School Plan for Continuous Growth 2020-2023 (year 2)

School Mission: St. Catherine School is a multi-cultural community that provides a Christ centered, Catholic environment. Inspired by God and based on the teachings of Christ, the school is a welcoming and nurturing setting where students can deepen their relationship with God. Through the teachings of Christ, students celebrate their belonging, grow in faith and serve God and the community through acts of service. Guided by the Holy Spirit, students are provided with diverse opportunities to learn about the world through academics, the arts and physical education. .
School Vision: To develop the intellectual, spiritual, social and emotional growth of our students, we are committed to providing opportunities that foster life-long collaborative, critical and creative thinking skills.
School Charism: A Place of Welcome

Priority:  Growing in Faith
Our students and staff will learn and live the Word of God through worship, witness, and service.
Key Strategies:
F.1 Empower students and staff to express and share their gifts from God and explore the school’s charism and its importance.
F.4 Provide formation opportunities for students and staff that further their participation in our faith and enable them to discern the presence of God in their lives.
Actions we will take
-We ensure that our Faith and our Charism of "A Place Of Welcome" is permeated throughout our site. -All students and staff participate in a monthly, Virtual teaching Mass with Father Glen MacDonald. -St Catherine has a relationship with St Andrew's Parish and when COVID restrictions permit, we travel by bus to attend Mass there on the first Wednesday of each month. The seniors of the Parish truly enjoy our monthly visits and have phoned the school on multiple occasions to share this. -Social Justice initiatives and Service Projects were pursued by classes to show support within the community and charitable organizations ie) Dreams For Kids, SPCA -A Chapel is being planned where student ideas are being brought to life for this sacred space. Funds for this project were received from "Dreams For Kids." -Our Morning Broadcast is another area where the Word Of God is permeated. It includes Prayers written and read by students, and teachable moments shared that are relevant to the liturgical calendar.
Performance Measures:
Our performance in this area will be evaluated using the following Local Measure:
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Catholic Identity.
  • -Parents receive the "Parents Cat's Weekly" every Friday which includes calendar events and school information.
  • -School Council updates are shared with all stakeholders.
  • -Parents are encouraged to attend celebrations and school events in person when permitted and virtually.
  • -Use of our school Chapel
Priority:  Student Success
Through a holistic approach, students will develop to their fullest potential through multiple pathways.
Key Strategies:
S.1 Identify and apply best practices for curriculum implementation to ensure student success.
S.4 Continue to support students’ diverse needs through best practice and responsive and flexible programming.
Actions we will take
-Professional Collaborative time is woven into our monthly meetings and other Professional Learning Opportunities where teachers, our Learning Coach, our ELL Designate and Administrators will share Division Initiatives and Best Practices. -Literacy and Numeracy are yearly focus areas for all of our students. -The use of Assessments to inform instruction and the use of intentional, common language to increase higher level thinking, and vocabulary remains a priority for all staff. -CCAT, CTBS and PAT results are analyzed, and this information is used to guide instruction and facilitate next steps throughout the school year. -Math Up was used in all of the grade appropriate classes to support with numeracy and to allow for best practices to be shared amongst those teachers involved.
Performance Measures:
Our performance in this area will be measured using:
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Student Learning (Provincial Achievement Tests and Diploma Exam Results)
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of High School Completion
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Citizenship
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Student Learning Engagement
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe Learning Environment
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Access to Support and Services
Local Measures:
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Access to Help, Support and Resources
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Student Engagement
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Safe and Caring Learning Environment
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit
  • -Increased student achievement and comprehension to ensure success for all.
Priority:  An Excellent Place to Work and Learn
We will provide an optimal learning and working environment that fosters a culture of faith, trust, unity, inclusivity, confidence, respect, value and appreciation for one another.
Key Strategies:
E.1 Ensure that all teachers and leaders have the acquired skills to meet the foundational knowledge of First Nations, Métis and Inuit standard as outlined in Alberta Education Teaching, Leadership, and Superintendent Leadership Quality Standards.
E.6 Continue to create an excellent Catholic educational working environment through the provision of faith formation, health, and wellness opportunities and supports for all staff.
Actions we will take
-Our FNMI Lead Teacher shares information, PD Opportunities, resources etc., with our teaching staff. -The ATA publication "Stepping Stones" resource has been used to support our staff in gaining a deeper understanding of FNMI. -The Treaty 6 Acknowledgement is shared at all school gatherings. -Money has been dedicated to purchase resources, literature etc., to support this goal. -Information is shared from our Division's Inclusive Communities and our Safe Space Teacher Lead regularly with staff. -Our FSLW is very active at our school site and is regularly supporting our staff, students and their families. -Our Learning Coach and our ELL designate have provided regular communication and supported PD to our staff to ensure all students are successful. Literacy, Numeracy, differentiation and information directly related to our high ELL Population have all been areas of focus. -Professional Development opportunities to further this goal have been made a priority. ie) Jody Carrington Time during our staff meetings is dedicated monthly to support these opportunities. -There is a culture and climate at our school that supports and encourages staff to share knowledge with each other. -Our Social Emotional Learning Coach and Mental Health Therapist are active staff members at our site.
Performance Measures:
Our performance in this area will be measured using:
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Education Quality
Local Measures:
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Teaching and Assessment Practices
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Staff Engagement and Respect in the Workplace
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Overall Satisfaction with Edmonton Catholic Schools
Priority:  Building Our Future Together
We will engage in good stewardship of all resources through principled governance and engagement.
Key Strategies:
B.2 Continue to walk together recognizing the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
B.4 Continue to nurture collaborations, relationships and partnerships to provide programs and services for students from Pre-K-12.
Actions we will take
-Parents are repeatedly reminded that they are welcome and encouraged to attend, this year virtually- our Celebrations, events and SAC Meetings. -EISA (Edmonton Immigrant Services Association) is actively involved in our school and ensures that families have an awareness and an understanding of this. This Program is funded by Immigration Refugee Canadian Citizenship (IRCC). -We continue to work as a team with One World to provide translation support to facilitate communication between staff and families. -With the support of Indigenous Learning Services, we will continue to provide opportunities to demonstrate how we are recognizing the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Performance Measures:
Our performance in this area will also be measured using:
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Parental Involvement and,
  • Alberta Education Assurance Measure of Budget-Actual Comparison
Local Measures:
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Parent/Guardian Involvement
  • ECSD Assurance Survey of Theme - Implementing Frameworks and Procedures
  • -Use of EISA staff to translate when necessary to communicate with parents.
  • -Our site has been requested to host future FNMI Professional Development Opportunities.
  • -Services and opportunities offered to students from various partnerships (Actions for Healthy Communities, University of Alberta, ECSD Foundation, EISA, Scientists in School, Telus World of Science, Skate Canada, Knights of Columbus, One World One Centre, YONA)
November Review:
Goal #1 - Learning and Living the Word of God through worship, witness and service -Charism "A Place of Welcome" appears on all communication and is lived by actions and reception of new families to the school community. Division Chaplains (Father Glen and/or Father Julian) are part of all celebrations and services. To this date, school opening celebration was in the gymnasium and the Thanksgiving Celebration and Remembrance Day Service were done virtually. Monthly hotdog lunches will take place to help raise funds for "Dreams for Kids".Progress on school chapel has included a hand built altar, purchase of liturgical cloths, and plans for stained glass art work and a quilting school project are underway. Goal #2 - Through a holistic approach, students will develop to their fullest potential through multiple pathways. -Weekly and biweekly time has been scheduled for homeroom teachers to support individual and/or small groups with literacy and numeracy. SIOP Professional Development provided for all teachers, with a focus on best practices. Monthly teacher collaboration and professional development through TLNT (Targeted Literacy and Numeracy Time Community of Practice) Goal #3 - Optimal learning and working environment that fosters a culture of faith, trust, unity, inclusivity, confidence, respect, value and appreciation for one another. -We are building leadership capacity through division initiatives: Mental Health Champion, Truth and Reconciliation and Go Green Initiative Lead Teachers. Professional Development for staff has included Programming for All, IPP Goal Writing, Supporting Students in SIOP. Focus sequence has become an activity for all students and staff. Goal #4 - Good stewardship through principled governance and engagement - partnerships with multiple organizations.
February Review:
Goal #1 - Learning and Living the Word of God through worship, witness and service Virtual liturgies have continued due to COVID restrictions. Registration forms for sacrament celebration were distributed to our elementary students with 27 responses being forwarded to St. Andrew Parish. Our entire school created messages of hope and promise for front line workers. Christmas cards were also created and distributed to seniors living in our area to provide blessings and Christmas wishes. A virtual schedule has been created for classes to visit and spend time in the new chapel space and it is being used. A sacrament board has been added to the entrance of the chapel. Student art work, quilt project, and stained glass windows continue to be worked on. Goal #2 - Through a holistic approach, students will develop to their fullest potential through multiple pathways SIOP strategies have been implemented to support all learners with achievement and comprehension of content across subject areas being a focus. Literacy and numeracy intervention teachers have been supporting screener identified struggling learners in our primary grades. Literacy support continues to be offered by each teacher to students identified as requiring additional assistance. Goal #3 - Optimal learning and working environment that fosters a culture of faith, trust, unity, inclusivity, confidence, respect, value and appreciation for one another Additional FNMI students have joined our school population and staff are accessing Indigenous Learning Services to ensure our programming is complimenting an Indigenous perspective as best as possible. Black History Month was recognized and celebrated every day via student broadcast and individual classroom projects were shared via social media and broadcast as well. Since Christmas, our junior high student leadership team has involved the entire school in a variety of activities aimed to generate engagement and increase sense of community. Goal 4 - Additional organizational involvement include Actions for Health Communities and Kompany Family Theatre.