Presentation to the Board of Trustees

Gretchen Morgan

May 27, 2015

Virtues Revitalization Project

We have been using the current program for past 5 years

Large variation across districtTime to ensure program is meeting the needs

of our students and staff

FYI:Theological virtues: faith, hope, loveCardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude,

temperance

Background – where we’ve been

Virtue: A Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of themselves. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all their sensory and spiritual powers; they pursue the good and choose it in concrete actions.

Board perspective – current program

MONTH VIRTUE

September Faith

October Gratitude

November Prudence (wisdom)

December Charity

January Fortitude (courage)

February Temperance (self-control)

March Forgiveness

April Justice

May Humility

June Hope

Board perspective – current program

Our mandate is to review our current program and make changes to “revitalize”

Finish our initial work in late May/early JuneMaterials to principals in JuneProfessional development on June 26 PA dayEffective 2015-2016 school yearWorking committee – everyone played a very

important role to get this important work done

Where are we going?

What do you like about the virtues program? What would you like to keep?

What do you dislike about the program? What would you like to remove, add or change?

What support do you need in order to bring these virtues to light in your school

Results for staff and students

Stakeholder Input # 1 (Jan.)

As we move forward with our virtue revitalization project, we would like your input on which teachings from the Church we should focus on starting in the 2015-2016 school year.

“Voting for Virtues” Social Teachings of the ChurchFruits of the Holy SpiritGrandfather TeachingsVirtuesOther

Stakeholder Input # 2 (Feb.)

Approx. 125 surveys (some done individually and some done as a school community)

Despite 42 options – many of our current virtues were selected as the most popular

Similar results at both Elementary and Secondary panels

Stakeholder Input # 2 (Feb.)

Most Catholic School boards in Ontario currently have a virtues/social justice/teaching of the Church

Some look more like character education programs while other stick to the virtues

Some of the 29 Catholic School Boards have very prominent areas on their website

Provincial Perspective

Things we liked most:Ties to Catholic Social Teachings & VirtuesFruits of the Holy SpiritEnglish & French resourcesResources 20+ pages (Eng & French, elementary

& secondary)Calendar is not specific to yearOpportunity to build and grow resources over

timeResources and lesson plans ready for staffEasy to use

Provincial Perspective

MONTH VIRTUE

September/October Faith

November/December Love

January/February Forgiveness

March/April Hope

May/June Prudence (wisdom)

Proposed Virtues Program 2015-2016

Proposed Virtues Program 2015-2016

MONTH VIRTUE

September/October Gratitude

November/December Justice

January/February Respect & Responsibility

March/April Fortitude (courage)

May/June Temperance (self-control)

10 virtues but will cover them over 2 years (year 1 & year 2)

Taking 2 months to cover virtuesMonth # 1 – explicit teachingMonth # 2 – ties to social justice and LIVING

OUR FAITHPlans for yearly board-wide contests

Program Overview

Bring our Catholic Faith to lifeLead person in each school communityResource package for each school (print &

digital)Opportunity to add resources over timeConnections to areas of curriculumElementary & Secondary materials and

resourcesEvery staff member has responsibility to

teach across the curriculum

Program Overview

Refusing to “water-down” our faithMake materials accessible (print &

electronic)Materials in French & EnglishWe would like this to be a living program –

tied to Church teachings, social justice and ACTION

Consistency across the district (reporting on report cards, lists of items to “look for” in school and classrooms, etc.)

Non-negotiables

Support – in various formsHelp ensure that we are different than our co-

terminous schoolsWe need your help to bring our faith to lifeBudget considerations

We can’t do this work without you

Print resources for each school community (printing & binders) – this summer

Release Virtues Committee to continue to work on year # 2 materials during 2015-2016 school year

New resources for each school for 2015-2016Revised posters for each school communityContinued budgetary support over the next 3 yearsCreation of shared site for digital accessibility Support to run yearly district-wide contestsGraphic artist to create logo Your ideas and suggestions?

Budget Considerations

Todd Bosak, Mike Buhler, Cristina Corbett, Melanie Dixon-Flurey, Brenda Doyle, Jeanette Foy, Brenda Gagne, Sylvie Guevremont, Lori Hurtubise, Lisa Johnston, Laura Kelly, Liliane Lachance, Father John Lemire, Sharon Maisonneuve, Andrew Marks, Karen MacGregor, Gretchen Morgan, Lori-Ann Parkes, Peggy Sirosky, Pauline Sterling and Glenn Sheculski

Special Thank-you our Committee

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me

Gretchen Morgan – St. Patrick School - KapTHANK YOU