Welcome to Bur Oak
Secondary School
Grade 8 Open House for
Students and Families
2015/16
Welcome!
Principal:
Mr. George Voumvakis
A Look at BOSS:
Achievements
Strong Literacy Skills:
OSSLT Results March 2015
Strong Numeracy Skills:
Math 9 EQAO
Percentage of all students at or above the
Provincial Standard (Levels 3 and 4), 2013 - 14
COURSE
BUR OAK
YORK
REGION
PROVINCE
APPLIED
75%
55%
47%
ACADEMIC
98%
90%
85%
Strong Numeracy Skills:
Canadian Mathematics Contests
● Canadian champions for the 2015 FERMAT
contest!
●November 2014 mathematics contest rankings:
◦ Canadian Intermediate Mathematics Contest (CIMC)
◦ Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest (CSMC)
Contest
Ranking
within Zone
Ontario
Canada
CIMC
2nd
CSMC
8th
11th out of 335
schools
22nd out of 371
schools
19th out of 508
schools
36th out of 541
schools
Other Programs
● Pre and Advanced Placement Math
◦ Grades 11 and 12
● OYAP — Ontario Youth Apprenticeship
◦ students develop trade experience and
networks and government grants for
equipment
● Dual Credit
◦ students earn a high school AND college
credit (grade 11 and 12 students)
Grades 11 and 12
1. Business
2.Energy
3.Health and Wellness
4.Non-Profit
5.Arts and Culture
Specialty Facilities—Tours Available
Hospitality Kitchens
Cosmetology Studio
Family Studies Labs
Transportation Garage
Construction Workshop
Health Care Lab
Visual Arts Studio
Music Rooms
Drama Set and Stage
Gymnasium
“Apple” Lab
Weight Room
Skills Canada 2015:
District Gold and Silver Awards
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Technology
◦ Video Production
◦ Architecture
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Visual Arts
◦ Animation
◦ Graphic Design
◦ Photography
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Family Studies
◦ Fashion Design
Athletic Achievement:
2014-15 Championships!
● Boys Cricket
● Junior Boys Volleyball
● Senior Boys Volleyball
See our past history in
the gym and display
cases
● Over 17 YRAA teams
available at B.O.S.S.
Drama Accomplishments
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Production: If Hearts Could Bloom
◦ One of two shows in Ontario invited to the
Toronto Summerworks Festival
(Visit the drama
room for details!)
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Improv Team
◦ Competed at regional level in the Canadian improv games
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Sears Festival:
◦ multiple awards of excellence
Music Accomplishments
● Junior and Senior Band
◦ Awarded Gold by the Ontario Band
Association in 2012, 2013, 2014, AND 2015
● Choir (Concert, Men’s, and Girl’s)
◦ Awarded Top Level at the Ontario Vocal
Festival Awards in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
AND 2015
Art Accomplishments
● 2014-2015 York Region PlaYR Video Festival
◦ Two films won for Animation and Experimental Film
● Grade 11 Media Arts class at the 2015 Markham Fair
◦ 1st place and a $1000 donation to Markham Stouffville
Hospital for digital kaleidoscope quilt
● Bur Oak Photography Club
◦ Collaboration between YRDSB and the York Region Police
◦ Hosted the 6th annual year end show, Point of View, at the
Community Safety Village
Unique Opportunities
● Unstuffed Conference
● Silver Eco-certified school
● Student-run Spookfest
for community children
Introductions
Student Life
B.O.S.S. Students are Involved!
Athletics at B.O.S.S.
Fall
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Boys golf
Co-ed Tennis
Co-ed Cross Country
Boys Soccer
Boys Volleyball
Girls Basketball
Cricket
Co-ed Swimming
Boys Rugby 7s
Winter
● Boys Basketball
● Girls Volleyball
●Co-ed Badminton
Spring
Track and Field
Baseball
Girls Soccer
Boys Rugby
Co-ed Ultimate
Frisbee
● Mountain Biking
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Unique Trips and Activities
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Geography – Niagara Falls and Escarpment
Music Grade 9 — Bark Lake
International Trips
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2010 Italy and Spain - Art Dept.
2012 New York - Art & Drama
2014 Washington - Art & History
2016 Spain - Art & History
Hospitality – Royal York tour and operations
Law class – Ontario Court of Justice
History – Japanese
Canadian Cultural Centre
Student Leadership
Eight Councils Lead our School
Athletic Council
● Business Council
● Community Council
● Equity Council
● Global Action
● International Student
Association
● Music Council
● Student Events Council
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Unique Clubs and Events
Badminton Club
ZERO Footprint
Breakfast Club
DECA (Business Club)
Art Club
Photography Club
Dance Club
Anime Club
Announcement Team
White Pine Readers
Computer and Robotics
Club
● Board Game Club
● Cheerleading Club
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Ink’d (School Newspaper)
BOSS Christian Fellowship
Media Club
Ski and Snowboarding
Club
Magic Club
Math Club
Ping Pong Club
Fitness Club (Weight
Room)
Improv Team
Slam Poetry
Creative Writing
Book Camp
Science Club
Graduating from High
School
Diploma Requirements (O.S.S.D.)
for the 4 year program
12 Optional
Credits
Successful
completion of
Ontario School
Literacy Test
40 hours of
Community
Involvement
18 Compulsory
Credits
O.S.S.D
OSSLT (Literacy Test)
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Administered in March of the grade 10 year
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Accommodations, deferrals, and exemptions
may be appropriate for some students
◦ ELL and special education students
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BOSS provides proactive supports:
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After-school preparation course
practice test opportunities
online resources
Grade 10 History course is part of our integrated literacy
program – skills for the test are developed in this course
◦ all teachers are literacy teachers
Community Involvement
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Encourages development of civic
responsibility, community values, and
reinforces importance of volunteerism
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40 hours during high school
◦not-for-profit activities
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Special in-school presentation in September for all
grade 9 students
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Grade 8 students who wish to start in the summer
need pre-approval from the guidance office
49er’s Club at BOSS
● Recognition for students who complete
their 40 hours by the end of grade 9
year
◦ a certificate
◦ a special celebration
◦ recognition in our awards
ceremony
Bur Oak celebrated 147 “49ers” for the
2014-15 school year!
Next Year:
Grade 9 Highlights
Daily Schedule
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School day consists of five 75 minute periods
School Year:
◦ Semester One: September to January (4 classes)
◦ Semester Two: February to June (4 classes)
Period
Time
1
8:15 – 9:35
2
9:40 – 10:55
3
11:00 – 12:15
(Lunch for all grade 9s)
4
12:20 – 1:35
5
1:40 – 2:55
COMPULSORY COURSES
students new to French,
(6 courses) For
or with less than 600 hours
of instruction
English
Math
Science
French
Geography
Physical
Education
Locally
Developed
Locally
Developed
Applied
Open
Applied
Open
(Male)
Applied
Applied
Academic
Applied
Academic
Open
(Female)
Academic
Academic
Academic
It is common for students to choose a combination of
academic and applied courses
What course types should we select?
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Parents and students should speak with:
◦ grade 8 teachers and/or SERT and/or ESL teacher
◦ guidance counselors
◦ student success and other support teachers
Do an honest assessment to match ability
with interests and aptitudes; decisions made
in grade 8 are NOT final pathways
● Taking applied in grade 9 does not mean you
must take applied in grade 10.
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Discuss with teachers tonight in the foyer and
designated classrooms
ELECTIVE COURSES
(Visit these teachers tonight!)
Technological
Studies
Broad-Based
Technology
Business
Studies
The Arts
Intro. to
Business
Tech
Drama
Intro. to
Business
Music
Grade 9 students take
two elective courses
Visual Arts
Social
Sciences
Individual
and Family
Living
Why are electives important
for students?
● Explore interests and abilities
● Meet peers with similar interests
● Develop skills for future employment
◦critical thinking
◦problem solving
◦teamwork
◦resiliency
◦life skills
● Explore pathway options
Coming to a School Near You!
Black Walnut:
Cornell Village:
Donald Cousens:
Fred Varley:
Greensborough:
John McCrae:
Little Rouge:
Mount Joy:
Wismer:
Thurs. Jan 21st
Mon., Jan. 18th
Mon., Jan. 18th
TBA
Tues., Jan. 19th
Thurs., Jan. 21st
Wed., Jan. 20th
Fri., Jan. 22nd
Tues., Jan 19th
Coming to a School Near You!
1. Registration packages
2. Online course selection instructions
3. Grade nine course descriptions
Not from one of our 9 feeder elementary
schools?
● Registration packages can be picked up from
the guidance office in January.
Material from the registration package are
displayed on the bulletin board across the
guidance office.
Coming to a School Near You!
Black Walnut:
Cornell Village:
Donald Cousens:
Fred Varley:
Greensborough:
John McCrae:
Little Rouge:
Mount Joy:
Wismer:
Thurs. Jan 21st
Mon., Jan. 18th
Mon., Jan. 18th
TBA
Tues., Jan. 19th
Thurs., Jan. 21st
Wed., Jan. 20th
Fri., Jan. 22nd
Tues., Jan 19th
Helping our
Students Achieve
Administration
Student
Success
Teacher
Classroom
Teachers
Literacy
Teacher
Student
Success
Team
Personalized
Alternative
Education
Guidance
Student
Support
Services
Cooperative
Education
Student Success Team
Working together to support:
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Student achievement
Elementary to Secondary school transition
Success in secondary school
Transition to post-secondary pathways
Student Success, Guidance Counselors, Special
Education, Literacy and Numeracy Teacher, ESL
Teachers, ELL Team, Administration
Special Education Supports
Students receive support according to the
needs outlined in their Individual Education
Plan (IEP)
● Supports:
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Learning Strategies courses at each grade level
Specialized co-op available in grades 11 and 12
Dedicated guidance counselor
See Special Education teachers in the cafeteria
following this assembly
ESL Program and Supports
Help students develop proficiency in English
● Students are assessed at their elementary
school for their English proficiency level
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Core courses — Level A, B, C, D, E
Supports:
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Subject specific ESL courses
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Geography, Science, Learning Strategies
Dedicated guidance counselor
Dedicated Student Success teacher
See the ESL booth in the cafeteria following this
assembly
School Council
Mr. Eric Ball
What’s Happening Now?
7:30 – 8:00
◦ Guided tours of school and facilities
◦ Front Foyer
⚫Meet subject teachers
⚫Learn about Bur Oak specialty programs and
extracurricular opportunities
◦ Cafeteria
⚫Learn about student services at Bur Oak
⚫special education program
⚫ESL program
⚫guidance supports
⚫student success approach
8:00 – 9:00
◦ School Tours – Continuing as needed
◦ Front Foyer
⚫Meet subject teachers
⚫Learn about Bur Oak specialty programs and
extracurricular opportunities
◦ Cafeteria
⚫Learn about student services at Bur Oak (special
education program, ESL program, guidance supports,
student success approach)
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English Department – 2025
Mathematics Department – 2039
Science Department – 2052
Technology Department – 1029 and 2002
Special Education: Learning Strategies - 1004
More Information at : www.yrdsb.ca
Thank you for coming
and enjoy the rest of
your evening.