Jr. High Options
We are excited to share with you an enhanced approach to how our Jr. High options program will run this year at Northcott Prairie School. We are moving towards a full-year planning model that gives students and families the most informed choices available, maximizes student interest, and makes the best use of our facilities and staff expertise.
Why are we are updating the process?
- to ensure student voice is central in course selections
- to give families clarity on costs, timelines, and program expectations
- to allow us to plan resources, spaces, and staffing effectively
- to ensure equitable, fair student access to options based upon interest
Options offerings will be determined and scheduled by:
- student interest,
- teacher skillset,
- available resources, and
- facility access.
How the options courses will be scheduled:
- There will be three semesters of options.
- Students will participate in two options courses each semester.
- Caveats:
- Some options courses will operate for the full year.
- Some options courses will require student participation during both options blocks throughout a specific semester.
How the token system works:
- Each student has 24 tokens to "spend" based upon personal priorities to request enrolment in all options courses.
- When families complete the registration form together (using the student’s RVS email address), tokens will be “spent” on the courses they select.
- Families must carefully consider costs, program limits, and priorities when making selections.
- For example:
- A student elects to use 20 tokens to register for Hockey, clearly communicating the student and family prioritizes this option.
- The student and their family understand the considerations associated with hockey, including limited voice/choice to select other options.
- The student and family will be expected to flexibly adapt to student placement in the remaining options programs throughout the school year.
- If student interest exceeds the capacity of the course (resulting from for example, facilities limitations etc), a lottery system will be used to ensure fairness to finalize student enrolment in the options course.
- Appeals Process:
- Once students are placed in options programs for the school year, appeals may be submitted within one week of receiving confirmation (by October 3rd). Appeals will be considered only for clerical errors or significant extenuating circumstances.
Timeline for 2025-2026 options registration:
- Sep 15 to 18: Families complete online token system registration form for all three semesters of options.
- The registration form will open at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15th. Parents will receive the registration form link via email.
- Parents and students are expected to complete the registration form together.
- To complete the form, students will be required to login to their ___@rvschools.ab.ca account. Families are expected to discuss course choices with your child and cross-reference the options fees at https://www.rockyview.ab.ca/download/467924 before submitting the registration form.
- Only one registration form submission is permitted. No changes will be made once the form has been submitted. Please make your selections carefully.
- The registration form will close/stop accepting responses at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, September 18th.
- Sep 19 to 25: School personnel will complete administration of selections and student enrolment.
- Sep 26: Families will receive confirmation of student’s options and instructions for paying associated fees in SchoolCash Online.
- Oct 1: Options courses for Term 1 begin.
Important dates to note:
- Semester 1: Oct 1 – Dec 12 (11 weeks)
- Deadline to pay for Semester 1 options: Dec 1
- Deadline to pay for Semester 2 options: Dec 15
- Semester 2: Jan 5 – Mar 27 (11 weeks)
- Deadline to pay for Semester 3 options: Mar 16
- Semester 3: Mar 30 – Jun 19 (11 weeks)
We appreciate your partnership in this new process. Together, we look forward to providing students with access to high-interest, skill-building opportunities throughout the school year and providing families with clarity and transparency using an equitable format of enrolment in the process.