Welcome to John Fraser S.S. Pathways to Success in High School 2018 Ms. Leigh McComb Head of Guidance and Co-op

JFSS Schedule Two semesters in the school year September – January February – June Students take 4 courses each semester Balanced timetable in grade 9 = 3 compulsory subjects + 1 elective in each semester Day 1 / Day 2 Schedule Day 1 (odd days, e.g. Oct. 23rd) Day 2 (even days, e.g. Oct. 24th)

A High School Diploma OSSD: 1 course = 1 credit 30 credits to graduate 18 compulsory 12 optional Develop valuable skills based on interests Learn about self Community involvement (40 hours) Literacy requirement Grade 10 eqao.com 1 course = 1 credit Being active in your learning also means understanding what lies ahead, understanding how the high school system works A high school diploma called Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) To earn one, you need to complete successfully 30 credits 18 of these are “compulsory” (those you must take) 12 are “optional” (in subjects you wish to explore) You must also complete 40 hours of community involvement (volunteer) hours and a literacy requirement By passing one course, you earn one credit

Earning Credits Pass a course = earn a credit Below 50%? 50% or higher Below 50%? Summer school (2 weeks or 4 weeks, depending on final grade) Repeat in day school Repeat in night school (grade 12 students only) Complete alternative credit (optional courses) Other options available through Guidance – see your counsellor! Different ways to earn credits Co-operative education, heritage language, piano Heritage Language: more information available at: http://www.peelschools.org/adulteducation/intllanguages/Pages/default.aspx Technically, you need 50% to earn a credit If you are earning in the 50’s (level 1), however, consider carefully what changes you need to make -- good indication that you are ill prepared to continue studying that course type for that subject Compulsory core courses must be completed successfully in order to graduate There are a variety of ways to make up credits, including summer school, repeating the course the next semester or year in day school Optional courses may not need to be repeated, but students may “make-up” for the missing credit by taking a different course or taking a different course type or grade level There may be other alternatives to make up unsuccessful core courses. Students can consult with their Guidance Counsellor (schools may wish to customize message according to their own programs and guidelines for making up credits)

Compulsory Courses for Graduation 4 English (1 in each grade) 3 Math 2 Science 1 Canadian Geography 1 Canadian History 1 Art 1 Phys. Education 1 French 0.5 Careers 0.5 Civics Group 1: ENG, FRE, LAN, SSH, CWS, GUI, Co-Op Group 2: PHYS., ART, BUS, FRE, Co-Op Group 3: SCI, FRE, TECH, COMP, Co-Op

Handout is available in Guidance – please stop by during your tour to help yourself! 

How does it all come together? Most of the compulsory courses are taken in grades 9 and 10 Grade 9: English, Math, Science, Geography, French, Phys. Ed, and 2 optional courses Grade 10: English, Math, Science, History, Careers/Civics, and 3 optional courses Establishes a solid foundation for general knowledge/understanding and further develops essential learning skills

Continued… More personalized course choices in grades 11 and 12 Encourages exploration of interests that are specific to individual students Grade 9, 10, 11 = 8 courses / year Grade 12 = 6+ courses in final year

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 1 English 2 Math ???? 3 Science 4 Can. Geography Can. History 5 French Civics & Careers 6 Phys. Ed. 7 8 PLF4M0 COP4XC CIE3M0 SCH3U0 AWT2O0 HIF1O0 BBI2O0 ADA1O0 FSF2D0 Arts Music Visual Art Media Art Drama Dance Group 1 5th English or 2nd French or Language or Soc. Science or Can/World Studies or Guidance or Co-op Group 2 2nd P.E. or 2nd Arts or Business or 2nd French or Co-op Group 3 Science (11-12) or Technology (9-12) or Computers (10-12) or 2nd French or Co-op

Core Course Types Grades 11 and 12 Grades 9 & 10 Workplace preparation College preparation College/University preparation (“Mixed”) University preparation Grades 9 & 10 Locally Developed (“Essentials”) Applied Academic These are the course types for core courses in grades 9 and 10 In grades 11 and 12, the course types are different. The combination of courses you choose may include a mixture of course types, depending on the requirements of your post-secondary destination: apprenticeship, college, university, or the workplace. For instance, many university programs do not require math. [myth buster] The arrows show you the most common route students take from one course type in grade 10 to the next, in grade 11

Academic / University Courses Lead most directly toward degree programs (at both college and university) Faster pace, expectation of homework More independent learning Emphasize theory -- include some practical, real-life applications Courses will require more learning from texts and listening and reading Classes tend to be larger and students are expected to be more independent n their learning and this leads to more learning through student working at home with homework and review

Applied / College Courses Lead most directly toward diploma programs More teacher-guided learning and collaboration with peers More time in class, less homework Some theory but emphasize practical, real-life applications and examples Classes are smaller Teachers break down learning into manageable steps and guide students through each step to completion, providing organizers to help along the way More time is spent in class to complete learning activities Homework helps to consolidate themes and concepts introduced in class through practical, real-life examples

Locally Developed / Workplace Courses Lead to use in workplace or everyday life Additional time to develop skills from earlier grades More individual attention for learning Hands-on, real-life problems & examples from everyday life Very small classes allow more individualized instruction and teacher guidance for each student Learning activities are designed to help students become stronger in subjects they have tended to find very challenging or skills they have been struggling to develop Courses all help develop literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, decision-making, communication skills

Guideline: Which French? 1 grade 9 French credit is required for graduation Three levels of study: FSF1O0: less than 600 hours of instruction FSF1D0 or FSF1P0: 600 or more hours of instruction Exceptions: some students with special education needs and students in ESL program

Which Course Type Fits Your Child Best? To Choose for Success (75%) -- consider: Teacher Recommendations in grade 8 Work habits Time management, homework, assignments Learning preferences “Book-learning” versus “hands-on” Achievement so far Independence How much time & teacher direction do you prefer? Teachers recommend on reports and interviews Look at learning skills Look at grades. If you are achieving at level 3 (70% or higher), it is a good indication that you are in the right course type for you. Look at teacher comments Teacher direction: --Do you work best when the teacher provides you with organizers to structure your work? -- Do you work best when larger assignments are broken down into manageable chunks for you? -- Do you find it easy to research topics on your own, without teacher input

Choosing for Success **It is possible to change course types!** There is a lot of flexibility in both the high school and post-secondary systems Choosing the course type that best suits your child’s current skill level and comfort with the subject will keep the doors of opportunity open

This is a lot of information. We’re here to help… At John Fraser SS, the Guidance team provides: Educational, Personal, Interpersonal, and Career support Comprehensive Career Studies program for all students in grade 10 1:1 appointments Transition programs for students in all grades Information sessions for parents/guardians Many “Lunch and Learn” Workshops throughout the school year

Peer Mentors Peer Mentors are specially chosen and trained senior student leaders. They run large-group activities and workshops for ALL students to help them succeed and to make our school a welcoming place for everyone. Peer Mentors can also meet individually with students to: Talk about the transition to high school Ask questions about life at JFSS Find out how or where to get help for a variety of issues Learn how to set goals, make decisions, problem solve, resolve conflict, etc.

Questions? Please see me in the Guidance Office this evening This presentation is posted on our school’s website – visit us at www.jfss.ca 