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1.
2.
3.
4.
Student Life
Diploma Requirements
Course Types
Course Selection for Grade 9
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You belong to one of our many
feeder schools:
Beatty-Fleming Senior Public School
Huttonville Public School
Royal Orchard Middle School
Roberta Bondar Public School
You will have opportunities to meet students from other
schools during orientation activities and make new
friends!
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How is secondary school
different?
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




A lot more students-approximately 1850
School year divided in 2 semesters per year
Semester 1-September -January
Semester 2-February - June
At the end of each semester there are exams
School day starts 8:35 am and ends at 3:04 pm
You will take 8 courses, 4 each semester
Day 1/Day 2 cycle
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How is my school day different?





Each class is approximately 75 minutes
long
Curriculum is covered at a faster pace
Different timetable than your friends
50% or above is required to pass a course
There are two lunch periods, each 75
minutes long (you don’t decide your lunch
period)
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Clubs
 Athletics
 Student Leadership
 Arts: (Drama, Dance,
Music, Visual Art)
 Environment

GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL AND
PARTICIPATE!
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Cheerleading
DECA Club
Jazz Band
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Art
Club
Outdoor
Club
Cricket Club
Tennis Club
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10
11
Track and Field
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13
14
15
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Diploma Requirements
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1. 30 Credits to Graduate
18 Compulsory Credits
12 Optional Credits
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2. 40 Hours of Community
Service
◦
◦
◦
Student responsibility
Eligible to start this summer
Tracking forms available
online or at Student Services
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3. Successful Completion of
Literacy Test (OSSLT) or
Equivalent


Written in grade 10 in March/April
Evaluates reading and writing
skills
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8 SUBJECTS
7 Compulsory
subjects
1 Optional
subject
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
English
Math
Science
French
Geography
Learning Strategies
Health and Physical Education
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ELL students and Special
Education Students will
be directed by their
teachers/guidance
counsellor on the courses
they must select.
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Dance
Drama
Visual Arts
Music – Beginner or Experienced
Exploring Technologies
Business - Information and
Communication Technology
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Odd calendar
day
Even
calendar day
Period
Class time
Course Code
Teacher’s name
Location/room number
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Types of Courses
Open
Locally
Applied
Academ ic
Developed
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♦
♦
Suitable for all students and not
specific to any particular postsecondary destination
Examples:
◦ All Grade 9 Optional Subjects
◦ Grade 9 Health and Physical
Education
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Must be RECOMMENDED by
teachers
♦ Focuses on essential skills using
hands on activities
♦
♦
♦
Offered in Math, English and
Science
Lead to workplace courses in
grade 11 & 12
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♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Abstract and theoretical based
Faster pace
More independent learning
More homework
English, Math, Science, Geography &
French
Aim 70% and above to continue in this
level
Leads to university, university/college,
or college courses in Grade 11 and 12
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Focuses on practical applications
♦ Slower pace
♦ More hands on and teacher guided
♦
♦
♦
English, Math, Science, Geography &
French
Lead to college courses in grade 11
& 12
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English, Math, Science,
Geography & French
Are compulsory courses but do you have
a choice on whether you want to take
them in ACADEMIC or APPLIED.
How do you decide?
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1. Learning Skills and Academic Achievement
Look at class averages: If you are above
consider academic. If you are below consider
applied
2. Grade 8 Teacher’s Recommendation
3. Post-secondary Plans
Take a mix palette!
They don’t ALL have to be Academic or
Applied
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Student Success!
 Difficult to change courses during
the semester. Why?

 Timetable is built based on your
choices
 We don’t change timetable during the
semester
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•Your Teachers
•Drop-in lunch help in Science and Math
•Contact Program River Room
•School Success: Project Complete
•Student Services
•Counting On You
•
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What is the next step……..?
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Course Selection Process
You will:
1. Receive Course Selection Sheets in your
school.
2. Receive recommendations from your Grade 8
teachers regarding whether to take academic
or applied (pay attention to these)
3. Take the sheet home and work with your
parents to complete course selection sheet.
4. Submit the sheet to your school.
FINAL STEP:
Enter courses online at your school with the
help of your teachers/guidance counsellor
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

Are you thinking about attending a Catholic
School?
You CANNOT have a timetable at a Catholic
School and David Suzuki at the same time:
therefore you must make your decision!

DO NOT PICK COURSES ON OPTION SHEET!
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


Are you considering attending a REGIONAL
PROGRAM?
Select courses for DSSS but check the box at
the bottom of the page indicating that you
have applied for a regional program.
Let your school know if you get into the
REGIONAL PROGRAM and are no longer
considering Suzuki!
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
Teacher Perspective
Ms. Stokes

Student Perspective
Video
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www.dsssonline.com
www.peelschools.org
http://myblueprint.ca/
Making My Way
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