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| Total enrolment | 776 |
| Principal | Rob Merolle Tel: 416-393-5528 Fax: 416-393-5498 |
| Superintendent |
Dr. Jim Saraco Tel: 416-222-8282 ext. 5371 |
| Parish | St. Anthony Catholic Church 1041 Bloor Street West Toronto, Ontario M6H 1M4 416-536-3333 |
| Local Trustee | Barbara Poplawski Tel: 416-512-3410; Fax: 416-512-3410 e-mail: barbara.poplawski@tcdsb.org |
| CSAC Co-Chairs | Maria DeAngelis Maria Medeiros Voice Mailbox #88528 |
History & Tradition
St.
Mary’s Catholic Secondary School was founded to serve the increasing
population of the Bloor - Dufferin Catholic community. In 1984, the
Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the Toronto Catholic District School
Board) asked the Sisters – Faithful Companions of Jesus – to establish a
secondary school under the leadership of Sister Bonnie Moser. St. Mary’s
occupied the J.J. McGrand Elementary School building, located in a quiet
residential neighbourhood.
In keeping with the religious order’s spirit and desire to educate the whole person, St. Mary’s has been guided by the idea "that they may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Thanks to the Faithful Companions of Jesus, St. Mary’s carries on the tradition of nurturing the lives of all young people, bringing to them a distinctive Christian presence.
Philosophy of the
School
Educators at St. Mary’s are
nurturers of life and joyful messengers of hope and love, bringing the
promise of Jesus: “I have come that they may have life and have it to
the full” (John
10:10).
The school community provides a stimulating and supportive environment, challenging each student to develop to his/her greatest potential. All educational programs and activities emphasize the formation of the whole person – intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. The Christian education of youth is a privileged opportunity to form apostles – enabling persons to experience Jesus, as they direct their gifts towards the service of others, for the transformation of society.
Our belief in the success for all students frames our programs, initiatives, and celebrations. It is the recognition that all students have the potential to succeed that motivates the staff and students of this unique community.
How We Meet
the Diverse Needs
of Our Students
The St. Mary’s community is built on our Catholic Gospel values, which are the foundation of our school philosophy. It is for that reason – our commitment to being witnesses of our faith – that we nurture the spiritual and religious development of all members of our community. Our commitment to our religious journey is marked by several important community-building traditions, including daily prayers, regular school masses, and liturgies. In addition, we have an active Chaplaincy Team that provides support to our community as we nurture the development of the whole child.
In conjunction with our Chaplaincy Team, St. Mary’s has established a Student Success Team. This team is comprised of Administrators, Guidance Counsellors, the Student Success Teacher, Credit Recovery Teachers, the Literacy and Numeracy Lead Teachers, and LOG teachers. This team focuses on meeting the needs of at-risk students by bridging the gap between elementary and secondary school, forging mentoring relationships, and providing students with academic and emotional support. Resource Personnel, Child Youth Workers, and Educational Assistants, all of whom are committed to student success, complement this team.
We believe that all students, including those who have been identified with exceptionalities, have the right to full and active participation in our community. Our inclusive model facilitates this, allowing all of our students to develop to the best of their abilities. Through the necessary accommodations and/or modifications, our students are successful whether their goal is the workplace, college, apprenticeship, or university.
St. Mary’s offers students a breadth of courses that are as diverse as are the needs of students. Students have the opportunity to explore the arts, modern languages, and technology while completing their core courses. Most recently, St. Mary’s was selected as a Specialist High Skills Major provider in the area of Transportation Technology, allowing students who are interested in the automotive industry to deepen their theoretical and practical understanding. As well, we offer an extensive cooperative education program and comprehensive English as a Second Language courses to meet the needs of our English language learners. To meet the growing computer literacy interests of today’s students, St. Mary’s also has five computer labs. Our state-of-the-art science labs are also equipped with computer interface technology.
In 2000, St. Mary’s received the Exemplary Practice Award for our outstanding initiatives surrounding literacy. This commitment to literacy development continues to frame our activities as we refine our practices. Our cross-curricular Literacy Committee orchestrates various initiatives, including writing workshops, that are supported by staff and students committed to literacy development. To further support students’ academic success, St. Mary’s offers free tutorial services to students in the Homework Hub.
Our students are challenged to reach their potential in their academic and extra-curricular achievements. Through the Achievement of Excellence, students are recognized for their contributions to our community, as they build their repertoire of skills. St. Mary’s offers students a multitude of opportunities outside the classroom. We compete at the varsity and intramural levels in several sports, including soccer, track and field, volleyball, and basketball. We also showcase students’ artistic talents through dramatic productions, band and choir performances, and art showings. We also offer students the opportunity to actively participate in many leadership activities and clubs, including a thriving ESP (Empowered Students Partnership) team, which has received municipal recognition for its contribution in supporting a safe school community. And in keeping with our commitment to uphold Gospel values, we provide our students with many volunteer opportunities both locally and internationally to work with the less fortunate and marginalized of society.
St. Mary’s is a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. All students, parents, and staff have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in the school community. The Ontario Schools Code of Conduct sets clear provincial standards of behaviour. It specifies the mandatory consequences for student actions that do not comply with these standards. St. Mary’s code of conduct complies with the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct. As such, our students are expected to follow these regulations and TCDSB policies.
School News
PA Days 2008-2009
- November 21
- February 13
- April 24
- June 25, 26
Exam Dates 2008-2009
- January 27, 28, 29, 30
- June 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24
Crime Prevention Week--Toronto Police Service
St.
Mary’s Secondary Welcomes Parents at Student Success Information Night
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary
School proudly welcomed nearly 100 parents, guardians, and students to the
school for the second annual Student Success Information Night.
Greeted by members of the school’s Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC),
Administrators and members of the school’s Student Success Team and Literacy
Committee, parents were introduced to the many deliberately personal student
success strategies employed in the school, including the Homework Hub – an
after-school tutorial centre in the school library offering students
academic assistance. Additionally, the evening highlighted the school’s
focus on numeracy and literacy development, student engagement
opportunities, and the newly-introduced Specialist High Skills Major in the
area of transportation technology. Equally important, the evening allowed
parents/guardians to pose their questions and discuss their next steps as
the community, working in partnership with parents, continues to support the
success of every student.
Students from across the Toronto Catholic District
School Board will be among the honourees at the 25th annual
Father Patrick Fogarty Awards dinner on October 25th. They will
be among the recipients of the Catholic Student Award, which recognizes
young people who best exemplify the Ontario Catholic School Graduate
Expectation. Congratulations to Amanda Passos
Ministry of Education Approves SHSM at St. Mary’s C.S.S.
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School
was recently selected to offer the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
in the area of transportation technology. As described by
the Ministry of Education, schools that have been approved to offer the SHSM
allow students to specialize their secondary school education in a
particular field earning recognized industry certifications and developing
Essential Skills and work habits connected to their career
destinations. The SHSM allows students to track for four different
destinations: apprenticeship, college, university, and workplace. Students
earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the SHSM designation.
This exciting opportunity differentiates compulsory course work based on
students’ interest in the transportation field. Further it provides
students with numerous experiential learning opportunities including
cooperative education and reach ahead experiences in college and
apprenticeship training settings.
St. Mary’s staff and students welcome SHSM designation in transportation technology.
St.
Mary’s Secondary Welcomes New Students
St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary
School was alive with activity the week prior to the official start of this
academic year. The school welcomed nearly 150 students to participate in
two community-building activities. For over thirty new English Language
Learners, a week-long session was delivered. Newcomer Orientation Week
(NOW), funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and delivered by
committed TCDSB and LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
staff, gave recent immigrants the opportunity to explore their new secondary
school. Students were introduced to the daily routines of life in an
Ontario school–announcements and all–as they shared their stories, posed
their questions, and joined the St. Mary’s community. In addition to the
successful NOW program, more than 120 grade nine students
participated in the school’s Jump Start Day. Another opportunity
designed to ease the transition into secondary school. As the day unfolded,
students familiarized themselves with the school and acquainted themselves
with their peers and teachers as student leaders facilitated several
exciting events.
St. Mary’s C.S.S. hosts NOW program for newcomers to Canada
Grade Nine students at St. Mary’s C.S.S. participate in various community-building activities.
Leadership and Peer Support St.
Mary’s CSS Summer School Class
For four summers students have signed on for a Leadership and Peer
Support Credit. Some of the best students across the city of Toronto,
voluntarily give up their month of July to help those in need across the
city. This year’s fantastic group of students worked with over a dozen
different organizations providing over 1, 000 hours of much needed help.
They participated in a wide variety of activities including: cleaning up
Dufferin Park, helping out at the Loyola Arrupe Centre, packing donations
for Canadian Food For Children, making lunches and delivering them to those
in need on the streets of Toronto, cleaning up at Vance Latchford,
distributing flyers for St. Luigi, gardening at Horizons for Youth, helping
with the day to day events at All Saints Church drop in centre, cleaning up
at the YWCA, helping Furniture Bank prepare for their big move, assisting
University Settlement House run a festival, spending a day with the clients
at St. Jude’s, serving food to those in need at Scott Mission and assisting
with the sorting of donations at the Artsjunktion.
The organizations benefiting from
the help of these incredibly hard working ambassadors of good will were all
very appreciative of their efforts. It is wonderful to see young people
step up and make a difference in their communities. Not only did they help
but they also gained first hand knowledge of the important work that these
organizations are providing by serving those in need. They also developed
stronger self esteem as they witnessed the positive impact their efforts
had. Many of the students complete this course with dreams and goals of
continuing to make a difference.
Steve De Quintal,
Teacher
Antonio giuliano of st. mary’s catholic secondary school receives the
esteemed sandra montgomery student bursary
Congratulations
Antonio Giuliano of St. Mary’s
Catholic Secondary School!
Antonio is the recipient of the Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary 2007-2008.
Antonio is a student in the Special Education Class at St.Mary’s. He is an exceptionally friendly and outgoing individual with a great sense of humour. Antonio will be attending St. Jude Academy of the Arts this summer. Antonio is excited about the opportunity and says he is looking forward to making new friends and participating in the activities.
Administered by The Angel Foundation for Learning, the Sandra Montgomery Student Bursary recognizes the contributions of Sandra Montgomery. Following an exemplary career of 35 years of service with the Toronto Catholic District School Board Sandra’s last assignment was Superintendent of Special Services, a position for which she was destined. Her unwavering commitment and compassion for students with special needs has been the cornerstone of her career. A fitting legacy, this bursary benefits students with special needs. The recipient is given $500.00 to help defray the cost of admission to community-based programs.
TCDSB Secondary students ‘make an impression’ with selection committee of
the toronto catholic school board employees credit union student bursary
Each year the Toronto
Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union has awarded $500 to one
secondary student for the TCSBECU
Student Bursary. The bursary was
established in 2002 to provide
a graduating
student with financial
assistance in order
to pursue studies
at university
or college.
Students across the
system are invited
to submit a
one page essay
for the bursary.
Students must demonstrate
a ‘B’ average
or higher, financial
need, overall contribution
to the school
and community
and acceptance
into a post-secondary
institution. The selection
committee was impressed
by the strong
quality of the
applications received
this year, and
are delighted
to provide financial
support to two
graduating students.
Congratulations Manuel Cardama of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School and Teresa Waihenya of James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic Secondary School for winning the Toronto Catholic School Board Employees Credit Union Bursary 2007-2008.
Manuel was born in Venezuela and immigrated to Canada with his family a few years ago. He is a remarkable student and has received awards for his academic achievements and his conduct in class. He won a special Award of Excellence in his Grade 11 English Class. Manuel is planning to study Biotechnology at Seneca College in September. He enjoys Science and is committed to “making the world a better place.” Manuel, we are so proud of you! Best of luck next year.
School Learning Plan -- 2007-2008
EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics:
Academic Year | Academic | Applied |
| 2007 - 2008 | ||
| 2006 - 2007 | ||
| 2005 - 2006 | ||
| 2004 - 2005 | ||
| 2003 - 2004 | ||
| 2002 - 2003 | ||
| 2001 - 2002 Description | ||
| 2000 - 2001 | ||
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):
The OSSLT shows the extent to which Ontario students are meeting the minimum literacy standard expected by the end of Grade 9. The test assesses the reading and writing skills as they apply to all subjects as out-lined in the Ontario Curriculum. Students must pass the OSSLT as one of the 32 requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
| Year | Grade 10 |
| 2007 - 2008 | |
| 2006 - 2007 | |
| 2005 - 2006 | |
| 2004 - 2005 | |
| 2003 - 2004 October | |
| 2002 - 2003 October Description | |
| 2001 - 2002 February | |