Welcome to the

Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School

General Information & Course Selection Information for

Grade 8 Students & Parents

Introductions

Chris Hilmer, Principal

Helga Curry, Vice-Principal

Yula Nouragas, Vice-Principal

Karen Armata, Head of Guidance

Les Kerr, Guidance Counsellor

Gaye Revell, Head of Special Education

General Information about Williams

►The school has 126 years of history in Aurora. ►This year, the school has approximately 940 students. ►We are a semestered school. ►The school day begins at 8:20 a.m. and classes end at 3:00 p.m. ►There are five periods in the day. ►Grade 9 students have lunch during period 3.

Special Programs in Our School

Gifted Program – starting in September 2014

Enriched/Pre-AP/AP Advanced Placement courses

Community Classes

SHSM Specialist High Skills Majors – Business, Environment, Health & Wellness

OYAP Ontario Youth Apprenticeship

Dual Credit opportunities

High Performance Athlete opportunities

Alternative Education opportunities

Welcome, Class of 2018

Diploma Requirements (OSSD)

OSSD

18 Compulsory Credits

12 Optional Credits

Successful completion of

Ontario Secondary School

Literacy Test (OSSLT)

40 hours of Community Involvement

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Administered in the spring of the Grade 10 year A test based on reading and writing expectations of curricula

up to and including Grade 9 Accommodations, deferrals and exemptions may be

appropriate for some students

If a student does not meet the standard in the first attempt, schools will provide remedial support; the test will be re-administered until the student successfully completes the test or alternatively successfully completes the Grade 12 Literacy Course

Community Involvement

A diploma requirement

Encourages civic responsibility, promotes community values and reinforces importance of volunteerism

Complete 40 hours before graduation

Student responsibility to keep record of activities

Guidelines and forms will be provided to help track community involvement

A good way to explore career interests

18 Compulsory Credits

4 Credits in English (1 credit per grade)

1 Credit in French as a Second Language

3 Credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Gr. 11 or 12)

2 Credits in Science

1 Credit in Canadian History

1 Credit in Canadian Geography

1 Credit in the Arts

1 Credit in Health and Physical Education

1 0.5 Credit in Civics & 0.5 Credit in Career Studies

Plus………..

High School Pathways

Grade 9

Academic or Enriched

Grade 9

Applied

Grade 9

Locally Developed

Grade 10

Academic or Enriched

Grade 10

Applied

Grade 10

Locally Developed

Grade 11

University or Pre-AP

Grade 11

College

Grade 11

Workplace

Grade 12

University or AP

Grade 12

College

Grade 12

Workplace

PATHWAY ABILITY APPROACH

APPLIED

(P)

Working at or above

grade level

Step by step approach to

learning using theory and

practical examples.

ACADEMIC

(D)

Working at or above

grade level

Theoretical and independent

approach to learning with a

focus on critical thinking skills

LOCALLY

DEVELOPED

(L)

Working below grade

level in Math, English

and Science

Guided approach to learning

using practical examples and

concrete objects.

OPEN

(O)

Available to all students An opportunity to explore an

area of interest for all students

Course Pathways

English

Math

Science

French

History

Geography

Applied or Academic

English

Math

Science

Locally Developed

Optional Courses in Grade 9

Technological Studies

Broad Based

Technology

Computer Studies

Business Studies

The Arts

Visual

Drama

Music

Learning Strategies

Family Studies

Secondary School Planning

How students learn best

Diploma requirements to graduate

Prerequisites for courses

How to plan for experiential learning opportunities

Admission requirements for post-secondary opportunities (college, apprenticeship, university, workplace)

Preparing for school-work

Important to know:

Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades Post-Secondary Pathway

Through the OYAP program, students earn high school credits and competencies towards their apprenticeship

These highly skilled & practical careers are referred to as Gold

Collar Careers since many trades people can earn $50,000 -$75,000 within 3-5 years of high school graduation

With hundreds of training opportunities, apprenticeship is a

powerful means of obtaining practical experience and skills For more information, contact our Co-operative Education

department or Guidance department.

College Post-Secondary Pathway

College programs provide a valuable combination of academic and practical/technical skills training for a specific career

There are over 1000 programs to choose from including Business Administration, Biomedical Technology, Computer Animation, Engineering Technology, Paramedic, Social Worker, Specialized Arts Programs

Every college offers Diplomas,

Certificates, and Bachelor Degrees

University College Post-Secondary Pathway

Articulation agreements between colleges and universities allow for the acquisition of theoretical and practical skills and can earn students a degree and a diploma in four years.

Many students attend college for a year or two as they build self-awareness and knowledge of desired career. They then either graduate, stay with college or transition to university

Multiple opportunities for transferability between colleges and universities exist.

University Post-Secondary Pathway

University programs provide mostly theoretical academic training

In general, there are 4 main types of programs at most universities:

Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences

Life/Health Sciences

Physical/Engineering Sciences

Business/Commerce

The Workplace Post-Secondary Pathway

There are many entry-level job opportunities for students who have completed their OSSD and have workplace experience.

Students who are fast tracking into the workforce/community directly after high school should:

work with guidance, COOP, teachers, employment centers to create a personal portfolio that they can present to employers

Any experiential education is an advantage

Reporting Student Achievement

Standard provincial report card:

Documents achievement in every subject in the form of a percentage grade

Teachers’ comments on what was learned, strengths, and next steps in each subject area

Separate reporting section for attendance and evaluating the student’s learning skills (i.e. organization, initiative, teamwork, responsibility, etc.)

Summary of graduation requirements including status of Gr. 10 test and community involvement

Clubs & Groups

Art Council

Athletic Council

Band

Chess

DECA

Empowered Student Partnerships

Gay-Straight Alliance

International Trips

Life Sciences Club

Math Club

Math Contests

Mental Health Awareness

Peer Mentors

Music Council

Newspaper

Prom

Santa Claus Parade

School Play

Science Club

Science Olympics

Semi Formal

Student Council

Yearbook

Sports & Activities

Baseball

Cross Country Ski

Field Hockey

Golf

School Dances

Ski & Snowboard

Varsity Football

Slo-Pitch

Soccer

Special Olympics

Terry Fox Walk/Run

Track & Field

Curling

Ultimate Frisbee

Volleyball

To Access On-line Course Selection:

www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca

Click on

For More Information

More information is available from the following: York Region District School Board Regional Course Directory 2014-2015. Available on line at www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca Our school’s course calendar and website http://drgwwilliams.ss.yrdsb.ca York Region District School Board website – www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca York Region District School Board Guidance Services Website - www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.services Ministry of Education web site - www.edu.gov.on.ca for policy and curriculum docs

Important Dates

Grade 8 Parent Information Night – Thursday, January 16, 2014

1st week of February – Registration forms are due at Williams

2nd week of February – Course Selections are due at Williams (both electronic and signed hard copy)

Please refer to your elementary school for the deadlines they have set.

Gifted Program at Williams

Grade 9 program will start in September 2014

Grade 10 program will be added in September 2015

In Grade 11, students can remain at Williams or go to their home high school for regular programming

Williams offers pre-AP courses in Grade 11 and AP (Advanced Placement) courses in Grade 12

Gifted Program at Williams

Five courses in Grade 9 are to be offered for Gifted:

English, Math, Science, Geography, French

Grade 9 students take Physical Education (Open Level) plus two elective courses

Four courses in Grade 10 are to be offered for Gifted:

English, Math, Science, History

Grade 10 Gifted French can be an option

Grade 10 students take Civics/Careers (Open Level) plus three elective courses

Advanced Placement Results 2013

Level 5 4 3 2 1

English Literature

1 1 1

European History

1 1

Psychology .

4 5 2 3 2

Calculus .

5 3 3 2 1

Physics .

4 5 5 6 1

French Language

1 2 3 1 2

German Language

2 1

Elementary Schools Involved

The Gifted program at Williams will accommodate students in the Gifted program at Aurora Senior PS whose home schools are:

Aurora Grove, Aurora Heights, Aurora Senior, Bond Lake, Devins Drive, George Street, Hartman, Highview, Kettle Lakes, Kettleby, King City PS, Lake Wilcox, Nobleton, Northern Lights, Oak Ridges, Regency Acres, Rick Hansen, Schomberg, Whitchurch Highlands (South of Bloomington Road)

Other Students Involved

Grade 8 students who have been identified as Gifted but are not attending the Gifted program at Aurora Senior PS may opt for the Gifted program at Williams.

These students may be in the PRIDE program or they may be in a regular Grade 8 program.

Transportation

As per Board policy, transportation is not provided in areas serviced by YRT.

Students in these elementary home schools will receive busing:

Kettleby

King City PS

Nobleton

Schomberg

Whitchurch Highlands (South of Bloomington Road)

Thank you for coming!

Questions?