Walnut Grove Secondary

School

Course Planning

2014 - 2015

Check the

Course Planning Guide

on our website:

www.wgss.ca

Welcome to WGSS

Key People

George Kozlovic – Principal

Kathy Murdoch – Vice Principal (A-G)

Edna Schuerhaus – Vice Principal (H-N)

Paul Trattle – Vice Principal (O-Z)

Andrea Ruffo – Counsellor – Grade 8

Randy Taneda– PAC President

Communication

Website: www.wgss.ca

Email: Please ensure your son/daughter’s

elementary school has your correct, up-to-

date email address!

Synervoice: An automated parent phoning system for

attendance and other messages

Twitter: @sd35wgss

GatorBlocks: Agenda app for Iphone/Android

• Gator Blocks is a free scheduling app for iPhone and Android mobile devices that allow students to:

• See their class schedules, times and special days for both the day and week

• Type notes and reminders for later reference

How can students

develop new

friendships while

maintaining a positive

online reputation?

What new apps may

friends pressure

them to use?

How they will be using

their mobile devices?

How can YOU

participate in their

world while still letting

them grow more

independent?

Learn how to talk to your

child about their digital

relationships…

_PLEASE RSVP TO OUR OFFICE

@604-882-0220

WALNUT GROVE

SECONDARY SCHOOL

8919 Walnut Grove Drive Langley, BC

www.wgss.ca

November 2th 7pm

@ WGSS Library

THIS ISN’T THE GRADE 8

I REMEMBER! Presenter:SandraAverill

LangleySchoolDistrict

DigitalLiteraciesTeacher

FEBRUARY 27TH 7:00PM

Grade7ParentInformationEvening

As students transition from elementary to

secondaryschool,theirconnectedworldbecomes

evenbiggerastheymeetnewpeopleandlearnto

usenewtools.

Tohelpyourchildtransition,itisimportantto

understand how privacy skills impacts online

communication,friendshipsandonlinereputations

whensocialnetworking,gaming&textingina

grade8world!

Overview: Grade 8 Course Load

Students must take

1.) English 8

2.) Social Studies 8

3.) Science 8

4.) Math 8

5.) PE 8 Boys or Girls

6.) French 8

7.) Elective 1

8.)Elective 2

.

ENGLISH

MATH

SOCIAL

STUDIES

SCIENCE

PE

FRENCH

ELECTIVE

CHOICE

ELECTIVE

CHOICE

Grade 8 French Immersion

French Immersion students take:

1.) English 8 or English 8 H

2.) Francais Langue & Comm. 8

3.) Sciences Humaines 8

4.) Sciences 8

5.) Mathematics 8 or Mathematics 9

6.) Education Physique 8

7.) Elective 1

8.) Elective 2

ENGLISH

MATH

SCIENCES

HUMAINES

SCIENCES

EDUCATION

PHYSIQUE

FRANCAIS

LANGUE

(FRAL)

ELECTIVE

CHOICE

ELECTIVE

CHOICE

English 8 & Socials 8 VS. Humanities- What’s the

difference?

English 8 Socials 8 Humanities 8

Assignments-topic

writing based

Project /theme

based- hands on

projects

Subjects separated

in 2 different classes

Blended subjects-

with an emphasis on

Middle Ages history

content

Two teachers-1 for

each subject

One teacher-both

subjects

MATH 9 IN GR. 8 Students who finish the grade 7 curriculum and are

working at a grade 8 math level in their grade 7 year may

be recommended by their teacher for this course.

Students who are successful in Math 9 in their grade 8

year may take Math 10 in grade 9.

These students are placed into a grade 9 class. There

may or may not be other grade 8 students in the class.

Students will have their grade 7 teacher recommend them

for the writing of the exam that determines placement.

ENGLISH 8 HONOURS

With a grade 7 teacher’s recommendation, a student may

write the English 8 Honours exam.

Honours English focuses on the same skills as regular

English, but is faster paced and pursues an advanced

understanding of basic story structure, poetic devices,

and familiarity with and appreciation of a variety of genres

of literature. Critical thinking and analysis play an

important role in this course.

English 8/Math 9 EXAMS

The English 8 Honours exam and the Math 9 in grade 8

exam take place at WGSS in a designated location,

after school hours, on a specified date.

Two sittings of the English exam are offered and

students may attend either one.

Gator Pod: An innovative,

engaging and interdisciplinary

program that will encourage

students to develop the skills

necessary for success in the 21st

century: critical thinking,

collaboration, oral and written

communication, information

analysis and effective use of

technology.

To address the new BC Ed plan, Gator-Pod teachers:

take an interdisciplinary approach to the four core subjects: English, social studies, science, and math

collaborate to create theme-based projects that blend the learning outcomes of the four subject areas.

Regular Program vs Gator Pod?

Regular 8 Gator Pod 8

Topic /Unit based Theme based-cooperative

learning

Some technology / more

textbook- paper based

More technology; more

hands-on learning and

outside the classroom

Teacher initiate’s most

topics

Students take the lead at

times

Geared for broad range of

students

For self-starters and/or

Inquisitive students

GP 8-Who would thrive in this program? • Students who enjoy working collaboratively with their

peers.

• Students who demonstrate leadership skills.

• Students who show initiative in their own learning.

• Students who have an interest in enriching their community.

Students who enroll in Gator Pod 8 will receive credit for English 8, Social Studies 8, Math 8 and Science 8. Students who are interested in accelerating in Math may be able to complete Math 9 as part of this program.

http://www.wgss.ca/GatorPod-Program2

Physical Education (PE) 8: (English Program)

Boys & Girls have separate classes

An introduction to a variety of team and individual sports.

- Eg. badminton, tennis, gymnastics, softball, square dance, hip hop, orienteering, volleyball, basketball, and weight training.

Physical Education (PE) 8: (French Immersion)

- Boys & Girls together (Co-Ed)

- Is done in French

-

Grade 8 Elective Courses

Each Grade 8 Student will have 2 blocks of

elective courses:

• They must have at least one Applied Skill

elective:

• Eg. Computers, Foods, Woodwork

• They must have at least one Fine Arts

elective:

• Eg. Art, Band, Choir, Drama, Vocal Studies

ENGLISH

MATH

SOCIAL

STUDIES

SCIENCE

PE

FRENCH

ELECTIVE

CHOICE

ELECTIVE

CHOICE

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3

ELECTIVE CHOICE

ELECTIVE CHOICE

ELECTIVE CHOICE

ELECTIVE CHOICE

ELECTIVE CHOICE

ELECTIVE CHOICE

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3

FOODS

WOODWORK

DRAMA

ART

TECHNOLOGY

CLOTHING AND

TEXTILES

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3

ART

ART

ART

ELECTRONICS

FOODS

TECHNOLOGY

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3

BAND

BAND

BAND

DRAMA

METALWORK

WOODWORK

Elective Courses

Applied Skills Electives

* Computer Studies

* Clothing & Textiles

* Foods & Nutrition

* Drafting

* Woodwork

* Electronics

* Technology

* Metalwork

Elective Courses

Fine Arts Electives

* Art Survey (one term)

* Drama Survey (one term)

* Art (full year)

* Band (full year)

* Vocal Studies (full year)

Courses Outside the

Timetable

Run before and after school

* Concert Choir

* Drumline

* Jazz Band

*these courses receive a mark and factor into

students’ GPA, but they are not required credits

for grade 9

Feeder School Visits

School 1st Visit 2nd Visit

Alex Hope Feb. 14nd Feb. 25

Gordon Greenwood Feb. 12th Feb. 25

James Kennedy Feb. 13th Feb. 26

West Langley Feb. 11th Feb. 27

Dorothy Peacock Feb. 17th March 3

Topham Feb. 18th

March 4

FORMS DUE 3rd VISIT

School Due Date

Alex Hope March 10

Gordon Greenwood March 10

James Kennedy March 11

West Langley March 11

Dorothy Peacock March 12

Topham March 12

IMPORTANT DATES

Course Selection Forms Due (at the latest)

Thur. March 13

Gator Pod Application Forms Due Wed. March 5

Gator Pod Interviews Wed. April 2

Accelerated Math 9 Testing Wed. March 5

English Honours Testing Mon. April 7

Tues. April 8

See handout in your package for all these dates and

deadlines

Clubs at WGSS * Humanitarian Club * PKSS - Project Kenya

* Chess Club * PSA - Power to Stay Away

* ME TO WE * GLC - Gator Leadership Club

* Student Council * LAC - Library Advisory Council

* Math Challengers * Global Partnership Assoc.

* Gator Nation News * Mountain Bike Club

* Relay For Life * Ultimate Frisbee Club

* Debate Club * Environmental Club

Counselling Services -

Need Help?

Counsellors are available to help students with:

Personal concerns

Study/organizational skills

Course selection

Career planning

Vocational Counselling

Graduation requirements or ‘Grad Check’

Post-secondary information.

Scholarship information

Counselling - Appointments

Students may make appointments to see a counsellor

before & after school, between classes and during

the lunch break. To make an appointment, students

go to the main office.

Counsellors may also initiate appointments based on

teacher and or parent referrals.

Counselling cont’d

Counsellors can also initiate parent-teacher conferences, attendance profiles and “Progress Reports” upon request and where feasible.

Counsellors will also make intercommunity referrals for students and their families to qualified specialists in the community.

Questions?

Contact the Grade 8 Counsellor at:

604-882-0220 Local 238

aruffo@sd35.bc.ca

Contact the Main Office to book appointments with Counsellors.

Check out: www.wgss.ca

Welcome To WGSS !

You are our

High School

Graduates of 2019!