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Welcome To Semester Information Night. Agenda. PROCESS AND HISTORY THE ‘BASICS’ OF SEMESTERS FREQUENT QUESTIONS IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING. HISTORY. Recurring Issue Parents, staff and students have raised the question Previously, creative solutions to its challenges have been enough
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Agenda PROCESS AND HISTORY THE ‘BASICS’ OF SEMESTERS FREQUENT QUESTIONS IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING
HISTORY • Recurring Issue • Parents, staff and students have raised the question • Previously, creative solutions to its challenges have been enough • 34 credit cap, new enrollment pressure changed the outlook in 2012-2014
Which System is Better? • No clear or definitive answer • Benefits and drawbacks to both • Focus became key areas identified as important to WCI in ANY timetable: • Mentorship Culture • Common Lunch • Length of Period • Enrollment • Resources • Student and Staff Workload
PROCESS • Timetable Committee 2012 • Heads Council 2013 • Senior Administration • Staff Survey • 34 Credit Gr. 11 and 12 Student Survey • School Council • Education Council, Executive Council • Trustees • Decision by Principal
Factors that “Tipped the Balance” • Student Workload • Guided Practice • Effective Use of TIME (Common lunch, e-learning, collaborative learning) • Pathway Flexibility (Failures, reach ahead, ESL) • Mid-year Registration • Fewer Transitions • Enrollment – 34 credit data, transfer data • Classroom Materials • Student and Staff Workload
A Decision is Made… …and we are taking time on the HOW. WCI IS CHANGING TO A SEMESTER SCHEDULE IN SEPTEMBER 2015
SEMESTER SCHEDULE THE BASICS • Most Common; 2 day rotation, 74 min. periods, 60 min common lunch • Same course selection • Computer will schedule 4 classes in Semester 1 and 4 classes Semester 2
Most Common Questions QUESTION Gaps in Learning? Homework? Programs: AP, Magnets, Special Education, VIP? ANSWER Spiral curriculum, teacher adjustment, special case exceptions. Less subjects, faster pace, in-class time, reasonable timelines still needed. Proper Implementation! Full year options, either scheduled or co-curricular.
Most Common Questions QUESTION Grade 12 or 5th year, how does it work? ANSWER Semesters will allow 4, 4.5 or 5 years within the 34 credit cap. Students may split a final 4 credits in their 5th year in two each semester.
Communication • IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE • TIMETABLE by END of OCTOBER • Program Planning • WEBSITE – Principal Updates • NEWSLETTERS, PARENT LETTERS • COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION • ASSEMBLIES and CLASS VISITS • INDIVIDUAL Pathway Counselling • INFORMATION NIGHTS • Sept. 25 • TBD-Close to Course Selection Time • EMAIL QUESTIONS TO • jennifer_shortreed@wrdsb.on.ca • james_shantz@wrdsb.on.ca
Have a Great Evening If you chose to do so, you may…. Find one of our team to answer your questions, Write your questions on the handout provided, Request a phone call to discuss your questions on the handout provided, Watch the Website for more updates and information.