1. Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School
Information and Course Selection Process
for Grade 8 Students and Families

2. Agenda for the Evening
Greetings from Principal, Student Council, School Council
Guidance Presentation (Grade 9 Course Selection, Career Cruising, Registration Timelines)
Raffles for prizes
Open House - “Tour Williams”
Special Presentations - refer to the Agenda in your folder

3. General Information about Williams
Semestered program for all grades
Grades 9 -12
8:20 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Four periods (75 minutes) plus lunch (75 minutes)
Exam Weeks in January and June

4. Specialized Programming at Williams
Gifted Program (newly begun in 2014)
Enriched/Pre-AP/AP (Advanced Placement)
HPA- High Performance Athlete Program
Dual Credit and Apprenticeship Programs
SHSM - Specialist High Skills Major - Business
and Health and Wellness
Specialized presentations based on many of these topics after the assembly

5. What’s new at Williams? New Science classrooms / labs
New Visual Art classroom / studio
New Weight Room / Fitness facility
New Communication Technology classroom, with state- of-the-art iMac lab, sound editing labs, and green screen studio

6. Athletics Baseball Cross Country Ski Field Hockey Golf Rugby
Basketball
Varsity Football
Slo-Pitch
Soccer
Terry Fox Walk/Run
Track & Field
Curling
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Please add or delete appropriate sports and activities for your school

7. Clubs & Groups Peer Mentors Peer Tutors Music Council Newspaper Prom
Art Council
Athletic Council
Band
Chess
Cinema
Empowered Student Partnerships
Equity Council
International Trips
Math Club
Math Contests
Mental Health Awareness
Campaigns
Peer Mentors
Peer Tutors
Music Council
Newspaper
Prom
Santa Claus Parade
Science Club
Semi Formal
Student Council
Yearbook
No more than 30 seconds

8. The “Me to We” Campaign

9. Welcome, Class of 2020
Transition to ‘how do we graduate?’

10. Diploma Requirements (OSSD)

11. The Individual Pathway Plan (IPP)
● The IPP tool is found on Career Cruising
● From Grades , students can use this tool to focus on education and career / life interests, choices, goals and plans
● The IPP is reviewed and revised by students
at least twice each year

12. Step by step approach to learning using theory and practical examples.
PATHWAY
APPROACH
ABILITY
Applied
Step by step approach to learning using theory and practical examples.
Working at or above grade level.
Academic
Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on critical thinking.
Locally Developed
Guided approach to learning using practical examples and concrete objects.
Working below grade level in Math, English, and Science.
Open
An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students.
Available to all students.

13. Raffle

14. Course Selection- Compulsory Credits
It is recommended that students take the following six subjects in Grade 9.
A student may choose all academic courses, or all applied courses, or a combination of the two:
English
Mathematics
Science
Geography
French
Health and Physical Education

15. Elective Courses The following Grade 9 Open level courses
are available at our school
Visual Arts
Dramatic Arts
Instrumental Music
Vocal Music
Introduction to Business
Food & Nutrition
Integrated Technology (including
Construction, Automotive, & Tech Design)

16. SEM.1 SEPT.-JAN. SEM.2 FEB.-JUNE
PERIOD 1
8:20 – 9:40
SNC 1P1
Science
MFM 1P1
Math
PERIOD 2
9:45 – 11:00
HFN 1O1
Family Studies
CGC 1D1
Geography
LUNCH
11:05 – 12:20
PERIOD 3
12:25 – 1:40
ENG 1D1
English
AVI 1O1
Visual Arts
PERIOD 4
1:45 – 3:00
PPL 1O8
Physical Education
FSF 1P1
French

17. Registration Form ALL sections must be filled out.
Check with your elementary school teachers regarding the due date to the elementary school (sometime in January to the Grade 8 Teacher)
Ensure all parts of the Registration form have been completed
*Course selection cannot be processed without a
completed Registration form.

18. Remember...
Select courses in collaboration with parents, elementary teachers, guidance counsellors, and administrators.
Students often choose a combination of course types to support different learning interests and styles.
Decisions in Grade 8 are not “final” - Pathways are changeable and flexible.

21. Selecting Courses Online
Your course selection is done electronically.

22. Important Dates Registration Form Due Before: Monday, February 1, 2016
Course Selection Due Before: Monday, February 22, 2016
(*both paper and electronic copies due)
*Please refer to your elementary schools for the deadlines they have set
First Day of School - Grade 9 Day -
Tuesday, September 6, 2016

23. For More Information More information is available from the following:
York Region District School Board Regional Course Directory Available on line at
Our school’s course calendar and website
York Region District School Board website –
York Region District School Board Guidance Services Website -
Presentation available on school website

24. For the times and locations of the Special Presentations, please refer to the bottom of the Agenda, provided in your folder.

25. Finding Success at Williams
Grade 8 Open House