Elementary Pastoral Plan 2017-2018

PASTORAL PLANSchool: St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School

School Mission Statement:

At St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School, we commit ourselves to nurture and develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social growth of each student, in partnership with the parents and the Church, in a supportive professional environment.

School Motto: Spiritual. Academic. Social. Excellence

Our Parish: Holy Family

Pastor: Rev. Laurence J. Leger

Parish website: www.holyfamilybolton.ca

Message from the Pastor:

Holy Family Parish recognizes how the School and Parish serve the family – the “Domestic Church”. In this sense the Family and the School are rooted in the soil we call “Parish”. Holy Family supports the faith formation of students and staff within St. John Paul II School Community through liturgy, prayer, and the Sacraments. St. John Paul II School supports the work of evangelization in the parish through promotion of parish wide Youth Ministries.

Message from the Catholic School Council:

“School councils play a vital role in the education system in Ontario. They provide a forum through which parents and other members of school communities can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance. Catholic school councils shall promote the vision, values, sacramental life, and Catholic practices of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and be faithful to its mission.”

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Elementary Pastoral Plan 2017-2018

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 – May 12 is Catholic Education Week.

During Catholic Education week we reflect on the importance of Catholic education in our society. Parents are invited to participate in prayer, celebrations and activities that highlight the spiritual life, mission and vision of St. John Paul II school. During Catholic Education Week, prayer centered on the theme: Renewing the Promise is an essential component of experiencing God’s presence in our school. As well, students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate and actualize mercy through charitable activities such as a Food Drive and celebrate the gift of Catholic education through community events such as Dance Performances, an Eco-Fair, and a Wellness Night.

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.

It is our belief that as a school community, both staff and students work together to nurture our faith development by learning more about our faith and acting as living examples of the Gospel Values. At St. John Paul II there are many school activities that support both adult and student faith formation including: liturgies, masses, virtue assemblies, faith days, Lenten pilgrimage, Seder meal, retreats (Lent and Advent) guest speakers (former students who have participated in missions, youth minister, Father Larry, etc.) Rosary Apostolate, and Youth Faith Ambassadors. Staff provide opportunities for spiritual reflection for students in their classrooms through shared stories as well as through the Religious Education and Family Life curricula. As a school, we pray collectively at the start of each day and at school liturgies and masses. As well, at St. John Paul II, Adult Faith Ambassadors assist with the faith formation of staff by providing support for spiritual development and Gospel action.

Sacramental Preparation:

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Elementary Pastoral Plan 2017-2018

As Catholics, 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.

Students prepare for their sacraments with their by families through Holy Family Parish. Weekly attendance at mass, prayer, and reflection, are ways that students can strengthen their relationship with God and ready themselves for Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation.

Event Grade 2 Grade 7 Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday afternoons during

LentSaturday afternoons during Lent

First Communion (7 weekends)

The weekends of April 21-June 2

Confirmation (total of 8 dates)

May 28 to May 31 and June 4 to 7, 2018

Liturgical Celebrations:

The Liturgical calendar is marked by the gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist and share in prayer.

Celebration DateOpening Mass September 19, 2017Remembrance Day Liturgy November 10, 2017Advent Mass December 5, 2017Ash Wednesday Mass February 14, 2018Easter Mass April 11, 2018Rosary Apostolate Celebration May 4, 2018Year End Mass June 13. 2018Graduation Mass June 20, 2018Virtue Assemblies:Empathy October 26, 2017Conscience November 30, 2017Hope December 21. 2017Self-Control/Decision Making January 25, 2018Respect February 23, 2018Kindness March 22, 2018Love April 26, 2018Acceptance May 31, 2018Fairness June 14, 2018

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Elementary Pastoral Plan 2017-2018

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.

At. St. John Paul II we believe we have a duty to help others as Jesus did. We strive to serve the most vulnerable in our community. We practice kindness in our school community, charity in our local community, and stewardship for the earth through many activities throughout the school year. We raise money for ShareLife and other charities through dress down days, staff social fundraisers, the Terry Fox Run, and spirit council fundraisers. We give to the neediest in our community and our world through a candy drive for Dr. Simone, a Giving Tree to collect hats and mittens, a toy drive, ‘shop with a cop’ for families in need, and by collecting milk bags. We also serve our community through Grandfriends and work to save our planet through our Eco-team. Working together we can make a difference in the world. Our spiritual committees include Youth Faith Ambassadors, Adult Faith Ambassadors, as well as the Rosary Apostolate. Staff and students also participate in activities such as Black History month, the Diversity Conference, and the Youth Faith Ambassadors’ Commissioning. At St. John Paul II, students are given many opportunity to learn, lead, and develop their faith.

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.

At. St. John Paul II our Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations are present in the front lobby at the entrance of our school and students are supported to become effective, reflective, self-directed, collaborative people throughout their elementary journey. We celebrate our graduates through a Graduation mass and present awards that recognize achievement in behaviours that reflect the OCGEs such as Christian Leadership and Catholicity. At St. John Paul II we work to create and sustain a safe, caring, and inclusive school community that includes anti-bullying prevention measures. Through our Eco-team, PALS, Youth Faith Ambassadors program, and other leadership opportunities such as a diversity conference, students are able to learn more about how to be caring, contributing, responsible citizens.

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Elementary Pastoral Plan 2017-2018

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.

At. St. John Paul II we have monthly virtues assemblies to remind us of our commitment to high moral standards. Each month a different virtue becomes the focus in our classrooms. We have monthly Virtue Awards for students who have demonstrated the monthly virtue and acted as an example for the students around them. We also participate in activities such as Random Acts of Kindness to highlight the virtues we strive to demonstrate. Through our PALS program, Eco-team, Spirit Council, and Peace Garden, we provide opportunities for students to learn about the virtues and practice them in their daily lives.

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.

At St. John Paul II our school sign and newsletter inform the community of our upcoming liturgies and masses and welcome all to join us in our celebrations of our faith. Our cross and altar are prominently placed by the front door. As we walk in the school, these symbols are present as a reminder of what we believe. In each classroom there is a prayer table with a table cloth, changed monthly by our Youth Faith Ambassadors, to reflect the colours of the liturgical seasons. In our hallway, there is a gathering space where a class or group of students can gather to pray and reflect on the Word of God. Classes have crosses, children’s bible stories, bibles, and displays such as Circle of Friends that remind us of who we are and how we are called to act. Our Advent wreaths are present during Advent and nativity scenes are displayed during Christmas. These symbols of our faith help to represent who we are as a Catholic community.

Resource List for Parents/Guardians:

Religious Education Curriculum - Ontario Religious Education Curriculum

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Elementary Pastoral Plan 2017-2018

Family Life Curriculum - Ontario Family Life Curriculum

Fully Alive Program information - Ontario Bishops' information on Fully Alive

Resource List for Schools:

Board

Vocations UnitsWe have Vocations units as part of the Grades 2, 5, and 8 curriculum. The goal of these supplementary units is to deepen one’s understanding of God’s call – the “vocare” – to various forms of life within the Church.

History of the ParishThrough 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

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