1. PLANNING YOUR GRADE TWELVE YEAR
Archbishop Denis O’Connor C.H.S.
January 2017

2. Before We Begin…
Summer School information and registration will be available in April or May.
Remedial Courses: courses for students unsuccessful in a semester course with a mark of greater than 35%. Remedial courses are 2 weeks long.
Acceleration Courses: courses for students who have not previously taken a particular course or who did not earn a 35% in the course during the school year. Acceleration courses are 4 weeks long.
If you would like help selecting courses make an appointment with your Guidance Counsellor as soon as possible.
Some acceleration courses fill quickly – be prepared to register when information becomes available.
If you were unsuccessful in a course in semester one and plan to go to summer school, you may need to see a Guidance Counsellor to add the grade 12 course for your timetable next year! Do so as soon as possible!

3. Our 2017– 2018 On-Line Course Calendar!
A course calendar provides you with information about the school, graduation requirements, general information, courses available to students.
Important planning charts (Department Flow Charts) are included as well as web sites to assist with your academic planning.
To access, go to doc.dcdsb.ca; select the STUDENTS link and click GUIDANCE
Click on the Course Levels and Calendar tab on the left; select DO’C COURSE CALENDAR

4. Selecting Courses for Grade 12
Two compulsory courses: English, Religion
Check with your Guidance Counsellor if you need to complete any other compulsory credits.
You must select a minimum of 6 courses (3 per semester). You must have 24 credits to have 2 spares. E-Learning courses count as one of the 6!
Two Alternate credits (used if one of your optional courses is not available or a course is cancelled)
If you plan to apply to university you must earn six credits in grade 12 at the U or M level
REMEMBER: Select course levels that reflect the pathway you are considering. Consider all pathways as you plan your post-secondary years: apprenticeship, work, college, university.

5. NEW COURSES FOR 2017-18: Hockey Focus Phys-ed
PPL3OH– Will run in Semester 1 during Period 1
On–ice classes will be held at the Ajax Community Center
Students must be able to get transportation and from the arena
An additional fee of $50 is required for this course
This class is a co-ed class; both males and females can sign up

6. NEW COURSES FOR 2017-18: Drama Music Theatre ADB4M1
This course extends students’ well-developed capacity for musical theatre performance. Students are challenged to analyze, interpret, and perform musical theatre from various cultural and historical periods, especially shows which focus on a diverse range of sources. Workshops encourage students to explore the tension between character archetypes and modern influences, refine vocal skills and approaches to movement on- stage, and to reflect on and analyze their own practice. In the grade twelve course, students attend to musical theatre as a unique genre of performance, as a mode of expression, and as and a vehicle for social chance. They are led to consider how musical theatre criticism both advances their understanding of themselves and the world around us, which might inspire novel risks in dramatic, vocal/ musical, and movement styles and practice. Students will explore modern production values, including the integration of technology as a mode of expression on stage. As such, students will have the unique opportunity to explore technical elements of musical production, and the array of vibrant and exciting careers which support the performing arts.

7. NEW COURSES FOR 2017-18: Hairstyling & Aesthetics
TXJ3E – Hairstyling and Aesthetics
Dual credit course; students will earn TXJ3E high school course and Makeup Artistry from Loyalist College
Open if both male and female students in Grade 11 or 12
Focus will be on Makeup Artistry not Hairstyling

8. NEW COURSES FOR 2017-18: Vehicle Maintenance
TTJ3O1 – Vehicle Maintenance and Ownership Course
Designed for males and females
No Prerequisite is required for this course

10. Web Sites to Assist You College/University/Career
Ontario College Application Service
Ontario University Application Centre
Electronic Info (Univ. Admission Info)
NOC Classification System
www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC (look for Quick Search at bottom of left side)
Self-assessment
Ontario Student Counsellors Assoc.
Career Cruising
Human Metrics
Mazemaster
Next Steps (funded by HRDC)
(Select Student Resources, Self-Assessment)
(User ID: guidance, Password: blue)
Apprenticeships
Tradeability
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
Government of Ontario
Apprentice Search
Job Connect Durham

11. E-Learning Courses are offered by the Durham Catholic D.S.B.
Courses count as any other day school course and considered equally by colleges and universities.
An E-Learning course takes the place of a day school course (i.e. a student would have a spare during their day) Students cannot register for 4 courses and an E-Learning course in one semester.
E-learning courses are listed with all other courses in Career Cruising
Consider your learning style!

12. Pathways in Math

13. Almost all colleges consider university and college courses equally
Almost all colleges consider university and college courses equally. If you are planning to attend college, college level courses are a more appropriate choice.
Grade 11 Religion satisfies the requirement for the Group 1 compulsory credit.
One English course must be a ‘Core’ English (ENG4U1, ENG4C1). Other English courses (EWC4U1, and EMS3O1) are considered optional credits
Little Details…

14. Cooperative Education: Experiencing the World of Work
Select COP2O if you are applying for a 2 credit Coop program. Then choose additional courses for a total of between 6 and 8.
Select COP4O if you are applying for a 4 credit Coop program. Then choose additional courses for a total of between 6 and 8
Coop credits count the same way other courses do.
Coop credits can count for up to 2 compulsory credits (see Course Checklist sheet)
You MUST hand in the Coop application form with your course selection sheet (it is available online!)
Interviews for the Coop program after the March break

15. The On-Line Course Selection Process
To access Career Cruising, go to the DO’C web site (doc.dcdsb.ca); select STUDENTS and then select the GUIDANCE link.
Select Course Levels and Calendars
There will be two links to Career Cruising
Career Cruising Log in
Career Cruising Main Site (available to all) Username and Password posted with the link.
Select Log In and log in with your individual username and password. Refer to the Course Selection brochure for assistance
Username: DCD-(Student Number)
Your student number is on your ID card
Password: Date of Birth (mmddyyyy) or the password you selected when you first logged in. If you have not changed your password, you will be asked to do so.

16. Things to Remember
Choose courses wisely as discretionary changes are not made
Review your level choices after receiving your mid-term report card
Full Disclosure
Students who drop a course five days after receiving the mid-term report card receive a ‘withdrawal’ mark that is entered on the transcript
Students in grade 12 must have a minimum of three courses in a semester. Students are eligible for spares once they reach 24 credits
Read course descriptions carefully. Speak to teachers to learn more about a course.
Option Sheet will not be collected without
the Student Activity Fee

17. Handing In Your Course Selection Documents
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Students will be called to library in alphabetical order
Hand in:
Course Request Sign Off Sheet (with parent signature)
Student Activity Fee ($75). Cheques can be post- dated to May 1, 2017.
Coop application form (if applicable)
SHSM application form (if applicable)
Course selection sheet will then be handed to a Guidance Counsellor.

18. REMIND TEXT: @docclass18 to:289-204-2198
Stay connected with Guidance by signing up for REMIND, a free, safe and simple messaging tool
3 ways to use REMIND; , text or APP
to:
It will be the primary mode of communication with the Guidance Department for your years at DO’C
You will receive important date reminders, presentations, scholarships, community service opportunities, graduation, etc