Point Grey Secondary Course Planning Night 2014

1. Point Grey SecondaryCourse Planning Night 2014 Welcome!

2. Contact Information Janice Sim Grade 8 Counsellor 604-713-8220 jsim@vsb.bc.ca

3. The Course Planning Process Counsellor presents course planning informationto students during the first two weeks of February. Students make selections: • Selections should be well researched • Read the course planning guide which is available on our school website • If more information is required check-in with the course’s current subject teacher • Discuss choices with parent/guardian Parent/guardian sign course planning sheet toindicate their acknowledgment of student’s choices. Choices should be firm and signed sheets returned by Friday, February 28th, 2014. Course selections are entered into BCESIS before Spring Break. Schedules are generated randomly and based upon student requests. Timetabling conflicts that may arise will addressed throughout term three.

4. Core Courses • English 9 • Social Studies 9 • Science 9 0r Honours Science 9 • Mathematics 9 or Honours Mathematics 9 or Foundations/Pre-calculus 10 • Physical Education 9 Girls/Boys or Honours Physical Education 9 Girls/Boys

5. Grade 9 Honours Courses Honours courses (sometimes called ‘Enriched’) are offered in Science, Mathematics and Physical Education for the Grade 9 year. An Honours course covers the same material as the regular course, but there is an opportunity to enrich the content. Honours courses provide a solid foundation for students in their subsequent years, though they do not earn extra credits. In general, students in Honours courses have maintained grades of “A” in the prerequisite Grade 8 course and have demonstrated interest, ability and dedication in that field. Teachers in the honours subject department will determine who is a suitable candidate. Students will be informed later if they have been granted a space. Report Cards and school records will now show your marks for these courses identified as "Honours”. However, official transcripts from the B.C. Ministry of Education will simply identify the base course with no "Honours" label.

6. Language Electives • French 8 • French 9 • French 10 • Japanese 9 • Beginner Spanish 11 is available for students entering Grade 10 only

7. Fine Arts Electives • Art 9 • Visual Art 3-d 9 (Ceramics and Sculpture) • Drama 9 • Concert Band Beginners • Concert Band • Jazz Band (Off timetable) • Strings • Junior Concert Choir • Junior Concert Choir (Off timetable)

8. Applied Skills Electives • Keyboarding 9 • Food Studies 9 • Clothing and Textiles 9 • Information Technology 9 • Graphic Communication 9 • Technology 9 (Drafting) • Technology 9 (Woodworking )

9. Health and Career Education The aim of Health and Career Education 8 and 9 is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will assist them in making informed decisions related to their health, their education, and their future careers. • Students will become informed decision makers, able to understand the effects of their choices on themselves and others • Students will be able to access information and support relevant to health and career topics. • Students will develop an understanding of their growing personal responsibility forattaining and maintaining their overall health and well-being, and for identifying and exploring their education and career goals. • Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable them to plan for their successful transition into the graduation years. (Taken from Health and Career Education Integrated Resource Package found at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/hce89.pdf)

10. Learning Support:Skills Development Centre (SDC) The primary purpose of the Skills Development Centre is to assist students in achieving to their full potential in all academic areas. The SDC is staffed with a SDC teacher and a Resource teacher. Students receive one-to-one assistance where concepts are clarified, re-taught and reinforced. Students also have access to course resource materials. “Skills” blocks are assigned in consultation with teachers, resource team, student and parents. The Skills Development Centre is recommended for students who experience difficulty with the following: • organization • time management • study skills • learning strategies • classroom adaptations

11. English as a Second Language Student placement in ESL classes is based on: • English language proficiency • comprehensive assessments of students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities • the professional judgement of teachers in both regular and ESL classes As a student’s ability in the English language increases he/she is placed in an increasing number of regular academic and elective classes. Any ESL student whose English skills are such that they can successfully meet the demands of a regular English class are offered one or two blocks of additional English language support in an ELC class (English Language Centre) until this support is no longer needed.

12. Sources for Further Research As you course plan for next year, and begin to consider your path for the future you will likely require more information. Please take the time to take advantage of the following sources during your investigation: 1. Talk to other students in your grade and higher grades. 2. Visit teachers of subjects in your areas of interest to learn more. 3. Discuss with parents, other family members and important adults in your life your interests and plans 4. Read in more detail the "Course Planning Guide2014-2015", available on Point Grey's website, pointgreysecondary.ca. 5. Logon to Career Cruising for information about educational and career planning (www.careercruising.com; User id - pgss; Password - careers) 6. See me in the counselling suite for more information