English 101 Workshop
2020-04-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2020-07-08 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-15 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-22 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Format, Online
These weekly two-hour workshops are designed to give students in grades 9-11 ongoing English and writing support, so they don’t lose their momentum due to online learning. Students will learn essential skills to improve their writing and build on these fundamentals each week to become more confident and better equipped to deal with any writing task they may encounter throughout high school and ensure they don’t backslide. Materials will be provided.
This course will cover:

Active reading and annotations
Planning and outlining
Essay organization
Analytical essay writing
Synthesis essay writing
Research essay writing
Writing creatively
Editing

Each student will leave with a better understanding of different essay writing genres and expectations. Students are encouraged to join all days of each session.

Navigating the New Normal: Q & A with Options President Melinda Giampietro
2020-04-22 19:00 - 20:00
FREE Online Webinar: Wednesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm
Options Solutions has always been committed to building a positive community and providing families with the most up-to-date information about post-secondary admission. We feel the need now, more than ever, to fulfill this mission. With so much unknown, it is hard for families to make decisions about the future. For our grade 11 students, there is a certain precariousness about the normal process of applying to post-secondary institutions: third term activities are canceled, grades are uncertain, and summer jobs/programs/volunteering are all up in the air. At Options, we excel at motivating others, promoting actionable steps, and mining the good. Join our founder, Melinda Giampietro, for an open discussion about the state of post-secondary admission and information about how to help your teen navigate the next few months. With her usual optimism and humour, Melinda will also share practical tips for handling online school and ways to creatively return to extra-curricular activities. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
While this discussion is targeted towards grade 11 parents, all parents are welcome to join our FREE GoToWebinar.
Please register at info@optionssolutionsed.com and provide your name, student’s name, and email address. The day before the event, we will reach out by email with a webinar link.

Kickstart to University Application Writing Workshop
2020-05-02 13:00 - 16:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
This three-hour session introduces Grade 11 students to the
writing components for Canadian applications.
The session will include a presentation that outlines the university application essay genre and provides brainstorming, research, and writing
tips. An interactive simulation will provide students with an understanding of how admissions decisions are made and better prepare them for their own writing tasks. Students will also be given time to brainstorm ideas and engage in practice writing exercises while Options Solutions writing coaches provide one-on-one feedback and guidance. Beginning the application process early will give students the opportunity to make the most productive use of their summer and enter grade 12 with more clarity and direction.
*Please bring a laptop to this session.

Intro to University Level Writing
2020-05-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Grade 12 students heading to post-secondary programs in the social sciences, humanities, arts, sciences, and business will be expected to have the skills necessary to write at the university level next year. However, the quarter-system and other alternative school schedules have made it difficult for students to develop and hone these skills.
This course prepares students bound for post-secondary for the challenges of writing for different disciplines at the university level. It discusses strategies for successful research, critical thinking, and writing while giving students a chance to practice these skills and receive individualized feedback. Materials will be provided.
What do students have to say?
“I liked that the instructor provided good examples for us to fully understand what was expected of us and that there was the perfect balance of freedom to pick a topic but enough structure to help actually get started.”
**The session will be interactive and dynamic. Students are encouraged to attendall sessions as each day will build on the next.

Navigating the New Normal (Grade 12's)
2020-05-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual Format, Online
Options Solutions has loved being a part of your grade 12 year. We recognize what is traditionally a time for celebration is now a time filled with mixed emotions and uncertainty.With so much unknown, it is hard for families to make decisions about the future. For our grade 12 students, there is a certain precariousness about the normal process of selecting a post-secondary institution, choosing a residence, and exploring courses for the 20-21 academic year. There is even more stress when we consider that summer jobs/programs/volunteering may all be up in the air.

At Options, we excel at motivating others, promoting actionable steps, and mining the good. Join our founder, Melinda Giampietro, for an open discussion about the state of post-secondary admission and information about how to help your teen navigate the next few months. We will explore all the possibilities for fall 2020. With her usual optimism and humour, Melinda will also share practical tips to navigate this non-traditional end to the grade 12 year.There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end. While this discussion is targeted towards grade 12 Options families, please feel free to pass this link on to all grade 12 families you feel may benefit.
Please register here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/500635538384540685

Comments from our Grade 11 presentation:
“Melinda put on a terrific session – very informative with good action items, and being in a bubble, its nice to know what others are doing out with their grade 11 kids. Thank you for hosting it.”
“Thank you Melinda for being there for us. Listening to you speak last night was incredibly helpful and reassuring. You armed us with very practical and useful strategies and tips for not just coping, but on adapting and coming out stronger through a crisis. After we listened to you, we took our kids through a summary of what you talked about- and discussed what we were doing right, and what we could do better.”

ACT/SAT Prep Programs - Mock Exam Sittings
2020-05-24 10:00 - 14:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
Test prep at Options is unique because it combines test preparation with teaching fundamental academic skills. With many years of experience, Options instructors ensure that students understand the higher-level reading, writing and math skills that will prepare them for the ACT and SAT, but will also help them succeed in high school and beyond. Options doesn’t just teach “test-taking tricks” like other test prep organizations. Instead, students receive a strong grounding in how the test works and strategies for attaining a high score, combined with an opportunity to increase their overall academic performance.
This option includes a 4-hour exam, exam marking (including customized essay marking), and a 3-hour debrief. Each student is given a cover sheet to help them understand their successes and their areas needing
improvement. In order to get an accurate estimate of a student’s abilities, we use only officially released ACT and SAT exams. This is the best “bang for your buck” prep wise, and the most crucial element of prep. If the exam
dates do not work for you, please contact the office to pick up a copy of the exam.
Debrief (ACT only) – May 28th, 5-8 pm

ACT/SAT-Weekend Prep
2020-06-06 10:00 - 17:00 | West Vancouver Office, 1549 Marine Drive, Suite 303, West Vancouver, BC, V7V 1H9, Canada
These weekend prep sessions are designed to deliver a concentration of exam prep. Each Saturday and Sunday is divided into two sessions from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm. The material used in weekend prep is different from any material used in previous prep sessions.Each Super Weekend is situated before an official ACT or SAT test date and is meant to be a focused weekend of study.
Dates include:
Jun 6
10 am to 1 pm – Math
2 pm to 5 pm – Science

Jun 7
10 am to 1 pm – Essay/Reading
2 pm to 5 pm – English/Grammar

US Admissions Bootcamp
2020-06-23 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-06-25 16:00 - 18:00, 2020-06-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This series of sessions will help students understand and tackle the US admissions
process. The goal of this boot camp is to relieve the stress students feel about the
application process and to kick start the process in June, continuing with group work
sessions throughout the summer. Students will leave the June boot camp with a solid
start to the Common Application and other applications. Students are encouraged to
attend the full series, as each session will be unique and valuable.
Get a jumpstart on your US applications!
Topics covered include:
Comprehensive overview and simulation of the US admissions process
Generating individualized timelines and
accounts
The Common Application
Activities list and data entry
Essay writing
University of California Personal Statements
Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Please bring a laptop to each session and a list of US universities you plan to apply to.

Intro to University Level Writing
2020-07-07 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-14 11:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This course prepares university-bound students for the challenges of writing for different disciplines at the post-secondary level. The course will discuss strategies for successful research and writing in the university’s core areas of study: arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, and business. It will also feature a review of grammar essentials and provide opportunities for essay writing practice.
Materials will be provided, but please bring a laptop to each session.
The session will be interactive and dynamic. Students will leave with a clearer understanding of essay writing at the university level and how to apply those skills.
This Course will Cover:
Approaches to research and citation methods
Essay planning and practice
Academic writing styles
Essential grammar

Law School 101
2020-07-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Format, Online
The path to law school requires careful planning, and identifying the “right” school involves consideration of a student’s interests and career aspirations. This two-hour workshop is geared towards students planning to apply to law school. It will cover the following topics:

Career considerations
Becoming a lawyer – the process
Law school options – what different law schools offer
Exploration of courses of study and “fit”
LSAT goals, oversight, and preparation considerations
Law school admission and application assistance

*Options Solutions’ law school advisor Kerry Sheppard will be running this session.

Video Interview Workshop
2020-07-15 10:00 - 13:00
This three-hour session prepares students for the video interview components of university applications.
The session will include a presentation that outlines the main components of video interview requirements, as well as a practical guide for successfully completing those videos. During the session, students will learn how to answer typical interview questions and have the opportunity to tackle some sample questions as a group. They will then practice in pairs and give each other feedback, as well as record their responses for analysis. Programs that require the video interview include commerce at UBC, the University of Toronto, and York University, as well as engineering at the University of Toronto and Waterloo.
The guide covers topics such as:

body language and appearance
technical set-up
coping strategies for nerves
tips on answering prompts

*Students are encouraged to bring recording devices (e.g. smartphone) with them t0 the session

Core Test Skills (ACT/SAT) Bootcamp
2020-07-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-23 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-24 10:00 - 13:00 | All Offices
These intensive sessions focus on helping students master the ACT or SAT exam. Topics will cover every portion of the test, including test-taking strategies, time management tips, and crossover skills for the ACT/SAT exam. Materials will be provided.
How is test prep at Options different?
Test prep at Options is unique because it combines test preparation with the teaching of fundamental academic skills. With many years of experience, Options instructors ensure that students understand the higher-level reading, writing and math skills that will prepare them for the ACT and SAT, but will also help them succeed in high school and beyond. Options doesn’t just teach “test-taking tricks” like other test prep organizations. Instead, students receive a strong grounding in how the test works and strategies for attaining a high score, combined with an opportunity to increase their overall academic performance.
Daily Schedule:

Monday: Reading/Grammar
Tuesday: Math
Wednesday: Reading/Grammar
Thursday: Math
Friday: Reading/Grammar

Pre-Calculus 12 Bootcamp
2020-07-20 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-23 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-07-24 10:00 - 13:00
The Pre-Calculus 12 boot camp is a one-week course introducing the concepts of Pre-Calculus 12 and is intended for incoming math 12 students. The Pre-Calculus 12 boot camp addresses all the Ministry Prescribed Learning Outcomes for Pre-Calculus 12. The course is preparatory and not for credit. Materials provided during the session, including course notes, assignments, homework, and a final exam, will function as resources for students during the week, as well as resources students can use during the school year. To get the maximum benefit from this course, it is recommended that students study at least one hour outside of class for every hour spent in class.
This Course will Cover:

Function operations and transformations
Radical functions and equations
Polynomial functions and equations
Rational functions and equations
Exponential functions and equations
Logarithmic functions and equations
Trigonometry (intro to radians and trig equations)
Trigonometric functions and graphs
Trigonometric identities
Permutations, combinations and binomial theorem
Review of laws of fractions and exponents, extend to the laws of roots

Canadian Admissions Bootcamp
2020-07-21 14:00 - 17:00, 2020-07-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Format, Online
This two-day intensive preparation will help students understand and tackle the Canadian admissions process. The goal of this boot camp is to relieve the stress students feel about the application process and to get a head start.
This course will cover:

Comprehensive overview of the Canadian admissions process
Introduction to university or college – choosing a major, minor, or concentration
Finding a field of study & matching a field of study to the best post-secondary options
Exploration of curriculum covered in expected major
Factors to consider when choosing a university (location, size, class size, access to services, etc.)
Introduction to essay writing and supplement applications
Extra-curricular summary
Generating individualized timelines
Grade 11 and 12 academic goal setting

What do our students have to say?
“I liked how much knowledge about very specific courses the instructors were able to supply right away on demand. It was more helpful than I expected, and my difficult questions were all answered with helpful details.”
*All workshops are virtual via GoToMeeting
