skss grade 7 parent night (2011)
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for our incoming Grade 8sTRANSCRIPT
Welcome to the Titan Nation!The SKSS
New Grade 8 Parent Information Night
“Who’s on first?”
SKSS Introductions
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
That’s me!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
If this applies to you, yell “That’s me!”
• “I went to SKSS/Kam-Hi/JP”• “This is my first child in high school”• “I am a bit nervous about my student
coming to SKSS”• “I find high school bleachers
extraordinarily comfortable”
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Tonight…• The Greatest School On Earth• What your student can expect
for next year• Opportunities• Being a high school parent• LINKing New Grade 8s!• Courses for next year• Supports• Canadian Parents for French• PAC• Q & A
“Nuts about SKSS!”
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
The Greatest School on Earth
A world poll
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Recent World Poll of Greatest Schools
Votes for best school on earth
6000000000
20
1000000000
2000000000
3000000000
4000000000
5000000000
6000000000
7000000000
SKSS Every other school on Earth
Votes
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
SKSS Student e
arns
largest
TRU E
ntrance
Scholarsh
ip for S
cience
Sr. Girls Basketball goes 40-3,
and wins Provincial Bronze
South Kam Math Students Tops in
Okanagan Competitions
South Kam Curling Wins Provincials Nearly 50% of
SKSS Students
achieve Honour
Status
SKSS Student Art
Calendar a hit in the
community!
SKSS Puts Largest Numbers in District Honor Band/Choir
SKSS
German
Students
Run Away
with
National
Awards
South Kam
success rates
increase for
4th year in a
row
SKSS Band Students play Disney Studios
Annual Spring Play “Kiss Me Kate Gets
Rave Reviews
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
The Greatest School on Earth!
• Tremendous Facility• Dedicated staff • Excellent academic
results• Diverse student
population• Outstanding Extra-
Curricular Opportunities (Fine Arts, Athletics, Clubs)
We’re bananas about SKSS!
Failure rates continue to go
down
SKSS just keeps getting
better!
Overall Failure Rates By Core Subject Year 0-4S1
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
Sciences Mathematics English Social Studies
Year 0
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4S1
SKSS Core Subject Area Failure Rate 2006-2010 S1
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
9.0%
10.0%
Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4S1
Failure rate
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
What your student can expect
this year...• 1350 other
students and two campuses
• Nearly 115 teachers and support staff
• The need to be VERY organized
• Review EVERY night, and more around exam time
• Excellent support from their teachers, counsellors, and support workers
• High expectations!
Not to mention a multitude of opportunities!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
SKSS Opportunities• Academic• Fine Arts
• Applied Skills• LINK Crew• Athletics
• Leadership• Exchanges
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Academics!• Sciences—Biology,
Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies, AP Calculus
• Humanities—English Literature, History, Law, Social Justice
• Languages—French, German, Japanese, Shuswap
• Honours• French Immersion
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
An eye for the Arts!
• Drama and the Performing Arts
• Art/Drawing and Painting/Ceramics and Sculpture
• Band• Guitar• Choir
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
More Incredible Electives• Foods and Nutrition• Textiles• Woodwork
– Carpentry/Joinery
• Metalwork/Art Metal• Photography• Yearbook• Computer Studies• Videogame Making
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
• Badminton• Curling• Cheerleading• Golf• Football• Rugby• Volleyball• Basketball• Soccer• Field Hockey• Wrestling
Another Provincial
Banner This Year
Nearly 500 Student
Athletes
SKSS Athletics – Welcome to the Titan Nation!
29 Teams
Great fans!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Cool Trips…
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Leadership Opportunities
• Leadership class• Global Awareness
Society• Me-To-We
Program• Peer Tutoring• Teacher Assistant• LINK Crew
“Me to We” Vancouver
2010
Intl Day of Peace 2010
LINK Grade 8 BBQ
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Encourage your student to take advantage of every opportunity that they can
at SKSS!
What would happen at our school if students were given
permission to care about each other and the structure
in which to do it?
LINK CREW AT SOUTH KAMLOOPS SECONDARY!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
What is Link Crew?
•A program that provides a structure which guides grade eight's towards both academic and social success.
•Students help students succeed by using members of the senior grades as Link Crew Leaders.
•Link Crew Leaders are trained to be positive role models, motivators, and teachers who guide the grade eight students to discover what it will take to be successful in high school.
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Orientation Day—Sept. 1st!
• 7:00 - 8:00 Link Crew Preparation• 8:05 - 8:20 Registration for New Grade 8s• 8:20 - 9:35 Opening Assembly & Mixer• 9:35 - 9:40 8’s Find Link Crew Leader• 9:40 - 9:45 Crews move to rooms• 9:45 - 11:05 Small Groups Meet• 11:05 - 11:25 Tour• 11:25 - 11:45 Closing Assembly
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
On-going Link Activities
• Link Alerts - teachers send in alerts when a grade 8 student needs a little extra attention. Link Leader immediately touches base with that student.
• Link Events – Back to School Breaky, Grade 8 BBQ, First Friday Football Game, etc.
• Monthly Link Leader meetings - check in with leaders to keep them motivated and focused on ideas of ways to connect with their Crew members. Have fun activities for the leaders; also have skill building instruction. Used to intro the teaching of the lessons.
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
What do we hope to see as a result of the LINK
Crew?• Improved academic performance.• Improved grade eight attendance.
• Increased sense of belonging.• More school spirit and a willingness
to participate in school events.
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
What if my student misses the orientation day?
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
No worries!
Those students who miss the orientation on September 1st will be invited to come to school at
9:30am on the first day of school to get a mini-orientation!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Structures at SKSS
What does high school LOOK like?
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca TIME
DAY 1
DAY 2
Collaboratio
nDay
DAY 3
DAY 4
8:27 WARNING BELL
8:33 – 9:39
A
B
Collaboration 8:30-9:13
C
D
9:39 – 9:49 CLASS CHANGE ( 9:13-9:20)
9:49 – 10:55
B
C
A 9:20-10:26
D
A
10:55 – 11:11 (Warning Bell 11:05) LONG BREAK
LONG BREAK
11:11 - 12:17
C
D
A
B
12:17 – 1:02
C Study
D Study
C 11:58-1:04
A Study
B Study
1:02 – 1:54 (Warning Bell 1:46) LUNCH (1:04-1:54) 1:58 – 3:00
D
A
D 1:54-3:00
B
C
B 10.36-11:42
Students may: do work from that class; study for tests from that class; do work in other classes; study for tests in
other classes, or silent read
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
8:35-9:42 (67)
9:52-10:59 (67)
11:12-12:19 (67)
Block C
12:19-1:09 Lunch
1:09-2:15 (66)
Block D
2:20-3:00 (40)
Connections Block
Block B
Block A
Wednesday Connections Block
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Open areas for students
• 2 Math Areas• 2 Science Areas• 2 English Areas• 2 Socials Areas• 2 Gyms• 1 Language Area• 1 Fine Arts Area
• 2 Libraries• Lower Cafeteria
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Academic Intervention Program
• We do not want students to “fall through the cracks” – If they get behind in their studies,
they will be directed to AI
• After school from 3:10-4:00, Mon to Thurs
• We need your support!
As a result of your students, the staff, your support, and structures like Study Block, Connections Block and AI, failure
rates continue to go down at SKSS!
SKSS Core Subject Area Failure Rate 2006-2010 S1
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
7.0%
8.0%
9.0%
10.0%
Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4S1
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
The Support Network at
South Kamloops Secondary School
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Administration
We are here to help!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Administration- our doors are open!
• South Kam has three Vice-Principals and one Principal
• Vice-Principals– Mr. Brar works with students in the A-
E portion of the alphabet– Mr. Wales – F to Mi– Mr. Rife – Mo to Z
• Principal – Mr. Birk
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Administrative Supports• Communication
– Different from Elementary—please call in for absences
– Scrolling Televisions – Upper/Lower– Announcements (formal, classroom)– Website: http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
• Online Newsletters
– Open Door Policy– Please make sure you give an up to date
email address to the school!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Even more support programs!
• First Nations Program• Learning Assistance
• Work Experience
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
The SKSS Counselling Department
People helping people!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Counsellors
• Personal and Interpersonal issues• Timetable and course plans• Future education and vocational
planning• Liaison with Community Agencies• Homework for long term absences• Interim reports between report cards
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Timetables
• Balancing Semesters (Academics vs. Electives)
• Available on Sept. 1st (Orientation Day)
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
A typical timetable for a Grade 8
Semester One (Sept-Jan)
• English• Math/PE• Language• ASk Mosaic
Semester Two (Feb-June)
• Socials• Math/PE• Science• FA Mosaic / Band
NOTE: The SKSS Course Selection Booklet is available on the SKSS Website
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Grade 8 Mosaic Courses
Mosaic Fine Arts
• Art• Drama• Computers• Health and Career
Mosaic Applied Skills
• Cooking • Sewing• Woodwork/
Metalwork
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Language Choices• Two choices in grade 8:
> French> Secwepemctsin (Shuswap)
• Four choices in grade 9 and beyond:
> French> Secwepemctsin> German> Japanese
* Availability depends on enrolment at all levels *
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Agendas and Homework
Agendas will be given out during homeroom classes.
Students should record their homework in their agendas.
Grade 8 students should review their classwork regularly each night.
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Wow, that sounds like a lot of work!
How can we as parents help our students to be
successful?
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Easy steps to improve your student’s work habits
• Utilize the agenda/homework book EVERY DAY and CHECK IT!
• Have them do their work in a public part of the house--not in their room!
• Limit time on the phone/computer to after homework is done
• Be nosey!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Common phrases we hear...
• “We have to trust they are doing their homework, don’t we?”
• “But ______ is great on the computer!”
• “_____ was an honor student in Grade 7”
• “Is there some way they can be put in protective custody for the next 3-5 years?”
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Adults are from Venus,Kids are from Mars….
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Very High
Very Low
Degree of adults being
morons
Grade Level of StudentK 3 6 9 12 U
Adult Moron Curve
Snoop or Miley
(“Superman or Xena”)
“My parents are SO lucky. They get to go to work every day, I have to go to school!”
“They may give me money to get
out of the house”
(“WHATEVER” ZONE)
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
You will not be a moron to your child at the end of
high school…we promise.
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Even more support programs!
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
The Canadian Parents for French
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
The SKSS PAC
http//skss.sd73.bc.ca
Questions and Answers