Grade 8 Information Session Donald A. Wilson Secondary School

Welcome to Donald A Wilson. These will be some of the best years of your life!

GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS2015-2016

Grade 9: Mr. KasparGrade 10: Ms. WebbGrade 11: Ms. ChinnickGrade 12: Ms. Roberts

TIMELINE

JanuaryCounsellors visit

elementary schools

February 9th Grade 8 Parents Night!

May 3rd , 4th, 5th and 6th Grade 8 visits to

Donald A. Wilson for School Tour!

Course Selections Due February 24th,

2016

INFORMATION ABOUT

Donald A. Wilson

316 grade 8 students

coming from 7 elementary

schools to start high school at Wilson in September

2016

1125 Students

Double gym, single gym, weight room and access to the Dome!

Two floors of wireless

learning!!!!

What does the Grade 9

program look like?

Do I still have recess?

How long is the school

day?

What is different

about high school?

DAWSS – Bell Schedule

What is secondary school all about?CREDITS

1 COURSE = 1 CREDIT4 credits are earned each semesterSemester 1: Sept to JanSemester 2: Feb to June

UNDERSTANDING THE TIMETABLEPeriod Time Subject

1 8:47 – 10:05 PPL 1O3.01Kaspar, J155

2 10:10 – 11:25 MFM 1P1.02Vasani, A153

3 12:05 – 1:20 CGC 1D1.03 Markham, H211

4 1:25 – 2:40 BTT 1O1.04Alexander, K126

Semester 1 - September to January Based on a Week one Schedule

Course Code & Section

Teacher’s Name

Room Number – 3 digit number (211)All 3 digits appear on the classroom door

Semester 2 – February – June

ENG 1 D 1

UNDERSTANDING COURSE CODESSchool Boards use this final character to distinguish courses

The Letter identifies the course type:Grades 9 /10 D=Academic P=Applied

L=Locally Developed O=OpenGrades 11/12 U=University M=University/College

E=Workplace C=College O=Open

This Number identifies the Grade1 = Grade 9 2 = Grade 10 3 = Grade 11 4 = Grade 12

These three letters identify the subject. The first letter in the course code denotes the course’s department area A = ArtsB= Business C=Canadian & World Studies E = EnglishF = French G= Guidance & Career Ed. S = SciencesH = Humanities & Social Sciences L = International LanguagesM = Mathematics P = Physical Education T= Technology

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

30 Credits to graduate

18 Compulsory 12 Optional

40 Hours of Community Involvement You can start the summer of your grade 9 year…more

information to follow in the spring Provincial Literacy Requirement

must pass to graduate – you will get LOTS of support!

You will get 8 of these in your grade 9 year!

Which Pathway Do I Choose?

WHICH PATHWAY DO I CHOOSE??

Locally Developed

(L)Applied (P)

Open (O)

Academic (D) Students Might:

Enjoy discussionSee connections to real lifeDevelop new ideas from readingShare ideas and apply them to their own lives

Students Might:Like to work independentlyEnjoy understanding the “whys”Learn from a variety of sourcesThink creativelyLike to solve problemsDevelop ideas from research

Students learn concepts and skills designed to prepare them for further study in the subject area. Expectations are designed and appropriate for all students

A focus on the most essential concepts of a discipline. These courses are offered in Mathematics, Science, and English in Grade 9. These courses will provide support for students making the transition to high school by enhancing their skills to allow them to be successful at secondary school.

Choosing the Right LEVEL for You! Consult with parents/guardians, teachers, SERT Difference between lack of understanding and

lack of effort Suggested Ranges:

Failing current courses – LOCALLY DEVELOPED 50 – 60% - APPLIED 70% - ACADEMIC Between 60% and 70% is a gray area NOT ALL COURSES HAVE TO BE AT THE SAME LEVEL

Importance of Choosing the Right LevelWe create the timetable for your ENTIRE grade based on what YOU choose…

If you don’t choose the right level initially then there might not be any space for you if you need to move levels once the semester has started

Grade 9 Compulsory SubjectsSubject Area Academic Applied Locally Developed

English ENG 1D1 ENG 1P1 ENG 1L1French FSF 1D1 FSF 1P1Canadian Geography CGC 1D1 CGC 1P1Mathematics MPM 1D1 MFM 1P1 MAT 1L1Healthy Active Living Education (Female)

PPL 1O4

Healthy Active Living Education (Male)

PPL 1O3

Science SNC 1D1 SNC 1P1 SNC 1L1

Grade 9 Optional Subjects

Description CodeDrama ADA 1O1Instrumental Music AMU 1O1Vocal Music AMV 1O1Visual Arts AVI 1O1

Pick one from…

and one from… Description Code

Information Technology in Business BTT 1O1

Exploring Technologies TIJ 1O1

Exploring Family Studies HIF1O1

French?!

• In COURSE PLANNER you must choose either FSF 1D1 or FSF 1P1

French

• If you have an IEP and are FRENCH EXEMPT then you will pick another BUSINESS/TECH or ARTS course during your IPRC Review with the Special Education Department

• If you are not identified but have a FRENCH EXEMPTION, your teacher will notify Ms. Roberts in Guidance and one of your alternate choices will be put in to your course selections.

Choosing Your Classes All of your course selections are done through

CAREER CRUISING COURSE PLANNER To choose your classes you have to:1. SELECT your classes on Course Planner2. SUBMIT your choices3. PRINT out a copy of your classes 4. Have your parent SIGN the sheet5. RETURN the signed copy to your GRADE 8

teacher

How to Access Course Planner…

Go to the Career Cruising website:

www.careercruising.com/login/ddsb

Demonstration of Course Planner

A video if you need assistance

Log in here!

What is an IPP?

• Individual Pathway Plan• Assists each student in selecting the pathway that will

direct them to successfully achieving their future goals.• Should be accessed twice per year to complete:

– Career Matchmaker– My Saved Careers– My Saved Programs– Career & Life Goals– Skills & Abilities– Volunteer Experience

Choosing Courses

Click on the for the course to choose the appropriate level.

Click on correct level for a

description.

Click here to add the course

Choose your electives

from this menu.

To delete a course click on the course and hit the delete button.

An INCOMPLETE Course PlannerThis is an incomplete example of a COURSE PLANNER.

Every box MUST have a selection.

Electives: Choose a Tech or Business AND an Arts Course AND a Physical Education Class

Alternates: Choose another Tech or Business AND another Arts Course

A COMPLETE Course PlannerThis is a COMPLETE example of a COURSE PLANNER.

Every box has a selection.

Electives: Every box has a selection.

Alternates: Every box has an alternate selection.

You cannot SUBMIT until

AFTER receiving your report

card!

Once you are able to submit

this is the message you will

see…

Course Request Sign Off Sheet

After hitting SUBMIT, PRINT this form and have it SIGNED by your parent and RETURN it to your Grade 8 TEACHER

You will receive a copy of this sheet from your teacher. Option sheets are due to WILSON on February 19th. Your teacher will set a deadline for you.

Academic Supports

Guidance Counsellors!

Subject teachers Special Education

for IEP students Peer tutors

Grade 9 classrooms Paid Private Tutors Credit Rescue After School Help

If you need help…

Extra Curricular Activities Athletics – badminton,

basketball, cross-country, curling, football, golf, lacrosse, rugby, volleyball, soccer, swimming, girls hockey

Clubs – Chess, Environmental, GSA, Run Club, DECA, STAR, White Pine, Ski/Snowboard, Weight Training

Student Leadership – Relay for Life, Student Parliament, SLAM!

Music – Band, Choir, Jazz

Drama – Sears Festival, One-Act Plays

Art – Arts Preview Night

Grade 8 to 9 Advice• Don’t be scared.• Be yourself.• Make smart choices.• Have the right attitude.• Do your work.• Ask for help if you

need it.• Join as many activities

as possible.• Make new friends.

Welcome to Wilson!

Grade 9 ONLY DaySeptember 6th - Lots of Activities!

Grade 8 Parent NightFebruary 9th, 7:00 PM

Wilson TourMay 2016

Questions?