1. Welcome to Sunnyside’s High School Information Session: Grade 8-9 Transition Process 1

2. Cameron Heights IB Information: Tues. Nov. 24 7pm
High School
Open Houses
Cameron Heights IB Information: Tues. Nov. 24 7pm
Eastwood: Wed. Dec. 2th 6:30pm
Grand River: Wed. Dec. 9th 7pm
Cameron Heights: Wed., Jan. 13th 7pm
• meet administration, teachers, support staff
• tour the school
• program and course information 2

3. DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS 0SSD Ontario Secondary School Diploma
30 CREDITS
18 COMPULSORY
12 ELECTIVES
Plus
40 hours of Community Involvement &
Successful Completion of Literacy Requirement

4. COMPULSORY SUBJECTS 4 credits in ENGLISH 3 credits in MATHEMATICS
2 credits in SCIENCE
1 credit in GEOGRAPHY
1 credit in HISTORY
1 credit FRENCH
1 credit ARTS
1 credit PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1/2 credit in CIVICS
1/2 credit in CAREER STUDIES
...that makes a total of 15 out of the 18 required credits. Three more credits in specific areas are required.

5. More Compulsory Credits 1 credit from each group
English
Third Language
Social Science
Canadian and World Studies
Guidance and Career Education
Cooperative Education*
French as a Second Language
___________________ 2
Health & Phys. Ed.
Arts
Business
Cooperative Education*
French as a Second Language
_______________
Science, Gr. 11 or 12
Technological Education, Gr 3
* Note: a maximum of two Cooperative Education courses may be taken

6. 12 ELECTIVES DRAMATIC ARTS MUSIC - INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - VOCAL
VISUAL ARTS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
BUSINESS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY LIVING

7. Course Type & Destination
Grade 9 and 10
Academic
Applied
Essential
Open
Grade 11 and 12
University
University/College
College
Workplace
Open

8. Academic Courses
Offered in core areas: English, Math, Science, History, Geography, French
Students will learn the essential concepts of a subject and explore related materials
Emphasis will be on theory and abstract thinking as a basis for future learning
Lead to senior courses preparing for university and college
Guideline benchmark: 70% and over
Students should be independent learners with learning skills in the good to excellent range

9. Applied Courses
Offered in core areas: English, Math, Science, History, Geography, French
Emphasis will be on the practical and hands-on applications of the concepts
The course focuses on the essential concepts of a subject
Lead to senior courses preparing for college, apprenticeship, skilled trades, and the workplace
Guideline benchmark: 50% - 70%
Students should be starting to be independent learners

10. Essential Courses
Emphasis will be in the practical and hands-on applications that will help students to improve their skills for functioning in everyday life and in the workplace.
Students who are more successful in an environment with additional teacher direction and varied instruction find success in these courses
Hands on learning, smaller class sizes
Lead to senior courses preparing students for the workplace

11. Open Courses
Set of Expectations that is suitable for all students at a given grade level
Provides students with a broad educational base
Available in subjects like Physical Education, Technology, etc.

12. SAMPLE GR 9 STUDENT TIMETABLE Semestered School
SEMESTER 1 SEPT. TO JANUARY ENGLISH SCIENCE FRENCH ELECTIVE (e.g. Physical Education)
SEMESTER 2
FEBRUARY TO JUNE
MATHEMATICS
GEOGRAPHY
ELECTIVE (e.g. art)
ELECTIVE (e.g. Integrated Technology)

13. Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be an opportunity to switch courses during grade 9, e.g., Academic to Applied?
Not likely due to timetable constraints
Is it possible to change course types from grade 9 to 10?
Yes, in all core courses except math from applied to academic

14. Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a student or parent chooses a course type other than what is recommended by the teacher?
Secondary schools enter the information selected by the student or parent. It may prompt more discussion and a review.
What if I do not want to go to my home school?
Please see Mrs. Mellow so we can discuss the reasons and possible options for you.

15. Frequently Asked Questions
Does a student have to take all the same course types?
No, students can select different types for the core courses according to their strengths, work habits, and learning style. E.g. academic English, applied Science

16. Frequently Asked Questions
I am really nervous about going to high school. How can I feel better about this?
There are several opportunities to go and visit the high schools (parent nights, Gala, Gr. 8 visits in May, sporting events, alternate schedule the first day of school, etc.). If you become familiar with the building it becomes less intimidating. You can also talk to your teachers or Mrs. Mellow about your fears and we can help.

17. What is the Student Success Hub?
“A safe environment in which students come for help and support with their schooling and education.”
“It helps you get where you want to be.”
“A room full of friendly and helpful individuals ready to listen and do their best to accommodate to your academic wants and needs.”
“You can be yourself in here. You actually have a chance to be in a place that makes you feel at home.”
“It is a place to go and get work done to catch up if you’ve missed something. It is really helpful and there are a lot of resources.”

18. Why would you use the Student Success Hub?
Academic support.
Alternate work environment.
Resources if you have a project to do.
If you need a break or need to reduce your stress (we have colouring books and other relaxing activities)
Help you make connections with people in the school when you don’t know where to go or who to talk to.
Help you make connections with people in the school even when you DO know where to go or who to talk to.
Alternate learning options.
Create positive friendships in this space.
To visit our snake named FRANK. Students love him.
Student Success will help with anything

19. How do you get to use the Student Success Hub?
Just ask your teacher. They will phone to make sure there is space and you can go there to do your work.
Talk to your guidance counsellor or go and see the student success teacher and they can set something up for you.
All high schools have a student success room.

20. Magnet School Open Houses
Eastwood C.I.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Integrated Arts Program: visual, drama, dance, music
High Skills Major: a focus on knowledge and skills required in the Arts & Culture sector
English as a Second Language: courses with English language and literacy development with a choice of appropriate and engaging programs 20

21. Next steps?
Decide if you would like to apply for a magnet program, if so, find out more about the program and the application process.
In January Eastwood will send over guidance counsellors to talk about high school courses and hand out a course selection booklet. Most high schools offer the same courses for Grade 9 so if you are going to Grand River or Cameron the courses will be very similar. All course descriptions will also be online.
Beginning of February - Teachers will fill out a recommendation for each student on whether they should take academic, applied or essential courses in grade 9.
At the end of February Mrs. Mellow and core teachers will work with Sunnyside students to make their course selections online using My Way.

22. What do I do now? Consider applying for magnet programs
Learn my PAL password so you can access My Way
Figure out what my home school is
Work to the best of my best ability so my teachers can make accurate recommendations for me for high school
Ask lots of questions and talk about high school with my family

23. Advice from Gr. 9 students
Recognize your talents
Get to bed early
Pick the right courses
Get involved – it makes high school more fun!
The media makes you afraid of high school – it’s not like that at all with the different social groups and stuff. I wish I knew that before I came, that it’s not that scary
I was worried about getting lost but it’s really not a big deal.
There is a lot more homework!
Don’t be late for class!