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

215 Livingston Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1E 1L8

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History & Tradition

St. Ursula Catholic School has served the Catholic children of Guildwood Village and the surrounding area of Scarborough for more than 40 years. Our school's community church is St. Martin de Porres with some of our families living within St. Boniface boundaries. Other families traditionally attend to their spiritual needs through churches with services accommodating their cultural language.

About St. Ursula
When Ursula was a little girl, she loved children very much. She therefore became a teacher. Mothers and fathers sent their boys and girls to her. She taught them how to be good. She told them about Jesus and Mary. She had a fine school for them in England.

But terrible pagan armies came into England. They threatened to kill all Christians. So Ursula took her pupils and her other teachers and went with them to France. But once again, she met peril. The terrible Huns came with their armies. They hated Jesus Christ and they killed all Christians. So they captured Ursula and her sweet young companions.

They asked Ursula to let them make slaves of the little boys and girls. Ursula refused. They promised to let them all go free if they would give up Christ and the Catholic faith. They all refused. So the army of the Huns drew their swords. They pulled back their bows and arrows. They killed Ursula and all her companions. And like glorious martyrs they went straight to heaven. Her Feast is on October 21st.
--From Miniature Stories of the Saints by Rev. Daniel A. Lord, S.J.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

In keeping with our Mission to education students to their full potential, our programs and instructional practices reflect a focus on the learner- how do we know that learning has taken place? How do we celebrate individual and group successes? What is our plan for responding when our students aren’t learning? As a professional learning community, the staff of St. Ursula keeps these questions at the forefront when designing, implementing, and reviewing curricular programs and practices. To support this focus, the following strategies assist our school community in its’ work with our students.  

STRATEGIES TO CREATE AND SUPPORT A CATHOLIC ENVIRONMENT: 

·        Emphasis is placed on common mission and purpose through a professional learning community.

·        The teaching of Catholic doctrine, traditions and beliefs is stressed through a Christ-centred curriculum.

·        Emphasis is placed on the spiritual, academic, and social development of each student.

·        Staff and parents endeavour to demonstrate commitment to Catholicism and to serve as role models of Catholic values.

·        We gather as community to celebrate our faith in liturgies and paraliturgies.

·        Regular visits from the local pastor strengthen the bond between school and church.

·        A daily bible reading and reflection starts our day.

·        The Grade 2 and 8 religion programs support the sacramental work of the parish. 

-        A central prayer table and classroom prayer tables reflect our Catholic tradition of spiritual reflection. Students engage in
         charitable works including fundraising and food drives to assist those less fortunate than ourselves.
 

STRATEGIES TO CREATE AND SUPPORT A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT 

• All school programs emphasize student self-esteem and mutual respect.
•  A safe arrival program is in place.
• School policies and procedures reflect a deep concern for the safety and security of our students.
• Discipline procedures are educational in purpose, working to assist students in taking responsibility for their own actions.
• Members of our community are actively involved in our school: parent volunteers, co-operative education students, student volunteers, and community workers assist us in providing individual assistance to students who need additional support.

STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

• Staff gather in learning groups to work together to answer important questions of teaching and learning. 
• Assessment measures are used to determine student’s reading levels.
• Early identification of at-risk students allows for the provision of early intervention.
• Monthly assemblies are held to recognize and celebrate student achievement.
• Special education programs address individual needs, while providing students the opportunity for integration with their peers for regular programs.
• Use of the school and public library is encouraged.
• Regular school to home communications are encouraged.
• Use of the student agenda allows teachers and parents to communicate around homework expectations.
• Use of the print resources and support materials that have been distributed to each school in the system is promoted and supported.  
• Continue to ensure the availability and effective use of basic manipulatives such as pattern blocks, multi-link cubes, base ten blocks and counters for investigative lessons and performance-based assessments.
• Co-curricular activities as well as excursions and cultural performances round out our education program.

School News

School Calendar 2012

Professional Activity Days 2012

• January 27, 201
• February 17, 2012
• June 1, 2012
• June 29, 2012

PA and Exam Day Calendar 2011-2012

School Newsletters

• Newsletter, February 2012
• Calendar, January 2012
• Newsletter, January 2012
• Calendar, December 2011
• Newsletter, December 2011
• Newsletter, November 2011
• Calendar, November 2011
• Calendar, October 2011
• Newsletter, September 2011
• Calendar, September 2011
• Calendar June 2011
• Newsletter June 2011
• Newsletter, May 2011
• Calendar, April 2011
• Newsletter, April 2011

St. Cecilia Youth Choir
On Sunday, Dec. 4th, The St. Cecilia Youth Choir, under the direction of our talented Vocal Music teacher, Mrs. Murphy, collaborated with the La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra to create an outstanding musical celebration. The Choir is comprised of more than 70 elementary students from three Catholic schools in the area and our St. Ursula students demonstrated amazing musicality as they shared their beautiful voices. The result of the collaboration was an artistically excellent musical performance showcasing exceptional talent and vibrant personalities.

Video of performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYrI9D9s_o8

Journey of the Witness to Faith Cross at St. Ursula
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is ushering in the new school year with a celebration to launch “The Year of Witness”, the third year of the Board’s three-year pastoral plan focusing on Word, Worship and Witness.

For the year of Witness, the students at Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School have created a travelling cross, which will journey across the school system throughout the year, with each school having an opportunity to spend a day with the cross.

St. Ursula students welcomed the cross to their school on September 30.

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: