Welcome to Stouffville District Secondary School General Information and Course Selection Process For Grade 8 Students & Parents/Guardians

Welcome to Stouffville Welcome from Principal Arlene Smith  The importance of course selection  The process of course selection

The Importance of Course Selection  Consider your course selections carefully with student, parent and grade 8 teachers  Secondary school classes have “hard caps”  It is important to realize that students may not be able to change courses mid-year

Pathway Planning  how you learn best  diploma requirements to graduate  prerequisites for courses  how to plan for experiential learning opportunities  admission requirements for post- secondary opportunities  preparing for school-work Important to know :

Planning Tool   Available on line  Activation code: Spartans  Allows parents and students to create trial course selections and timetables for grades 9-12  Shows links to post-secondary destinations to match course selections

In grades 9 & 10, students will choose courses from four types: Applied Academic Open Essential/Locally developed Types of Courses – Gr. 9 & 10

Gr. 9 & 10 – Definitions of Types Grade 9 & 10 courses- focus is on establishing solid knowledge and foundation skills  Applied (P) - a real-life hands on approach with some theory  Academic (D) - theoretical in approach, utilizes abstract thinking  Open (O) – an opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students  Essential or Locally Developed (L) – courses for students who have not yet attained the prerequisite skills to be successful in Grade 9 Applied courses in English, Mathematics and Science.

Grade 9 Academic Grade 9 Applied Grade 9 Essential Grade 10 Academic Grade 10 Applied Grade 10 Essential Grade 11 Workplace + Co-op / OYAP Grade 11 Workplace Grade 11 College Grade 11 University Grade 12 University +Co-op / OYAP Grade 12 College +Co-op /OYAP Grade 12 Workplace +Co-op / OYAP Grade 12 Workplace + Co-op / OYAP Apprenticeship Workplace Some College Apprenticeship Workplace College Apprenticeship Workplace University College Apprenticeship Destinations Grade 9 to Post-Secondary

Essentials Pathways: clearing up some myths  Students who choose Essentials/Locally Developed have options both in secondary school and post-secondary  Essentials courses count as compulsory graduation requirements  Students have a genuine pathway to graduate with an OSSD

Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.) for the 4 year program 18 Compulsory Credits + 12 Optional Credits = 30 Total Credits (110 hours each) + Successful Completion of Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test + 40 Hours of Community Involvement

18 Compulsory Credits 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) 1 credit in French as a second language 3 credits in mathematics 2 credits in science 1 credit in Canadian history 1 credit in Canadian geography 1 credit in the arts (music, visual arts, drama) 1 credit in health and physical education.5 credit in civics &.5 credit in career studies (grade 10)Plus…..

Compulsory Credits (cont’d.) Plus: 1additional credit in English, or French, native language or international language, or a social science, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education (includes learning strategies) or cooperative education* 1additional credit in health and physical education, or business studies, or the arts (music, visual arts or drama) or cooperative education* 1additional credit in science (grades 11 or 12), or technological education (grades 9-12) or co-operative education* * A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits

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

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test  administered in March of the Grade 10 year  a test based on curriculum expectations in reading and writing across subject areas

Community Involvement  a diploma requirement  complete 40 hours before graduation  Can not begin before the start of Grade 9 in September  Must be approved by a Guidance Counsellor

Course Selection In order to meet graduation diploma requirements, it is strongly recommended that students take the following 6 subjects in grade 9. A student may choose all of their courses at one level or a combination. 1. English - Applied, Academic, Essential/LDCC 2. Mathematics“ 3. Science“ 4. Geography – Applied, Academic 5. French - Applied or Academic 6. Health & Physical Education - Open

Course Selection (continued) All other selections for Grade 9 will be from the Open type courses. The electives to choose from vary from school to school. The following courses are available at our school for Grade 9: 1.Art – Drama, Music or Visual Art 2.Integrated Studies – Business or Technology 3.Repertoire – offered after the regular school day, an expectation for all students taking music 4.Vocal Music

Making the Choice…???  Parents and students will select courses in collaboration with elementary school teachers, guidance counselors and administrators  It is important that students do some honest self assessment, matching their ability with their interests and aptitudes

Option Card Completion  Read course calendar carefully  Check with your teachers and parents to decide on your course levels  Circle course codes clearly on option card  Number alternates clearly in small box  Student, parents & teacher sign option card  Hand in to Grade 8 teacher on time

Dates to remember… Option cards due – Wednesday, January 30 th at Stouffville DSS Hand into your Grade 8 teacher before this date

Guidance Services Website  For links to more information on high school programming, the YRDSB course calendar, post-secondary options and career exploration visit Check out the excellent section entitled “About High School”