Student Supports

Resource Room and Student Success

The Resource Room is a quiet workspace that can be accessed throughout the school day. A student success/resource teacher is available to help students ‘complete assignments, prepare for tests and catch up on missed work. The teacher can also assist students to learn how to use assistive technology, and to improve essential learning skills including organization, time management, note-taking, writing tests and reading textbooks. To access this academic resource, parents and students seeking help are welcomed to speak to resource, guidance, or classroom teachers.

Guidance

Aims:

• To assist students in developing plans to meet personal, educational and career needs.
• To provide students, parents, and teachers with the necessary information relating to the students’ personal, educational and career needs.

To accomplish these aims:

• Students can request appointments with their academic counsellors at any time during the school year.
• Current information is available on careers, universities, and colleges.
• The Public Health nurse is available in the school for sexual health clinic services.

If an urgent need must be met, referrals may be made with parental consent to services provided by the Board or by outside agencies (e.g., social worker, child and youth worker, addictions counsellor, mental health, Family and Children’s Services, Community and Social Services)

Changing Courses in the First Week of Classes

Students requesting a change of a course on their timetable will follow a course change procedure. Process instructions, course change forms and course availability information are available in the guidance office at the beginning of each semester. Students bring their course change form signed by a parent or guardian.

Student Timetable Requirements

Grade 9 and 10 students will be scheduled in 4 courses per semester. Grade 11 students with less than 16 credits will be scheduled in 4 courses per semester. Grade 11 students who have achieved 16 credits within the first two years of high school may have one study period in their grade 11 year. Grade 12 students must be scheduled in a minimum of 3 credits per semester. Grade 12 students are allowed one study period if they have successfully completed 23 credits and two study periods if they have successfully completed 24 credits.

Course Selection

On-line course selections will happen in February. Students can begin to plan their courses prior to course selection in myBlueprint. Information about the course selection process will be communicated in January.

The course selection process determines the number of classes that will be devoted to a particular course or if there is not enough interest, the course may be cancelled. It is important for students to choose their courses wisely, as it may not be possible to make the desired changes at a later date.

Students and parents should be aware that course selection from Grade 9 through Grade 12 will impact the student’s eligibility for post-secondary programs at colleges and universities. Guidance counsellors have information about post-secondary programs and entrance requirements that is shared with the students. In addition, course selection at the secondary level can influence a student’s chances for apprenticeships or certain types of employment.

Achievement

• Students are expected to commit themselves to their academic and other school responsibilities as outlined in the Ontario School Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook

Attendance

• Regular attendance on the part of students is vital to success in school. It is expected that students attend and are on time.
• Students who habitually miss classes will suffer in the evaluation process because their participation and achievement cannot be fully assessed. Therefore, if after attendance counselling, consultation with parents, and time to improve, a student is still unwilling to attend regularly, that student will normally fail to achieve credit for the course and may be deemed to have withdrawn themselves from school.

Behaviour

• Students are expected to demonstrate respect for their peers, teachers, other staff members, visitors to the school, and the neighbors of the school.

How Can Parents Help?

• Permit absence only when absolutely necessary. Good attendance is an important key to academic success.
• If your child is going to be absent, use the “SAFE ARRIVALS” app or call the school to communicate the absence. 
• Make sure the school has your correct e-mail address and home and work phone numbers so a parent/guardian can be reached when needed.
• Please schedule appointments (i.e., dental, medical, personal business) outside school hours, or on the 165 days of the school year when school is not in session.
• Question your child about assignments, due dates and tests to be written before permitting an absence.
• Discourage your child from working long hours at a part-time job. The Education Act forbids students who are required by law to attend school to work during school hours, punishable by fine to the employer.
• Stay in contact with your child’s teachers. Direct concerns and queries to their subject teacher. The administration is also available to assist as required. Email addresses for staff can be found on the school website.
• Make vacation plans that will coincide with the school calendar. Students on vacation during school time miss a great deal of work.

Academic Recognition

Commencement graduates will only be eligible to attend commencement in the calendar year that they qualify for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. No deferment is allowed. Invitations to graduates are sent out early July.

Alumni Awards

We are fortunate to have a very generous Alumni Association that awards monetary gifts to students who excel academically at any level. Applications are available in the Guidance office at the end of May. Graduating students are responsible for mailing the completed application to the address provided on the application.

Graduation Awards

We are fortunate to have many generous donors of who provide graduations awards. Graduating students are encouraged to apply for these awards. Information and applications are available in the guidance office at the end of May.

Ontario Scholar Criteria

A student may be designated an Ontario Scholar if they satisfy both of the following requirements: The student has been recommended by the school principal for the OSSD in either the current school year or the previous school year. The student obtains an aggregate of at least 480 marks in any combination of 6 ministry approved Grade 12 courses. A student’s mark, in any course, shall be multiplied by the credit value of the course. Marks from magnet courses, summer school, night school, eLearning and ILC courses may be included.

Honour Roll Criteria

A student may be designated for inclusion on the Honour Roll, at the end of the school year, if the following requirements are met:

Grade 9 Students

Must achieve an average of 80% in a minimum of 8 credits taken that year (September – June)

Grade 10 Students

Must achieve an average of 80% in a minimum of 8 credits taken that year (September – June)

Grade 11 Students

Must achieve an average of 80% in a minimum of 7 credits taken that year (September – June)

Grade 12 Students

Must achieve an average of 80% in a minimum of 6 credits taken that year (September – June)

A student’s mark, in any course, shall be multiplied by the credit value of the course. Marks from magnet courses and eLearning courses may be included.