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Following are suggestions of a to-do list for grade 8 families:
- Attend Information Session for Grades 8 - 9
- Determine Home School(s) by address https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School
- Visit and Explore the TDSB website: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School
- Create Parent Account on myBlueprint/or link with student accounts
- Complete Transition Profile Card - provided by Ms Duff to students before course selection
- Use the trip planner at ttc.ca to determine routes/travel times from your home to High School(s) and try it out!
- Find out Dates for High School Open Houses
- Visit High School Websites for information
- Locate & Print Specialized Program requirements (if applicable) and begin gathering materials (e.g., Grade 7 June Report Card, references, etc.)
- Attend Open House Information Nights for all schools you are interested in
- Mark important dates in your calendar/agenda/phone
- Grade 8 students: Log on to myBlueprint for surveys
- Begin to Understand course types in preparation for course selection
- Have ongoing conversations as a family about choices
- Work on course selection on myBlueprint (January/February) and print & sign final agreed-upon plan and submit to Ms Duff (or your classroom teacher to give to Ms Duff)
- ASK QUESTIONS!
Course Selection 101
Course Selection 101
Ms Duff will provide direct instruction to classes on the "how to" of course selection using myBlueprint during the months of January and February. See "Important Dates" to know when your choices should be finalized. Here is a crash course:
- Prior Knowledge that might be helpful: familiarize yourself with OSSD requirements, and learn how to understand course codes using tdsb's helpful choices placemat: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/HighSchool/docs/SecondaryPlacemat_F.pdf
1. Log onto myBlueprint.ca/tdsb
2. From your Dashboard, select "High School".
3. Select "Add Plan"
4. Find the name of the tdsb home school you plan on attending (you can create more than one plan if you are waiting to hear back from specialized schools/programs or other schools for optional attendance). Leave the second field in the default OSSD unless you are certain you are working towards another type of certificate/diploma.
5. Using the school's course selection sheet as a reference guide, begin to select courses to fulfill the requirements for grade 9, paying careful attention to ensure you are planning to earn your compulsory credits, and choosing which electives suit you best. Here are some additional considerations:
- Some schools require students to take specific courses in the elective spot (e.g., a second art credit in specialized arts schools/programs or a technology course at schools whose facilities allow for exploration in this area) - refer to the school's grade 9 course offerings
- Students with an IEP may select a GLE course (Learning strategies course). If there is room in the course plan it will take the place of the elective. If not, students may decide, for example, to substitute this course for their "art" choice in grade 9 and instead begin earning arts credits in grade 10.
- GLS (Learning Strategies course) is available to all students and a credit may be earned for this course. Similar consideration may need to be given as described in the first point.
- READ COURSE DESCRIPTIONS OF COURSES ON MY BLUEPRINT! If you want more detailed descriptions of courses, refer to the Ontario Curriculum: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/index.html
- You may need to choose one or more alternate courses in the event a course you selected is full or does not run
6. Click "review courses" and discuss your choices as a family
7. Click "Submit Courses" only once you have had a chance to think about your choices and discuss them with your family because your choices will be submitted to Ms Duff
8. Print your course choices, student and parent/guardian sign the printed copy and bring it to school.
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