Grade 8 Open House Information
Optional Presentations:
Transitioning
from elementary to secondary school is a very exciting time
for students. A lot happens during Grade 8 that will help to make this
transition smooth and enjoyable. Below is some information about
events, activities, and opportunities that will occur throughout the
year.
September/October
Knowing
yourself is the best way to make decisions and set goals for your
future. The Ontario Ministry of Education has identified the following
Learning Skills and Work Habits as an integral part of a student’s
learning:
Responsibility
Organization
Independent Work
Collaboration
Initiative
Self-regulation
The beginning
of the school year is a great time for students to reflect on their
interests, strengths, and needs as a learner and set goals for a
successful grade 8 year. There are many opportunities for students to do
this, as a class, after school with the support of a parent, guardian, or mentor, using the portfolio function of Career Cruising.
Additional Information:
LearningSkillsandWorkHabitsBrochure.pdf
Ontario Skills PassportMy Pathway PlannerNovemberMany elementary students have an opportunity to visit the secondary school they will attend the following year. Often these visits are scheduled for "take your kids to work day" which occurs in November. Even if you don't have a scheduled visit with your class, students can always make arrangements to visit their secondary school and become familiar with the secondary school environment.
Applications to Regional Programs
Regional programs are focused programs that are available to every York Region student and housed at specific secondary schools located around the region. The most current information is available on the
York Region Public School Board website. These programs include:
Each of these programs has both student/parent information nights and application deadlines.
Thinking about
Course
Pathways
Many students and
parents would benefit from more information about the course pathway options
available in secondary schools. Secondary courses are organized as Applied,
Academic, Open or Locally Developed. Each offers a style of learning that meets
the interests, strengths and needs of the student in a slightly different way.
All these options lead to a Secondary School Diploma.
The Grade 8 Teacher
and the fall Progress Report will help guide the course pathway decisions
students will make later on in the year. It’s never too early to begin this
conversation. For more information about course pathway options, go to YRDSB > Students > Regional Course
Directory > Organization of Secondary Courses.
You may decide that
you are interested in a secondary school other than your community school. There
may be an opportunity to transfer to another secondary school if there is space
in that school. Information about schools that are open for transfers is usually
available in late November or early December. Your Grade 8 Teacher or Elementary
School Principal will have this information when it is available. In order to be
considered for a transfer, you must complete the Transfer Request form available
through the office in your elementary school.
December
Although most occur in
January, some secondary school open houses occur in November and some in
December. Be sure to check with your Grade 8 Teacher or your community secondary
school so you don’t miss the information evening event. December is also a good
time to begin exploring the course selection features on Career Cruising and
begin to think about the optional courses available at your secondary school.
Every grade 9 student gets to select two optional courses.
January
Check the schedule of
secondary school information nights posted on the YRDSB website and attend your community
secondary school information night. Most secondary schools will also visit the
elementary school either in December or January to inform the students about
secondary school registration and course selection. They will also talk about
many of the great opportunities that are available at every secondary
school.
If you have applied to
a regional program, acceptance to that program is usually communicated in
January. Once accepted to the program, you will need to follow up with your
Grade 8 Teacher to ensure that your acceptance of the regional program is
communicated to the Regional Secondary School and the Community Secondary
School.
February
Generally, the deadline
for Grade 9 Course Selection is in February. Your Grade 8 teacher will have all
the important dates and deadlines and will support you in using the Career
Cruising program. Course selection should be based on the individual students'
interests, strengths, and needs. It’s always beneficial to have a conversation
that includes the student, teacher, and parent/ guardian when selecting your
courses for grade 9. Remember no decision is ever final and changes can be made
even after you select “submit”.
March/April
At some point in March
or April, you’ll be asked to verify the courses you have selected. At this
point, you will have an opportunity to make any necessary changes to your Grade
9 Course Selection.
May/June
Enjoy your final days
as an elementary student. Your community secondary school may offer additional
activities or events for you to become more familiar with your new school or you
may wish to schedule another visit on your own.
Now is the time to
consider what Community
Involvement opportunities may be available to you over the
summer. Once you have completed grade 8, you may begin to accumulate your 40
hours of community involvement which is a secondary school graduation
requirement. The summer immediately following grade 8 is a great opportunity to
get this graduation requirement out of the way. Be sure to check in with your
new secondary school to obtain the necessary forms and information about
eligible community involvement activities. For more information about the
community involvement graduation requirement, go to YRDSB > Students > Community
Involvement.
Student Support
Some students may need
additional support throughout the transition process. There are several avenues
to gain that support. Depending on your needs, the Grade 8 Teacher, English, as
Second Language Teacher, or the Special Education Resource Teacher can be a great
resource to help direct you to the assistance you need. Similarly, there are
departments at the secondary school that can also help such as the Guidance
Department, ESL/ELD Department, Special Education Department and the Student
Success Teacher. For more information go to:
YRDSB > Programs & Initiatives >
Student Support > Guidance & Career Education
YRDSB > Programs & Initiatives >
Student Support > Special Education/ Student Services
YRDSB > Programs & Initiatives >
Student Support > Student Success
YRDSB > Programs & Initiatives >
Student Support > First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education
YRDSB > Programs & Initiatives >
Continuing Education > English as a Second Language