GRADE 8 OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION NIGHT January 8, 2014 WELCOME TO BULLDOG COUNTRY!

GRADE 8 OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION NIGHT

January 8, 2014WELCOME TO BULLDOG

COUNTRY!

A Presentation for Grade 8 A Presentation for Grade 8 Students and ParentsStudents and Parents

GENERAL AMHERST HIGH SCHOOLGENERAL AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL

YOUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLYOUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL

AGENDA

Welcome: Ms. Hazel Keefner, Principal

Student Council Perspective:Lindsey Lim & Haley Bartlam

Registration Information:Ms. Chere Tulett Guidance HeadGuided Tours: Student Council

Friendly staff and studentsFriendly staff and studentsUnique OpportunitiesUnique 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

Applied Academic Open

Coll Prep (C) Univ Prep(U) Univ/Coll Prep (M)

Open (O)

Coll Prep (C) Univ Prep(U)

Univ/Coll Prep(M)

Open (O)

Grade 11Grade 11

Grade 12Grade 12

Grade 10Grade 10

Grade 9Grade 9

Course TypesCourse Types

Workplace (E)

Applied Academic Open

Workplace (E)

LDCC

LDCC

Open Courses Open Courses “O”“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 Applied Stream “P”“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 Academic Stream “D”“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 Locally Developed Compulsory Courses Compulsory Courses “L”“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?What is a course code?

ENG 1 D This letter identifies the stream/destination.

D= Academic P= Applied

L= Locally Developed O=OpenThis number identifies the grade

1 = Grade 9

These three letters identify the subject.

Subject codes: the first letter in the course code

denotes the course’s department area

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

What is a credit?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 What do I need to earn an an Ontario Secondary Ontario Secondary

School DiplomaSchool Diploma??

18 Compulsory Credits18 Compulsory Credits

12 Optional Credits12 Optional Credits

The Provincial Literacy RequirementThe Provincial Literacy Requirement

40 hours of Community Involvement40 hours of Community Involvement

18 compulsory credits18 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

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

12 Optional Credits12 Optional Credits

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

ProvincialProvincialLiteracy RequirementLiteracy 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 DaySample of a Typical Day

Semester 1 – September to January

Period 1 Exploring TechnologiesPeriod 2 Math

LunchPeriod 3 EnglishPeriod 4 Physical Education

Planning the Pathway To Your Planning the Pathway To Your Future!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-of-district 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 TeamsSports TeamsSr. & 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 School130 Sandwich St. SAmherstburg, ON, N9V 1Z8 519-736-2149

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