Catholic Community of Caring program

Calgary RCSSD No. 1
Contact Judy MacKay at 1.403.298.1424

  1. What problem were you trying to address when you launched this program?
    In response to the provincial Safe and Caring School initiative, the Calgary Catholic School District’s Catholic Community of Caring program was launched to enhance the sense of identity and community at the school and district levels. In developing the program, there was direct reference to research and professional literature which indicated that increasing students’ sense of ownership, responsibility, involvement and pride in their school community made a significant and positive difference in the overall school-learning environment.

  2. Describe the program/project?
    The Catholic Community of Caring program offers schools a time-tested successful framework to improve their overall school community. It provides a philosophy that supports schools in their efforts to value diversity, promotes a caring inclusive community culture and celebrates student commitment to this process. This includes:

    • Emphasis on student involvement.
    • Positive relationship development.
    • Demonstration of values and teachable moments.
    • Service learning and becoming active participants.
    • Community involvement.
    • Parent participation.
    • Student forums and encouraging the student voice.

    Within this framework, many of our schools have embraced opportunities for students to undertake leadership roles and greater responsibility in order to improve their school communities. Specific strategies that support this level of student involvement include:

    • Peer mediation groups.
    • Playground peace patrols.
    • Community building activities.
    • Multi-aged grouping within the school.

  3. How did you involve your school council/community in developing this approach?
    School councils, as well as staff, are consulted and their support sought before the program is initiated at each school site. An overview presentation describing the program and its components is provided. Parents are invited to participate directly in the school-based Community of Caring planning committee. Parental involvement and commitment, in combination with staff and student commitment, are critical to the success of the program.

  4. How do you know it is working?
    The success of the program is evaluated through in-depth data collection. Each of the 76 participating schools maintains complete data logs on a monthly basis and tracks relevant information used for future planning and celebration of success. In addition, the staff, students and parents in each school community participate in satisfaction surveys in the spring of each year of implementation. Anecdotal reports from parents, students and staff are collected throughout the school year and provide data on student involvement and school activities.

  5. What would you do to improve this program?
    Areas for potential improvement in the Catholic Community of Caring program include:
    • Increased opportunity for staff, student and parent involvement.
    • Coordination among schools in similar geographic locations.
    • Development of advanced professional development and school-based activities to support.