Transitioning to Grade 9

In order to ensure a smooth transition from elementary to high school, students are encouraged to take advantage of new opportunities by getting involved in the Notre Dame school community and to meet new challenges by seeking help from their teachers and Guidance Counsellor as necessary. 

Every Grade 9 student arrives with different strengths, interests and goals. For this reason, it is important that students have a good understanding of the course levels and experiential learning opportunities offered, as well as graduation requirements. To assist with the transition, students are encouraged to visit Secondary Pathway Planning to answer questions about high school.

 

Intermediate Guidance Counsellor

Our Intermediate Guidance Counsellor (IGT) works with each Associate School throughout the school year to meet students and provide valuable information about the transition to high school. through this connection, grade 8 students have the opportunity to ask questions and ease their nerves about coming to high school.

 

Grade 8 Visit to Notre Dame

Each November Grade 8 students attending a Notre Dame Associate School are offered the opportunity to visit Notre Dame and get a taste of what life is like. During their visit, Grade 8’s will visit classrooms to see what type of elective courses are available while touring the school, enjoy lunch in the cafeteria with high school students, and participate in a pep rally before heading back to their own school.

 

Grade 8 Parent Night at Notre Dame

Grade 8 parents and students are invited to an evening each year to learn about the Notre Dame community. Parents have the opportunity to tour the school, meet teachers and current students, and hear from Administration and Guidance about what to expect in the coming years.

 

Transition Meetings

Grade 8 students are also supported prior to their arrival at Notre Dame with transition meetings which occur between secondary and elementary school teams to ensure each student has appropriate supports in place prior to their arrival at Notre Dame.

 

Head Start

The Head Start - Transitioning to High School program is highly recommended to all Grade 8 students transitioning to Grade 9. The program involves a review of language and mathematics skills and provides students with an opportunity to meet peers and familiarize themselves with the school prior to the beginning of the school year. Health and well-being is also integrated into this non-credit program.

For more information or to register, please visit www.con-ed.ca.

 

Grade 9 Orientation Day

The first day of school is set aside for grade 9s only. Students will have an opportunity to visit their classrooms, meet many of the school staff, enjoy lunch, and participate in various activities. Parents are invited to accompany students for the morning and lunch portions of the day.

 

New Student Info

Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS)
DSTS is responsible for the management and administration of all home to school transportation for secondary students eligible for transportation, in accordance wit ht he Transportation Policy of both the Durham Catholic District School Board.

All students are required to call the automated line mid-August each school year to determine eligibility and routing information.  The student birth date and Ontario Student Number (OEN - located on report cards) are required to obtain your secure information.

  • Automated Line (IVR):  1-866-908-6578 or 905-666-6979
  • Office:  1-800-240-6943 or 905-666-6395
  • Website:  www.dsts.on.ca (for info on cancellations and delays)
  • Twitter:  twitter.com/DurhamSTS

 

Edsby
Stay informed about what is happening in your child's class!
Edsby is a cloud-based software which uses SSL encryption for all communication between the user browser and server.  Data is stored in Canadian servers.  To learn more about privacy and Edsby, go to edsby.com.

Edsby is an education engagement platform, much like social media.  Parents will be able to follow class events, view the class feed and your child's portfolio, and communicate with your child's teacher. 

How to Get Started with Edsby:

  1. An email invitation was sent to you.  Follow the link and create an Edsby account.
  2. If you did not receive an email, make sure the school has your current email address.  *If you are a DCDSB employee, you cannot use your Board email address as a parent; you must use a personal email.

How to Access Edsby:

  1. Log into www.dcdsb.edsby.com with the email and password you created, or
  2. Download the iOS or Android app.  Enter dcdsb, and then log in with your email and password.

 

Immunization Information
Up-to-date immunization information must be provided to the Durham Region Health Department, especially for those new to Durham Region.  View and update your child's immunization records online at Durham Region Health Department Immunization. 

Ontario's immunization schedule is available at Ontario's Routine Immunization Schedule.

 

Lockers

  • Will be assigned by the homeroom teacher on the first day of grade 9
  • Students must use a school issued lock which will be provided on the first day of grade 9 by the homeroom teacher and is to last throughout high school
  • Additional locks may be purchased in the main office if necessary

 

McCarthy's Uniform

  • Students must be in full uniform on the first day of school
  • Plan to purchase your uniform early as there may be limited availability as September approaches
  • Uniform Guide
  • Visit www.mccarthyuniforms.ca/profile to create your student profile which provides
    • access to sales and promotions
    • a detailed overview of ND's uniform
    • details about where and how you can shop for your school uniform
    • a detailed summary of your buying history
  • Where to shop:
    • Ajax Showroom - 700 Finley Avenue Unit 14 (check website for store hours)
    • Online - www.mccarthyuniforms.ca/shop
    • Call Centre - 416-593-6900 or 1-80-668-8261

 

ND Floor Plan

Click on each map for a better view.

 

Phys Ed Uniform

  • Available for purchase through School Cash Online
  • More information will be provided by your teacher on the first day of your phys ed class

 

Report Card Timelines

  • Semester 1 midterm report cards are issued mid November
  • Semester 1 final report cards are issued in February
  • Semester 2 midterm report cards are issued mid April
  • Semester 2 final report cards are issued in June

 

School Cash Online
The easy way to pay for school items!
For safety and efficiency reasons, our school is reducing the amount of cash and cheques we receive, by offering you the convenience of paying online.  Follow these step-by-step instructions to register -- it takes less than 5 minutes!  Upon registration, you will begin to receive email notifications regarding upcoming events involving your child(ren).  You will need your child's OEN number (found on any report card) to register.  If you require assistance, select the Support option in the top right hand corner of the screen.

  • STEP 1:  Register
    1. To register, click on the "Online School Purchase" button located under our school's website banner or visit https://durhamcatholic.schoolcashonline.com/.  Select the "Get Started Today" option.
    2.   Complete each of the three Registration Steps.  *For security reasons, you password requires 8 characters, 1 uppercase letter, 1 lowercase letter and 1 number.
  • STEP 2:  Confirmation Email
    • A registration confirmation email will be forwarded to you.  Click on the link provided in the email to confirm your email and School Cash Online account.  The confirmation link will open the School Cash Online site prompting you to sign into your account.  Use your email address and password just created with your account.
  • STEP 3:  Find a Student
    1. Enter the School Board's Name
    2. Enter the School's Name
    3. Enter your Child's Student Number (OEN number), First Name, Last Name and Birth Date.
    4. Select  Continue.
    5. On the next page, confirm that you are related to the child.  Check in the Agree box and select Continue.
    6. Your child has been added to your account.
  • STEP 4:  View Items or Add Another Student
    • If you have more children, select "Add Another Student" and repeat above steps.  Eight children can be added to one parent account.  If you do not wish to add additional children, select "View Items for Students" option.  A listing of available items for purchase will be displayed.

 

School Messenger
Report and monitor student absences with the School Messenger Attendance Management System in one of three ways:

  1. Mobile App:  Download and install School Messenger from the App Store or Google Play
  2. Website:  go.schoolmessenger.ca
  3. Phone:  1-844-288-7628 or 905-686-4300 ext 3

Please note:

  • absences can be reported in advance
  • use the same email address that the school has on record for all your children
  • for security, you may set up a PIN number to access the system; this can be arranged by calling the ND attendance office
  • absences 5 days or more must be reported directly to the school
  • forms for vacations are available in the attendance office; students are responsible for all missed work
  • when reporting an absence by phone, please wait for a confirmation number
  • if you receive a Safe Arrivals call and you believe your child is in school, please acknowledge the call and phone the school immediately
  • please ensure that your child is aware of any appointments or personal arrangements prior to their arrival to school
  • success comes with regular attendance and being at school on time
  • Attendance Matters!

 

 

 Parent Involvement

Parent Involvement

Enhancing Student Achievement:  A Parent's Guide

 

Other Suggested Supports

 

Norwell District Secondary School