1. Welcome to the “Class of 2018 ”

2. Reasons To Be Excited About “The Ridge” New friends Expanded athletic programs YOU pick your courses 2 semesters…4 courses at a time IRHS events (dances, clubs, drama productions, fashion shows, movie nights) Link Crew for Grade 9 students

4. More great reasons… Travel opportunities – Australia Exchange, Paris, Spain, Guatemala, Europe Field trips – Kensington market, Stratford, Science Centre, Conservation Areas Royal Ontario Museum, Court, Manufacturing plants.

5. Into the community Community events Relay for Life 30 Hour Famine Senior’s Tea Parties Ryerson P.S. support THINK PINK

6. IRHS Daily Schedule Period One8:30 – 9:50 Period Two9:55 – 11:10 Lunch11:10 – 12:10 Period Four12:10 – 1:25 Period Five1:30 – 2:45 *period four and five alternate weekly (a “45 week” then a “54 week”)

7. IRHS Calendar Semester 1: September – January Semester 2:February – June Summer:July – August Classes finish before exam week at the end of each semester

8. Grade 9 Program of Study English * Math * Science * Geography * French Technology Healthy Active Living Education Art, Drama, or Music * Clustered classes

9. Grade 9 French Immersion Program of Study EnglishMathScience Geography*French* Arts * (in progress) Information and Communication Technology* Phys Ed., Music, or additional Technology *Instructed in French

10. Grade 9 Program Choices Applied and Academic core courses: Math, English, Science, Geography, French Applied - hands-on learning - focus on practical application Academic - theoretical learning - independent learning

11. Clustered Classes Enriched classroom environment Comprised of identified ‘gifted’ students, and highly able students Greater Depth, Breadth and pace. Grade 9 clustered classes include: Math, Science, Geography and English Your spring IEP waiver process places you in the “Secondary Gifted Placement”

12. OSSD Requirements The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requires: 30 credits (18 compulsory, 12 elective) 40 hours of community service Successful completion of the Grade 10 Literacy Test

13. Secondary High Skills Major Business SHSM

14. Secondary High Skills Major

15. Co-Curriculars CultureshockAmnesty International Athletic CouncilChoir Wind EnsembleJazz Band CommCoDance Club Debate TeamStudent Council School Reach Global Issues Council Math ClubAcceptance Club

16. Co-Curriculars continued Link CrewStudent Voice Manga clubInteract Wellness CouncilPeer Tutoring Sewing ClubBecause I am a Girl Partners in PinkString Ensemble School ReachEco-School Team The Ridge ReportRidge TV

17. IRHS Athletics Badminton Rugby Soccer Softball Baseball Track and Field Golf Tennis Curling Volleyball Basketball Football Hockey Field hockey Cross country Ski and Snowboard Swimming

18. Enrichment Opportunities Advanced Placement E=mc2 (Queens) Encounters with Canada SHAD Valley Rotary Camp Enterprise Exploravision Duke of Edinburgh Waterloo Unlimited Brightspark Youth Advisory Councils

19. Enrichment Opportunities Student Senate Government Page programs Essay contests COLs leadership MEI, Blythe, Exchanges Skule Sisters/DEEP UofT/Harvard programs Go Eng Girl Math Contests Brain Bee

20. Student Services and Supports PCC (Personal and Career Counselling) The Ridge Room and resource support Gifted Programming Peer tutors Homework class and subject-specific clinics Link Crew

21. Questions?? Call us at 905.845.0012 Visit www.irhs.cawww.irhs.ca Gifted Coordinator: Kathryn Patterson pattersonka@hdsb.ca