GANANOQUE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Posted below is our GSS Guide to Culminating Activities as well, which will help students and parents understand what is expected of students as they demonstrate their learning:

Let's plan together!  Below, we have posted some calendars to help students plan their time during the month of January.  Planning will hopefully help reduce stress in the lead-up to Exams and Culminating Activities.



You can also check out the Virtual Learning Commons (VLC) for addition tips for things such as planning, time management, stress management, and other studying tips!

https://vlc.ucdsb.ca/howdoi9-12/learningskills

In addition to the scheduling of formal exams, teachers have also assigned a variety of other summative tasks to obtain evidence of student achievement. These take the form of assigned research essays, presentations, interviews, the performance of activities and many more.  Each of these have been introduced to the students through their Course Outline at the beginning of the semester and regular reminders of the due dates occur in class. Support for completion is, of course, part of the daily learning and teaching.

What is a "Culminating Activity?"

A Culminating Activity is a form of evaluation administered at or towards the end of a course. An exam is an example of one type of culminating activity. There are, however, other types that can and are used: a performance, an essay, and/or another method of evaluation suitable to the course content. All evaluation and assessment has the primary purpose of improving student learning. Evaluation refers to the process of judging the quality of student learning on the basis of established performance standards and then assigning a value to represent that quality (from Growing Success, p. 38).

A culminating activity requires students to think about and demonstrate understanding of the big ideas in the course. They are multifaceted and require a variety of different skills. It allows the student an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive achievement of the overall expectations of the course.

All culminating activities bring together the big ideas and learning that has taken place and, as such, are described in advance and teachers prepare students throughout the semester work to demonstrate their learning on the culminating activity.

Students with special education needs and English language learners are accommodated according to their Individual Education Plan.

Are they optional?

Attendance is mandatory. The Ontario Curriculum requires that final grades be arrived at through an evaluation comprised of 70% based on the evaluation conducted throughout the course and 30% from the culminating activity. We try to accommodate students and families by posting the school year calendar early each year with the designated exam days clearly marked. It is hoped that work schedules and family vacations be scheduled around these important dates.

What if a student is sick and can't attend?

We understand that unforeseen emergencies can arise and we accommodate them on a case-by-case basis. We typically ask that a doctor's note be provided if a student cannot attend. Parents are asked to contact the office to arrange accommodations.

Is the Cafeteria or The Learning Commons open?

The kitchen shuts down during exams but the space is open for students. Students are not permitted in the halls while exams are being written. The cafeteria is available for studying. The Learning Commons is often used to support students during exams and is often not available. Students are encouraged to inquire with their teachers if they would like to access the Learning Commons during the exam period.

What Is Expected Of Students After They Write Their Exam?

Students are required to remain in their exam room for a minimum of 1 hour. Upon dismissal, they must leave the hallway quickly and quietly. If students are leaving the school after writing an exam, they should sign out with parent permission as they would leave on any other school day. We appreciate parents' support in providing notes to reduce the number of calls our Office Assistant has to make. 

Other Notes:  If UCDSB transportation is cancelled or if schools are closed on one of the scheduled exam days, then ALL exams will move forward by one day.