Streetproofing Tips

At school, the safety of your child is our most important priority. We remind you to keep your school staff up to date with your address, phone number, childcare arrangements, to whom your child may be released, etc. We also encourage you not to permit your child make alternate arrangements over the lunch hour if they are in a lunch program. We need you to let us know about any changes of routine and to sign your child in if they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason.

The Toronto Police streetproofing program encourages you to teach your child:

      1. his/her name, address, phone number;

2. to Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency;

3. to communicate with you when they feel unsafe or afraid;

4. to keep you informed as to his/her whereabouts at all times;

5. never to admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone;

6. never to invite strangers into the house or answer the door when alone;

7. never to approach or enter a stranger's car or hitchhike;

8. never to travel or play alone- always be with friends;

9. to trust their feelings and say "NO" to an adult if that adult wants them to do something that is wrong;

10. not to accept gifts from strangers;

11. to tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you;

12. that no one has the right to touch any part of his/ her body that a bathing suit would cover;

13. that if he/ she is being followed, or approached too closely, to run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help;

14. to report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who act suspiciously towards him/ her;

15. never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas;

16. never to enter anyone's home without your permission;

17. to avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields;

18. never to show his/her money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk injury;

19. that a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when he/ she is lost or needs assistance. 

Source:  http://tdsbweb.tdsb.on.ca/webdocuments/Principals_Site/docs/Streetproofing%20Tips.pdf

Seven Ways to Better Organize Your Study Time

1. Allot enough time for study.
   Study is a major priority in college.  While 6 hours may be too much for one student, it may be what is necessary for another.  Therefore, you must examine your own needs and then allot your time appropriately.
2. Make use of your free hours between classes.
   If your schedule permits, the hours between classes can be used to review notes before a class or to begin an assignment.
3. Study at the same time daily.
   Having specific hours set aside each day will maintain the systematic organization of your schedule and keep you actively involved in studying.
4. Schedule a weekly review.
   Plan to review each classes’ notes from the beginning to end once a week.  This only takes a short time and will reduce the amount of study time needed before an exam.
5. Schedule daily reviews.
   Spend 15 - 20 minutes reviewing your notes immediately following class or when classes are done for the day.  Again, this will reduce the amount of study time needed before an exam.
6. Account for project time.
   Remember to allow an appropriate amount of time during the course of the week for long-term projects (i.e., papers, group projects, journals, etc.)
7. Allow for flexibility.
   Although your schedule should be very systematic, you should allow for some flexibility.  It is important not to over schedule thus allowing for a variety of “non-academic” activities.

Source: http://www.fau.edu/freshmanadvising/faasorganize.php

RH King Registration for Leadership Students

Registration for leadership students and in area students who missed the first date is February 6 from 4 pm - 6 pm.  Please refer to the RH King web site for additional information. http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/rhking/

Wexford CSA Course Selection Information Evening - Feb 6th, 2014 (7 pm-8 pm)

This information night is for parents of grade 8 students attending Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts next year.

Location + Time:

Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts

Thursday February 6, 2014

7pm - 8pm

In the Resource Centre/Library

Important Transition Information, Dates and Deadlines

Important Dates

     January  31^st – Optional Attendance forms are due to high schools (delivered by parents/guardians).

 Week of February 10^th –14^th Students are informed of their acceptance to Specialized Programs and Optional Attendance schools.
     By February  24^th- Completed course selections are verified and signed by parents/guardians  and returned to classroom teachers.
     February 28^th  – All course selection sheets are delivered to high schools by Ms. Sebbio & Mr. Brogno.

All Grade 8 students should have received a Grade 9 Course Selection Sheet for their designated “home” secondary schools based on the home address of the students.  Students who have applied for Special Programs or Optional Attendance will be informed of their status before February 14^th by the secondary schools directly. If accepted, those students will then have to decide which school they wish to attend and follow directions received from the school of their choice. Those students, who have not been accepted, must then be registered with their designated “Home” secondary school.

All completed Course Selection Sheets are due back to the elementary schools by February 24^th, 2014.  Please remember that appropriate placement of a student in grade 9 is of vital importance to the student’s ability to succeed in secondary school. With this in mind, please give careful consideration to each teacher’s recommendations when choosing Applied, Academic or Locally Developed courses. Teacher recommendations are based on the student’s educational history, grades, learning style, attitude, motivation, special interests, talents and abilities. Pages 38 and 39 and insert pages D and E of CHOICES: Secondary Schools Course Selection & Planning Guide provides an explanation of the differences between the various course types. The following link is another great resource:  http://www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/studentsuccess/index.aspx?id=13546

All pathways (College, University, and Workplace) are accessible from any course type in Grade 9. As long as a student successfully meets the expectations in a Grade 9 Applied or Academic course, the student can go on to take either type of course in Grade 10. The Mathematics curriculum requires a mandatory transfer course to facilitate a smoother transfer between levels.

Each student received a copy of CHOICES to share with you. You will find this guide most helpful in assisting your child to make wise and informed decisions.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding course selections or any of the information above, please contact us at lisa.sebbio@tdsb.on.ca (416)-396-6555 ext 20040 or robert.brogno@tdsb.on.ca (416) 396-6225 ext: 20040 to set up an appointment. 

Thank you,

Lisa Sebbio & Robert Brogno

List of Closed Schools

Below you will find a list of schools which are closed for Optional Attendance for the Regular Program.  Please note that Agincourt has a limited number of spaces and are accepting Optional Attendance applications for French Immersion and Extended French only.  Malvern has a limited number of spaces and is accepting application for French Immersion, Extended French and the Regular program.   

Here is a more local list that students have expressed some interest in.  Please see below for the complete list of Limited and Closed Schools.

School	Regular Program	French Immersion	Extended French
Agincourt Collegiate Institute	Closed	Limited	Limited
Earl Haig Secondary School	Closed	N/A	N/A
Leaside High School	Closed	Limited	Limited
Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
R H King Academy	Closed	N/A	N/A
Riverdale Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	Limited
SATEC @ W A Porter Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts	Closed	N/A	N/A
Complete TDSB List of Limited and Closed Schools
School	Regular Program	French Immersion	Extended French
A Y Jackson Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Agincourt Collegiate Institute	Closed	Limited	Limited
Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Alternative Scarborough Education 1	Limited	N/A	N/A
Avondale Alternative Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Bendale Business and Technical Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Bloor Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute	Limited
C W Jefferys Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
CALC Secondary School
Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute	Limited	Limited	Limited
Central Commerce Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Central Etobicoke High School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Central Technical School	Limited	N/A	N/A
City School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Contact Alternative School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Delphi Secondary Alternative School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Don Mills Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Downsview Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Drewry Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Earl Haig Secondary School	Closed	N/A	N/A
East York Alternative Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
East York Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Eastdale Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Emery Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Etobicoke Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Etobicoke School of the Arts	Limited	N/A	N/A
Etobicoke Year Round Alternative Centre	Limited	N/A	N/A
Forest Hill Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Frank Oke Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
George Harvey Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
George S Henry Academy	Limited	N/A	N/A
Georges Vanier Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Greenwood Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Harbord Collegiate Institute	Limited	Closed	Limited
Heydon Park Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Humberside Collegiate Institute	Closed	Closed	Closed
Inglenook Community School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Jarvis Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	Limited
John Polanyi Collegiate Institute	Limited
Kipling Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
L'Amoreaux Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	Limited
Lakeshore Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute	Pending	Pending	Pending
Leaside High School	Closed	Limited	Limited
Lester B Pearson Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Malvern Collegiate Institute	Limited	Limited	Limited
Maplewood High School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Martingrove Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Monarch Park Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Native Learning Centre	Click Here	N/A	N/A
Native Learning Centre East	Limited	N/A	N/A
Nelson A Boylen Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Newtonbrook Secondary School	Limited	Limited	Limited
North Albion Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
North East Year Round Alternative Centre	Limited
North Toronto Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
North West Year Round Alternative Centre	Limited	N/A	N/A
Northern Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Northview Heights Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Oakwood Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	Limited
Oasis Alternative Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Overflow Centre	Limited	N/A	N/A
Parkdale Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
R H King Academy	Closed	N/A	N/A
Richview Collegiate Institute	Limited	Closed	Limited
Riverdale Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	Limited
Rosedale Heights School of the Arts	Limited	N/A	N/A
Runnymede Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
SATEC @ W A Porter Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies	Limited	N/A	N/A
Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy	Limited	N/A	N/A
School of Experiential Education	Limited	N/A	N/A
School of Life Experience	Limited	N/A	N/A
SEED Alternative School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Silverthorn Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Sir John A Macdonald Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Sir Robert L Borden Business and Technical Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute	Closed	N/A	N/A
Sir William Osler High School	Limited	N/A	N/A
South East Year Round Alternative Centre	Limited	N/A	N/A
Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Subway Academy I	Limited	N/A	N/A
Subway Academy II	Limited	N/A	N/A
THESTUDENTSCHOOL	Limited	N/A	N/A
Thistletown Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Ursula Franklin Academy	Limited	N/A	N/A
Vaughan Road Academy	Limited	N/A	N/A
Victoria Park Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
West End Alternative School	Limited	N/A	N/A
West Hill Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
West Humber Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Western Technical-Commercial School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Weston Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Westview Centennial Secondary School	Limited	N/A	N/A
Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts	Closed	N/A	N/A
William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
Woburn Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
York Humber High School	Limited	N/A	N/A
York Memorial Collegiate Institute	Limited	N/A	N/A
York Mills Collegiate Institute	Limited	Limited	N/A
Yorkdale Secondary School	Limited

Grade 8 Transition Newsletter

We are in the midst of high school planning and over the next couple of months, students will be required to make some important choices for grade 9. This is a very exciting and important time for our grade 8 students. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed of some of the procedures and important deadlines for course selections.

Grade 9 Course Selections

We will begin course selections the week of Jan 13^th  2014. All students must complete course selections for their home high school using the myblueprint program. Students who have applied for specialized programs or regular school programs under optional attendance, will need to provide letters of acceptance to their Elementary School Guidance Counsellor in order for a new course selection sheet to be completed for that school/program. If students are successful with their choices, they need to inform the schools of their acceptance or not, within the given time frames (refer to the back of the optional attendance sheet for specific info). For students who are unsuccessful with their choices, we will continue with the home high school course selections. It is strongly recommended students log in to the myblueprint program at home and further explore the high school planner with their families, to ensure they are prepared to make final decisions for grade 9 within the next few weeks. All grade 8 students have already created accounts on myblueprint and worked through several aspects of the program including the high school planner. Students can log in from home at www.myblueprint.ca/tdsb with their username and password. Time will be given in class for students to select courses online. We will print online course selections at school and give an opportunity for classroom teachers to make program recommendations by the first week of February and send them home along with the hard copy versions for parents to review and sign. Parents/ guardians are expected to verify and sign course selection sheets and return them to their elementary  school no later than February 24^th, 2014.

Important Dates

     Week of January 13th – Elementary schools will be notified of which high schools are open for Optional Attendance. (Optional Attendance forms are available at your elementary school)

     January  31^st – Optional Attendance forms are due to high schools (delivered by parents/guardians).

 Week of February 10^th –14^th Students are informed of their acceptance to Specialized Programs and Optional Attendance schools.
     By February  24^th- Completed course selections are verified and signed by parents/guardians  and returned to classroom teachers.
     February 28^th  – All course selection sheets are delivered to high schools by Ms. Sebbio & Mr. Brogno.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding course selections or any of the information above, please contact us at lisa.sebbio@tdsb.on.ca (416)-396-6555 ext 20040 or robert.brogno@tdsb.on.ca (416) 396-6225 to set up an appointment. 

Thank you,

Lisa Sebbio & Rob Brogno

Elementary Guidance Counsellors

SATEC Deadlines

SATEC Deadlines

The final day to register for SATEC’s entrance test was December 5.  The test is being written on December 12. Students need to submit their completed applications on December 12.  For more information: http://satecatwaporter.ca/about/admissions/

TDSB Secondary Schools - Frequently Asked Questions

What is my home secondary school?

·         Your home secondary school is determined by your place of residence (i.e. your home address). 

·         Every student has the right to attend their home secondary school for REGULAR PROGRAMS provided they are successful in Grade 8. 

·         It is important to determine your home school because some schools have limited enrollment programs that may only be available to home school residents. 

·         To find your home secondary school follow this pathway:

www.tdsb.on.ca > click on Find A School > click on By Address > enter your street name in the search box           

NOTE: do not add street number, street type, or punctuation (For example, type in st andrews, instead of 100 St. Andrew's St.)

How do I apply to my home secondary school for grade 9?

·         You will receive a course selection sheet from your elementary school guidance counsellor (usually in January). 

·         Once you complete your Course Selection Sheet or submit your course selections online using myBlueprint, you will be registered in your home secondary school.

Note: students must meet Promotion, Transfer and Retention conditions.

TDSB Secondary Schools - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Optional Attendance?

·         Students also have the opportunity to access schools outside of the school that is designated to serve their residential address by applying on optional attendance. 

·         Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability.

·         Each year in January, schools are classified as limited or closed to optional attendance based on the space they have available for the upcoming school year.

·         The list will also be posted on the TDSB Internet website. 

·         A school classified as limited can accept students on optional attendance.

·         A “limited” school is not obliged to accept all students who apply on optional attendance. Acceptance is conditional upon space being available in the appropriate grade and program.

 

·         “Closed” schools may NOT accept any Optional Attendance requests for regular programs under any circumstances.

 How do I apply to a Regular Program at a school other than my home secondary school?

·         Applications for optional attendance are available from your elementary school guidance counsellor. 

·         Applications for optional attendance are to be completed and signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school the student currently attends (elementary school).

·         The home school principal or a designate (i.e. a vice principal or guidance counsellor) will sign the application. 

·         The parent /guardian will forward or deliver the application to the requested secondary school. 

·         The requested school (i.e. the secondary school) will complete and sign the application indicating the decision and forward a copy to the parent /guardian or student.

·         Parents/Guardians must inform the requested school of acceptance.

 

Note - The date no student will be admitted under optional attendance is the first Monday in March whether on a waiting list or not.

How do I apply for Optional Attendance at a Specialized Program or School?

·         Each school has its own supplementary application procedure and some have very specific requirements for admission. 

·         It is essential that parents/guardians and students attend the information evenings and research schools in which they are interested. 

·         Admission requirements, procedures and deadlines are available on each school’s website or by contacting the school’s Guidance department.

Note: If you are unable to attend a school’s information evening, it is important to check the school’s website or contact the school directly for admission information.

Note: Transportation, including bussing and distribution of TTC tickets, is not included for Specialized Schools and Programs

 

Note: Reference letters will no longer be requested or considered from TDSB staff by specialized schools and programs that have auditions, portfolios and/or admission assessment practices in place (e.g. letters from Grade 8 teachers for Grade 9 placement).   Reference letters may be requested from persons or organizations external to the TDSB (e.g. the coach for an elite athlete).

How many schools can I apply to on Optional Attendance?

·         You can only apply to two regular and two specialized schools or programs. 

 

Once a student engages in any application process with a specialized school or program, whether audition, test or portfolio etc., it counts as a one of their choices under the Optional Attendance policy.

***A Special Thank you to Melissa Rabess who produced this document!***

Grade Nine Information Evenings

We want to remind families that the High School information nights continue to take place over the next few weeks.  Below you will find some of the schools that previous students in our schools have attended. 

School                                                                                    Info Night

David and Mary Thomson C.I.                                            November 12, 2013

Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts      

(Performing Arts)                                                                  November 13, 2013

(Visual & Media Arts)                                                            November 14, 2013

Bendale B.T.I.                                                                       November 19, 2013

Victoria Park                                                                          November 19, 2013

SATEC@ W.A Porter C.I.                                                   November 20, 2013

RH King Academy                                                                November 27, 2013

Cedarbrae C.I. (French Immersion)                                     December 3, 2013

Winston Churchill CI                                                           December 4, 2013

Thank You for Attending The Choices For Nine Evening

Thank you to all the families who were able to join us on October 23rd and October 28th for our Choices for Nine Evenings.  If you were unable to attend please pick up a copy of the handout at your child's Elementary School.  Copies will be left with the Grade 8 homeroom teachers, office administrators and the Principal.  The Secondary school information nights are getting under way and as was emphasized at the presentation you are highly encouraged to attend those evenings and make contact with the school Guidance departments. 
Birchmount CI is holding their information evening tomorrow night, October 3oth at 6:30pm.

We want to leave you with a TDSB Tip Sheet that we shared at our presentation on how Students can make a successful transition to secondary school:

1. Take part in any summer programs that secondary schools offer for example, “Moving On Up” or grade 9 information days
2. Make certain you are making an informed choice about the correct type of program for your learning style and understand the pathway (apprenticeship, college, university or work) for each course type. Follow advice of grade eight teachers
3. Attend secondary school information evenings with your parents
4. Get involved in sports and clubs, but don’t over schedule yourself
5. Take advantage of peer tutoring programs
6. Do a trial run (bus route or walking) to secondary school
7. “Hang out” with the right people
8. Make good decisions
9. Develop strong work habits at school and at home
10. Keep electronics at home
11. Do your homework
12. Ask for help if you don’t understand something - but don’t leave it until the last minute
13. Learn to self advocate – inform teachers of problems or issues that may interfere with your learning
14. Always use your agenda

"Choices for Nine" brochures have arrived!

Your child will have received a Choices for Nine brochure by October 25, 2013.  The Choices for Nine publication provides you and your child with a detailed outline of the opportunities available and the decisions and choices you’ll be making throughout high school.  Each child will be completing a scavenger hunt in class to explore the content of the brochure. 

Please take a look at the parent tip sheet for some important information by clicking here:  High School Courses and Choices Tip Slip.

Important information about the Choices for Nine program will be shared at our Choices for Nine Information evening.  We are looking forward to seeing you at one of the parent/guardian nights listed below:

• Oct. 23rd at Birchmount C.I.  at 6:30pm
• Oct. 28th at Winston Churchill S.S.  at 6:30pm

You are welcome to attend the evening which is most convenient for your family.  Come and learn about key dates, timelines, Optional Attendance procedures, Secondary School programs and requirements, Secondary School Open House dates and times, Course Selection and much more.


Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Rob Brogno                                                 Lisa Sebbio

robert.brogno@tdsb.on.ca                             lisa,sebbio@tdsb.on.ca
(416) 396-6225                                           (416) 396-6555 ext. 20040

Grade 8 Career Conference Highlights

On October 2^nd and October 4^th, 2013 Grade 8 students from ER12 took part in an interactive career conference at the Ontario Science Centre (OSC).  Our students were very fortunate to hear from many employees from the various educational pathways about their career journeys.  OSC High School students shared advice about how to make the most of their future secondary school experiences.  The students were encouraged to become involved in extracurricular activities and be students who “Make things Happen” in high school.

A big part of the day involved students learning about the numerous career possibilities available at the OSC by having the opportunity to interact with the incredible staff.  Student heard from and saw Designers who plan the amazing exhibits and many of the skilled trade employees like Anthony Sword the Cabinet Maker who build them.  Speeches and presentations by Science Centre professionals helped students learn about the importance of career planning. 

Hosted by Laura Zrymiak 

Anthony Sword and Scott Pinard

Ms. Sebbio and Mr. Brogno would like to thank all the teachers, support staff and parents for helping out with supervising the students.  A special thank you to all the students who conducted themselves in such an excellent manner.  We hope you found the day informative and enjoyable.  The feedback from the Ontario Science Centre staff about the students was overwhelmingly positive.  

The Guidance Counsellors from ER12 and ER13 would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful people at the Ontario Science Centre for allowing us to use this wonderful venue for our career conference and for the incredible hospitality you showed.

A special thank you to our Superintendent of Education (SOE) Nadira Persaud and the ER12 Student Success committee for supporting this wonderful initiative for our students.  

Jerry Newton

OSC High School Student and Newcomer to Canada reminds students to get the most out of high school by getting involved in extracurricular activities

OSC High School Student - Wants Students to "Make things Happen in High School"