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Graduating 101

Brad Lemon

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A Little About Me

Teacher for 17 years
LM Grad Advisor
Teach Social Studies 10, 11, 12 (Ind.) and APOL courses
Married to Laura, who is a Support Teacher since 2017
Father of 4 (3 boys and a girl) who have been with HCOS since 2017 and have attended a variety of CC classes, Learning Groups activities, and online events
Prior to HCOS, I taught at International Christian Schools in Korea and Portugal before returning to Canada to teach at Abbotsford Christian School
I am passionate about home learning and the mission and vision of HCOS

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My Crew

James (13), Braeden (11), Jack (10) and Anna (9). My wife, Laura (Not saying!) is taking the picture on an afternoon hike.

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My Interests

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Goals for this Session…

Introducing Grad Funding & Tuition

Key People, Graduation Paths, Required Courses How funding works in Grade 10-12

Types of Courses The Grad Planner

Online/Synchronous/Individualized/Hybrid The best way to track your progress

Provincial Assessments Tips for Success at Grad

Numeracy and Literacy…Resources Available Effective Support Strategies

The Student Support Centre How to Connect with Me

How to access additional support Email, Telephone, Zoom Call, Newsletter

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Introducing the Grad Program

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Key People to Know at Grad

CHELSEA BITGOOD

Grad Director

TRISH VANDOP

Assistant Grad Director

BRAD LEMON

Grad Advisor�

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Think of the Grad as an entire program rather than “graded years”

Most students follow a 3-year graduation path, but many take an extra year (some finish sooner!)
Students are funded until the month of June in the school year in which they turn 19

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More Than One Path to Graduation

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20 Courses

80 credits

Typical Graduation Path�Graduate in 3 or 4 years

5 courses

20 Credits

Cannot apply until after 18 years of age. The courses are very specific.

IEP

Students who are on a modified program

Dogwood

Adult Dogwood

School Completion

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Required Courses for Dogwood

GRADE 10 ELA 10 (Students choose 2 x 2-credit modules) Math 10 (Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 or Workplace Math 10) Science 10 Social Studies 10 Physical Health Education 10 Career Life Education Any ADST course	GRADE 11 Any ELA 11 A Math 11 or 12 (Pre-Calculus 11, Foundations of Math 11 and Workplace Math 11 are the options for Grade 11) A Science 11 A Social Studies 11 or 12	GRADE 12 ENGLISH STUDIES 12 Career Life Connections A minimum of 2 additional Grade 12 level courses

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Funding & Tuition

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Funding

At K-9, students are funded on a per student basis

At Grad, students are funded on a per course basis

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Individualized and Hybrid non-core courses receive $50 in resource funding

Textbooks for core courses (Individualized) are available for through the Learning Commons

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Tuition

Courses cost $50 for the first 4 courses (total of $200)

Additional courses are free

Note: Separate pay structure for CC classes and some courses may have an additional course fee

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Course Types

Online
Online Synchronous
Individualized
Hybrid
Community Connections
External Credit Courses
Combined Courses

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Choices, Choices, Choices

Being the largest DL in BC, you might be surprised to learn just how much choice HCOS can offer students!

100 different courses to choose from for Grade 10 alone!

The choice and flexibility of our programming is a huge asset, but can be a lot to navigate at first

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Online Courses

Allow students to…

Work at their own pace
Access their entire course in one convenient place (Moodle)

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PROS

Students can accelerate their course

Students work independently

No need to purchase/borrow a textbook

CONS

Not an interactive format which can be a challenge for students who desire a higher level of engagement, with their teacher/peers

Online Courses Cont.

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Online Synchronous Courses

Provide students with an opportunity to…

Be a part of a cohort of learners
Meet with the teacher and their peers once a week in Zoom
Ask questions and participate in class discussions

Students are expected to keep pace with the class (Sept. to May)

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PROS

More connected

Students that struggle with time management will have an easier time staying on track

CONS

Doesn’t allow students to work ahead

Less flexibility for students and their schedules

Online Synchronous Cont.

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Individualized Courses

Students work with the teacher to create their own student learning plan (SLP)
Allows students to use a textbook or curriculum of their choosing
Paper based = less time on a screen for students
Textbooks for core courses available through the Learning Commons

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PROS

Gives students more voice and choice in their learning

Students work at their own pace

Teachers provide resources, give feedback and assess student work

CONS

Individualized courses rely heavily on students being self-disciplined and responsible to complete work independently

Individualized Courses Cont.

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Hybrid Courses

Families choose a curriculum from a list of popular options
Teacher provides supplementary material when needed
Paper-based + online component (hybrid courses have a “Moodle shell”)

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PROS

Students work at their own pace

Students have input on curriculum options

Less time spent on a device

CONS

Less interactive than synchronous

Requires students to navigate between paper-based curriculum and Moodle

Hybrid Courses Cont.

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Community Connections Courses

We also have in person learning opportunities through our CC classes which are located in Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack

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Which Format is Best?

That really depends on the learner!
Students should consider their own strengths, weaknesses and how they work best before making their decision
Students can try more than one format to see which one works best...this makes course selection easier the next year!

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External Course Credits

Students can also apply to earn credits for things they are doing outside of their regular school work
Examples: Royal Academy of Music, Royal Academy of Dance, 4 H, Cadets, ICBC Driver Training, Royal Life Saving Society of Canada and many more
If this applies to you, let me know so I can apply on your behalf

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Combined Course Options

Humanities Program (CC+ or Hybrid)

Combines English, Social Studies and Christian Studies (Grades 10 through 12)

Offered at…

Langley CC+ meets on Thursdays (8:45 to 2:45)
Abbotsford CC+ meets on Tuesdays (8:40 to 2:40)
Chilliwack CC+ meets on Thursdays (9:30 to 3:00)

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Combined Course Options Con’t.

Adventure Discipleship

Combines PHE 10 or Outdoor Education 11 with Leadership and Christian Studies for 12 credits (tentative plan is for a Coastal trip sometime between May and June next year)

Comparative Cultures Travel Course

Stay tuned! :)

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Other Examples of HCOS’ Unique Programming

Learning Camps - Chemistry for Science 10
AP classes for Calculus and Macroeconomics
Work Experience 10, 11, 12

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The Grad Planner

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Provincial Assessments

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Provincial Assessments

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Should be attempted in Grade 10.

Rubric Score 1-4

Should be attempted in Grade 10.

“Requirements Met”

Should be attempted in Grade 12.

Rubric Score 1-4

Numeracy 10

Literacy 10

Literacy 12

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Keeping Provincial Exams in Perspective

Students can write up to 3 times (Ministry will report the best attempt)
Sessions run in November, January, April and June
There is no minimum score to pass
*Post-secondaries in the LM do not include Provincial exam scores as part of their entrance requirements

*UBC is the exception

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Supporting Student Success on Provincial Exams

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Things to note…

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Things to note…

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Tips for Success at Grad

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Keys to Success

Parent Engagement
Consistent Routines
Student Involvement
Self-Advocacy

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Key #1 - Parent Engagement

Parent-engagement might look different at Grad, parents still play a critical role in supporting learning by:

Helping/Coaching
Encouraging
Providing accountability

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Consider Doing A Weekly “Check-in”

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Weekly “Check-ins”

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Weekly “Check-ins”

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Weekly “Check-ins”

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Key #2 - Consistent Routines

It’s important for students to have a regular time and place to do their coursework

Find a place that is free from distraction
Create a schedule
Stick to it! :)

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Key #3 - Student Involvement

Two great ways to connected:

The Breakfast Club
Learning Groups (Learning Camps)

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How to Get Involved .lg/breakfast club

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Learning Camps

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Key #4 - Self Advocacy

If you’re struggling in a class, you need to let others know...

Communicate with your parent
Reach out to your teacher in an email or set up a time to meet in Zoom
Make appointment to meet with an EA at the SSC
Tell your GA

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Special “Plug” for the

Student Support Centre

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How to Connect with me

Email: brad.lemon@onlineschool.ca

Use my Calendly to book a Zoom Call

Find the link below my email signature

Schedule a phone call if you prefer

Read my monthly Newsletter

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Attend Grad Orientation

May 9th to 13th

Grad Program Overview Math 101 What Type of Course Science 10 & Beyond Planning for the Future (Career Life Education) Numeracy/Literacy Assessments	HCOS Grad Ceremonies Building your Schedule Student Panel Combined Course Options English 10 Options Moodle/Encom - What Students and Parents Need to Know	Adult Dogwood & Evergreen Certificates Thinking Ahead - BCeID, Scholarships & Student Awards Student Support Centre The Breakfast Club HCOS Trivia