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

20 Portugal Square, Toronto, Ontario M5J 3P2

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History & Tradition

St. Mary's Catholic School is one of the oldest parish schools in the City of Toronto.  It was founded in 1852 by the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Christian Brothers.  As the years passed, St. Mary's flourished and outgrew its original home on Adelaide Street.  In 1918, the present old building was erected on Adelaide Street.  In 1972, the newer section was opened. 

The population changed from predominantly Irish-Canadian to Polish, then Ukrainian and by the 1960's to Portuguese.  It was at this time, that Adelaide Street was officially changed to Portugal Square.  At present the population is comprised of Portuguese, South American, Filipino, West Indian, Asian and Central American.  St. Mary's is truly a  multicultural school. 

The community of St. Mary's is dedicated to academic excellence fostered in a Catholic environment.  We are a life-long learning community of diverse ethnic backgrounds blending together as one group in pursuit of Catholic values.  In a positive setting, students are encouraged to maximize scholastic achievement while developing a depending awareness of spirituality in themselves and others.  The teachers strive to deliver the messages of the gospels through the curriculum and in every facet of student work or play.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

SCHOOL ACTION PLANS 

Goals:   Teachers provide identified students with instruction according to need.  We as a school community are proud of programming and of results exhibited by students in social, emotional and the academic areas. 

 The Special Education teachers work as partners with the regular class teachers.  Accommodations and modifications are available in the regular class in the following ways:

 The community of St. Mary's is very proud of the growth seen in each student.  We treasure the unique strengths and developmental areas of each individual.  Student of the month assemblies, recognition in school newsletters and school bulletin boards highlight the achievements of our students in many areas.  We treasure the unique strengths and developmental areas of each individual. 

We are thankful for the teamwork of our staff throughout the assessment process and the daily teaching and care given to our students.  We will continue to communicate with parents by personal contact, interviews, report cards, agenda/homework books and newsletters.    

We strive at St. Mary's to educate our students to their full potential spiritually, intellectually and socially. 

We will continue our peacekeeping efforts with the "I Care Rules" 

(1) We listen to each other.

(2) Hands are for helping, not hurting.

(3) We use "I care" language.

(4) We care about each others feelings.

(5) We are responsible for what we say and do.  

Special Programs at St. Mary Catholic School  

In addition to following a regular school program based on the Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum created by the Ontario Ministry of Education, St. Mary Catholic Elementary School provides the following programs: 

• Kindergarten Language Program
• Junior Literacy Program-additional support for Language Arts for Junior Students
• Special Education Programs-Grade 2 to 8
• Social Work and Psychology Staff Support through Learning Opportunities Grant
• Behaviour Program with Child and Youth Worker Support
• Social Skills Programs with Child and Youth Worker Grade 1 to 4, Roots of Empathy Program
• Extensive volunteer support through One on One Mentoring Program-Toronto Public Health Dept. and Urban Promise
• Tutoring Program/Homework Club for Grade 7 & 8 students with CTV GLobe Media/Frontier College
• The Feelings Club--Joint Program with CAMH and TCDSB Psychology and Social Work Department
• Extra Curricular Sports-Intermediate Boys Soccer, Girls and Boys Volleyball and Basketball, Primary Girls and Boys Soccer, Track and Field Grade 3 to 8, Cross Country Grade 3 to 8
• Lunch hour House Leagues Primary and Junior Grades
• Annual Dance-a-thon and Christmas Concert
• School Choir and Liturgical Dance celebrations
• Vocal Music JK to Grade 6
• Instrumental Music Grade 7 & 8
• W5H (Trivia competitions) Junior and Intermediate Grades
• Chess Club Junior and Intermediate Grades
   

As a former student of St. Mary’s Elementary School, I am so glad to see that children are able to attend the same school   St. Mary’s is dedicated to provide academic excellence in a Catholic faith environment.  It gives me great pleasure to know that my children will leave this school as respectful and responsible young adults.

 Ana Carvalho, (Former Student and Parent)

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)

Student nominates Teacher for TVOKids Best Teacher Ever Contest
St. Mary Catholic School Teacher, Ms. Barrett nominated by one of her students and selected as one of the winners in the 2010 TVOKids Best Teacher Ever Contest in partnership with City Parent.

The contest opened on May 3 and received 9,938 entries at the close of the contest on June 16. It invited students to write to TVOKids describing, in as few or as many words as they wish, what makes their teacher so special. Ms. Barrett won a laptop and a pizza lunch for her class.

CSAC Information

CSAC Minutes - March 31, 2010

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• Terms of Reference 2007