Area V Key Communicator/School Chair Meeting – April 9 th , 2008

1. Area V Key Communicator/School Chair Meeting – April 9th, 2008 • Welcome and Introductions - Laurie • Transitions Presentation – Julie Dodds, Pat Thalheimer, Dianne Yee • Question and Answers – panel members • CBE Updates – Pat Cochrane and Carol Bazinet • Area updates – Naomi Johnson • Next Meeting May 14th, Drugs in Schools – Mike Higgins

2. Looking at School TransitionsFor our Students, Parents and Staff Julie Dodd’s – principal of R.T. Alderman School Pat Thalheimer – principal of Nickle School Dianne Yee – principal of Lord Beaverbrook High School

3. Changing/starting a new school Impact on: 1. Child 2. Family 3. School

4. Planning starts early: 1. For the student: • Preliminary Visit(s) to Elementary School • Return Visit(s) to Middle School • Head Start or Transition days in September • Organizational Structure can aid transition • Special activities in September

5. Planning starts early: 2. For the family • Communication/preliminary registration forms • Preliminary visit to new school • Individual meetings • Special events during September

6. Planning starts early: 3. For the school • Calgary Board of Education boundaries and student projections • Preliminary visits to school to meet with new students • Professional sharing between school staff • Staffing process • Organizing for Learning

7. Ongoing Monitoring • SLT Meetings to discuss progress • Resource assistance as required • Access to system resources such as Program Specialist, SHP etc.

8. Junior High/Middle to High School Transition Cycle • A Lord Beaverbrook Example - 7 Junior High/Middle Feeder Schools • Reorganized our grade 10 options as an exploratory year – 3 credit courses • Open House in November • Counsellor and Admin Breakfast in December • Grade 9 and 10 Core Subject Teacher Breakfasts in September and February • Grade 9 Tours and Information “Trade Show” in February • Counsellor and Admin Registration Visits to Grade 9 classes and to Parent Information Sessions at feeder schools • Aboriginal Family Liaison Counsellor works in feeder schools with Aboriginal Grade 9’s

9. Junior High/Middle to High School Transition Cycle • A Lord Beaverbrook Example - 7 Junior High/Middle Feeder Schools • Special Education Learning Leader visits to feeder schools in March to June • Early transition in Term 4 for at-risk students • System Class Transition Meetings – Adapted Learning Class and Mental Health Classes • English Second Language Learning Leader visits to feeder schools in March to June • Option Course teacher visits to feeder school in March to June • Admin and Counsellor visits to Grade 10 classes in September and Grade 10 Parent Orientation Evening • Early Report Student Progress Conferences before semester midterm/end of Term 1

10. Beyond High School Transition • Our grade 12’s – • Each student has a designated Counsellor and Assistant Principal • Our 5 Academies with a career development focus • Begins with our Career Exploration 10 – digital and paper portfolio creation • Portfolio artifacts developed in each course a student takes through the three years • Continues in CALM and culminates with a Portfolio Review at the end of Grade 12

11. Beyond High School Transition • World-of-Work and Trade Apprenticeships • RAP and Work Experience courses for high school credit • Scholarship preparation and student finance assistance • Skills Canada competitions • Universities, Colleges, and Polytechnics • Post Secondary Fairs (two each year), Spend-a-Day programs, LBHS course (Food Studies, AP Biology…) /club (Honors Society…) /special event (Police Academy…) visits and special programs • Scholarship preparation and student finance assistance • Resources for students who need learning assistance • “Gap” Year • Students and parents return to our counsellors and career practitioners for assistance