The Grade 8 Portal Program is at the mid-way point, and by all accounts, it appears to be tracking as an overall success once again.The program, intended as a means by which the school's Grade 8 students receive more of the "high school" experience, is a six-week rotation where 80 minutes a week are dedicated to attending secondary specialty classes. This year's roster of activities includes auto shop, woodworking, media, food services, art , fireball science and elite soccer training, and indications are that it was received quite favourably by the students involved.
"I like it," said SJCHS student Nolan Saumure. "It helps me think about what choices I need to make when it comes time to pick courses later on in high school." Saumure's not alone in that view.
"You get a taste of what high school is all about" says Cody Briscoe-Voldock. "You get a better idea of the courses that are out there, and the teachers who teach them. I think it's excellent."
The program, in it's second year, is built around the generosity of those secondary teachers who give up valuable preparation time to plan and implement these lessons, and their efforts, it would appear, have not gone unnoticed by the students who benefit from them.
Once again, a job well done!
