Halifax West High School Class of 2021

Secretary……………Cathy Fitzgerald Counsellors Leah Ann Cameron: A-F Tanya Ellsworth: G-M Lori Welsh: N-Z Secretary……………Cathy Fitzgerald

Guidance Website HWHS Guidance Website

Light the Way for Learning

myBlueprint

myBlueprint Activities discover their learning style  narrow in on areas of interests  learn more about their unique personality  set goals  explore careers research and compare options after secondary school   

WHAT IS A CREDIT? EVERY COURSE TAKEN AT HWHS COUNTS AS ONE CREDIT Exceptions: Math 10 – Full year, 2 credits Science 10A & B – 1 semester, each is .5 credits

THE SEMESTERED SYSTEM TWO SEMESTERS PER YEAR (Sept-Jan, Feb- June). Exams at end of each semester. FOUR COURSES PER SEMESTER FIVE 1 HOUR PERIODS PER DAY (except Friday) 8 courses in gr. 10, 7 in gr. 11 and 6 in gr. 12

HWHS Timetable (Rotating Fridays) 9:10- 10:10 A B C D A 9:10- 10:25 10:17- 11:17 B 10:32-11:47 11:24- 12:24 12:24- 1:08 lunch Lunch 11:47-12:38 1:13- 2:13 C 12:43-1:58 2:20- 3:20 D 2:05-3:20

Attendance Attendance is taken every period, recorded by the end of the day and monitored by the teacher and vice-principals. Automated phone calls are made every day there is an absence or late. Students can be withdrawn from a course or from the semester because of excessive absences (defined as 20% of the course or more). Attendance and achievement go hand and hand.

Power School : Parent Portal Timetable/schedule Attendance Teacher email / contact Academic Progress Same as Jr. High Account

Exemptions opt out of final exam; based on attendance Exam can be written and not counted Up to date in class some exceptions (math & English), Pre IB Max 6 absences per class (includes excused absences) & not chronically late

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS TOTAL OF 18 CREDITS 3 ENGLISH 10,11, and 12 3 MATH 2 SCIENCES(Sci10, Bio11, Phy 11or Chem 11 + one other) 1 OTHER (Math, Science, Tech) 1 CANADIAN STUDIES (Mkq11, Acs11, Chs11) 1 GLOBAL STUDIES (GGS12, HGS12) 1 FINE ARTS (Art, Music or Drama) 1 PAL or Yoga or Phe No more than 7 grade 10 credits towards 18 mandatory Minimum 5 grade 12 credits

Math Essentials 10 Basic math skills with a very practical approach For students struggling significantly with Math 9 One-semester course with no formal exam  

Math at Work 10 More challenging math concepts, but practical For students meeting outcomes of Math 9 but who have difficulty with abstract concepts such as algebra Students will need to keep up with classwork, however there is minimal homework assigned One-semester course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade  

Math 10 Abstract math concepts; algebraic For students with a solid understanding of concepts in Math 9, good number sense and algebra skills NOT a one-semester course that is stretched over the entire year … concepts are studied in depth with a significant amount of classwork and homework Full-year course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

Math 10 Pre-IB Abstract math concepts; highly theoretical For students who excel in Math 9 with a very strong understanding of abstract concepts Very rigorous course covering all topics in Math 10 in addition to the more advanced topics necessary for IB math; Students will have approximately 60-90 minutes of math homework every night. Full-year course with a Provincial Exam worth 20% of the final grade

Math 11 is now offered as a full year (220) hour course Extended Math 11

Can you go to university without academic math?

Electives May or may not fulfill requirements Open level or university prep Alternates

TECHNOLOGY COURSES Exploring Technology 10 Business Technology 11 Communication Technology 11 Electrotechnologies 11 Applied Network Technology 11 Construction 10 Design 11

Fine Arts Visual Art 10 Drama 10 Music 10 Band Music 10 Explore Halifax West Fine Arts and Technology

Social Studies Must take at least one of the following (usually in grade 10 or 11): Mi’kmaq Studies 11 African Canadian Studies 11 Canadian History 11

Science Human Biology 11 Biology 11 Oceans 11 Agriculture / Agrifood 11(New) Science 10/Science 10A/B

Additional Electives Core French 10 francais 10I Spanish 10 Career Development 10 Foods for Healthy Living/Food and Society10

Course Selection Process Parent Night & Jr High Counsellor Day Students are given registration sheet. Descriptions online: HWHS, Guidance, Grade 9 Supplement Students should consult with their teachers/parents/Junior High Counsellor

Selection Process Cont’d Course Selection forms turned in to Junior High Counsellors by deadline Course Selection entered in Power School by Halifax West Registrar Student Orientation at Halifax West

Grade 10 Course Selection - English 5 MANDATORY English 10 Math (Math10, Math at Work 10, Math 10Essentials, Math 10IPP) Science (Sci 10 or Sci A/B) Fine Arts 10- Art/Band/Drama /Exploring Music Physically Active Lifestyles (PAL11) or Yoga 11 Option - Social Studies (History 10,Mi’kmaq11*, African Canadian Studies 11*, Canadian History 11*) *Meets Canadian History requirement (or Elective) 7. Elective 8. Elective (math elective for Math 10 students) Plus1 or2 ALTERNATE COURSES (choose these carefully!)

Course Changes Course changes WILL NOT BE MADE AFTER YOUR REGISTRATION SHEET IS SUBMITTED. If you fail a course first semester, you cannot repeat it in the second semester. Students are choosing courses for the year and they do not have a choice of the semester in which the course falls.

O2 …. A high school program that Offers students more hands-on learning experiences with a career focus. Designed to prepare students for successful transitions from high school to work, a career path, or a post-secondary program.

Describing the O2 Student … Someone who requires re-engagement with their learning and with school Someone who may need support in achieving their academic potential Someone needing direction and support in developing career/life pathway Someone who is prepared to commit to a new approach to their learning.

O2 …. Provides multiple opportunities where students learn in community and workplace settings, link their in-school learning to the workplace, and enhance their employability skills. A cohort with some shared classes

… the PROCESS 1. Applications – student and parent 2. Interviews 3. 20 Students will be accepted with potential for reserved seat at NSCC

FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM MUST COMPLETE 9 FRENCH IMMERSION CREDITS FOR FI CERTIFICATE DELF – French Language Proficiency Tests (must be registered in Fra 12 or French 12) MINIMUM OF 2 FI CREDITS PER YEAR INCLUDING FRENCH (FRA). At least 4 FI credits in grade 10 year. THE FRENCH IMMERSION CERTIFICATE IS NOT A BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE

French Immersion Mission Statement : In a consistent French only environment, students will flourish in the French language in all 4 skill areas: speaking, reading, writing and listening.

French Immersion Courses fra 10I fra 11I fra 12I sci 10I bio 11I bio 12I mdv 11 his 11I hep 12I (HGS) adr 10I *Students leaving French Immersion in Junior High cannot take French 10, only Fra 10I.

Grade 10 FI sample Required 1. English 10 2. sciences 10I 3. fra 10I 4. mdv 11I 5. ADR 10I or Bio 11I 6. Math (1 or 2 semesters) 7. Elective (or 2nd half of Math 10) 8. Elective Suggested Other of bio 11I or adr 10 Elective Two alternate courses Note: FI Students who plan on taking advanced math classes and multiple sciences are encouraged to take 5 french classes. Do a three year plan !!

Role of Guidance Counsellors Social /Emotional Counselling Mental Health Mediation Academic Advising Career/Vocational Counselling Post Secondary

West Life

HWHS Activities Best Buddies Community Involvement Musical Table Tennis Weight Room Chess Anime Debating Dungeons & Dragons Student Government Tech Crew Coffee Houses Improv Team Musical Gender & Sexuality Alliance Rotary Math Club Model Parliament Multicultural Club Athletic Teams Ultimate frisbee Intramurals Best Buddies

Transition Events HWHS Parent Night: Wed. Nov. 22, 6:30pm Junior High Counsellor Day: Wed. Nov. 29 Grade 9 Orientation at HWHS: Jan 9th (PW & CP) & Jan 11th (BS & FJHS)

The Pre-IB and IB Diploma Programs at Halifax West The Grade 10 Pre-IB and Grade 11 &12 IB Diploma are different programs Grade 9 students are only choosing whether or not to enter the grade 10 year Pre-IB program If there is a chance you might take the IB Diploma program in Grades 11 you need to take the Grade 10 Pre-IB program

What is the International Baccalaureate Programme? A challenging two year program for students in grades 11 and 12 It is very well known at universities in Canada and around the world Focus on research, writing, critical thinking

Grade 9 Supplement Course Descriptions