1. Moving From Grade 8 to Sandalwood Heights
Secondary School Organization
Graduation Requirements
Choosing Grade 9 Courses
Student Success
Our counselling team is always happy to meet with students and parents.

2. Secondary School Organization
2 Semesters per year
Sem 1: September to January
Sem 2: February to June
4 courses per semester taught by different teachers
Summative Evaluations at the end of each semester
Course selection process
Full cafeteria service

3. Graduation Requirements
Total of 30 credits Compulsory Credits
- 12 Optional Credits
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test – completed in grade 10
40 hours of Community Service – students can start the summer before grade 9
Details on next pages

4. What is a typical day like @ Sandalwood?
8:30am – 3:00pm
5 periods a day
1 period is lunch
Each period is 75
minutes long
Time
Sem 1
Sem 2
8:30 – 9:50
ENG 1D0
CGC 1P0
9:53 – 11:08
MFM 1P0
SNC 1L0
11:11 – 12:26
Lunch
12:27 – 1:42
FSF 1P0
BTT 1O0
1:45 – 3:00
AVI 1O0
PPL 1OM/F

5. Course Selection Process
Grade 8 teachers will be providing course type recommendations on Grade 9 Option Sheet
Complete Option Sheet and return to homeroom teacher
Submit courses online through student’s myBlueprint account (Nov. 12th and Nov. 28th) and return Sign-Off sheet to homeroom teacher
February 2019 – course verification process

6. Compulsory Grade 9 Courses = 6
English or ESL
Math
Science
French
Geography
Health & Physical Education

7. Optional Grade 9 Courses = 2
CHOOSE 1 OF:
Dramatic Arts
Music (instrumental or vocal)
Visual Arts
CHOOSE 1 OF:
Exploring Technologies
Communications, Computer Technology & Engineering, Construction, Health Care, Hospitality & Tourism, Technological Design, Transportation
Business Technology
Information and Communication Technology in Business. Develop digital literacy skills for success in a technologically driven society
Exploring Family Studies
Explore adolescent development and develop interpersonal, decision making and practical skills for every day life

8. Types of Courses in Grade 9
Academic
Applied
Locally Developed
(in Math, Science and English)
Open

9. Making Choices - Considerations
Studies show that the correct course selection is the KEY to secondary success

10. Making Choices -Considerations
A mixed timetable is possible – combination of academic, applied and locally developed courses
Course types chosen in grade 9 DO NOT LIMIT course types for grade 10
Students will be able to move from Academic courses in grade 9 to Applied courses in grade 10
In all subjects except math students will be able to move from Applied courses in grade 9 to Academic courses in grade 10 depending on Grade 9 achievement
There are ways to change course types throughout a student’s high school career

11. Academic Courses
emphasize theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts plus additional related concepts
fast paced
greater opportunities for independent learning
approx. 30 students per class
If you want to enter a profession such as Dentistry, Medicine, Law, Teaching, Engineering etc. you must earn a degree.
There are also ESL and Special Education classes.

12. Applied Courses
focus on practical applications of essential concepts and real-life examples
provide more opportunities for hands-on experiences
slower pace than Academic courses
more in-class work than outside of class
approx. 22 students per class – for additional support
Applied courses are for students who wish to attend community college.
Colleges have 1 to 3 year courses that lead to a diploma.
These programs train you for specific types of jobs such as Policing, many computer jobs, Photography, Advertising, Fashion Design etc.

13. Locally Developed Courses Mathematics, Science and English
focus on essential skills using practical activities
develops literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills
teacher-directed
smallest class size – approx. 17 students per class

14. Open Courses
in grade 9: The Arts, Introduction to Business, Exploring Family Studies, Health & Physical Education and Exploring Technology
enrich students' education generally
prepare students for further study in certain subjects
Open courses are for all students.

15. Student Success Special Education ESL – English as a Second Language
Recommended programs for some students to have a successful start to high school

16. GLE 1O0 – General Learning Strategies
1 credit course in grade 9 for students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
The course provides students with one-to-one support in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy as well as core subjects such as Geography, English and Mathematics.
The course teaches students about various learning styles, strategies to be successful in high school such as note taking, time management and study skills.
They learn how to be successful students.

17. English As A Second Language (ESL)
We offer 5 levels of English language support courses to meet the needs of our English Language Learners: ESLA (beginners)  ESLE (Advanced)
Up to 3 ESL credits may count as compulsory English credits (4 compulsory English credits are required for graduation)
Students are transitioned from the ESL program into academic or applied English courses:
ESL programs support the development of academic vocabulary and success in all other subject areas.
ESL courses are open to the following groups of students:
Students new to the country or province, where the previous language of instruction may not have been in English
Canadian born English Language Learners
English Language Learners have good speaking and conversational skills but may require further instruction in developing academic reading and writing skills in English
ESL A
ESL B
ESL C
ESL D
ESL E
ENG1P0
ENG1D0
ENG2P0
ENG2D0

18. Goals of the GLE or ESL Support Programs
To ease the transition from the elementary program to the high school program.
Smaller class sizes provide individual academic support to our students.
Resource support is available during the lunch periods for all of our students.
On-going academic monitoring is offered throughout high school to ensure students are successful.
Accommodations such as extra time for summative assessments (exams) and EQAO are provided.
It is very important that you follow the recommendations of the grade 8 teacher with regards to your child’s placement in ESL and GLE. Your child will be more successful in their other courses because of it. They will earn credits that go toward their Ontario Secondary School diploma and have the support they need to be successful in their core classes.

19. Questions? Student Services Contacts:
Ms. L. Stutt – Guidance Department
Ext. 410
Ms. M. Homem – Special Education & ESL
Ext. 454
Guidance Office Administrator
Ext. 412