Dear Parents / Guardians of Grade 7 Students,

On behalf of the administration and staff of Argyle, I would like to welcome you to the Argyle Secondary School community.  It is with great anticipation and excitement that we look forward to the arrival of your child at Argyle for the 2017-2018 school year.  This letter provides an overview on the transition process to high school that your child will participate in over the next few months. Our transition program focuses on giving both students and families information about high school and on learning how we can best support our students prior to their official arrival in September. We encourage you to take an active role in this process and ask that you please make note of the important dates below.

Grade 7 Student Guided Tour

Grade 7 students and their teachers will be invited to come to Argyle for a guided tour and short presentation on January 24.  Students are welcome to gather in the Cafeteria after 8am.  The official start time for the event is 9am.  It will last until approximately 11:15 when students will return to their elementary school.   Grade 7 teachers will explain the exact logistics of this event as it pertains to your elementary school.

 The purpose of this visit is three-fold:

• to familiarize your child with the size of the school and visit classes while in session.
• to help your child gain an understanding of the school's academic and elective areas.
• to build a sense of community and connection to Argyle Secondary.
  
   
  Course Programming Information Meeting for grade 7 Parents 

Parents of current grade 7s are invited to a course programming information and transition meeting on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm in the Argyle Large Gym.  An optional guided tour of the school led by Leadership students will commence prior to the event.   Meet at 6:15pm in the Cafeteria if you are interested in the tour.  The main event will start at 7pm in the Argyle Large Gym. There will be a school welcome and introduction, a programming information presentation, and a question and answer period. The purpose of this meeting is to provide general information about Argyle Secondary and, more specifically, to discuss with parents course offerings and programs. Information specific to grade 8 and the transition to secondary school will also be presented.

Grade 7 Student Programming Presentation

Paul Ruben (Grade 8 Counsellor) and Caren Hall (Vice Principal for Grade 8), will be visiting elementary schools in our Family of Schools to assist students with course programming for their grade 8 year.  These visits will take place in early February.  Course Request sheets will be handed out at this time and will be due back to your child's grade 7 teacher by Friday, March 3^rd.

Grade 7 Student Introduction to High School

Grade 7 students and their teachers will be invited to come to Argyle for an orientation to the school in mid-May. Leadership students will lead groups station to station and provide helpful tips such as how to open a school lock.  These stations are intended to help ease the transition process and allow students to gain a comfort level with the Argyle facility and senior students.

Grade 7 Articulation Meetings

Another behind the scenes aspect of the grade 7 transition process will take place in April.  The Argyle transition team of educators will visit elementary schools to discuss the educational needs of grade 7 students.  If necessary, your child's elementary teacher will be sharing any suggested changes or recommendations to your child's program with you. For students who may require additional supports, the Family of Schools Leader will contact families. 

September 2017– Grade 8 First day of High school & Parent Orientation

Lastly, in the fall, grade 8 parents are invited to Argyle Secondary's two welcome events.  On the first day of school one parent will be invited to join their child on a full rotation of all of the students' classes in order to meet each of the teachers and tour the school.  Later in the month, parents will be invited to an orientation evening meeting in the Large Gym.  Exact dates for this event will be sent out in late August.

On behalf of the Argyle Secondary community, we look forward to meeting and working with you and your child.  If you have any questions regarding your child's program for our school, please contact Paul Ruben (Grade Counsellor) at PRuben@sd44.ca  or 604.903.3300.  Please visit our web site at www.ArgyleSecondary.ca

If you have any other questions about the transition process, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Caren Hall

Vice-Principal Argyle Secondary

CHall@sd44.ca​