HELPING YOUR CHILD MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

• Encourage your child to take part in any summer programs that high schools offer for example “Moving On Up” or grade 9 information days
• Encourage your child to do a trial run (bus route or walking) to secondary school
• Trust the advice of educators – we want the best for your children too!
•  In grade 9, courses are applied, academic locally developed or open. After grade 10, courses are destination-bound courses (apprenticeship, college, university or workplace)
•  Parents still need to ask questions in secondary school (check homework, agendas, school website and maintain contact with subject teachers)
• Establish routines at home - homework times, consistent place in which to work, the proper tools
•  Stay involved with children - ask questions about teams, clubs, homework, friends, teachers and classes
• Use grade 9 agenda as a communication tool between home and school
•  Have realistic academic expectations for your child
• Come to concerts, games, interviews - continue to be a hands-on parent in secondary school
• Yes, they do have homework!
•  Be honest about your child’s strengths and needs
• Provide all relevant documentation to ensure successful programming – psychology reports, speech and language reports, medical information
• Changes can be made in secondary school – lifelong plans do not have to be made in grade 9
•  Be involved without being “helicopter parents” – let your child experience consequences
• Ask for clarification from the school or your child if you don’t understand something

OSSD COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT- GET STARTED THIS SUMMER!

What is Community Involvement?

•     ( min ) 40 hours of community involvement activities (no maximum)
•     a requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma
•     a volunteer activity – not for pay or credit
•     a constructive contribution to the community

             Why has the Ministry of Education mandated it?

• reinforces civic responsibility
• strengthens the community
• enhances one’s self-confidence and self-image
• offers networking for future employment
• provides an experience for students to include in their portfolios

              When must students complete it?

•  any time during the secondary school program, beginning the summer before they enter students grade 9, and prior to graduation

•       during lunch breaks
•       in the evening
•       on weekends
•       during school breaks
•       during the summer months

When you begin to plan, think about activities in your community, school or with

an individual. 

Some ideas are listed below, but use your imagination.  The list is endless.

•  Check with your neighbours
•  Inquire whether there are appropriate initiatives at school Contact your local volunteer centre for current activities
• Contact public institutions
•         Contact Regional or Local Government
•        Check volunteer opportunities by searching  various internet sites like:

www.volunteertoronto.ca

https://charityvillage.com

•   Contact services/clubs to assist with some of their project
• Contact local library and Information Centres for a list of agencies in the community

APPROVED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES

TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

The following list of approved activities suggests types of activities from which students may choose.  Other activities of a similar nature may be approved at the school level.

• provide service to seniors or to others who have difficulty leaving their homes – raking, shovelling (no snow blowers), shopping (students should not drive vehicles for this purpose), visiting, reading, meal preparation
•  assist a neighbour with child care – take child to park, watch child while parent prepares dinner
• tutor younger students – read, take to library, help with homework
•  volunteer at a seniors’ home/centre – visit, read, play cards or board games, take seniors for walks, make crafts
•  help organize local community events – food drives/banks
•  take part in environmental initiatives – cleaning and recycling operations, park cleanup, planting trees and flower beds (students should not use power tools – lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, wood chippers, etc.)
•  get involved in charitable activities – walk-a-thons, daffodil sales, canvassing for organizations
• assist with sports teams – community leagues, parks and recreation programs
• volunteer in leadership role with community groups – youth groups
• volunteer in hospitals, libraries or any organization recommended by the Volunteer Centre of Toronto
•  volunteer with social service or animal welfare agencies – Red Cross, United Way, Humane Society
• get involved in the democratic political process – scrutineering, canvassing, campaigning
• offer service through religious communities/places of worship
• assist with literacy initiatives – at local libraries, day care centres, community centres
•  help with sports teams – run skills drills, assist coach
•  help in the library – shelve books, tidy up, change bulletin boards
• tutor other students – help with homework, review difficult concepts
• assist students with special needs – act as peer buddy
• assist with planning of arts or athletic events – work on publicity, set up for track meets, sell tickets, check coats, offer technical support
• facilitate school events such as parent information nights – meet and greet visitors, give guided tours, serve refreshments