Carnegie reinforces the importance of cultural proficiency and diversity in education.      

Ms. Virgilio further acknowledges that as a school community, we create a place of learning that focuses on literacy, math, science, the arts and physical education. Using Future Aces, our focus is also on the development of Catholicity, integrity and the development of character or the 3’C’s (character, compassion and communication). 

Dr. Carnegie regularly says, “Make attitude your friend!” and we (staff, parents, students) have embraced his Future Aces Creed.   In ACES, we consider the importance of Attitude, Action, Courage, Confidence, Example, Education, Service and Sportsmanship. Consistent with the Future Aces Philosophy are our Board’s character and equity initiatives. Our staff at SJF  continue to work from a Tribes perspective, focusing on mutual respect and appreciation, attentive listening and active participation.

Most diversity programs are used to explain the nature of diversity or the process of learning about or acquiring new cultures. The Future Aces Philosophy focuses on responding to the environment shaped by its diversity.

Dr. Carnegie remembers all too clearly the roadblocks in reaching his goal to compete in the NHL.  Maple Leafs, Conn Smythe, although having marvelled at Carnegie’s natural talents allegedly stated that he take him tomorrow if someone could turn Carnegie white.  Carnegie recalled in his autobiography, “I can’t remember exactly what I thought, but a little voice in the back of my head was kissing my NHL hopes goodbye”.

Carnegie was irate that others would judge his hockey abilities based on his skin color.  He was challenged to turn his negative energy into a positive resolution. Herb established the first hockey school in Canada and called it Future Aces.  He raised money and sponsorship so that boys from poorer families could participate and learn to appreciate the sport.  He then created the Future Aces Creed; what has now become a guideline for good citizenship.  A stands for develop a positive attitude/action. C stands for character/ citizenship E stands for empathy/education, S stands for service/sportsmanship.

Cultural proficiency is a way of being that enables both individuals and organizations to respond effectively to people who differ from them. Cultural competence is behavior that is aligned with standards that move an organization or an individual toward culturally proficient interactions. Educational leaders who are successful in creating culturally proficient learning communities will enable students to play vital roles as they enter the global community. 

Carnegie wrote the Future Aces Creed in 1956 and still uses it to inspire self-esteem and positive character. His non-profit Foundation formed in 1987 has awarded $420,000 in scholarships to deserving youth.  After having many thousands benefit from his creed, the opening of the Herbert H. Carnegie Public School in September 2008 is a testament to his legacy.--photos

Curriculum Documents