PASTORAL PLAN School Name: School Mission Statement: Peace, Love, Service and Excellence These words have risen from the actions taken by our namesake, St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Like our patron saint, we hope to create an environment of peace, as we become peacemakers within our school community, and sending that message of peace out to others. Like our patron saint, we hope to love unconditionally the way Jesus taught us. To love others regardless of the differences knowing that we are all made in the image of God. Like our patron saint, we hope to demonstrate the importance of service to others, as we work to reach out to make this world a better place following Jesus examples of servant leadership. Like our patron saint, we hope to strive for excellence and work to build and enhance our skills in order to reach our true potential striving to build on the gifts given to us by our Lord. School Motto: Peace, Love, Service, Excellence Our Parish: St. Josephine Bakhita Pastor: Rev. Mark Villanueva Parish website: www.stjosephinebakhita.ca Page 1 of 11
Message from the Pastor: The Mission of the Parish is to be a Catholic, multicultural community of faith, called to witness and proclaim, to celebrate and share the Hope and Charity we have in Jesus Christ as exemplified by St. Josephine Bakhita, our Universal Sister (John Paul II) and Model of Hope (Benedict XVI). We are a people who weave together this neighbourhood as: A community of faith, committed to live the Greatest Love of Jesus Christ, and Mary, Mother of Charity at the foot of the Cross. A community of prayer, nourished by the Word of God, the Eucharist, and the traditions of the Church, reflected in the way we live and celebrate. A community that welcomes every woman and man, child and youth, of all cultures, to equal discipleship in Jesus Christ. A community that ministers to the needs of the world, committed to the promotion of justice, peace, and the stewardship of creation. A community that is not afraid to face its pain and yet deeply trust in the hope that saves. We believe that each one [of us] is called to be the strand that God will use to weave a tapestry in this place; a tapestry that will be intricate and exquisite. Message from the Catholic School Council: The Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC) of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Elementary School works closely with both Administration and staff to continue to ensure all CSAC initiatives consistently reflect the virtues of our Catholic faith. We recognize the value in Catholic education, and the importance of parent involvement in the spiritual and academic development of our students to help them achieve their respective goals. Page 2 of 11
Links to Strategic Plan/Catholic Board Learning Plan: Link: Strategic Plan 2014 2019 Strategic System Plan The Strategic System Plan reflects our promise to each student and family of rigorous academic standards, safe, clean, healthy, caring, inclusive schools, a vigorous and diverse curriculum, a faithful, engaged, technologically focused community, and a wide range of extracurricular infused with Gospel values in the Catholic faith tradition. Catholic Learning Environment: Catholic Community, Culture and Caring is a pillar of our new CBILC. We are in Year 2 of the Learning Cycle. Creating Catholic conditions for well being and engagement must be at the forefront of what we do within our school community. At St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Elementary School, we work to sustain a safe, welcoming school through: Daily prayer woven through and modelled across the curriculum Virtues reflected in our words and acons Promong student well being through Christian Meditation, Rosary Club, BEAR Squad, P.A.L.S., CYW social skills programs, Zones of Regulation program, Bullying Awareness and Prevention activities, Leadership Group initiatives. A variety of community outreach iniaves e.g. Dr. Simone s Canadian Food for Children, Samaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Eden Food for Change (formerly Eden Food Bank). Catholic Learning Environment Strategic System Plan At St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Elementary School, we foster the continuous development of all through a caring, safe, and inclusive environment. This is accomplished through: Adult Faith Ambassadors BEAR Squad led by the CCCC Acon Team connecting with parents, students and the community through our website and newsletter Liturgical celebraons Ongoing collaboration with our Pastor and parish team at St. Josephine Bakhita Page 3 of 11
Catholic Education Week Theme: Renewing the Promise Throughout Catholic Education Week, we ask you to reflect on the significance of Catholic education s presence and contribution in our Church, and in our society. May 6 11, 2018 is Catholic Education Week. Activities planned for Catholic Education Week include: Monday: Remembering the Promise School wide assembly for Crowning of Mary, Staff Liturgy, Pope Francis message to be shared at Liturgy Tuesday: The Promise is Within You Classroom Open House Wednesday: Praying the Promise School wide living rosary Thursday: Living the Promise Multicultural Night Friday: Proclaiming the Promise Shining Stars at St. Aloysius Gonzaga S.S. Catholic School Graduation Expectations activities in classrooms led by Leadership Group. Faith Formation: Forming ourselves in our Catholic faith is a foundational element in helping each of us understand and live in the example of Christ. The school activities that support both adult and student faith formation include: Virtues assemblies morning prayers and announcements school masses and liturgical celebrations liturgical calendar celebrations (e.g. Advent, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Stations of the Cross, Easter) Gr. 2 First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Gr. 7 Confirmation sacramental preparations Youth Faith Ambassadors, also known as the BEAR Squad food and clothing drives, activities with younger students (e.g. Kindergarten Helpers), Dr. Simone CCFC visits and drives Page 4 of 11
Adult Faith Ambassadors liturgies for staff (e.g. Advent prayers) Rosary Club Christian Meditation Gr. 7 & 8 involvement in Community Hours ShareLife fundraising activities for staff and students: e.g. Staff Thanksgiving Potluck daily Religious Education/Family Life instruction Visits to students from parish priest and introduction to the Eastern Rite, through a visit from Fr. Roman Galadza, St. Elias Parish. Sacramental Preparation: As Catholic, we understand sacraments to be "outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace." Together in partnership with our parish, we support the preparation of God s children in receiving the sacraments. Event Grade 2 Grade 7 First Gathering November 5 th, 10:00am Rite of Enrolment & Presentation of the Lambs November 19 th, any mass Second Gathering Third Gathering First Reconciliation Fourth Gathering First Holy Communion Sacrament of Confirmation December 3 rd, 10:00am January 21 st, 10:00am February 13 th February 25 th, 10:00am April 14 th, 10:00am April 12 th, 7:00pm Page 5 of 11
Liturgical Celebrations: The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer. Celebration Opening School & Thanksgiving Mass Remembrance Day Ceremony and Liturgy Advent Mass Ash Wednesday Liturgy Virtue Assembly for Kindness Easter Mass Virtue Assembly for Love Crowning of Mary Virtue Assembly for Acceptance Year End Mass Graduation Liturgy Date & Time Tuesday, October 17 th, 9:15am Friday, November 10 th, 10:30am Thursday, December 21 st, 10:30am Wednesday, February 14 th, 9:15am Thursday, March 22 nd, 1:15pm Friday, April 6 th, 1:15pm Monday, April 30 th, 11:15am Monday, May 7 th, 1:00pm Thursday, May 31 st, 1:00pm Tuesday, June 12 th, 1:15pm Monday, June 25 th, 7:00pm Social Justice / Outreach Activities / Charities: Catholic Social Teachings of the Church root our actions in supporting human dignity and the preferential option of the poor, which calls us to serve the most vulnerable in the world. Our school participates in ShareLife, social justice, outreach, and charity activities for both staff, students, and their families. Examples include participation in: the Wilf Hartzenberg Walk, Run & Roll Skate 2 DON8 Staff potlucks and liturgies with donations given to ShareLife Visits by students to the warehouse of Dr. Simone s Canadian Food for Children, Eden Food for Change food bank activities for staff and students Saaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child for impoverished children in Chile, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast. Hat & Mitten Tree for families within the city of Mississauga Angel Fund for families in need in our school community Eco school activities that focus on stewardship of our sacred environment. Page 6 of 11
Recognizing Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations: Framed by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGE), our graduates will be effective communicators, reflective thinkers, lifelong learners, collaborative contributors, caring family members, responsible citizens and discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith community. St. Bernard of Clairvaux continues to demonstrate a commitment to the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations and to living out the Virtues. Some examples of the daily activities at the school are: I AM A BELIEVER! Virtues assemblies morning prayers and announcements school masses and liturgical celebrations liturgical calendar celebrations (e.g. Advent, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Stations of the Cross, Easter) Gr. 2 First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Gr. 7 Confirmation sacramental preparations Youth Faith Ambassadors, also known as the BEAR Squad Adult Faith Ambassadors Liturgical Committee Rosary Club Christian Meditation daily Religious Education/Family Life instruction regular visits to students from parish priest I HAVE A VOICE! Bullying awareness and prevention (Region of Peel, CYW Zones of Regulation, Be Cool Program) St. Bernard of Clairvaux Acceptance Pledge Classroom Anti bullying contracts Boys/Girls Social Groups (conflict resolution and social skills) I HAVE IDEAS! P.A.L.S. program (Playground Activity Leaders) Run by CYW, staff and Peel Public Health Nurse ECO Team Page 7 of 11
I AM A LEARNER FOR LIFE! Reading buddies & Tech Buddies Scholastic Book Fair EQAO After School Tutoring Forest of Reading program Extra curricular clubs and sports Office helpers In class teacher helpers ELL Ambassadors I AM A TEAM PLAYER! Catholic Code of Conduct St. Bernard of Clairvaux Acceptance Pledge CCCCAT theme We all belong to God s family Volunteer Appreciation I CARE! Youth Faith Ambassadors/BEAR Squad; in school, social justice, and community outreach activities (food drives) Gr. 8 Leadership Group Adult Faith Ambassadors (Advent retreat, Holy Week activities) Rosary Club ECO school certification Green Team activities (Earth Week Activities, neighbourhood clean up, waste audit) Gold status Bullying awareness and prevention activities (in school presentations, school anti bullying oath, former Region of Peel Bullying Lessons, Virtues program) PALS, Boys/Girls Social Group Diversity Club I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES! Catholic Code of Conduct Youth Faith Ambassadors/BEAR Squad led activities P.A.L.S. Zones of Regulation program (FDK to Gr. 3) Be Cool program (Gr. 4 8) ECO School initiatives, ECO School Certification, and ECO Team announcements Page 8 of 11
Celebrating Virtues: A virtue is a habit or established capacity to perform good actions according to a moral standard. When we practice these virtues, we strengthen them and thereby make the presence of God more and more visible in the world around us. The virtues of faith, respect, empathy, kindness, conscience, love, hope, acceptance, selfcontrol and fairness are always visible within our school. We draw upon the virtues to celebrate successes and as a tool during progressive discipline. At St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the virtues are present in all of our actions as a school community. They are referenced daily, whether it is through prayer, reflection or a curriculum connection. School masses and liturgies are two areas where our virtues come to life within our school community. We celebrate the virtues regularly through school wide celebrations, which are led by our students. We focus on the virtue of the month through: song, skits, prayer, litanies, video, etc. Visible Signs of our Faith: Through symbol and service, we are instruments of God s love whose work within our communities stands as a witness to our faith. Visible signs of our faith are found everywhere at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Elementary School and they include: Crosses of the risen Christ in every classroom Prayer tables or sacred spaces in every classroom, workroom and office; they include appropriate colored cloths based on the liturgical season, Bibles, candles, rosaries, and other symbols which represent our faith Community service, social justice, and faith activities Altar in our school foyer Announcements of special liturgical days or seasons e.g. feast days Virtues Bulletin Boards Faith Display cases Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations posters and curriculum focus Page 9 of 11
Resource List for Parents/Guardians: Religious Education Curriculum Ontario Religious Education Curriculum Family Life Curriculum Ontario Family Life Curriculum Fully Alive Program information Ontario Bishops' information on Fully Alive Resource List for Schools: Board Vocations Units We have Vocations units as part of the Grades 2, 5, and 8 curriculum. The goal of these supplementary units is to deepen ones understands of God s call the vocare to various forms of life within the Church. History of the Parish Through the resource book Our Story, Our Tradition, Our Journey, grade 7 students have the opportunity to learn about the history of our parish. Enduring Gift Video School Based Many Gifts resource Fully Alive program The World I Know Virtues in Action video series Class Visits by Parish Priest: Father Mark visits classes for sacramental preparation and to discuss the importance of living the gospel values. Page 10 of 11
MEMORARE OF ST. BERNARD Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother, to thee I come, before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! Despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. This prayer was composed after the writings of St. Bernard, the first to give Mary her title of Notre Dame. Page 11 of 11