Hello Grade 9 parents, guardians & students–
We wanted to clarify and further explain our timetable; especially in regard to Grade 9 students and their electives.
First of all, our Grade 9 students were required to be in cohorts of no more than 120. While this sounds like a large number to begin with, as we mix and match different variations of courses, that number adds up quickly.
For example:
If Suzy takes Math 9 in the morning with 25 other students, and then (with 5 of her classmates) takes Photo 9 in the afternoon…there are 20 other students in her photo class that have come from 5 OTHER classes of 25.
For contact tracing, this would mean Suzy has her 25 in Math, plus her the additional 20 in Photography PLUS 100 more students from the morning classes of her photo classmates….that is 145 students, and over the limit. This is just one example; but being a small school with many elective choices, it wasn’t going to work without splitting the Grade 9s into two groups.
We have split our Grade 9s into TWO cohorts of 75-80. That means for the entire year, no matter what classroom they are in, every grade 9 student is ONLY with the same 75-80 students. We placed our 9s (for the most part) based on their elective choices. We used our computer system to show us the most reasonable (but not perfect) split using electives:
Cohort 9 A contains: Metalwork, Guitar, Art, Computers and Culinary
Cohort 9 B contains: Woodwork, Photography, Foods and Textiles
Cohort A has more choice, but less spaces in each choice.
Each cohort has equal numbers of all the CORE academics: Math, English, Socials, Science and PE. Each Cohort has Spanish and French.
While we worked extremely hard to ensure that every grade 9 had at least 1 elective they chose as their primary OR their alternate; some Grade 9s may find themselves in an elective they didn’t expect. Unfortunately, we are in a pandemic and our options are limited when it comes to moving students around in the timetable to ensure that they get their CORE COURSES in a manner that is SAFE (classes are not over the size limit).
While we have the ability to do some MINOR adjustments, such as moving students into languages, we are not able to do robust course changes as in non-pandemic years.
You may fill out this form BUT please note, we absolutely can NOT make any promises regarding schedules and changes.
PLEASE READ THE BELOW REGARDING FILLING OUT THIS FORM:
IF YOU ASK FOR A COURSE CHANGE, AND YOUR NEW TIMETABLE ISN’T WITH YOUR FRIENDS, OR WE’VE CHANGED EVERY SINGLE COURSE TO GET YOU THE ELECTIVE YOU WANT; WE WILL NOT CHANGE IT BACK! THIS IS THE RISK YOU TAKE WHEN REQUESTING A DIFFERENT ELECTIVE.
IF YOU HAVE A SUPPORT BLOCK; WE CAN’T MOVE YOUR SCHEDULE AS YOU HAVE BEEN PODDED FOR SUPPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS.
WE WILL NOT CONSULT; WE WILL JUST MAKE THE CHANGE TO THE ELECTIVE IF IT IS POSSIBLE BUT IT WILL MEAN MOVING MANY, IF NOT ALL, OF YOUR STUDENT’S COURSES–IT COULD ALSO MEAN MOVING THEM INTO THE OTHER COHORT.
IF A COURSE CHANGE IS COMPLETED, YOU WILL RECEIVE A NEW TIMETABLE VIA EMAIL BY MONDAY. THIS FORM IS ONLY OPEN UNTIL FRIDAY AT MIDNIGHT. IF A CHANGE IS NOT POSSIBLE, YOU WILL NOT HEAR BACK; AND SHOULD CONTINUE WITH YOUR CURRENT TIMETABLE.
