Things to Remember: Grade Nines
Choosing Courses for 2017-2018
Applied or Academic?
 How did I do in this course last year?
 How am I doing at this level (applied/academic/locally developed) now?
 A mark below 70 means you should reconsider your level of study
 Academic moves faster, includes more homework, more independent work,
more theory
 Applied includes more real life examples and more teacher assistance
 Locally Developed focuses on everyday life and fills in gaps from previous years
Changing from Applied to Academic?
 Consult with your Teacher and Guidance Counsellor FIRST
 For Math, cannot go directly from applied to academic. Consider summer school
options or see your Guidance Counsellor for more information.
Elective Courses?
 What are some new areas I would like to try?
 Am I enjoying and doing well in the elective courses I am taking this year?
 Would I enjoy school more if my program were more “hands on”?
 Arts courses in grade 11 require a grade 9 or 10 pre-requisite in the same art
(drama, music, visual art)
 Technology and computer courses recommend grade 10 to prepare for grade 11.
 All others can be started, as a beginner, in grade 11 (check pre-requisites)
Summer School?
 STRONGLY recommended to NOT take core courses (e.g. ENG and math) in
summer. All summer school registrations must be approved by your guidance
counsellor.
 You can take a two-week make-up course if you achieve a mark below 40% and
if it makes good academic sense. Please speak with your Guidance Counsellor.
o This can be a good option for students who plan to change from academic
to applied level for grade 10, but first need to finish their grade 9 academic
credit
 You should take a full four-week course in summer school if:
o You would like to upgrade a passing mark
o You need to strengthen your understanding in a subject before
progressing to the next grade at the same level
 Check the bulletin board in the Guidance Hallway in early April and listen to
announcements for registration information
 Don’t select a course on myBlueprint if you are SURE you will take it in summer
school
PCSS Course Selection Process
Step 1 – Access your myBlueprint Account
NOTE: Please use CHROME.
 Go to: BYOD.peelschools.org
 Click on the “Resources” tab and then the “myBlueprint” chicklet
 NOTE: if you have not logged onto a school computer this year, you MUST do
this first to reset your password, before accessing your myBlueprint account.
Step 2 – Plan Your Courses
 Using PCSS Course Selection Planning sheet, the online Charting Your
Course calendar found in the Student Services section of www.pcssline.com,
and by dropping by Guidance on Jan. 18th and Jan. 19th, at lunch, to have your
questions answered.
 Please speak to your subject teachers and visit department offices for
assistance.
 Use the Official High School Plan found in myBlueprint, (the one with the
purple dot) to select your courses.
Step 3 – Submit Your FINAL COURSE SELECTIONS: JANUARY 10th to February 10th
 YOU CAN ONLY SUBMIT ONCE – any changes made in myBlueprint after you
submit WILL NOT be communicated to the school’s system!
 Print Verification Form/Sign-Off Sheet and give to your homeroom teacher
by Feb. 10th.
Remember! After you have submitted your courses, any changes made in
myBlueprint WILL NOT be communicated to the school’s computer system! Plan
carefully the first time to avoid disappointment! If you need to make a change
after you have submitted, you will need to pick up a resubmit course form from
the Guidance Office.