The Transition from Grade 8 to 9 Guidance Program & Services Department Success for all Learners Zion Heights JHS Information Session Goals: - To help students make a smooth and successful transition to secondary school - To assist students, parents and guardians in making informed choices about courses and pathways

This PowerPoint presentation is available in the Guidance area of our school website: Choices for 9 Presentation

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Part A: Choices for Nine Optional Attendance and Timelines Part B: Messages for Success Part C: Ontario Secondary School Program Presentation Overview

Part A Optional Attendance and Timelines

Choices for Nine Delivered each fall Choices: Secondary Schools Course Selection & Planning Guide Arrives each January during the Course Selection Process Choices: Planning Guides

Find Your School Click on “Find your School”

High School Information Evenings (dates & times) are listed in the Choices for Nine brochure and posted on the TDSB website: Information Nights at TDSB High Schools

Information Nights for Specialized Programs & Schools Specialized programs and designed for students with a strong passion and skill in a specific area To investigate specialized schools or programs, contact the specific school for admission requirements Specialized requirements may include auditions, tests, interviews, etc. Check deadline dates for applications

Optional Attendance Students are encouraged to attend the secondary school that serves their residential address – “home-school” Use an Optional Attendance Application Form when applying to a school other than your home-school Students may apply to : - two regular schools - two specialized programs Some schools are CLOSED to Optional Attendance

Specific Dates January 29, 2016 Optional Attendance applications due to secondary schools – delivered by student/parent/guardian February 12, 2016 Secondary schools will inform Optional Attendance applicants by this date (approved or denied) Mid to late February 2016 Course Selections completed and submitted Note: Only ONE course selection per student is submitted for ONE secondary school by the guidance counsellor

Part B Messages for Success

Key Message for Success “16 by 16” 16 credits by 16 years of age

The Importance of Credit Accumulation

Part C Ontario Secondary School

Once a course is passed, a credit is granted (50% or higher) Students are expected to take 8 courses a year To graduate from high school a student must earn 30 credits Credit System

Semestered Schools 8 courses in 2 blocks of time: 4 courses from September to January 4 courses from February to June All 4 courses taken daily Non-Semestered Schools 8 courses taken throughout the school year Courses taken every other day

Total of 30 course credits (110 hours per credit) – 18 compulsory courses – 12 elective courses (options) 40 hrs. Community Involvement – Begins in summer after Grade 8 * Ontario Literacy Requirement (OSSLT) - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) ~ Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy & Program Requirements, 2011

Compulsory Credits Students must earn the following 15 compulsory credits: 4 English - one credit per grade 1 French as a Second Language 3 Mathematics - at least one in grade 11 or 12 2 Science 1 Canadian History 1 Canadian Geography 1 Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Integrated Arts, Media, Drama or Dance) 1 Health and Physical Education 0.5 Civics 0.5 Career Studies

Compulsory Credits Continued Plus ONE CREDIT from each of the following 3 Groups: Group 1 An additional English credit or French as a second language*, or third language, or Social Science and Humanities credit, or Canadian and World Studies credit, or Guidance and Career Education credit, or Cooperative Education credit* *A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education and 2 credits in French can count as compulsory credits.

Group 2 One credit in Health and Physical Education, or the Arts, or Business Studies, or French as a second language or Cooperative Education * Group 3 One credit in Gr. 11 or 12 Science, or a credit in Technological Education, or Computer Studies, or French as a second language or Cooperative Education * * A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education and 2 credits in French can count as compulsory credits. Compulsory Credits Continued

Course Types in Grade 9 and 10: Applied Academic Locally Developed Open Students may take a mix of course types based on their achievement, interests, and skills. For example, a student may take applied English and French course and academic Math, Science, and Geography

Learning expectations are the same for all students Designed to prepare students for further study and to enrich general education in a subject Can be counted as compulsory or elective credits Grade 9 Open May Include: Physical Education Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama, Integrated Arts) Business Exploring Technologies Exploring Family Studies Introductory French What is an Open Course?

Academic Courses Cover the core content and have an emphasis on the theoretical aspects of the content Applied Courses Cover the core content and have an emphasis on practical applications Academic & Applied Courses

Locally Developed Compulsory Credits (LDCC) Locally Developed Compulsory courses for students who need more flexibility and support in their learning Courses that may be developed locally include: English, French, History, Math, and Science

Work Habits Sample Academic Works independently in a focused manner Synthesis skills – uses prior knowledge and experience to assist with solving problems Completes homework consistently and thoroughly Applied Works in a focused manner (not always independently) Applies new learning to tasks (may need reminding of previous knowledge) May need assistance to organize and complete homework Locally Developed Works in a focused manner with prompting Applies new learning to tasks that have been directly modeled in the lesson May begin homework in class with direction and take home to complete

Grades 9 and 10 Applied Academic Locally Developed Open Grades 11 and 12 College University Workplace Mixed (College/University preparation) Open Making Your Choices In Grade 11 and 12 students choose courses depending on their destination after high school

Changing Course Type After Grade 9: Gr. 9 Academic Gr. 9 Applied Gr. 9 LDCC Gr. 10 Academic Gr. 10 Applied Gr. 10 LDCC ( except Mathematics)

Changing Course Type After Grade 9: Gr. 9 Academic Gr. 9 Applied Gr. 9 LDCC Gr. 10 Academic Gr. 10 Applied Gr. 10 LDCC Gr. 9 Applied to Gr. 10 Academic Mathematics (Transfer Course worth 0.5 credit) T

Grade 9 Course Selection Sheets Distributed in early February with teacher recommendations Due in home-form by mid-February Grade 8 Zion students will complete course selection on-line using

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