1. Welcome to Westdale Secondary School

2. Special Programs French Immersion Music Strings International Baccalaureate Specialist High Skills Major Arts and Culture Construction

3. International Baccalaureate (IB) IB is a world-renowned pre-university course of study offered during the last 2 years of secondary school Prepares highly motivated students for university, both nationally and internationally See Westdale website for more information

4. Specialist High Skills Major Westdale programs: Arts and Culture Construction Industry recognized designation on diploma Bundle of 8 – 10 senior credits Sector recognized certification training Co-op placements Reach ahead experiences at post-secondary For all four post secondary destinations

5. OSSD Requirements 30 credits 18 Compulsory 12 Optional 40 hours Community Involvement Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement (OSSLT or OSSLC)

6. Compulsory Course Requirements 4 English (1 at each grade level) 3 Mathematics (1 at senior level) 2 Science 1 French 1 Canadian History 1 Canadian Geography 1 Arts (Visual, Media, Music, Drama) 1 Health and Physical Education.5 Civics.5 Career Studies

7. Compulsory Course Requirements Group 1: One additional credit in English, or French as a second language,** or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education*** Group 2: One additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or French as a second language,** or cooperative education*** Group 3: One additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12), or technological education (Grades 9 – 12), or French as a second language,** or computer studies, or cooperative education***

8. Compulsory Course Requirements **In groups 1, 2, & 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 & one from either group 2 or group 3. ***A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits. †The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.

9. Substitutions for Compulsory Courses Principals may replace up to three courses with courses from the remainder of those that meet the compulsory credit requirements Substitutions can be made to promote and enhance student learning or to meet special needs

10. Community Involvement Promotes community values and reinforces importance of volunteerism A good way to explore career interests Minimum of 40 hours completed before Graduation, students can start during the summer following grade 8! Guidelines and forms on website

11. Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Administered in March of the Grade 10 year Based on expectations for language and communication up to and including Grade 9 Accommodations, and deferrals may be appropriate for some students Literacy lunches and after school prep classes available at Westdale Grade 12 Literacy course is available for students who have been eligible to write OSSLT at least once and have been unsuccessful

12. Compulsory Credits in Grade 9 English Mathematics Science Geography Health and Physical Education French

13. Course Types

14. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Applied (P) Focus on practical applications using familiar, real-life situations to illustrate ideas; more opportunities for hands on applications e.g.. Demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of natural and human systems in Canada’s rural and urban landscapes. Academic (D) Knowledge and skills developed through theory and practical applications but EMPHASIS on theory and abstract thinking as basis for future learning and problem solving e.g.. Analyze the way in which natural systems interact with human systems and make predictions about the outcomes of these interactions.

15. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Locally Developed (L) emphasize literacy, numeracy and the acquisition of learning skills. special program for students who were not ready to take Grade 9 Applied or Academic courses because they are working on modified or highly accommodated programs at the Grade 8 level and for students who have been placed in high school.

16. Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Enriched Academic (DE) Students who are talented in English, Science, Mathematics. Self-motivated and interested in a challenge Course content is presented at a much faster rate than Academic, to allow time for enrichment activities beyond the scope of the curriculum.

17. Course Types Enriched Academic courses Suited for students identifed with a “gifted” exceptionality and students pursuing the IB program. Students taking both FI and IB should take enriched English but may wish to take Math and Science in French Immersion. FI/IB students should earn at least 4 FI credits in grade 9.

18. Course Types Open level courses – An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students in one level For example: ADA1O1 or PPL1O1

19. Understanding Course Codes ENG1D1, ENG1D1E, ENG1P1, ENG1L1 SubjectGradeLevelCredit Value ENG1D1 1=9D=academic DE =enriched P=applied L=locally dev O=open

20. Understanding Course Codes ”I” on the end of a course means it is a French Immersion course. for example: MPM1D1I

21. Mixing Course Types Students can combine course types A student in English stream with strong language skills, but relatively weaker mathematical skills may choose: ENG1D1ADA1O1 MFM1P1TIJ1O1 SNC1P1 FSF1D1 CGC1D1 PPL1O1F/M

22. French Immersion Grade 9 Program Immersion certificate requires a minimum of 10 French Immersion credits, with three courses at the senior level. There are four required Francais courses which are only offered at the academic/university level: FIF1D1I, FIF2D1I, FIF3U1I, FIF4U1I + Students must earn 6 additional French Immersion credits.

23. French Immersion Courses GRADE 9GRADE 10 GRADE 11 GRADE 12 FIF1D1I FIF2D1I FIF3U1I FIF4U1I MPM1D1I MPM2D1I BDI3C1I EAC4U1I SNC1D1I SNC2D1I HSP3U1I/3C1 COOP CGC1D1I CHC2D1ICOOP ADA1O1I AVI2O1I GPP3O1I AVI2O1I CHV/GLCIPPL3O1I Note some FI courses are only offered at the academic/university level. If the student needs the applied level they should take that course in English.

24. Mixing Course Types French Immersion students do not have to take all subjects in French. Sample choices of a student with strong language skills, but relatively weaker mathematical skills: ENG1D1ADA1O1I MFM1P1AVI2O1I SNC1P1 FIF1D1I CGC1D1I PPL1O1F/M

25. Choosing Course Types Grade 8 teacher recommendation on option sheet Grade 8 marks, report card comments Work habits Self assessment – match ability with interests and aptitudes

26. Choosing Compulsory Courses

27. Switching Course Types Changes from Applied to Academic between Grade 9 and 10 are possible with a teacher recommendation. Transfer course through summer school is required to go from grade 9 Applied Math to grade 10 Academic Math

28. Elective Credits in Grade 9 Choose two courses from: Dramatic Arts – offered in English and F.I. Exploring Family Studies Exploring Technologies Information & Communication Technology in Business Introductory Latin ( will need gr 9 to take gr 10)* Music ( will need gr 9 to take gr 10)* Music Strings ( will need gr 9 to take gr 10)* Music Strings for beginners Visual Arts - offered in English and F.I.

29. Elective Credits Band or Orchestra program Runs before school/ lunch Students earn 9 credits AMU1O1 plus AMR1O1 - Band OR AMS1O1 (Strings) plus AMO1O1 - Orchestra

30. Choosing Elective Courses

31. High School Format 2 Semesters: September to January and February to June 4 courses each semester (first 4 in Semester 1 and remaining 4 in semester 2) Examinations and/or culminating activities at the end of each semester 4 classes per day Each class is 75 minutes long

32. A Sampling of Sports at Westdale Fall Sports_____Winter SportsSpring Sports Cross countryBoys BasketballJunior Football Boys VolleyballGirls VolleyballRowing Senior FootballRowingBoys Baseball Field HockeyIndoor SoccerGirls Slo Pitch Girls BasketballAlpine SkiingSoccer Girls Touch FootballBadmintonRugby Athletic CouncilHockeyTennis Indoor TrackGolf WaterpoloTrack & Field Cricket Ultimate Frisbee Boys Touch Football Midget Basketball

33. A Sampling of Activities and Clubs at Westdale Announcement crewMath Club Chess ClubModel U.N. Community GardenOrchestra Debating TeamPublic Speaking Diversity ShowReach for the top Environmental ClubRecycling Club Grad CouncilRobotics Club Dance TeamSenior Jazz Band History ClubSkilled trades competition Improv ClubStage Crew Jazz QuartetStudents Bridging Borders Knitting ClubTea Club Latin ClubTheatre Westdale LeRaconteur (Yearbook)Triune (Student Council)

34. Tips for Grade 9 Students A successful grade 9 year is the most important goal! Statistics show students who do not have a successful grade 9 year are at risk of leaving high school without a diploma!

35. Keys to Success – Start Now! Lay the groundwork now in Grade 8 Establish regular, nightly homework routines Meet assignment deadlines Attend on a daily basis and be on time Come to school with a positive attitude and be ready to learn!