About Us
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, located at Don Mills Road and Seneca Hill Drive in North York, offers a full curriculum of Catholic education to students from Junior Kindergarten (age 4) to Grade 8. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School is one of three Catholic elementary schools within the St. Timothy Catholic Church Parish.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School was built as an open concept school and has since undergone renovation to build individual classrooms. Our Junior Kindergarten room has access to a separate play area for the Junior Kindergarten students. The single gymnasium has large separate change rooms for boys and girls and also has a kitchen. In addition, the gymnasium has a dual purpose as an auditorium with a full stage. Furthermore, our gymnasium is used as a congregated lunch room facility for all the students from grades 1 to 8. The library on the second floor also serves as a computer lab.
How We Meet the Diverse Needs Of Our Students
Early Learning Program: Our Lady of Guadalupe was selected in the first phase of the Early Learning Program. We have two full classes. One of these classes is comprised of Junior Kindergarten students while the other is comprised of Senior Kindergarten students. The purpose of the program is to establish a strong foundation in the early years that will give four- and five year-olds in Toronto Catholic schools a stronger start on their learning. It will help improve their reading, writing and math skills, provide a smoother transition to Grade 1 and help increase their success in school and beyond. Full-day learning will give our children the tools they need to succeed.
Faith and Character Development and The Modeling the Virtues Awards
The Modeling the Virtues Awards (MTV) is focused on helping students, teachers and parents build positive attitudes, life skills and character. Each month, a key virtue is introduced, defined and modelled at a school assembly. The MTV Awards (Modeling The Virtues) Program is designed to follow the TCDSB’s Faith and Character Development Monthly Themes. Classes will have an opportunity to host the awards and introduce a new virtue in a format where students can display their talents through song, drama, stories and various media forms. After the virtue is introduced, students will have a clear understanding of what it means to model the virtue. Each month nominated students are recognized for demonstrating the virtue in their interactions with peers. Winners of the award have their picture displayed and take home a certificate honouring their achievement.
On December 6, 2007, at the TCDSB event, Faith and Character Development: A TCDSB Celebration, held at the Metro Convention Centre, students, parents, clergy and staff gathered as one "community of Faith, anchored in Hope with love in Charity.” The following Faith and Development Themes were chosen by the 1200 participants at the event:
Month | Theme |
|---|---|
September | Hospitality |
October | Gratitude |
November | Peacemaking |
December | Charity |
January | Courage |
February | Love |
March | Forgiveness |
April | Justice |
May | Compassion |
June | Faithfulness |
Mission Statement
In our mission of creating a safe and welcoming learning environment, all students are encouraged to take risks, learn and respect self and others. Our motto is Live, Love, and Learn. We celebrate diversity and uniqueness and encourage everyone to achieve their full potential in mind, body and spirit through a well balanced program rooted in Gospel Values. Administrative procedures and classroom practices at our Lady of Guadalupe are built around this notion. An extensive variety of materials, management of curriculum, professional activities and support services are set up to achieve this aim. Classroom teachers draw on special training and on their own resources and talents to bring this together for each student. To ensure safety at all times, the staff and students practice various emergency procedures such as Fire Drills, and Lockdowns throughout the year. Exterior doors to the school are always locked and all visitors are required to sign in at the office. Currently a video display system hooked up to the administration computers is installed at the front door of the school. Thus, we have security 24 hours a day as the video is hooked up to Security at the Catholic Education Centre (CEC) 80 Sheppard Avenue East. Parents of students with allergies, or who require medication are encouraged to notify the office to ensure the safety of the student while at school.