Grade 8/9 Parents Night, September 30

Why Rick Hansen?

SHSMs – hospitality and Manufacturing Pathway planning Literacy Numeracy Commitments to student success – supports in

place such as extra help sessions, peer tutoring, Counting on You (literacy and numeracy), student success (Link, Lighthouse, and Legacy)

Wide range of extracurricular activities – in athletics, the arts, leadership, technology, and more…

Agenda

Life at RHSS Diploma requirements Course offerings Course selections Self directed tours

Community Feeder Schools

Fairwind Senior Public School Hazel McCallion Senior Public School Fallingbrook Middle School

We also have ESL students coming from a larger boundary area

How is Secondary School Different?

Student population (Sept. 2016 – approx. 1600 students)

School year divided into 2 semesters

• Semester 1: September to end of January

• Semester 2: February to end of June Exams at the end of each semester All grade 9 students take 8 courses (4 each semester) Students have individualized timetables Students do not rotate with their class

How is the School Day Different? School day starts at 8:30am and finishes at

3:05pm School day includes 4 classes plus a lunch

period (school has a full-service student run cafeteria)

Each classes is 75 minutes long Class rotation There are two different 75 minute lunch periods

Student Success Tips Choose the most appropriate course type Attend all classes Be on time Be engaged Complete your course work Ask for help Maintain a balanced lifestyle

Three Diploma Requirements for Students Entering Grade 9

1. 30 credits to graduate*• 18 compulsory• 12 optional

*students must earn a mark of 50% or higher to earn a credit*

Diploma Requirements (continued)

2. Completion of 40 hours of community services• Eligible to start summer prior to grade 9 year• Student’s responsibility• Track your hours online using myblueprint or

forms available in student services• Parent/family supports and monitoring is

required

Diploma Requirements (continued)

3.Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or equivalent• Written in Grade 10 (end of March)• Evaluates reading and writing skills• Designed and graded by EQAO• Ontario Literacy Course (equivalent)

Your Child's Grade 9 Program

6 Compulsory Subjects

• English

• Math

• Science

• Geography

• French

• Health and Physical Education

8 SUBJECTS 2 Optional Subjects

• 1 from the Arts

• Visual Arts (AVI 1O)

• Drama (ADA 1O)

• Instrumental Music (AMI 1O)

• Vocal Music (AMV 1O)

• Guitar (AMG 1O)

• Dance (ATC 1O)

• 1 from Business of Technology

• Information and Communication Technology (BTT 1O)

• Hospitality (TFJ 1O)

• Exploring Technologies (TIJ 1O)

Course Types

Open Locally Developed Applied Academic

Open Courses(i.e. AVI 1OO)

Suitable for all students and not specific to any particular post secondary destination

Same curriculum expectations for all students, regardless of destination

Examples

• All grade 9 optional subjects

• Grade 9 Health and Physical Education

*Staff from optional subject areas are available on the first and second floors to answer your course specific questions*

Locally Developed Courses(i.e. ENG 1L0)

Recommended by grade 8 feeder school staff Focus on essential skills using relevant and

practical (hands on) activities For students who are visual and/or concrete Offered in Math, English, and Science Leads to workplace courses in grades 11 and 12

Applied(i.e. ENG 1P0)

Concrete approaches to learning and practical applications

More demonstration and less writing/research Slower pace More teacher guided. Students are working

consistently at level 1+, 2-,or 2 in grade 8 English, French, Math, Science, and Geography Typically lead to college courses in grades 11 and

12

Academic(i.e. ENG 1D0)

Abstract approaches to learning and theoretical applications

Students should be working consistently at or above level 2+,3 or 4 in grade 8

Faster pace Greater opportunities for independent learning English, French, Math, Science, and Geography Typically leads to university, university/college, or

college type courses I grades 11 and 12

Academic or Applied?

Consider:

• Current learning skills and academic achievement

• Grade 8 teacher’s recommendation

• Post secondary plans

• Speak with compulsory subject teachers

Importance of Making the Best Decision

Student success Difficult to change a course during the semester

because:

• The timetable is built based on student choices. There may not be any spaces in the class

• Complex timetable. Changes could impact all courses being taken

Changing Pathways- is it possible?

Student achievement In consultation with parents, teacher, and

student On successful completion of a grade 9 course

(not likely to occur during the semester) Takes time

Locally Applied AcademicDeveloped

Course Selection Process Completed through grade 8 HOME SCHOOL Students will receive a yellow COURSE SELECTION FORM

to be completed in consultation with home form teacher Signed course selection form is returned to HOME

SCHOOL Students enter courses online as a class using

myblueprint Students print off a course verification sheet to be taken

home and signed by a parent Returned signed course verification sheets are sent from

the home school to the RHSS guidance department

*an opportunity for course revisions will take place in January/February to factor in teacher level recommendations

Other board / non-RHSS feeder schools – record name at guidance table. We will contact you after March 1st

Get Involved!!!

Clubs• Robotics• Chess• Weight Room• DECA• Muslim Students

Association• Christian

Fellowship• Sikh Association• and more….

Activities• Student Council• Peer Mentors• Athletics Council• Arts Council• Band• Drama• Fashion Show• Math Contests• Model UN• and more….

Teams• Badminton• Baseball• Basketball• Cricket• Golf• Soccer• Swimming• Volleyball• and more…

Student Success Tips Choose the most appropriate course type Attend all classes Be on time Be engaged Complete your course work Ask for help Maintain a balanced lifestyle

Online Resources

www.myblueprint.ca/peel www.peelschools.org (making my way) Twitter:@RHSSGuidance Rick Hansen Secondary School website

http://schools.peelschools.org/sec/rickhansen/Pages/default.aspx

(student services tab)

Questions?