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1. Student Life 2. Diploma Requirements 3. Course Types 4. Course Selection for Grade 9 2

You belong to one of our many feeder schools: Beatty-Fleming Senior Public School Huttonville Public School Royal Orchard Middle School Roberta Bondar Public School You will have opportunities to meet students from other schools during orientation activities and make new friends! 3

How is secondary school different?  A lot more students-approximately 1850  School year divided in 2 semesters per year Semester 1-September -January Semester 2-February - June  At the end of each semester there are exams  School day starts 8:35 am and ends at 3:04 pm  You will take 8 courses, 4 each semester  Day 1/Day 2 cycle 4

How is my school day different?  Each class is approximately 75 minutes long  Curriculum is covered at a faster pace  Different timetable than your friends  50% or above is required to pass a course  There are two lunch periods, each 75 minutes long (you don’t decide your lunch period) 5

 Clubs  Athletics  Student Leadership  Arts: (Drama, Dance, Music, Visual Art)  Environment 6 GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL AND PARTICIPATE!

Diploma Requirements 7

1.30 Credits to Graduate 18 Compulsory Credits 12 Optional Credits 8

2.40 Hours of Community Service ◦ Student responsibility ◦ Eligible to start in the summer ◦ Tracking forms available online or at Student Services 9

3.Successful Completion of Literacy Test (OSSLT) or Equivalent  Written in grade 10 in March/April  Evaluates reading and writing skills 10

8 SUBJECTS 7 Compulsory 1 Optional subjects subject 11

1. English 2. Math 3. Science 4. French 5. Geography 6. Learning Strategies 7. Health and Physical Education 12

ELL students and Special Education Students will be directed by their teachers/guidance counsellor on the courses they must select. 13

Dance Drama Visual Arts Music – Beginner or Experienced Exploring Technologies Business - Information and Communication Technology 14

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♦ Suitable for all students and not specific to any particular post- secondary destination ♦ Examples: ◦ All Grade 9 Optional Subjects ◦ Grade 9 Health and Physical Education 16

♦ Must be RECOMMENDED by teachers ♦ Focuses on essential skills using hands on activities ♦ Offered in Math, English and Science ♦ Lead to workplace courses in grade 11 & 12 17

♦ Abstract and theoretical based ♦ Faster pace ♦ More independent learning ♦ More homework ♦ English, Math, Science, Geography & French ♦ Aim 70% and above to continue in this level ♦ Leads to university, university/college, or college courses in Grade 11 and 12 18

♦ Focuses on practical applications ♦ Slower pace ♦ More hands on and teacher guided ♦ English, Math, Science, Geography & French ♦ Lead to college courses in grade 11 & 12 19

English, Math, Science, Geography & French Are compulsory courses but do you have a choice on whether you want to take them in ACADEMIC or APPLIED. How do you decide? 20

1. Learning Skills and Academic Achievement Look at your class averages for Grade 7: If you were above consider academic. If you are below consider applied 2. Finalize your selection by discussing them with your Grade 8 Teachers. 3. Post-secondary Plans Take a mixed palette! They don’t ALL have to be Academic or Applied 21

 Student Success!  Difficult to change courses during the semester. Why?  Timetable is built based on your choices  We don’t change timetable during the semester 22

23 Your Teachers Drop-in lunch help in all subjects Contact Program River Room School Success: Project Complete Student Services Counting On You (English, Math) Peer Tutoring

What is the next step……..? 24

Course Selection Process You will: 1. Receive Course Selection Sheets in your school. 2. Take the sheet home and work with your parents to complete course selection sheet. 3. Submit the sheet to your school. FINAL STEP: Enter courses online at your school with the help of your teachers/guidance counsellor 25

 Are you thinking about attending a Catholic School?  You CANNOT have a timetable at a Catholic School and David Suzuki at the same time: therefore you must make your decision!  If you will be attending a Catholic School for grade 9, be sure to log on to myblueprint and indicate your plans. 26

 Are you considering attending a REGIONAL PROGRAM?  Select courses for DSSS but check the box at the bottom of the page indicating that you have applied for a regional program.  Let your school know if you get into the REGIONAL PROGRAM and are no longer considering Suzuki! 27

Making My Way