Mission Statement
The mission of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, in partnership with the family and church, is to provide, in a responsible manner, a Catholic education which develops spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social, and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to meet the challenges of the future, thus enriching the community.
We, God’s people, staff of Sts. Martha and Mary Catholic School strive daily to meet all aspects of our vocation, such as, to teach and learn from each other and our students. We believe that literacy and numeracy are fundamental life skills. We endeavour to teach these essential processes in our classrooms.
Motto: Learning Together in Faith
Catholic Community, Culture and Care
Sts. Martha and Mary School aligns our commitment to teaching a Catholic moral code as our community endeavours to value the dignity and uniqueness of each person. Our commitment to the student's well-being is linked to both the provincial legislative policies, as outlined in the amendments to the Education Act, "Accepting Schools Act", and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board foundational pillar, to create a safe and inclusive Catholic Community, Culture and Care. In doing so, our daily curriculum and teaching practises infuse scripture teachings to model our lives according to Christ; to honour the Gospel message, "love one another as I have loved you." School boards are required to address specific "equality and inclusiveness goals:
169.1(1)(a.1) promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils, including pupils of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability;
169.1(1)(a.2) promote the prevention of bullying;
The definition of bullying pertains to repeated and aggressive behaviour by a pupil. The definition of bullying also refers to "typically repeated forms, including the use of technology such as the internet and social media, the Education Act now includes a specific reference to electronic and cyber-bullying concepts.
As Catholic educators, our fundamental and primary responsibility is to ensure each student has the opportunity to participate fully in the educational experience in a safe and caring inclusive environment. Our school Catholic moral code, behaviour expectations and approaches to discipline utilize a variety of strategies to develop the student's ability to problem solve in a Christ like manner, encompassing progressive disciplinary and restorative justice practises.
Our school has an active Catholic Community, Culture and Care Action team that fosters the development of the whole student. The school facilitates a School Climate survey for students in grades four to eight every two years, and incorporates the recommendations into the Catholic School Learning Plan goals on an annual basis. The plan includes a bullying awareness program, supported with community partners, Peel Regional Police Neighbourhood Protection Unit (NPU) constables, Youth Education bureau and Region of Peel Public Health. Classroom teachers foster bullying awareness through the Religion and Fully Alive programs and through in-class support, such as, 'Tribes'. In addition to teacher support, the school has on-going working relationship with consulting Child and Youth Worker and Social Worker to better meet the needs of the student. Students requiring further intervention may include Administrator assistance, making effective use of a Progressive Disciplinary approach to resolution with an emphasis upon restorative justice, natural and/or external consequences.
The Online Reporting Tool
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School board has developed a new way to help nurture a safe, caring and inclusive school environment. The Online Reporting Tool is intended for students in grades 3 – 8 who become aware of bullying incidents and negative behaviours. The student can simply ‘click’ on the link found on our school’s website to fill out the report. The report will then be directly emailed to the principal and/or vice principal and will be dealt with accordingly.
It is important to recognize that the Online Reporting Tool is an alternate reporting option. It is best practice to speak directly with a responsible adult at home and/or in the school.
WE ARE CALLED BY GOD
Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches us. This is what I do. And I do it with my heart.
Pope Francis
Virtues Education
Each month the school has a virtue focus that is evident throughout the school from the altar display in the foyer, that greets our visitors, to the corridors throughout the building and in classrooms imbedded in our faith-based instruction. Opening exercises and periodic assemblies and liturgies provide opportunities for students to reflect upon the virtues to foster ways in which they can be actualized in our daily actions and interactions.
The monthly virtues are:
September: Faith
October: Empathy
November: Conscience
December: Hope (aligned to liturgical season of Advent)
January: Self-Control
February: Respect
March: Kindness
April: Love
May: Acceptance
June: Fairness
School Hours
Sts. Martha and Mary school hours for the 2018 - 2019 school year are:
Morning: | 9:00 - 12:00 |
| Recess: | 10:20-10:35 |
| Lunch: | 12:00-1:00 |
| Afternoon: | 1:00 -3:30 |
| Recess: | 2:25- 2:40 |
| Dismissal: | 3:30 |
Note: please make suitable arrangements to meet students being picked up at the school immediately upon dismissal as school staff does not provide after school supervision.
For more information regarding school policies and/or expectations, please refer to the attached document 'Sts. Martha and Mary Welcome Package'. Additional information is referenced in the Student Agenda distributed to students in grades one to eight in September.
Sts. Martha and Mary School Welcome Package
Student Agenda Insert
STORAGE OF MEDICATION: Parents are encouraged to explore alternatives should a child require medication during the school day. Options include: at home rather than a school; at school by the parents/guardians; or at school by a person other than school staff member who is authorized by parents/guardians (e.g. caregivers)
If the medication must be administered by designated staff, the Principal shall, after agreeing to the request, obtain a signed Authorization for Storage and Administration of Medications form Part A/Part B from the parents/guardians and the supervising physician , whenever a prescription is initiated or changed.
The form can be obtained at the school main office or accessed in the link below:
Authorization for Storage and Administration of Medication
ALL VOLUNTEERS on field trips must have a (Form A Vulnerable Sector) Criminal Reference Check. This is a free service for all volunteers. The form can be found here:
Please come by the school to have an Administrator authorize the Reference Check before taking it to the Police Station. Copies are also available in the office.
Student Registration is ongoing. For more information, parents/guardians should contact their school, visit the board website, or call the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board at 905-890-1221.