Aurora High School Welcome to the Open House and Program Information Evening for Grade 8 Students and Parents/Guardians

Quick Facts About Our School Aurora High School was founded in 1972 Our student population is approximately 1150 and we will be welcoming 275 Grade 9 students in September 2013 We are a dual track school and our French Immersion students make up 30% of our school’s population We have a senior Alternative Education Program comprising of approximately 30 students

Staff and Students of A.H.S. Aurora High School is known not only for their quality academic program, but also for it’s numerous co-curricular activities which add to a student’s high school experience

Features of our school 2 semesters - 4 courses each day school begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m. classes are 75 minutes in length frequent parent/guardian/teacher contacts focus on the literate graduate, critical thinking, and problem solving partnerships with community groups and post-secondary institutions programs to support our “at risk” students

Diploma Requirements 18 Compulsory Credits + 12 Elective Credits = 30 Total Credits (110 hours each) + Successful Completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test + 40 Hours of Community Involvement Activities

18 Compulsory Credits Diploma Requirements PLUS ….. 4 credits in English (1 credit per Grade) 1 credit in French 3 credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Grade 11 or 12) 2 credits in Science 1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 10) 1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9) 1 credit in the Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama) 1 credit in Health and Physical Education 0.5 credit in Civics & 0.5 credit in Career Studies (Gr. 10) PLUS …..

Compulsory Credits 1 Credit from Group 1 1 Credit from Group 2 a 5th English credit an additional French credit a Native Studies credit a Social Science or Humanities credit a Canada and World Studies credit a Guidance and Career Education credit a Co-operative Education credit* 1 Credit from Group 2 a 2nd Arts credit a 2nd Physical Education credit an additional French credit* a Business Studies credit a Co-operative Education credit*

Compulsory Credits 1 Credit from Group 3 a 3rd Science credit an additional French credit* a credit in Technological Education a Co-operative Education credit* a Computer Studies credit *conditions apply with the French and Co-op credits

12 Elective Credits Elective credits allow students to build an educational program that suits their individual interests and meets work, college, apprenticeship or university requirements.

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test administered in Spring of Grade 10 a test based on language and communication (reading and writing) expectations of the curriculum up to and including Grade 9

Community Involvement Diploma requirement Encourages civic responsibility, promotes community values and reinforces the importance of volunteering Students are responsible for: having their activity pre-approved, tracking & submitting their completed form to Guidance Guidelines and forms will be provided to help record involvement up to 40 hours * New Guidelines in June 2012 Community Involvement may be started July 1

Types of Courses Grade 9 & 10 In Grades 9 & 10, students will choose courses from four types: Applied Academic Open Locally-Developed

Applied (P) - real-life hands on approach, with some theory Grade 9 & 10 Course Types Grade 9 courses focus on establishing solid knowledge and foundation skills Applied (P) - real-life hands on approach, with some theory Academic (D) - theoretical in approach, utilizes abstract thinking

Course Types Grade 9 & 10 Locally-Developed (L) – these Open (O) – an opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students Locally-Developed (L) – these courses are intended for students whose educational needs are not met by the provincial courses in English, Math, Science and History (teacher recommendation required)

Applied and Academic Courses APPLIED COURSES Applied courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline. Applied courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing practical, concrete applications of essential concepts of the course and incorporating theoretical applications as appropriate. ACADEMIC COURSES Academic courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline and also explore related concepts. Academic courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts of the course and incorporating practical applications as appropriate.

Key Learning Strategies Academic Applied emphasis on practical applications more teacher directed activities focus on essential skills by emphasizing practical, concrete applications tasks are defined by teacher curriculum delivered in smaller ‘chunks’ with work completed in class emphasis on theoretical and abstract applications more student initiated activities some independent activities build on essential skills tasks can be designed/created by students curriculum delivered at a quicker pace requiring work outside of the class

Strengths of the Learner Applied Academic reads for specific purpose prefers to be taught learning in each context benefits from more structure likes to learn/master essential skills & knowledge completes tasks in directed environment reads & comprehends material ability to transfer learning from one context to another benefits from independence likes to explore beyond related learning completes tasks in both directed & independent environment

Strengths of the Learner Continued Academic Applied processes knowledge in smaller packages able to describe & make comparisons enjoys learning by doing prefers to complete daily review & homework in class understands complex concepts & processes able to make inferences & draw conclusions enjoys learning by doing as well as theoretical work recognizes need for daily homework and review

The Grade 9 Program Compulsory Courses Elective Courses Choose two: English Mathematics Science Geography French Physical Education Elective Courses Choose two: Information and Communication Tech Exploring Technologies Visual Art Dramatic Arts Individuals and Family Living Music

French Immersion French Immersion students take the following subjects in French at the Academic level: Grade 9 French Geography Science Business* Grade 10 French History Science Career/Civics (open) French Immersion students must take at least 1 course below to complete their 10th FI course which completes the requirements for the FI program. BTT1OF - Grade 9 Business or /and CGG3OF - Grade 11 Geography – Travel and Tourism

How to choose courses? Consider the following: your child’s ability based on his/her Grade 8 marks elementary teacher’s recommendation EQAO results your child’s work habits/learning skills and learning style your child’s interests

Specialist High Skills Programs at Aurora High School Business SHSM Introduced 2011 Construction SHSM Introduced 2012 New! New SHSM for 2013 Arts & Culture A SHSM is a ministry approved program that allows students to experience a range of customized learning opportunities in a specific economic sector that interests and engages them. SHSM programs start in Grade 11

Benefits of SHSM When applying to Post-Secondary Education (writing your P.S.E. red seal on OSSD) Experience future possible careers through experiential learning Obtain beneficial life skills for your future (co-op education, Grade 11) Open doors for summer jobs and/or future employment Complete recognized certifications and training (C.P.R., counterfeit money detection)

Course Selection students take 8 credits in Grade 9 students who choose music as their elective will take 8.5 credits students may choose a combination of Academic, Locally-Developed, Applied and Open courses

Making the Choice? start discussions with your child and their elementary teachers placement in the appropriate level is critical in a student’s success encourage your son or daughter to review the information package Please remember there are many pathways to the destination of your child’s dreams!

Class Size in Secondary School the number of classes created is based on students’ course selection class sizes have firm maximums maximums vary depending on course level and type there is little flexibility to move between courses, once a timetable has been built

LUNCH A Grade 9 Timetable Visual Arts Physical Education 5 Science French 4 LUNCH 3 Business Mathematics 2 Geography English 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Period Your child’s schedule will also include the teacher’s name and room number.

Homework work done at home is an integral part of the curriculum impacts a student’s success Grade 9 students may have 60 - 90 minutes of homework each day to support in-class instruction

Reporting Student Achievement Standard Provincial Report Card Has: Achievement in every subject in the form of a percentage grade Teachers’ comments indicating what a student has learned, an area of strength, and next steps in each subject A separate reporting section for attendance and evaluating the student’s learning skills A Summary of Graduation requirements including status of Grade 10 Literacy Test and Community Involvement Activities

Student Activities Student Council Sports Teams Clubs – Eco-Club, Art, Drama, Music, Athletic Council, Investment Club, Red & Gold Society, Tuesday Painters & many more…

Access the Online Course Selection at www. yrdsb. edu. on. ca/guidance Access the Online Course Selection at www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.services or the Aurora High School website under quick links

Click on

Next Steps Tuesday, September 3, 2013 Career Cruising Opens: Thursday, January 17 for online course selection submissions Completed green registration forms due: Monday, February 4 to Grade 8 teachers Course selection sheet with parent/guardian signature due: Tuesday, February 19 to Grade 8 teachers. Career Cruising locks down February 22. School registration for all students in August First day of class for Grade 9 students only: Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Wrap-up Registration for students who live in our boundary, but are not attending one of our elementary partner schools Transferring to Aurora High School Touring the school