Venerable John Merlini Catholic School (elementary--Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8)

123 Whitfield Ave, North York, Ontario, M9L 1G9

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History & Tradition

Venerable John Merlini was born in Spoleto, Italy on August 28, 1795. A disciple of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, he continued the latter's missionary work, traveling untiringly the roads of Italy and conducting popular missions in which he preached the reconciling power of the blood of Christ. He directed and developed the Missionary Society of the Precious Blood in Italy and abroad.

Renowned for sanctity, he died in Rome on January 12, 1873. His body lies near that of St. Gaspar in the Church of Santa Maria in Trivio. On June 22, 1972, Pope Paul VI declared his virtue heroic and ordered the decree to be published to that effect.

Venerable John Merlini Catholic School community was established in September 1981 in the shared lease facility with the Whitfield Public School Community of the North York Board of Education. The community was composed of families from the St. Gaspar and St. Roch Catholic School communities, who lived south of Steeles Avenue and west of Islington Avenue. In 2002, St. Gaspar Catholic School merged with Venerable John Merlini to become one.

The school community is in St. Roch's Parish. The pastoral staff Pastor Rev. Philip Smith, Rev. Luciano Baiocchi, Rev. Domenic Jeng and Rev. Carlo DellaVecchia.

All of the Society of the Precious Blood, are indispensable members of our religious education program. They help us in teaching the Gospel values and providing opportunities for our students, staff and parents to participate in liturgies.

How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students

Our goal in the Venerable John Merlini School community is to educate each student to reach his/her full potential in a dynamic, Christ-centered learning community which accentuates the uniqueness and talents of each of our members. We strive to create a positive, secure, welcoming learning environment where all our members may grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. Each member is encouraged to take responsibility for his or her own actions to reach our goal of self-discipline, and to ensure that our school community is a safe environment in which to grow. When disciplinary action is required every effort is made, through clear communication with the pupil and parents, to counsel the pupil in order to effect positive change. Students are expected to solve problems through discussions and negotiations.

Our peacemaker's program emphasizes that we are all called to be peacemakers. Our teachers acknowledge the uniqueness of their students, therefore the necessity to modify their programs to meet individual needs. We encourage our students to set high standards for themselves and to take responsibility for their own learning and progress.

To meet the diverse needs, abilities and interests of our students and to provide a learning environment that maximizes individual growth and development, a broad spectrum of programs and services is available to our students.

University graduates work with our primary and junior students on a weekly basis to give them individual assistance in the language arts. Parent volunteers are an invaluable assistance in our language arts, math and computer literacy program.

Students and staff are involved in numerous activities and celebrations: to discover and celebrate our gifts and to assist our students to develop a positive sense of self and a love of learning; to help them to see that sustained effort is the key to success, self-esteem, and future enjoyment.

School News

School Calendar 2011-2012

Professional Activity Days 2011-2012

Elementary

• November 18, 2011
• December 9, 2011
• January 27, 201
• February 17, 2012
• June 1, 2012
• June 29, 2012

PA and Exam Day Calendar 2011-2012

School News

“Me to We” is a movement that promotes altruism and thinking about the greater good.  One of the VJM “Me to We” projects was the beautification of the school’s front garden.

During the beginning of the week of May 24th, Mrs. Sangiuliano’s class began the process of cleaning the garden.  Once the garden was clean, garden soil was delivered and mixed into the existing soil.   

Then, at the end of the week, both Mrs. Ferzoco and Mrs. Sangiuliano’s classes began planting the beautiful perennials and annuals that were most generously donated.

We would like to take this opportunity to formally thank the many wonderful people who contributed plants to our school garden:

- our Emily Avenue neighbours, Signora Domenica and Signore Antonio, we thank you for the many plants you spontaneously brought over as we began to dig our garden;

- the Cipollone family for the beautiful lilac tree and other plants;

- the Pietrangelo family for the tiger lilies in the memorial garden; 

- all the families of Mrs. Ferzoco and Mrs. Sangiuliano's students who sent in plants;

- the teachers who brought in plants;

- and 'In the Garden' centre for the soil;
 

 Our front garden is now a welcoming face to our welcoming school!  We hope that the garden will continue to bloom for many years to come.

 “To cultivate a garden is to walk with God”
Christian Bovee

Stop Bullying – Pink Shirt Day
Throughout the month of March, the community of Venerable John Merlini Catholic School worked diligently in creating a proactive dialogue about the various types of bullying that exists in schools today. From JK to Grade 8, students had the opportunity to have The Power of One presentation come to the school where the presenters, through small skits and student involved role plays demonstrated what bullying is all about. Each class was presented with the challenge of creating a bullying pledge. As a culminating school activity, on April 14th, the school community was called to come together and show their pledge to stop bullying by participating in Canada’s third annual Pink Shirt Day. This cause began in Nova Scotia by two Grade 12 high school students in 2007 and has now developed into a nation wide effort. Venerable John Merlini staff and students wore their pink shirts and demonstrated the school spirit that exists at their school.

Information for Parents:

• Venerable John Merlini Safe School Plan

• Venerable John Merlini Code of Conduct

• Venerable John Merlini Parent Handbook

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: