Limestone District School Board

Choices at SevenChallenge Program

Information Night

Calvin Park

Our presentation will begin at 7:00

About Calvin Park

• Calvin Park Public School is unique in the province of Ontario

• We are a middle school, grades 7 and 8 housed in a Secondary School: Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute

• Calvin Park is a school of approximately 400 students and consists of four distinct programs

Core Program• Provides strong programming of the Ontario

Curriculum for our neighbourhood communities. Literacy and Numeracy are a focus as well as integrated studies across the curriculum

ATLAS• This program is designed to provide focused,

structured learning opportunities for students who are of average to above average intelligence and who are experiencing significant difficulties with communication, organization and academic performance. This program utilizes state-of-the-art technology to facilitate learning

LEAP Program

• This program allows students to study all subjects in the Ontario curriculum through an integrated approach that emphasizes arts-based activities and creative expression. LEAP is taught by teachers with backgrounds in the arts. Students learn using the arts as a focus and integrating them with other subjects

Challenge Program Gifted and Academic Enrichment

ProgramThe Challenge Program is designed to

meet the needs of academically advanced and formally identified gifted students who are seeking new learning challenges.

The Challenge Program provides enriched, multi-disciplinary curricular studies that are designed to engage students and allow them to apply their knowledge in real-life situations.

The Challenge Program emphasizes:

• Learning how to learn (metacognitive skills)• Higher order thinking skills (analysis,

synthesis, and interpretation)• Leadership and collaboration• Proficiency with the tools of technology• Social responsibility and global awareness• Project based learning

The Challenge Program Curriculum:

• Is based on the Ontario Curriculum• Includes daily literacy and numeracy

instruction• Allows for enrichment extensions• Is differentiated based on students’ strengths,

needs, and interests• Meets the needs of all students in an inclusive

environment• Embeds cross-curricular, integrated learning

opportunities (science and technology, history and geography)

LITERACY• 100 minutes of uninterrupted daily instruction

• Follows a comprehensive literacy framework (modeled, shared, guided, and independent reading and writing practice)

• Utilizes a variety of assessment strategies

• Focus on critical thinking skills with a strong media literacy component

MATH• 50-60 minutes of uninterrupted daily

instruction• Follows a problem-solving approach• Focus on critical thinking skills and real-

life applications• Utilizes a variety of assessment strategies • Incorporates hands-on learning and

technological applications

FRENCH

• 200 minutes of Core French instruction per week

• Differentiated instruction is provided to accommodate the needs of all learners

• Many students entering the Challenge Program from a French Immersion program return to an Immersion stream in high school

THE ARTS• Includes Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, and

Music• Integrated throughout other curriculum areas• All students participate in Instrumental Music

-Instruments may be rented by students

-Performance and showcase opportunities• Shakespeare Productions

HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY BODIES

• Includes a minimum of 20 minutes of daily physical activity

• Emphasis on healthy choices and life-long fitness (ex. Yoga, dance, fitness, sports, and proper nutrition)

• Strong intramural and interschool athletics programs

• Outdoor education opportunities

Enrichment OpportunitiesThese opportunities vary from year to year and may include:•Day and Overnight field trips•Science Fair and Historica Fair•Challenge for Change Symposium•Ski trips and Physical Education Excursions•Math and Writing Contests•Leadership Presentations

CommunicationThe Challenge Program uses a variety of methods to facilitate the home-school partnership. These include:•School and class websites•School and classroom newsletters•First Class conferences•Phone calls•Provincial Progress and Achievement Report Cards•Parent/Guardian conferences

Students who achieve success in the Challenge Program are able to:•work at an paaccelerated ce•manage their time effectively•work well with others and independently•demonstrate self-motivation•problem solve creatively•be open-minded and take risks in their learning

Program BoundariesThe Challenge Program is offered at three sites: Calvin Park Public School (Kingston Region), Loughborough Public School (Northern Region), and Odessa Public School (Western Region).

Application to the Challenge Program is based on the location of your home.

Students who are part of the KCVI, LCVI, QECVI, Bayridge, Frontenac and La Salle families of schools may apply to this site.

Transportation• All transportation decisions are made by Tri-

Board Student Transportation Services.

Telephone: 613.354.1981Toll Free: 1.866.569.6638Email: info@triboard.on.ca

• Students must apply for busing and where routes and space exist, transportation may be provided.

• Students may miss a portion of the day due to the timing of transportation.

Application ProcessApplications

submitted online

March 21

Challenge for a Day

April 14, 15, 16

Candidates contacted regarding

the status of their application.

April 25Registration deadline for

students accepted

May 2

Challenge for a DayAt Challenge for a Day, students will:•Complete a math and language assessment based on grade 6 curriculum expectations•Give a brief, two minute presentation that allows them to share a personal artifact and skills that would help them succeed as a Challenge student•Be assessed on group and learning skills

Grade 7 Applicants

There may be a limited number of spaces available in the program for students currently in Grade 7 to apply to join the program in Grade 8.

Challenge for a Day assessments are based on Grade 7 expectations.

Application StatusThe Choices Program Registrar will notify all applicants of their status. A waiting list for qualified students will be established by the Registrar. Students who are not accepted into the program for September 2014, may consider other opportunities such as:•Returning to their home school•Applying again for Grade 8•Applying to the Grade 9 Challenge Program at LCVI

Questions

Please direct all questions to the Choices at Seven Registrar at 613-544-6925, Ext. 394 or email:

choicesatseven@limestone.on.ca

Development of the Whole Child

• Strong Academics

• Interpersonal skills

• Community and School Involvement

• Healthy Living and Positive Self-Image