GETTING READY FOR GRADE 9 Welcome to Nelson High School!

Welcome and Introductions Introductions: Principal: Karen Hartman Vice Principal: Jeffery Carey Vice Principal: Christy Peterson ➢ Welcome to Nelson ➢ Setting the Stage ➢ Student Voice – Safe Schools & Be Kind Nelson ➢ Pathways ➢ Role of Student Services ➢ Supports available for Student Success ➢ School Life – Nelson Beyond the Classroom ➢ ‘A Day in the Life of a Grade 9 Student’

Our Pledge… to create a safe and healthy environment in which each student is engaged, supported and challenged everyday

Getting Ready for High School December to January – Course selection sheets completed with teacher recommendations Late January – Course selection process at feeder schools ( February - Grade 8 to 9 Optional Attendance Forms due to Home School mid-May – Grade 8’s visit Nelson again

Getting Ready for High School Nelson LINK Crew Grade 11 student leaders who act as positive role models, motivators and mentors for our Grade 9s

Nelson United Link Crew Athletics Arts Tech Clubs Something for Everyone! Getting Involved at Nelson

SAFE INCLUSIVE BELONGING ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY PROMOTING HEALTH & WELLNESS BULLYING PREVENTION POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS Making Nelson A Better

Together we can... Encourage involvement Support academic achievement Create and maintain partnerships and communication Support positive health strategies Highlight supports available Increase awareness of mental health

Talk! Bullying: Prevention & Responding When you are aware of important aspects of their life, you can help them with their problems. Stay involved. Keep Asking!

on twitter for positive quotes and comments and to be aware of upcoming events at Nelson. For more Information… Help make Twitter Positive!

Nelson Guide to Secondary School *Given to ‘High School 101’ participants already

Nelson “Guide to Secondary School” Page 2 of Guide

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements 1 course = 1 credit 18 compulsory credits 12 optional credits 40 hours of community involvement pass the Grade 10 literacy test

Compulsory Credits (Total 18) 4 English credits (1 credit per grade) 3 Math credits (at least 1 credit in grade 11 or 12) 2 Science credits 1 French credit 1 Canadian Geography credit 1 Canadian History credit 1 Arts credit 1 Healthy Active Living credit (Phys Ed) ½ Civics and ½ Careers credit (taken in Grade 10)

Optional Credits (Total 12) ● In addition to 18 compulsory credits, students must earn 12 optional credits ● Optional credits are courses of your choice ● They allow students to build an educational program based on their individual interests ● They help students meet university, college or apprenticeship requirements

Click to edit the outline text format  Second Outline Level Third Outline Level  Fourth Outline Level Fifth Outline Level Sixth Outline Level Seventh Outline Level Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline Level Grade 9 Course Selection Compulsory English Mathematics Science French Geography Healthy Active Living Business or Technology Optional Visual Arts Dramatic Arts Instrumental Music Select only one of the above

Grade 9 Option Sheet

Academic and Applied Course Selection ★ Grade 8 teacher recommendation of crucial importance ★ Courses are not taken as a package deal: individual courses can be taken at the level most appropriate for the success of the learner ★ The most successful students are engaged, confident and enjoying the learning process. ★ Subject areas will give further details this evening

Click to edit the outline text format  Second Outline Level Third Outline Level  Fourth Outline Level Fifth Outline Level Sixth Outline Level Seventh Outline Level Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline Level Click to edit the outline text format  Second Outline Level Third Outline Level  Fourth Outline Level Fifth Outline Level Sixth Outline Level Seventh Outline Level Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline Level Click to edit the outline text format  Second Outline Level Third Outline Level  Fourth Outline Level Fifth Outline Level Sixth Outline Level Seventh Outline Level Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline Level The Difference Between Academic and Applied Applied Academic Applied courses cover the essential concepts of a subject Knowledge and skills are developed through both theory and practical application Emphasis will be on practical application Concept development based more on familiar, real life situations Academic courses cover the essential concepts of a subject (greater depth) Knowledge and skills are developed through both theory and practical application Emphasis will be on theory Concept development based more on abstract thinking *Faster pacing than Applied, so more material covered

Strengths of the Learner Academic and Applied Applied Academic Capable Reader Reads for a specific purpose Benefits from more structure Completes tasks in directed environment Enjoys learning by doing and by some theoretical work Reads and comprehends well Enjoys and values reading Benefits from more independence Completes tasks independently environment Enjoys learning by doing and by extensive theoretical work Recognizes the need for, and completes, daily homework

Math “ Keeping the Doors Open”...Really? ❖ Many College/University programs have no math prerequisite. (You can still go to Coll./Univ. without math!) ❖ College and University programs that have Gr. 12 math prerequisites most often require great success in these courses (i.e. 75 – 80+%)! ❖ Struggling in a math course at an inappropriate level (e.g., with 50-60% or less) may be a source of great stress and probably won’t “keep the doors open” ❖ Choosing pathways now that lead to success and confidence increase the chances of success later.

Core Course Pathways ★ Grade 9 core courses (Science, Geography, French and especially Math & English) should be chosen at the level at which the student is most likely to be successful ★ The elementary school teacher’s recommendation is a strong indicator of the potential for success at a given level ★ Based on their success, students can move between levels (may involve summer school) ★ College and University are not mutually exclusive: - transfer agreements exist in both directions

Click to edit the outline text format  Second Outline Level Third Outline Level  Fourth Outline Level Fifth Outline Level Sixth Outline Level Seventh Outline Level Eighth Outline Level Ninth Outline Level Post Secondary Pathways Apprenticeship College University Workplace The Halton District School Board recognizes all Post Secondary pathways as valid and equal options for graduates.

MYBLUEPRINT COURSE SELECTION GUIDE

Assessment and Evaluation in Grade 9 70% Term/ Semester Work Final 30% -Performance Task -Exam The Final 30% occurs in the last 4 weeks of each semester ***EQAO Grade 9 Math Assessment ***

Student Success at Nelson Our Student Success Team: Student Success Teachers Special Education Resource Teachers Guidance Counsellors School Social Worker Administration

What happens when I am not learning? Student Success Supports: Individual Teacher Support Subject Specific Clinics Student Success Rm. 103 Tutors (peer or professional) Success in H.S. Seminars Resource lunch & after school

NELSON

Day in the Life of a Gr. 9 Nelson Student - Tour Blue Handout - Mr. Messier Green Handout – Mrs. Peterson / Mrs. Grenier Grey Handout – Mr. George Yellow Handout –Ms. Anderson Purple Handout – Mr. Bird Salmon Handout - Ms. Dueckman Beige Handout - Mr. Carey Pink Handout – Ms. Hayakawa

NELSON HIGH SCHOOL est “Over 50 Years of Excellence”