QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED BY PARENTS

Transcription

1 QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED BY PARENTS The following questions are addressed in this document: 1. What are the requirements for earning an Ontario high school diploma? 2. What courses must grade 9 students take at St. Ignatius High School? 3. What are the different streams / levels of grade 9 courses? 4. What should I consider when helping my child choose courses? 5. How important are future educational destinations in choosing courses? 6. How are courses changed? 7. How does the French Immersion Program work at St. Ignatius? 8. Do all students have to take Religious Education? 9. What is the AP Program? 10. What are the rules regarding community service hours? 11. What support services exist within the school to help students? 12. Can prospective students visit the school in advance? 1. What are the requirements for earning an Ontario high school diploma? In order to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must successfully complete: 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional / elective courses) the provincial literacy requirement 40 hours of community involvement The provincial literacy requirement is met through writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in grade 10. Students who are unsuccessful in the OSSLT can satisfy the provincial literacy requirement by taking the Ontario Literacy Course. A complete list of diploma requirements can be found on-line at: 2. What courses must grade 9 students take at St. Ignatius High School? The compulsory courses in the grade 9 year are: English Religious Education Math Science Geography French or Native Language Students are allowed two elective choices from areas such as the Arts, Business, Phys. Ed., or Tech Studies. Since an Arts credit is required to obtain the OSSD, it is strongly recommended that students take an Arts credit (music, visual arts, Native art, drama or dance whatever is available) in grades 9 or What streams / levels of grade 9 courses? In grades 9 and 10, courses are offered at various streams / levels: Pre-AP = enriched learning, geared for students with a strong interest and academic ability in that subject area Academic = more theoretical, more complex, faster pace (university-bound) Applied = more practical, more application, lesser pace (college-bound) Locally Developed = more remedial or foundational, designed for students having difficulty or working below grade level in that subject

2 Open = a mix of everyone, regardless of ability or future educational goals Courses such as Math, Science and English would be examples of streamed courses, offered at the Pre-AP, Academic, Applied and Locally Developed levels. Courses such as Phys. Ed., Art, Business, Music or Tech Studies would be examples of Open courses. 4. What should I consider when helping my child choose courses? A realistic view of your child s academic ability and work habits is best. Courses that are too challenging result in frustration and often course failure. Courses that are too easy do not challenge the student s potential. Consultation with the student s current teachers / counsellors can help you choose the stream / level where the child will have the most success. 5. How important are future educational destinations in choosing courses? Future pathways are important, but remember that these students are only years old and that educational formation changes and grows. Today s secondary and post-secondary systems have a lot of different pathways (and partnerships between institutions) to allow for many opportunities to meet students interests, talents and goals. Students in applied programs can go to university they just go to college first. Students in locally developed / workplace programs can go to college through College Access programs to do some academic upgrading first. Students will receive regular opportunities to assess their interests, skills and goals, and to obtain information about various post-secondary options throughout their high school career. It is very important that parents continually monitor how their children are doing in their courses. Although students may occasionally be challenged by various units of study within their subjects, a student who is continually facing academic difficulty usually needs program adjustment. Staying in touch with the guidance counsellor is important and helpful for timely intervention if needed. 6. How are courses changed? Courses are changed through the guidance counsellor. Elective changes (for example, from Art to Phys. Ed.) are easier changes than stream / level changes. If a student wishes to change stream / levels (for example, from academic to applied), the student must consult with the teacher and counsellor, and parents / guardians are also called to ensure that the change has been discussed at home. A request for a change is not automatically granted. A change is allowed if it is an appropriate move for the student, and there is room in the class the student wishes to change to. Sometimes, this means changing the student s whole timetable. Students must also meet course prerequisites. Changes are not allowed for students to be with friends or to pick certain teachers. Please be aware that there are deadlines for making course changes that are clearly outlined in the students handbook and are regularly announced. Also note that facilitating course changes can be very difficult once the school s timetable is set. Students who wish changes should be making appointments with their respective guidance counsellors. We discourage parents phoning in for students and trying to make changes over the phone. It is important for counsellors to be able to talk with the students directly. 7. How does the French Immersion Program work at St. Ignatius?

3 Students take 10 courses offered in the French language over the course of 4 years to earn their French Immersion Certificate at graduation. In grade 9, the courses are: French, Geography and Religious Education. In grade 10, the courses are: French, History and Religious Education and Civics / Careers (1/2 courses). In grade 11, the courses are French and Religious Education. In grade 12, the French course is mandatory. Students have the opportunity to go to Quebec on a school excursion. Senior students have the opportunity to partake in the DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue français) for certification of French-speaking abilities. 8. Do all students have to take Religious Education? Students at St. Ignatius High School are required to take a credit in Religious Education and Family Life each year. Examples of themes from these courses are: moral decision making, practicing virtuous attitudes, building positive relationships (home, community, personal), learning about various world religions, social justice etc. The grade 12 course can be counted toward university or college entrance requirements. 9. What is the AP program? The Advanced Placement (AP) program is a program of academic enrichment. It is designed for students who have an interest in and aptitude for various subject areas. There is choice and flexibility with the AP program, as students can pick which subject areas they want to challenge at this level. They are not obligated to partake in an AP program all the way through to graduation, although they may choose to do so. St. Ignatius offers a Pre-AP Program in grades 9, 10 and 11. Certain courses are taught at the pre-ap level to gradually build the skills necessary to handle the senior AP course in grade 12. Students who choose to write the AP exam and receive a good score can potentially earn a university elective credit for their future studies. In grade 9, we offer pre-ap courses in English and Math. An average of 80% in grade 8 is recommended in order to be successful at the pre-ap level. Students who are in academic English or Math courses in grade 9 and who obtain a good grade (recommended 80%+) can opt for pre-ap classes in grade 10 without any grade 9 pre-ap pre-requisites. For more detailed information on the AP program, please check the Educational Programs section of the school s website. 10. What are the rules regarding community service hours? Grade 8 students can start their hours in the summer any time after the official last day of school. Grade 8 students in Reach-Ahead Music or Reach-Ahead Computer courses can start their community hours once they begin their Reach-Ahead courses. Please note that there are Ministry of Education and school board policies governing this diploma requirement. Important considerations are: Where the student does the hours. Hours must be done with a not-for-profit organization, public institution (like a hospital or nursing home), church parish or charity fundraiser. Do not work for a private business!

4 When the student does the hours. Students cannot do their hours during their regular school day. They can use lunch breaks, after-school hours, weekends and school holidays. What the student is doing. Students cannot substitute for a paid employee. They cannot do normal family chores (eg. babysit for an aunt for free). They must be serving the community in some way. If there is uncertainty about the activity the student is doing, the student must have the activity approved before it is done, or the hours may be denied. We strongly recommend that students have their guidance counsellor check the pre-approval section of their form. Students must be supervised and the supervisor must sign the community hours form to confirm the activity. The student and his / her parent or guardian must also sign the community hours form and the documentation must be received by the school. For further information or clarification, please phone St. Ignatius Student Services. The full policy regarding community service hours can be found on the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and Ministry of Education websites. Copies of the community involvement form can be found at the bottom of the Community Involvement section on the school s website. 11. What support services exist within the school to help students? At St. Ignatius, we have: 4 full-time guidance counsellors (assigned by student alpha surname) 1 full-time social worker 1 Native counsellor 1 full-time board attendance counsellor 1 full-time chaplain 4 special education resource teachers, 2 full-time special education program teachers, 1 full-time teacher-librarian We have an administrative staff, student support personnel, and teachers to help students in their daily school life. We also offer peer tutoring and an after-school math support program. Our Natural Helpers program consists of selected peers who help their fellow students with academic or personal issues. The Resource Room is equipped with computers so student with special needs can access assistive technology. The Guidance and Library areas also have work tables and computers for students. 12. Can prospective students visit the school in advance? Absolutely! Students from our two main senior-elementary schools (Bishop EQ Jennings and Bishop Gallagher) have school visits scheduled in the beginning of December. All prospective students and parents are invited to our annual Open House in February. You can hear a short presentation, tour the school and see everything that is happening in the departments. Our Welcome to Grade 9 Orientation Barbeque happens in the summer, the week before the official start of classes. The is the only time that new grade 9

5 students can pick up their timetables in advance and tour the school once more to find their classrooms. Parents are also welcome to attend the barbeque. Prospective students from other elementary schools or those from out-of-town can schedule school visits as well. Parents must contact the school administration to speak to a vice-principal about obtaining registration forms, and then speak to a guidance counsellor about courses and tours. Parents of students with IEP s are encouraged to meet Special Education personnel as well. FURTHER QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL ST. IGNATIUS STUDENT SERVICES AT