We know that the transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is one of the most challenging transitions students experience. In order to support these students, Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) secondary schools are working to alleviate the challenges associated with this experience by offering more ‘day in the life’ opportunities for students and their families.
Below are highlights of some of the great opportunities happening in TLDSB secondary schools:
Gold Collar Program
The Gold Collar Program is an initiative under the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Innovation and Expansion Fund, which teaches and informs Grade 8 students about the wealth of skilled trades options available to them in secondary school, including SHSM, Dual Credits, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), and Co-operative Education.
Last school year, Fenelon Falls Secondary School and its feeder elementary schools piloted the project with great success.
I.E. Weldon Secondary School, Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School (BMLSS) are currently running their Gold Collar Programs, with other secondary schools looking to offer theirs in the new year.
School Within a School
During the month of December, BMLSS piloted a “School-Within-a-School model,” which saw the school’s feeder elementary schools experience a day-in-the-life of a secondary student by visiting the school and taking part in a modified school day. Throughout the day, students took part in technology and elective courses, and heard directly from students in a panel. The overall goal of this initiative is to help lessen the stress associated with the transition to Grade 9 by encouraging all Grade 8s to be immersed in the high school life ahead of starting in September.
Supporting Grade 8 educators and improving transition supports
I.E. Weldon, GHS and HHS ran information sessions for Grade 7/8 educators to learn about transition opportunities and to discuss how the Board can best support the Grade 8 to 9 transition.
Grade 9 Information Nights
All secondary schools will be offering information nights to Grade 8 students and their parents/guardians throughout the months of January and February. Stay tuned for more information on these dates, which will be shared by each school in the new year.
