TFS - Canada's International School

20 Parents' Handbook 2019 – 2020 Students: Please visit the Guidance Department to arrange an appointment time. Parents: Please contact your child's Guidance Counsellor for an appointment. Junior School The Junior School Learning Forum team includes two resource teachers, a guidance counsellor and a social skills specialist. Resource teachers are scheduled in class and provide whole class, small group and individual support. Regularly scheduled guidance classes ensure that all students are given instruction on social and life skills, problem-solving and strategies for well-being including mindfulness and meditation. Parents can contact their child's homeroom teacher to discuss support and to connect to the Learning Forum team as needed. Grades 6 and 7 Guidance and Learning Strategies classes start in Grade 6 with a curriculum that includes social skills training, health and well-being and learning strategies, including organizational skills and study strategies. A key emphasis at this level is to help students make the transition to the Senior School so that they can begin to become independent learners. Daily organizational check-out help is offered to all students at the end of the day. Levels I-V Guidance in Levels I-V focuses on learning about individual interests, strengths and challenges; wellness and social-emotional skills; academic planning and exploring future educational and career directions. Small groups and individual support assist students and their families in becoming more knowledgeable about course selection, IB configuration, experiential learning opportunities, scholarships, university programs and decision-making. Senior School Learning Strategists Learning Strategists provide bilingual support to students with identified and non-identified learning needs, and assist them in developing effective learning strategies to optimize academic success. These include help with study skills, test preparation and test taking, and independent and classroom learning strategies. Learning Strategists work with students through their guidance class, or during spares, in the Learning Forum. For parents, the first step in referral to the Learning Forum is through the Guidance Counsellors who work closely with the Learning Strategies teachers. Learning Strategists and the Guidance Department are also supported by the Test Centre Educational CoordinatorAssistant. Other Learning Resources Include: - The Test Centre provides a supervised location for students with identified learning needs and individual accommodations. The Test Centre is staffed by a full-time Educational Coordinator; - Peer Mentors are trained senior students who volunteer their time to mentor students in many age groups including Grades 6, 7 and Level I to help them with time management, organization, homework, studying for tests and subject-specific matters. They work under the supervision of the Learning Strategists and Guidance Counsellors; - Homework Club after school is recommended for students who are developing their independent homework skills. Students are referred to the Homework Club through their teachers or Guidance Counsellors; - French and math clinics occur after school by referral from teachers; and - Exam, test-taking and study skills workshops and mini-courses occur throughout the year, especially before exam periods. University and Career Planning Special Events These events are planned throughout the school year. Participation is strongly encouraged. - Jump Start - A late-summer one-week preparation

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