Welcome to Secondary School

Grade 8 Open House for Students & Parents

2014/2015

General Information about Maple High School

• Semestered system - four courses per semester, 75 minute classes

• Wide range of courses to meet needs of individual students

• Excellent teaching and administrative staff

Key Goals of Student Success in Secondary Schools

Each student deserves a good outcome:

Providing new and relevant learning opportunitiesBuilding on students’ interests and strengthsEffective transitionsSuccessful graduation

The Student Success Team

Administration, Student Success Teachers, Guidance Counsellors, Special Education Teachers, Cooperative Education Teachers, Personalized Alternative Education Teachers, Literacy Teacher, Classroom Teachers

Working together to support: Student achievement A smooth transition to secondary schoolSuccess in secondary school Successful transition to post-secondary

Creating Pathways to Success

New Education and Career/Life Planning Program

All students leave secondary school with a clear plan for their initial post-secondary destination. “Students are the architects of their lives.”

Pathways thinking and planning is embedded in all subjects areas

Each student in Grades 9-12 will have an Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) created using Career Cruising

Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.) for the 4 year program

O.S.S.D

18 Compulsory Credits

12 Optional Credits

Successful completion of Ontario School Literacy Test

40 hours of Community Involvement

18 Compulsory Credits

4 Credits in English (1 credit per grade)

1 Credit in French as a Second Language

3 Credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Gr. 11 or 12)

2 Credits in Science

1 Credit in Canadian History

1 Credit in Canadian Geography

1 Credit in the Arts

1 Credit in Health and Physical Education

.5 Credit in Civics & .5 Credit in Career Studies (grade 10)

Plus………..

Compulsory Credits (cont’d)

Plus:Group 1: 1 additional credit in English, or French as a Second

Language, or a Native Language/Studies, or a Classical or an International Language, or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance and Career Education (including Learning Strategies), or Cooperative Education

Group 2: 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or Business Studies, or the Arts (music, art, drama), or French as a Second Language or Cooperative Education

Group 3: 1 additional credit in science (grade 11 or 12) or technological education (grades 9-12), or French as a Second Language or Computer Studies or Cooperative Education

The Grade 10 Literacy Test

A diploma requirement. Administered in March of the grade 10 year A test based on language and communication (reading and

writing) expectations of curricula up to and including grade 9

Accommodations, deferrals and exemptions may be appropriate for some students

If standard not met in first attempt, schools will provide remedial support; test is readministered until student successfully completes the test or the Grade 12 Literacy Course.

Community Involvement

A diploma requirementEncourages civic responsibility, promotes community

values and reinforces importance of volunteerismComplete 40 hours before graduationCan start in summer after grade 8Student responsibility to keep record of activitiesGuidelines and forms will be provided to help track

community involvementA good way to explore career interests

COURSE PATHWAY OPTIONS

IN Gr. 9 & 10

APPLIED ACADEMIC LOCALLY DEVELOPED OPEN

TYPE ENVIRONMENT LEARNER

Locally Developed

Guided approach to learning using practical examples and concrete objects.

Need additional support to build skills up to grade level.

Applied Step by step approach using practical examples in a teacher directed environment.

Enjoys learning by doing and benefits from a structured , teacher directed setting.

Academic Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on abstract thinking and application skills.

Enjoys learning independently and going beyond the related learning; self motivated.

Open An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students.

Available to all students

Compulsory Courses for Grade 9 Students

English

Math

Science

French

Geography

Applied or Academic

English

Math

Science

Locally Developed

Physical Education is the same for all students. Classes are divided by Male and Female.

New for September 2014!

GLEAM – Global Leaders of Excellence in Academics at Maple

Gifted Program – for students with a “Gifted” identification through an IPRC English, Math, Science, Geography

Advanced Placement Preparation – for students interested in beginning to prepare to write the Advanced Placement exams in Grade 12 English, Math, Science, Geography Application is required – due by January 30, 2014

Elective Courses for Grade 9 Students

Technological Studies

Broad Based Technology

Hairstyling & Aesthetics

Business Studies The Arts

Visual

Drama

Music

Learning Strategies

Family Studies

Making the Choice…

Parents and students will select courses in collaboration with elementary school teachers, guidance counselors, student success teachers and administrators

It is important that students do an honest self assessment, matching their ability with their interests and aptitudes

Remember that initial decisions made in grade 8 are not “final” decisions. There are many pathways to the destination your child dreams of!

Secondary School Planning

Important to know:how the student learns bestthe student’s intereststhe diploma requirements to graduatethe prerequisites for courseswhat experiential learning opportunities are availablethe admission requirements for post-secondary

opportunities (college, apprenticeship, university, workplace)

Programs that Support Post-Secondary Planning

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)Exploring Opportunities Program (EOP)Co-operative EducationOntario Youth Apprenticeship Program

(OYAP)Dual Credit Program

Students may take advantage of these opportunities beginning in Grade 11.

Apprenticeship Post-Secondary Pathway

learn through ‘in-school’ and ‘on-the-job’ education and training in a skilled trade

over 150 skilled trades from which to choose from!

skilled trades are in high demand and offer a rewarding educational and career path.

can apply to apprenticeship after graduation, OR you can get a head start on apprenticeship while in secondary school through Co-operative Education and OYAP. www.oyap.com

College Post-Secondary Pathway

College programs provide a valuable combination of academic and practical/technical skills training for a specific career

Over 1000 programs to choose from including: Business Administration, Biomedical Technology, Computer Animation, Engineering Technology, Paramedic, Social Services, Specialized Arts Programs

Every college offers Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Certificates and Bachelor Degrees

University College Post-Secondary Pathway

Articulation agreements between colleges and universities can earn students a degree and a diploma in four years.

Many students attend college for a year or two as they build self-awareness and knowledge of desired career. They then either graduate, stay with college or transition to university

Multiple opportunities for transferability between colleges and universities

University Post-Secondary Pathway

University programs provide theoretical and some practical training

In general, there are 4 main types of programs at most universities:

Arts/Humanities/Social SciencesLife/Health SciencesPhysical/Engineering SciencesBusiness/Commerce

Workplace Post-Secondary Pathway

Many entry-level job opportunities for students who have completed their OSSD and have workplace experience

Students who are fast tracking into the workforce/ community directly after high school should:

work with Guidance, Student Success Teacher, Personal Alternative Education Teacher, Classroom Teachers, Employment Centre to create a personal portfolio to present to potential employers

take advantage of any experiential opportunities in high school.

Course and Post-Secondary Pathways are changeable and flexible.

As interests, skills and aptitudes develop and mature, there will be many opportunities to re-chart your journey.

Remember….

Programs for Students at Risk of Not Meeting Diploma Requirements

Credit Salvaging or RecoveryIndividualized pathway planning (i.e. change of course

or program choices)Pathway programs (SHSM, Co-op, EOP, OYAP, Dual

Credit).Personalized Alternative EducationDevelopment of an Individual Education PlanEarly Leavers Re-engagement Strategy

Identified Students and Those Receiving Special Education Services

Students who require special education support and services will receive this support according to the needs outlined in their I.E.P. Some may be:

modified curriculum expectationsalternative learning expectationsaccommodations to the learning environment; monitoring/in-class

resourcingmethods to review student’s progressstudent transition plan to postsecondary education, work and/or

community living

ESL Support Programs

ESL courses are provided to help students develop proficiency in English

Students are assessed for their level of English proficiency in order to be placed in appropriate classes

Courses are developed from the curriculum policy documents

Reporting Student Achievement

Standard provincial report card:

Documents achievement in every subject in the form of a percentage grade

Comments on strengths, areas for improvement, and next steps in each subject area

Separates reporting section for attendance and evaluating the student’s learning skills (i.e. homework, initiative, teamwork, etc.)

Summarizes graduation requirements including status of Gr. 10 Literacy test and community involvement

Accessing Career Cruising for Course Selection

http://maple.hs.yrdsb.ca

Scroll Down and Click

Elementary Course Selection Dates

Presentations: January 6 – Teston Village PS January 8 – Michael Cranny ES January 9 – JA Gibson ES January 10 – Maple Creek PS January 13 – Discovery PS January 15 – Mackenzie Glen PS

Registration Form – due to Grade 8 teacher on January 31st (January 29th if requesting a transfer)

Career Cruising Course Selections submitted by February 18th.

www.yrdsb.ca/students

Thank you for your attention……

Please enjoy the rest of your evening

here at Maple High School!