Welcome to
Emily Carr
Secondary School
We look forward to your arrival in Grade 9
on Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Excellence with
Character
Success with
Support
AGENDA
• About Emily Carr Secondary School• S.W.A.T. Team• P.A.L.S. Program• Diploma Requirements• Pathways and Course Types• IPP – Individual Pathway Plan• Package Contents• Online Course Selection Instructions• Co-Curricular Activities/Sports Teams• Ask us a Question• Dates to Remember
About Emily Carr Secondary School
We are the home of the Emily Carr
Thunderbirds!
A Typical Day
Period 1 8:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
Period 2 9:25 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Period 3 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.LUNCH grades 9 and 11
Period 4 12:05 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.LUNCH grades 10 and 12
Period 5 1:25 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
S.W.A.T. Team
Students Working All Together
• S.W.A.T. is an acronym that stands for Students Working All Together.
• It is built on the belief that students can help other students succeed.
• At ECSS we have Grade 11 and 12 mentors that will be supporting our entire Grade 9
cohort.
• As a Grade 9 student you will have a mentor.
• More and more studies show that if students have a positive experience in their first year
in high school, then their chance for success increases dramatically overall.
• As parents and teachers, we understand that the transition to a larger school can
sometimes be overwhelming, and we feel that the S.W.A.T. team will have a positive, long
lasting impact.
P.A.L.S. Program
Peer Assisted Learning Support
• This is a student run program that is supervised by 2 teacher advisors.
• Students can receive additional support from their peers for courses they
may be struggling in.
• Currently, it runs on Mondays and Wednesdays during the lunch hours in
the Library Presentation Room.
• Interested students are required to complete a request form (found in the
Guidance & Career Education Office), sign it, and have a
parent/guardian sign the form as well.
Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.)
for the 4 year program
O.S.S.D.
18 Compulsory
Credits
12 Optional Credits
Successful completion of Ontario School Literacy Test
40 hours of Community Involvement
18 Compulsory Credits
4 Credits in English (1 credit per grade)
1 Credit in French as a Second Language
2 Credits in Science
3 Credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Grade 11 or 12)
1 Credit in Canadian History
1 Credit in Canadian Geography
1 Credit in the Arts
1 Credit in Health and Physical Education
.5 Credit in Civics and Citizenship & .5 Credit in Career Studies (Grade 10)
Plus………..
Plus… 3 Group Compulsory Credits
Group 1 One additional credit in English, or French as a Second Language,
or a Native Language, or a Classical or an International Language,
or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian and World
Studies, or Guidance and Career Education (including Learning
Strategies), or Cooperative Education
Group 2 One additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or Business Studies, or the Arts (Music, Art, Drama, Native Studies), or French as a Second Language or Cooperative Education
Group 3: One additional credit in Science (Grade 11 or 12) or Technological Education (Grades 9-12), or French as a Second Language or Computer Studies or Cooperative Education
A Minimum of 12 Elective Credits
• This will allow you to customize your educational
program depending on your chosen destination
The Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School
Literacy Test - OSSLT
• A diploma requirement
• Administered in March or April of your Grade 10 year
• Accommodations, deferrals, and exemptions may be appropriate for some students
• If the standard is not met in the first attempt, schools will provide remedial support; test is re-administered until student successfully completes the test, or the Grade 12 Literacy Course
Community Involvement
• A diploma requirement
• Encourages civic responsibility, promotes
community values, and reinforces importance of
volunteerism
• Complete 40 hours before graduation
• Can start the summer after Grade 8
• Requires prior approval
• Student responsibility to keep record of activities
• For a list of eligible activities please refer to the
YRDSB website at:http://www.yrdsb.ca/Programs/Guidance/CommunityInvolvement
or the Guidance link of the ECSS website for
details and to print the form
COURSE TYPES
IN GR. 9 & 10
APPLIED ACADEMIC OPENLOCALLY
DEVELOPED
Type Approach
APPLIED Step by step approach to
learning using theory and
practical examples.
ACADEMIC Theoretical and independent
approach to learning with a
focus on critical thinking skills
LOCALLY
DEVELOPED
Guided approach to learning
using practical examples and
concrete objects.
OPEN An opportunity to explore an
area of interest for all students
Considerations
Working at or above grade
level
Working at or above grade
level
Working below grade level in
Math, English and Science
Available to all students
COURSE TYPES IN GR. 9 & 10 EXPLAINED
ACADEMIC● move at a quicker
pace
● more abstract,
independent activities
● emphasize theoretical,
abstract applications
APPLIED● smaller class size
● more hands-on,
concrete activities
● more directed
activities
● set high
expectations
● cover the
essential concepts
of the discipline
Academic and Applied Courses
Course Pathways
English Mathematics
Science French
History Geography
APPLIED OR ACADEMIC
English
Mathematics
Science
LOCALLY DEVELOPED
Applied Academic
Crossover from 9 to 10
GRADE 9 GRADE 10
Academic Applied
Applied Academic
Crossover from one type to the other
is possible for English, French, or Science.
Mathematics is Different …
• Crossing over from applied to academic in
Mathematics is not necessary because both
pathways lead to the most intense Grade 12
Mathematics course, Calculus and Vectors,
if you wish.
• The only difference is that the academic
pathway is shorter by one course
Mathematics Pathways
The Academic and
Applied Mathematics
pathway can lead you to
the same Grade 12
Mathematics courses.
The only DIFFERENCE is
that the Applied pathway
has 1 extra course.
Take the pathway that
fits with the way you
learn best and consult
with your Gr. 8 teacher.
ACADEMIC PATHWAY APPLIED PATHWAY
Grade 9 Academic Grade 9 Applied
Grade 10 Academic Grade 10 Applied
Grade 11 Functions (U)
Grade 11 Functions and
Applications (M)
and
Grade 12 Mathematics for
Technology (C)
Grade 12 Advanced
Functions (U)
Grade 12 Advanced
Functions (U)
Grade 12 Calculus
and Vectors (U)
Grade 12 Calculus
and Vectors (U)
Course Selection
• A Grade 9 student at ECSS will take the following 6 compulsory subjects PLUS 2 electives.
▫ English
▫ Mathematics
▫ Science
▫ Geography
▫ French
▫ Physical Education
+ 2 elective courses
OPTIONAL COURSES FOR
GRADE 9 STUDENTS
Technological Studies
Broad Based
Technology
Computer Studies
Business Studies The Arts
Visual
Drama
Music
Expressing Aboriginal Cultures
Learning Strategies
Family Studies
Choosing Courses for Grade 9
Select courses in
collaboration with your
parent/guardians and
your elementary
support team
Students should do
an honest self-
assessment,
matching their
ability with their
interests and
aptitudes.
Consider your ability based on
Grade 8 marks, the elementary
teacher’s recommendation,
your work habits/learning skills,
learning style, and your
interests.
There are many
pathways to initial
post-secondary
destinations
Remember that
initial decisions
made in grade 8 are
not “final” pathway
decisions
IPP-Individual Pathway Planner Creating Pathways to Success
• As you move through school and in life, you will make
many choices about your education and career plans.
• Beginning next year you will create an Individual
Pathways Plan (IPP) and start recording:
what you have learned about yourself
opportunities available to you
your goals
plans to achieve your goals
IPP-
The Individual Pathway Planner Creating Pathways to Success
• IPP tool is found in your “My Pathway Planner”
• As students proceed in high school they focus on education and career/life interests, choices, goals and plans
• To be reviewed and revised by students at least twice each year
• Can be accessed on all electronic devices
• Please go to www.yrdsb.ca to the Student and Parent pages for more information
• Start by going online and visiting: www.yrdsb.ca
• Follow the instructions provided in your package
To Access Your Pathway Planner
and Course Selection
Your Course Selection Package
Includes:
• Information on how to access the online YRDSB Regional and School Course Directory
• YRDSB Registration Form
• Invitation to Grade 8 Information Session(Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
• Letter re: Transfer Requests
• Key differences between Applied and Academic courses
• Instructions for Online Course Selection
• Checklist of Diploma Requirements
Student Login Page
Log in using your
gapps account
credentials
Student Account Home
How to Choose your Courses
Click “High School” to
choose courses
Course Descriptions
Descriptions under the
“Courses Tab”
Adding Courses to your High School Plan
Click on
the box
+ Course
to select
from
courses
offered
Click on the box to add a course
Complete and Submit Courses
Click here to review
after completing
You must choose 8 courses
After school Music Repertoire course
can be added as 9th “Add Course”
Must submit a minimum of 2
alternatives
Review and Submit
STEP 1-
Review your
courses
STEP2-
Click Submit
Print Sign Off Sheet
Print, parent or guardian signature and hand-in to homeroom
teacher.
Where Can I Find A Full List of ECSS
Course Offerings?
• Right on the My Pathway Planner site – see the
instructions you receive today
• On the ECSS website under the Guidance link.
Here you may print off the full 2 page list of course
offerings per grade or even print off the entire
ECSS calendar of offerings.
• If you lose your instruction sheet, you may print off
another copy from the Guidance link as well.
Finding a Full List of ECSS Course
Offerings
Click on the
GUIDANCE
Link
Click on
Course
Offerings
and then
click on
Catalogue
and
Descriptions
ECSS Course Offerings List
Click on the Course Name for a Detailed
Description
Co-Instructional ActivitiesCharacter Matters!
Creative Writers’/Book Club
DECA
Drama Council
Drama Ninjas
Empowering Student Partnership
French Language Speech Arts Contest
Gaming Club
HOSA
2SLGBTQ+
Jazz Choir
Leaders in Equity and Diversity
Math Club
Math, Science, Computer Contests
Music Council
Peer Assisted Learning
Announcement Crew
Prom Committee
Robotics Club
Science Olympics
Spring Drama Production
Stage Band
S.W.A.T.
Student Council
Student Tutors
Weight Room Club
***Based on student interest and teacher
availability
ECSS Sports Teams
FALL
Cross Country
Jr. Girls’ Basketball
Sr. Girls’ Basketball
Golf
Jr. Boys’ Soccer
Sr. Boys’ Soccer
Tennis Jr. & Sr.
Jr. Boys’ Volleyball
Sr. Boys’ Volleyball
***Based on student interest and
teacher coach availability
WINTER
Hockey
Jr. Badminton
Sr. Badminton
Swimming (mid-season)
Jr. Girls’ Volleyball
Sr. Girls’ Volleyball
SPRING
Boys’ Baseball
Girls’ Slo-Pitch
Jr. Girls’ Soccer
Sr. Girls’ Soccer
Table Tennis
Track & Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Dates to Remember:
Your Secondary School Student Registration form is due to Emily Carr by Friday, January 31, 2020.
Follow the instructions you have been given to select your courses.
Print your final selections by the date given to you by your teacher.
Your signed Course Selection form is due back to ECSS by Monday, February 24, 2020.
You will be given a final opportunity to verify and confirm your selections in the April/May.