1. Grade 8 Information Session
Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
Soon you will be a GATOR! Welcome to the SWAMP!

2. Learning Goals By the end of this presentation you will:
know what high school will look like
how to pick your courses for grade 9.
learn about the ways WE can support YOU in achieving your goals.

3. DAWSS – Bell Schedule

4. Week 1 and Week 2 WEEK 2: Week 1: Period 1 Period 2 LUNCH Period 3

5. What is secondary school all about?
CREDITS 1 COURSE = 1 CREDIT 4 credits are earned each semester Semester 1: Sept to Jan Semester 2: Feb to June

6. Ontario Secondary School Diploma
30 Credits to graduate
18 Compulsory
12 Optional
40 Hours of Community Involvement
You can start the summer of your grade 9 year…more information to follow in the spring
Provincial Literacy Requirement
must pass to graduate – you will get LOTS of support!
You will get 8 of these in
your grade 9 year!

7. Choosing the Right LEVEL for You!
Consult with parents/guardians, teachers, SERT
Difference between lack of understanding and lack of effort
Suggested Ranges:
Failing current courses – LOCALLY DEVELOPED
50 – 60% - APPLIED
70% - ACADEMIC
Between 60% and 70% is a gray area
NOT ALL COURSES HAVE TO BE AT THE SAME LEVEL

8. Choose the Right Level
We create the timetable for your ENTIRE grade based on what YOU choose…
If you don’t choose the right level initially then there might not be any space for you if you need to move levels once the semester has started

9. Locally Developed Courses
Targets important concepts not completed at elementary level
Fills in the GAPS missing from Grade 8
Develop students’ knowledge and skill
Emphasize practical, concrete applications of basic concepts
Generally designed for workplace bound students
Potential option to upgrade to applied

10. Applied Courses More hands on concrete (practical )
Directed, step by step, teacher-directed approach to learning
Students recognize & describe what is heard & read
College bound students
There is potential to upgrade to academic!
Many university programs do NOT require academic math

11. Academic Courses
Drawing conclusions & making predictions from research
Explaining & analyzing what is heard & read
More complex & global examples
More independent, student initiated, student-directed learning
University bound students
**Note: if you are interested in pursuing an
NCAA scholarship, all Academic level courses are REQUIRED!

12. Grade 9 Compulsory Subjects
Subject Area
Academic
Applied
Locally Developed
English
ENG 1D1
ENG 1P1
ENG 1L1
French
FSF 1D1
FSF 1P1
Canadian Geography
CGC 1D1
CGC 1P1
Mathematics
MPM 1D1
MFM 1P1
MAT 1L1
Healthy Active Living Education (Female)
PPL 1O4
Healthy Active Living Education (Male)
PPL 1O3
Science
SNC 1D1
SNC 1P1
SNC 1L1

13. Grade 9 Optional Subjects
Pick one from…
Description
Code
Drama
ADA 1O1
Instrumental Music
AMU 1O1
Vocal Music
AMV 1O1
Visual Arts
AVI 1O1
and one from…
Description
Code
Information Technology in Business
BTT 1O1
Exploring Technologies
TIJ 1O1

14. French?!
In COURSE PLANNER you must choose either FSF 1D1 or FSF 1P1

15. French
If you have an IEP and are FRENCH EXEMPT then you will pick another BUSINESS/TECH or ARTS course during your IPRC Review with the Special Education Department
If you are not identified but have a FRENCH EXEMPTION, your teacher will notify Mrs. Roberts in Guidance and one of your alternate choices will be put in to your course selections.

16. Choosing Your Classes
All of your course selections are done through CAREER CRUISING COURSE PLANNER
To choose your classes you have to:
SELECT your classes on Course Planner
SUBMIT your choices
PRINT out a copy of your classes
Have your parent SIGN the sheet
RETURN the signed copy to your GRADE 8 teacher

17. How to Access Course Planner…
Go to the Career Cruising website:

18. Demonstration of Course Planner
Log in here!
A video if you need assistance

19. Choosing Courses
Click on the for the course to choose the appropriate level.

20. Click on correct level for a description.

21. Click here to add the course

22. Choose your electives from this menu.

23. To delete a course click on the course and hit the delete button.

24. An INCOMPLETE Course Planner
This is an incomplete example of a COURSE PLANNER.
Every box MUST have a selection.
Electives: Choose a Tech or Business AND an Arts Course AND a Physical Education Class
Alternates: Choose another Tech or Business AND another Arts Course

25. A COMPLETE Course Planner
This is a COMPLETE example of a COURSE PLANNER.
Every box has a selection.
Electives: Every box has a selection.
Alternates: Every box has an alternate selection.

26. You cannot SUBMIT until AFTER receiving your report card!

27. Once you are able to submit this is the message you will see…

28. Course Request Sign Off Sheet
After hitting SUBMIT, PRINT this form and have it SIGNED by your parent and RETURN it to your Grade 8 TEACHER

29. You will get a copy of this sheet from your teacher
You will get a copy of this sheet from your teacher. Option sheets are due to WILSON on February 19th. Your teacher will set a deadline for you.

30. Academic Supports If you need help… Guidance Counsellors!
Subject teachers
Special Education for IEP students
Peer tutors
Grade 9 classrooms
Paid Private Tutors
Credit Rescue
After School Help

31. Extra Curricular Activities
Athletics – badminton, baseball, basketball, curling, football, golf, lacrosse, rugby, volleyball, soccer, swimming, track & field, hockey
Clubs – Chess, Cultural Mosaic, Environmental, GSA, Gator Gazette, Pen Strokes, Run Club, DECA, STAR, White Pine, Ski/Snowboard, Weight Training
Student Leadership – Relay for Life, Student Parliament, SLAM!, Leadership Camp
Music – Band, Choir, Jazz
Drama – Sears Festival, One-Act Plays
Art – Arts Preview Night, Craft Club

32. September 8th - Lots of Activities!
Welcome to Wilson!
Grade 8 Parent Night
February 12th, 7:00 PM
Wilson Tour
May 2015
Grade 9 ONLY Day
September 8th - Lots of Activities!