Finding your way from Grade 8 to 9: Secondary schools host Open Houses

Rainbow District School Board recently hosted an information session to help students in Grade 7 and 8 and their parents/guardians make key decisions in the transition from elementary school to secondary school. All participants received a copy of “Making the Transition – Finding Your Way from Grade 8 to 9” from Transition Evening hosts, from left, Matt Walker, Grade 9, Confederation Secondary School; Kaite Lavallee, Grade 10, Lasalle Secondary School; Kennedy Williamson, Grade 9, Confederation Secondary School; Alex Smuland, Grade 9, Confederation Secondary School; and Jennifer Mandamin, Grade 10, Lasalle Secondary School. The transition guide for students and parents is available online at rainbowschools.ca. Rainbow secondary schools will host Open Houses and Information Sessions in January and February. Visit rainbowschools.ca for dates and times.

Grade 8 students and their parents/guardians are invited to mark their calendars and plan to attend Open Houses and Information Sessions at Rainbow secondary schools in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin.  All students are welcome to participate, regardless of which elementary school students currently attend.

To help in the process, Rainbow District School Board has produced a Guide for Students and Parents called “Making the Transition – Finding your way from Grade 8 to 9.” The guide contains information about course codes, levels of study, timetables and tips. The guide can be accessed online at rainbowschools.ca. Copies are also available by emailing [email protected] or visiting area Rainbow secondary schools.

“Making the transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is a big step in a young person’s life,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “We encourage students and parents/guardians to take advantage of upcoming Open Houses and Information Sessions to find out more about the programs offered in Rainbow secondary schools. We are here to help students make informed decisions about their future.”

Rainbow District School Board’s secondary schools offer exceptional opportunities in arts, athletics and academics, in English and French Immersion, in all program pathways – independent living, work, apprenticeship, college and university.

The Board also has five specialized programs – the Arts Education Program, the Science Technology Education Program, the Bilingual Trades Program, the School of Integrated Technology and the International Baccalaureate Program. Busing to these programs is offered to students within Greater Sudbury.

“It’s important that students take the time to explore all of their options,” said Rainbow District School Board Director of Education, Norm Blaseg. “Tour our schools, meet the Principal, talk to teachers, see the facilities, and learn more about the dynamic programs that are offered in our secondary schools. The Guide for Students and Parents is also an excellent source of information.”


MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND PLAN TO ATTEND!



Schedule of Open Houses/Information Sessions



Confederation Secondary School
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 6 pm
Principal: Pablo Gil-Alfau
1918 Main Street, Val Caron
Phone: 705-671-5948

Sudbury Secondary School
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Principal: Paul Camillo
85 Mackenzie Street, Sudbury
Phone: 705-674-7551

Lively District Secondary School
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Principal: Leslie Mantle
265 Fifth Avenue, Lively
Phone: 705-692-3671

Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 7 pm
Principal: Craig Runciman
275 Loach’s Road, Sudbury
Phone: 705-522-2320

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Principal: Mike Mirka
3594 Highway 144, Chelmsford
Phone: 705-675-0225

Lasalle Secondary School
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
6 pm – Pasta Dinner
7 pm – Presentation
7:30 pm – Tour of School
Principal: Jeff McKibbon
1545 Kennedy Street, Sudbury
Phone: 705-566-2280

Lockerby Composite School
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7 pm
Principal: Heather Gaffney
1391 Ramsey View, Sudbury
Phone: 705-522-1750

Manitoulin Secondary School
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Principal: Laurie Zahnow
107 Bay Street, M’Chigeeng
Phone: 705-368-7000

Espanola High School
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7 pm
Principal: Martin Punkari
147 Spruce Street, Espanola
Phone: 705-869-1590

For more information about program pathways and Open Houses in Rainbow Secondary Schools, visit rainbowschools.ca.

-30-

Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.