SEAQUAM SECONDARY

1. SEAQUAM SECONDARY Course Planning for Grade 7’s to 8’s 2019-2020 (note: this presentation will be posted on Seaquam.ca – For parents – Parent Connect)

2. WELCOME • Goals for tonight: • Provide an overview of Gr. 8 and the differences between Gr. 7 and Gr. 8. • Share where information can be found • What does Seaquam offer? • Transition to high school: How can you support your child? • Answer questions

3. Coming to high school involves significant changes:- Youngest students in the school. • Larger building, more complex educational structure. • Many changes to the brain and body as students mature through puberty. • Changing social dynamics

4. There are also significant opportunities at the secondary level: • Large school so we can offer varied course options • Competitive sports program • Challenging academic program options (IB Program) • Strong emphasis on humanitarian and environmental issues

5. There are also significant opportunities at the secondary level: • Language options (French, Spanish, Japanese) and advanced language courses (IB program) • Well developed music and theatre programs • Strong emphasis on community involvement • Strong emphasis on and work exp. And career development

6. Educational Program in Grade 8: - Students are enrolled in a schedule that includes 8 courses. • Courses are usually in different rooms with different teachers. • Courses rotate through 4 days:Day 1: ABCD Day 2: EFGHDay 3: BADC Day 4: FEHG

7. ’Required’ Courses in Grade 8 • English 8 (language arts) (En 200) • Social Studies 8 (SS 200)Cornerstones option for Eng. 8 and Soc. 8 • Science8 (SC 200) • Math8 (MA 200) or Math 8 Challenge (MA 205) or Math 8 Core (MA 220) CORE is usually recommended by your gr. 7 teacher)) • Physical Education 8 (PE 200)  CO-ED • A Second Language French 8(LA 200) or Japanese 9  If you have been recommended for a support block it will usually replace the second language

8. Elective Courses Electives are offered as either a subject area that runs ALL year course (band or choir) in the same ‘block’ or as a ‘bundle’ called ‘EXPLORATIONS’- 3 different areas that rotate through the year within the same elective ‘block’ (ie: wood, computers, textiles)

9. What is a Explorations ‘bundle’? Please note that these bundle configurations appear on the Course Selection Form – when you go to select courses, please read those choices carefully on the Parent Connect form prior to selection. - Bundle choice Graphics, Info Tech, Art - Bundle choice Graphics, Business, Drama - Bundle choice • Business, Art, Drama -Bundle choice • Wood, Food, Music - Bundle choice Engineering, Textiles Film - Block choice • Engineering, Metal, Textiles note: These courses run all year and students rotate through each topic area in the bundle in 12-13 week sections

10. Non-Bundle Electives: fine arts • MUSIC 8 options for full year courses: • Concert Band – runs ALL year • This course is for students in grades 8. 9 and 10 who have already taken a beginning band course. Prerequisite: One year of elementary band (min) • Concert Choir – runs ALL year • This course is for all students interested in choral singing. No musical experience is necessary. Students will learn choral singing technique – vocal production, lyric diction, basic music theory and sigh singing. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zfVVA_Qywk&context=C347db22ADOEgsToPDskLalDjK-gTtg0-Mp0PxkxVd

11. Electives . . .What might my 2 elective blocks look like? one of the blocks and the other block Band + Explorations Bundle or Choir + Exploration Bundle or Exploration Bundle + another Exploration Bundle or Academy + Exploration Bundle

12. ACADEMY OPTIONS • Soccer • Drama • Dance • Film - Acting or Production or Visual Effects • Baseball (boys) • Hockey • Lacrosse • Basketball • Golf • Opera

13. Academies at Seaquam • Softball Academy (Girls) • Golf Academy • If interested you need to sign up through Seaquam course selection and apply to Academies (sooner the better!) • Two blocks are used within your timetable (ONE block replaces PE, and this the other replaces ONE of your elective choices) • More info and application forms can be found at www.deltaacademies.ca

14. Specialty Courses • ELL Support: • English Language Development - Levels 1 & 2 • ELL Strategies • Learning Assistance Support – for students needing additional support with organization, social-emotional and learning progression. • Cornerstones 8 and Math Core 8 – designed to help students who struggle in English and Socials, or in Math. • STUDENTS NEED TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR THESE COURSES AND PARENTS MUST SUPPORT THEIR CHILD ENTERING THESE COURSES.

15. So, an average timetable could look like…. • English 8 • Science 8 • Socials 8 • Math 8 • French 8 • PE 8 • Band 8 (non-bundle course) • Explorations (Wood, ICT, Textiles)

16. What is an alternate? • While we try to offer students what they ask for, sometimes it is not possible (usually in elective areas) • If you don’t get your first choice, we need to know what else you might want to take. By picking an alternate, we know what else to try and fit in a student’s schedule! (electives only) • Yes – there is always a possibility an alternate will be in a schedule so pick WISELY! If you pick it, you will be required to stay in it.

17. How to pick your courses? *Online*Online*Online* • You need to pick your courses online through our system known as Student /Parent Connect on a program called CIMS • The System opens Feb 14th to March 4th • Go to https://cimsweb.deltasd.bc.ca/ or your school website which should have a link. • If you do not have a password you need to contact the elementary school office to get one.

18. Resources • Elementary Teacher • Seaquam Counseling - Mr. Rickey (rrickey@deltasd.bc.ca) • Seaquam Website – This presentation will be posted on the website under for parents - parent connect - course planning • The Course Catalogue Guide Booklet is under: forstudents – course catalogue

19. What is a course catalogue? • This is an online resource available at Seaquam.ca - you can find it under ‘Registration & Course Planning‘ then ‘Course Planning’ • The course selection guide will tell a little bit about each course so that you can make careful choices

20. What else happens at Seaquam besides schoolwork?

21. Something for Everyone . . .

22. ATHLETICS . . . Visit seaquamathletics.com • Football • Rugby • Swimming • Volleyball • Basketball • Badminton • Soccer • Track and Field • Field hockey • Ultimate • Lacrosse • Water Polo • Tennis • Curling • Softball • Cross Country Running • Golf • Intermural sports at lunch (i.e. floor hockey)

23. Seaquam MUSIC

24. Seaquam Theatre –

25. Seahawks like to TRAVEL!! • Cambodia (2012) • Vegas • Costa Rica (2015) • Spain • Peru (2013) • Hawaii • Arizona • Japan (2014)

26. School Dances . . .

27. Student Council . . . • Plans dances • Plans ‘buddy day’ • Special fundraisers • Fun days – pajama day – tacky tourist day – Halloween costume days etc. • Valentines – carnation day • Spirit Days • YES! Grade 8’s can get involved!!

28. Clubs . . . To name a few ! • Kendo • Photo • Badminton • Chess • Environmental • Ski • Humanitarian • Rock and Roll / Music Club GET INVOLVED!! Want a club but it doesn’t exist??? START ONE!!

29. Student Supports • Seaquam Counseling Team • Teachers • Administration • Parents • Peer Tutors and Mentors • Student Leaders • Friends • Your child will encounter challenges in high school. These supports are there to help with these challenges.

30. How Can You Help Your Child Find Success in High School? • Be engaged with their learning and what is happening in their classes. • Establish successful routines and habits right from the start of high school. • Engage in communication with teachers and the school. • Provide emotional support.

31. For more information • Check out our school websitehttps://se.deltasd.bc.ca/(search Seaquam Secondary online) • Contact our school and our counseling team (R. Rickey)

32. Questions??