TDSB Secondary Schools - Frequently Asked Questions

What is my home secondary school?

·         Your home secondary school is determined by your place of residence (i.e. your home address). 

·         Every student has the right to attend their home secondary school for REGULAR PROGRAMS provided they are successful in Grade 8. 

·         It is important to determine your home school because some schools have limited enrollment programs that may only be available to home school residents. 

·         To find your home secondary school follow this pathway:

www.tdsb.on.ca > click on Find A School > click on By Address > enter your street name in the search box           

NOTE: do not add street number, street type, or punctuation (For example, type in st andrews, instead of 100 St. Andrew's St.)

How do I apply to my home secondary school for grade 9?

·         You will receive a course selection sheet from your elementary school guidance counsellor (usually in January). 

·         Once you complete your Course Selection Sheet or submit your course selections online using myBlueprint, you will be registered in your home secondary school.

Note: students must meet Promotion, Transfer and Retention conditions.

TDSB Secondary Schools - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Optional Attendance?

·         Students also have the opportunity to access schools outside of the school that is designated to serve their residential address by applying on optional attendance. 

·         Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability.

·         Each year in January, schools are classified as limited or closedto optional attendance based on the space they have available for the upcoming school year.

·         The list will also be posted on the TDSB Internet website. 

·         A school classified as limited can accept students on optional attendance.

·         A “limited” school is not obliged to accept all students who apply on optional attendance. Acceptance is conditional upon space being available in the appropriate grade and program.

 

·         “Closed” schools may NOT accept any Optional Attendance requests for regular programs under any circumstances.

 How do I apply to a Regular Program at a school other than my home secondary school?

·         Applications for optional attendance are available from your elementary school guidance counsellor. 

·         Applications for optional attendance are to be completed and signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school the student currently attends (elementary school).

·         The home school principal or a designate (i.e. a vice principal or guidance counsellor) will sign the application. 

·         The parent /guardian will forward or deliver the application to the requested secondary school. 

·         The requested school (i.e. the secondary school) will complete and sign the application indicating the decision and forward a copy to the parent /guardian or student.

·         Parents/Guardians must inform the requested school of acceptance.

 

Note - The date no student will be admitted under optional attendance is the first Monday in March whether on a waiting list or not.

How do I apply for Optional Attendance at a Specialized Program or School?

·         Each school has its own supplementary application procedure and some have very specific requirements for admission. 

·         It is essential that parents/guardians and students attend the information evenings and research schools in which they are interested. 

·         Admission requirements, procedures and deadlines are available on each school’s website or by contacting the school’s Guidance department.

Note: If you are unable to attend a school’s information evening, it is important to check the school’s website or contact the school directly for admission information.

Note: Transportation, including bussing and distribution of TTC tickets, is not included for Specialized Schools and Programs

 

Note: Reference letters will no longer be requested or considered from TDSB staff by specialized schools and programs that have auditions, portfolios and/or admission assessment practices in place (e.g. letters from Grade 8 teachers for Grade 9 placement).   Reference letters may be requested from persons or organizations external to the TDSB (e.g. the coach for an elite athlete).

How many schools can I apply to on Optional Attendance?

·         You can only apply to two regular and two specialized schools or programs. 

 

Once a student engages in any application process with a specialized school or program, whether audition, test or portfolio etc., it counts as a one of their choices under the Optional Attendance policy.

***A Special Thank you to Melissa Rabess who produced this document!***

Thank You for Attending The Choices For Nine Evening

Thank you to all the families who were able to join us on November 6th for our Choices for Nine Evening.  If you were unable to attend please ask your child to pick up a copy of the handout in Mr. George's office at Bliss Carman.  The Secondary school information nights are getting under way and as was emphasized at the presentation you are highly encouraged to attend those evenings and make contact with the school Guidance departments.  Below you will find a list of schools in our area that students may be interested in:

 

School                                                    Info Night
Bendale B.T.I.                                       November 19, 2013

David and Mary Thomson C.I.              November 12, 2013

RH King Academy                                 November 27, 2013

SATEC@ W.A Porter C.I.                    November 20, 2013

Sir Robert L. Borden B.T.I                   January 9, 2014

Sir Wilfrid Laurier CI                            November 14, 2013

Sir Oliver Mowat C.I.                            January 15, 2014
Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts  

(Performing Arts)                                   November 13, 2013

(Visual & Media Arts)                            November 14, 2013
West Hill C.I.                                              November 19, 2013
Cedarbrae C.I.                                            December 3, 2013

Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute  December 4, 2013

 We want to leave you with a TDSB Tip Sheet that was shared at our presentation on how "Students can make a successful transition to secondary school":

1. Take part in any summer programs that secondary schools offer for example, “Moving On Up” or grade 9 information days
2. Make certain you are making an informed choice about the correct type of program for your learning style and understand the pathway (apprenticeship, college, university or work) for each course type. Follow advice of grade eight teachers
3. Attend secondary school information evenings with your parents
4. Get involved in sports and clubs, but don’t over schedule yourself
5. Take advantage of peer tutoring programs
6. Do a trial run (bus route or walking) to secondary school
7. “Hang out” with the right people
8. Make good decisions
9. Develop strong work habits at school and at home
10. Keep electronics at home
11. Do your homework
12. Ask for help if you don’t understand something - but don’t leave it until the last minute
13. Learn to self advocate – inform teachers of problems or issues that may interfere with your learning
14. Always use your agenda

"Choices for Nine" brochures have arrived!

Your child will have received a Choices for Nine brochure by October 25, 2013.  The Choices for Nine publication provides you and your child with a detailed outline of the opportunities available and the decisions and choices you’ll be making throughout high school.  Each child will be completing a scavenger hunt in class to explore the content of the brochure.  Student need to have their agendas signed by their parents/guardians once the brochure is brought home.

Please take a look at the parent tip sheet for some important information by clicking here:  High School Courses and Choices Tip Slip.

Important information about the Choices for Nine program will be shared at our Choices for Nine Information evening on November 6th, 2013 at Bliss Carman Senior P.S (6:30pm).  

 

Come and learn about key dates, timelines, Optional Attendance procedures, Secondary School programs and requirements, Secondary School Open House dates and times, Course Selection and much more.

Please note that Birchmount C.I will be hosting their Grade 9 information night on October 30, 2013.

 

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Paul George                                             

(416) 396-6075  Ext: 20040

 

 

Grade 8 Career Conference Highlights

On October 1st, 2013 Grade 8 students from Bliss Carman took part in an interactive career conference at the Ontario Science Centre (OSC).  Our students were very fortunate to hear from many employees from the various educational pathways about their career journeys.  OSC High School students shared advice about how to make the most of their future secondary school experiences.  The students were encouraged to become involved in extracurricular activities and be students who “Make things Happen” in high school.

A big part of the day involved students learning about the numerous career possibilities available at the OSC by having the opportunity to interact with the incredible staff.  Student heard from and saw Designers who plan the amazing exhibits and many of the skilled trade employees like Anthony Sword the Cabinet Maker who build them.  Speeches and presentations by Science Centre professionals helped students learn about the importance of career planning. 

Hosted by Laura Zrymiak 

Anthony Sword and Scott Pinard

I would like to thank all the teachers, support staff and parents for helping out with supervising the students.  A special thank you to all the students who conducted themselves in such an excellent manner.  I hope you found the day informative and enjoyable.  The feedback from the Ontario Science Centre staff about the students was very positive.  The Guidance Counsellors from ER12 and ER13 would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful people at the Ontario Science Centre for allowing us to use this wonderful venue for our career conference and for the incredible hospitality you showed.  

A special thank you to our Superintendent of Education (SOE) Kerry-Lynn Stadnyk and the Student Success committee for supporting this wonderful initiative for our students.  

Jerry Newton

OSC High School Student and Newcomer to Canada reminds students to get the most out of high school by getting involved in extracurricular activities

OSC High School Student - Wants Students to "Make things Happen" in High School"

ER13 SOE Kerry-Lynn Stadnk and Administrative Liaison Michelle Weatherbee come by to show their support for the Career Day

Career Conference Update

Career development is a critical component of a well-rounded education.  As students eventually go to work, it is our responsibility as educators to expose them to occupations and career paths during their formative years.  A career conference offers students opportunities to explore their strengths and interests which can then be directly linked to occupations. 

The ER12 and ER13 Family of Schools will be hosting events from October 1st - October 4th at the Ontario Science Centre.  Bliss Carman students and staff will be visiting on October 1st.  This Career Awareness Project is being designed to help students discover the many pathways to success within their area of interest.  Our goal is for students to discover that there are interesting and meaningful jobs in a variety of career fields.  We want them to see that within each field there are jobs for people with high school education, jobs that require apprenticeships, jobs that need a college diploma and jobs for which a university degree is a must.  Each of the pathways will be highlighted at the Career Conference by the staff at the Ontario Science Centre.

Connections to Choices Into Action: A Guidance and Career Education Program Policy for Ontario Elementary and Secondary Schools 1999

This policy document states that:

 “Students will learn how to make informed and appropriate choices to ensure their successful transition from elementary to secondary school and from secondary school to further education, training and work. This involves the acquisition of the knowledge and skills required to make informed and responsible decisions at key transition points throughout elementary and secondary school and in preparation for leaving secondary school. Students will also assess their interests, competencies, and achievements; explore and evaluate education and career opportunities; make appropriate choices from among those opportunities; collect and interpret information; set goals; and create and evaluate plans for the future.”

Grade 9 High School Information Nights Update

The TDSB secondary school Guidance departments have made a few changes to the High School Information Evenings  for the 2013-2014 school year.  Please click on the link on this post or on the right hand side of the Blog under the Important High School Information section to access the most recent update dated September 6th, 2013.



Secondary School Information Nights are held at each school.  Here are a few:

School                                                    Info Night

Bendale B.T.I.                                       November 19

Birchmount Park C.I.                            October 30

David and Mary Thomson C.I.              November 12

RH King Academy                                 November 27

SATEC@ W.A Porter C.I.                    November 20

Sir Robert L. Borden B.T.I                   January 9

Sir Wilfrid Laurier CI                            November 14

Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts  

(Performing Arts)                                   November 13

(Visual & Media Arts)                            November 14

Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute  December 4

 

2013-2014 Career Conference

Welcome back to another year of learning with your child!  An important goal for the TDSB is that every grade 8 student and family will be equipped with the knowledge and information to make an informed and confident decision for choosing an appropriate secondary school program.  This is a process that requires a partnership between the student, parents/guardians, teachers, guidance counsellor and our secondary school representatives.  This partnership will help ensure that our students will have every opportunity for success as they transition to secondary school.  New for the 2013-2014 school year, our Grade 8 students will have an opportunity to take part in a very exciting Career Day experience.  The ER13 Family of Schools will be sponsoring a Career Conference at the Ontario Science Centre on October 1^st, 2013.  Students will explore a variety of career options and learn about various postsecondary pathways and fields of work at the Ontario Science Centre.  This Career Awareness Project is being designed to help students gain valuable career planning information.  Normally this type of conference is held in the spring; however the Guidance team decided that it would be best to hold the event prior to students making their choices about which secondary school or program they would like to attend.

Sincerely,

Mr. George

Guidance Counsellor ER13 

Choices for Nine: Grade 8 - 9 Transitions

The grade 8 students will be working on “Choices for Nine”, their transition program to grade 9 throughout the year.  The introduction to the program will begin in the coming weeks. Each student will record important dates in their agendas.  I will be making regular visits to the grade 8 classes to ensure that information goes out in a timely manner.

As an introduction to the “Choices for Nine” program for families, there will be a parent information evenings at Bliss Carman Senior PS in October.  Choices for Nine evenings will also be taking place at other schools in the ER13 area.

You are welcome to attend the evening which is most convenient for your family. It is highly recommended that all families of grade 8 children attend one of these very important meeting.  This session kicks off the program by providing information about key dates, timelines, Optional Attendance procedures, Secondary School programs and requirements, Secondary School Open House dates and times, Course Selection and much more.

The goal of the “Choices for Nine” program is that every grade 8 student and family will be equipped with the information to make an informed and confident decision for choosing an appropriate secondary school program. 

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Paul George                                               

(416) 396-6075  Ext: 20040

Welcome Back

Hello and welcome back! My name is Paul George and I am the Elementary Itinerant Guidance Counsellors (EIC) for Bliss Carman Senior Public School in the East Region 13 (ER13) Family of Schools.

 

To keep you informed with the Guidance and Career Education Program, I will be updating you with information on this blog.

 

Choices Into Action

Guidance and Career Education is mandated in our schools through a Ministry of Education Policy Document called “Choices Into Action”.  This document outlines competencies to be covered in the school Guidance and Career Education Program from grades 1 to 12.

The program is not taught as a separate subject such as mathematics or history, instead, skills are learned throughout the curriculum, blending across many areas of study.

There are 3 major areas identified in Choices Into Action.

1. Student Development
2. Interpersonal Development
3. Career Development

These three areas will be explained in upcoming blogs, and I will be highlighting some of the ways that these skills are observed and can be addressed:

• in the school
• at home
• in the community

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Paul George                                                

(416) 396-6075 ext. 20040