Grade 12 Information Presentation Fall 2017 Ms. Bowes (surnames A-L) and Ms. Lovett (surnames M-Z) @MHSGuidance11

Dates to Remember Parent Teacher Interviews- November 27th Afternoon 1-3 Evening 6-8 Format to be announced- check website for details Prom: TBD Graduation: June 28 Rebecca Cohn- 10 am. Typically students get 4 tickets and then they can put their name on a wait list for extra tickets. This process takes place in the spring. Details will be communicated through the website. Ticket prices are TBD

Supporting your Child in High School Stay in touch with the school by: Power School- Contact Mike McLellan for log in information Curriculum Night Parent Teacher night (November/ April) Evening parent’s nights offered by Guidance Department School Website/ Teacher Websites School Messenger/ Emails Sign on Sackville Drive Twitter @MHSGuidance11 and @millwood_high Stay in contact with your child’s teachers/ guidance counsellor

Volunteer Opportunities We are looking for parent volunteers to lead fundraising initiatives for prom and graduation; including Millwood High Financial Awards. If you are interested in being a part of this, please sign up on the list or email Ms. Stymest, Vice Principal

Student Fees Students fees are $40 per person or $65 per family Fees must be paid in order to purchase Prom and Grad Tickets

Provincial Attendance Policy At 18 absences, students may no longer be eligible to receive credit. This will be at the discretion of the Administration. It is necessary for parents to call the attendance line to report absences that are excused. Please let us know if the student is ill or at a medical appointment. Each case is individual and parents will be notified at certain benchmarks for missed classes. For more information, please check the HRSB website If you are concerned, feel free to contact your child’s vice principal

Exemption Policy Students are eligible to exempt one exam if they miss 6 or fewer classes per class If a student is late 6 or more times per class, they are no longer eligible for exemption Some exams are not able to be exempted; students should check with their teachers as to whether or not their exam can be exempt Students attending Open Houses for Post-Secondary schools will receive an ACT absence. This will not count against their exam exemptions

Can I Graduate? About Post Secondary How Do I Apply?

GRADE 12 = Potential Grad Students who, when the year begins, can graduate during or at the end of this school year.

CREDIT CHECK AND GRAD LIST The Counsellors complete credit checks to ensure a student is eligible to graduate. Students should also take responsibility and check their graduation status The Potential Grad List is the list of all who are eligible to graduate. The list is meant to show you what we have on record as a student’s legal full name in order to prepare their diploma for graduation. We are meeting with all potential grads individually in the months of October/ November.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Maximum 7 Grade 10 credits Minimum 5 Grade 12 Must include 13 specific credits listed at the right: 3 English Science #1 & #2 2 Math (10 & 11) 1 Cdn History 11 1 Global Studies 12 1 Physical Education 1 Fine Arts 2 further Math/Sci/Tech

GRAD REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED) NOTE: 2 courses of the same subject and same grade level can only count as 1 credit except Pre Cal Math 12 and Calculus and Cooperative Education. Example: Math At Work 11+ Math 11=just one credit.

Be Careful!!!!!!!!!!! You may be meeting graduation requirements BUT your courses might not be suitable for admission into your preferred post-secondary program. Ex: 5 academic gr. 12 credits for BA program Pre-Calculus 12 for MOST Bachelor of Science programs.

CAREER SERVICES IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE AND ONLINE There is a scholarship book attached to the Guidance Website We regularly tweet scholarships and open houses Follow our Twitter account for the most up to date information: @MHSGuidance11

About Post Secondary

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? (“Post-secondary options”) Go directly to full-time work Military Training and Employment Apprenticeship (a formal on-the-job training program) for skilled trades Private Career College: Business, Cosmetology, Computer etc. Community College for trades, technology, business University Students can talk to their counsellor about any of these options!

UNIVERSITY Programming Typically, programs are at least three-four years long The most popular programs are in: Arts (such as English, History, Languages, Sociology, etc), Sciences (such as Physics, Biology, Nursing, etc), Commerce or Business. These do not usually train you specifically for a particular occupation, but are necessary for entry into many occupations, where you get specific training. There are many more options available- it is important to look through programs at a variety of schools when making decisions.

General Requirements for University Admission Admission requirements differ widely for various programs and institutions. Requirements can change without notice. Students should check websites or talk to counsellors about requirements.

Plan Ahead!!!!!!!!!! Many careers require you to: First complete a bachelor’s degree Then go on to further university for at least one other degree (Masters Degree).

RMC & CGC: Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario: a military university requires high academics for acceptance must be accepted into military free tuition; paid while there military life while there; military training summers must serve for 5+ years after completion Check with Military recruiters about this and other military options. Canadian Coast Guard College, Sydney Free, requires high marks, Math, Physics, maybe French

U.S. UNIVERSITIES Should apply as soon as possible. Usually require SAT I (or ACT) scores: -write at Dalhousie -apply by late October to write in early December or apply in mid December to write in late January -SAT’s may also be needed for international scholarships

About Community College Offer programs that train you for specific occupations. Some of these occupations or trades may pay more than university-oriented jobs and have more likelihood of employment. Skilled trades, computer, business, service, helping occupations Programs take 1 or 2 years (less than university) and are less expensive Some programs require academic high school credits. Many don’t. See your counsellor or contact the college.

Community Colleges in Atlantic Canada NS Community College NB Community College NB College of Forest Technology Holland College (PEI) College of the North Atlantic (Nfld) College de l’Acadie (NS – part of U Ste Anne)

NS COMMUNITY COLLEGE You can apply as soon as you enter your Gr 11 year “First come – first qualified.” $25 to apply See the calendar, available in Guidance or online, for list of programs and descriptions.

About PRIVATE COLLEGES Also called private trade schools, career colleges, business colleges, etc. These are private businesses operated for profit. Programs are usually 1 or 2 years Train you specifically for a certain occupation There are many right here in the Halifax area. Concentrate on business and human service training programs

About Apprenticeship Training Many skilled trades require you to be an apprentice (on job learner) before you are fully qualified (journeyperson). An apprenticeship is a program in which you learn on the job under the supervision of a qualified person. Involves some in-school time (Some courses at NSCC) Get paid while working as an apprentice Eventually write exams and put in time and become qualified yourself Can take pure apprenticeship without going to community college. This route is basically free, as you are paid while under training. More info at: http://apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca/

How Do I Apply?

Applying to University or College (typical procedure) Access the online applications (some are open now for early conditional acceptance- although not all schools/programs offer early acceptance) There are application fees Sometimes Universities/Colleges offer an “Open House” where you can visit the campus and *sometimes* apply FOR FREE. Students attending open houses will be marked ACT when attending Open Houses if the parent specifies they are at an open house when they call the attendance line Request transcripts from Guidance (binder on counter), and pick up when ready. Students must then mail their transcripts to the schools where they applied If you are hoping to be considered for entrance scholarships there are specific deadlines you have to meet for each school

Financing your education

Financing your education Check out Canada Student Loans Program Talk to bank about student line of credit Apply for every bursary and scholarship you are eligible for! Some are based strictly on grades Some take into account extra curricular involvement both in and out of school. Talk to your child about activities they may want to get involved in Sample entrance scholarship amounts for a local university (every university offers different amounts for entrance scholarships). Many schools have a pre-determined amount of scholarship money offered for certain grades

Conclusion Confirm you are a grad Confirm the correct spelling/ names in PowerSchool (this is what will be on the High School Diploma) Start looking at post-secondary options Visit your Guidance Counsellor for career help and help with applying Lots of options for financing (check our website) Student Loan presentation Follow: @MHSGuidance11 and check back to our website FREQUENTLY 