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Student Support

 

Guidance

Guidance provides a number of services to students on an ongoing basis.  These include:

  • Individual Counselling - Personal, Academic, Career
  • Guidance and Career Education- Assemblies, in-class sessions, etc., dealing with academic and career planning issues
  • Transition planning – Enrollment to JPII, application to college, training programs, apprenticeship, university, community programs and world of work. 
  • Reference Library – Printed materials relating to careers, job openings, colleges, universities, apprenticeship, community supports
  • Academic Records – Student Transcripts, Academic records for student transition to a new school, Ontario Student Record (OSR)  
  • Scholarships & Financial Aid - O.S.A.P. available to college and university applicants.  Students and families are strongly encouraged to conduct personal research into possible scholarships.

 

Course Planning at JPII – The following are specific tips and instructions related to course planning. 

  • Course information is available to students and families through the JPII and system websites.
  • Most courses are offered at various levels of challenge depending on the learning style of the student.  Counselors and subject teachers can provide advice on levels based on individual student need.
  • Students will select courses for the upcoming school year during February of the previous school year using the MyBlueprint software. 
  • Students must be enrolled in 4 courses per semester (8 per year) for grades nine, ten and eleven.
  • Students must be taking at least three courses in a semester to be considered a full-time student. 
  • Course changes, including dropping a course, must be done formally through Guidance and with the approval of a parent and the school administration. 
  • Course changes must be made by Friday of the first week of class in each semester.
  • Students in senior courses must formally drop a course within five days of receiving mid-term marks in order to avoid having a mark appear on the student transcript. 
  • Students who are leaving JPII must formally withdraw from classes and the school.  Simple non-attendance will result in negative report card information which may affect enrollment in future schools or programs. 

 

Student Success

This program is administered through Guidance and provides classroom support to students who may be underachieving or at-risk.  Students are identified as candidates based on the recommendation of teachers and school administration and can access supports through the Student Success Room during their classes.  Student Success also administers:

  • Credit Rescue – Targeted support to students who are at-risk of losing a credit while a course is in session
  • Credit Recovery – A formalized program to allow students to complete unsuccessful credits as part of a designated course.

 

Learning Services

Learning Services, also known to some as Special Education, provides support and care to those students who have been identified through the Individualized Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) and have designatged support as noted in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  This support may be provided through the Learning Resource Center and the Student Program Support Teacher (SPST).  JPII also has a successful School To Community Pathways Program. 

 

ESL Support

Many students at John Paul II speak a language other than English at home. Students whose first language or preferred language is not English are often referred to as English Language Learners (ELL).  These students benefit from the opportunities provided by English as a Second Language (ESL) and/or English Literacy Development (ELD) programming. Courses and support offered in these programs offer a variety of strategies and tools to help students acquire English for personal and academic purposes.  ESL/ELD programming provides focused support to all students throughout their stay at John Paul II and offers meaningful learning opportunities and accommodations in all learning environments to ensure students become proficient in English in order to reach their academic and lifelong goals.

Social Worker

Limited social work services are offered at John Paul II for those students who may be experiencing significant personal, social or family difficulties.  Social Work programs may include individual, family, and group supports and assistance with referrals to community health resources and programs. 

 

Public Health Nurse

The Public Health Nurse is assigned to the school through the support of the London Middlesex Heath Unit and provide confidential health support to individuals on a request basis. The nurse can provide valuable assistance to students dealing with personal health and illnesses, smoking cessation, eating disorders, self-esteem, nutrition, stress management, addictions, wellness and other health-related matters. To arrange an appointment, please contact Guidance.