SCSS Course Calendar 2018

The Avon Maitland District School Board is committed to ensuring students have the opportunity to graduate secondary school in four years and to ensuring a variety of course offerings for our students. In order to achieve both goals efficiently students need to be registered full time in each semester. Students at Avon Maitland District School Board secondary schools will be required to register with a sufficient number of courses to be considered full time for each semester in which they attend our schools.

School Philosophy

At Stratford Central Secondary School, we are dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environment. The school provides opportunities for each student to be successful while encouraging responsibility, productivity, learning and a growth mindset.

Upon graduating, we are confident each of our graduates will have the necessary skills to meet the challenges beyond secondary school, as well as, exhibit positive citizenship and character within our society.

School Support Services and Resources

The Guidance Department at Stratford Central provides opportunities for students to become self-assured, independent, successful individuals by encouraging the use of our personal, academic and educational planning and career counselling services. Students always have access to career planning opportunities through computer programs. The Guidance Department welcomes parents and guardians to speak with any of the counsellors concerning their child’s needs or performance.

Student Fees

There will be no fees or cost charged to students to participate in the regular day school program. Fees may be charged where the student chooses to upgrade the material or where purchase of material is optional. Students enrolled in secondary schools in Avon Maitland District School Board can expect to be provided with the basic classroom learning resources that are required in order to complete the course expectations. It is recognized there may be optional resources that students may purchase to enhance their program; e.g. field trips, upgrading materials in courses such as construction, technology and visual arts. Students are expected to come to school ready and willing to participate actively in their own learning. To that end, students are expected to bring materials with them for their own personal note-taking (e.g. pencils, pens, paper, binders).

Students are encouraged to purchase their school’s student card by paying the student activity fee. The student card includes but is not limited to the benefit of participating in the co-instructional program and in the Student Council dances and activities. The fee may also be used to reduce the total cost of a student’s yearbook. Students involved in co-instructional teams, groups and clubs will be made aware of any additional fundraising obligations or participation fees prior to making a commitment to participate.

Need Support? Programs Available

Students may access support through a variety of resources such as Guidance, noon hour help room, Learning Services withdrawal, peer tutor, online math tutor program and after-class teacher assistance.

Learning Services

Students with an IEP may access Learning Services throughout the school day to get assistance. Tests and exams may be written in Learning Services where support can be given as indicated on the IEP. Students who have an IEP are eligible to take a GLE course, which gives them the opportunity to receive academic assistance while earning a credit. (See course descriptions under Special Education course section.)

Course Changes: Policies and Procedures

Students wishing to change a course should consult with their Guidance counsellor. Course transfers or changes should occur within the first three weeks of the semester. Students in difficulty should change course pathways as soon as possible in the year. Students are expected to catch up on the work and all previous assignments to ensure an accurate evaluation.

Resource Centre

Come to the Resource Centre to find what you need for your research or for your reading pleasure. There are novels to interest every type of reader. Keep up to date about local and global events by reading daily newspapers, exploring the library’s wide variety of magazines and doing online research using the online databases. If you are unsure of where to begin with a project, ask one of the library staff for help. If you have suggestions for new library resources, make sure you speak with a librarian.

Here you will also connect with our Technical Resource Assistant who helps students with technical issues such as iPad troubleshooting and repair, as well as, connecting with the school’s vast computer network.

Student Responsibilities

A Note to Parents

How can parents help when their student is in secondary school? Often, the courses are unfamiliar to parents and help with homework is much more difficult for parents. The following suggestions will assist the student and build the essential partnership between home and school. Insist that the student attends school regularly and punctually. Valid absences include illness, medical, dental and legal appointments or family emergencies.

Encourage Good Study Habits

Insist that homework is done regularly and on schedule. Students should read, review notes or work on projects. This discipline is the key to scholastic success, according to many educational researchers. Limit employment hours (15 hours per week is considered the upper limit for most students), as well as evening out-of-school activities. Keep in touch! If you have concerns about your son’s or daughter’s progress, do not hesitate to call the school at 519-271-4500. We will gladly arrange interviews with Administration, Guidance or individual teachers.

Attendance

Parents can help by ensuring that any absences are necessary and valid. If the learning process is disrupted by irregular attendance, learning experiences are lost and cannot be made up completely. Students who habitually miss class will be disadvantaged in the evaluation processes because assessment opportunities of their work will be minimized. Our school’s specific attendance procedures are outlined by the Principal and Vice-Principal during the first week of school. A Code of Conduct and Behaviour for Members of the Stratford Central SS Community Schools are established to help young people learn the skills, knowledge and values, which help them to live full and worthwhile lives. Schooling is a RIGHT, which imposes certain RESPONSIBILITIES on students. Students are expected to strive for personal excellence by arriving at class on time, with the appropriate materials, and participating actively and positively in all school activities.

Students have the right to:

• Learn in this school. It is the student’s responsibility to listen to instructions and work quietly and respectfully.
• Hear and Be Heard. It is the student’s responsibility to listen when someone else is speaking.
• Be Respected in this school. It is the student’s responsibility to respect the opinions and feelings of others.
• Be Safe in this school. It is the student’s responsibility not to threaten or physically harm anyone else.
• Privacy and Personal Space. It is the student’s responsibility to respect the personal property of others and to respect the right to privacy.

Central has rules or guidelines for appropriate behaviour. These guidelines, which are established by students, parents, community representatives, staff and administrators, reflect the school’s philosophy of consultation and mutual respect. They are intended to ensure the well being and security of everyone at Central. Each September, a Student Handbook and Code of Conduct Booklet is distributed and reviewed with all students.

Special Programs

COPE (Cooperative Opportunities Providing Education)

COPE is an alternative education program. Students must be at least 16 years of age. The program offers an off-campus education opportunity to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma for students who are currently out of school or who may not have met success in a traditional classroom setting. It is a continuous entry program which includes a cooperative education experience with the delivery of credit courses through correspondence.

French Immersion at Stratford Central Secondary School

The aim of the French Immersion program at Stratford Central Secondary School is to continue to develop and refine students’ ability to communicate in French as well as to expand their knowledge of the language through the study of francophone literature. By the end of the four-year program, students will participate easily in conversations and discussions; will be able to take courses at the college or university level in which French is the language of instruction; and will be able to accept employment in which French is the working language.

The study of French is an important part of the secondary school curriculum. French is not only one of Canada’s two official languages, but is also widely used around the world. Through learning a second language, students can strengthen their first-language skills and enhance their critical and creative thinking abilities; they also tend to become more accepting and respectful of other cultures. In addition, the ability to communicate in another language provides students with a distinct advantage in a number of careers, both in Canada and internationally.

Students may work toward a certificate in French Immersion. Students working toward this goal would be required to complete the sequence of four courses in French Immersion Language (FIF) and six courses in other subjects taught in French Immersion. Alternately, students may earn a certificate in Extended French if the student successfully completes the sequence of four courses in French Immersion Language (FIF) and a minimum of three courses in other subjects taught in French Immersion. During the four year program, students are encouraged to seek opportunities to broaden their confidence in the second language through partnerships with our feeder schools, through student exchanges and travel, and through work experiences in French.

Gifted Programs

Identified gifted students may participate in modules in Grades 9 and 10. Modules are offered on a range of topics. Students should check course listings for enriched classes in core subjects. Other opportunities for enrichment include university liaison programs designed to introduce students to post-secondary opportunities. These programs all require registration and, in some cases, competition for acceptance. To find out about these programs, students should contact the Learning Services Teacher.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM): Arts & Culture and Information & Communication Technology

The Specialists High Skills Major (SHSM) enables students at Stratford Central to customize their high school experience to suit their interests and talents and prepare for a successful post-secondary transition to apprenticeship training, college, university, or employment; while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students will earn recognized certifications and training, engage in experiential learning through reach-ahead activities to apprenticeship, college, or university experiences; and engage in cooperative education, job shadowing and work experience while meeting their diploma requirements.

Concurrent Education (Stratford Central S.S. and Stratford Northwestern S.S.)

Students who attend Stratford Central SS and Stratford Northwestern SS are reminded of the vast program and course opportunities that are available to them in the two schools. In order to broaden your educational experience, a Northwestern student may desire to take a course(s) at Central or a Central student may desire to take a course(s) at Northwestern while remaining a student and receiving their diploma at their home school. If a student at either school is unable to schedule a desired class in his or her home school we encourage you to speak with your Guidance Department who will work to see if your request can be accommodated between the two schools. Stratford Northwestern, for example, offers a broader selection of courses in Technological Education at the senior level and offers a Specialist High Skills Major in Energy, Health & Wellness, Hospitality & Tourism, Manufacturing & Transportation. Stratford Central offers a broader selection of courses in The Arts and offers a Specialist High Skills Major in Arts & Culture (which includes Theatre Production) and a Specialist High Skills Major in Information & Communication Technology. Stratford Central also offers Advanced Placement courses at the senior level. Both schools have many diversified courses our students may wish to consider to get the best educational opportunities available to pursue their many pathways to work, apprenticeship, college or university. We encourage you to consider concurrent education when you are making your course selections in February at both Stratford Northwestern and Stratford Central. For further information about concurrent education please contact Dan Keys daniel.keys@ed.amdsb.ca at Stratford Central or Nikki Welsh nikkole.welsh@ed.amdsb.ca at Stratford Northwestern.