Welcome to the. Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School General Information & Course Selection Information for Grade 8 Students & Parents

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School General Information & Course Selection Information for Grade 8 Students & Parents

2 Introductions Chris Hilmer, Principal Helga Curry, Vice-Principal Yula Nouragas, Vice-Principal Karen Armata, Head of Guidance Les Kerr, Guidance Counsellor Gaye Revell, Head of Special Education

3 General Information about Williams The school has 126 years of history in Aurora. This year, the school has approximately 940 students. We are a semestered school. The school day begins at 8:20 a.m. and classes end at 3:00 p.m. There are five periods in the day. Grade 9 students have lunch during period 3.

4 Special Programs in Our School Gifted Program starting in September 2014 Enriched/Pre-AP/AP Advanced Placement courses Community Classes SHSM Specialist High Skills Majors Business, Environment, Health & Wellness OYAP Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Dual Credit opportunities High Performance Athlete opportunities Alternative Education opportunities

5 Welcome, Class of 2018

6 Diploma Requirements (OSSD) 12 Optional Credits Successful completion of Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) 18 Compulsory Credits 40 hours of Community Involvement OSSD

7 The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Administered in the spring of the Grade 10 year A test based on reading and writing expectations of curricula up to and including Grade 9 Accommodations, deferrals and exemptions may be appropriate for some students If a student does not meet the standard in the first attempt, schools will provide remedial support; the test will be readministered until the student successfully completes the test or alternatively successfully completes the Grade 12 Literacy Course

8 Community Involvement A diploma requirement Encourages civic responsibility, promotes community values and reinforces importance of volunteerism Complete 40 hours before graduation Student responsibility to keep record of activities Guidelines and forms will be provided to help track community involvement A good way to explore career interests

9 18 Compulsory Credits 4 Credits in English (1 credit per grade) 1 Credit in French as a Second Language 3 Credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Gr. 11 or 12) 2 Credits in Science 1 Credit in Canadian History 1 Credit in Canadian Geography 1 Credit in the Arts 1 Credit in Health and Physical Education Credit in Civics & 0.5 Credit in Career Studies Plus..

10 High School Pathways Grade 9 Academic or Enriched Grade 9 Applied Grade 9 Locally Developed Grade 10 Academic or Enriched Grade 10 Applied Grade 10 Locally Developed Grade 11 University or Pre-AP Grade 11 College Grade 11 Workplace Grade 12 University or AP Grade 12 College Grade 12 Workplace

11 PATHWAY ABILITY APPROACH APPLIED (P) Working at or above grade level Step by step approach to learning using theory and practical examples. ACADEMIC (D) Working at or above grade level Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on critical thinking skills LOCALLY DEVELOPED (L) Working below grade level in Math, English and Science Guided approach to learning using practical examples and concrete objects. OPEN (O) Available to all students An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students

12 Course Pathways Applied or Academic English Math Locally Developed English Math Science Science French History Geography

13 Optional Courses in Grade 9 Technological Studies Business Studies The Arts Learning Strategies Family Studies Broad Based Technology Visual Computer Studies Drama Music

14 Secondary School Planning Important to know: How students learn best Diploma requirements to graduate Prerequisites for courses How to plan for experiential learning opportunities Admission requirements for post-secondary opportunities (college, apprenticeship, university, workplace) Preparing for school-work

15 Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades Post-Secondary Pathway Through the OYAP program, students earn high school credits and competencies towards their apprenticeship These highly skilled & practical careers are referred to as Gold Collar Careers since many trades people can earn $50,000 - $75,000 within 3-5 years of high school graduation With hundreds of training opportunities, apprenticeship is a powerful means of obtaining practical experience and skills For more information, contact our Co-operative Education department or Guidance department.

16 College Post-Secondary Pathway College programs provide a valuable combination of academic and practical/technical skills training for a specific career There are over 1000 programs to choose from including Business Administration, Biomedical Technology, Computer Animation, Engineering Technology, Paramedic, Social Worker, Specialized Arts Programs Every college offers Diplomas, Certificates, and Bachelor Degrees

17 University College Post-Secondary Pathway Articulation agreements between colleges and universities allow for the acquisition of theoretical and practical skills and can earn students a degree and a diploma in four years. Many students attend college for a year or two as they build self-awareness and knowledge of desired career. They then either graduate, stay with college or transition to university Multiple opportunities for transferability between colleges and universities exist.

18 University Post-Secondary Pathway University programs provide mostly theoretical academic training In general, there are 4 main types of programs at most universities: Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences Life/Health Sciences Physical/Engineering Sciences Business/Commerce

19 The Workplace Post-Secondary Pathway There are many entry-level job opportunities for students who have completed their OSSD and have workplace experience. Students who are fast tracking into the workforce/community directly after high school should: work with guidance, COOP, teachers, employment centers to create a personal portfolio that they can present to employers Any experiential education is an advantage

20 Reporting Student Achievement Standard provincial report card: Documents achievement in every subject in the form of a percentage grade Teachers comments on what was learned, strengths, and next steps in each subject area Separate reporting section for attendance and evaluating the student s learning skills (i.e. organization, initiative, teamwork, responsibility, etc.) Summary of graduation requirements including status of Gr. 10 test and community involvement

21 Clubs & Groups Art Council Athletic Council Band Chess DECA Empowered Student Partnerships Gay-Straight Alliance International Trips Life Sciences Club Math Club Math Contests Mental Health Awareness Peer Mentors Music Council Newspaper Prom Santa Claus Parade School Play Science Club Science Olympics Semi Formal Student Council Yearbook

22 Sports & Activities Baseball Cross Country Ski Field Hockey Golf School Dances Ski & Snowboard Varsity Football Slo-Pitch Soccer Special Olympics Terry Fox Walk/Run Track & Field Curling Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball

23 To Access On-line Course Selection:

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27 For More Information More information is available from the following: York Region District School Board Regional Course Directory Available on line at Our school s course calendar and website York Region District School Board website York Region District School Board Guidance Services Website - Ministry of Education web site - for policy and curriculum docs

28 Important Dates Grade 8 Parent Information Night Thursday, January 16, st week of February Registration forms are due at Williams 2 nd week of February Course Selections are due at Williams (both electronic and signed hard copy) Please refer to your elementary school for the deadlines they have set.

29 Gifted Program at Williams Grade 9 program will start in September 2014 Grade 10 program will be added in September 2015 In Grade 11, students can remain at Williams or go to their home high school for regular programming Williams offers pre-ap courses in Grade 11 and AP (Advanced Placement) courses in Grade 12

30 Gifted Program at Williams Five courses in Grade 9 are to be offered for Gifted: English, Math, Science, Geography, French Grade 9 students take Physical Education (Open Level) plus two elective courses Four courses in Grade 10 are to be offered for Gifted: English, Math, Science, History Grade 10 Gifted French can be an option Grade 10 students take Civics/Careers (Open Level) plus three elective courses

31 Advanced Placement Results 2013 English Literature European History Psychology. Calculus. Physics. French Language German Language Level

32 Elementary Schools Involved The Gifted program at Williams will accommodate students in the Gifted program at Aurora Senior PS whose home schools are: Aurora Grove, Aurora Heights, Aurora Senior, Bond Lake, Devins Drive, George Street, Hartman, Highview, Kettle Lakes, Kettleby, King City PS, Lake Wilcox, Nobleton, Northern Lights, Oak Ridges, Regency Acres, Rick Hansen, Schomberg, Whitchurch Highlands (South of Bloomington Road)

33 Other Students Involved Grade 8 students who have been identified as Gifted but are not attending the Gifted program at Aurora Senior PS may opt for the Gifted program at Williams. These students may be in the PRIDE program or they may be in a regular Grade 8 program.

34 Transportation As per Board policy, transportation is not provided in areas serviced by YRT. Students in these elementary home schools will receive busing: Kettleby King City PS Nobleton Schomberg Whitchurch Highlands (South of Bloomington Road)

35 Thank you for coming! Questions?