This document provides information for parents about South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS). It discusses opportunities for students including academics, arts, athletics and leadership. It outlines the support structures in place for students including counseling, Link Crew orientation for grade 8s, and intervention programs. The document also provides tips for parents to support their students' success such as checking agendas and limiting computer/phone time for homework.

1. Welcome to the Titan Nation! The SKSS New Grade 8 Parent Information Night

2. “ Who’s on first?” SKSS Introductions

3. That’s me!

4. If this applies to you, yell “That’s me!” “ I went to SKSS/Kam-Hi/JP” “ This is my first child in high school” “ I am a bit nervous about my student coming to SKSS” “ I find high school bleachers extraordinarily comfortable”

5. Tonight… The Greatest School On Earth What your student can expect for next year Opportunities Being a high school parent LINKing New Grade 8s! Courses for next year Supports Canadian Parents for French PAC Q & A “ Nuts about SKSS!”

6. The Greatest School on Earth A world poll

7. Recent World Poll of Greatest Schools

8. SKSS Student earns largest TRU Entrance Scholarship for Science Sr. Girls Basketball goes 40-3, and wins Provincial Bronze South Kam Math Students Tops in Okanagan Competitions South Kam Curling Wins Provincials Nearly 50% of SKSS Students achieve Honour Status SKSS Student Art Calendar a hit in the community! SKSS Puts Largest Numbers in District Honor Band/Choir SKSS German Students Run Away with National Awards South Kam success rates increase for 4 th year in a row SKSS Band Students play Disney Studios Annual Spring Play “Kiss Me Kate Gets Rave Reviews

9. The Greatest School on Earth! Tremendous Facility Dedicated staff Excellent academic results Diverse student population Outstanding Extra- Curricular Opportunities (Fine Arts, Athletics, Clubs) We’re bananas about SKSS!

10. Failure rates continue to go down SKSS just keeps getting better!

11. What your student can expect this year... 1350 other students and two campuses Nearly 115 teachers and support staff The need to be VERY organized Review EVERY night, and more around exam time Excellent support from their teachers, counsellors, and support workers High expectations! Not to mention a multitude of opportunities!

12. SKSS Opportunities Academic Fine Arts Applied Skills LINK Crew Athletics Leadership Exchanges

13. Academics! Sciences —Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies, AP Calculus Humanities —English Literature, History, Law, Social Justice Languages —French, German, Japanese, Shuswap Honours French Immersion

14. An eye for the Arts! Drama and the Performing Arts Art/Drawing and Painting/Ceramics and Sculpture Band Guitar Choir

15. More Incredible Electives Foods and Nutrition Textiles Woodwork Carpentry/Joinery Metalwork/Art Metal Photography Yearbook Computer Studies Videogame Making

16. Badminton Curling Cheerleading Golf Football Rugby Volleyball Basketball Soccer Field Hockey Wrestling Another Provincial Banner This Year Nearly 500 Student Athletes SKSS Athletics – Welcome to the Titan Nation! 29 Teams Great fans!

17. Cool Trips…

18. Leadership Opportunities Leadership class Global Awareness Society Me-To-We Program Peer Tutoring Teacher Assistant LINK Crew “ Me to We” Vancouver 2010 Intl Day of Peace 2010 LINK Grade 8 BBQ

19. Encourage your student to take advantage of every opportunity that they can at SKSS!

20. What would happen at our school if students were given permission to care about each other and the structure in which to do it?

21. LINK CREW AT SOUTH KAMLOOPS SECONDARY!

22. What is Link Crew? A program that provides a structure which guides grade eight's towards both academic and social success. Students help students succeed by using members of the senior grades as Link Crew Leaders. Link Crew Leaders are trained to be positive role models, motivators, and teachers who guide the grade eight students to discover what it will take to be successful in high school.

23. Orientation Day—Sept. 1 st ! 7:00 - 8:00 Link Crew Preparation 8:05 - 8:20 Registration for New Grade 8s 8:20 - 9:35 Opening Assembly & Mixer 9:35 - 9:40 8’s Find Link Crew Leader 9:40 - 9:45 Crews move to rooms 9:45 - 11:05 Small Groups Meet 11:05 - 11:25 Tour 11:25 - 11:45 Closing Assembly

24. On-going Link Activities Link Alerts - teachers send in alerts when a grade 8 student needs a little extra attention. Link Leader immediately touches base with that student. Link Events – Back to School Breaky, Grade 8 BBQ, First Friday Football Game, etc. Monthly Link Leader meetings - check in with leaders to keep them motivated and focused on ideas of ways to connect with their Crew members. Have fun activities for the leaders; also have skill building instruction. Used to intro the teaching of the lessons.

25. What do we hope to see as a result of the LINK Crew? Improved academic performance. Improved grade eight attendance. Increased sense of belonging. More school spirit and a willingness to participate in school events.

26. What if my student misses the orientation day?

27. No worries! Those students who miss the orientation on September 1 st will be invited to come to school at 9:30am on the first day of school to get a mini-orientation!

28. Structures at SKSS What does high school LOOK like?

29. B 10.36-11:42 Students may: do work from that class; study for tests from that class; do work in other classes; study for tests in other classes, or silent read TIME DAY 1 DAY 2 Collaboration Day DAY 3 DAY 4 8:27 WARNING BELL 8:33 – 9:39 A B Collaboration 8:30-9:13 C D 9:39 – 9:49 CLASS CHANGE ( 9:13-9:20) 9:49 – 10:55 B C A 9:20-10:26 D A 10:55 – 11:11 (Warning Bell 11:05) LONG BREAK LONG BREAK 11:11 - 12:17 C D A B 12:17 – 1:02 C Study D Study C 11:58-1:04 A Study B Study 1:02 – 1:54 (Warning Bell 1:46) LUNCH (1:04-1:54) 1:58 – 3:00 D A D 1:54-3:00 B C

30. Block B Block A Wednesday Connections Block 8:35-9:42 (67) 9:52-10:59 (67) 11:12-12:19 (67) Block C 12:19-1:09 Lunch 1:09-2:15 (66) Block D 2:20-3:00 (40) Connections Block

31. Open areas for students 2 Math Areas 2 Science Areas 2 English Areas 2 Socials Areas 2 Gyms 1 Language Area 1 Fine Arts Area 2 Libraries Lower Cafeteria

32. Academic Intervention Program We do not want students to “fall through the cracks” If they get behind in their studies, they will be directed to AI After school from 3:10-4:00, Mon to Thurs We need your support!

33. As a result of your students, the staff, your support, and structures like Study Block, Connections Block and AI, failure rates continue to go down at SKSS!

34. The Support Network at South Kamloops Secondary School

35. Administration We are here to help!

36. Administration- our doors are open! South Kam has three Vice-Principals and one Principal Vice-Principals Mr. Brar works with students in the A-E portion of the alphabet Mr. Wales – F to Mi Mr. Rife – Mo to Z Principal – Mr. Birk

37. Administrative Supports Communication Different from Elementary—please call in for absences Scrolling Televisions – Upper/Lower Announcements (formal, classroom) Website: http//skss.sd73.bc.ca Online Newsletters Open Door Policy Please make sure you give an up to date email address to the school!

38. More on Communication [email_address] Newsletter

39. Even more support programs! First Nations Program Learning Assistance Work Experience

40. The SKSS Counselling Department People helping people!

41. Counsellors Personal and Interpersonal issues Timetable and course plans Future education and vocational planning Liaison with Community Agencies Homework for long term absences Interim reports between report cards

42. Timetables Balancing Semesters (Academics vs. Electives) Available on Sept. 1 st (Orientation Day)

43. A typical timetable for a Grade 8 Semester One (Sept-Jan) English Math/PE Language ASk Mosaic Semester Two (Feb-June) Socials Math/PE Science FA Mosaic / Band NOTE: The SKSS Course Selection Booklet is available on the SKSS Website

44. Grade 8 Mosaic Courses Mosaic Fine Arts Art Drama Computers Health and Career Mosaic Applied Skills Cooking Sewing Woodwork/ Metalwork

45. Language Choices Two choices in grade 8: > French > Secwepemctsin (Shuswap) Four choices in grade 9 and beyond: > French > Secwepemctsin > German > Japanese * Availability depends on enrolment at all levels *

46. Agendas and Homework Agendas will be given out during homeroom classes. Students should record their homework in their agendas. Grade 8 students should review their classwork regularly each night.

47. Wow, that sounds like a lot of work! How can we as parents help our students to be successful?

48. Easy steps to improve your student’s work habits Utilize the agenda/homework book EVERY DAY and CHECK IT! Have them do their work in a public part of the house--not in their room! Limit time on the phone/computer to after homework is done Be nosey!

49. Common phrases we hear... “ We have to trust they are doing their homework, don’t we?” “ But ______ is great on the computer!” “ _____ was an honor student in Grade 7” “ Is there some way they can be put in protective custody for the next 3-5 years?”

50. Adults are from Venus, Kids are from Mars….

51. Very High Very Low Degree of adults being morons Grade Level of Student K 3 6 9 12 U Adult Moron Curve Snoop or Miley (“Superman or Xena”) “ My parents are SO lucky. They get to go to work every day, I have to go to school!” “ They may give me money to get out of the house” (“WHATEVER” ZONE)

52. You will not be a moron to your child at the end of high school…we promise.

53. Even more support programs!

54. The Canadian Parents for French

55. The SKSS PAC

56. Questions and Answers