Student Services Information

Student Services Information
STUDENT SERVICES
The Student Services Department is comprised of the Guidance, Success and
Cooperative Education areas.
GUIDANCE
The guidance program at Denis Morris Catholic High School is a vital and
integral part of the school responsible for implementing and following the
Creating Pathways To Success Policy and Program Document for the Education
and Career Life Planning Program for Ontario Schools, (Ministry of Education
Ontario, 2013) It is a composite of the school’s instructional, counselling, coordinating and transition activities that are designed and implemented to assist
student orientation, program choices and preparation for the next level of
education or entry into the world of work. Thus, the provision and maintenance
of an effective guidance program is essential to personal, educational, and career
planning activities for all students.
The Guidance Department following the Creating Pathways to Success aims
to provide opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary
for success by following the outlined Four-Step Framework Inquiry Process:
Knowing Yourself
To help answer the question “Who am I?” students will:
 identify the characteristics that describe who they are (e.g., interests,
strengths, intelligences, accomplishments, values, and skills, which include
the learning skills and work habits evaluated on the provincial report cards
and may include the Essential Skills described in the Ontario Skills
Passport)
 identify factors that have shaped who they are and that are likely to shape
who they become over time
 reflect on how these characteristics influence their thoughts and actions, and
how those thoughts and actions may in turn affect their development as
learners, their relationships, and their education and career/life choices
Exploring Opportunities
To help answer the question “What are my opportunities?” students will:
 explore the concept of “opportunity” and how the choices they make can
open pathways for them
 expand awareness of school- and community-based opportunities (e.g.,
recreational, social, leadership, volunteer, part-time employment) and how
these programs/activities help develop skills and relationships
1
Student Services Information


explore a variety of fields of work, occupations, and careers, and develop
awareness of the impact of local and global trends (e.g., demographic,
technological, economic, social) on the opportunities available to them
investigate the preparation required for a variety of school- and communitybased opportunities, occupations, and jobs (i.e., acquiring the necessary
experience, education/training, and specific skills, including the Essential
Skills and work habits documented in the OSP) and how this preparation
can be obtained
Making Decisions and Setting Goals
To help answer the question “Who do I want to become?” students will:
 identify the demands, rewards, and other features of the various
opportunities they have explored, and reflect on the fit between those
features and their personal characteristics
 based on the connections they identify, use a decision-making process to
determine personal and interpersonal goals as well as education and
career/life goals
 review and revise their goals in light of changes that they recognize in
themselves and in the opportunities that are available to them
Achieving Goals and Making Transitions
To help answer the question “What is my plan for achieving my goals?”
students will:
 create a plan that identifies in detail the steps required to achieve the goals
they have set
 identify the resources required to implement their plan
 identify potential obstacles and challenges they may encounter in
implementing their plan, and devise possible solutions
The Student Services department at Denis Morris Catholic High School:
 individually timetables all grade 9 students to ensure a balanced
schedule/workload throughout the year
 plans and implements the grade 8 Transition program throughout the year
 hosts a grade 8 orientation day for our family of schools grade 8 students
and an additional day for all non-family of school students new to Denis
Morris
 performs an Orientation interview with all new grade 9 students (including
any students new to Denis Morris in grades10 – 12)
 Counsels students individually to review course selections, progress,
educational and career plans.
2
Student Services Information











monitors and support potential graduates throughout the year
identifies and provides support to students for the Ontario Secondary
School Literacy Test
organizes a bi-annual Career Fair- hosting over 50 possible post-secondary
careers/vocations/professions
performs Exit interviews with each graduating grade 12 student (ensuring
graduates have necessary prerequisites and grades for their chosen postsecondary program. Also assist students with finding potential career
pathways
organizes College and University presentations/visits to DM
organizes information assemblies for College and University applications
hosts workshops for Scholarship and Bursaries
organizes information assemblies for OSAP
organizes and promotes the Specialist High Skill Major program and
SHSM Dual Credit program
organizes the Connecting to College Dual Credit Program
organizes the Denis Morris Catholic High School graduation ceremony
COUNSELLING
The Guidance Department provides opportunities for personal interviews with
guidance counsellors concerning personal, social, educational, and career
planning. Interviews with students are confidential.
If a student wants to make a counselling appointment, an appointment will be
arranged by the Student Services Secretary during the student’s lunch or spare
period. Students should record the appointment time in their handbooks for
reference purposes.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Denis Morris Catholic High School students are expected to attend school on a
full-time basis. Students with fewer than 24 credits are not permitted to drop a
course or to have a study period.
Students will not be allowed to change their level of difficulty in a course unless
there is a recommendation from their subject teacher, parental approval and
room in the class(es) requested.
3
Student Services Information
SUMMER SCHOOL
Students may register for full credit onsite and online courses with permission of
the Principal. Please see a guidance counsellor for information and applications.
Students may also register for remedial summer school courses with the
permission of the Principal. Students are eligible to ask for this permission if
they have attended 80% of the scheduled classes, attained a mark of at least
40%, and have written the final exam. Upgrades must be attempted at the same
level as the original course taken.
SCHOOL NURSE
Our school nurse is available to see students on Wednesdays. Appointments
may be made in Guidance.
CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKERS
The Child and Youth worker can be found in the Library/Information
Technology area and is available to see students on an informal or requested
appointment basis.
COMMUNITY AGENCIES/SERVICES
There are a variety of times when you, or someone close to you, may need help.
During these times, in addition to parents/guardians and staff at Denis Morris
Catholic High School, help is available from a variety of sources.
In dealing with the issues, it is important that you are honest with the person you
seek help from and inform them of all the facts.
If someone you know is struggling, you have a moral responsibility to try to
help them. If you are unable to provide help, inform someone who may be able
to.
4
Student Services Information
HONOUR ROLL
A student will qualify for the honour roll based on the following criteria: a two
semester average of 80% or higher; determined by the aggregate marks attained
divided by the eight courses attended during the two semesters for grades 9 -11
and by the top six courses for grade 12. Only courses taken at Denis Morris
Catholic High School will be considered towards the honour roll. (excluding
night and summer school courses)
GRADUATION
The mandate of the Niagara Catholic District School Board is to provide a
Catholic education which fosters and directs the spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic,
physical and social enrichment of all students thus enabling them to live and
contribute as responsible Catholic citizens of our society.
All secondary
students are expected to achieve the various religious curriculum expectations of
our system. All secondary students within Niagara Catholic must study Religion
each year of their secondary education and successfully complete the course.
Students are expected to participate in compulsory retreats, complete Christian
Community Service hours and participate in all Board and school religious
celebrations, events and activities as established by the board and the school.
Students who do not meet these expectations will not be invited to participate in
the secondary school graduation ceremonies.
To participate in the graduation ceremonies and social, a student must have
completed all requirements for the Denis Morris Catholic High School Diploma
which include the successful completion of four credits in Religious Studies,
along with 40 hours of Christian Community Service, participation in all
retreats, including the NCDSB Graduation Celebration (May), Graduation
Mass/Luncheon/Retreat and the student must be in good standing in his/her final
year of secondary school. (The Denis Morris Catholic High School Diploma
encompasses the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma) All
students are required to select and successfully complete a religious
education credit course for each year of enrolment and participate in
Religious celebrations and activities in order to participate in school
graduation ceremonies and receive the Denis Morris Catholic High School
Diploma.
5
Student Services Information
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF VALEDICTORIAN
The valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers
the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. The valedictorian
will be selected by the graduating class and staff, each of whom will have one
vote. There are four considerations in the selection process, including the
following:
1.
academic achievement
2.
graduate profile of spirit/faith detailing co-curricular participation and
community involvement
3.
review of nominations by the Principal
4.
voting by the graduating class and staff
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
The grades of all potential graduates are averaged following the submission of
Mid-term Marks in the final semester preceding graduation. This final mark
will include all required compulsory courses, all required Religion classes, and
the graduate’s best marks from a total of 30 courses, including the Semester
Two Mid-term Marks as recorded on the Provincial Report Card. The nominee
for valedictorian should have attended Denis Morris Catholic High School for
all four years. Only credits obtained at Denis Morris Catholic High School will
be counted toward the 30 courses.
Once these marks have been tabulated, the names of six potential graduates with
the highest averages will be posted in alphabetical order outside of Student
Services during the first week of June. Students will have the option to decline
the nomination and not seek the honour of valedictorian.
GRADUATE PROFILE
The potential graduates who meet the selection criteria and wish to pursue the
position of valedictorian must complete a one-page graduate profile provided by
the Principal. The Graduation Committee will review the graduate profiles
submitted and a list of up to six valedictorian candidates will be posted outside
of Student Services during first week of June.
6
Student Services Information
VOTING BY GRADUATING CLASS
All potential graduates of the graduating class and staff will be called to a secret
ballot to select the valedictorian from the final list of valedictorian candidates.
Valedictorian selection is based on the most votes accumulated from the
graduating class and staff vote. The valedictorian for the graduating class will be
announced to the entire student body by the end of the second week of June.
As announced at the graduating ceremony, the valedictorian is selected by the
graduating class and staff of Denis Morris Catholic High School after full
consideration of the criteria of exemplary academic achievement, outstanding
involvement in school events and activities and committed involvement in the
community as outlined in the graduate profile. Most importantly, the
valedictorian is a person who embodies the qualities that the Catholic
Community sets to represent the graduating class and the profile of the Catholic
graduate.
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICE POLICY
As stated in Ontario School: Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program
Requirements 2011 every student who begins secondary school must complete a
minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the
requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). These
activities may be completed at any time during the secondary school program
and is an essential component of the Religious Education program for students
in Grades 9 to 12.
Students of Grade 8 are able to start accumulating Christian Community Service
hours in the summer prior to their entering Grade 9. This service must comply
with this policy and its administrative guidelines, insuring that the summer
activity is eligible and that necessary approval and proper documentation is
completed.
Students in Grades 9 to 12 will select one or more Christian Community Service
activities in consultation with their parents/guardians. These activities will be
completed during each year of secondary school as an essential component of
the Religious Education program in order to fulfill the diploma requirement of
40 hours for graduation. The total of 40 hours of Christian Community Service
would be the minimum expectation for students. The Secondary school principal
may approve special requests.
7
Student Services Information
Christian Community Service is a service one gives to the community. It is
service spent on community projects, which could be of a cultural, humanitarian,
athletic or fund-raising nature. The community could be a club, a parish, an
organization, or a public institution. Students will be expected to select an
activity that meets the criteria as described in the Niagara Catholic District
School Board Information Brochure and the Guiding Principles for Christian
Community Service. Community involvement activity hours, mandated by the
Ministry of Education as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD), may not necessarily follow the Guiding Principles of
Christian Community Service.
Although valid and important experiences, these activities will not be recognized
for Christian Community Service within the Religious Education class, although
the hours still may count toward the forty (40) volunteer hours needed for
graduation.
If a student enrolled in a Niagara Catholic secondary school is interested in
completing his/her Christian Community Service over the summer, or in a
semester in which he/she does not take a Religious Education course, the student
must complete a Notification of Planned Christian Community Service
Activities form and submit it to the Program Chair of Religious Education prior
to the beginning of the summer holidays or the semester the student is enrolled
in the Religious Education course for pre-approval.
Appropriate Christian Community Service Placements
In keeping with the mission, vision and values of the Niagara Catholic District
School Board, the following service placements constitute Christian Community
Service:

Catholic/Christian social service agencies or social justice groups

Charitable activities – assistance at church bazaars, pancake suppers,
spaghetti suppers

Coaching minor sports

Community Care residences

Fundraising for not-for-profit organizations

Homeless shelters

Hospitals and Hospices
8
Student Services Information

Journey Retreat Leaders (before and after school hours);

Parish ministries

Local food banks

Nursing homes

Pilgrimage, Starvathon, or any school activities designated toward raising
money for developing countries

Refugee centres

Service clubs

Unpaid academic tutoring

Volunteering at the Humane Society
Any activities that do not fall within the scope of the examples listed above must
be approved by the Secondary School Principal.
Niagara Catholic District School Board Ineligible Activities

any activity that takes place during school (note: lunch and
excluded from this provision)

activities completed for reward (i.e. bonus marks)

work normally done for a wage or any form of payment

work required for a course in which the student is enrolled

baby-sitting, shoveling snow, raking leaves for family or friends

any activity that provides direct financial benefit or other gain (political,
social, etc) to the student or to the student's family/relatives

any activity that provides direct financial benefit or other gain (political,
social, etc) to the student or to the student's family
any association with an organization or an activity that conflicts with the
ethical standards and teachings of the Catholic Church
scorekeeping/managing school teams during the school instructional day



spares are
alternative placement hours in lieu of suspension and/or detention as
initiated/coordinated by school administration
9
Student Services Information
Documentation
Students will be responsible for completing all documentation according to
Board requirements, in consultation with their parents. The form, Notification of
Planned Christian Community Service Activities must be completed each year
by the student and submitted to the student’s current Religious Education
teacher. The Religion teacher will verify that the identified service activity
meets the criteria for Christian Community Service. Students who do not
complete their Christian Community Service Hours will not be allowed to
participate in the Grad Celebration.
The Christian Community Service Activities Form must be submitted to the
school by the required date as communicated by the school Religious Education
Department staff, in conjunction with the Student Services Department, and as
outlined in the school’s student agenda or on the school website. Religious
Education Department staff will verify that the identified service activity meets
the criteria of Christian Community Service, approve the Completion of
Christian Community Services Activities Form and input the completed hours
into the student’s Maplewood profile.
Christian Community Service Assignment
Every Religion course has an assignment or project based on a student’s
personal reflection about new learning gained from his or her Christian
Community Service. Failure to complete this reflection will result in a failing
grade for this assignment or project.
Notification
Principals, in cooperation with the Religion and Student Services Departments,
are responsible for sharing information and documentation with students,
parents and the broader community, approving special requests, and ensuring
that completed Christian Community Service hours are entered on a student's
official transcript and report card.
For further information, please contact Terri Pauco, Religion and Family Life
Consultant at [email protected].
10
Student Services Information
CHAPLAINCY SERVICES
By calling forth the gifts and talents of students and staff, the Chaplain helps to
create a strong sense of Christian community in our school. Fostering both a
sense of caring and of social justice, the Chaplain shares in what makes our
school a special experience for all who are a part of the Denis Morris Catholic
High School community. The Chaplain supports both staff and students on their
faith journey. Students are welcome to drop by the Chaplain’s office at any
time.
The Chaplain provides the following services:





daily prayer experience
leader of Chaplain’s Crew
coordination of Eucharistic liturgies, prayer services and reconciliation
leadership training opportunities
retreats for grade 9 and graduate students as they begin and finish their
career at Denis Morris Catholic High School
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
Co-op provides opportunities for students to earn credits outside of school.
Students are able to receive valuable insight into potential future careers while
gaining valuable work experience.
SUCCESS
The Success area encompasses the following programs to support at risk
students:
Credit Recovery
Credit Recovery is a program offered to a student who has completed a course
but has not been successful in demonstrating achievement of the curriculum
expectations to a passing level. The classroom teacher, Program Chair and the
Credit Recovery Team can determine and develop a customized program, which
11
Student Services Information
would best enable the student to meet the expectations and earn credit for the
course. The credit recovery program is supported and completed through
Student Success, P3 and independent study.
Connecting to College/ Dual Credit / Niagara Link
“Connecting to College” is a joint venture among the Niagara Catholic District
School Board (NCDSB), the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and
Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology. “Connecting to College” offer
students an opportunity to earn secondary school credits and dual college/
secondary credits. A dual credit is one that can be applied as both a secondary
school credit and a college credit.
Junior Success Alternative Program
Jr. Success is a half-day program (two periods) to support and assist Grade 9/10
students who are credit deficient and potential early leavers. The JR. Success
program is taught by a Success Teacher. The programming of the course may
also include: job shadowing, career exploration, individual assistance in learning
skills, community partner support, active mentorship and systematic supports.
Senior Success Alternative Program
Senior Success generally is a flexible individual program to support and assist
Grade 11/12 students who are credit deficient and potential early leavers. The
program includes students working toward a customized program which may
include online learning, credit recovery and cooperative education. In addition,
students can complete and earn certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation,
Customer Service Excellence, Workplace Hazardous Material Information
System (WHMIS), Passport to Safety and Smart Serve Ontario.
The Sr. Success program is taught by a Success Teacher and supported by a
Credit Recovery Assistant (CRA). The programming of the course may also
include: career exploration, individual assistance in learning skills, community
partner support, active mentorship and systematic supports.
Pathways Preparation Program - P3
P3 is an after-school help program ran throughout the school year to provide
direct academic support to students. Teachers and staff in a variety of subject
areas are available to provide academic assistance. Students also have the
opportunity to receive help in study strategies, participate in Credit Recovery,
participate in student tutoring programs, utilize computer access and develop
interpersonal skills in a non-formal leaning environment.
12
Student Services Information
Tutors in the Classroom Program
Through the NCDSB two prospective educators currently enrolled in a faculty
of education program are made available to support classroom teachers and
students in the areas of literacy and numeracy. The Tutors in the Classroom
Program is conducted over both semesters.
Peer Tutoring Program
Peer tutoring is a school run program that pairs academically struggling students
with a student of expertise in a particular subject area. The peer tutoring
assistance is generally conducted out of the P3 program.
Fresh Start Program
The Fresh Start Program is designed as both an intervention and prevention
program for students while serving a suspension or limited expulsion. The
program is taught by a certified teacher and a Child and Youth Worker (CYW).
The program strives to address the academic and behavioral needs of the
student. Fresh Start provides programs containing strategies for building positive
attitudes, for providing continuous learning and for successful re-integration
back into the school setting.
Jump Start Program
Jump Start is part of NCDSB’s “start series” of alternative programs. The focus
of the program is to provide those students who are experiencing chronic
attendance issues an opportunity to attend school on an interim basis. The
program is taught by the same certified teacher and a Child and Youth Worker
(CYW) as Fresh Start and is located in the same facility.
The key objective is to provide students with the academic, social and
behavioral skills to change negative patterns of attendance.
13

Download Report