Mr. Ellis coordinates Alternative Programs from the Credit Resource Centre (rooms 310 and 311) with the participation of other staff. The program provides students with an alternative setting for obtaining credits through Credit Recovery, Credit Rescue, Credit Completion, or by completing Independent Learning courses. In addition, students are supported in the areas of numeracy and literacy through the Peel-sponsored Before and After School Program, Counting on You.

 

Alternative Programs: Excerpt from Principal's Newsletter, January 2009

COUNTING ON YOU
The Counting On You program provides extra help for our students in the areas of numeracy and literacy. This semester we ran a total of five before and after school classes with a combined enrolment of approximately 75 students. Classes officially ended on January 20th. Thanks go to Ms Devani, Mr. Badovinac, Mr. Ellis, Ms Chirakal and Mr. Duffy for running these classes. Counting On You classes will begin again in second semester in February. Parents who would like their sons or daughters to receive extra help with their math and/or language skills through Counting On You should contact Mr. Ellis at the school (905-363-0289, ext. 310).

Counting On You and The Toronto Argonauts
Stephen Lewis Secondary School was excited to announce a new partnership with the Toronto Argonauts. Counting on You and the Toronto Argonauts are teaming up to help students gain the essential skills they need to help prepare for the Grade 10 Literacy Test. This program will give students an opportunity to get help for the upcoming literacy test while also earning up to 20 hours of community service.

This program will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. The Toronto Argonauts will make several classroom visits to help inspire as well as provide resources to help students with the OSSLT. The culminating activity for the class will be the literacy test, but also an Argonaut challenge: students will be asked to write a newspaper article with a student in Grade 5 from our neighbouring community. Teaching a younger student these skills will allow involved students to gain community service hours as well as enhancing their own skills necessary for success on the literacy test. Thanks goes to Mr. Badovinac for organizing this.

CREDIT RESOURCE CENTRE
As part of the school’s Student Success initiative, students continue to receive academic support in a variety of subject areas through the Credit Resource Centre. (Thanks to Mr. Alves, Mr. Ellis, Ms Fiore,
Ms Johnston, Ms Leung and Mr. Sawicki for their continued support.) In addition to subject-specific supports, the Credit Resource Centre has also provided literacy tutoring for students. In that regard we introduced the Accelerated Reader program during first semester. This computer program allows students to take computer quizzes on recently read books and have their progress monitored. This semester approximately 150 students were enrolled with the program. As part of our overall literacy support, we think Accelerated Reader will make a positive difference.

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Alternative Program Supports

Credit Recovery Through timetable modifications, students regain lost credits within the semester by working in small numbers with a Credit Recovery teacher. Credit Completion Students who are unable to modify their timetables are periodically withdrawn from their regular classes throughout the semester to regain a lost credit. Credit Support / Credit Rescue Students who are struggling in a regular classroom or who are at risk of losing a credit are provided with extra subject support outside the regular classroom setting. Literacy Support Students identified through diagnostic testing are provided with extra in-school preparation for the OSSLT. Independent Learning Students complete credits independently by completing online courses. Counting on You This before and after school program supports Grade 9 and 10 students who need additional support in the areas of numeracy and literacy. Classes meet before and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mentoring Students are mentored by a specific member of the teaching staff. Writing Workshop This before and after school workshop (Tuesdays and Thursdays, in room 310) provides extra help for students completing a specific writing assignment.