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Future Grade 9 Student and Parent Information Nights begin this week at Grand Erie

A group of Grade 8 students take a selfie

Grand Erie District School Board understands the transition to secondary school is important. There are many choices for students and their parents to make including what school to attend, what classes to take, and what extracurricular activities to be part of. That’s why Grand Erie has designed a series of information nights, beginning this week, to help students and their families make the best possible choices.

“Two-thirds of our Secondary School Principals were once students in the board themselves,” said Denise Martins, Superintendent of Education, responsible for the secondary program. “Others have spent years teaching or leading in our board. As a result, they really are the best source of information for students and their families as they begin the transition to secondary school.”

Future Grade 9 Student and Parent Information Nights give students and their families an opportunity to visit a secondary school, hear from the Principal, speak with teachers and learn more about specialized programs, pathways, classes, extracurricular activities or other events at the school.

 

“We understand the excitement and questions students and their families may have,” said Michael DeGroote, Principal at Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (BCI) and former student in the board himself. “Many of us have walked the same hallways, participated in the same school events and taken some of the same classes when we were students. We get it! We understand. Most importantly, we are all here to answer questions and support students and their families with this transition. We want all students to be successful and reach their full potential as well as feel part of our unique school communities.”

By February, all students entering Grade 9 in the fall of 2019 must pick a secondary school to attend. This decision is the first step in charting a path forward, whether a student is focused on further education after secondary school or is considering entering the work force after graduation.

BCI hosts Grand Erie’s first information night of the year on Thursday (November 8) at 7 p.m. The evening is focused on the school’s Laurier Program, one of three specialized programs offered by the Board. The others include the athletic-focused SOAR (Strength, Opportunity, Achievement and Results) program at Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School and French Immersion, which is offered at both BCI and North Park Collegiate and Vocational School.

All Grand Erie schools provide a wide range of learning opportunities for students, including: Advanced Placement, Co-operative Education, e-Learning, Ontario Youth Apprenticeships, School Within a College (SWAC) and Dual Credits. The Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) program is a unique way for any Grand Erie student to explore their interest in a variety of fields including: Arts and Culture, Construction, Environment, Health and Wellness, Horticulture and Landscaping, Hospitality and Tourism, Information and Communications, Manufacturing, and Sports and Transportation.

In total, 19 Future Grade 9 Student and Parent Information Nights will be offered by Grand Erie over the next three months. For the complete schedule, visit GrandErie.ca.

Specialized Program Information Nights:

  • French Immersion
    • Brantford Collegiate Institute & Vocational School – January 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
    • North Park Collegiate & Vocational School – December 13, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Laurier Program
    • Brantford Collegiate Institute & Vocational School – November 8 at 7 p.m.
  • SOAR Program
    • Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School – November 20, 2018 at 7 p.m. and November 21, 2018 at 7 p.m.

 

Brant/Brantford Schools: Future Grade 9 Student and Parent Information Nights

  • Brantford Collegiate Institute & Vocational School – January 17, 2019 at 6 p.m.
  • North Park Collegiate & Vocational School – December 4, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. and December 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Paris District High School – December 5, 2018 at 6 p.m.
  • Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School – January 16, 2018 at 6 p.m.
  • Tollgate Technological Skills Centre – December 12, 2018 at 6 p.m.

Haldimand Schools: Future Grade 9 Student and Parent Information Nights

  • Cayuga Secondary School – December 12, 2018 at 6 p.m.
  • Dunnville Secondary School – December 5, 2018 at 6 p.m.
  • Hagersville Secondary School – December 5, 2018 at 6 p.m.
  • McKinnon Park Secondary School – December 12, 2018 - 6:30 p.m.

 

Norfolk Schools: Future Grade 9 Student and Parent Information Nights

  • Delhi District Secondary School – January 16, 2019 at 6 p.m.
  • Simcoe Composite School – January 15, 2019 at 6 p.m.
  • Valley Heights Secondary School – January 10, 2019 at 6 p.m.
  • Waterford District High School – January 17, 2019 at 6 p.m.

Happy “new year”! I hope everyone had a pleasant summer holiday. It’s been nice to talk to students and parents this week about all the things you’ve done over the past two months. I’ve heard lots of stories of fun trips and relaxation. I’ve also heard a few about some more stressful experiences that life seems to always present. Whatever the past 2 months brought for you, I’m looking forward to working together again as a Boston School Family to support each other. September brings the opportunity for fresh starts and lots of reason for optimism. Each and every student is full of potential, and on a pathway that is their own unique success story (always in progress)!

This year you’ll notice that the staff is mostly the same with a few exceptions. Mrs. Huffman is off this year with her new baby. We would like to welcome Ms. Agius, who has joined us to teach the 3/4 class. We are excited to have her back as part of the Boston team! We would also like to welcome Mrs. Trembley as our new custodian. We are all in good hands with her making sure the building is in good shape!

On the first day, we had a Welcome-Back Assembly in which we committed to two very simple things this year: 1) We will always do our best

2) We will always be kind

I believe those two simple statements can guide every decision we make every day, and I’ve asked every Blazer to consider them when they are making choices.

Once again, welcome to a new school year. It’s good to be back!