1. Grade 7-9 Curriculum Night
RHSS Mission:
To prepare all the learners in our building to be thinking, caring, flexible individuals who can meet the challenges of the 21st century
‘Be the best you can be’
-Rick Hansen

2. Agenda Why RHSS Life at RHSS Diploma requirements Course offerings
Course selections
Self directed tours

3. Community Feeder Schools
Fairwind Senior Public School
Hazel McCallion Senior Public School
Fallingbrook Middle School
Bristol Road Middle School
We also have ESL students coming from a larger boundary area + an international student program

4. Why Rick Hansen? EHS and SHSMs Hospitality and Tourism Manufacturing
Health Care program
Robotics
Co-op Education
Positive and inclusive school environment

5. Why Rick Hansen? Focus on literacy and numeracy
Commitments to student success – supports in place such as extra help sessions, Peer Tutoring, Counting on You (literacy and numeracy), Student Success (Link, Lighthouse, and Legacy), transition planning, high success rate
Lots of opportunities for growth and involvement – leadership, athletics, the arts, technology, business, and more…

6. Fun Facts 2017-2018 school year:
94% of gr. 9 students earned all 8 credits
June June 2018: 88% of grads accepted to post-secondary programs
2018 School Year:
Student population – approx. 1670

7. Secondary School Overview
2 semesters
Semester 1: September to end of January
Semester 2: February to end of June
8:30-3:05
All grade 9 students take 8 courses (4 each semester)
75 minute classes
Individualized timetables
Exams at the end of each semester

8. Three Diploma Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9
30 credits to graduate*
18 compulsory
12 optional
*students must earn a mark of 50% or higher to earn a credit*
Completion of 40 hours of community services
Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or equivalent

9. Your Child's Grade 9 Program
8 SUBJECTS
6 Compulsory Subjects
English
Math
Science
Geography
French
Health and Physical Education
2 Optional Subjects
1 from the Arts
Visual Arts (AVI 1O)
Drama (ADA 1O)
Instrumental Music (AMI 1O)
Vocal Music (AMV 1O)
Guitar (AMG 1O)
Dance (ATC 1O)
1 from Business or Technology
Information and Communication Technology (BTT 1O)
Hospitality (TFJ 1O)
Exploring Technologies (TIJ 1O)

10. Exceptions English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners
Eligible to take two ESL/English courses
Potentially, other ESL supported compulsory courses (i.e. Science, Drama Geography, Learning Strategies)
Special Education Students
Eligible to take Learning Strategies (GLE 1O)
Do not have to take French

11. Your Child's Grade 9 ESL Program
8 SUBJECTS
7 Compulsory Subjects
ESL (two core courses)
Math
Science
Geography
*French
Health and Physical Education
1 Optional Subject
1 from the Arts, Business or
Technology
Visual Arts (AVI 1O)
Drama (ADA 1O)
Instrumental Music (AMI 1O)
Vocal Music (AMV 1O)
Guitar (AMG 1O)
Dance (ATC 1O)
Information and Communication Technology (BTT 1O)
Hospitality (TFJ 1O)
Exploring Technologies (TIJ 1O)
*Possible exemption in gr.9!

12. Your Child's Grade 9 IEP Program
8 SUBJECTS
6 Compulsory Subjects
English
Math
Science
Geography
Health and Physical Education
Learning Strategies
2 Optional Subjects
1 from the Arts
Visual Arts (AVI 1O)
Drama (ADA 1O)
Instrumental Music (AMI 1O)
Vocal Music (AMV 1O)
Guitar (AMG 1O)
Dance (ATC 1O)
1 from Business or Technology
Information and Communication Technology (BTT 1O)
Hospitality (TFJ 1O)
Exploring Technologies (TIJ 1O)

13. Course Types
Open
Locally Developed
Applied
Academic

14. Open Courses (i.e. AVI 1OO)
Suitable for all students and not specific to any particular post secondary destination
Same curriculum expectations for all students, regardless of destination
Examples
All grade 9 optional subjects
Grade 9 Health and Physical Education

15. Locally Developed Courses (i.e. ENG 1L0)
For students who are on modified courses below age appropriate grade
Focus on essential skills using relevant and practical (hands on) activities
For students who are visual and/or concrete
Offered in Math, English, and Science

16. Applied (i.e. ENG 1P0)
Concrete approaches to learning and practical applications
More demonstration and less writing/research
Slower pace
More teacher guided
All compulsory courses
Generally a student will be working consistently at a Level 1 or 2 (between 50-69%)

17. Academic (i.e. ENG 1D0) at a Level 3 or higher (70% or higher)
Abstract approaches to learning and theoretical applications
Faster pace
Greater opportunities for independent learning
All compulsory courses
at a Level 3 or higher (70% or higher)

18. Academic or Applied? Consider:
Current learning skills and academic achievement
Grade 8 teacher’s recommendation
Speak with compulsory subject teachers
Can take a mixed palette

19. Importance of Making the Best Decision
Student success
Difficult to change a course during the semester because:
The timetable is built based on student choices. There may not be any spaces in the class
Complex timetable. Changes could impact all courses being taken

20. Changing Pathways - is it possible?
Locally Applied Academic
Developed
Student achievement
In consultation with parents, teacher, and student
On successful completion of a grade 9 course (not likely to occur during the semester)

21. Explore High Skills
Specialized programs in Hospitality and Manufacturing offering unique learning opportunities
connect their learning to potential pathway plans and potential future workplace;
Sector related skill development
20 volunteer hours
At least one sector-specific industry certification recognized by the Ministry of Education
Experiential learning activity
Apply on line (Nov. 5th – Nov. 3pm)
rehighskills/Pages/default.aspx

22. Course Selection Process
Completed through grade 8 HOME SCHOOL
Nov. 12th – 28th (at gr. 8 school using myBlueprint)
Other board/non-RHSS feeder schools – record name at guidance table. We will contact you after March 1st

23. Student Success Tips Be the best student you can be
Choose the most appropriate course type
Attend all classes
Be on time
Be engaged
Complete your course work
Ask for help
Maintain a balanced lifestyle

24. Get Involved!!! Activities Teams Clubs Student Council Peer Mentors
Athletics Council
Arts Council
Band
Drama
Fashion Show
Math Contests
Model UN
and more….
Teams
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cricket
Flag Football
Soccer
Swimming
Volleyball
Wrestling
and more…
Clubs
Robotics
Chess
Weight Room
DECA
Muslim Students Association
Christian Fellowship
Hansen 4 Humanity
and more….

25. Online Resources www.myblueprint.ca/peel
(making my way)
Rick Hansen Secondary School website
(student services tab)

26. Questions?