How We Meet the Diverse Needs of Our Students
Spiritual
St. Boniface Catholic School strives at all times to be a community enlivened by the spirit of the Gospel. It is a place of living as well as learning; a community which seeks to provide excellence in its pursuit of learning and to assist young people in developing their natural talents and abilities. Essential to the mission of our school is the union of the true Christian community-family, school and church working closely together.
Within the religious education, guidance, health and family life programs, the importance of prayer and celebration of our Catholicity are constantly stressed. Students are encouraged to know and understand themselves and develop a positive self-image. Time is devoted by staff to the counselling of students vis-à-vis their moral, social, emotional and intellectual development. In addition, we have Masses to celebrate the Eucharist as a community. Further, we have a Rosary program throughout the year, conducted by parishioners of St. Boniface.
We are continuing to promote anti-bullying awareness, as well as a more general Safe Schools policy, to ensure that St. Boniface students work and play in a caring, secure environment.We are promoting character development through our “What Would Jesus Do?” theme, which is woven into daily activities here at the school.
Educational
Our English as a Second Language and Special Education programs address the needs of students. A reading partners program matching primary and intermediate students is conducted weekly to provide more opportunities for individualized attention for our primary students and to expose them to a richer variety of reading materials.
With a full computer laboratory in our school library, as well as computers in classrooms, the students at St. Boniface are becoming more familiar with their use of modern technology. This will assist them to become confident and creative problem-solvers. We are part of the Professional Learning Network, which promotes the sharing of professional expertise among educators and continuous instructional improvement.
Community
St. Boniface joined the Best Start program in the fall of 2006. The Best Start program, which caters to kindergarten-aged children, is a comprehensive early learning and care strategy that offers integrated services for children. Its mandate covers the standard working day (7 am-6 pm).. It is publicly funded and not-for-profit. It includes parenting components (e.g. Ontario Early Years Centre programs and family resource programs), optional nutrition programs, and the integration of a variety of programs from community services and agencies. In addition, we have the after-school ARC program, a snack food program and a daily milk program.
Our school is involved with the Merry-Go-Round program. Its website describes the program as a volunteer effort which brings together members of the educational, policing and corporate communities to share their expertise by donating complete state-of-the-art home computer systems including internet access to those children who are observed by teachers to embody a passion for learning and the potential to excel academically if given more opportunity. Merry–Go-Round has been one of the most successful initiatives within our school community.
St. Boniface has promoted a series of Family Night programs. These have included parenting programs conducted by Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre, and a Family Math Night in which parents and caregivers had an opportunity to experience the current mathematics program. In addition, we have had a Reading Night, which promoted the joys of shared reading between adult and child. All were successful in promoting community involvement.
