Tonights Agenda

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Tonights Agenda
The music this evening will be performed by the
G.W. Williams Senior Jazz Band.

• Welcome from the Administrative team
• Mr. McAdam, Mr. MacNeill, and Mrs. Pummel    

• Greetings from Parent Council
• Mrs. Nisbet  

• Student Council

• Overview of Course Selection and Programs
• Ms. Armata  

• Where to go next..?
• A Special Education presentation will occur
  immediately following in room 114 and Learning LD
  will be in room 106. Parents can visit with each
  department and meet Subject Heads according to
  map and list provided

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Moving From Grade 8 to Grade 9
Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School
Home of the Wildcats
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Attendance Policy

• The Education Act requires that students must
  attend classes regularly and punctually.
• Students must accumulate 110 hours of
  instructional time for every course.
• Credits are awarded based on a grade of 50 or
  higher and acceptable attendance.
• We ask that parents attempt to limit the number
  of classes missed due to appointments.
• Our policy and guideline is the 3, 6, 9.

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Information

• The information contained in this presentation is
  available from the following
• Our schools website www.drgwwilliams.ss.yrdsb.ed
  u.on.ca
• York Region District School Board Regional Course
  Directory 2008-2009. Available on line at
  www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
• York Region District School Board web site
  www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca
• York Region District School Board Guidance
  Services Website - www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/guidance.se
  rvices
• Ministry of Education web site -
• www.edu.gov.on.ca for policy and curriculum
  documents

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A Brief History of Williams
1888 The school began as Aurora High School at
what is now known as the Aurora Museum. 1892
Moved into a new building on Wells Street 1923
A new building was constructed on Wells Street
currently the Wells Street P.S. 1952 Moved to
current location on Dunning Ave. as Aurora
District High School 1961 Renamed in
recognition of Dr. G. W. Williams, member of the
Aurora H.S Board for 48 years, 35 as
chairman. 1988 There was a centennial
reunion. 2008 You will be a part of the
schools history.
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Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Requirements

• 18 Compulsory Credits
• 12 Optional Credits
• -----------------------------
• 30 Total Credits (110 hours each)
• Successful Completion of the Ontario Secondary
  School Literacy Test
• 40 Hours of Community Involvement

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Compulsory Credits (total of 18) 4.0 - credits
in English (1 credit per grade) 1.0 - credit in
French as a second language 3.0 - credits in
mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or
12) 2.0 - credits in science 1.0 - credit in
Canadian history 1.0 - credit in Canadian
geography 1.0 - credit in the arts (music,
visual arts, drama) 1.0 - credit in health and
physical education 0.5 - credit in civics 0.5 -
credit in career studies Plus - G1 additional
credit in English, or a third language, or a
social science, or Canadian and world studies
- G2 additional credit in health and physical
education, or business studies, or the arts
(music, visual arts, art, drama, or dance) - G3
additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12) or
technological education (Grades 9-12) A
maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can
count as compulsory credits.
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Gr. 9 10 Definitions of Types

• Grade 9 10 courses- focus is on establishing
  solid knowledge and foundation skills
• Applied (P) - a real-life hands on approach
  with some theory
• Academic (D) - theoretical in approach,
  utilizes abstract thinking
• Open (O) an opportunity to explore an area of
  interest for all students
• Locally Developed (M) for students who have
  not completed the grade 8 level expectations in
  English or Mathematics or Science by the end of
  grade 8.

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Making the Choice??

• Parents and students will select courses in
  collaboration with elementary school teachers,
  guidance counselors and administrators
• It is important that students do some honest self
  assessment, matching their ability with their
  interests and aptitudes
• Remember that initial decisions made in grade 8
  are not final decisions. There are many
  pathways to the destination your child dreams of!
  
• Be aware of your schools deadline for returning
  your registration forms
• Transfer requests to another school must be
  attached to the completed Dr. G. W. Williams S.S
  request form. All transfers will be decided by
  the principals some time in March or April.

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Sample Schedule
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Sports
Football Field Hockey Soccer Basketball Volleyball
Hockey Badminton Curling Track and Field Cross
Country Rugby Lacrosse Baseball Softball Ski
Team Snowboarding Team Tennis Wrestling Cricket Go
lf Flag Football
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Clubs and Activities

• Band (Senior, Intermediate, Jazz, etc)
• Improvisation
• Theatre Williams
• Math Contests
• Peer Mediation
• Peer Mentoring
• Science Olympics
• Yearbook
• Spectrum
• Gay Straight Alliance
• Chess
• Student Council
• Santa Claus Parade
• Fundraisers
• Student Council Theme Days
• Camp Robin Hood
• Exchange Programs
• Trips to Other Countries
• and more

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Dr. G. W. Williams S.S.(The best school ever)