A Year of Choices and DecisionsJoanne Brown

Guidance Head, Maple High School

“Home of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Artists”

Transition Activities:Introduction to a Year of Choices & Decisions – Early

October

Take Our Gr 8’s to High School – November 5, 2014

Introduction to Career Cruising – Early December

Regional Program Application Deadlines – October/November

Grade 8 Parent Info Night – January 8, 2015

Transition Activities, cont’d:Course Selection with Career Cruising –

January/February

ESL Assessments and IPRC meetings – January/February

Student Ambassadors Visit Grade 8’s – mid April

Student Success meetings – May

Final Transition Activity – May/June

Why come to Maple HS?“Home of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Artists” Academic excellence

Leadership opportunities

Athletic pursuits

Artistic endeavours

Specialist High Skills Major programs (SHSM)

Experiential learning

Superior Broad-based Technology programs

TYPE ENVIRONMENT LEARNER

Locally Developed

Guided approach to learning using practical examples and concrete objects.

Need additional support to build skills up to grade level.

Applied Step by step approach using practical examples in a teacher directed environment.

Enjoys learning by doing and benefits from a structured , teacher directed setting.

Academic Theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on abstract thinking and application skills.

Enjoys learning independently and going beyond the related learning; self motivated.

Open An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students.

Available to all students

Advanced Placement (AP)What?

completion of examinations beyond the regular Grade 12 course content exams are set by the College Entrance Board in New Jersey, U.S.A. courses are designed to provide students with background and knowledge

equivalent to a first-year university course allow students the opportunity for enriched, intensive study in one or more

subjects of interest and strength – Grade 9 and 10 is “pre” Advanced Placement courses are recognized by many Canadian and International universities as

advanced standing for first-year study in specific coursesWhere?

Maple High SchoolEligibility?

Students should be strong in the subject area they wish to take AP level courses in and should have strong independent work skills and time management skills

Application/Registration Process? Students must submit the completed GLEAM application by January 30, 2015

and select the AP courses on their course selection

ARTS ProgramsWhat?

comprehensive arts programming in dance, drama, music and visual arts students earning a minimum of eight credits will be eligible to receive a

YRDSB “Certificate of Specialization in the Arts” to be presented at graduation

Where? West Area ARTS Program - Westmount CI, Bathurst & New Westminster

Eligibility? Admission for all Secondary Arts Programs for Grade 9 occurs through an

audition (dance, drama, music) and/or portfolio presentation (visual arts) each January.

Application/Registration Process? Information evening on October 15 at Vaughan City Playhouse next to

Westmount CI - need to RSVP for info session Applications for the program of choice are due November 28, 2014

Application forms are available on Westmount CI website at http://westmount.ci.yrdsb.ca

Bill Crothers SS Sports Programs (BCSS) What? – two available programs based on involvement in sports:

Sport For Life Student Athlete High Performance Athlete Profile

A balanced school year calendar will be followed – school begins August 1

Where? Bill Crothers SS, Unionville (407 & Kennedy Road)

Eligibility? Students must meet the criteria of either the Sport For Life Student Athlete Profile or

the High Performance Athlete Profile through an application and interview. Application/Registration Process?

Information evenings – October 7, 15 and 16 at BCSS Applications due November 7, 2014

Application available October 17th on BCSS website at http://billcrothers.ss.yrdsb.ca

French ImmersionWhat?

Students in the French Immersion program take one third of their course requirements (10 credits) in French

Upon successful completion of the program, students are granted a Certificate in French Immersion Studies.

Where?Vaughan Secondary School, Dufferin & Clark Streets

Eligibility?May enter the secondary FI program only from the elementary

FI programApplication/Registration Process?

Students who do not wish to continue in the FI program and wish to return to their local community high school are asked to notify their FI elementary school in writing.

Gifted ProgramWhat?

Gifted programming is available in Grades 9 and 10 only to students with an IPRC identification

Where? Maple High School

Eligibility? Student must have a Gifted identification through an IPRC and

must have been accessing Gifted programming during elementary school

Application/Registration Process? Students who do not wish to continue in the Gifted program and

wish to return to their local community high school, or attend one of the Regional programs, must go through an IPRC to change their placement. Please contact the Special Education Resource Teacher at the elementary school.

International Baccalaureate (IB)What?

an alternative program where students complete their OSSD and work toward an IB diploma or certificate(s)

recognized internationally as a demanding pre-university course of study

designed for students aged 16 to 19 (Grades 11 and 12) who are committed to completing courses and external examinations in six different subject areas – English, French, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics), Humanities (History or Economics), and Arts (Music, Drama or Visual Arts); as well as an extended essay (EE), 150 Creativity, Action and Service volunteer hours, and a Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course

to prepare for the diploma program in grades 11 and 12, students will begin in the pre-IB program in grades 9 and 10.

Where? Bayview SS, Major Mackenzie & Bayview

Eligibility? Profile of an IB Student - Interested in internationalism

University-bound Well-rounded A leader A high achiever A volunteer and a giver Someone who wants to take control of his or her education

Application/Registration Process? IB Information and Application meeting – October 30, 2014 Pre-IB Assessment Test (for entry into Grade 9 in September 2015)

– Saturday, November 29, 2014 – assessment of English, French and Math skills at the Grade 8 level - all multiple choice questions.

Information available on the Bayview SS website at www.bayview.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Transfer ProcessAn official transfer request must be completed

if a student wishes to attend a school that is NOT their local community high school.This does not include any other YRDSB Regional

program.Does not apply if the student and parents are

physically moving to the other school’s boundary area.

Transfer request must be submitted to the local community high school at the time that the registration and course selections forms are due (late January).

Transfer Process, cont’dTransfer forms are signed by the “sending”

principal and taken to the board’s Transfer meeting.

Depending on YRDSB parameters (some schools are “closed” to transfers), “receiving” principals and superintendants sign the form if the transfer is accepted.

The “receiving” school will contact the student to confirm the transfer and confirm the course selections.

The student will be removed from the rolls of the “sending” school.

Who to contact with questions:Your son/daughter’s Grade 8 teacher

Maple High SchoolHead of Guidance – Joanne Brown joanne.brown@yrdsb.ca