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

3 Gade Drive, North York, Ontario M3M 2K2

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• Mission Statement

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Homework Website

History & Tradition

St. Raphael Catholic School was built in 1962 and opened in September of that year with a total enrollment of 347 students coming from St. Philip Neri and St. Charles Catholic Schools. The first principal was Mr. William Crosan.

In the fall of 1966 the construction of the first addition was begun, with its completion in February of 1967. On March 5, 1967 the school was officially blessed by Very Rev. P.H. Johnson, the then vice-chairman of the Metropolitan Separate School Board (now the Toronto Catholic District School Board).

The school is named after the Archangel Raphael which in Hebrew means “God has healed”. St. Raphael is the angel of healing of the sick. We learn in the Book of Tobit how God sends Raphael to an old man named Tobias to cure him of an eye disease which had caused his blindness.

St. Raphael is also considered the patron of travelers. When the elderly Tobias wanted to collect a debt he sent his son, also named Tobias, on a long journey to get the money. It is Raphael, disguised as a human being, who acts as a guide for the young Tobias, steering him clear of all dangers on the journey. For instance, at one point in their travels, a huge fish attacks Tobias. However, he follows the advice of his guide Raphael, grasps the fish and takes out its heart, gall and liver. These are later used as a medicine to cure the blindness of the elderly Tobias.

St. Raphael is also the patron of young people. Raphael arranged a meeting between young Tobias and Sarah who were later married.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

A Catholic environment is ensured through regular liturgical and paraliturgical celebrations, prayer over the public address system as well as in the classrooms, structured religious education program, weekly visits by priests from St. Philip Neri Church, living rosary, statue of Mary in the main hall and prayer corner in the classrooms. 

Roots of Empathy 

Mr. McPherson’s Grade 4 class has been participating in the Roots of Empathy programme at St. Raphael’s School.  This programme fosters the development of empathy through discussion and activities in subjects including literature, math, music, art, and science. Once a month, baby Orazio and his mom, Lily, join the Grade 4 class.  Under the facilitation of the Roots of Empathy Instructor, Mrs. G. Figliano, the students watch Orazio’s growth and development and predict what he will be able to do by the next visit.  The students measure, weigh, and observe many developmental milestones such as reaching for a toy, rolling over, sitting up, and perhaps crawling and walking.

The students learn child development in a very concrete way as it unfolds in front of them, and as they share observations of “their baby” at play. Students and teachers, alike, are very excited about participating in the programme, and we welcome your feedback and responses. 

ME to WE 

This is an initiative that began in October 2007 with the first national ME to WE event at Ricoh Coliseum. Eight Grade seven students were chosen to attend the event and come back to the school with plans to raise money to support education in developing countries such as Sierra Leone, South Africa and Sri Lanka just to name a few. Many of the children in third world countries are not allowed to attend school because they   cannot afford it. Me to We raises awareness of the plight of so many students living in poverty and the   struggles they face on a daily basis just to survive. Our school opted to raise money to promote education in developing countries. This year we raised funds by having two movie nights which were very successful. We also had two popcorn sales. So far, we have raised over $1,000.00 and we still have more fundraising to do before the end of the year. We hope to continue to raise funds next year as well to promote this very worthy cause.

SAFETY 

Safety is of paramount importance at the school.  Supervision is provided from 8:00 a.m. in the school yard; the teachers supervise and monitor the exit and entrance of the students to/from the school.  Students are reminded to play safely and this is reinforced through divisional assemblies as well as periodic announcements over the P.A. system. 

A safe arrival program is in place at the school.  Parents are encouraged to call the school to report a child’s absence.  Parents are requested to leave their message on the automated telephone answering service.  If parents do not call the school, school staff calls the parents of the children who are absent.   

Students are not permitted to leave school during school hours unless they have a dated and signed permission note from their parents, or the parents come to get them.  A “sign in and out book” is required to be signed, when a student leaves school during school hours. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION 

St. Raphael Catholic School is able to offer students  differentiated instruction in a number of ways.  All  classroom teachers offer students differentiated instruction to their students on a regular basis. As well, for children who are identified with an exceptionality, we offer a Junior Special Education Program and an Intermediate Special Education Program. Special Education teachers deliver an individualized curriculum which is outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).  Students  receive instruction in their Special     Education class for 50% of the day in Language and Math and are integrated in their regular classrooms for Religion, Environmental Studies, Art and Physical Education.  

For the primary students, we have the Fifth Block program which is an early intervention program for primary students who require support in reading.  As a team, the Fifth Block teacher and students exchange the gift of reading with one another throughout the program.  As a Fifth Block student, one learns to become a strategic and effective reader.  Students who were at one time hesitant to read, are enjoying their new found confidence and asking to read more.  Every child is filled with excitement and enthusiasm for reading.      

St. Raphael also offers an ELL (English Language Learner) program to students who have recently arrived in Canada. This program allows the new students to learn English vocabulary orally as well as in written form so that they can be integrated into the regular class as quickly as possible. 

COMPUTER LITERACY/TECHNOLOGY 

The modification of curriculum is based on the individual learning needs of the student.  Modifications may include the use of computers in word processing, calculators, remedial assistance, peer tutoring and coaching, individualized programming, oral testing versus formal written tests. 

One of the new and exciting resources students have been introduced to this school year, are        e-books.  An e-book (electronic book) is the “digital media equivalent to a conventional printed book”. 

To access e-books at home follow these steps:

1. Type the link, www.bramptonlibrary.ca

2. Look for the column heading named Internet Resource

3. Scroll down the Internet Resource column until you see the box named e-book

4. Click on e-book

5.To access Story Books, click on Tumblebooks

5a.To access Chapter Books, Early Readers, Teens, Children Classics or Shakespeare click on Tumblereadables

7.To listen to the chosen book, click View Online  

Students are able to listen to great stories, following along with highlighted text and use word helper (when available) to increase their knowledge and understanding of the text vocabulary.  As a follow up activity to Story Book, have your child demonstrate their learning by trying the games and puzzle section.

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has also created an e-books site. Log on to www.storylineonline.net to view 26 actors reading their favorite children story.  You will also be able to access activities and lesson ideas. 

St. Raphael
Mission Statement

St. Raphael Catholic School is dedicated to excellence in education and to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical development of the whole child within the framework of Gospel values, in the tradition of the Catholic Church. 

Nurturing Catholic Community

Through prayer, worship, liturgy, and action, we will encourage and strive to strengthen the child’s relationship with God and with one another as respected and responsible members of society. 

Learning and Achievement 

Through the unique talents and learning styles of each child, we will teach the fundamental skills while promoting critical thinking, teamwork and ownership of learning. 

Building Capacity to Lead and Learn 

Through stewardship education, social justice teaching, creative and expressive arts, academic and athletic participation, leadership training, technology integration, and community service projects, we will strive to promote the growth and development of the whole child.

School News

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: