resources/1/HPCDSB Annual Report.pdf - Institute for Catholic ...

A selfdirected,
responsible,
lifelong
learner…
Both Huron-Perth Catholic
Secondary Schools now offer
Specialist High School Majors (SHSM),
specialized diploma programs with career-related,
industry-recognized training that can even offer a head
start on post-secondary education. Cody Tiesma graduated
in June 2009 with an Agricultural Technology SHSM
designation from St. Annes:
“I decided to take the Specialist High Skills Major in
Agriculture Technology because it is an excellent course
to learn different things that involve fixing your own
equipment at your own farm. Not only do you learn the
practical aspects of equipment repair but you also get to
earn many certifications along the way. This education
will reduce the number of terrible farm accidents that
you hear about. You gain experience towards how the
machines actually work and how to fix them, then you go
to co-op and work with professionals. I think that this is
an excellent course and I think it could help some bright
young farmer with their bigger plans for the future.”
A caring family
member…
Leslie Hart is a mother of
two who recently registered
her eldest child in Junior
Kindergarten at St. Patrick’s
School in Dublin. She talks about
making the choice:
“Deciding whether to register our child
with the public or the Catholic school board
was an easy decision for us. When weighing our options, we
were immediately struck by the real sense of thankfulness we
saw in the Catholic schools. Students are encouraged to be
thankful for the day, for each other and for the world God has
given them. Most of all, there is a sense that they are loved.
The values we strive to teach our children at home are very
much reflected in the Catholic school environment, and at St.
Patrick’s that comes through loud and clear.”
New Arts
SHS
HSM:
This
fal
all,
l, St.
Ann
nne’
e’s CSS
impl
plem
emen
ente
ted its seco
cond
SHSM
SM foc
ocus
using on Art
rts
& Cult
ltur
ure,
in part
rtne
ners
rshi
hip
with
the
Bly
lyth
Fes
esti
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val,
loca
cal univ
iver
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siti
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and
coll
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dust
stry
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pert
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Twe
went
ntyy-tw
two
grad
ade elev
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en stu
tude
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nts are
now purs
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in
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mus
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and
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ing.
A responsible
citizen…
In order to support the
Huron-Perth Catholic District
School Board’s implementation
of full inclusion, a Peer Pal
Club was created to help facilitate
social interaction amongst all students
including those with special needs. Teacher
Kristen Schefter is continually surprised by the giving
nature of Peer Pal student volunteers:
“Our volunteers meet with their ‘pals’ a minimum of
eight times each year. Some have also chosen to pursue
activities outside of the school environment, such as
movies, bowling or playing games.”
“Like any other teen, our students with special needs look
forward to engaging in social events with their peers, and
there has always been a strong interest on behalf of
St. Mike’s students to support them. Volunteers will come
find me in the halls to ask when events are happening, or
to see how they can help out.”
A collaborative contributor…
Across the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board,
teachers are creating environments that improve student
learning in intermediate mathematics, as measured by
the Grade 9 Applied & Academic EQAO scores. But
academic achievement doesn’t begin in Grade 9;
it takes a solid foundation. That’s why elementary and
secondary teachers are working together on the Math
GAINS project. Vince Trocchi, Coordinator of Numeracy,
explains:
“Helping students to achieve is not just the job of Grade
9 teachers, but of the collective up to that point. Success
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Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board — Annual Report 2009