Welcome To Semester Information Night

Agenda PROCESS AND HISTORY THE ‘BASICS’ OF SEMESTERS FREQUENT QUESTIONS IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING

HISTORY o Recurring Issue o Parents, staff and students have raised the question o Previously, creative solutions to its challenges have been enough o 34 credit cap, new enrollment pressure changed the outlook in

Which System is Better? o No clear or definitive answer o Benefits and drawbacks to both o Focus became key areas identified as important to WCI in ANY timetable: o Mentorship Culture o Common Lunch o Length of Period o Enrollment o Resources o Student and Staff Workload

PROCESS o Timetable Committee 2012 o Heads Council 2013 o Senior Administration o Staff Survey o 34 Credit Gr. 11 and 12 Student Survey o School Council o Education Council, Executive Council o Trustees o Decision by Principal

Factors that “Tipped the Balance” Student Workload Guided Practice Effective Use of TIME (Common lunch, e- learning, collaborative learning) Pathway Flexibility (Failures, reach ahead, ESL) Mid-year Registration Fewer Transitions Enrollment – 34 credit data, transfer data Classroom Materials Student and Staff Workload

A Decision is Made… WCI IS CHANGING TO A SEMESTER SCHEDULE IN SEPTEMBER 2015 …and we are taking time on the HOW.

SEMESTER SCHEDULE THE BASICS Most Common; 2 day rotation, 74 min. periods, 60 min common lunch Same course selection Computer will schedule 4 classes in Semester 1 and 4 classes Semester 2

SAMPLE SEMESTER TIMETABLE PERIODBELL TIMEDAY 1DAY 2 1 8:09 9:25 AA 2 9:30 10:45 BB COMMON LUNCH (Block C) 10:45 – 11: :45 1:00 DE 4 1:05 2:20 ED

Most Common Questions QUESTION Gaps in Learning? Homework? Programs: AP, Magnets, Special Education, VIP? ANSWER Spiral curriculum, teacher adjustment, special case exceptions. Less subjects, faster pace, in-class time, reasonable timelines still needed. Proper Implementation! Full year options, either scheduled or co-curricular.

Most Common Questions QUESTION Grade 12 or 5 th year, how does it work? ANSWER Semesters will allow 4, 4.5 or 5 years within the 34 credit cap. Students may split a final 4 credits in their 5 th year in two each semester.

Communication o IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE o TIMETABLE by END of OCTOBER o Program Planning o WEBSITE – Principal Updates o NEWSLETTERS, PARENT LETTERS o COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION o ASSEMBLIES and CLASS VISITS o INDIVIDUAL Pathway Counselling o INFORMATION NIGHTS o Sept. 25 o TBD-Close to Course Selection Time o QUESTIONS TO o o

Have a Great Evening If you chose to do so, you may…. Find one of our team to answer your questions, Write your questions on the handout provided, Request a phone call to discuss your questions on the handout provided, Watch the Website for more updates and information.