St. Bernadette Catholic School Receives Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement

The Durham Catholic District School Board is pleased to congratulate the St. Bernadette Catholic School community on receiving the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement. This award recognizes school communities across the province that have made effective use of Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) data to support their students and create strategies that helped to strengthen student achievement. This year, the focus of the program was on the growth of literacy skills among students with special education needs.

"Equity and inclusion are foundational for a strong public educational system. By fostering inclusive learning environments, our schools can help every individual succeed, regardless of background or circumstance. Over time, EQAO’s data show that students with special education needs can be highly successful in meeting expectations. It is a privilege to recognize St. Bernadette Catholic Schoolfor using data to help students with special education needs meet the provincial literacy standard,” says Norah Marsh, Chief Executive Officer of EQAO.

Susie Lee-Fernandes, Principal of St. Bernadette Catholic School, indicates that the school’s Student Well-Being and Achievement Team (SWAT) uses the data to assess individual students’ knowledge and areas of need in order to personalize instruction.

“As a collaborative team, we have made intentional e?orts to e?ectively use educational assessments, leverage small group instruction, and build student-teacher relationships across the school in order to improve student well-being and achievement. Our EQAO data for students with special education needs con?rms that we have created an inclusive environment where all students can be successful,” Ms. Lee-Fernandes says.

Durham Catholic District School Board is committed to providing quality faith-based education for students.

“This recognition is a testament to St. Bernadette Catholic School’s commitment to student success,” says John Mullins, Superintendent of Education. “Congratulations on receiving this prestigious award and thank you Ms. Lee-Fernandes for your ongoing leadership at the school.”