Dual Credits 
Dual credits provide an opportunity for secondary school students to participate in a college course. Upon successful completion of the college course, the student will be granted credit for the college course that will be counted towards an Ontario College certificate/diploma/degree and also a secondary school credit that will be counted towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Certificate.
Currently, all dual credits are in pilot phase and must be approved by the Ministry of Education. Two of these programs offered in the Limestone DSB include:
· Triple Play Program - This programs enables our senior students the opportunity to take a course at St. Lawrence College in their Grade 12 year
· IMC @ SLC - Integrated Marketing Communications at St. Lawrence College - 20 of our senior students have the opportunity to take this Focus program at SLC in Semester 2 and earn both secondary school and college credits.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
What is an SHSM?
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is one of the innovative new programs introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2006 as part of the provincial Student Success Strategy designed to “reach every student”. The SHSM enables students to customize their high school experience to suit their interests and talents while preparing them for a successful post secondary transition into apprenticeship training, college, university, or direct entry into employment. Limestone students will have the opportunity in 2009/2010 to qualify for an SHSM in one of four sector specific areas of interest; Arts and Culture, Construction, Hospitality or Manufacturing.
What are the benefits of an SHSM?
Completing a Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture, Construction, Hospitality or Manufacturing acknowledges students have gained the necessary credits, skills, knowledge and sector specific certifications associated with a chosen industry or lifelong passion. Students earning the SHSM will be able to make more informed career decisions and ultimately be better prepared for their post secondary destination of choice. Students who have earned the SHSM can provide evidence of their achievement of sector-recognized certifications and training programs to prospective employers and postsecondary educational or training institutions.
How do Students earn an SHSM?
A Specialist High Skills Major is comprised of five required components, which include:
· a bundle of 8-10 credits, defined as 4 major credits, 3-4 required credits and 2 coop credits
· 6-7 sector recognized training and certification sessions
· a variety of experiential learning opportunities, related to the curriculum
· completion of related Essential Skills through the Ontario Skills Passport
· participation in 10 hours of “Reach Ahead” activity or future pathway related event
Which Programs can lead to the SHSM in Limestone?
Check the chart below:
|
Arts and Culture |
|
|
Description |
School |
|
Creative Arts, Theatre Complete, and Photography and Culture |
Queen Elizabeth Collegiate & Vocational Institute |
|
Stage and Media Arts |
Frontenac Secondary School |
|
Limestone Arts Initiative |
Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute |
|
Studio LC, and Performance Arts |
Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute |
|
Lets Make a Demo, and Musical Arts |
Napanee District Secondary School |
|
Hospitality |
|
|
Description |
School |
|
Cook’s Intern Program |
Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute |
|
The County Cook Project |
Sydenham High School |
|
Land O Lakes Hospitality and Tourism Program |
North Addington Education Centre |
|
Manufacturing |
|
|
Description |
School |
|
Mechanical Millwright pre Apprentice |
LaSalle Secondary School |
|
Napanee Mechanical and Electrical Program |
Napanee District Secondary School |
|
Frontenac Fabrication and Machine |
Sydenham High School |
|
Construction |
|
|
Description |
School |
|
Building Construction Intern Program New Construction |
Queen Elizabeth Collegiate & Vocational Institute |
|
Building Construction Intern Program Heritage Restoration |
Queen Elizabeth Collegiate & Vocational Institute |
|
Integrated Building Construction Program |
Napanee District Secondary School |
|
Renovations Plus |
Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute |
|
Outdoor Building Construction |
North Addington Education Centre |
Contextualized learning activities (CLAs)
For the “other required credits” in the bundle of credits, students in a Specialist High Skills Major program must complete learning activities that are contextualized to the knowledge and skills relevant to the economic sector of the SHSM. Contextualized learning activities (CLAs) address curriculum expectations in these courses.
Where should you go to get more information?
Contact a Guidance counsellor in your Student Services Department.
E School
Online learning is quickly becoming an important part of education in all career paths. eLearning at the Limestone District School Board offers Grade 12 core subjects to support students who need specific courses to graduate. Online teachers look forward to providing innovative, relevant and engaging eLearning experiences. We also support opportunities for taking eLearning courses through other school boards across Ontario, when these courses are not available to students within our board.
All online credit courses meet the requirements of an Ontario high school diploma and are taught by dedicated, certified teachers.
Contact your school guidance counsellor for further information about courses being offered and registration. Course information available on the LDSB website at:
http://www.limestone.on.ca/Programs/eSchool/
At the Limestone District School Board, eLearning courses are used to support students who are unable to register for required courses in their regular school program.
All courses are offered subject to sufficient enrolment and some courses may be restricted to graduating students.
Streetsmart
Streetsmart provides an alternative setting for those students who, for a wide variety of reasons, do not fit into the traditional school setting and are between 16 and 20 years of age. Students may be referred by their Student Services Department. Students may register at any time throughout the school year. Streetsmart provides an open and responsive learning environment where students can set their own hours within the school day and work at their own pace.
ILC
ILC (Independent Learning Centre) students may be permitted to complete a course through Independent Learning Centre (correspondence) materials under special circumstances.
Summer School
Summer School is offered jointly by the Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore District School Board during a four-week period in July. Courses are available for students who wish to improve their marks, or for students who wish to “reach ahead” to earn credits for courses they have not previously taken. Information about course offerings, registration, and transportation will be available in the Student Services Departments at all secondary schools in early June.
An additional Summer School site is located at North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne during the first two weeks of July. Courses are available for students who wish to improve their marks. Information about course offerings, registration, and bussing will be available in early June in the Student Services Department at North Addington Education Centre.
All courses and programs are subject to sufficient enrolment.
Successful completion of Grade 9 and 10 courses will be recorded on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Completion of Grade 11 and 12 courses, as well as withdrawal from these courses, will also be recorded on the student’s OST.
Exchange Programs
Educational exchange programs (with Quebec, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Spain and Mexico) are available to KCVI students under the auspices of the Canadian Educational Exchange Foundation (www.ceef.ca). Participation in such programs is encouraged as a means for students not only to enhance their second or third language skills, but also to expand their cultural horizons. Some exchanges involve a month-long stay during the summer, while others see participants welcoming a partner into their homes from August to November and returning to their partner’s home from February to May. While it is preferable for participants to be acquainted with the first language of their partners, it is not strictly necessary
Given the compressed nature of a four-year curriculum, it is recommended that students apply in Grade 9 for an exchange to occur during their Grade 10 year. In order to maximize the number of credits participants can earn in their exchange year, it is recommended that students schedule four of their required courses (English, History, Science, Mathematics, Civics/Careers) in first semester, and that they plan for a second semester timetable which consists of: French or Spanish, Travel and Tourism, Co-operative Education and Physical Education. Students should see the school exchange coordinator and a guidance counsellor for information regarding the content of these courses, assessment tools and evaluation policy.
Students planning to graduate in four years and enter the IB program in their grade 11 year, should be aware that it may be very difficult to participate in an exchange program and earn the credits required for both the OSSD and the IB diploma.