Welcome to Grade 8 Parents’ Night Thursday, January 30, 2014

Richard Kennelly, Principal

Grade 8 Parent Night Agenda * Welcome and Opening Remarks* R. Kennelly *School Community Council* D. Hayes, Co-Chair of SCC *Extra-Curricular Activities* Nicole Giouridis & Aren Sammy *Grade 9 Program Overview* K. Burns *Special Education and Academic Resource* C. Low *Optional Laptop Program* M. Cammock *Closing Remarks* R. Kennelly, Principal Department Fair, Club Fair, Refreshments & Tours

Department Introductions The ArtsJ. ‘tMannetje Business Studies & ITD. Reis Canadian & World StudiesC. Kirchner Classical & International LanguagesS. Breton Cooperative EducationL. Winchester EnglishO. Bozinovska Guidance & Career EducationK. Burns Health & Physical EducationR. Olmstead LibraryJ. Andersen MathematicsP. Winkelhorst ScienceJ. Huelin Social Sciences & HumanitiesE. Nieuwstraten Special EducationC. Low TechnologyJ. Belyea

School Directions Improving Student Achievement Literacy Numeracy School Pride Welcoming environment Student recognition Value Character & Diversity

Grade 9 Numeracy Test Applied Academic

Richardson Board Province Academic

Richardson Board Province Applied

Academic Cohort Achievement Moved from below Level 3 to Level 3

 Technology  Library  Athletics  Arts  Tech programs

◦ Safe  No need for cash  Daily limit  Supervised space ◦ Parent controlled ◦ Loaded on the web ◦ Purchase tracking ◦ Rewards options

 School ◦ s – please send us your address with Grade ◦ Newsletters – most are ed and posted to web ◦ Website – updated with content and calendars ◦ Phone Home system – broadcast and targeted ◦ Facebook – Richardson Collegiate ◦ Twitter In an emergency, check the twitter, facebook and the website – please do not call your children – it is a safety issue!

 Guidance Department  Special Education Department  Student Success Team  We will know your child before they walk through the door in September.

Questions?

D. Hayes, Co-chair of SCC

Nicole Giouridis And Aren Sammy

Grade 9 Program Overview Kim Burns, Head of Guidanc e

Guidance Counsellors Mrs. Armstrong Mrs. Burns Ms. Forbes Mr. McFetters Ms. Pearson 1.Personal Counselling 2.Academic Counselling 3.Career Counselling

Excellent Resource for Grade 8 parents and students

Page 1 of the Transitions Guide

The process of choosing courses for the next school year. Course/Option Selection

Page 3 of the Transitions Guide

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS credits (18 compulsory, 12 elective) hours community involvement 3. Successful completion of the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

What Courses Do You Need to Graduate? (Page 3) AND

Compulsory courses continued… Group 1 1 additional credit selected from Group 2 1 additional credit selected from Group 3 1 additional credit selected from Canadian and World Studies English Social Science and Humanities French as a second language Native language Classical or international language Cooperative Education Guidance and Career Education The Arts (Visual Art, Drama, Music, Dance) Business Studies Physical and Health Education Cooperative Education French as a second language Science Technological Education, Cooperative Education Computer Studies French as a second language ***A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits …plus12 other elective credits

Community Involvement 40 hours

Activities to complete this requirement can begin in the summer before a student enters grade nine. A single 40 hour activity or a series of shorter activities totaling 40 hours may count towards this requirement. Activities must be completed outside scheduled class time and must not replace someone who would normally be paid to do this work. Page 12 of Transitions Community Involvement

To be distributed by Grade 8 teacher in June

Distributed in June by Grade 8 Teacher

The Grade 9 Program 6 compulsory courses + 2 elective courses = 8 courses

ENG 1 D 1 Decoding a Course Code(Page 4) School Boards use this final character to distinguish courses The Letter identifies the course type: Grades 9 & 10D=Academic P=Applied L=Locally Developed O=Open This Number identifies the Grade 1= Grade 9 2=Grade 10 3=Grade 11 4=Grade 12 These three letters identify the subject. The first letter in the course code denotes the course’s department area A = Arts B= Business C=Canadian & World Studies E = English F = French G= Guidance & Career Ed. S = Sciences H = Humanities & Social Sciences L = International Languages M = Mathematics P = Physical Education T= Technology SCH 4 C 1

Grade 9 Compulsory Courses

SUBJECT AREAACADEMICAPPLIEDLOCALLY DEVELOPED CANADIAN GEOGRAPHY CGC1D1CGC1P1 ENGLISHENG1D1ENG1P1ENG1L1 FRENCHFSF1D1FSF1P1 MATHEMATICSMPM1D1MFM1P1MAT1L1 SCIENCESNC1D1SCN1P1SNC1L1 FEMALEMALE HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION (OPEN) PPL1O4 PAR1O4 PPL1O3

Which One Do I choose? Applied, Academic or Locally Developed? Page 6 of Transitions Guide ACADEMIC Academic courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline PLUS additional related concepts. While course work exposes students to both theories and practical applications, there is a greater emphasis on THEORY as a basis for future learning and problem solving.

Which One Do I Choose? Applied, Academic or Locally Developed ? APPLIED Applied courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline. While course work exposes students to both theories and practical applications, there is a greater emphasis on PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS.

Which One Do I Choose? Applied, Academic or Locally Developed? LOCALLY DEVELOPED Locally Developed courses focus on the most essential concepts of a discipline. These courses are offered in Math, Science and English in Grade 9. These courses will provide support for students making the transition to high school by enhancing their skills to allow them to be successful in High School.

Academic, Locally Developed and Applied courses differ in the balance between essential concepts and additional material and in the balance between theory and application.

Math example Grade 8 – Volume of a Cube

Math example Grade 9 – Academic Students develop the formula for finding the Volume of a Cone and use it to solve problems.

Math example Grade 9 – Applied Teacher supplies the formula and students use it to solve problems.

Math example Grade 9 –Locally Developed No volume of a cone. Practice numeracy skills – fractions, integers, decimals, money sense, measurement, BEDMAS, etc.

Can students change levels in Grade 10? Yes! Students are able to move from APPLIED courses in Grade 9 to ACADEMIC courses in Grade 10. Students are able to move from ACADEMIC courses in Grade 9 to APPLIED courses in Grade 10. MATH is the only course for which you need Grade 9 ACADEMIC in order to take Grade 10 ACADEMIC. There is a transfer course offered at summer school for students wanting to move from Grade 9 Applied to Grade 10 Academic.

Do all the courses that a student selects have to be at the same level? No! Students are encouraged to take the type of course that best suits their interests, goals and learning styles. Students may select a variety of course types.

Can a student take more than one course in the subject area? Yes! For example: Semester #1: MAT1L1 (Locally Developed Math) Semester #2: MFM1P1 (Applied Math)

Grade 9 Elective Courses

Grade 9 Elective Courses * Students select 3 courses (2 + 1 alternate) *All elective courses are offered at the “open level” only.

What is an Open Course? Open courses have one set of expectations for each subject and are appropriate for ALL students.

COURSE NAMECOURSE CODE DRAMAADA1O1 DRAMA – PERFORMANCE & VOCAL MUSIC – MUSIC THEATRE (2 CREDIT COURSE: DRAMA – ADB1O1 AND VOCAL- AMV1O3) ADB1O1 DRAMA - MUSIC THEATRE – PRODUCTIONADD1O1 MUSIC – GUITARAMG1O1 MUSIC – STAGE BANDAMH1O1 MUSIC – INSTRUMENTALAMI1O1 MUSIC – VOCALAMV1O1 VISUAL ARTSAVI1O1 INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGYBTT1O1 EXPLORING FAMILY STUDIESHIF1O1 EXPRESSIONS OF ABORIGINAL CULTURESNAC1O1 RYTHYM AND MOVEMENT (FEMALE ONLY)PAR1O4 EXPLORING HOSPITALITY & TOURISMTFJ1O1 EXPLORING TECHNOLOGIES – VERSION #1TIJ1O1 EXPLORING TECHNOLOGIES – VERSION #2TIJ1O3

Course Guide A list of Grade 9 courses and their descriptions. Distributed to each Grade 8 student on January 8 th, 9 th and 10 th The Course Guide is available online. You can access it from the Richardson website using the “Grade 8 Info” link.

COURSE SELECTION Courses are selected online using the Career Cruising website.

Watch this video

Access Cards

Course Request Sign Off Sheet This must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to your Grade 8 Teacher by February 18, 2014.

Due date to pick courses for grade 9: February 18, 2014

Christie Low, Head of Special Education Special Education

Special Education Programs/Services Academic Resource Room Learning Strategies Multiple Exceptionalities Modified Transition to Work Structured Learning Class

Academic Resource Room For all students who are identified or at-risk and need individualized assistance with the curriculum, tests, exams Full time staff available every period as well as before school, at lunch and after school. Assist with organizational skills, time management skills and study skills. Before and after school, as well as at lunch, open to ALL students

Supporting your child who has an IEP Welcome input on the IEP through communication - on the feedback form, phone call, in person Attendance at the IPRC meetings is welcome and appreciated…we begin to encourage attendance from the student him/herself as well Regular communication and contact with teachers as well as SERT staff

Transition Planning Opportunities available to tour school and Academic resource room prior to school start Representative from Richardson will be present at all Gr. 8 IPRCs to meet students Summer program “Getting Ready for High School”, to assist with transition

Homework Help Open to all students at Richardson Every day from 3- 4 p.m. in a first floor classroom Staffed by at least one teacher (all subject disciplines)

M. Cammock Laptop Program Coordinator

Optional Laptop Program In this optional program, students will attend their compulsory courses with other laptop students. Parents and Students must complete a registration form and submit it to Guidance. Parents who decide to have their children participate in this optional program will be expected to provide their child’s technology.

Laptop Program INFORMATION NIGHT Wednesday, March 5 th, :00 pm in our Library.

Mr. Kennelly, Principal

Thank You for Attending the Information Session this Evening! You are now invited to participate in the Department Fair, Club Fair and a tour of the school.