Grade 8 Reach Ahead Program

If you are a Grade 8 student registered to attend a high school in the Durham Catholic District School Board in September, a Grade 9 credit is available this summer as part of our Reach Ahead Program.  

Students are eligible to take one Reach Ahead course only and cannot register for both sessions.

All courses run Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 2:37 p.m.  

Registration

Register Here by 4:00 pm Friday, June 14, 2024

Session 1: July 3 to July 26, 2024

e-Learning (online) Offerings

Successful completion of an e-Learning course fulfills one of the two online learning credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  In addition, a course code beginning with "T" fulfills the new  Grade 9/10 Technological Education requirement for the OSSD.

 

  • Introduction to Business (BBI1O)  
  • Issues in Canadian Geography (CGC1D)
  • Issues in Canadian Geography - French Immersion (CGC1DF)
  • Exploring Family Studies - Transition to High School (HIF1O) - Cancelled
  • U.P. (Ultimate Potential) Math (GLS1O)  
  • Expressions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O) - Cancelled

 

Technological Education Courses

  • Communications Technology (TGJ1O)
  • Green Industries (THJ1O) - Cancelled
  • Health Care (TPJ1O)
  • Hospitality and Tourism (TFJ1O) - Cancelled

 

In-Person Offerings 

The following courses will take place at Father Leo J. Austin CSS (Whitby) from 8:30 a.m. - 2:37 p.m.

  • Visual Arts (AVI1O)
  • Visual Arts - French Immersion (AVI1OF) - Cancelled
  • Exploring Technologies (TIJ1O)*

 

*Successful completion of a course code that begins with "T" fulfills the new Grade 9/10 Technological Education requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Session 2: July 29 to August 22, 2024

e-Learning (online) Offerings

Successful completion of an e-Learning course fulfills one of the two online learning credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  In addition, a course code beginning with "T" fulfills the new  Grade 9/10 Technological Education requirement for the OSSD.

 

  • Communications Technology (TGJ1O) - Cancelled
  • Green Industries (THJ1O) - Cancelled
  • Health Care (TPJ1O)
  • Hospitality and Tourism (TFJ1O) - Cancelled
In-Person Offerings

The following courses will take place at Archbishop Denis O'Connor CHS (Ajax)

 

  • Visual Arts (AVI1O) - Cancelled
  • Visual Arts - French Immersion (AVI1OF) - Cancelled
  • Exploring Technologies (TIJ1O)*

 

*Successful completion of a course code that begins with "T" fulfills the new Grade 9/10 Technological Education requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Course Descriptions

Introduction to Business (BBI1O) 
This course introduces you to the world of business.  You will develop an understanding of the functions of business, including accounting, marketing, and information and communication technology.  This course builds a foundation for further studies in business and helps you develop the business knowledge and skills you will need in your everyday life.
Exploring Family Studies - Transition to High School (HIF1O) 
This course explores some relevant needs that students face: the transition to high school, how to relate to others, how to manage resources, and how to become responsible members of society. Students will have opportunities to develop interpersonal, decision-making, and practical skills related to daily life. They will use research skills as they explore topics related to personal and family needs. Students will explore strategies to support their personal health and well-being.
U.P. (Ultimate Potential) Math (GLS1O)  

UP (Ultimate Potential) Mathematics is a specialized program that provides student candidates with the opportunity to learn key math concepts, address gaps in learning, and develop problem-solving processes that are important for developing a good foundation for Grade 9 mathematics.

*A recommendation from the Grade 8 teacher is required for each student in UP Math.

Expressions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O)  
This course explores various arts disciplines, giving students the opportunity to create, present, and analyse art works, including integrated art works/ productions, that explore or reflect First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives and cultures. Students will examine the interconnected relationships between art forms and individual and cultural identities, histories, values, protocols, and ways of knowing and being. 
Issues in Canadian Geography (CGC1D)
This course builds on learning in Grades 7 and 8 in geography. Students will explore relationships within and between Canada’s natural and human systems and how they interconnect with other parts of the world. Students will also examine environmental and economic issues, and their impact related to topics such as natural resources and industries, careers, land use and responsible development, and sustainability. In addition, students will understand the connections that diverse communities and individuals have with the physical environment and each other throughout Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives. Students will apply geographic thinking, use the geographic inquiry process, and use geospatial technologies throughout their investigations.
Exploring Communications Technology (TGJ1O)
This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills in communications technology, which encompasses television/video and movie production, radio and audio production, print and graphic communications, photography, and interactive new media and animation. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.
Exploring the Trades (TIJ1O)
This course enables students to further explore and develop technological knowledge and skills introduced in the elementary science and technology program. Students will be given the opportunity to design and create products and/or provide services related to the various technological areas or industries, working with a variety of tools, equipment, and software commonly used in industry. Students will develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary education and training pathways leading to careers in technology-related fields.
Exploring Green Industries (THJ1O)
This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to the green industries – agriculture, forestry, horticulture, floristry, and landscaping. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.
Exploring Health Care (TPJ1O)
This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to health care, which encompasses personal health promotion, child and adolescent health concerns, and various medical services, treatments, instruments, and technologies. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.
Exploring Hospitality and Tourism (TFJ1O)
This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to hospitality and tourism, focusing on the areas of food handling, food preparation, the origins of foods, event planning, and local tourism. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.
Visual Arts (AVI1O)
This course is exploratory in nature, offering an overview of visual arts as a foundation for further study. Students will become familiar with the elements and principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials by using a range of media, processes, techniques, and styles. Students will use the creative and critical analysis processes and will interpret art within a personal, contemporary, and historical context.

 

Course Information for All Reach Ahead Courses

  • Due to the compressed timeframe in a summer high school credit course, students can only register for the equivalent of one Reach Ahead course in the summer, and can not combine a high school credit course with any other course or program.  Students are not permitted to register for both sessions.
  • Students are expected to attend all 18 days of the course.
  • Students are expected to adhere to the standard rules of Academic Integrity and follow the Code of Conduct.

Course Information for eLearning (online) Courses

  • Students in an online course will be expected to adhere to the standard rules of Academic Integrity and follow the Code of Conduct as expected of students in the face-to-face classroom setting.
  • Students taking an online course will be expected to log-in on a daily basis and meet all deadlines.  Students should be able to commit to daily online work for an online learning credit.
  • Flexibility of an online course allows students to access their course material from anywhere in Canada that has internet access and any time during the day or night; however, students may be offered the opportunity to participate in a discussion synchronously, to support their learning. VPN is not supported for those out of country.
  • Once students are registered and enrolled into the on-line environment, they will be able to access their courses at https://durhamrc.elearningontario.ca/
*The Username and Password for the online course will be emailed to all students by June 30th at 4:00 pm. 
Please ensure you provide an up-to-date email address and check your junk mail for communication from Continuing Education.

Online Student Orientation for e-Learning classes

Online Student Orientation Session - July 3, 2024

Students will be contacted by their teacher for start-up details.

Please check junk email boxes and contact cont.ed@dcdsb.ca if you do not receive a D2L/Brightspace Username and Password by June 28 @ 4:00 pm.

 

Contact us

For more information about our Reach Ahead Program, please email us at credit.reg@dcdsb.ca or call 905-438-0570.