Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Outreach School Centre all about?
I Mission Statement
Our mission is to encourage students, as unique and diverse individuals, to reach their highest levels of academic excellence to prepare them for living in a global society.
II Program Philosophy
(1) Rationale
• Motivation and atmosphere enhance a student’s capabilities and increase their success rate.
• Everyone is capable of learning.
• Learning rates and styles vary among individuals.
(2) Objectives
The Outreach School Centre provides students with an alternative to the conventional school environment. The focus of the school is to facilitate each student's personal growth as well as to promote and develop skills which will allow the students to become responsible and self-directed. It is hoped that students will acquire a life-long appreciation for learning.
(3) Beliefs
The staff at the school believe all students will be successful. Staff foster this belief by enhancing communication, empowering students in the decision making process, promoting awareness of community resources and encouraging self-reliance.
(4) Goals
• To provide flexibility in the student’s education
• To allow students to set educational and career objectives
• To provide a non-conventional school environment
• To provide students with an opportunity to complete their education
• To build relationships with students
Who attends the Outreach School Centre?
Students in the Outreach Program ...
• range in age from grade 1 through grade 12, including adults
• prefer to enroll in courses which are provided through an outreach delivery model.
• are unable to meet scheduled class times due to unusual employment/personal commitment.
• wish to enroll in a course that may not be offered in other schools
• wish to accelerate their high school program
What services are offered at Outreach?
Individual Instruction - The school features one-to-one instructional assistance
on an appointment basis. Students primarily work at home, but may access OSC facilities, computers, and resources.
Student Services - The school provides academic, career and personal counseling, as well as liaison with community agencies.
Career Counseling - Career counseling assistance and liaison to community agencies is offered by the teachers at the Outreach School Centre.
What kinds of courses can I take at Outreach?
Program of Studies
• The students will follow the Alberta Education Program of Studies.
• Where appropriate, students will use the Alberta Distance Learning courses and study guides.
• Alberta Distance Learning courses may be supplemented with materials from the Outreach teachers.
• Teacher developed material may be used for various courses.
Courses Offered
The Outreach School Centre offers a wide variety of core and optional courses through our Outreach Program and/or Home Education Program. For a complete list of courses, please click here.
Work Experience
Work Experience is offered for 3 to 10 credits which requires 25 hours of work time per credit. To be eligible to register in this program, students must meet with the Work Experience Co-ordinator.
Home Education is available through the Outreach School
Centre. Home Education may utilize the materials developed by Alberta Learning or parents may choose to use their own curriculum. Please see the Home Education Co-ordinator for more details.
What if I need help with my courses?
Students are welcome to access instruction or teacher assistance at any time during office hours. This instruction can be accessed by appointment, drop-in visits to the school, by telephone, fax, or email.
See the STAFF PAGE for names and hours of individual teachers. Call the school to book your teacher-appointment. Regular drop-in times are scheduled for some subjects.
How do I stay on track?
Students who plan their time carefully will experience greater success. We suggest that students utilize the time management agenda book provided to them at the time of registration.
Booking regular appointments with teachers, attending drop-in and other school activities, and working at the school are all strategies to consider using.
What do I do when I want to work at the school?
Students attending the Outreach School Centre are considered to be respectful individuals. It is expected that the students’ behavior is that of a respectful individual while at the school. Breaks can be taken in designated areas.
What can I bring into the school?
Please bring in your course materials. Resources such as atlases and dictionaries are available, as are computers. Snacks and lunches are encouraged. There is a microwave, kettle and fridge for student use.
It is of critical importance that students not bring articles to school that may pose a safety risk to others or that may offend some individuals. The RDPSD has formulated a list of a few items classified as contraband. Students must not bring these and other similar items to school under any circumstances. If these items arrive at the school, they will be confiscated. Parents or guardians may claim items by meeting with the principal or designate. Possession of some contraband items may result in suspension from school with a recommendation for expulsion. A list of Contraband items is available from the school.
When do I write exams?
All students: Most courses have a final exam. Many courses will have quizzes or mid-term exams as well. These exams should be booked in advance. Students may have some flexibility in choosing dates and times.
Grade 3, 6 & 9 students are required to write Provincial Achievement Exams. Please note the dates and times published in the agenda book. Exemptions are ONLY granted by the Minister of Education. Students are only required to write exams for courses that they are registered in.
High School Students: Final exams, for each semester, need to be completed on or before the date stated by their teacher and in the agenda book at the time of course registration. It is the student’s responsibility to book a time to write any final exams.
Diploma Level Courses:
All 30/33 level Core Courses have Diploma Exams, as well as course final exams. YOU MUST WRITE BOTH.
Dates for these Diploma Exams are set by Alberta Learning and cannot be changed. (see agenda and/or Correction Sheet for diploma schedule) All diploma exams are written at the Outreach School Centre
How is my mark calculated?
High School: For the majority of subjects, course work constitutes 70% of the final mark, whereas the Final Exam counts for 30% except for diploma courses which are 75% for course work and 25% for the final exam. Refer to the course outline for specific details. The Outreach School Centre does not issue report cards. A copy of a student’s marks will be given upon request.
Grade 9 & Under: For the majority of subjects, course work constitutes 75% of the final mark, whereas the Final Exam counts for 25%. A report card will be issued three times per year.
All students who complete their courses according to their original due dates are eligible for an additional 5% bonus added to their final mark.
How do I get a bus pass?
Bus passes are sold monthly. Both restricted and unrestricted passes are available. The same transportation and fee guidelines apply to all schools.
Can I have my friends or parents help me with my work?
Anyone can help you with your course work. It is important that the work you are handing in is completely your own. It is unacceptable to hand in any work that has been plagiarized. Plagiarism is copying four or more words of someone else’s work, eg. internet essays, books, plays magazines, etc.
If you are in doubt, your best choice is to book an appointment with a teacher.
How do I register?
Students who wish to enroll in the Outreach Program will:
a) complete the registration package
b) provide a copy of birth certificate
c) meet with a teacher at the Outreach
e) pay applicable fees
The Outreach School Centre accepts registrations on an ongoing basis, throughout most of the school year. We do not operate over the summer months.
What does it cost to attend Outreach?
All fees must be paid in full, or other arrangements for payment made, before course materials can be given to students. Payment may be made by cash, cheque, debit card, Visa or Mastercard.
A fee waiver program is available to families with financial concern. Forms are available from any staff member.
Until fees are paid, students are encouraged to start their courses by working at the school.
Two types of fees apply to most courses.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FEES (IMF) are non-refundable.
DAMAGE DEPOSITS (D/D) At the Outreach School Centre you don’t need to purchase your textbooks but you do need to pay a damage deposit to ensure their timely return in good condition. These fees vary according to the individual course and a maximum of $150.00 is charged and a minimum of $5.00.
OUTREACH FEES
Grades 1 - 5
IMF fee - None
D/D fee - None
Grades 6 - 9
IMF fee - $40.00 ($20.00 on or after February 1)
D/D fee - Applicable D/D (yearly maximum of $150.00)
Students in Grades 1 through 9 wanting to register after September 30 must receive approval from the principal, prior to registering.
All students between Grades 1 - 9 registered at the Outreach School before September 30 may be eligible for an Extra-Curricular Rebate. Please see a teacher for further information.
Grades 10 -12
IMF fee - is based on course costs ($100.00 yearly maximum**)
D/D fee - Applicable D/D ($150.00 yearly maximum)
OTHER FEES
Work Experience $25.00 Course fee payable at the time the
student/employee contract is submitted to the school, which is included in the yearly maximum of $100.00. This fee includes the cost of the CTR module required for work experience.
** Alberta Distance Edcation Courses There is an additional IMF fee that is not included in the annual IMF Maximum.
Alberta Education $26.75 fee charged by Alberta Learning for students
Diploma Exam Fee rewriting a diploma exam. This must be sent to Alberta Learning prior to rewriting the diploma exam.
HOME EDUCATION FEES
APPROVAL IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THIS PROGRAM.
The Home Education program must commence prior to September 30 and be completed by the date in the agenda book.
If you require more information on this program, please contact the Home Education Coordinator.
Grades 1 - 6 Registration fee - None
D/D fee - None
Grades 7 - 12 Registration fee - $40.00
D/D fee - $150.00 yearly maximum
How does the damage deposit work?
All materials must be returned to the school
• Upon course completion
• If you withdraw from a course
When ALL books are returned the student’s file will be submitted for a damage deposit refund. A refund request will be processed within approximately 2 weeks. A cheque will then be issued payable to the person who paid the fee, whose name appears on the receipt. The refund cheque will then be mailed.
Please make sure the school always as your current address and phone number.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• ALL monies will be deposited immediately. Damage Deposit funds will be held in trust until the applicable books are returned to the school.
• No post-dated cheques will be accepted
• Replacement cost of any damaged or lost item may be deducted from your Damage/Loss Deposit refund or may be paid for separately.
REBATES
NOTE: IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT PARENTS
RECEIVE PRE-APPROVAL FROM THE OUTREACH
SCHOOL CENTRE PRIOR TO MAKING EXPENDITURES.
OUTREACH REBATE (EXTRA-CURRICULAR REBATES)
Grades 1 - 9 students registered prior to September 30
may be eligible for $200.00 maximum.
Eligible students must:
• be enrolled in a full course load with the Outreach School
Centre
• complete all courses by date stated in the agenda book
• pass all courses with a minimum 50% mark
Parents are required to:
• contact Outreach School Centre and receive approval
of a chosen extra-curricular item or activity
• obtain receipt and submit eligible receipts to the school
no later than May 31st.
• complete rebate request form (to be submitted with
receipts)
Rebate cheques will be issued and mailed, pending the successful completion of courses by the student.
Student Finance Classification
Full-time students completing 20 credits or more in the school year
* Please note the Outreach School Centre is only approved for part - time studies regardless of the number of credits completed.
Part-time students completing fewer than 20 credits in the school year
Application forms for student financing are available from:
Career Development Centre Phone: 340-5353
Provincial Building Fax: 340-7086
Box 26
4701 - 52 Street
Red Deer, AB
T4N 6K8
Early application is recommended.
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