Welcome to Thornhill Secondary School OPEN HOUSE For Grade 8 Students Families

1. Welcome to Thornhill Secondary School OPEN HOUSE For Grade 8 Students & Families You may want to change the title to the name of your school.You may want to change the title to the name of your school.

2. Special Programs in Our School Emphasis on literacy and numeracy Advanced Placement courses available Co-operative Education including HPA & OYAP Special Education including Gifted and Autism Programs ESL, Alternate Education Programs Highlight the special programs you have at your school. - Elite Athlete - Arts Programs - Alternative Education Programs - Apprenticeship OpportunitiesHighlight the special programs you have at your school. - Elite Athlete - Arts Programs - Alternative Education Programs - Apprenticeship Opportunities

3. Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.) for the 4 year program 18 Compulsory Credits + 12 Optional Credits =30 Total Credits (110 Hours each) + Successful completion of the Ontario Sceondary School Literacy Test 40 Hours of Community Involvement OSS 3.1 Used to be 16 compulsory credits; now 18 Used to be 14 optional credits; now 12 Same total of 30 credits as in the past and still 110 hours per credit. 2 non-credit requirements under the new system Completion of all of the credits without successful completion of the literacy test and/or community involvement results in no diploma. OSS 3.1 Used to be 16 compulsory credits; now 18 Used to be 14 optional credits; now 12 Same total of 30 credits as in the past and still 110 hours per credit. 2 non-credit requirements under the new system Completion of all of the credits without successful completion of the literacy test and/or community involvement results in no diploma.

4. 18 Compulsory Credits 4 Credits in English (1 credit per grade) 1 Credit in French as a Second Language 3 Credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Gr. 11 or 12) 2 Credits in Science 1 Credit in Canadian History 1 Credit in Canadian Geography 1 Credit in the Arts (Music,Visual Arts, Drama) 1 Credit in Health and Physical Education .5 Credit in Civics &.5 Credit in Career Studies (grade 10) Still one credit in English every year. Increased requirement in Math - to 3 credits from 2. New requirement - Civics & Career Education; importance of learning about citizenship as well as planning for life. Still one credit in English every year. Increased requirement in Math - to 3 credits from 2. New requirement - Civics & Career Education; importance of learning about citizenship as well as planning for life.

5. Compulsory Credits (cont�d.) Included in the 30 credits are one from each of the following: GROUP 1 - Guidance & Career Education, English, a Third Language, a Social Science, Canadian and World Studies or Cooperative Education GROUP 2 - Health and Physical Education, or Business Studies, or the Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama) or Cooperative Education GROUP 3 - Science (grades 11 or 12), or Technological Education (grades 9-12) or Cooperative Education

6. 12 Optional Credits Optional credits allow students to build an educational program over the four years that suits their individual interests and meets university, college, apprenticeship or work requirements. OSS 3.1.2 Students may choose to focus their courses in a certain area or balance them to learn about a variety of different areas. OSS 3.1.2 Students may choose to focus their courses in a certain area or balance them to learn about a variety of different areas.

7. Optional Courses for Gr. 9 Students Music Visual Art Dramatic Art Learning Strategies Business Studies Family Studies Technological Studies

8. Students will choose courses from four pathways: APPLIED ACADEMIC OPEN ESSENTIAL Pathway Options in Gr. 9 & 10 OSS 4.1/4.2 The streaming or organization of courses is one of the most complex issues of secondary school organization. This is the key question that many countries and most provinces are faced with as they make decisions about how to develop and organize the curriculum in their high schools. This model meets two goals: the need for students to have a firm foundation in the essential knowledge and skills and the need for students to also have the more specialized knowledge and skills which are essential for them to prepare for their first postsecondary destinationOSS 4.1/4.2 The streaming or organization of courses is one of the most complex issues of secondary school organization. This is the key question that many countries and most provinces are faced with as they make decisions about how to develop and organize the curriculum in their high schools. This model meets two goals: the need for students to have a firm foundation in the essential knowledge and skills and the need for students to also have the more specialized knowledge and skills which are essential for them to prepare for their first postsecondary destination

9. Gr. 9 & 10 Definition of Course Pathways Choose course pathways according to individual learning style. APPLIED: Students must be working at or above grade level. A step by step approach to learning using theory and practical examples. ACADEMIC: Students must be working at or above grade level. A theoretical and independent approach to learning with a focus on critical thinking skills. ESSENTIAL/LOCALLY DEVELOPED: Students are working below grade level in Math, English and Science. A guided approach to learning using practical examples and concrete objects. OPEN: An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students

10. Making the Choice� Select courses in collaboration with elementary school teachers Honest self-assessment, matching ability with interests and aptitudes Choices made for gr. 9 are not �final� decisions. There are many pathways to the destination of your child�s dreams. Students interested in changing a course pathway for grade 10 should seek a recommendation from their teacher. OSS 5.3 Keeping in mind that both types of courses are equally rigorous and both prepare the student for the next level of high school, decisions need to be based on the best type of learning for the student and on interests, not on ability. Emphasize that being able to choose between two course types and two different approaches to learning should be based on which course will provide the student with better chances for SUCCESS in gr. 9. OSS 5.3 Keeping in mind that both types of courses are equally rigorous and both prepare the student for the next level of high school, decisions need to be based on the best type of learning for the student and on interests, not on ability. Emphasize that being able to choose between two course types and two different approaches to learning should be based on which course will provide the student with better chances for SUCCESS in gr. 9.

11. Course PathwaysCompulsory Courses ACADEMIC / APPLIED ESSENTIAL / Loc.Dev. English English Math Math Science Science French History Geography

12. GIFTED COURSES Students must be identified as �gifted� prior to arrival at Thornhill S.S. Students must choose at least 4 gifted courses to stay in program. Available in gr. 9 & 10 (Engl., Math, Geog., Hist., Science & French) Accommodate different grade levels as well as learning styles ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES Senior courses (Gr. 11 & 12) Courses offered in Math, Biology, English, World History, Economics and Computer Science Recognized for advanced placement in universities Academically challenging

13. The Pathways to Post-Secondary Students in Ontario have many options for post secondary training. They can choose from 28 colleges, 19 universities, hundreds of private career colleges and over 140 apprenticeship opportunities.

14. School Timetable 2008-09

15. Clubs & Groups Art Athletic Council Avid Readers Band Black History BOSS Chess Chinese Association Christian Fellowship Choir Circle of Friends Debating DECA Equity & Anti-Racism ELL Homework Club ELL Sports Club Gay-Straight Alliance Guitar HEAL Jewish Culture History Advisory Board Investment Korean Student Association Math Mentors Music Council Muslim/Jewish Student Dialogue Newspaper Peer Literacy & Numeracy Team Prefect League Prom Reach for the Top Red Cross Science Olympics Scrabble & Boggle Semi Formal Space Tech Crew Yearbook

16. Sports & Activities Badminton Baseball Basketball Cross Country Ski Fashion Show Field Hockey Fitness Room Golf Hockey Outdoor Ed. School Dances Ski & Snowboard Slo-Pitch Soccer Special Olympics Swimming Table Tennis Terry Fox Walk/Run Thornhill Festival Track & Field Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball Walk Against Aids Walk Against Male Violence Weight Room

17. Transfer Process If your child wishes to transfer to Thornhill S.S: Select courses electronically Submit a printable version of course selection to your home elementary school Attach a transfer form obtained at your home elementary school to your course selection sheet The elementary school will submit all of the above to your designated home high school High School Principals make transfer decisions based on enrolment Registration packages are available in our front foyer tonight for: Students new to our attendance area Students in our attendance area not currently attending a YRDSB school

18. Websites For links to more information on high school programming, the YRDSB course calendar and process for course selection, visit www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca For post-secondary options and career exploration, visit �About High School� at: www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.services and www.myblueprint.ca (Activation: thornhills) Visit our school website and click on �Guidance� at www.thornhill.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

19. Thank you for attending this presentation. We look forward to seeing you in September! We welcome you to visit our school. Please direct all questions to our staff.