R.S. McLaughlin C.V.I.’s
How is Grade 9 Different than Grade 8?
• MCVI is a semestered school. There are two semesters.
• You take 4 courses each semester for a total of 8 courses.
• You have 4 different teachers.
• There are 4 different levels at which you can take a class.
• More independence. You determine your level of success & must be
What do you need in order to earn your Ontario
Secondary School Diploma?
• 18 Compulsory Courses (30 credits in total) • 12 Optional Courses (electives) • 40 Hours of Community Involvement • Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (written during Spring of Grade 10)Diploma Requirements - 30 credits
18 compulsory credits• Students must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma: • 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)*
• 3 credits in mathematics (1 credit in Grade 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 credit in French as a second language • 0.5 credit in career studies
• 0.5 credit in civics
• Plus one credit from each of the following groups: Group 1:
English or French as a second language, a Native language, a classical or an international language, social sciences and the humanities, Canadian and world studies, guidance and career education, cooperative education
Group 2:
health and physical education, the arts, business studies, French as a second language, cooperative education
Group 3:
Compulsory Credits
In Grade 9 you must take 1 credit in each of the following: • English
• Math • Science • Geography
• French or Francais (unless exempt) • Physical Education
Elective Credits
Elective credits are credits that you choose to take. Over your 4 years at McLaughlin, you must complete 12 elective credits in order to earn your diploma.
Two of your elective credits are taken in grade 9, unless in French Immersion (one elective)
Special Certificates
• French Immersion Certificate – 10 French Immersion credits • Arts Endorsement – 6 credits in the Arts
• Business Endorsement – 6 credits in Business
• French Language Certificate – 4 credits in core French from grade 9-12
• Technology Certificate – 6 credits in Technology
• International Language Certificate – 3 credits in Spanish, grades 10-12
Streams
Courses are worth CREDITS in high school. A credit is granted when a course of at least 110 hours is completed successfully. Failure to complete the requirements = failed credit.
Courses are organized into 4 potential streams to allow for individual success:
• Academic • Applied
• Locally Developed • Open
Course Streams
Grade 9 and 10
Academic Applied DevelopedLocally Open
Grade 11 and 12
Academic Stream “D”
• Requires strong independent work habits. Complete homework readily.
• Emphasizes theoretical and abstract
concepts. Incorporates practical concepts when it is appropriate
• Student should have achieved level 3 or above in that subject
• Leads to University, College or Workplace courses in grades11&12
Applied Stream “P”
• Emphasizes practical and concrete concepts, but incorporates theoretical
concepts when it is appropriate • “Hands on” approach
• Leads to College or Workplace courses in grades 11&12
Locally Developed Stream “L”
• Designed for students whose needs are not met in “D” or “P” classes in English, Mathematics and/or Science.
• Provides opportunity to fill gaps in
learning. There is a focus on everyday life. • Leads to Workplace level courses in
grades 11&12
• No more than 6 grade 9 or 10 Locally
Developed courses can be used as part of your compulsory credits toward your
The Open Level “O”
• An Open course has a set of expectations that is suitable for all students at a given grade level.
• These courses are designed to provide students with a broad educational base
Understanding the Course Code
The first five characters of the course code indicate the subject, grade level and course type.
Subject Grade Level School
Indicator
The first 3
characters refer to the name of the course (ENG in this example) ENG1D is English. The fourth character (1 in this example) refers to the grade of the course. 1= Grade 9 2= Grade 10 3= Grade 11 4= Grade 12 ENG1D1 is a Gr. 9 course.
The fifth character (D in this case) refers to the level of the
course. P= Applied D= Academic O=Open L= Locally Developed ENG 1D1 is an Academic course. The sixth character (1 in this case) refers to a timetable designation used by MCVI or the DDSB.
What Stream Should I Choose?
Consider your:
• Learning style. Success = Student engagement! • Academic skill level and consistent work habits. • Grade 8 teacher’s recommendations. **
French Immersion
In grade 9, French Immersion students will take 3 of their 8
courses in French. You must take a total of 10 during your high school years.
• FIF 1DF – Francais
• CGC 1DF – Principles de Geographie du Canada
• BTT1OF – Introduction aux Technologies de I’information et de a Communication
Community Involvement Hours
You may start working on your volunteer hours the summer before you begin grade 9! Find something you like to do! As you move into the senior grades, you may have increased demands on your time (more homework, job etc.) There is no time like the present! See the Guidance website for community resources and idea.
Please note that some activities are not eligible to be included in your 40 hours. To see a complete list of eligible and ineligible activities, please visit the Guidance section of the school’s website.
To be considered “Eligible”, a Volunteer placement should be: • an event designed to be of benefit to the community
• completed outside of class time.
Special Education
Our school has a variety of ways of assisting students who have specific educational needs. We want our students to be successful!
These include:
• Academic Resource Support (IEP) • Learning Strategies program
• Courses taught at different streams of instruction
• Referral program by teachers, administrations, parents, guidance and students themselves.
Getting Involved
There are many clubs, teams and bands that you can join once you are at MCVI! Examples are:
• Art Club
• Best Buddies
• Binnfeill Dance Festival • Gamerspace
• GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) • Impact
• Leadership Camp • Math Contests
• Jazz and Concert Bands • Choirs
• One Act Plays
• Reach for the Top • Sports teams
• Ski Club
• Student Parliament and more!
The First Day of School!
• Your first day of school will take place on September 6th, 2016 • Only grade 9’s attend on the first day of school (other than senior
helpers)
• Attend classes, presentations, get your locker, get your picture taken, meet new friends etc.
• Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend!
Career Cruising
• All course selections will be done online using www.careercruising.com
• Career Cruising will open February 1st and close February 26th. You must select and submit your courses in that time.
• Bring your signed course selection sheet back to your grade 8 teacher.
