For parents of students entering Grade 10

Course Selection Presentation

The STS Senior School

• To develop well-balanced students for a life of purpose by inspiring excellence in scholarship, leadership and character.

Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Senior School Co-Curricular Opportunities (Mr. Julian)

3. Outdoor Education Program and Application Process (Mr. Hendricks)

4. MYP in Grade 10 (Ms. Conway)

5. What to expect in Grade 11 and 12 (Mr. Julian)

6. Grade 10 Course Selection (Mr. Julian)

7. Meet and Greet with Academic and Program Leaders

• Kinsey and Company (2007 and 2011) reported that teachers are the single biggest factor in determining academic achievement by students

• This finding has been confirmed by other studies.

Welcome and Introductions

Curriculum Leaders

• Ms. Jane Abboud - Modern Languages

• Mr. Scott McKay – Social Studies

• Ms. Michelle Melton - Mathematics

• Ms. Nicole Egli - Science

• Mr. Dale Roth - Physical Education

• Mr. Nick Straub - Language Arts

• Mr. Brian Uzick - Fine Arts

Welcome and Introductions

Directors and Program Leaders (there are many others!)• Mr. Larry Clark - Director of Student Services• Ms. Jennifer Conway - MYP Coordinator• Mr. Kirk Bodnar - MYP Personal Project Coord.• Ms. Jana-Lynn Caines - University Counsellor• Mr. Bruce Hendricks - Director of Outdoor Education• Mr. Chris Ruskay - DP Coordinator (IB)• Mr. Chris Schneider - Assistant Principal of Senior School and

MUN

Welcome and Introductions

• Mr. Len Fink - Director of Speech and Debate

• Mr. Daniel Hall - Director of Fine Arts

• Mr. Ken Zelez - Director of Athletics

• Ms. Christie Smith - Student Exchange Coordinator

• Ms. Alanna Wellwood - Director of Academic Programming

• Mr. Zubair Kassam - Director of Curriculum and Instruction

• Educational research indicates that brain development and enrichment come from an EQUAL combination of the Arts, Physical Activity and Academics.

(“Enriched Environments and the Brain”, Teaching with the Brain in Mind)

• We believe in developing well-balanced individuals in an environment that emphasizes academic rigour, leadership, character development, self-expression, physical fitness, service and a global perspective;

From STS’s Guiding Principles

BAND AND CHOIR

Jazz Band (Senior School)

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

Speech and Debate

International Speech Competitions:

Great Britain Lithuania South AfricaUnited States Australia Hong Kong

Round Square

GuatemalaIndia Conference

Florida Conference

Preconference Rockies

MUSICAL

Athletics

Athletics

Other Programs and Teams:

Golf BadmintonClimbing Club Field Hockey (Girls)Track and Field Reach for the Top

BORDERLESS LEARNING TIME (BLT)

• Foster Internationalism

• Cultural Awareness

• Personal Growth

• Alternate academic experience

• Make friends and have a great time

Round Square Student Exchanges

Recent exchange partnerships

• Applications are now available, see Ms. Smith

• Application deadline March 17, 2017

• Candidate interviews – April 2017

• Final selections – May, 2017

• Exchanges occur between July 2017-August 2018

ROUND SQUARE EXCHANGES

• Family support

• Academic ability to be away from school (80% average in core classes if school will be missed)

• Application Letter

• Character/leadership

Selection Criteria

• Film Studies• Drama• Visual Art• Design• Sports Medicine• International Politics• A Second Modern Language Course• Outdoor Education

* Instumental Music 10 (Band) – takes place two mornings a week.

Grade 10 Elective Choices

OEMr. Hendricks, Director of

Outdoor Education

OEGrade 10 Option

Why Take OE?

• To develop knowledge, skills and abilities in selected outdoor activities

– With these skills as a base you can pursue and enjoy your choice of outdoor pursuit activities for the rest of your life

• Backpacking, Ski touring, Navigation using map & compass, Trip planning, Safety management, First Aid and Emergency response

• To discover and develop some of your own personal talents and capabilities

– problem solving, persistence, ability to work well with others, adaptability, positive mental attitude

• To have fun with peers and to get to know them better

• To enhance your personal fitness and level of well-being

Structure, Activities, Content

• Course Structure– Year long option course– Meets Alberta Education

Requirements• 6 credits• Delivered via customized CTS modules• 6 outdoor trips (1 x one-day, 5 x three-

days)

– Intentional progression design• Class session preparation for trip

application• Trips build on one another

• Activities– Personal safety management– Backpacking– Navigation & Routefinding– Backcountry ski touring– Avalanche safety training– Wilderness First Aid– Orienteering / Rogaine– Leadership

• Content– Outdoor skills

• Trip planning• Outdoor Activity skills• Self-care • Group-care

– Life skills• Personal organization• Working effectively with others• Decision-making• Dealing with difficulty• Leadership

– Curriculum outcomes

Who? How? Why? • Reasons for limited spaces (39)

– Land management quotas

– Group management in the field

– Intentionality

– Commitment to be involved

• Student profile range

– Outdoor keener

– General interest

– ‘Not what you’d expect’

• No outdoor background

• Not an ‘athlete’

• Past ‘bad’ experience in outdoors

• Application process

1. OE Application package (online)

• March 13, 2017 deadline

2. Select OE as a course choice

• March 13, 2017 deadline

3. Challenge Hike participation

4. Fall Parent Briefing

Assessment, Certification, Finances

• MYP Assessment– Quizzes

– Exams

– Field performance• Trip planning

– Routecard

– Logbook

• Activity skills– Camp craft

– Navigation & routefinding

• Self-care /Group-care– Meal planning & prep

– Thermoregulation

– Organization

– Projects

• Certification options– 24 hr Wilderness First Aid

• Recognized by AB Workplace, Health & Safety

– Avalanche Skills Training I• Canadian Avalanche Assoc. (CAA)

Curriculum

• Industry recognized

– Companion Rescue (CAA)

– Leave No Trace (LNT)

• Financial considerations– Projected trip costs

• Challenge hike - $95.00

• Backpacking 1 - $105.00

• Safe Winter Travel - $350.00

• Backcountry skiing - $500.00

– Billing process• Charged to school account

MYPMs. Jennifer Conway, Middle

Years Programme Coordinator

MYP in Grade 10

• Report both MYP Final Grades and percentage grades on report cards

• 15 hours of community and service

• Completion of the Personal Project

Why the Personal Project?

PYP Exhibition

MYP Personal Project

DP Extended

Essay

Indications of a students ability to direct and manage their own learning

Sampling of Past Projects

How does cycling sustain an

environmentally friendly

community?

How can technology enhance

relationships building within a

community?

What effect can common plants like the dandelion have

on the human body?

What is the nature and purpose of

creativeexpression?

Goal: inform the STS and Calgary communities on the environmental benefits, as well as the fun, of cycling through informational videos, posters and trail maps.

Goal: to combine an interest in technology and community volunteering to create a website which helps youth find volunteer opportunities.

Goal: to design and complete a lab on whether or not dandelions had antibacterial properties.

Goal: create a picture book which will be printed and read to children at various hospitals.

How is it supported?

• 25 hour requirement – this can be met via scheduled sessions in the timetable

• Introduced to Grade 9 students after exhibition to give them time to brainstorm before September

• Students will begin the project mid-September, after Grade 10 camp

• Each student is assigned an advisor who checks in with them to monitor and encourage progress

SSC Student ServicesProgress MeetingsAdvisor Peer TutoringTutorialsOne on one help

What to Expect in Grade 11 and 12

• More Course Choices – Sciences and Economics

• IB Diploma Programme

• Student Driving

• More Leadership Opportunities

• Lots of Great Programs!

University Counselling

• Support for students in CALM in Grade 10 and University Planning class in Grades 11 and 12.

• University Tour in Grade 11.

• Support investigating university programs.

• Application process for US and overseas universities begins in Grade 11.

• Schedule a meeting with Ms. Caines to discuss university plans.

Course Selection Process

Please refer to:

• the STS Academic Program handout

• the Grade 10 Course Selection Instructions

• the Course Descriptions Booklet

• Course Selections will be done online – a link will be emailed to students.

• Please submit course choices by March 13, 2017. No changes will be permitted between March 13 and June 1, 2017 and after that, if space permits.