Changes, Challenges and Choices:

Making the Transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9

We may live in opposite ends of the city, be involved in varying community activities, work in different fields, and have various levels of education, but we all have one thing in common – we were all students at some point in time.

Do you remember making the transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9?

If you are like me, you were filled with fear at the mere thought of going from the comfort of your small elementary school to the big unknown.

And you had questions… lots of questions!

Will I be able to find my way around? How many teachers will I have? What course options will I be able to choose from? Can I join a basketball team or an environmental club? Are there any specialized programs?

Students face many changes, challenges and choices as they enter secondary school, but the overall experience doesn’t have to be daunting.

To make the transition as smooth as possible, Rainbow District School Board hosts an annual Transition Evening for students in Grade 7 and 8 and their parents/guardians. Everyone is welcome, regardless of which elementary school students currently attend.

This year’s Transition Evening - Making the Transition: Finding Your Way from 8 to 9 - will take place on Tuesday, November 17th, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Student Centre at Cambrian College, 1400 Barrydowne Road. (There will be free parking on site in Lot # 15 next to the Student Centre.)

The purpose of the evening is simple – to bring resources and resource people together to give students and parents/guardians an opportunity to get answers to common questions.

The evening will serve as an introduction to secondary school and all that secondary school life has to offer.

A number of topics will be explored, including how to read timetables, how to choose courses and programs, how to ease into a new school environment, what resources are available, skills students need to be successful, and helpful tips.

Information will be provided for all pathways – independent living, work, apprenticeship, college and university.

In addition to a presentation, those who attend will be able to tour booths, talk to staff about programs such as French Immersion and Core French, the Specialist High Skills Major, Dual Credits, Co-operative Education and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, and pick up a copy of the Rainbow District School Board Transition Guide for Students and Parents.

In the Rainbow District School Board, the Transition Evening is a first step in a young person’s journey from elementary school to secondary school.

Students will have a further opportunity to explore course options when Rainbow secondary schools host Open Houses and Information Sessions in January and February.

Secondary school Open Houses are much-anticipated events, as school administrators and teachers showcase facilities and course options in all program areas from English, to Math, Physical Education, Technical Studies, the Arts, Science and more.

This year, Rainbow District School Board welcomed more than 1,200 students into Grade 9 classes at its nine secondary schools, including Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, Confederation Secondary School, Lasalle Secondary School, Lively District Secondary School, Sudbury Secondary School, Espanola High School and Manitoulin Secondary School.

With the Transition Evening, Open Houses and one-on-one opportunities to engage in dialogue about secondary school courses and school life, they were well prepared to embark of their journey towards a secondary school diploma.

For more information about Rainbow District School Board’s Transition Evening on November 17th, please visit rainbowschools.ca. You can also access the Transition Guide online under the “parents” section of the Board’s website.