It’s course selection time at Fort High

This is the third in a series of articles to share information on issues of importance to parents and other members of the Fort High community.
Today’s topic is course selections, and is intended to provide some important information and dates regarding completion of option sheets for the 2001-2002 year.
As of Wednesday, March 7, every student from Grade 8-12 who plans to attend Fort Frances High School in August should have received a Course Selection Guide and option sheet.
Guidance counsellors have visited classrooms, hosted a Grade 8 Parent Night, and started meeting with some students individually to help them make good choices.
All students need the help and encouragement of their parent or guardian in these very important decisions. Please take time to read the Course Selection Guide and discuss with your teenager his or her post-secondary interests and education plans.
Progress reports for Semester 2 were distributed Tuesday, March 6. These reports give an early indication of how well your sons and/or daughters are doing in their current classes after five weeks.
Students also met with their teacher advisors to update their annual Education Plans. These T.A.P. (Teacher Advisor Program) sessions are critical in helping students understand that work habits, aptitude, and attendance all play a role in setting realistic goals for themselves.
Grade 8 students were asked to submit option sheets to their teachers. These forms will be forwarded to the high school by Friday, March 9. Students in Grade 9 through 12 may take option sheets directly to the Guidance Office or their homeroom teacher.
In either case, choices will be checked carefully by guidance teachers to ensure graduation requirements and course prerequisites have been met.
Starting March 19, followed by March Break, students will be called to the Guidance Office to submit their option sheets if they have not already done so.
Parent or guardian signatures are required on option sheets of all students under 18 years of age.
High schools in Ontario are midway into the reforms outlined by the Ministry of Education and Training. The new Grade 11 courses will begin this fall and have designations which reflect the post-secondary plans of the students (e.g. university, university/college, open, and workplace).
Please bear with us as we sort out together the best routes and choices for the students.
Our goal this year is to have student timetables completed and conflicts resolved before the end of the school year. In order to achieve this goal, all option sheets must be received by March 23. Numbers then will determine which courses will run and which ones will be cut.
The number of sections in each course also will be tightly scheduled.
It is important students understand that changes may not be possible or permitted after a certain date, and that asking questions and getting help now is crucial.
If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s course selections or would like clarification on anything you have read in this article, feel free to call me or a member of the guidance staff.
Please note: the Course Selection Guide also can be found on the school Web site–www.muskie.rrdsb.com