Welcome to High School!

1
Welcome Grade 8 Transition Presentation
2
AGENDA

• 700 730
• Welcome / Introductions T. A. Blakelock
  Overview
• Principal Mr. Kevin Caughlin
• Student Voice
• Grade 9 Program
• Program Leader - Guidance Cooperative
  Education - Ms. Deb Hartnett
• Communication Success
• Vice-Principal Mrs. Heather Stewart
• Vice-Principal Mrs. Kelli Pfeiffer
• 730-830
• Course Curriculum Fair / Student
  Led Tours
• Opportunity to speak with students
  and teachers in the classrooms
• and in the cafeteria.

3
ADMINISTRATION

• Mr. Kevin Caughlin Principal
• Mrs. Heather Stewart Vice-Principal (A-L)
• Mrs. Kelli Pfeiffer- Vice-Principal (M-Z)

4
LEADERSHIP TEAM

• Arts /Science Mr. Gregg Shanks
• Business / Math Mr. Scott Stevens
• English Mrs. Joanna Anderson
• Family Studies / Ms. Pam Bovey
• Health Physical Education
• Athletic Director
• Guidance / Ms. Deb Hartnett
• Cooperative Education
• Moderns / French Immersion Mrs. Marisa Pettinato
• Social Science / ESL
• Special Education Mrs. Rita Othman
• Student Success

5
THOMAS A. BLAKELOCK HIGH SCHOOL

• Rich in Tradition, establishes student Excellence
  based on valued Relationships in our Community.
• Helping our students pursue a pathway that
  relates to their interests, skills and abilities.

6
WHAT ARE PATHWAYS?

• Pathways are post-secondary destinations ..
• Apprenticeship, College, University,
  Work
• Students should focus on four key steps
• Know Yourself
• Explore Opportunities
• Build a Pathway
• Gain Experiences

7
WHAT ROLE CAN YOU PLAY IN PATHWAY PLANNING?

• Help your son/daughter recognize his/her skills
  and abilities.
• Allow for communication about interests and
  opportunities.
• Assist with using career exploration resources.
• Encourage your son/daughter to pursue new
  experiences.
• Understand how to plan for your son/daughters
  success by accessing current information and
  resources.
• Become partners in the educational journey.

8
STUDENTVOICE
9
SUPPORTING STUDENTS

• Guidance Counsellors
• Ms. Deb Hartnett
• Mr. Cam Evans
• Mrs. Sharon Lauzon
• Specialist High Skill Major Lead
• Student Success
• Mrs. Caroline Clarke

• Special Education
• Learning Resources
• Mrs. Rita Othman
• Social Worker
• Mrs. Tracy Jarvis

10
SEMESTER SYSTEM

• T. A. BLAKELOCK IS A SEMESTERED HIGH SCHOOL
• SEMESTER 1 September January
• SEMESTER 2 February June
• Students will carry a course load of 4 courses
  each semester.
• Exams will be written at the end of each
  semester.
• Timetable
• Period 1 815-933
• Period 2 936-1050
• Period 3 1054-1208
• Period 4 1212-122
• Period 5 126-240

11
ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA

• REQUIREMENTS
• 30 Credits
• 18 COMPULSORY CREDITS
• 12 ELECTIVE CREDITS
• 40 hours of Community Involvement
• Ontario Secondary School
• Literacy Requirement

12
COURSE SELECTION

• Students in Grade 8 will choose courses from two
  types
• Academic Applied
• Choices will be made on the basis of their
  teachers recommendation, achievement, needs and
  interests.
• Students from current feeder schools
  Brookdale, Eastview, Forest Trail
• 
  Pine Grove
  W. H. Morden have already received the course
  selection information.
• Counsellors will be returning to the feeder
  schools to assist with the on-line course
  selection process late January / early February.
• Non-feeder school students may pick up a
  registration package at the end of this
  presentation from the cafeteria at the Guidance
  table.

13
ACADEMIC COURSES

• These courses will focus on essential concepts
  and include additional related materials.
• Greater emphasis will be placed on theory and
  abstract thinking than on practical applications.
  

14
APPLIED COURSES

• Greater emphasis will be placed on practical
  hands-on applications of the concepts.
• Students who successfully complete these courses
  may have the option of choosing either the
  Applied OR the Academic course in the same
  subject for grade 10.
• .Summer School may be requirement for the change

15
GRADE 9 PROGRAM

• Students will study the following
• Compulsory Courses
• English
• French
• Geography
• Health Physical Education
• Mathematics
• Science

16
GRADE 9 PROGRAM CONTD

• Students will select 2 of the following
• Elective Courses
• Family Studies
• Exploring Technologies
• Visual Art
• Drama
• Music
• Music may be selected as a 9th credit
• (40 minutes during lunch period all year)

17
FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM

• Grade 9 students will take four courses in French
  including
• French / François
• Geography / Geographie
• Science / Sciences
• Mathematics 0R Exploring Technologies /
• Mathematiques Initiation a La Technologie
• French Immersion Certificate Requirement
• 10 Immersion Credits

18
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

• Thomas A. Blakelock is the South Oakville ELL
  centre.
• Provide a comprehensive English Language program
  for our diverse population
• Supports
• Mentor Program
• Welcome Newcomer Evening
• Access to Multicultural Centre
• Goal
• To promote a link and foster relationships
  between the school and key people in the
  community.

19
T. A. BLAKELOCK HIGHLIGHTS

• Here are some ways that you can become involved
  at T. A. Blakelock
• 30 sports teams
• Eco School
• World Council
• Athletic Council
• Student Council
• Safety and Well-being Committee
• Couch Cru
• Sears Drama
• Music Council
• Kaleidoscope (Gay-Straight Alliance)
• Rotary Interact Club

20
HELPING STUDENTS LEARN ...

• Tiger Crew Mentorship
• Breakfast Club
• Student Agenda
• Differentiated Instruction
• Learning Resources Department
• Extra Help
• Peer Tutoring Program
• Educational Assistants
• Early Intervention Strategies

21
COMMUNICATION SUCCESS

• Synervoice messages
• Email to / from teachers
• School website http//tab.hdsb.ca
• Halton Board website www.hdsb.ca
• (Attendance Portal)
• Newsletter
• School Sign
• Reporting 4 x each semester every 5 weeks
• All grade 9 students receive a
  progress report after 5 weeks
• Transportation Go to Board website
  www.hdsb.ca
• Must live a minimum distance of 4.0 km
  from the school

22
CONNECTING WITH T. A. BLAKELOCK

• T.A. Blakelock Parent School Council
• Chair Sandy MacDonald
• Council meets the last Tuesday of each month
• TAB web site http//tab.hdsb.ca
• Phone [phone]
• STUDENT LED TOURS

23
Thank-you For Visiting Thomas A. Blakelock!