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Welcome to Westdale Secondary School. Special Programs. French Immersion Music Strings Media Arts International Baccalaureate Specialist High Skills Major Arts and Culture Construction. OSSD Requirements. 30 credits 18 Compulsory 12 Elective 40 hours Community Involvement
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Special Programs • French Immersion • Music Strings • Media Arts • International Baccalaureate • Specialist High Skills Major • Arts and Culture • Construction
OSSD Requirements • 30 credits • 18 Compulsory • 12 Elective • 40 hours Community Involvement • Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement (OSSLT or OSSLC)
Compulsory Course Requirements • 4 English (1 at each grade level) • 3 Mathematics (1 at senior level) • 2 Science • 1 French • 1 Canadian History • 1 Canadian Geography • 1 Arts (Visual, Media, Music, Drama) • 1 Health and Physical Education • .5 Civics • .5 Career Studies
Compulsory CourseRequirements • 1 additional credit in English or French as a second language, or a Native language, or a classical or international language or social sciences & humanities, or Canadian and world studies or guidance & career education or cooperative education. • 1 additional credit in health and physical education or the arts or business studies or French as a second language or cooperative education. 1 additonal credit in science (grade 11 or 12) or technological education, or French as a second language, or computer studies, or cooperative education. * Co-op may only count for 2 compulsory credits
Substitutions for Compulsory Courses • Principals may replace up to three courses with courses from the remainder of those that meet the compulsory credit requirements • Substitutions can be made to promote and enhance student learning or to meet special needs
Community Involvement • Promotes community values and reinforces importance of volunteerism • A good way to explore career interests • Minimum of 40 hours completed before Graduation • Students hand in their form • once 40 hours are completed
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test • Administered in March of the Grade 10 year • Based on expectations for language and communication up to and including Grade 9 • Accommodations, and deferrals may be appropriate for some students • Literacy lunches and after school prep classes available at Westdale • Grade 12 Literacy course is available for students who have been eligible to write OSSLT at least once and have been unsuccessful
Compulsory Credits in Grade 9 • English • Mathematics • Science • Geography • Health and Physical Education • French
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Applied (P) • Focus on practical applications using familiar, real-life situations to illustrate ideas; more opportunities for hands on applications • e.g.. Demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of natural and human systems in Canada’s rural and urban landscapes. Academic (D) • Knowledge and skills developed through theory and practical applications but EMPHASIS on theory and abstract thinking as basis for future learning and problem solving • e.g.. Analyze the way in which natural systems interact with human systems and make predictions about the outcomes of these interactions.
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Locally Developed (L) • emphasize literacy, numeracy and the acquisition of learning skills. • special program for students who were not ready to take Grade 9 Applied or Academic courses because they are working on modified or highly accommodated programs at the Grade 8 level and for students who have been placed in high school.
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 Enriched Academic (DE) • Students who are talented in English and Mathematics. A grade of 85% or higher in grade 8 is strongly recommended. • Self-motivated and interested in a challenge • Course content is presented at a much faster rate than Academic, to allow time for enrichment activities beyond the scope of the curriculum
Course Types: Grades 9 & 10 • Academic PreBacc (DB) • English, Mathematics and Science courses intended for students registered in the International Baccalaureate programme • Students will be exposed to the IB syllabus, terminology and standards
Course Types • Open level courses – An opportunity to explore an area of interest for all students in one level • For example: • ADA1O1 or PPL1O1
Understanding Course Codes • ENG1D1, ENG1D1E, ENG1D1B, ENG1P1, ENG1L1 • Subject Grade Level Credit Value • ENG 1 D 1 1=9 D=academic DE =enriched DB=prebacc P=applied L=locally dev O=open
Mixing Course Types • Students can combine course types • For example: • A student with strong language skills, but relatively weaker mathematical skills may choose: • ENG1D1 • CGC1D1 • FSF1D1 • SNC1P1 • MFM1P1
Mixing Course Types • A student who is working below grade level would typically have the following courses: • ENG1L1 • CGC1P1 • FSF1P1 or possible French substitution • SNC1L1 • MFM1L1
Choosing Course Types • Grade 8 teacher recommendation on option sheet • Grade 8 marks, report card comments • Work habits • Self assessment – match ability with interests and aptitudes
Switching Course Types • Changes from Applied to Academic between Grade 9 and 10 are possible with a teacher recommendation. • Transfer course through summer school is required to go from grade 9 Applied Math to grade 10 Academic Math
Choose two Optional credits: Dramatic Arts Individual and Family Living Integrated Technologies Introduction to Information Technology Introductory Latin (prerequisite for grade 10 Latin) Music (recommended preparation for grade 10 Music) Music Strings (recommended preparation for grade 10 Strings) Visual Arts (recommended preparation for grade 10 Art)
French Immersion Program • Immersion certificate requires a total of 10 French Immersion credits, the four Francais courses required: FIF1D1I, FIF2D1I, FIF3U1I, FIF4U1I + • Students must earn 6 additional French Immersion credits • There are 14 possible choices
French Immersion Courses GRADE 9 GRADE 10 GRADE 11 GRADE 12 FIF1D1I FIF2D1I FIF3U1I FIF4U1I MPM1D1I MPM2D1I BDI3C1I Co-op SNC1D1I SNC2D1I HSP3M1I CGC1D1I CHC2D1I Co-op ADA1D1I AVI2O1I CHV/GLC2O3I FRENCH EXCHANGE PROGRAM *AVI2O1I is open to grade 9 students but can only be taken once in either grade 9 or 10.
High School Format • 2 Semesters: September to January and February to June • 4 courses each semester (first 4 in Semester 1 and remaining 4 in semester 2) • Examinations and/or culminating activities at the end of each semester • 4 classes per day • Each class is 75 minutes long
How Long Should High School Take? • 4 Years • 8 courses in Grades 9-11 then a minimum of 6 courses in Grade 12 • Limited opportunity to experience “interest” courses • Required courses for diploma and post secondary may fill timetable
How Long Should High School Take? • 4.5 - 5 Years • 8 courses in Grades 9-10 then 6 or 7 courses in each of the following years • Opportunity for broad based education including Arts, Business, Co-op, Social Sciences, Family Studies, Health and Physical Education, Tech and Computer courses • Less stressful approach to studies • Time to research career and post secondary options
Special Education Services • Learning Resource room has cross- curricular support from a variety of staff • Support provided for exceptional and non-exceptional students • Enrichment opportunities for all interested students
More Information • Please visit the Westdale website • http://schools.hwdsb.on.ca/westdale • Grade 9 Information Booklet • HWDSB Common Course Calendar
Pathways to Success UNLOCK YOUR FUTURE: www.future1234.ca • Detailed information on the four pathways: • Apprenticeship • College • University • Work
Keys to Success – Start Now! • Lay the groundwork now in Grade 8 • Establish regular, nightly homework routines • Meet assignment deadlines • Attend on a daily basis and be on time • Come to school with a positive attitude and be ready to learn
Factors Contributing to Success • Student’s timetable reflects their strengths, interests and needs • Involvement in extra-curricular activities • Open communication between home and school • Regular daily attendance • Completing and submitting all assigned work • Active parental involvement
Tips for Grade 9 Students • Remember that pathways are changeable and flexible. As interests, skills and aptitudes develop and mature there will be opportunities to re-chart the pathway.
Tips for Grade 9 Students • A successful grade 9 year is the most important goal! • Statistics show students who do not have a successful grade 9 year are at risk of leaving high school without a diploma!
A Sampling of Sports at Westdale Fall Sports _____Winter Sports Spring Sports Cross country Boys Basketball Junior Football Boys Volleyball Girls Volleyball Rowing Senior Football Rowing Boys Baseball Field Hockey Indoor Soccer Girls Slo Pitch Girls Basketball Alpine Skiing Soccer Girls Touch Football Badminton Rugby Athletic Council Hockey Tennis Indoor Track Golf Waterpolo Track & Field Cricket Ultimate Frisbee Boys Touch Football Midget Basketball
A Sampling of Activities and Clubs at Westdale Coffee House Math Club Dangerous Minds Poetry Club Orchestra Debating Team Radio Club Diversity Show Science Club Environmental Club Sci-Fi Club Grad Council Senior Band Hip Hop Dance Team Senior Jazz Band History Club Students For Political Action Improv Club Studio Productions Club Jazz Quartet Tea Club Latin Club Theatre Westdale LeRaconteur (Yearbook) Triune (Student Council)
Orientation Days • May 11, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. • Dalewood and Glen Brae • May 13, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. • Ryerson and Norwood Park • OOC students may attend on either day
Following this presentation: • Tour the school. WSS Leaders situated in hallways for directions • French Immersion presentation –auditorium • I.B. information - library • Special Education supports – room 123 • Enrichment Activities information – foyer • Application packages will be available in the foyer for students from OOC, private or catholic elementary schools