Welcome to Westdale Secondary School

1
Welcome to Westdale Secondary School
2
Special Programs

• French Immersion
• Music Strings
• International Baccalaureate
• Specialist High Skills Major
• Arts and Culture
• Construction

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

• IB is a world-renowned pre-university course of
  study offered during the last 2 years of
  secondary school
• Prepares highly motivated students for
  university, both nationally and internationally
• More detailed information available in the
  cafeteria

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Specialist High Skills Major

• Westdale programs Arts and Culture
  Construction
• Industry recognized designation on diploma
• Bundle of 8 10 senior credits
• Sector recognized certification training
• Co-op placements
• Reach ahead experiences at post-secondary
• For all four post secondary destinations

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OSSD Requirements

• 30 credits
• 18 Compulsory
• 12 Elective
• 40 hours Community Involvement
• Ontario Secondary School
• Literacy Requirement
• (OSSLT or OSSLC)

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Compulsory Course Requirements

• 4 English (1 at each grade level)
• 3 Mathematics (1 at senior level)
• 2 Science
• 1 French
• 1 Canadian History
• 1 Canadian Geography
• 1 Arts (Visual, Media, Music, Drama)
• 1 Health and Physical Education
• .5 Civics
• .5 Career Studies

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Compulsory CourseRequirements

• 1 additional credit in English OR French as a
  Second Language, Native Language, Classical or
  International Language OR Humanities, Social
  Studies OR Canadian and World Studies OR Guidance
  Career Education OR Co-operative Education
• 1 additional credit in Science (grade 11 or 12)
  OR Technology (grade 9-12) OR Co-operative
  Education
• 1 additional credit in Health and Physical
  Education OR Business Studies OR The Arts OR
  Co-operative Education
• Co-op may only count for 2 compulsory credits

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Substitutions for Compulsory Courses

• Principals may replace up to three courses with
  courses from the remainder of those that meet the
  compulsory credit requirements
• Substitutions can be made to promote and enhance
  student learning or to meet special needs

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Community Involvement

• Promotes community values and reinforces
  importance of volunteerism
• A good way to explore career interests
• Minimum of 40 hours completed before Graduation
  
• Guidelines and forms
• will be provided

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Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

• Administered in March of the Grade 10 year
• Based on expectations for language and
  communication up to and including Grade 9
• Accommodations, and deferrals may be appropriate
  for some students
• Literacy lunches and after school prep classes
  available at Westdale
• Grade 12 Literacy course is available for
  students who have been eligible to write OSSLT at
  least once and have been unsuccessful

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Compulsory Credits in Grade 9

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Geography
• Health and Physical
• Education
• French

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Course Types
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Course Types Grades 9 10

• Applied (P)
• Focus on practical applications using familiar,
  real-life situations to illustrate ideas more
  opportunities for hands on applications
• e.g.. Demonstrate an understanding of the
  interdependence of natural and human systems in
  Canadas rural and urban landscapes.
• Academic (D)
• Knowledge and skills developed through theory and
  practical applications but EMPHASIS on theory and
  abstract thinking as basis for future learning
  and problem solving
• e.g.. Analyze the way in which natural systems
  interact with human systems and make predictions
  about the outcomes of these interactions.

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Course Types Grades 9 10
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Course Types Grades 9 10

• Locally Developed (L)
• emphasize literacy, numeracy and the acquisition
  of learning skills.
• special program for students who were not ready
  to take Grade 9 Applied or Academic courses
  because they are working on modified or highly
  accommodated programs at the Grade 8 level and
  for students who have been placed in high school.

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Course Types Grades 9 10

• Enriched Academic (DE)
• Students who are talented in English, Science
  and/or Mathematics. A grade of 85 or higher in
  grade 8 is strongly recommended.
• Self-motivated and interested in a challenge
• Course content is presented at a much faster rate
  than Academic, to allow time for enrichment
  activities beyond the scope of the curriculum

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Course Types

• Open level courses An opportunity to explore an
  area of interest for all students in one level
• For example
• ADA1O1 or PPL1O1

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Understanding Course Codes

• ENG1D1, ENG1D1E, ENG1P1, ENG1L1
• Subject Grade Level Credit Value
• ENG 1 D 1
• 19 Dacademic
• DE enriched
• Papplied
• Llocally dev
• Oopen

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Mixing Course Types

• Students can combine course types
• For example
• A student with strong language skills, but
  relatively weaker mathematical skills may choose
• ENG1D1
• CGC1D1
• FSF1D1
• SNC1P1
• MFM1P1

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Mixing Course Types

• A student who is working below grade level
• would typically have the following courses
• ENG1L1
• CGC1P1
• FSF1P1 or possible French substitution
• SNC1L1
• MFM1L1

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Choosing Course Types

• Grade 8 teacher recommendation on option sheet
• Grade 8 marks, report card comments
• Work habits
• Self assessment match ability with interests
  and aptitudes

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Switching Course Types

• For students who wish to change from Applied to
  Academic between Grade 9 and 10
• Cross-Over courses available on-line, 30 hours of
  independent work to help students bridge the gap
  between applied and academic. However a Transfer
  course through summer school is required to go
  from grade 9 Applied Math to grade 10 Academic
  Math

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Elective Credits in Grade 9

• Choose two courses from
• Dramatic Arts
• Individual and Family Living
• Integrated Technologies
• Introduction to Information Technology
• Introductory Latin (prerequisite for grade 10)
• Music Instrumental (prerequisite for grade 10)
• Music Strings (prerequisite for grade 10)
• Visual Arts (recommended for grade 10)

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French Immersion Grade 9 Program

• Immersion certificate requires a total of 10
  French Immersion credits, the four Francais
  courses required
• FIF1D1I, FIF2D1I, FIF3U1I, FIF4U1I
• Students must earn 6 additional French Immersion
  credits
• There are 14 possible choices

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French Immersion Courses
GRADE 9 GRADE 10 GRADE 11 GRADE
12 FIF1D1I FIF2D1I FIF3U1I
FIF4U1I MPM1D1I MPM2D1I BDI3C1I
SNC1D1I SNC2D1I HSP3M1I CGC1D1I
CHC2D1I GPP301LI ADA1D1I AVI2O1I
CO-OP
CHV/GLC2O3I FRENCH EXCHANGE PROGRAM AVI2O1I
is open to grade 9 students but can only be taken
once in either grade 9 or 10.

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High School Format

• 2 Semesters September to January and February to
  June
• 4 courses each semester (first 4 in Semester 1
  and remaining 4 in semester 2)
• Examinations and/or culminating activities at the
  end of each semester
• 4 classes per day
• Each class is 75 minutes long

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How Long Should High School Take?

• 4 Years
• 8 courses in Grades 9-11 then a minimum of 6
  courses in Grade 12
• Limited opportunity to experience interest
  courses
• Required courses for diploma and post secondary
  may fill timetable

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How Long Should High School Take?

• 4.5 - 5 Years
• 8 courses in Grades 9-10 then 6 or 7 courses in
  each of the following years
• Opportunity for broad based education including
  Arts, Business, Co-op, Social Sciences, Family
  Studies, Health and Physical Education, Tech and
  Computer courses
• Less stressful approach to studies
• Time to research career and post secondary options

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Special Education Services

• Learning Resource room has cross- curricular
  support from a variety of staff
• Support provided for exceptional and
  non-exceptional students
• Enrichment opportunities for all interested
  students

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More Information

• HWDSB Common Course Calendar
• Available on the Board website
• www.hwdsb.on.ca/schools/course_calendar

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Pathways to Success

• UNLOCK YOUR FUTURE
• www.future1234.ca
• Detailed information on the four pathways
• Apprenticeship
• College
• University
• Work

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Keys to Success Start Now!

• Lay the groundwork now in Grade 8
• Establish regular, nightly homework routines
• Meet assignment deadlines
• Attend on a daily basis and be on time
• Come to school with a positive attitude and be
  ready to learn

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Factors Contributing to Success

• Students timetable reflects their strengths,
  interests and needs
• Involvement in extra-curricular activities
• Open communication between home and school
• Regular daily attendance
• Completing and submitting all assigned work
• Active parental involvement

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Tips for Grade 9 Students

• Remember that pathways are changeable and
  flexible. As interests, skills and aptitudes
  develop and mature there will be opportunities to
  re-chart the pathway.

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Tips for Grade 9 Students

• A successful grade 9 year is the most important
  goal!
• Statistics show students who do not have a
  successful grade 9 year are at risk of leaving
  high school without a diploma!

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Resource for Parents Teens

• For Parents
• Guide to the Teen Years By Dr. Karen Gordon,
• one of Canadas leading authorities on
  understanding youth
• For Teens
• Analyze Yourself A Teens Guide to
  Understanding Their Friends, Parents, and
  Themselves By Dr. Karen Gordon

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A Sampling of Sports at Westdale

• Fall Sports _____Winter Sports Spring
  Sports
• Cross country Boys Basketball Junior
  Football
• Boys Volleyball Girls Volleyball Rowing
• Senior Football Rowing Boys Baseball
• Field Hockey Indoor Soccer Girls Slo Pitch
• Girls Basketball Alpine Skiing Soccer
• Girls Touch Football Badminton Rugby
• Athletic Council Hockey Tennis
• Indoor Track Golf
• Waterpolo Track Field
• Cricket
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Boys Touch Football
• Midget Basketball

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A Sampling of Activities and Clubs at Westdale

• Coffee House Math Club
• Dangerous Minds Poetry Club Orchestra
• Debating Team Radio Club
• Diversity Show Science Club
• Environmental Club Sci-Fi Club
• Grad Council Senior Band
• Hip Hop Dance Team Senior Jazz Band
• History Club Students For Political
  Action
• Improv Club Studio Productions Club
• Jazz Quartet Tea Club
• Latin Club Theatre Westdale
• LeRaconteur (Yearbook) Triune (Student
  Council)

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Option Sheet ProcessWestdale Feeder schools

• For Dalewood, Ryerson all HWDSB French
  Immersion students
• Grade 8 teachers made recommendations of course
  levels on the option sheet
• Option sheets are due to your elementary school
  by February 9, 2009

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Option Sheet ProcessOut-of-Catchment HWDSB
students

• Submit an option sheet and Out-of-Catchment
  application form to your elementary school by
  February 9
• The elementary school will forward the package to
  Westdale
• Parents will receive a letter by mid-March
  informing them of the decision
• No interview required

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Option Sheet ProcessPrivate or Catholic schools

• In Catchment
• Have option sheet signed by elementary school
  principal
• Submit completed Application information sheet,
  and Option sheet to Westdale Student Services by
  Friday February 13, 2009
• Out-of-Catchment
• Also attach an Out-of-Catchment application form
• Interview required - Westdale will call you with
  date and time. To take place before March break.

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Orientation Days

• May 13, 900 to 1100 a.m.
• Dalewood and Glen Brae
• May 14, 900 to 1100 a.m.
• Ryerson and Norwood Park
• OOC students may attend on either day

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Following this Assembly

• Tours the school. WSS Leaders situated in
  hallways for directions
• French Immersion presentation auditorium
• I.B. information cafeteria
• Enhanced programs room 121
• Special Education room 123
• Out-of-Catchment application packages will be
  available in the foyer