Welcome to Secondary School
Grade 8 Open House
for Students & Parents
2014/2015
General Information
about Maple High School
• Semestered system - four courses per
semester, 75 minute classes
• Wide range of courses to meet needs of
individual students
• Excellent teaching and administrative staff
Key Goals of
Student Success in
Secondary Schools
Each student deserves a good outcome:
 Providing new and relevant learning opportunities
 Building on students’ interests and strengths
 Effective transitions
 Successful graduation
The Student Success Team
Administration, Student Success Teachers, Guidance Counsellors,
Special Education Teachers, Cooperative Education Teachers,
Personalized Alternative Education Teachers, Literacy Teacher,
Classroom Teachers
Working together to support:
 Student achievement
 A smooth transition to secondary school
 Success in secondary school
 Successful transition to post-secondary
Creating Pathways to Success
 New Education and Career/Life Planning Program
 All students leave secondary school with a clear plan for their
initial post-secondary destination. “Students are the architects
of their lives.”
 Pathways thinking and planning is embedded in all subjects
areas
 Each student in Grades 9-12 will have an Individual
Pathways Plan (IPP) created using Career Cruising
Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.)
for the 4 year program
12 Optional
Credits
Successful
completion of
Ontario School
Literacy Test
18
Compulsory
Credits
40 hours of
Community
Involvement
O.S.S.D
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
1
Credit in Health and Physical Education
.5 Credit in Civics & .5 Credit in Career Studies (grade 10)
Plus………..
Compulsory Credits (cont’d)
Plus:
Group 1: 1 additional credit in English, or French as a Second
Language, or a Native Language/Studies, or a Classical or an
International Language, or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or
Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance and Career Education
(including Learning Strategies), or Cooperative Education
Group 2: 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or
Business Studies, or the Arts (music, art, drama), or French as a
Second Language or Cooperative Education
Group 3: 1 additional credit in science (grade 11 or 12) or
technological education (grades 9-12), or French as a Second
Language or Computer Studies or Cooperative Education
The Grade 10 Literacy Test
 A diploma requirement.
 Administered in March of the grade 10 year
 A test based on language and communication (reading and
writing) expectations of curricula up to and including
grade 9
 Accommodations, deferrals and exemptions may be
appropriate for some students
 If standard not met in first attempt, schools will provide
remedial support; test is readministered until student
successfully completes the test or the Grade 12 Literacy
Course.
Community Involvement
 A diploma requirement
 Encourages civic responsibility, promotes community

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values and reinforces importance of volunteerism
Complete 40 hours before graduation
Can start in summer after grade 8
Student responsibility to keep record of activities
Guidelines and forms will be provided to help track
community involvement
A good way to explore career interests
COURSE PATHWAY OPTIONS
IN Gr. 9 & 10
APPLIED
ACADEMIC
LOCALLY
DEVELOPED
OPEN
TYPE
ENVIRONMENT
Guided approach to learning using
Locally
Developed practical examples and concrete
objects.
LEARNER
Need additional support
to build skills up to grade
level.
Applied
Step by step approach using practical
examples in a teacher directed
environment.
Enjoys learning by doing
and benefits from a
structured , teacher
directed setting.
Academic
Theoretical and independent approach Enjoys learning
to learning with a focus on abstract
independently and going
thinking and application skills.
beyond the related
learning; self motivated.
Open
An opportunity to explore an area of
interest for all students.
Available to all students
Compulsory Courses for Grade 9 Students
English
Applied or
Academic
Math
Science
English
Locally
Developed
Math
Science
French
Geography
Physical Education is the same for all
students. Classes are divided by Male and
Female.
New for September 2014!
GLEAM – Global Leaders of Excellence in
Academics at Maple
 Gifted Program – for students with a “Gifted”
identification through an IPRC

English, Math, Science, Geography
 Advanced Placement Preparation – for
students interested in beginning to prepare to write the
Advanced Placement exams in Grade 12


English, Math, Science, Geography
Application is required – due by January 30, 2014
Elective Courses for Grade 9 Students
Technological
Studies
Business
Studies
The Arts
Broad Based
Technology
Visual
Hairstyling
& Aesthetics
Drama
Music
Learning
Strategies
Family
Studies
Making the Choice…
 Parents and students will select courses in collaboration with
elementary school teachers, guidance counselors, student success
teachers and administrators
 It is important that students do an honest self assessment,
matching their ability with their interests and aptitudes
 Remember that initial decisions made in grade 8 are not “final”
decisions. There are many pathways to the destination your child
dreams of!
Secondary School Planning
Important to know:
 how the student learns best
 the student’s interests
 the diploma requirements to graduate
 the prerequisites for courses
 what experiential learning opportunities are available
 the admission requirements for post-secondary
opportunities (college, apprenticeship, university,
workplace)
Programs that Support Post-Secondary
Planning
 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
 Exploring Opportunities Program (EOP)
 Co-operative Education
 Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
 Dual Credit Program
Students may take advantage of these opportunities
beginning in Grade 11.
Apprenticeship Post-Secondary Pathway
 learn through ‘in-school’ and ‘on-the-job’ education and
training in a skilled trade
 over 150 skilled trades from which to choose from!
 skilled trades are in high demand and offer a rewarding
educational and career path.
 can apply to apprenticeship after graduation, OR you
can get a head start on apprenticeship while in
secondary school through Co-operative Education and
OYAP. www.oyap.com
College Post-Secondary Pathway
 College programs provide a valuable combination of
academic and practical/technical skills training for a
specific career
 Over 1000 programs to choose from including: Business
Administration, Biomedical Technology, Computer
Animation, Engineering Technology, Paramedic, Social
Services, Specialized Arts Programs
 Every college offers Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas,
Certificates and Bachelor Degrees
University  College
Post-Secondary Pathway
 Articulation agreements between colleges and universities
can earn students a degree and a diploma in four years.
 Many students attend college for a year or two as they
build self-awareness and knowledge of desired career.
They then either graduate, stay with college or transition
to university
 Multiple opportunities for transferability between colleges
and universities
University Post-Secondary Pathway
 University programs provide theoretical and some
practical training
 In general, there are 4 main types of programs at most
universities:
Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences
Life/Health Sciences
Physical/Engineering Sciences
Business/Commerce
Workplace Post-Secondary Pathway
 Many entry-level job opportunities for students who have
completed their OSSD and have workplace experience
 Students who are fast tracking into the workforce/
community directly after high school should:
work with Guidance, Student Success Teacher, Personal
Alternative Education Teacher, Classroom Teachers,
Employment Centre to create a personal portfolio to
present to potential employers
take advantage of any experiential opportunities in high
school.
Remember….
 Course and Post-Secondary Pathways
are changeable and flexible.
 As interests, skills and aptitudes develop and
mature, there will be many opportunities to
re-chart your journey.
Programs for Students at Risk of Not Meeting
Diploma Requirements
 Credit Salvaging or Recovery
 Individualized pathway planning (i.e. change of course or

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program choices)
Pathway programs (SHSM, Co-op, EOP, OYAP, Dual
Credit).
Personalized Alternative Education
Development of an Individual Education Plan
Early Leavers Re-engagement Strategy
Identified Students and Those Receiving Special
Education Services
Students who require special education support and services will
receive this support according to the needs outlined in their
I.E.P. Some may be:
 modified curriculum expectations
 alternative learning expectations
 accommodations to the learning environment; monitoring/in-class
resourcing
 methods to review student’s progress
 student transition plan to postsecondary education, work and/or
community living
ESL Support Programs
 ESL courses are provided to help students develop
proficiency in English
 Students are assessed for their level of English
proficiency in order to be placed in appropriate classes
 Courses are developed from the curriculum policy
documents
Reporting Student Achievement
Standard provincial report card:
 Documents achievement in every subject in the form of a
percentage grade
 Comments on strengths, areas for improvement, and next steps in
each subject area
 Separates reporting section for attendance and evaluating the
student’s learning skills (i.e. homework, initiative, teamwork, etc.)
 Summarizes graduation requirements including status of Gr. 10
Literacy test and community involvement
Accessing Career Cruising
for Course Selection
http://maple.hs.yrdsb.ca
Scroll Down
and Click
Elementary Course Selection Dates
 Presentations:
 January 6 – Teston Village PS
 January 8 – Michael Cranny ES
 January 9 – JA Gibson ES
 January 10 – Maple Creek PS
 January 13 – Discovery PS
 January 15 – Mackenzie Glen PS
 Registration Form – due to Grade 8 teacher on
January 31st (January 29th if requesting a transfer)
 Career Cruising Course Selections submitted by
February 18th.
www.yrdsb.ca/students
Thank you for your attention……
Please enjoy the rest
of your evening
here at
Maple High School!