Grade 8 Information Session Donald A. Wilson Secondary School Soon you will be a GATOR! Welcome to the SWAMP!

Learning Goals By the end of this presentation you will: know what high school will look like how to pick your courses for grade 9. learn about the ways WE can support YOU in achieving your goals.

DAWSS – Bell Schedule

Week 1 and Week 2 WEEK 2: Week 1: Period 1 Period 2 LUNCH Period 3

What is secondary school all about? CREDITS 1 COURSE = 1 CREDIT 4 credits are earned each semester Semester 1: Sept to Jan Semester 2: Feb to June

Ontario Secondary School Diploma 30 Credits to graduate 18 Compulsory 12 Optional 40 Hours of Community Involvement You can start the summer of your grade 9 year…more information to follow in the spring Provincial Literacy Requirement must pass to graduate – you will get LOTS of support! You will get 8 of these in your grade 9 year!

Choosing the Right LEVEL for You! Consult with parents/guardians, teachers, SERT Difference between lack of understanding and lack of effort Suggested Ranges: Failing current courses – LOCALLY DEVELOPED 50 – 60% - APPLIED 70% - ACADEMIC Between 60% and 70% is a gray area NOT ALL COURSES HAVE TO BE AT THE SAME LEVEL

Choose the Right Level We create the timetable for your ENTIRE grade based on what YOU choose… If you don’t choose the right level initially then there might not be any space for you if you need to move levels once the semester has started

Locally Developed Courses Targets important concepts not completed at elementary level Fills in the GAPS missing from Grade 8 Develop students’ knowledge and skill Emphasize practical, concrete applications of basic concepts Generally designed for workplace bound students Potential option to upgrade to applied

Applied Courses More hands on concrete (practical ) Directed, step by step, teacher-directed approach to learning Students recognize & describe what is heard & read College bound students There is potential to upgrade to academic! Many university programs do NOT require academic math

Academic Courses Drawing conclusions & making predictions from research Explaining & analyzing what is heard & read More complex & global examples More independent, student initiated, student-directed learning University bound students **Note: if you are interested in pursuing an NCAA scholarship, all Academic level courses are REQUIRED!

Grade 9 Compulsory Subjects for French Immersion Subject Area Academic Applied Locally Developed English ENG 1D1 ENG 1P1 ENG 1L1 French FSF 1DF Canadian Geography CGC 1DF Mathematics MPM 1D1 MFM 1P1 MAT 1L1 Healthy Active Living Education (Female) PPL 1O4 Healthy Active Living Education (Male) PPL 1O3 Science SNC 1D1 SNC 1P1 SNC 1L1 Information and Communication Technology in Business BTT1OF

Grade 9 Optional Subjects Pick one from… Description Code Dramatic Arts French Immersion ADA 1OF Instrumental Music AMU 1O1 Vocal Music AMV 1O1 Visual Arts AVI 1O1 and one from… Description Code Exploring Technologies TIJ 1O1

Certificate of Immersion Studies This program allows students to receive a bilingual education by further exploring and expanding the skills already acquired at the elementary level. In addition to stressing the importance of personal growth, it is the aim of this program to equip students with the practical knowledge of French so that they may take advantage of the numerous positions offered to candidates who are proficient in this language. Students must choose 2 or more courses that are not mandatory in Grades 10 to 12 in order to meet the requirements for the Certificate of Immersion Studies (10 Immersion credits including Grade 12 Francais) In addition, students MUST be sure to complete all diploma requirements.

Choosing Your Classes All of your course selections are done through CAREER CRUISING COURSE PLANNER To choose your classes you have to: SELECT your classes on Course Planner SUBMIT your choices PRINT out a copy of your classes Have your parent SIGN the sheet RETURN the signed copy to your GRADE 8 teacher

How to Access Course Planner… Go to the Career Cruising website: www.careercruising.com/login/ddsb

Demonstration of Course Planner Log in here! A video if you need assistance

Choosing Courses Click on the for the course to choose the appropriate level.

Click on correct level for a description.

Click here to add the course

Choose your electives from this menu.

To delete a course click on the course and hit the delete button.

An INCOMPLETE Course Planner This is an incomplete example of a COURSE PLANNER. Every box MUST have a selection. Electives: Choose a Tech or Business AND an Arts Course AND a Physical Education Class Alternates: Choose another Tech or Business AND another Arts Course

A COMPLETE Course Planner This is a COMPLETE example of a COURSE PLANNER. Every box has a selection. Electives: Every box has a selection. Alternates: Every box has an alternate selection.

You cannot SUBMIT until AFTER receiving your report card!

Once you are able to submit this is the message you will see…

Course Request Sign Off Sheet After hitting SUBMIT, PRINT this form and have it SIGNED by your parent and RETURN it to your Grade 8 TEACHER

You will get a copy of this sheet from your teacher You will get a copy of this sheet from your teacher. Option sheets are due to WILSON on February 19th. Your teacher will set a deadline for you.

Academic Supports If you need help… Guidance Counsellors! Subject teachers Special Education for IEP students Peer tutors Grade 9 classrooms Paid Private Tutors Credit Rescue After School Help

Extra Curricular Activities Athletics – badminton, baseball, basketball, curling, football, golf, lacrosse, rugby, volleyball, soccer, swimming, track & field, hockey Clubs – Chess, Cultural Mosaic, Environmental, GSA, Gator Gazette, Pen Strokes, Run Club, DECA, STAR, White Pine, Ski/Snowboard, Weight Training Student Leadership – Relay for Life, Student Parliament, SLAM!, Leadership Camp Music – Band, Choir, Jazz Drama – Sears Festival, One-Act Plays Art – Arts Preview Night, Craft Club

September 8th - Lots of Activities! Welcome to Wilson! Grade 8 Parent Night February 12th, 7:00 PM Wilson Tour May 2015 Grade 9 ONLY Day September 8th - Lots of Activities!