1. DREAMS CAN COME TRUE!!!

2. GRADE 8 OPTION SHEETS IT’S EASY….REALLY !!!!!

3. WHAT IS AN OPTION SHEET? An Option Sheet helps you to correctly choose the courses which you will be taking in High School. Option Sheets are completed with the assistance of your teachers, your parents and yourselves. Your teachers will make recommendations for the Level of the courses which you should be taking, (Academic or Applied).

4. Your teacher’s recommendations are based on the level at which you have been working for the last 2 years. 75% and up would suggest Academic Courses 72% and under would suggest Applied Courses

5. What are Academic Courses? These courses have a “D” in the fifth position : e.g. SNC1D (Science Grade 9 Academic) Academic courses emphasize theoretical and abstract applications of the concepts (more reading/ HW/ Assignments/Tests) Students planning to attend University, and working at 75% and above should choose these courses.

6. What are Applied Courses? These courses which have a “P” in the fifth position : e.g. SNC1P (Science Grade 9 Applied) Applied courses emphasize practical and concrete applications of the concepts (more ‘hands-on’/less reading/HW/tests/assignments) Students planning to attend College and working below 72% should choose these courses.

7. Can I change my course type? If your pathway/destination changes (College or University or Work), and you wish to change your course type you can take ‘Crossover Courses. Discussions with your parents, teachers and Guidance Counsellors will be very important if you want to make these changes. You can also switch when you’re in College or University

8. What are “Open” courses? These are courses with an “O” in the fifth position. e.g. AVI10 (Visual Arts Grade 9) Are appropriate for all students in a given grade.

9. Course Codes PPL1OP The first 3 characters are the course title, e.g. PPL – Phys. Ed. The fourth character is the grade level, e.g. 1 = Grade 9 The fifth character is course type, e.g. O = Open, A=Academic, P = ? The sixth character (if necessary) is the program/ number of sections e.g. P = Girls

10. Let’s check your understanding MAT1D2 MAT1D2 Math Grade 9 Academic, Section 2 ENG1P3 English Grade 9 Applied, Section 3 CGC1G1 Canadian Geography Grade 9 Gifted Section 1 FIF1D4 French Immersion Grade 9 Academic Section 4

11. What do I need to graduate from High School ? Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements: 30 Credits – 18 Compulsory credits and 12 Optional Credits 40 hours of Community Involvement Successful completion of the EQAO Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLC) in Grade 10

12. What are Compulsory Credits? Credits which every student has to complete. 4-English (1 in each grade level:9-12) 3-Math2-Science 1-Canadian History 1-Canadian Geography 1-Arts 1-Phys. Ed. 1-French.5-Career Studies.5-Civics + 3 others

13. What are Optional Credits? These courses are selected by the student based on their individual interests and goals. Parents, counsellors, teachers and principals can help you make your selections

14. How does that add up? So, in Grade 9 you take..8 courses In Grade 10 you take ….. 8 courses Grade 11 you take ………..8 courses Grade 12 you take ………..6 courses =30 credits =30 credits (you can have 2 study periods/spares in Grade 12) You cannot have a study period until you have completed 24 credits!

15. Can I “drop’ a course? Not if you are in Grade 9 or Grade 10 If you are having difficulty in a course or no longer like the course, you have to stick with it and preferably, be successful. If you do not continue to attend the course, it will be considered to be ‘skipping’ which will result in a suspension.

16. If you attend the course but do not continue to do the work, you will probably fail which puts you off the schedule to complete high school in 4 years However, you can catch-up at summer school for some courses or graduate in 5 years

17. Can I change my optional course? The Guidance Dept will allow some changes within the first 2 weeks of school (timetable error, change level of difficulty) Only “Change Sheets” with your parents and teachers signatures and a very good reason will be considered.

18. What is ‘CO-OP’ and can I take it? Experiential Learning: Class work/theory applied in a work setting. Available in Grade 11 and 12 Talk with counsellor at the end of Grade 10 to plan to take pre-requisite courses in grade 11. e.g. For working as a Vet Technician you will need to study Biology in G 11 e.g. For working as a Vet Technician you will need to study Biology in G 11

19. “SUCCESS” …Make your dreams come true: Work hard from ‘Day 1’ : Attend Everyday, On time Attend Everyday, On time Complete Homework/Review Class work Complete Homework/Review Class work Complete Assignments Complete Assignments Ask Questions Ask Questions Get help if needed Get help if needed

20. Questions??? http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/education/high-school- graduation-rate.aspx