1. Choose Once, Choose Wisely!!
Course Selection for
Choose Once,
Choose Wisely!!
Remind students of the choose once, choose wisely theme - School is very full students
How to make good decisions:
- Gather information – talk to teachers, parents, counselors, and to other students
- Plan out your remaining high school years; the one year at a time plan is not recommended.
- Take a look at yourself: your goals, interests, and capabilities
- While there are often very good reasons for changing courses, it has become increasingly difficult to do so. Well thought out choices on your course selection form will help you avoid future timetable problems.
- Be aware of university/college/apprenticeship prerequisites. Remember different universities / colleges often have different high school prerequisites for the same program.
Note: If you want to discuss your choices with a counselor, make an appointment as soon as possible but before February 23rd.

2. Monday February 12- Friday February 23, 2018 – Lock In Courses
Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (All periods) – Library Support
Monday February 26, 2018 – Hand in Course Selection Forms
Thursday March 22, 2018 – Hand in Verification Forms j
Note: The above dates/activities may be modified with notice
Go through each of these dates with the students. All of this information is provided in the handout. Write down dates in their agenda books/calendar.
Course Selection Support in Library – Tues Feb 13 - for students who need assistance or don’t have internet at home - come to the library during your lunch or spare. Could take up to 30 minutes so come at the beginning of the period
Lock in Dates:
Students can start selecting courses in Career Cruising now and their choices will be saved, but they cannot lock them in until Mon Feb 12, and they need to submit them by Fri Feb 23. Hardcopies of the course selection forms, with parent signatures, are due to second semester homeroom teachers on Mon Feb 26.
Course Verification Sheets are due to 2nd semester homeroom teacher: Thursday March
Next year’s timetable for the school is based on your course selections. Courses will run or not run based on your choices

3. Gr. 10 and 11 Students: 8 courses Gr. 12 Students: At least 6 courses
Grade 9 students going into grade 10: You will select 6 compulsory courses / 3 elective courses / 3 alternate courses. Note that Career Studies and Civics are half credit courses. Students should check to make sure that they have the correct prerequisite courses for the courses they are selecting for next year. The prerequisite courses are listed in online and print calendars. Selecting courses outside of your grade – requests may not be given due to priority given in scheduling to grade level students first/ may cause timetabling difficulties and period one or five lunch/ beware of full-disclosure / grade 11 and 12 marks go to universities and colleges / be sure you have met with your counselor to discuss it.
Grade 10 students going into grade 11: Select 8 courses and two alternates. Students should check to make sure that they have the correct prerequisite courses for the courses they are selecting for next year. The prerequisite courses are listed in online and print calendars. Selecting courses outside of your grade – requests may not be given due to priority given in scheduling to grade level students first/ may cause timetabling difficulties and period one or five lunch/ beware of full-disclosure / grade 11 and 12 marks go to universities and colleges / be sure you have met with your counselor to discuss it.
Grade 11 students going into grade 12: Select a minimum of 6 courses and two alternates. Students must have earned 24 credits before a spare period can be obtained. Students should check to make sure that they have the correct prerequisite courses for the courses they are selecting for next year. Students are advised to be aware of the courses they need to graduate and move on to their desired post-secondary program. Choose wisely as courses fill up!!!! Also, be aware of the importance of Supplementary applications and other admission criteria – such as portfolios, performances, etc.
Gr. 10 and 11 Students: 8 courses
Gr. 12 Students: At least 6 courses

4. 18 Compulsory Credits/12 Elective Credits
1 credit from each Group
Community Service Hours
OSSLT – should write test once in grade 10 – if you have not completed it successfully you may need to take the Literacy Course (OLC401)
Community Service: Remind students that it is their responsibility to do an eligible activity. See back of community service form for list of eligible activities. If unclear see Guidance Counselor. The community service activity that you wish to do may be pre-approved by Guidance.

5. Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements for Ontario Secondary School Diploma
All students have received this information in the What do you need to graduate handout ed to gapps account
18 compulsory credits - note group 1,2,3 credits
12 elective credits
40 hours community involvement
Provincial Literacy Test
Elective Credits:
A Note about Music: For students taking grade 11 or 12 music, the repertoire course will NOT be automatically added by Career Cruising. Repetoire must be selected separately from music.
Cooperative Education : It is recommended that students who want to take co-op have 16 credits. Note that regardless of what grade you are in, you will select grade 11 co-op. If you are taking co-op, be sure to visit a co-op teacher to get their signature and pick up an application package. SELECTING CO-OP IN CAREER CRUISING:
COP3X1 = 2 credit coop
COP3X1 and COP3X3 = 3 credit coop
COP3X4 = 4 credit coop
You may only take only one IDC course – we offer IDC4U1: Sports Marketing, IDC4UE: AP Psychology or IDC4U3: Building Financial Security
Note to Counsellors: Change presentation to CCS for appropriate grade and go through it with the students. Remind students that their credit counselling summary is the most reliable source of information about their credit history – please do not rely on the information in Career Cruising.
When reviewing the CCS, make sure to mention the following:
Make sure you have a plan for all compulsory courses.
University bound students must take academic English and other academic courses depending on area of study
Students must have prerequisite courses for the courses they are choosing
Critically think about change in pathway (especially if struggling in Academic classes)
Take advantage of the grade 10 Career Studies course to prepare for the future.
Be aware of impact of repeated courses and courses taken outside of day school.

6. 34 Credit Threshold
Most students will complete 30 credits within 4 years.
Going beyond 34 credits may be possible.
Please see the YRDSB website or your Guidance Counsellor for more information.

7. How to Read a Course Code
CHV2OL (Grade 10 ESL Civics)
CHV subject
‘2’ grade level
‘O’ course type or destination
‘L’ AP/ Gifted/ ESL/ Essentials courses
Types of Courses (Grade 9 & 10) Destination Courses (Grade 11 & 12)
Applied P College C
Academic D University/College M
Open O University U
Girls 8 Open O
Boys 9 Girls 8
ESL L Boys 9
Essentials L5 Workplace E
Gifted DG Pre-Advanced Placement U6
Enriched D2 Advanced Placement UE/ME
A note about gifted/enriched: You must be identified as gifted to take gifted courses. Mention gifted students must take 3 or 4 at gifted level. Students must speak to their subject teacher to get a recommendation to take an enriched course. Space will be very limited and students will not be getting teacher recommendations for Enriched courses until later in the spring (March or April) at the earliest. NOTE: students cannot select enriched courses in Career Cruising. Enriched course request forms are available in the Guidance office.

8. Challenge Yourself Through Advanced Placement Courses
Internationally recognized program
Complete university level courses while still in high school
Head start on university level work
Study subjects in greater depth and detail
Improve your academic skills
Develop study habits needed for rigorous course work
What is AP?
The AP program is an established international program that allows students to complete university level courses and meet university expectations while still in high school.
Why Take AP?
Get a head start on university level work
Study subjects in greater depth and detail
Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem solving techniques
Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work
Over 90% of colleges and universities in Canada and U.S as well as 20 other countries have a policy granting students credit and/or advanced standing for qualifying AP exam grades.

9. AP Courses Offered at RHHS
Art History (grade 11)
Economics
Biology
English (grade 11 and 12)
Calculus
French
Chemistry
Physics 1
Computer Science
Psychology
Data Management
World Issues
Consider taking grade 11 pre-AP courses if you are planning on taking AP Courses in grade 12
A strong academic background in prerequisite subjects is recommended
AP exams are taken in May and there is a fee to write
Contact the AP coordinators for more information
Other Important Information About AP Courses:
The Grade 11 AP or pre-AP courses are strongly recommended if you are considering taking the Grade 12 AP courses.
A strong academic background in the Grade 10 or 11 prerequisite subject(s) is recommended.
AP Exams are written in May and there is a fee.
If you are interested in taking an AP course you are advised to speak with the appropriate subject head or with the AP Coordinator, Ms. Doganoglu or Mrs. Coleman.
AP Course Codes: “E” is the last digit of the course code for AP courses; “6” is the last digit of the course code for pre-AP courses.

10. Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) at RHHS
Non-Profit Sector
Health and Wellness
Business
Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Richmond Hill High School offers Two Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) - Non-profit Sector - Health and Wellness
Pending Ministry Approval we will be offering an additional two SHSM – Business and Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
These opportunities occur in grades 11 and 12. 
At graduation, students who complete the SHSM requirements receive a special diploma with a "Red Seal" as well as a records card that outlines all of the training and certifications that the student has gained in their SHSM sector.
To be considered for this SHSM program, grade 10 students complete the online application (see course calendar).
If you have any further questions about SHSM please speak with Mr. Wasserman or Ms. Tzimika
To be considered for a SHSM Program, grade 10 students must complete an online application
To be considered for this SHSM

11. Required Elements for SHSM
Bundle of 8–10 Required Credits
Certifications
Experiential Learning
I.C.E Activity / Event
Reach Ahead Experiences
A bundle of 8-10 required credits;
Sector recognised certifications (e.g. CPR, First Aid, WHMIS);
Experiential learning (NOTE: a minimum of 2 cooperative education credits are required);
“Reach Ahead” experiences (e.g. workshops, workplace tours, etc.)
One I.C.E activity or event – Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship activity

12. Full Disclosure applies to you! What shows up on your transcript…
Grades 9 – 10
Only successfully completed course appear on your transcript
Grades 11 – 12
All courses taken appear on your transcript
The Ontario Student Transcript provides a record of a student’s overall achievement in high school and is required by post-secondary institutions to assess admission to their programs
In grades 9 & 10, only successfully completed courses appear on your transcript
In grades 11 & 12, a list of ALL courses taken or attempted, with the percentage grade, will appear on your transcript
Remind students that marks DO count for the future. Sometimes Univ/Coll. expectations change. Also, Scholarship committees and colleges and universities outside of Canada look at the full transcript. As well, if students try their best in all grades, they won’t have the gaps in their Senior years and will be able to do better.
Discuss the importance of not repeating courses especially for highly competitive programs. Some programs do have deductions in your overall average for repeated courses. Also courses done outside of day school may be have an impact on your university/college application. Check with post-secondary schools for more details.

13. During July, two ways to earn credit(s)
Summer School
4 week Acceleration Courses
2 week Reinforcement Courses
During July, two ways to earn credit(s)
The list of available courses and instructions for signing up on Career Cruising will be available in the Guidance office in April / May.
Reinforcement Courses
These courses can be taken if you were unsuccessful in a course and earned a final mark between 35-49%.
Full day for 2 weeks during the month of July
Can take 2 reinforcement courses during the month of July
Acceleration Courses
These are courses that students are taking for the first time, or courses in which they were unsuccessful and had a final mark of less than 35%.
All day during the month of July (4 weeks)
Only courses in grades 10, 11 and 12 are offered
Can take 1 acceleration course during the month of July
Remind students that if they plan to take a summer school course, they need to indicate their intention by entering that course in the “other credit” box in their Career Cruising Course Planner. NOTE: this does not sign you up for the course; it just lets us know what you are planning.
If you change your plans about taking a summer school course, or other course outside of day school, it must be changed / deleted in Career Cruising by Feb 23. If you change your plans later please let your Guidance Counselor know.
Keep in mind that some university and college admissions can be impacted by taking grade 11 and or grade 12 courses outside of day school.

14. Online Course Selection
Quick Tip Sheet
Monday February 12 to
Friday February 23, 2018
Students will select courses online using Career Cruising.
See “Career Cruising Quick Tip Sheet” for step-by step instructions.
Students can log into Career Cruising and begin selecting courses now. These selections will be saved in their Career Cruising account. However, students cannot lock-in their course selections until February (see “Dates to Remember” handout).
Please follow the timelines on the Dates to Remember handout!!
Students should refer to Career Cruising Quick Tip Sheet as you go through these slides. Mention to students that handouts have been ed to GAPPS account.
NOTE: Students who have studied in another province or country and were given equivalency credits may need to see a counsellor for assistance.

15. Course selection starts here

16. Make sure to click on Grades 6-12
Click here

17. Student Login Page
See Quick Tip Sheet for instructions on how to log in. Username: York - (student number), Password: whatever you changed it to last year OR your birth date in the format mmddyyyy if you are a new user.
All students have a username and password. Career cruising is where students select their courses throughout secondary school. Students can also access and keep track of their Individual Pathways Plan on Career Cruising.

18. Go to: Choose My Courses
Click on “choose my courses” (in red box) under the “What do you want to do?” title.

19. This is the screen you will see when you click on “Choose My Courses”
This is the screen you will see when you click on “Choose My Courses”. The column for the year you are entering next year will be highlighted in blue (grade 11 in this example). The courses shaded in beige are compulsory – courses you must take to complete your high school diploma. The courses shaded in white are elective – courses you may take out of interest.

20. Selecting Alternate Courses, Spares and Other Credits
Alternate Courses: All students must select two alternate courses (students going into grade 10 will pick 3 alternates) in case one or more of your electives cannot be scheduled. Students need to select these carefully as there is a good possibility that one or more these courses could end up on your timetable next year.
Spares: Students who will have 24 or more credits at the end of this year may select spares by clicking the “Study Period” button. Students who are only returning for one semester should also add 4 or 5 spares.
Other Credit Box: This box is used only if you are planning to take a course outside of day school (for example: summer school, virtual school, private school). Indicate your intention by placing the course in the “other credit” box. NOTE: Selecting the “other credit” does not enrol you in this course; it just shows your intention to take it outside of day school. You will need to follow the normal enrolment process to take the course. If you change your plans about taking this course, it must be changed / deleted in Career Cruising by Feb 23. If you change your plans later please let your Guidance Counselor know. If the course is taken outside of YRDSB/YCDSB, you must provide us with an original signed and sealed transcript or report card. Private school courses must be uploaded to OCAS and/or OUAC by the Private School.

21. Not Returning to RHHS Click here
Click on blue running person to indicate you are not returning to Richmond Hill High School

22. Not Returning to RHHS (cont’d)
Select reason from drop-down menu
Select the reason for leaving school from the drop down menu then click on submit button. Be sure to print your sign off sheet and turn it into your homeroom teacher. Students with period one lunch or spare return the sign off sheet to the Guidance office.
Then, click “Submit

23. Finalizing Your Course Selections
On or after Monday February 12, 2018, but before Friday February 23, 2018
Signed by Parent / Guardian
Click the “Submit” button once you are sure about your course selections. NOTE: You cannot lock in your courses until on or after Monday February 12, 2018.
Print your “Course Request Sign-Off Form” and get it signed by your parent/guardian
Hand in your “Course Request Sign-Off Form” to your 2nd semester homeroom teacher by Monday February 26, 2018.
If you have any questions or concerns about course selection, please see your Guidance Counsellor!
By Monday February 26, 2018 to your homeroom teacher