Course Selection~ Parent-Guardian Guide

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS (OSSD)

30 Credits

• 18 compulsory credits
• 12 elective credits
• 2 asynchronous online/elearning credits

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Literacy Test

• Taken in grade 10
• To be successfully completed sometime during high

school career

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40 Hours of Community Service

• Volunteer Board in Guidance
• Volunteer Section of Guidance website

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OSSD REQUIREMENTS

Course Codes

• 1st letter = the general area of study
• 2nd & 3rd = the subject
• 4th = the grade
• 5th = level of difficulty
• D (academic/single pathway)
• W (destreamed)
• O (open)
• U (university)
• M (university/college)
• C (college)
• E (workplace)
• 6th = number of credits or specialty code

COURSE CODE EXAMPLES

• SBI3U1:

Science, Biology, year 3 (grade 11), University prep, one credit

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• ENG4C1:

English, year 4 (grade 12), College, one credit

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• MCF3M1:

Math, year 3 (grade 11), University/College, one credit

Academic Courses- grade 10

• Develop student’s knowledge and skills through theory and abstract problems
• Also incorporates practical, concrete applications of concepts
• These courses keep ALL post- secondary pathways open
• Allow students to take grade 11 and 12 University, Mixed, College, Workplace and Open Classes

Applied Courses- grade 10

• Develop student’s knowledge and skills by focusing on practical, concrete applications of concepts
• Also incorporates theoretical applications
• Prepares students for studies in grade 11 and 12 College, Workplace and Open Classes
• Students may select these courses to build skills before taking an academic course

Locally Developed Courses- grade 10

• Focus on relevant and practical activities
• Provides opportunities to develop: literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, decision making, and communication skills for everyday life
• Prepares students for studies in grade 11 and 12 Workplace and Open Classes

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Grade 11/12 Courses

• University (U)- grade 10 academic pre-requisite required; similar expectations to academic courses
• Mixed (M)- grade 10 applied or academic pre-requisites; level between college and university; prepares for college or university
• College (C)- pathway from applied grade 10 courses; prepares students for college or Apprenticeship
• Workplace (E)- continuation from locally developed in grade 10; prepares students for the workplace
• Open(O)- general interest elective courses

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What’s new at LDSS

• English
• (NBE3U, NBE3C, NBE3E)
• English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices, Grade 11 (NBE)
• Similar to ENG3, students will develop a range of essential skills in oral communication, reading and literature studies, writing, media studies, all with an emphasis on critical thinking.
• This course adds an additional strand, woven throughout the course, that helps students to explore, deconstruct, and reconstruct text forms and develop a better understanding of contemporary Indigenous perspectives.
• Students will be prepared for ENG4C, ENG4E and ENG4U

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What’s new at LDSS

• CLN4U Canadian and International Law
• This course explores a range of contemporary legal issues and how they are addressed in both Canadian and international law.
• NDA3M Contemporary FNMI Perspectives
• This course examines existing and emerging issues to FNMI in Canada
• CHA3U American History- NEW 24-25!
• Grade 11 course will examine key issues, trends and events that have had an impact on the US
• SVN3E- Environmental Science
• replaces SNC2L

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LDSS Course Calendar

• Full Course Descriptions

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Elearning Courses

• TVDSB elearning courses- can choose in myBlueprint as a course option
• Asynchronous
• Daily work counts as attendance
• Teachers can see how much time students spend online
• Consortium offerings:
• 2024-25 course offerings

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marks

1

3

Math Pathways

University/College Bound?

• Universities require 6 courses at the 4M or 4U level

for their entrance average

• Generally the average at Western is

86% or higher for the 6 marks

• Undergraduate Studies- 1st step after HS- earn a DEGREE
• General=3 years; Honours= 4 years
• BA- Bachelor of Arts
• BSc- Bachelor of Science
• BEng- Bachelor of Engineering

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University/College Bound?

• Colleges look at grade 11 and 12 marks for

program entrance

• Earn a Certificate or a Diploma
• Some colleges also offer Degrees (same requirements as University)
• Advanced Diploma- after completion of a degree or diploma
• Many University transfers available

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5th year or Gap year?

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• Students can earn up to 34 credits
• Students may return for a 5th year to upgrade or try new in-person credits, pending availability
• Students can apply for NEW elearning credits, NO upgrades
• Students can register at Wheable to upgrade via elearning or register with www.ilc.org
• Structured gap year- https://www.cangap.ca/

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Career Assessments

• Career Coach- 60 question assessment provides general characteristics, overall interest areas and specific careers and programs to match
• Degree Hub- questionnaire that matches students to University programs
• myBlueprint- questionnaires and compatibility surveys

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Career Coaching/Assessment

• PAID opportunity
• Windrose Coaching Studio
• Career Coaching
• Career Assessments
• Workshops
• https://windrosecoachingstudio.com/

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Program Research

• Ontario Colleges
• www.ontariocolleges.ca/
• Choose ‘Programs’
• Search by: Program, Category, or College
• Ontario Universities
• www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/
• Search by Program or University
• Scholarship Listing by School
• College to University Transfers
• https://ontransfer.ca/
• Explore Transfer Options- complete 1 program and transfer to another program/school
• Move from College or Move from University

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Program Research

• Apprenticeship
• High School Co-op can be key to this
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship
• Information on the process and how to get signed on as an Apprentice in Ontario
• Possibility to complete level 1 training while still in high school
• https://sites.google.com/gotvdsb.ca/lorddorchesterguidance/post-secondary-information/apprenticeship

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CO-OP

• CO-OP is open to ALL grade 11 and 12's
• Co-op involves going out into the real world

and working in an area of interest to YOU

• 2 periods a day earns 2 credits (Pd 1&2 or Pd 3&4)
• 4 periods a day earns 4 credits- ideal for those seeking skilled trade experiences
• Experiential Learning!
• **NOTE- co-op cannot be used as one of your top 6 marks for University entrance!**

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

CO-OP

• Business
• Law enforcement
• TV/Radio
• Fitness Clubs

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EXAMPLES OF CO-OP PLACEMENTS

• Elementary Schools
• Health Care
• Trades
• and many more ...

Get real work experience, explore a career and learn real on the job skills!

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Coop teachers assist students in finding placements.

SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJORS

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• Health & Wellness
• Arts & Culture
• Construction

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• A program which allows students to experience a range of customized, career-focused learning opportunities.
• If you are interested in this for grade 12 talk to Mrs. Dalton (H & W) or Mr. Callowhill or Ms. Murphy (A & C), Mr. Dawson (C)

A

great

opportunity!

Arts & Culture SHSM

Construction SHSM

Health & Wellness SHSM

THE REGISTRATION PROCESS

1) Take registration worksheet home ...

- read your Course Selection Guide

- discuss with your parents

- make your course decisions

2) Register for courses on myBlueprint at home

3) Parents/guardians approve the plan by:� February 13th, 2024

Must be approved online by a parent/guardian

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COURSE SELECTION WORKSHEET

POINTS TO REMEMBER

• What you choose determines how many classes we

can offer - choose wisely

• The registration area of the guidance webpage has

links and information to help you

• (including this slide show so your parents/guardians can see the info)

myBlueprint & REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Log in with school account:

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Enter your school username (studentnumber@gotvdsb.ca) and password.

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From the Dashboard, click on Plan Courses

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Add courses to your High School Plan. �Click on + Course to select from courses at your school.

Click on Review Course Selections to review your chosen courses

Click Submit Course Selections to submit courses to your school

Click Send Approval Email

• You must enter your parent/guardian email correctly in the pop up box
• You can send it to a 2nd parent/guardian email by clicking

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• Your Submission is not complete until it is approved by a parent/guardian

SUMMER SCHOOL

• Runs the month of July online or in person (in London)
• 1 day=1 week of school
• Miss 3 days=3 weeks and they will drop students
• About 6 hours a day of asynchronous work
• Teachers may offer virtual office hours, but no mandatory synchronous time
• Registration opens in late March in myBlueprint

Summer School Offerings

• Summer COOP
• online form in march
• pre-placement in May-June
• Placement in July

Questions? Book an Appointment