Grade 8 to 9 Articulation

1. Grade 8 to 9 Articulation Summit Middle School

2. Which School? • Assigned school based on student’s current address in our system; proof required to change address through Summit office; see “Funding Eligibility Checklist” under publications on website • Boundaries determined by school board • Not sure which school is yours? See letter that went home with report card on Dec 19th (or check address on school locator on district website) • **Regardless of cross catchment requests or future plans to move, student must follow all steps for assigned school only—honours testing results will be transferred if you change schools later, and you will complete a new course selection form with the new school. Only exception is if the sibling clause applies

3. Sibling Clause • If grade 8 student has a sibling at a non-catchment school already, AND that sibling will still be there in September, AND the grade 8 student wishes to attend that school: • Then the grade 8 student may attend that school for tours and testing etc. and complete a course selection form for that school • BUT we need to know who these grade 8 students are to get our lists right! A “Summit Sibling Declaration” form may be obtained from the counsellor or core teacher to take home for completion. It must be returned to the counsellor by Monday, January 13th!!

4. Cross Catchment Requests • Applications available at www.sd43.bc.ca at 9 am on Feb 7th; closes on Feb 19th at 4:30 pm • all requests go to the board electronically or delivered in person • First come, First served for available spaces • Some schools will be “closed” and not able to accept cross catchment requests (will be listed on SD43 website in early Feb)

5. Cross Catchment Timelines • Application forms can be downloaded from district website starting Feb. 7th at 9:00 am, hard copy is also available from Summit office • Forms are submitted directly to Board office, up to February 19th at 4:30 pm--online or in person • Submitting an application does NOT mean you are accepted! Decisions are made after the closing date, based on available space; then accepted families are notified by email in week of March 10th – March 14th; appeals can be made in writing, directly to the district • You may withdraw application prior to the closing date; after Feb 19th you are committed to accepting a spot if it is offered

6. Transitions & Adjustments • Students will tour their assigned or sibling school in small groups, with older students involved as tour leaders and hosts (morning of Jan 24th) • Students meet with counsellors from assigned or sibling school re: available activities, daily life, support, timetable, electives, course selection etc. (Feb 12th here at Summit, course selection forms due back to core teacher by Feb 20th) • Parents may attend evening information sessions at assigned or sibling school, and desired school if considering a cross catchment request (Pinetree Jan 9th, Gleneagle Jan 15th, Heritage Jan 20th—all begin at 7 p.m.)

7. Transitions & Adjustments • Secondary school counsellors meet with grade 8 teachers to discuss each individual student • Secondary ESL teachers obtain current testing results and arrange gr. 9 timetable; re-test in August and adjust courses if necessary • IEP’s are forwarded to student services teachers at secondary schools. Scheduled meetings are held for the high school and middle school student services teachers to meet and discuss each student in detail, and plan appropriate timetables and support classes • All students attend an orientation session in late August or first week of September at new secondary school

8. HonoursCourses • Available in various subjects at every secondary school • Heritage: Math (9/10 Accelerated), English • Pinetree: Math, Science, Humanities • Gleneagle: Math, Science, English, Socials • Student may ONLY apply at their assigned or sibling school—Gleneagle and Heritage applications due to core teacher and Pinetree due online by Jan 17th • testing sessions are Jan 24thafter tour • Note: Pinetree Humanities test is Jan 24th 3-5 pm if already doing Math/Science test from 12:15-2:15 that day • Test results, teacher questionnaires, and consultation with gr. 8 teachers determines who is accepted • may apply in grade 10 or 11,whether done in grade 9 or not (if not accepted now or if choosing not to apply for grade 9)

9. HonoursCourses/AP… cont’d • Purpose of honours is to provide challenge, faster pacing, more in-depth learning for students who are very strong in that subject and wanting enrichment • Does not impact university applications; does not show on transcript as an honours course; is not required for entry into AP (Advanced Placement) courses in grade 12. • Various AP 12 courses offered at all high schools, are self-selected for individual subjects, based on availability and student strength, done in grade 12, potential credit for 1st year university course dependent on exam score, more widely known in North America than elsewhere

10. District Programs • Inquiry Hub—MillsideCentre for gr 9-12. See district website under “programs” for more details; community & global issues, environmental sustainability, media arts and design themes, learning through technology. Info session on Jan 16th at 7 pm • International Baccalaureate—Port Moody Secondary (the full diploma program starts in gr. 11 but intake is done in grade 9, although you can also apply next year to enter in grade 10, space permitting); application packages available at the IB info session or Port Moody office. Whole diploma program, rather than subject by subject, with additional components such as 150 required hours for CAS, in depth essay in grade 12, and Theory of Knowledge course

11. Dates to Know!! • District Programs: • Inquiry Hub info night is Jan 16th 7:00 pm at Millside School • IB Program info sessions about IB are Jan 6th and again on Jan 8th at 7 pm (choose just one date!) • General info session for Port Moody Secondary School is Feb 6th at 7 p.m.

12. District Dates cont’d • Thursday January 23rdI.B. applications due to Port Moody office by 4:00 p.m. • Sat. Jan 25thI.B. testing session (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) at Port Moody Secondary. Must bring photo I.D.

13. Secondary School Dates…. • Parent information evenings: • Pinetree Thurs. Jan 9th (7:00 p.m.) • Gleneagle Wed. Jan 15th (7:00 p.m.) • Heritage Mon. Jan 20th(7:00 p.m.) • Fri Jan 17thhonours applications (for assigned school) due to core teacher (but Pinetree due onlineby 4 pm) • Fri Jan 24thtours of assigned or sibling school (morning transportation details to the schools TBA; we will transport students back to Summit for the afternoon unless staying for honours tests) • Fri Jan 24thhonours testing after the tours (all honours applicants to arrange their own transportation home after testing). Testing is complete by 3 pm—exception is PinetreeHonours Humanities test is from 3-5 pm for those already doing their Math/Science test from 12:15-2:15 pm

14. more dates… • February 12th--students meet (at Summit) with counsellors from assigned or sibling school, receive course selection forms • Feburary 20th Course Selection form for assigned school due to core teacher • April—high school counsellors meet with grade 8 teachers to discuss each student’s needs, IEPs are transferred, Student Services meetings for transition planning • End of August—letters are mailed to students with information about orientation, first day procedures, timetables etc.