From the Guidance Office. .

From the Guidance Office. . .

Helping your teen plan for grade 9 course selections for 2016-17

This month, current grade 8 students will select their courses for grade 9. Before they do, we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to consult with their teachers, guidance counsellor, if applicable, and their parents. Please note that the information provided below applies to all Peel Secondary Schools and would therefore apply if your child is currently in our ELC and going to Heart Lake Secondary School or their home high school, or the new secondary school opening Sept. 2016 (currently referred to as Credit Valley Secondary School).

As our partners, families are encouraged to help prepare their teens for course selection. We encourage parents to become familiar with the process by creating a myBlueprint account. Instructions for this was sent home with your child’s Progress Report. Additionally, parents/guardians and students can review Chart Your Course, the Peel District School Board’s common course calendar (http://www.peelschools.org/students/commoncoursecalendar/2016- 17/Pages/default.aspx). This guide will help you understand the course selection process and provide information on the courses and programs offered in Peel secondary schools.

You can also visit www. myBlueprint .ca/peel, an online planning tool that includes the following:  high school planner for course selection  goal-setting  career spectrum for finding your learning style  occupation planner for exploring careers  post-secondary planner for opportunities after high school

The grade 9 course selection process will be open from Jan. 4 to Jan. 22, 2016. Students will choose courses at school with the support of their classroom teacher and guidance counsellor.

Thank you for your support during this exciting time!

Important Dates and Timelines for Grade 8 Course Selection Please note that the following applies to all Peel Secondary schools

DATE SCHEDULED EVENT(S) Jan 4-22 o Course selection begins on myBlueprint. Students will choose courses at school with the support of their teachers. All students will choose courses unless they 100% sure they will not be returning to a Peel District School Board school. o Explore High Skills applications open (see below for more information) By Jan. 22 o Course Verification sheets will be sent home. Please sign and return to the classroom teacher by Jan. 22. Feb. 8-16 o Round One of Regional Program offers are made. Students who are accepted will chose courses during this week on myBlueprint and are asked to bring in a copy of the email they have received with the course codes. Feb. 16-26 o Round Two of Regional Program offers are made. Students who are accepted will chose courses during this week on myBlueprint and are asked to bring in a copy of the email they have received with the course codes. After Jan. 22 o All course selection changes must be made at the (non-regional secondary school as myBlueprint will be closed. programs) and Feb. 26 (regional programs):

TRANSPORTATION TO REGIONAL PROGRAMS IN GRADE 9

Please note that there is NO bussing to regional programs (IB, IBT, AP, RAP, SciTech) offered in grade 9 with the exception of the Vocational Program at Turner Fenton S.S. Visit: http://www.stopr.ca/Pages/default.aspx to investigate paid bussing options.

CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

If you are applying to a Catholic secondary school, please ensure that you inform Ms. Kunica if accepted. Please note that it is the responsibility of each student to obtain the necessary information regarding Catholic Secondary School registrations. EXPLORE HIGH SKILLS Information 1. Where to find information: A detailed program overview and a list of secondary schools offering Explore High Skills (EHS) programs can be found at - http://www.peelschools.org/students/makingmyway/explorehighskills/Pages/default. aspx

Parent/guardians and students can view a video and click links to see program details for each secondary school offering the EHS program.

2. Program application process: The EHS on-line application will be available from January 4 - 22, 2016 and will be found on the EHS link above. The application includes:  general student information  a current parent/guardian email address  one question for students to write a short response (maximum 500 characters) about their interests and pathway goals  an opportunity to select up to three EHS program choices The application may be completed at home with the support of parent/guardians.

3. Timelines: Offers to the program will be sent the same time as regional program offers. Students can only accept one offer. All offers by other schools will automatically be declined once one is accepted.

First round offers February 8, 2016 9 a.m. First round acceptances February 12, 2016 4 p.m. Second round offers February 16, 2016 9 a.m. Second round acceptances February 19, 2016 4 p.m. Waitlist closes February 26, 2016 4 p.m.

Once a parent/guardian accepts an offer on behalf of their child, their parents/guardians will receive an email with specific instructions on how to make course changes using myBlueprint for the program (if applicable)*. This would need the support of the guidance counsellor.

*PLEASE NOTE: Students who have been accepted to: Sports at Castlebrooke S.S. or Business or Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services at Harold Brathwaite S.S. will not need to change their courses.

MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS US ALL

Check out the following websites:

General: www.inurhead.ca www.kidshelpphone.ca www.cmha.ca http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/about_us/member_profile.php?id=158 Anxiety: http://www.anxietybc.com/parent/index.php http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/anxiety.html Self-Harm:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/self-harm Suicide http://www.youthsuicide.ca/ Depression http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen_teenagers.htm

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up. ~ John C. Maxwell Celebrating Faith and Culture January 2016

DATE CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

Month of January K'aliyee Aboriginal Spirituality January 1 and 14 (J) New Year’s Day Christianity and Canada January 1 Gantan-sai Shinto January 1 Temple Day Buddhism January 5 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Sikhism January 6 and 19 (J) Epiphany or Feast of Theophany Christianity January 7 Christmas Christianity January 11 Seijin-no-hi Shinto January 13 Lohri Hinduism January 13 Maghi Sikhism January 17 World Religion Day Bahá'í January 17 Sakyamuni Buddha’s Buddhism Enlightenment January 19 to February 6 Month of Sultán Bahá'í January 24 Mahayana New Year Buddhism Sunset of January 24 to Tu B’Shevat Judaism 25