Sutherland Secondary
North Vancouver School District
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Sutherland Grade 7/8 Transition

​The purpose of Grade 7/8 transition is to provide Grade 7 students with a variety of experiences to connect them to their secondary school before they begin Grade 8. ​This connection focuses on the development of plans to support the course selection process, and determine any additional supports that may be required for individual students. Additional supports may address both academic and social/emotional needs. More importantly, transition supports every elementary student to feel a sense of welcome, belonging, and excitement about entering secondary school.​​​


​January​​

​Welcome Letter Sent to Parent/Guardians of Incoming Grad​e 7
Stu​dent​s ​
​The first Sutherland communication to families will introduce the Grade 7/8 transition program. We focus on giving families and students essential information about secondary school while offering opportunities to become more familiar with the school community. It is also our first opportunity to learn more about our students and about how to best support them, prior to their official arrival in September.  

Sutherland hosts the grade 7 parents for an information session. Parents are introduced to course offerings and programming information, hosted by the Grade 8 Counsellor and Vice Principal. Parents receive a guided tour of the school, where they have the opportunity to learn more about the school and ask questions of current students. ​

​​February​

​Grade 7 Parent Night & Course Programming a​​t Sutherland ​​​​Sutherland hosts the grade 7 parents for an information session. Parents are introduced to course offerings and programming information, hosted by the Grade 8 Counsellor and Vice Principal. Parents receive a guided tour of the school, where they have the opportunity to learn more about the school and ask questions of current students. ​​
​Family of Schools Presentations for all Grade 7 Students
​Grade 8 Counsellor and Vice Principal visit Grade 7 students at Family of Schools. Topics will include Grade 8 course request options, programs and offerings at Sutherland, extra-curricular opportunities, and general information about attending secondary school.  

​April

Articulation Meetings for Complex Learners​​​​

​A key aspect of the grade 7/8 transition process happens ‘behind the scenes’. The Sutherland Transition Team will meet with elementary school grade 7 staff to discuss the educational needs of the grade 7 students coming to Sutherland. For students who may require additional learning or transition supports, our Family of Schools Leader, will connect with families via your child’s Case Manager in the spring.  ​ 
​Sutherland Grade 7 Visit and Orientation Tour ​​​​​​Sutherland will host Grade 7 students and their teachers for an orientation in April. Sutherland leadership students will guide groups on a tour of the campus. They will see the various elective areas, academic areas, applied skills areas, as well as student support areas of the school. 
​​

September​​​

​Grade 8 Assembly​​​On the first day of school in September, Grade 8 students attend an assembly and homeroom.  They are introduced to the principal, vice-principal, grade counsellor and other staff members.  They will receive their schedule, as well as instructions to understand their timetable and semester system.​

​​October​​​

​Grade 8 Retreat​​​
​During October, the Grade 8 students will travel to Cheakamus Centre for their Grade 8 retreat.  This important event helps students to build new friendships, participate in team building activities, and gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives, through hands-on activities.​​​