Open House 2011415 (2) - York Region District School Board

Course Selection & Pathways Presentation For Grade 8 Students & Families Thursday, December 4, 2014

Your Guidance Counsellors: Mr Belman A-G Ms Schuur H-Me Ms Blicker Mi-Z Mrs Shepherd – Student Success

Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.) for the 4 year program 12 Optional Credits

Successful completion of Ontario School Literacy Test

40 hours of Community Involvement

18 Compulsory Credits

O.S.S.D

18 Compulsory Credits 4

Credits in English (1 credit per grade)

1

Credit in French as a Second Language

3

Credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Gr. 11 or 12)

2

Credits in Science

1

Credit in Canadian History

1

Credit in Canadian Geography

1

Credit in the Arts

1

Credit in Health and Physical Education

.5

Credit in Civics & .5 Credit in Career Studies (grade 10) Plus………..

Compulsory Credits (cont’d) Plus:

Group 1: 1 additional credit in English, or French as a Second Language, or a Native Language/Studies, or a Classical or an International Language, or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance and Career Education (including Learning Strategies), or Cooperative Education*

Group 2: 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or Business Studies, or the Arts (music, art, drama), or French as a Second Language or Cooperative Education* Group 3: 1 additional credit in science (grade 11 or 12) or technological education (grades 9-12), or French as a Second Language or Computer Studies or Cooperative Education*

The Grade 10 Literacy Test • A Diploma requirement. Administered in March of the grade 10 year • A test based on language and communication (reading and writing) expectations of curricula up to and including grade 9

• Accommodations, deferrals and exemptions may be appropriate for some students • If standard not met in first attempt, schools will provide remedial support; test is re-administered until student successfully completes the test or the Grade 12 Literacy Course

Community Involvement • A diploma requirement • Encourages civic responsibility, promotes community values and reinforces importance of volunteerism • Complete 40 hours before graduation • Can start in summer of grade 8 • Student responsibility to keep record of activities • Guidelines and forms will be provided to help track community involvement • A good way to explore career interests

COURSE PATHWAY TYPES IN Gr. 9 & 10

APPLIED

ACADEMIC

OPEN

LOCALLY DEVELOPED

PATHWAY

ABILITY

APPROACH

APPLIED

Working at or above grade level

Step by step approach to learning using theory and practical examples.

ACADEMIC

Working at or above grade level

Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on critical thinking skills

ESSENTIAL/ Working below grade Guided approach to learning using LOCALLY DEVELOPED level in Math, English and practical examples and concrete Science objects. OPEN

Available to students working at all levels

An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students

GIFTED

Working at or above grade level (Formal Identification through IPRC process

Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on critical thinking skills. Enrichment opportunities provided

Course Types Applied, Academic or Gifted

English

Math

English

Locally Developed

Math

Science

Science

French

History

History Geography

Physical Education is the same for all students. Classes are divided by Male and Female.

OPTIONAL COURSES FOR GRADE 9 STUDENTS Technological Studies

Business Studies

The Arts

Broad Based Technology

Visual

Computer Studies

Drama

Music

Learning Strategies

Family Studies

Choosing Courses for Grade 9  Parents and students will select courses in collaboration with elementary school teachers, guidance counselors, student success/support teachers and administrators

 It is important that students do an honest self-assessment, matching their ability with their interests and aptitudes  Students often choose a combination of course types to support different learning interests and styles  Remember that initial decisions made in grade 8 are not “final” decisions. There are many pathways to initial postsecondary destinations

Secondary School Planning Important to know:     

How students learn best Student interests Diploma requirements to graduate Prerequisites for courses How to plan for experiential learning opportunities  Admission requirements for post-secondary opportunities (college, apprenticeship, university, workplace)  Preparing for school-work

GIFTED COURSES  Students must be identified as ‘gifted’ prior to arrival at Thornhill S.S.  Students must choose at least 4 gifted courses to stay in program.  Available in gr. 9 & 10 (Engl., Math, Geog., Hist., Science & French)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES  Senior courses (Gr. 11 & 12)  Academically challenging  Courses offered in Math, Biology, English, Chemistry, Economics and Computer Science  Recognized for advanced placement in universities

Collaborative Team

Choosing Appropriate Pathways

Ongoing Monitoring

Student Success Emotional and Academic Support

Caring Adult

School Timetable PERIOD 1 Homeroom 2 3(A) or LUNCH 3(B) or LUNCH 3(C) or LUNCH 4 After School Programs (optional participation)

TIMES 8:50-10:05 (75 min.) 10:05-10:10 10:15-11:30 (75 min.) 11:30-12:10 (40 min.) 12:10-12:50 (40 min.) 12:50 - 1:30 (40 min.) 1:30 - 2:45 (75 min.) 2:45 - 4:00 (75 min.)

SCHOOLS ZONED FOR TSS ARE... • • • • • •

Baythorn E.J. Sands Glen Shields Henderson Thornhill P.S. York Hill

 We will be visiting you at the end of January for registration and course selection at TSS.

For More Information… Course selection for September 2015 will be done online through Career Cruising. www.careercruising.com Visit our school website and click on “Guidance” at www.thornhill.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca York Region District School Board www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca For policies programs and curriculum documents: www.edu.gov.on.ca

QUESTIONS?