1. Mennonite Educational Institute
Secondary School
Grade 10-12
Course Planning Week

2. Tuesday, February 22nd @ 7:30 p.m.
Important Dates
Tuesday, February 7:30 p.m.
Course Selection Information Evening for
Parents of returning gr students
MEI Secondary Library __________________________________
Friday February 25th (Block 1)
Course Selection Sheets Due

3. Our Vision Statement
MEI Secondary is a Christ-centered school which provides a broad spectrum of educational opportunities for the purpose of building community and preparing our students for a life of service.
“Heaven’s calendar has seven Sundays a week. God sanctifies each day. He conducts holy business at all hours and in all places. He uncommons the common by turning kitchen sinks into shrines, cafes into convents, and nine-to five workdays into spiritual adventures.”
Max Lucado (Cure for the Common Life)

4. Purpose of Course Planning
To help students make wise decisions regarding:
completing MEI and B.C. Ministry of Education (Dogwood) Graduation requirements
choosing courses that will help prepare them for life after high school
taking advantage of opportunities to use gifts and strengths, to further develop potential and, to serve God and others
“You cannot be anything you want to be. But you can be
everything that God wants you to be”.
Max Lucado

5. Top 10 Factors to Consider in Course Planning
MEI Grade Promotion & MEI Graduation Program Requirements
MEI Course pre & co-requisites
Focus Areas of interest
Keeping your post-secondary options open
Future career plans & life goals
University or College entrance requirements
Individual academic strength & weaknesses
Individual interest, ability and spiritual giftedness
Exploration of a variety of educational experiences
Time and Resources to live a balanced life

6. Helpful Resources
Parents
Course Calendar -
Teachers and Student Services Counsellors
Other Trusted Adults - eg. grandparents, youth pastor etc.
The Bible and Prayer
Online Resources – see page 3 & 4 in Course Calendar
“You do something no one else does, in a manner no one else does it. And when your uniqueness meets God’s purpose, both of you will rejoice… forever.”
Max Lucado

7. Our Counselling Staff
Mr. C. Girard
Ms C. Ratzlaff
Ms M. Rempel

8. Grade Promotion Students must complete 32 credits in grade 10 and 11.
Required Courses not completed satisfactorily will usually be repeated in summer school or through other distributed learning options (distance education)
Students must pass Bible 9 and 11 in order to return to MEI the following year

9. MEI Graduation Program
Students must complete a minimum of 96 grade 10 – 12 credits. (16 of the 96 credits must be grade 12 credits)
This includes:
64 Required Credits
a. 60 required course credits
b graduation transitions credits**
32 Elective Course Credits
* Students who qualify for and take a Study Block in gr.11 may graduate with a minimum of 92 credits (16 of the 92 credits must be grade 12 credits)
** Students will complete the Graduation Transitions requirement primarily on their own time, however, assistance and accountability will be provided.

10. Required Course Credits (60 credits)
English 10
English 11 & 12 or Communications 11 and 12\
Social Studies 10 and 11
Science 10 and a Science 11
A Math 10 and a Math 11
Physical Education 10
Four grade 10, 11 or 12 Fine Arts  and/or Applied Skills  credits
Planning 10
Bible 11 and 12
An approved academic 12 (Prov. examinable, Calculus, CCN, Law or Writing)

11. Required Graduation Transitions (4 credits)
In order to graduate students must complete the following Ministry of Education Graduation Transitions (GT) requirements:
min per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity in each of grades 10, 11 and 12
- 30 hours of work/volunteer experience in grade 10, 11 or 12
- a transition plan, completed in grade 12, that looks at goals/plans for transitioning to life after high school (completed in Bible 12)
For more information and forms see:

12. Elective Credits (32 credits)
They include:
4 credits of Grade 12 provincially authorized or Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Courses*
28 credits of additional grade 10, 11 and 12 courses
* Please consult Part 3 of the Course Calendar for a complete listing of grade courses offered at MEI.

13. Applied Skills and/or Fine Arts Graduation Requirement
Students must complete 4 grade 10, 11 or 12 Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills credits in order to meet graduation requirements.
* Grade 10, 11 and 12 Provincially Authorized Applied Skills and Fine Arts Courses do meet this graduation requirement.
* Grade 11 Board Authority Authorized (BAA) Applied Skills and Fine Arts Courses (developed by MEI – eg. Chamber Choir) do meet this graduation requirement.
* Grade 10 and Grade 12 BAA Applied Skills and Fine Arts Courses do not meet this graduation requirement.
* Grade 10 Independent Directed Studies Applied Skills and Fine Arts Courses (eg.IDS Foods 10 and IDS Textiles 10) do not meet this graduation requirement

14. Grade 10 Course Selections
Required Courses: (24 credits)
Apprenticeship & Workplace (A&W) Math 10 or Foundations Math & Pre-Calculus 10
English 10 or English 10 Honours
PE 10
Planning 10* or e-Planning 10*
(*May be taken in gr. 11 by students who would like more gr. 10 electives.)
Science 10
Social Studies 10
Electives Courses: (8 credits)
Most grade 10 students take 8 elective course credits.
(Students taking e-Planning 10 or choosing to take Planning 10/e-Planning in grade 11 may take 4 additional grade 10 elective credits.)

15. Grade 11 Course Selections
Required Courses: (20 credits)
Bible 11 (Core & Elective)
English 11 or Communications 11
A math 11: Apprenticeship & Workplace (A&W) Math 11 or
Foundations Math 11 or Pre-Calculus Math 11
A science 11: Biology 11, Biology 11 (Honours), Chemistry 11
Chemistry 11 (Honours), Earth Science 11 or Physics 11
Social Studies 11
Electives Courses: (12 credits)
Most grade 11 students take 12 elective course credits. Students can also take Extended Day elective courses for additional credits.

16. Grade 12 Course Selections
Required Courses: (12 credits)
Bible 12 (Core & Elective)
English or Communications 12
One of the following approved academic grade 12 courses:
Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Calculus 12*, Comparative Civilizations 12*, English Literature 12, French 12, Geography 12, German 12, History 12, Law 12*, Principles of Math 12, Physics 12, Spanish 12, Writing 12* (*Not provincially examinable.)
Electives Courses: ( credits)
Most grade 12 students take grade 11 or 12 elective course credits (at least one course must be a grade 12 level course). Students can also take Extended Day elective courses for additional credits.

17. Qualities necessary to be successful in e-Planning 10:
MEI e-Planning 10 Course
Qualities necessary to be successful in e-Planning 10:
Self-disciplined, self-motivated, like working independently, comfortable and proficient in using computer technology and communication software.
Primary benefit of e-Planning 10:
Opportunity to take more grade 10 electives
Please note: Additionally requested electives may not always fit into a student’s timetable (depending on their other course selections).

18. New Math Program Math 10 Implemented: Sept. 2010
A & W Math 10 or Foundation of Math & Pre-Calculus 10
Math 11 Implementation: Sept. 2011
A & W Math 11 or Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11
Math 12 Implementation: Sept. 2012
A & W Math 12 or Foundations of Math 12 or Pre-Calculus 12

20. Some Grade 10 Pre-requisites
English 10
50% in English 9
English 10 Honours
English 9 Honours or teacher’s permission
French 10, German 10
or Spanish 10
60% in French 9, German 9 or Spanish 9 or teacher’s permission
Apprenticeship & Workplace Math 10
50% or better in Math 9 Essentials or in Principles of Math 9
Foundation Math & Pre-Calculus 10
60% or better in Principles of Math 9

21. Some Grade 11 Pre-requisites
English 11
60% in English 10
French 11, German 11
or Spanish 11
60% in French 10, German 10
or Beginners’ Spanish 11
A & W Math 11
50% in A&W Math 10 or 50% in Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10
Foundations Math 11
50% in Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10
Pre-Calculus Math 11
67% in Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10
Earth Science 11
50% in Science 10
Biology 11*
60% in Science 10
* For Biology 11 Honours: Science 10 Honours and/or permission from instructor
Chemistry 11**
(Strongly recommended for Biology 12)
67% in Science 10 and Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10 and enrolled in Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 10
* *For Chemistry 11 Honours: Science 10 Honours and/or permission from instructor
Physics 11

22. Some Grade 12 Pre-requisites
English 12
English Literature 12
Writing 12
60% in English 11
67% in English 11
67% in English 11 and application
French, German, Spanish 12
70% in French, German or Spanish 11
Principles of Math 12
67% in Principles of Math 11 (Stream 1)
Calculus 12
50% in Principles of Math 12 or taking Math 12 concurrently
Biology 12
67% in Biology 11 or Chemistry 11 with teacher’s permission. Both are strongly recommended
Chemistry 12
67% in Chem. 11 and enrolled in Principles of Math 12 (or permission of instructor)
Physics 12
67% in Physics 11 and enrolled in Principles of Math 12 (or permission of instructor)
Geography 12
60% in Social Studies 11
History 12
70% in Social Studies 11

23. Choosing Courses with Pre-requisites
Course Selection should be based on a students’ final mark in the required prerequisite course, however, if the required prerequisite course is being taken in the second semester, students should base their course selection on their final mark in the required course the previous year. Students will still need to end up with the required pre-requisite in their requested course by the end of the semester, unless a Department Head or Teacher Designate, waives the prerequisite.
Department Heads/Teacher Designates:
Biology – Mr. Loewen English – Mr. Nickel
Chemistry – Mr. Dyck German – Mr. Janzen
Math – Mr. Balzer (Mrs. Klassen) (Mr. Peters/Mrs. Kuipers)
Physics – Mr. Galbraith French – Mrs. Vildort Socials/Geography/History – Mr. Funk Spanish – Mr. Peters

24. Study Block Available to:
Students in Grade 12 meeting MEI graduation requirements
Grade 11 students who are taking five of the following gr. 11 or 12 MEI academic* courses in their grade 11 year (Sept June 2012):
Biology, Chemistry, English, Foundations of Math 11, a Modern Language, Physics, Pre-Calculus Math 11 and Social Studies
Note: Study time is to be spent in the MEI library or designated areas, not in the hallways.
2. Only Grade 11 and 12 students may leave campus if they have formal consent from their parents
(Consent forms available in the library)

25. External Credentials
Approved BC Ministry of Education courses, programs, and assessments developed outside the regular school system
Complete list available on the web:
Examples: ICBC Driver Education, RCM Music courses, Bronze Cross, Red Cross First Aid, etc..
See Mr. Girard to process request for external credits

26. Secondary School Apprenticeship
Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) is a career program that gives secondary students the opportunity to begin working (apprentice) in a trade of interest on a part-time basis while still in high school.
MEI Secondary has partnered with Fraser Valley Distance Education School to enhance apprenticeship opportunities and further preparation training in the program.

27. Examples of some BC and Red Seal
Examples of some BC and Red Seal* Trades Programs Source: ITA Industry Training Authority
Agricultural Equipment Technician*
Aircraft maintenance Technician
Automotive Service Technician*
Baker
Barber
Cabinet Maker*
Carpenter*
Cook*
Dairy Production Technician
Drywall Finisher
Electrician, Construction*
Floor Covering Installer*
Florist
Hairstylist
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Mechanic)*
Heavy Equipment Operator
Ironworker –Reinforcing *
Landscape Horticulturist
Locksmith
Machinist*
Meatcutter
Motorcycle Mechanic*
Plumber*
Welder Level C
* Red seal Trades

28. How To Register
Find a qualified employer who will hire you and be your sponsor and commit to your training. If you can not find one, Mr. Girard will help you connect with some employers receptive to take on an apprentice.
On you Course Selection Sheet check:
 Intro to SSA 11 (2 credits),
 SSA 11A, 11B for grade 11s, or
 SSA 12A, 12B for grade 12s on your Course Selection Sheet if you have done SSA11A & B
Complete the SSA Application package from Student Services and attach it to your course selection sheet.
In the mean time if you have any Questions about SSA, ask Mr. Girard, SSA Coordinator

29. Work Experience (WEX) 12A & 12B
Students must be 15 years or older and have found an employer who is willing to provide a safe work environment (in the same or similar Focus Area or career area the student is planning to go into) and, is willing to evaluate the student after acceptance into WEX and after 90 – 120 hours of work experience.
Courses are completed in partnership with Fraser Valley Distance Education and will include the completion of a workbook
Interested students need to submit an application form along with their Course Selection sheet. See Mr. Girard for more information.

30. Required Graduation Program Examinations
Grade 10 (20%)
English 10
Apprenticeship & Workplace Math 10 or Foundations of Math & Pre-Calculus 10
Science 10
Grade 11 (20%)
Social Studies 11
Grade 12 (40%)
English 12 or Communication 12

31. Optional Grade 12 Graduation Program Examinations
Biology 12 German 12
Chemistry 12 History 12
English Literature 12 Math 12
French Physics 12
Geography 12 Spanish 12

32. To Write or Not To Write… The Question
Students who do not write an optional provincial exam will complete a school based assessment worth 20%
There may be universities across Canada that do require students to write provincial exams or if the student does write the exam the PSI will only consider the final course mark
Most BC Post Secondary institutions do not require Provincial Examination Results (eg. SFU, TWU, UBC)
B.C. universities not requiring the examination will take the best mark (either the combined exam and school based mark or the school based mark only)
Students achieving 86% or higher on three provincial exams (excluding Communications 12) and at least 73% in English 12 can earn a $1000 Provincial scholarship

33. Post-Secondary Admission Requirements
Post-secondary admission requirements vary depending on the institution and depending on the specific program.
eg. Students with a minimum 67% average, based on English 12 and the other required grade 12 courses, can apply to SFU, UBC and UVIC, however, the reality is that some of the programs have an 80% - 85% cut-off.
Check post-secondary websites, viewbooks or calendars for a complete and detailed list of specific programs and admission requirements
- some requirements have been listed in Part 4 of the MEI Course Calendar

34. University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent
Specific admission requirements vary depending on the program. Some programs and some courses have very specific grade 11 and/or 12 course prerequisites.
For more information see and MEI Course Calendar Appendix

35. University of British Columbia (Vancouver - General Arts Admission)
English 11
Social Studies 11
Principles of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations of Math 12
A Science 11
A Second Language 11
English 12
3 additional academic grade 12 courses (provincially examinable *, Calculus or Law)
* optional grade 12 graduation exams not required - will use the best mark (school based mark only or combined mark) in calculating the average

36. University of British Columbia (Okanagan - General Arts Admission)
Secondary School Graduation
English 12
3 additional academic grade 12 courses (provincially examinable *, Calculus or Law)
* optional grade 12 graduation exams not required - will use the best mark (school based mark only or combined mark) in calculating the average
Please note:
While UBCO does not have a second language admissions requirement, the equivalent of a second language 12 is required as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree

37. Simon Fraser University (General Arts Admission)
English 11
Social Studies 11
Principles of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations of Math 11
A Science 11
A Second Language 11 (Introductory is fine)
English 12
3 additional provincially examinable* grade 12 courses
* optional grade 12 graduation exams not required - will use the best mark (school based mark only or combined mark) in calculating the average

38. Trinity Western University (General Admission)
Secondary School graduation and a minimum 67% average based on:
English 12 and
3 additional academic grade 12 courses (provincially examinable*, Calculus, CCN or Law)
* optional grade 12 graduation exams not required - will use the best mark (school based mark only or combined mark) in calculating the average

39. University of Victoria (General Admission to Humanities)
English 11
Social Studies 11
Principles of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11 (or equivalent)
A Science 11
A Second Language 11 (most other programs do not require a second language)
English 12
3 additional academic grade 12 courses (provincially examinable*, Calculus, CCN or Law)
* optional grade 12 graduation exams not required - will use the best mark (school based mark only or combined mark) in calculating the average

40. Post-Secondary Education Estimated Living Costs *
September – April
Tuition & Fees $ $5500
Books & Supplies $ $1500
Local Transportation $500
Personal Expenses $2500
Room & Board $6000
* Costs will vary depending on post-secondary institution and individual circumstances.

41. Tuition, Fees and Room/Board Expenses
The information to the right is based on Sept. 23/10 post-secondary website information
Fees are approximate, subject to change and based on a general program.
There will be additional textbook, transportation and personal expenses.
Financial costs are only one factor to consider.
There are pros and cons to attending any post-secondary institution. Financial costs are only one factor to consider.
Post-Secondary Institution
Tuition & Fees/per school yr.
Room /
Board
Total
UFV
$4250
CBC
$8970
$5210
$14,180
TWU
$19,470
$8700
$28,170
UBC
$5200
$7800
(on-campus / shared room)
$13,000

42. Financing Post-Secondary Education
Personal Savings
Passport to Education (Gr. 10 – 12)
Awards
Parents
Provincial & Canada Government Student Loans

43. Why Talk about Scholarship & Bursary Awards Prior to Grade 12?
Many award donors / organizations are interested in an applicant’s achievements and school/community involvements not only in grade 12, but also prior to grade 12
Some donor organizations require membership the year prior to applying for their award.
eg. Envision Financial Education Award
Planning ahead and implementing new initiatives in grade 11 and 12 is likely to give an applicant a better chance of receiving an award. (Having balance in life is however, an important factor to consider when working toward scholarships.)
eg. Volunteering to tutor is great, recognizing a need for a tutoring program in an “inner-city” Abbotsford school, initiating a tutoring program and finding all of the volunteers and putting the program in place is better.

44. Criteria for Awarding Scholarship & Bursary Awards
May include:
high academic achievement
leadership involvement
extra-curricular school activities
community service / good citizenship
membership in a specific organization
pursuing specific post-secondary studies and/or a specific career
nomination and/or knowing the donor
financial need

45. Awards
Scholarship & Bursary Awards for Returning MEI Students (Grade 9-11) (applications will be available in the General Off ice in May)
Passport to Education (grade 10-12)
Provincial Scholarship (Grade 12)
Dogwood District/Authority Award (Grade 12)
Abbotsford Community Foundation Scholarship & Bursary
Awards (Grade 12)
MEI Friends and Alumni Awards (Grade 12)
Secondary School Apprenticeship(SSA) Scholarship (Grade 12)
Other Scholarships & Bursaries (Grade 12)

46. Passport to Education
Top students each year, in grades 10-12, may receive post-secondary tuition credit up to a maximum of $1000: (recipients will be notified in September)
Grade 10: $250
Grade 11: $250
Grade 12: $500
Must be redeemed within 5 years of graduating
See for a complete list of approved, designated Post-secondary Institutions (PSIs).

47. Grade 12 Graduation Program Examinations Scholarship
$1000 is awarded to students who achieve at least 73% in English 12 and 86% or higher on each of his/her three best Grade 12 provincial exams (excluding Communications 12)
Provincially examinable courses at MEI include:
Biology 12 German 12
Chemistry 12 History 12
English 12 Math 12
English Literature 12 Physics 12
French 12 Spanish 12
Geography 12
Must be redeemed within 5 years of graduating.

48. Dogwood District Authority/Award
$1000 is awarded ($500 cash and $500 for an approved PSI program) to students who have excelled in grade 11 & 12 courses in one of the following specialty areas:
Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music)
Applied Skills (Business Ed., Tech Ed., Home Economics)
Physical Activity (not limited to Physical Education)
Second Languages
Criteria include: (must be redeemed within 5 years)
Superior achievement (min. 80%) in specialty area courses
a project, portfolio and/or video (the “wow” factor)
An application form and letter written by the student
Letter of recommendation by a teacher in the specialty area
Letter of support completed by an administrator or counselor

49. Abbotsford Community Foundation Awards
Awards, ranging in value from $250 - $2500, are available to grade 12 students
Application package includes:
application form (Social Insurance Number required)
financial planning budget worksheet
application letter written by student (typed, one page)
resume (typed, one page)
reference letter (adult, non-relative - typed, one page)
Transcript
(Must be redeemed at a designated PSI within 2 ½ years of graduating.)

50. Secondary School Apprenticeship $1,000 Scholarship
This scholarship is available to SSA students who have demonstrated sustained and exceptional work as an apprentice. (This includes continuing to work or train full-time in the trade for at least 5 months after high school or have 11 hours reported to ITA)
The money is intended to assist the apprentice with the purchase of tools, equipment, materials, or tuition necessary to continue in their trade.
For more information about criteria of qualification see Mr. Girard to receive a Scholarship Application Instruction Package.

51. MEI Friends and Alumni Awards
The A440 Award:
available to a student who is involved in the music program at MEI and who is pursuing post-secondary education in Business.
EP Industries Trades Award:
available to a student enrolled in Construction and/or SSA and who has a “B” or higher in related courses, a positive attitude, an excellent work ethic and who is planning to pursue a Trades related education/career.
Evergreen Alumni Award:
available to a good academic student who has participated in at least one Arts related activity, a school athletic activity, school and community related service and who is planning to attend a post-secondary institution.
Mary Esau Memorial Bursary:
available to a good academic student with an excellent work ethic who demonstrates financial need and who is pursuing post-secondary education/career in Nursing (preferred) or Education.

52. Other Grade 12 Awards
Many businesses, organizations and post-secondary institutions provide awards to graduating students. eg. TD Canada Trust
Application deadlines vary – some are in October, while others are in April.
Students are encouraged to check the Grade 12 bulletin board (in Student Services) grad newsletters, websites and other resources throughout the year, for more information.

53. Course Change - Drop/Add Policy
Deadline: First Friday of the semester
Changes may be possible if prerequisites are met, classes are not being overloaded and there is minimal disruption to the rest of the student’s timetable.

54. Course Selection Sheets Due Friday, February 25th
Give it to your teacher at the beginning of the first block on Friday February 25th in order to receive priority
Students with a Study Block during first period should hand their sheet in at the Library or in the General office
Students with complete Course Selection Sheets will have the best chances to get the courses that they would like (make sure your parent/guardian has signed your course selection sheet)

55. Completed Course Selection Sheets Will Have….
Enough courses to complete the timetable
Elective choices selected and prioritized
Two prioritized alternate choices selected and prioritized
All Application Forms and/or Teacher’s Permission Slips attached (if applicable)
All pre- and co-requisite(s) met
Both a parent and a student signature

56. List of Symbols  Course Permission Slip from Instructor Required
 Applied Skills Course
 Fine Arts Course
 Application Form Required (Limited Enrollment)
 Audition or Interview Required
 Course Permission Slip from Instructor Required
 Board Authority/ Authorized Course (Gr. 10, 11, 12)
 Graduation Program Exam Course (Gr )