Lorne Park Secondary

SchoolGrade 8

Information2015 - 2016

Welcome to Lorne Park S.S.

For most students, high school is a wonderful experience

Students are given more independence but with freedom comes responsibility!

Its important that you make good decisions and choices for yourself

Selecting the right courses and level of programming is crucial for you to experience success!!

A new world………high school !

Larger school (close to 1100 students) You are on your own individual timetable Students work on a credit system in order to

achieve their diploma Courses in a compulsory area will need to be

repeated if you are unsuccessful in the course Personal selection of courses Different course levels are offered

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma

O.S.S.D. Diploma Requirements 30 Credits 18 Compulsory 12 Optional

40 Hours of Community Involvement Successful Grade 10 Literacy Test

Compulsory Credit Requirements 4 English 3 Math 2 Science 1 Arts 1 Canadian

Geography 1 Canadian History 1/2 Career Studies 1/2 Civics 1 French 1 Health and Phys.

Ed.

Group 1An additional credit in: Canadian & World

Studies, English, Social Science, A Second Language, Guidance, or Co-op Group 2

An additional credit in: Art, Business, Phys.Ed, A Second Language or Co-op Group 3

An additional credit in: Science (grade 11/12), Technological Education, Computer Studies, French

or Co-op

The Grade 9 Program

Eight Courses including: Six Compulsory Courses

English Mathematics Science Geography French Physical Education

The Grade 9 Program

Optional Courses

Choice of two: Business Drama Instrumental Music for Experienced Players or Instrumental Music for Beginners Visual Art Vocal Music Exploring Technologies or Creative Technologies

Grade 9 Courses Three types of courses

Applied Academic Open

Applied and Academic courses: English, Mathematics, Science,

Geography and French. Open level courses are:

Drama, Visual Arts, Music, Business, Technological Studies and Phys. Ed.

Applied and Academic

Applied Courses Emphasize

practical, concrete applications of concepts

Are more teacher-directed

Smaller class size Pathways to

College and Workplace

Academic Courses Emphasize

theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts

Have greater opportunities for independent learning

Pathways to University, College and Workplace

Applied and Academic Courses

Both set high expectations for all students Both focus on essential concepts of the

subject area Both prepare students for the grade 10

Literacy Test Both can lead to either Applied or Academic

programming in grade 10 (except for Math) Success in grade 9 academic mathematics is

required to take grade 10 academic mathematics

Applied or Academic?

The focus should be on success!! Consider your learning style, learning

strengths, and areas for growth Differences between courses include

emphasis and pace Students may take applied courses in some

subjects and academic courses in other subject areas

Open Courses

Offered in many subject areas Based on expectations suitable for all

students Combine theory and application Prepare students for further study in grade

10, 11, and 12 courses

Pathways to University and College

Students who plan to go on to university should take the majority of their courses at the academic level.

However, students who plan to go to university may take some of their courses at the applied level. e.g. Students who take applied level math may go on to university into a program that does not require math as a prerequisite.

Students who plan to go on to college should take the majority of their courses at either the applied level or academic level.

Grade 10 Literacy Test

Administered in April of Grade 10 Evaluates your reading and writing skills to the end of Grade 9 Results are reported only as “complete” or

“incomplete” Test may be rewritten the following year if

unsuccessful Students failing the test twice are eligible to

take a literacy course

Grade 9 Mathematics Assessment

NOT a diploma requirement Evaluates achievement of your grade 9

math skills Administered near the end of your grade 9

mathematics course and used as part of your final course evaluation

40 Hours Community Involvement

You are encouraged to complete this diploma requirement early

Students may start any time after completing grade 8 (July 1, 2015).

School provides Volunteer Activity Record Forms to be completed by the student

Parental support and monitoring are required

Extended French Program

Only students in an Extended French Program in both grade 7 and 8 are eligible for the Extended French program at Lorne Park S.S.

Students in French Immersion continue at Clarkson S.S. for the French Immersion Program.

French Immersion students living inside the Lorne Park boundary may attend Lorne Park to take the regular English Program. Written requests for admission to our Extended French Program will be considered, based on availability.

French Immersion students living outside of the Lorne Park boundary may apply on a Flex Boundary application to attend Lorne Park for the regular English Program.

Enhanced Program

Only students who have been identified by an I.P.R.C. as Gifted are eligible for the Enhanced Program at Lorne Park S.S.

Students in the Enhanced Program must take all 4 of their core subjects at the enhanced level: English, Math, Science and Geography

All other subjects are taken at the academic, applied or open level.

Choose Wisely Selecting inappropriate courses may cause you

to be frustrated, unhappy and unsuccessful!! Due to availability we may not be able to make

course changes at a later date Access all available resources:

Course descriptions are available online at MyBluePrint and the PDSB website

Discuss and ask questions of teachers, and guidance counsellors

Please consider the recommendations of teachers!!

Online Course Selection

Students receive a course planning sheet that includes teacher recommendations and online course selection instructions

All course selections are completed online through your MyBluePrint account

Once course selections are completed online, you must submit your course planning sheet and your parent signed verification form to your school.

Login to www.myblueprint.ca/peel

Login here using your email address and password.

Are you a new user or having trouble logging in? Please see your Guidance Counsellor.

How to Remove a Course

1. Hover your cursor over the course box (do not click) and a red ‘X’ will appear. Then click the ‘X’ to remove the course.

2. Add a course to your plan by clicking on ‘+ Course’.

Step 3 - Submitting Your Courses

1. A plan that meets all graduation requirements will result in the checkmark shown.

2. Submit your plan by clicking ‘Submit’

Note: Only your next year grade courses will be submitted even if multiple years have been planned.

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Submitting Your Courses

1. Submit your courses by clicking ‘Confirm and Print’.

2. A pop-up window may appear, click ‘OK’ to finalize the submission of your plan.

Note: Be sure to review your course selections as you will not be able to change your selections in myBlueprint once submitted.

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Easing the move to High School

Class visit to Lorne Park S.S. (October) Our Mentors talk to you about the school, answer

questions and take you on a tour. They discuss: Extra curricular programs at Lorne Park A typical schedule of a Lorne Park student Give an overview of our Mentor program Grade 9 Orientation Day (the week before school)

You pay your student fee, You receive your schedule, agenda and student

card You have your picture taken for the yearbook and

student card You go on a tour of the school

Mentors Mentor Day - First week of school we run

interactive and fun activities for grade 9's. You will meet the Mentors assigned to your homeform class

Mentor Program – The Mentors assigned to your class will assist you, if needed and do activities with your class throughout the year

See you in September !

If you have any questions please contact our Guidance Office at Lorne Park or speak to your teachers and guidance counsellors at your home school

Remember Option sheets due November 7

to Lorne Park Secondary School

Welcome

Who are Mentors?

Orientation• Registration (student fees and student

IDs)• Timetable and Agendas• Tours of the School• Parent Assembly

What do we do?

Timetables

What do we do?

Mentor Day

Mentor Program

• Mentor Monthlys• Study Skills• Anti-Bullying Sessions• Grade 9-Mentor Dodge-Ball• A Mentor Captain Christmas• Winter Wonderland Dance• Fundraisers• Generally, just look at our shirts:

Guidance Counsellors

• How do you get one?• What do they do?• How can you access their help?

• EXTRA HELP- tutors, help rooms• Community Service Hours-

may start after July 1st, 2015

ATHLETICSExtra-Curriculars

ARTSExtra-Curriculars

CLUBSExtra-Curriculars

THANK

YOU