DAVID SUZUKI
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Grade 9
Curriculum Information Night
December 2012
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WELCOME TO
THE HOME OF THE GRIZZLIES
AGENDA
1. Student Life
2. Diploma Requirements
3. Course Types
4. Course Selection for Grade 9
5. Self Directed Tours – First Floor
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David Suzuki Secondary School
Principal - Jeanne Gray
Vice Principals – Rob Lompart, Patricia Whyte
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David Suzuki Secondary School
Community Feeder Schools
Beatty-Fleming Senior Public School
Huttonville Public School
Ingleborough Public School
McCrimmon Middle School
Mount Pleasant Village Public School
Royal Orchard Middle School
Roberta Bondar Public School *
*English Language Learners Only
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School Boundaries
David Suzuki Community
Feeder Schools
Bovaird
Mississauga Rd
Highway 10
Queen
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David Suzuki Secondary School
Regional French Immersion
Program Feeder Schools
Earnscliffe Senior Public School
Herb Campbell Public School
Sir William Gage Middle School
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French Immersion School
Boundaries
Regional French Immersion Program
Mayfield
Winston Churchill
Highway 410
Highway 407
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David Suzuki Secondary School
How is secondary school different?
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student population (Sept. 2013- approx.1800)
2 semesters per year
School day starts 8:40a.m. and ends at 3:06p.m.
each student takes 8 courses, 4 each semester
50% or above is required to pass a course
school day includes 4x75 minute classes and lunch
in a full service cafeteria; may leave property
 individualized timetables and course levels
 no school bussing (some exceptions)
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STUDENT LIFE
Extra – Curricular Activities
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Clubs
Athletics
Student Leadership
Arts: (Drama, Dance,
Music, Visual Art)
 Environment
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Extra-Curricular
Cheerleading
DECA Club
Jazz Band
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Art
Club
Clubs
Outdoor Club
Cricket Club
Tennis Club
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Soccer
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Track and Field
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Volleyball
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Basketball
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Badminton
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ECO
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David Suzuki Secondary School
Diploma Requirements
For Students Entering Grade 9 in
September 2013
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Ontario Secondary School
Diploma Requirements:
1. 30 Credits to Graduate
18 Compulsory Credits
12 Optional Credits
Note: French Immersion students are
required to earn 10 FI credits at
the academic level
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Diploma Requirements continued….
2. 40 Hours of Community Service
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Student responsibility
Parental/family support and
monitoring is required
Eligible to start the summer prior to
grade 9 year
Tracking forms available online or at
Student Services
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Diploma Requirements continued……
3. Successful Completion of
Literacy Test (OSSLT) or
Equivalent
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Written in grade 10 in March/April
Evaluates reading and writing skills
Designed and graded by EQAO
Ontario Literacy Course (equivalent)
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What subjects will your student be
taking in Grade 9?
8 SUBJECTS
7 Compulsory
subjects
1 Optional
subject
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SEVEN COMPULSORY COURSES
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6.
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English / English as a Second Language
Math
Science
French*
Geography*
Learning Strategies *
Health and Physical Education
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ONE OPTIONAL COURSE FROM:
Dance
Drama
Visual Arts
Music – Beginner or Experienced
Exploring Technologies
Business - Information and
Communication Technology
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Exception:
 English as a Second Language Learners
 Eligible to take two ESL courses
 Do not have to take French
 Potentially, other ESL supported compulsory
courses
 Special Education Students
 Eligible to take Learning Strategies for
Exceptional Students
 Eligible to select an additional optional credit
 Do not have to take French
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Types of Courses
Open
Locally
Applied
Academ ic
Developed
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OPEN COURSES
E.g., AVI 1O0
♦ Suitable for all students and not specific to any
particular post-secondary destination
♦ Designed to prepare students for further study in
certain subject areas
♦ Same curriculum expectations for all students,
regardless of destination
♦ Examples:
 All Grade 9 Optional Subjects
 Grade 9 Health and Physical Education
 Maximum class size 28
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LOCALLY DEVELOPED
E.g. ENG 1L0
♦ Must be RECOMMENDED by staff at the
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the feeder school
Focus on essential skills using relevant and
practical activities (hands on)
For students who are visual and/or concrete
Offered in Math, English and Science
Lead to workplace courses in grade 11 & 12
Maximum class size 17
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ACADEMIC
E.g., ENG1D0
♦ Abstract approaches to learning
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and theoretical applications
Faster pace (Max. Class Size 29)
Greater opportunities for independent learning
English, Math, Science, Geography & French
Leads to university, university/college, or college
courses in Grade 11 and 12
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APPLIED
E.g., ENG1P0
♦ Concrete approaches to learning
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and practical applications
Slower pace
More teacher guided
English, Math, Science, Geography & French
Lead to college courses in grade 11 & 12
Maximum class size 22
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Applied or Academic?
 English, Math, Science,
Geography & French
 Consider:
1. Current Learning Skills and
Academic Achievement
2. Grade 8 Teacher’s Recommendation
3. Post-secondary Plans
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Importance of Making the Best
Decision for YOU!
♦ Student Success!
♦ Difficult to change during the semester .
Why?
 Build our timetable based on student choices,
therefore there may not be any spaces in the class
 Complex timetable (hence if a change happens it
will NOT likely be during the semester)
 Transition to Secondary School
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Changing Pathways
is it possible?
Locally
Developed
Applied
Academic
• Individual basis
• Student achievement
• In consultation with parents,
teacher and student
•On successful completion of a Grade 9 course (not
likely to occur during the semester).
•Takes time!
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Academic Supports
There are numerous programs to
support students at David Suzuki S.S.
• Academic Supports
Contact Program River Room
School Success Program – Project Complete
Student Services
Special Education Monitoring
• Behaviour Supports
Contact Program Rapids Room
Internal and External Referrals
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David Suzuki Secondary School
What is the next step……..?
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David Suzuki Secondary School
Course Selection Process
Students will:
1. Review/complete the course selection
sheet with their grade 8 teacher and /or
guidance counselor
2. Submit the signed course selection sheet
to their current school
3. Enter their courses online at their current
school
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www.dsssonline.com
www.peelschools.org
Making My Way
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