Parent Involvement Committee, Regional School Community Council information evening on Student Success, January 13, 2009:

Supporting Students Through Education Transitions; Engaging Students to Graduation and Beyond (Student Success Officer, Ian Skinner):

The first presentation of the evening was an overview of the support to graduation and beyond. Many programs and supports are available to promote student success and engage student strengths and interests while supporting their needs. These supports are in place for all students as they journey form elementary to secondary and to post secondary destinations. Ian Skinner reviewed the key Ministry of Education goals: high levels of student achievement, reduced gaps in student achievement, and increased confidence in publicly funded education. These goals are supported by four pillars of student success: Literacy, Mathematical Literacy, Pathways(student course selection and educational opportunities), and Community, Culture &Caring. Each of these pillars was described in detail with many references made to the methods of implementation by the Durham District School Board. During the presentation, information on support for transitions, a pyramid of interventions and the importance of differentiated instructions were highlighted. There are multiple credit intervention strategies available at the secondary level to help students including eLearning . When looking at Post Secondary transitions, several strategies were highlighted including; Ontario Skills Passport, Coop Education, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). Some schools offer a secondary school Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in specific academic areas.

For more information on Student Success please contact Ian Skinner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the Durham District School Board Student success website www.success.ddsbschools.ca or Ministry of Education Student Success Website:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/studentsuccess

Following the Main Presentation there were three breakout groups:

Session A:
The Road Ahead; Planning for Student Success
Rose Retsinas provided an overview of existing programs in place as our secondary students begin to focus on their "road ahead".

The presentation began with discussion of the 18 compulsory credits and the 12 electives required to earn a high school diploma. Rose then took the audience through a look at some of the specialty options available to students. Co operative education as an experiential learning opportunity was highlighted. OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) was another focus in the areas of childhood development, hairstylist, precision machinist, electrical, cook/chef, carpentry and welding. High Skills Majors programs allow students to customise their high school experience through focussed curriculum and hands on experience. This area of focus may include emergency services, hospitality and tourism, health wellness, construction transportation, horticulture and landscaping. The pathway experience was also highlighted which provides students with a wide variety of individualized programs for student success. Each of these programs provide a descriptive overview and a student profile. Making informed choices, researching options and planning ahead make the move from high school to your next destination all the more enjoyable and rewarding. Contact your guidance department for further information

Session B:
Engaging Students Through Differentiated Instruction Elementary and Secondary:
This session was presented by Jill Foster-Vice Principal and Liz Thompson- Facilitators.

Each Child has their unique learning strengths. Successful differentiated instructional strategies help students focus on learning by taking in to account student readiness, interests and learning styles. The session began with activities designed to highlight learning styles and was followed by a look at Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences. There was a discussion on how differentiated instruction increases student engagement and learning.

For more information on differentiated instruction please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Session C:
Promoting Student Engagement through Arts Infused Learning:
This session was presented by James Klondnicki- Facilitator

This is a highly effective approach to take that promotes and sustains student engagement. First and foremost, students have fun in an "arts infused learning" environment and often become so immersed in what they are doing that they don't recognize that they are making academic gains at the same time.
"Arts Infused Learning" is a fun learning process ... where students learn "in spite of themselves" while doing an art form.
In this process, students use an art form to learn about "core curricular" subject matter.
Further benefits include: better attendance, improved achievement, increased participation and engagement, positive peer interactions, willingness to take risks and higher self esteem. In preparing students for the future and working with them to achieve success along the way, arts infused learning is an exciting option in the teacher's tool kit enabling them to reach diverse student needs. For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it