1. Grade 8/9 Parents Night, September 30

2. Why Rick Hansen?  SHSMs – hospitality and Manufacturing  Pathway planning  Literacy  Numeracy  Commitments to student success – supports in place such as extra help sessions, peer tutoring, Counting on You (literacy and numeracy), student success (Link, Lighthouse, and Legacy)  Wide range of extracurricular activities – in athletics, the arts, leadership, technology, and more…

3. Agenda  Life at RHSS  Diploma requirements  Course offerings  Course selections  Self directed tours

4. Community Feeder Schools  Fairwind Senior Public School  Hazel McCallion Senior Public School  Fallingbrook Middle School  We also have ESL students coming from a larger boundary area

5. How is Secondary School Different?  Student population (Sept. 2016 – approx. 1600 students)  School year divided into 2 semesters Semester 1: September to end of January Semester 2: February to end of June  Exams at the end of each semester  All grade 9 students take 8 courses (4 each semester)  Students have individualized timetables  Students do not rotate with their class

6. How is the School Day Different?  School day starts at 8:30am and finishes at 3:05pm  School day includes 4 classes plus a lunch period (school has a full-service student run cafeteria)  Each classes is 75 minutes long  Class rotation  There are two different 75 minute lunch periods

7. Student Success Tips  Choose the most appropriate course type  Attend all classes  Be on time  Be engaged  Complete your course work  Ask for help  Maintain a balanced lifestyle

8. Three Diploma Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9 1. 30 credits to graduate* 18 compulsory 12 optional *students must earn a mark of 50% or higher to earn a credit*

9. Diploma Requirements (continued) 2. Completion of 40 hours of community services Eligible to start summer prior to grade 9 year Student’s responsibility Track your hours online using myblueprint or forms available in student services Parent/family supports and monitoring is required

10. Diploma Requirements (continued) 3. Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or equivalent Written in Grade 10 (end of March) Evaluates reading and writing skills Designed and graded by EQAO Ontario Literacy Course (equivalent)

11. Your Child's Grade 9 Program  6 Compulsory Subjects English Math Science Geography French Health and Physical Education 8 SUBJECTS  2 Optional Subjects 1 from the Arts Visual Arts (AVI 1O) Drama (ADA 1O) Instrumental Music (AMI 1O) Vocal Music (AMV 1O) Guitar (AMG 1O) Dance (ATC 1O) 1 from Business of Technology Information and Communication Technology (BTT 1O) Hospitality (TFJ 1O) Exploring Technologies (TIJ 1O)

12. Course Types  Open  Locally Developed  Applied  Academic

13. Open Courses (i.e. AVI 1OO)  Suitable for all students and not specific to any particular post secondary destination  Same curriculum expectations for all students, regardless of destination  Examples All grade 9 optional subjects Grade 9 Health and Physical Education *Staff from optional subject areas are available on the first and second floors to answer your course specific questions*

14. Locally Developed Courses ( i.e. ENG 1L0)  Recommended by grade 8 feeder school staff  Focus on essential skills using relevant and practical (hands on) activities  For students who are visual and/or concrete  Offered in Math, English, and Science  Leads to workplace courses in grades 11 and 12

15. Applied ( i.e. ENG 1P0)  Concrete approaches to learning and practical applications  More demonstration and less writing/research  Slower pace  More teacher guided. Students are working consistently at level 1+, 2-,or 2 in grade 8  English, French, Math, Science, and Geography  Typically lead to college courses in grades 11 and 12

16. Academic ( i.e. ENG 1D0)  Abstract approaches to learning and theoretical applications  Students should be working consistently at or above level 2+,3 or 4 in grade 8  Faster pace  Greater opportunities for independent learning  English, French, Math, Science, and Geography  Typically leads to university, university/college, or college type courses I grades 11 and 12

17. Academic or Applied?  Consider: Current learning skills and academic achievement Grade 8 teacher’s recommendation Post secondary plans Speak with compulsory subject teachers

18. Importance of Making the Best Decision  Student success  Difficult to change a course during the semester because: The timetable is built based on student choices. There may not be any spaces in the class Complex timetable. Changes could impact all courses being taken

19. Changing Pathways - is it possible?  Student achievement  In consultation with parents, teacher, and student  On successful completion of a grade 9 course (not likely to occur during the semester)  Takes time Locally Applied Academic Developed

20. Course Selection Process  Completed through grade 8 HOME SCHOOL  Students will receive a yellow COURSE SELECTION FORM to be completed in consultation with home form teacher  Signed course selection form is returned to HOME SCHOOL  Students enter courses online as a class using myblueprint  Students print off a course verification sheet to be taken home and signed by a parent  Returned signed course verification sheets are sent from the home school to the RHSS guidance department  *an opportunity for course revisions will take place in January/February to factor in teacher level recommendations  Other board / non-RHSS feeder schools – record name at guidance table. We will contact you after March 1st

21. Get Involved!!!  Clubs Robotics Chess Weight Room DECA Muslim Students Association Christian Fellowship Sikh Association and more….  Activities Student Council Peer Mentors Athletics Council Arts Council Band Drama Fashion Show Math Contests Model UN and more….  Teams Badminton Baseball Basketball Cricket Golf Soccer Swimming Volleyball and more…

22. Student Success Tips  Choose the most appropriate course type  Attend all classes  Be on time  Be engaged  Complete your course work  Ask for help  Maintain a balanced lifestyle

23. Online Resources  www.myblueprint.ca/peel  www.peelschools.org (making my way)  Twitter:@RHSSGuidance  Rick Hansen Secondary School website http://schools.peelschools.org/sec/rickhansen/Pages/default.aspx (student services tab)

24. Questions?