2. Welcome Mr. Powell-McBride, Principal Mr. G. Clark and Mrs. Armstrong, Vice Principals Mr. Vukosa, Head, Student Services Mrs Parkes-Hallmark, Mrs Gennari, Mrs. Girolametto, Mr. K. Clark,Student Services

3. OSSD Requirements 30 credits 18 Compulsory 12 Elective – 40 hours Community Involvement – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement (OSSLT or OSSLC)

4. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 In GRADE 9 and 10, courses are offered in 5 categories or levels: 1.APPLIED (“P”) 2.ACADEMIC (“D”) 3.LOCALLY DEVELOPED (“L”) 4.ENRICHED ACADEMIC (“DE”) 5.OPEN (“O”)

5. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Applied (P) Focus on practical applications using familiar, real-life situations to illustrate ideas; more opportunities for hands on applications. Typically leads to College courses in grade 11 & 12 Academic (D) Knowledge and skills developed through theory and practical applications but emphasis is on theory and abstract thinking as basis for future learning and problem solving Typically leads to University courses in grade 11 & 12

6. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Locally Developed (L) emphasize literacy, numeracy, essential concepts, and the acquisition of basic learning skills. Designed for students who are working on expectations below the course grade level and/or not ready to take Grade 9 Applied or Academic courses. Typically leads to Workplace courses in grade 11 & 12

7. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Enriched Academic A grade of 85% or higher in grade 8 is strongly recommended. Self-motivated and interested in a challenge Course content is presented at a much faster rate than Academic, to allow time for enrichment activities beyond the scope of the curriculum

8. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Open level courses An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students in one level For example: – Art, Drama, Physical Education etc. – Most students take their compulsory Art course in grade 9

9. Mixing Course Levels Students can combine course Levels For example: – A student with strong language skills, but weaker mathematical and science skills may choose: – ENG1D1 – Academic English – CGC1D1 – Academic Geography – FSF1D1 – Academic Core French – SNC1P1 – Applied Science – MFM1P1 – Applied Mathematics

10. Understanding Course Codes ENG1D1 Department & Course Description ENG = English Grade level 1 = Grade 9 2 = Grade 10 3 = Grade 11 4 = Grade 12 Level D = Academic P = Applied O = OpenL = Locally Developed C = CollegeU = University The 6 th character indicates the credit value of the course 1 = 1 credit 3 = 0.5 credit 4 = 0.5 credit 6 = 1 coop credit 8 = 2 coop credits

11. Understanding Course Codes Grade level 1 = Grade 9 2 = Grade 10 3 = Grade 11 4 = Grade 12 Level D = Academic P = Applied O = OpenL = Locally Developed C = CollegeU = University The 6 th character indicates the credit value of the course 1 = 1 credit 3 = 0.5 credit 4 = 0.5 credit 6 = 1 coop credit 8 = 2 coop credits Course Description DA = Dramatic Arts Indicates Area of Study A = Arts ADA1O1

12. Compulsory Credits in Grade 9 Students choose 6 compulsory courses in grade 9 English Mathematics Science Geography Health and Physical Education French

13. Choose two Optional credits  Exploring Family Studies  Exploring Technologies  Latin  Dramatic Arts  Music or Strings  Visual Arts  Introduction to Business  Information and Communication Technology in Business Most students take their compulsory arts course in grade 9 DRAMA (ADA1O1), MUSIC (AMU1O1) or ART (AVI1O1) Music Repertoire - students who participate in the band/ orchestra program earn a 9 th credit – AMR1O1.

14. Optional credits Music Repertoire Students who participate in the band/orchestra program can earn a 9 th credit. This program takes place outside of the regular school day – before/after school and at lunch.

15. Option Process Students that live in the Westdale catchment and currently attend Dalewood or Ryerson: First week of February Westdale Counsellors will be going to Dalewood and Ryerson to do an option presentation for Grade 8 students planning on attending Westdale. Student will receive a working option sheet, a course descriptor booklet and an instruction page for entering their options online. Student will take the option sheet and course descriptor booklet home and they will fill out the option sheet with their parents. The Parents will sign the option sheet and send it back to the school. Teachers will review the option sheets and check off their ”recommendations”. Students will get their option sheets back with the online instructions and will login to Career Cruising course planner and select their courses. Student can complete this task at their school or at home. Westdale Counsellors will collect completed option sheet from Dalewood and Ryerson on or by February 27, 2015

16. Option Process All students that live in the Westdale catchment and are not attending Dalewood or Ryerson whether they are coming from an HWDSB school or NON HWDSB school. All students that are coming from out of catchment that are entering the French Immersion program AND will have a sibling still in attendance at Westdale in the French Immersion program in September 2015. Will Register using the following Process:

17. Option Process Go to: http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/westdale/student- services/choosing-your-courses/.http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/westdale/student- services/choosing-your-courses/ 1.Download and complete the Westdale Student Registration Form 2.Download the Option Sheet, fill it out and sign it. 3.Take the completed Option Sheet to your current school and have the grade 8 teacher(s) check off their course level recommendations and return the option sheet to you. 4.Call the main office at Westdale (905-522-1387) and book an appointment to meet with an administrator.

18. Option Process Please bring the following documents to the intake appointment: - Completed Student Registration Form - Completed and signed Option Sheet - Most recent Grade 8 Report Card - Proof of Address - Birth Certificate and/or proof of citizenship - Health Card Intake Registration meetings will tentatively take place on February 20th and 23rd.