Sudbury Catholic Schools...
Creating hopes and dreams through excellence.
Why is a vision statement important?
A vision statement is vital to any organization because it provides a sense of commonality. Everyone in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is united under this one goal, and this clarity provides the focus and energy for learning. A shared vision gives us a common language that binds us together. We are all connected when we share the same vision.
What are the criteria for a memorable vision?
For a vision statement to be meaningful, it must be inspirational to every individual. It should be timeless and apllicable to every situation. A vision statement must create a mirror for one's self and for the organization as a whole. The standards that define the individual and the entity must be clearly conveyed by this one simple message.
Creating
In the development of our vision statement, the choice of the word "creating" is significant to our fundamental beliefs as a Catholic community.
Hopes and Dreams
The phrase “hopes and dreams” was chosen as every student comes to us with their unique and individual hopes and dreams. Our hopes and dreams encourage change, and motivate us to keep moving forward.
Excellence
The word “excellence”, can apply to academics, athletics, or personal development. We achieve excellence when we strive to bring out the best in ourselves, and those we serve.
Implementing the Vision Statement
Principals' Retreat
The 2008 Principals' Retreat followed the Catholic Leadership Framework and focused on the creation and implementation of our vision statement. Over these two days, principals became acquainted with the history of the vision and its opportunities for further growth and development within our schools. This retreat provided principals with the required information and strategies to effectively make the vision statement come alive in their schools.
Open Invitation Board Meeting
The first board meeting of the 2008-2009 school year was held on Sept. 16, 2008, in the gym at Marymount Academy and signaled the official launch of the Sudbury Catholic Schools' vision statement. Trustees, senior administration, principals, vice-pincipals, teachers, chaplians, board staff students and parents along with our partners in education were invited to attend the celebration. A paraliturgy was conducted to commemorate our renewed energy and focus toward Catholic education. Each principal was also presented with a vision staement banner to be displayed at each school for all staff, students, parents and guests.
Banner
The banner that the principals received at the vision launch have become a permanent fixture in each school. The banner displays the vision itself and also features four students from our school board. This banner will be visible to everyone who enters a Sudbury Catholic School and is a very personalized reminder of our goals as a Catholic school community.
Liturgy
After the vision statement launch, each school is encouraged to hold a liturgy or assembly where the vision statement will be presented to all staff and students. It is at this point that the prinipals and/or chaplains can convey the meaning of each component and can provide examples of the ways that the vision can be lived on a daily basis. The vision statement will be recited at assemblies and meetings throughout the school year as a reminder of our goals and aspirations as a Catholic school community.
The September vision launch provided the focus and energy to effectively implement the vision within our schools at the commencement of the 2008-2009 school year. The banners, placed in areas of high visibility in all our schools, will help underscore the board's vision. While it is important for the vision to be seen and heard, it is vital that the vision be acted upon.
If teachers and staff live out the vision statement by making hope a part of their lives and by continually striving to reach their own dreams, they will providea living example for students to follow. Our vision is an essential tool in uniting all members of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board under one objective. The implementation of this vision will allow for clarity and connection among all staff, students, teachers and parents within our board. It is our deepest hope that every individual involved with Sudbury Catholic Schools create his or her own hopes and dreams through acts of personal excellence throughout the school year.
History of Catholic Education in Sudbury
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has carried out the proud tradition of quality faith-based education for Sudbury youth since 1969, with further roots back to the earliest days of schooling in our city over 100 years ago. In 1968, it was the decision of the Ministry of Education to increase the quality of education across the province by amalgamating the twenty-five small school boards within the Sudbury District. This amalgamation ocurred on January 1,1969, when the Sudbury Catholic District School Board became a reality. At this point, the board served almost 25,000 students in 42 French schools, 28 English schools, and 7 mixed schools located within a 110-kilometer radius of the city. The Sudbury District Roman Catholic Separate School Board recognized the cultural duality of both the French and English representation and allowed each group to achieve autonomy while striving to achieve individual goals. Trustees were elected by Catholic taxpayers at municipal and school elections and multiple administrative staffs were implemented to provide the necessary support services essential to educational activity. Today, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board follows this same framework and carries on the tradition of quality education that was instilled in the earliest days of its inception. The Sudbury District Catholic School Board currently operates four secondary schools, one adult education centre and twenty elementary schools. Each of our schools enjoys a vibrant relationship with one or more of twenty-five Catholic parishes in the Sudbury area, truly making our schools "Schools To Believe In".
|
