2023 GRADE 8 EXIT SURVEY RESULTS
To support the continued success of students enrolled in the York Catholic District School Board and as part of the Board’s strategy to ensure that the school system is working effectively to meet the needs of all students, the Grade 8 Exit Survey was administered in Spring 2023. The survey was completed anonymously online and was intended to identify students’ perceptions about their experiences in elementary school and their plans for high school.
Highlights of the findings from the Grade 8 Exit Survey at St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES are as follows:
- The majority of Grade 8 students indicated that our elementary school helped them:
- Know what skills they need to be successful 83%;
- Understand how their skills and strengths will help them be successful in school and later on in life 79%;
- Apply what they are learning to real problems 67%;
- Develop their interests 75%.
- Most of the Grade 8 students surveyed indicated that they have a plan for achieving their goals 83% and that they helped develop the plan that will help them be successful in school and later on in life75%.
- Fifty-two percent of Grade 8 students surveyed said that they attended an open house at their nearest York Catholic high school
- Most of the students surveyed indicated that they planned to enrol in a York Catholic secondary school 64%.
Students indicated that their top 3 reasons for enrolling in a York Catholic high school were as follows: location; available programs; friends were going to a YCDSB high school and family decision.
Student feedback collected from the exit survey, along with other information gathered about the school including the school climate survey, will be used at St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES to support improvements in student achievement, faith development and well-being.
2023 SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTS
Schools need to be safe and welcoming so that all students feel comfortable learning and can be successful. In support of the Board’s Safe Schools and Equity and Inclusive Education policies, as well as the provincial mandate to conduct school climate surveys, each school in the Board conducted a school climate survey for students last spring. The surveys were completed anonymously online to allow students to share their perspectives on creating a safe and caring learning environment.
During the previous year, school staff and parents/guardians provided their opinions on what they believed would contribute to a caring, safe and inclusive school. Last Spring, students in Grades 4, 6 and 7 who completed the School Climate Survey identified the following as areas for celebration and improvement at St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES:
What We Are Doing Well
- Students feel that their school shows them how to live the Catholic values, which helps develop their Catholic faith and identity.
- Students indicate that their school community makes them feel respected, welcomed and included, which helps them treat others with dignity and respect.
- Students say that they are learning about themselves, what they are good at, what they need help with and how they learn best so that they can achieve their full potential and be successful.
- Students note that if they work hard in school, they will have the opportunity to succeed.
What We Need to Improve
- Continue to help students become more resilient and focused on achieving their potential.
- Reduce verbal and social bullying by continuing bullying awareness campaigns and emphasizing the importance of seeking help.
- Increase the capacity of staff to respond to students who experience anxiety, anger or frustration.
Feedback collected from the school climate surveys for students and other information gathered about our school will be used at St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES to promote peace, justice and the sacredness of life to support student learning, achievement and well-being.
Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish News
First Communion:
The online registration process commences Wednesday, October 25th, 2023. The in-person First Communion registration day is taking place on Saturday, November 18th at St. Brother Andre high school.
Edge Night Information:
Grades 5 to 8 students are invited to join the Blessed Frederic Ozanam Parish team for Edge nights. Edge night activities will take place twice a month on the 2ND and 4TH Saturday of each month at St. Brother Andre High School from 7 to 9pm.
Christmas Gift Card Drive
Our school community over the years has been so generous in helping our Blessed Frederic Ozanam SSVP fulfill the needs of the less fortunate who live in our community at Christmas.
Once again the BFO SSVP are collecting gift card donations to support families in need. WalMart gift cards will be given to the families to purchase Christmas gifts and food. Other types of gift cards (eg Tim Horton’s, McDonalds, Cineplex, etc) will be distributed amongst the families as additional gifts. They will be distributing the Christmas gift cards to the families during the week of December 4.
If you are aware of any families in your school community that might require assistance this Christmas, please have them contact the ssvp@blessedozanam.ca OR 289-554-556 ext 5 as soon as possible. Families requesting assistance will have to share financial information in order to qualify for our programme.
Share Life Poster Contest
We are glad to announce the launch of the 16th Annual ShareLife Poster Contest, open to all Catholic elementary students. This contest has always been a highlight for ShareLife, as year after year, young artists continue to create, innovate and inspire with their posters. Please encourage the young artists within your schools to unleash their creative spirit and participate in this year’s poster contest.
Submission deadline is December 1st, 2023. Further information can be found on our website at: sharelife.org/contest
2023 Christmas Card
Each year, YCDSB requests artwork from students in Grade 6 to 8 for its official Christmas card. The chosen artwork will be used on the official 2023 YCDSB Christmas Card which Trustees and the Director’s Office will distribute. The deadline to submit artwork is Thursday, November 16, 2023
Halloween Fundraiser Information for Families – CSC
The Catholic School Council is excited about the upcoming Halloween Dance Fundraiser. Families looking to participate and donate to this event may use the attachments below.
Please note:
Individual cheques made payable to York Catholic District School Board for tax receipts must have the individual’s name and address on the cheque.
2023 Donation Form.doc Halloween Dance 2023.docx
Halloween Costumes
We would like to remind our families that when considering costumes for their child to consider the following points:
- Culture is NOT Costume: Please refrain from using costumes that represent a cultural group or ethnicity. (e.g. Indigenous, Chinese, Arabic, etc.)
- Masks as Part of a Costume are Discouraged (Excluding PPE): Wearing masks that conceal one’s identity can compromise the safety of the community. We should always be identifiable in our community for the safety and comfort level of others in the community.
- Awareness of Costume Appropriateness is Important: Costumes that are not appropriate to the moral tone of our Catholic Schools.
- Awareness of Fear and Evil: Be aware that Ghoulish costumes can terrify younger students, students with special needs, or students with phobias.
- We Must Be Trauma Sensitive: There may be members of our communities who have traumas that can be triggered by certain costumes.
- When in Doubt, Think Saint: Halloween precedes All Souls and All Saints Days. Encourage students to dress as saints and religious figures.
Important dates to mark on your calendars:
October 31, 2023 Halloween Dance
November 6 to 10 Treaties Week
November 10, 2023 Remembrance Day Service at 10:50am
November 11, 2023 Remembrance Day
November 14, 2023 Progress Reports go home
November 16, 2023 Parent/Guardian Interview Night
November 17, 2023 PA Day / Parent/Guardian Interview Morning
https://www.ycdsb.ca/strategicplan/ YCDSB Multi Year Strategic Plan Poster