Transition Information

These are the things that you are expected to do as a student attending Emily Carr S.S.:

• Attend all scheduled classes
• Bring required materials to class
• Be on time for class
• Responsible for all work missed when absent from classes
• Responsible for finishing and handing in work by the due date
• respect school property and the property of others
• Be clean in personal habits
• Have a signed letter of permission to excuse yourself from school
• Respect other cultures, their traditions and beliefs
• Show respect and courtesy

On registration day in August you will pick up your timetable and purchase your gym clothes. You will also be given a lock and assigned a locker. Go to the attendance office if you forget your combination.

It is important to read your agenda because it has a lot of information you will need to know, for example, what to do if you feel sick.

On the first day bring your time table and agenda to record any assignments, and/or homework.

List of what to bring:         

• Agenda
• Gym clothes
• Backpack
• Binder and paper
• Pencil case:
  • Pens
  • Pencils
  • Eraser
  • Pencil crayons
  • Ruler
  • Other: Determined by courses (i.e. Calculator, math set, art supplies)
     

Before Class:

• Arrive to class on time
• Bring all required materials

During Class:

• Try to listen carefully, and take notes when the teacher is speaking
• If you have a question or a comment, you can raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call on you
• The teacher may ask to see your homework or ask you to hand it in

Working with a Partner or in a Group work:

• Sometimes you may be working on your own, and sometimes you may be working with a partner or in a group with other students
• Sometimes your teacher may choose your partner or group. Other times, you may be asked to select your own partner or join a group
• Remember when you are in a group, it is important that everyone has a chance to talk and share their ideas
• In a group, it is important that everyone does some of the work, this is called teamwork

What if I am late to class, or have to leave early?

If you are late: Go directly to the attendance office and sign in

If you must leave early:

• Leaving school early means to sign out of school early in order to leave school property.
• You can sign out at the Attendance Office. Either bring a note from your parent or have your parent call the Office in advance.
• Unauthorized leaving means when you leave school property when you are supposed to be in class without signing out.

In high school, everybody has their own locker.

A locker is a place where you can store your possessions while you are in class. Many students store theirnbooks, coats, pencil case and lunch in their lockers until they need them.

Your locker is usually in the hallway outside your homeroom and very close to other student’s lockers

Many students will go to their lockers before school, between classes, at lunch, and at the end of the day to collect what they need.

• The hallway at school can be a very crowded and noisy place.
• It is especially crowded before classes start, when students are moving between different classrooms, and when school is over.
• Students often move quickly and in all different directions in the hallway.
• Because it is so crowded, sometimes other students may bump into you without meaning to.

Usually the sound of a bell means it is time to go to class and the students will leave the hallways and go to their classes.

There is one cafeteria at Emily Carr where all the students can eat. The cafeteria serves three main functions: It is a place to eat, to do school work, or to socialize. 

Things you may want to know about the cafeteria:

• A cafeteria is a place for everyone in the school to eat their lunch
• There are no assigned seats. You can choose where to sit.
• The cafeteria can be a very noisy and busy place. It is especially busy when everyone is going there at the start of lunch time, and when everyone is leaving once lunch is over.
• Students choose to do many things in the cafeteria. They may eat, talk, play games, talk or do work.
• Some students may bring money to buy their lunch. If you bring money along, you can buy something too.
• If you choose to buy something in the cafeteria, you may have to line up with the other students and wait your turn.
• If there is a problem or accident teachers or janitors will be around the cafeteria.
   

In the cafeteria, there is a servery for you to be able to purchase food, or drink items. There is a variety of cold and hot food, as well as, snacks and drinks. The daily specials and prices are listed on the board. Students can pick out the food they want to eat and place it on their tray. Then students wait in line to pay for the food they are buying.  It is helpful to have your money out of your wallet and you are ready to pay the cashier. Ask the cashier if you have enough money. Remember to wait, you may get money back.

The Library provides non-fiction and fiction books, magazines, videos, and on-line computer resources, via library computers. 

Things to know about the library:

• Remember to talk quietly in the library
• It is important to be careful with the books. This means to avoid writing in, highlighting or damaging the books.
• There is a system for signing out books. You may need your student card for this and if you have any problems, you can ask the librarian for help.
• Some areas that you will find in the library are: computer area, individual study carrels, and large tables for group work
• There is a system of cataloging (or numbering) the books. This is to help students find the book(s) that they are looking for. If you are looking for a specific book, you may need to use a computer or look in a file cabinet to find the number of that book.

Borrowing or Signing Out Items from the Library:

• Student cards are needed to take an item out of the library.
• You can use library materials in the library during library hours.
• Reference books can only be used in the library.
• It is important to return the items by the due date listed. If you need the book for a longer time, you can ask to extend the due date (renew the book).
• If you are late in returning the item and do not renew it, this means that the item is overdue. If you have overdue items, you may have to pay a fine. A fine is a small amount of money you are charged for your late items.
• If you have overdue items or fines, you will lose your library borrowing privileges.

Some students spend a lot of their free time in the library. They may go before school, after school, during lunch or a free period. They may use this time in the library to do their homework, study for tests or exams, or do group work. 
 

Things you need to know about homework

• It is important to record what the teacher asks you to do so that you remember when it is time to do your homework. This can be done in your school agenda or in a special homework sheet that you bring to classes.
• In high school, you will have homework almost every day.
• You may want to set time aside every school night to do homework.
• You may have a homework period at school which gives you time at school to do your homework.
• Remember to bring the books and materials that you need to your homework class or home at the end of the school day.
• When your homework is complete, you may want to pack your work and the materials in your school bag so that you don’t forget to bring them to class.

Here are some tips for doing homework:

• If you do not understand any part of the homework, ask the teacher to explain it before you go home.
• Make a list of your homework to help you remember everything.
• Check your list before you go home to make sure you have all the materials that you will need.
• If you have questions or problems, you can ask your homeroom teacher, ask a person at home or write down the question to ask your teacher the next day at school
• Try to finish your homework every night
• Remember to bring it to class when it is done.

Things you need to know about assignments:

• Assignments may be given on top of homework.
• Formats for assignments will be different for each teacher and subject.
• Some assignments may be expected to be completed in class and some may be expected to be completed on your own time.

Here are some tips for doing assignments:

• If you do not understand any part of the assignment, ask the teacher for help.
• Make a list of steps you will need to complete your assignment and assign how much time you will need.
• Make good use of class time to work on the assignment.
• Use a calendar and work back from the due date.  Mark the days you will work on the assignment to make sure it is completed on time.

Studying is a way that you review the material that you have learned in order to remember important points when you write a test or exam.

It is important to find a good place to study. A good place to study is:

• Free from distractions
• Quiet
• Comfortable (seating, room for material, comfortable temperature)
• Enough light

There are many different ways to study. Here are some examples of how you could study:

• Read your textbook or notes (Some people read their textbook or notes more than once)
• Rewrite your notes (Some people learn best when they write out the material)
• Make study notes (These are notes that include some of the most important points you have to remember)
• Ask someone to quiz you on the material

My Study Plan

It is important to think about how you would like to study. For many students, the more time they spend studying, the better they can do on tests and exams.

A study plan can be a way for you to think about and write down which ways may help you study. Remember everyone studies differently, and it may take some time to figure out what works best for you. Take a moment to write down how you think you might study best.

I can study best by…

Things you need to know about tests

• When you know a test is coming up, take some time to study the material so that you can remember it during the test.
• There are different kinds of test questions: circling a multiple choice answer, filling in a blank or writing sentences or paragraphs of what you know.
• Sometimes, you may be given an open book test. This means that you can use your textbook and/or your notes to answer the questions.

There are certain rules to follow when taking a test.

1. During a test, you are expected to be quiet from when the papers are handed out until the last paper is collected.
2. It is important not to talk to the other students during a test.
3. If you have a question, raise your hand and ask your teacher.
4. If you need to ask your teacher a question during the test, whisper so that you don’t disrupt the other students.
5. It is important not to cheat!

Here are some tips for taking a test:

• If you do not understand any part of the test, raise you hand and ask the teacher quietly to explain it.
• Read the instructions carefully before answering the questions so that you know what you are supposed to do.
• It might be a good idea to start by answering the questions that are worth the most marks.
• If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t panic. Move on to another question and you can come back to that question later if you have time.
• When the teacher tells you the test is over, you must stop writing, even if you haven’t finished the whole test. 

Exams may be new for you as you enter high school. Exams are longer tests used to evaluate your knowledge and skills in a subject.

• Sometimes, exams are written in bigger rooms with many other students.
• Sometimes it will be written in a classroom with a teacher supervising but it may not be your regular classroom.
• You can prepare for an exam just like you would prepare for any test but it may cover more material than your other tests. Ask your teacher what you should be studying for the exam.

Final exams at Emily Carr Secondary School will be scheduled during the examination period in January and June. Some students are required to write final examinations.

Plagiarism 

This means that you have added someone else’s work into your own work without referencing it. Referencing means writing down where you got the information. Your teacher will tell you what format you should use to reference your work.

How to avoid plagiarism:

• Acknowledge all sources of information (write where you got the information/facts)
• Provide references for someone else’s written work and ideas including: pictures, diagrams, maps, charts, etc.
• Do not lend your work to another student
• Seek help from your teacher and/or teacher-librarian for your research needs

Cheating

This means:

• Giving or receiving information or assistance during an exam or a test without permission from the course teacher.
• Giving or receiving exam or test answers without permission from the course teacher.
• Presenting a single piece of work in more than one course without the permission of the teachers involved.

In high school, you will have the opportunity to meet lots of new people. Your high school will include students from many different elementary schools

Unlike elementary school, there will be different students in each of your classes. This means you will have lots of opportunities to make new friends.

It may be scary to talk to students that you don’t know. Just remember, they probably feel the same way as you.

Some questions you may ask to start a conversation are:

• What school did you come from?
• What classes are you taking?
• What class/teacher is your favourite?
• What did you do in the summer?
• Can you think of some questions that you can use to start a conversation?

Bullying and harassment is not permitted in schools. Bullying and harassment is when someone(s) hurt another person by hitting them, calling them names or doing anything which is intended to be hurtful.

• What to Do if you are being bullied, or if you are worried about someone else who is being bullied, the most important thing to remember is to talk to someone you trust. Bullying is wrong whatever the age of the person who is doing the bullying.
• What Not to Do … Don’t hide what is happening from the adults or those you trust. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you are in trouble.
• Help in Your School … You can also help by taking part in Emily Carr Secondary School’s peer harassment and bully prevention activities.

Before selecting an activity, you can talk to your parent(s) and your guidance councilor about your options for placement. You can think about what interests you and think about what is needed in your community.

Here are some examples of activities that some students have chosen to do as their community involvement and may give you some ideas:
 

• Animal Care – volunteering in a veterinary clinic, zoo or animal shelter
• Arts and Culture – volunteering at galleries, libraries, community productions
• Charitable Organizations – helping with special events, programs, clerical tasks
• Community Organizations – assisting with special events, food banks, shelters, clerical tasks
• Environmental projects – flower/tree planting, recycling projects, recycling depot, beautification projects
• Heath Agencies – volunteering at hospitals, hospices or blood donor clinics
• Political Organizations – activities related to legitimate and recognized political organizations except during an official election period
• Religious Organizations – assisting with programs, special events, clerical tasks
• School Services – assisting with school events, student council, athletic council
• Senior Citizens – assisting in seniors’ residences, providing services for seniors in the community

Once you think of a place where you might like to volunteer, your guidance councilor or parent(s) can help you to contact the organization and ask if they need a volunteer.

Your parents, the community sponsor and you will decide what activity you will do. When you have determined your plan, get your activity pre-approved BEFORE you complete your hours by filling out the “Notification and Completion of Community Involvement Activities” form  and submitting it to your guidance counsellor. This will make sure your activity meets the criteria for your community involvement hours.

The community sponsor is the contact person at the agency or organization where you will be volunteering.

Once you have agreed upon the activity you will do, you need to fill out the “Notification and Completion of Community Involvement Activities” form and hand it in to your guidance councilor before beginning the volunteer placement.  This form can be picked up in the Guidance Office (room 129)

When you work in the community, there are certain expectations that you are to follow. Some of these expectations are:

• Be on time
• Dress appropriately (you can ask your teacher or your community sponsor what would be appropriate)
• Respect others (use appropriate language and manners)
• Confidentiality of workplace information. There may be some information or materials that will need to be kept confidential. This means that you can discuss this information with other people who work there but cannot share it with people who do not work there. You can ask your community sponsor what information may need to be kept confidential.
• Willing to try to develop new skills
• Try to follow the directions
• Careful use of workplace equipment (use all safety precautions)

You may want to keep track of the hours spent volunteering in your community placement. This can be done using a form or chart. Your teacher may provide you with one or you may want to get help in making one for yourself. It’s important to write the date and the number of hours volunteering every time you go.

Once you have completed your volunteer placement, make sure that you get all of the required signatures.  Make sure to submit the form before the end of the school year.  This form needs to be filled out and signed by your community sponsor before you can hand it in. 

Materials Needed:

• Map of school (see "Floor Plan")
• 5 Coloured Highlighters or Markers
• Pencil or Pen

1. Using a blue-coloured highlighter, draw a path from the main entrance to your homeroom.
2. Using a yellow-coloured highlighter, trace a path from your homeroom to the cafeteria.
3. Using a green-coloured highlighter, trace a path from your homeroom to the cafeteria and the library.
4. Using an orange-coloured highlighter, trace a path from your homeroom to the nearest washroom and the Main Office.
5. Using a pink-coloured highlighter, trace a path from your homeroom to the gymnasium.
6. Using a pencil, trace a path from your homeroom to the ____________________. (Unique Area of Interest)

Congratulations! Try to visit Emily Carr Secondary School and walk the paths drawn.

Work with a teacher of family member to fill in this chart before going to high school. Think about things you may be concerned or worried about when going to the new school and determine things you can do to help yourself. 

Example:

Find the following items:

• school calendar for September
• student transportation information
• list of clubs and organizations
• the library webpage
• who is the principal?
• who are the vice principals?
• the student council information