October Update

Grade 12s should now be attending a GT check in session every week.  Students who do not have a block in their timetable should check in at Thursdays at lunch.  In October, our focus is Transition Planning.  Students should work on their Transition plan at this time so that they begin to prepare for next September and ensure that they get what they need out of their grade 12 year and courses.  Other topics that have been covered include:

• Starting a portfolio folder or binder to gather important graduation and Graduation Transitions materials.  There is also a file cabinet in the GT/Career Centre to keep materials.  All GT evidence is the responsibility of the student and can be worked on at any time.  We will also work through each of the required pieces throughout the term.  Students can download hard copies of the evidence whenever they like.
• Daily Physical Activity - the requirement has changed (see below).  If you did not sign off 80 hours of Physical Activity in 2008 you should be logging 150 minutes of Physical Activity per week and have those verified documents at your exit interview.
• Scholarships and Bursaries - what, where, when, how?
• Community Connections - if you have your 30 hours of work experience or volunteering completed, you are encouraged to collect evidence of it and complete your reflection on employability skills.  This aspect of GT can be finished and stored in your file on the S drive or in your paper file in the Career Centre filing cabinet.

Here are online word versions of the components you need to complete.  You can type into these word documents and save them or print them off and fill them.

Personal Health

• GT DPA Record
• GT Healthy Living Plan

Community Connections

• GT Work Experience and Reflection

Career and Life

• GT Transition Planning
• GT Budget Planning
• GT Interview Guidelines

End of Semester One is here!  Those with GT in their timetable semester one must complete the course at this time?  That means that you must have completed and gathered all of your mandatory evidence and schedules an exit interview.

If you have questions or concerns please see Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Brase or Mr. O'Toole in the Career Centre or Counselling area.  If you have a question outside of school time, try emailing 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

Good luck!  Relax!  If you have done all the work, you'll be fine!

Semester Two GT students will start weekly meetings February 8.  Mandatory meeting time is daily at 9:45 so when your block falls in the second period of the day you are expected to report to the Career Centre for your tutorial (B - Monday, D - Tuesday, A - Wednesday and C - Thursday).  If your GT is a fourth course in your schedule then Thursdays at lunch is when you should check in for your work.  Semester Two interviews will be scheduled for April and May so that this requirement can be met before grad and other graduating pressures.

November Update

If you have GT first semester, you should be signed up for an interview time at the end of January.  If you do not interview or if you are missing any required evidence at your interview you will receive an Incomplete in this course for semester one and will have to reschedule an interview in the second semester.... that doesn't make any sense?  why would anyone do that? 

Help is available in the Career Centre daily from 9:45-2:00 and whenever you can find Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Brase or Mr. O'Toole.

Students who have GT in semester two are reminded that they are expected to attend GT every week on the day that they have it second block (9:45).  Students unable to attend at that time can attend on Thursdays at lunch.

What should grade 12s be doing now?

• start getting ready to apply for post-secondary.  If you hope to attend in September of 2009, don't delay... VIU applications should be submitted by November 13 for your best chances.
• what about living arrangements?  If you need residence, look into it and check for the application timelines!
• check out www.globecampus.ca for some interesting stuff - there are tons of websites to give you information about post-secondary goals and plans - www.educationplanner.ca is great too.
• talk to GT advisors/counsellors about whatever your questions, concerns or confusions are - we can't know it all but we will be happy to help you find the answers.
• scholarships are beginning to trickle in - mostly the big ones right now but do your research on entrance awards for the schools of your choice. 
• VIU information sessions are ongoing starting in November - these are a great way to learn more about programs you are considering.

"COOL SITES" MAKING THE CONNECTION

www.theskilledlife.com Youth site for skilled trades

www.bls.gov/k12 Careers that work with what you like to do!

www.apprenticesearch.com/fptrades/trades.asp About Trades - Job descriptions in Construction/Industrial/Motive Power/Service Sectors and tips on how to be an apprentice (what does a plumber do?).

www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc Lists all eligible schools, private and post secondary in Canada with Student Loan Status/Apply.

www.cybf.ca Canadian Youth Business Foundation…Have an idea, age is 18 - 34 they provide advice, financing, business planning help to
start your own business.

www.nextsteps.org/video Video clips from Air Traffice Controller to Zookeeper