GRADE 8 OPEN HOUSE &
INFORMATION NIGHT
January 8, 2014
WELCOME TO BULLDOG
COUNTRY!
A Presentation for Grade 8
Students and Parents
GENERAL AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL
YOUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL
AGENDA
Welcome: Ms. Hazel Keefner,
Principal
Student Council Perspective:
Lindsey Lim & Haley Bartlam
Registration Information:
Ms. Chere Tulett Guidance Head
Guided Tours: Student Council
Friendly staff and students
Unique Opportunities
• 730 students
• 45 staff members
• OYAP in Precision Metal
Cutting
• Specialist High Skills Major
Program in Manufacturing,
Business, and Arts &
Culture
• Instrumental Music
• Full-time Coop Program
Course Types
Grade 9
Applied
Grade 10
Applied
Grade 11
Grade 12
Coll Prep (C)
Coll Prep (C)
Academic
Open
Academic
Open
Univ Prep(U)
Univ/Coll
Prep (M)
Open (O)
Univ Prep(U)
Open (O)
Univ/Coll
Prep(M)
LDCC
LDCC
Workplace (E)
Workplace (E)
Open Courses “O”
• Generally, the optional courses (e.g.,
physical education, arts, etc.) are
offered in the open stream.
• Expectations and learning activities are
designed for and are appropriate for all
students.
Applied Stream “P”
• Students learn the essential concepts of a subject.
• Emphasis is on the practical and hands-on
applications of the concepts.
• Students in applied courses: learn by doing, enjoy
discussion, see connections to real life, develop new
ideas from reading, share ideas and apply them to
their own lives.
• Grade 8 students working consistently at level 1 or 2
are more likely to experience success in the applied
stream.
Academic Stream “D”
• Students learn the essential concepts of a
subject and explore related materials.
• Emphasis is on theory and abstract thinking as
a basis for future learning.
• Students in academic courses might like to
work independently, enjoy understanding the
“whys”, learn from a variety of sources, think
creatively and like to problem solve, develop
ideas from research.
• Grade 8 students working consistently at level
3 or 4 are more likely to experience success in
the academic stream.
Locally Developed Compulsory
Courses “L”
• Intended to meet educational and career
preparation needs of students that cannot be
met in applied or academic courses
• Focus on knowledge and skills students need
to be well prepared for grade 11 workplace
courses
• Learning expectations in these courses
interconnect skills in subject-area learning,
literacy, and mathematical literacy
What is a course code?
ENG 1 D
This letter identifies the
These three letters identify the
stream/destination.
subject.
D=
Academic
P= Applied
Subject codes: the first letter in
courseDeveloped
code denotesO=Open
the
L=the
Locally
course’s department area
This number identifies the grade
A= Arts
B= Business
C= Canadian & World
Studies
E= English
F= French
G= Guidance
H= Humanities & Social
Sciences
L= International
Languages
M= Mathematics
P=Physical Education
S= Sciences
T= Technology
1 = Grade 9
What is a credit?
• A credit is earned upon successful
completion of the curriculum expectations
of a particular course.
• In order to earn an Ontario Secondary
School Diploma, you must successfully
complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and
12 optional).
What do I need to earn an
Ontario Secondary School
Diploma?
18 Compulsory Credits
12 Optional Credits
The Provincial Literacy Requirement
40 hours of Community Involvement
18 compulsory credits
•
•
•
•
•
4 credits in English
3 credits in Math
2 credits in Science
1 credit in French
1 credit in Canadian
History
• 1 credit in Canadian
Geography
• 1 credit in the Arts (Visual
Art, Music, Drama)
• 1 credit in Health and
Physical Education
• .5 credit in Civics
• .5 credit in Career
Studies
• Plus 3 additional credits
from selected groups
12 Optional Credits
In addition to the 18 compulsory credits,
students must earn a total of 12 optional
credits selected from the courses listed as
available in the school course offerings
found in the Career Cruising website.
18+12=30
GRADE 9 COURSES
• 6 COMPULSORY
•
•
•
•
•
•
ENGLISH
FRENCH
GEOGRAPHY
MATH
PHYS. ED
SCIENCE
• 2 OPTIONAL
• AVI1O Visual Art
• AMI1O Instrumental
Music
• AMV1O Vocal Music
• ATC10 Dance
• BTT1O Information &
Communication
Technology
• GSL1O Learning
Strategies
• TIJ1O Exploring
Technology
Provincial
Literacy Requirement
.
40 Hours Community Involvement
You may begin earning community
involvement hours in July 2014
What will high school be like?
Sample of a Typical Day
Semester 1 – September to January
Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
Exploring Technologies
Math
Lunch
English
Physical Education
Planning the Pathway To Your
Future!
• Choose Grade 9 courses on the basis of the
student’s
–
–
–
–
needs
interests
strengths
past achievements
• The first step in planning is to view available
courses using our on line course selection tool.
• Don’t forget your most valuable resource for
course selection is your GRADE 8 TEACHER!
Registering for General Amherst
• Amherstburg Public, Anderdon, and Malden
grade 8 student will register online
• Separate school grade 8 students will register
through paper registration packages. Pick those
up tonight in the Library from Mr. Klundert
• Home schooled students will register through
paper registration packages
• Harrow Sr. students must complete an out-ofdistrict application through your school’s
principal.
How do I register and
select courses online?
• Have your Student Number found on your report card handy
• Visit www.publicboard.ca and click on “Career Cruising “ at the
bottom of the screen
• Enter your username and password
• Follow the prompts/steps
• Career Cruising presentations and Registration package distribution
will occur from January 27-30 at the elementary schools.
• CAREER CRUISING WILL OPEN BY FEBRUARY 8, 2014
GECDSB website with
Career Cruising Link
Career Cruising Login Screen
Next steps to register for
High School?
• Complete online course selection
• Print sign off sheet (Parent signature required)
• Return signed completed sign off sheet
and registration paperwork to Grade 8
teacher by February 19, 2014
• If you are not a student with the Greater
Essex County District School Board you
will register for courses using the paper
Registration form. These are due back to
Guidance by February 10th.
Student Services
•Guidance Counselors
•Learning Support Teacher
•Student Success Teacher
•Special Education Coordinator
•Social Worker
•Attendance Counselor
•Psychological Services
•Tutors
•Peer Leadership Course
•Learning Strategies Courses
•Community Resources
Student Council
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Grade 9 Orientation Day
School Dances
Pancake Breakfasts
Homecoming
JK/SK Christmas Party
Motivational Speakers
Talent Show
Spirit Days
Extracurricular Activities/Clubs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Arts Council
Athletic Union
Barking Creative B.A.R.C.
Debate
Drama
Environment
Gay-Straight Alliance
Interact
Prom Committee
Radio Club
Semi Formal
Spirit Club
Tech Support
Yearbook
Sports Teams
Sr. & Jr. Boys:
Girls:
•
Football
Gymnastics
•
Badminton
Badminton
•
Cross Country
Cross Country
•
Hockey
Hockey
•
Volleyball
Volleyball
•
Basketball
Basketball
•
Baseball
Baseball
•
Soccer
Soccer
» Figure Skating
» Golf
» Track & Field
» Curling
» Wrestling
We’ve Got Spirit
IMPORTANT DATES
• January 14, 15, 16, 2014– Shadow
Days@ General Amherst
• February 19, 2014 – Registration deadline
for Amherstburg Public, Anderdon, and
Malden Grade 8 students.
• February 10, 2014 – Registration deadline
for students from other Boards of
Education.
Feeder School Shadow Days
• Amherstburg Public –
January 14, 2014
• Anderdon Public –
January 15, 2014
• Malden Central –
January 16, 2014
• Separate School
Students January 14,
15, or 16, 2014
Grade 9 Orientation Day
•
•
•
•
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
General Amherst High School
8:30 -12:30
(We will mail you an invitation)
We look forward to assisting you with your
choices for Grade 9.
Contact us at….
General Amherst High School
130 Sandwich St. S
Amherstburg, ON, N9V 1Z8
519-736-2149
Become a BULLDOG