Spring session: April 8 to June 7, 2024

OSCA-ACOSO is pleased to announce that they will continue to offer Part 1, Part 2 and the Specialist in Guidance and Career Education Additional Qualifications courses this spring. Additional sessions will take place in the winter, spring and summer. Advantages of taking the course with OSCA are the instructor is a current guidance counsellor, a one year OSCA subscription is included ($55 value if currently not active) and a downloaded copy of Ethical Guidelines ($25) is included. As part of the OSCA subscription, you have the opportunity to attend the fall conference at a member rate, gain access to webinars throughout the year on topics related to guidance and career education, receive the weekly OSCA News to keep up to date with guidance/career topics, and receive the tri-annual OSCA Today, the professional magazine of the association.

Cost: $675 plus HST.

To register: www.osca.ca --> Next AQ course

NEW registration closes: April 2, 2024 at 12:00 PM. Please register early to reserve your seat!

 

27 mars 2024

OSCA/ACOSO était une belle surprise pour moi quand j’ai découvert que les conseillères et les conseillers en orientation ont une association dans laquelle s’épanouir, se développer et réseauter. Je suis Marie Moftah, membre du conseil d’administration de l’ACOSO depuis 2017. J’ai servi pour deux ans comme vice-présidente du comité de la gouvernance pendant lesquelles nous avons mis à jour les lignes directrices en matière d’éthique pour les conseillères et les conseillers en orientation de l’Ontario. Je suis spécialiste en orientation et cheminement de carrière et le bien être des élèves me tient à cœur. C’est la raison pour laquelle je suis toujours membre de l’association. 

J’occupe le poste de conseillère pédagogique au conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, responsable du dossier de l’Orientation et du logiciel Aspen. L'enseignement secondaire n'est pas ma première profession. J'ai commencé ma vie professionnelle en tant que maître de conférences adjointe à l'université d'Alexandrie, en Égypte, où j'ai gravi les échelons jusqu'à occuper le poste de professeure des universités. En amour avec la recherche scientifique, j’ai fait le tour des laboratoires de neurosciences de plusieurs universités africaines, européennes et américaines jusqu’à mon arrivée à Toronto pour m’intéresser aux neurosciences cognitives et comportementales ainsi que l’apprentissage des enfants et des jeunes adultes. Mes études ont montré qu’une grande partie de l’éducation repose sur le réseau de soutien et l’environnement des élèves.

Dans mon rôle actuel à l’ACOSO, nous essayons en équipe d’offrir des occasions de développement professionnel aux conseillères et conseillers en orientation afin qu’elles/ils puissent établir un environnement propice pour l’apprentissage des jeunes de l’Ontario. Les formations offertes s’étalent entre les ressources qui se trouvent en ligne, les webinaires mensuels jusqu’à la conférence annuelle de l’association. Le réseautage offert par la conférence appuie fortement nos conseillères et nos conseillers dans leurs efforts de soutien aux élèves. Je vous invite à consulter notre site web et à participer à la conférence annuelle qui aura lieu en novembre 2024.
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March 27, 2024

I was delighted when I found out about OSCA, an association permitting guidance counsellors to flourish, develop and network. My name is Marie Moftah and I have been on the OSCA Board of Directors since 2017. I served as Vice President of the Governance Committee for two years, during which, we updated the Ethical Guidelines for Ontario School Counsellors. I’m a specialist in Guidance and Career Education. The well-being of students is important to me and is the reason why I continue to be a member of this association.

I currently work as an educational consultant at conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir where I’m responsible for the Guidance file and Aspen software. Teaching is not my first career. I began my professional life as an assistant lecturer at Alexandria University, in Egypt, where I worked my way up to the position of university professor. In love with scientific research, I toured the neuroscience laboratories at several African, European, and American universities until arriving in Toronto, where I took an interest in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience as well as children’s and young adults’ learning. My studies have shown that a large part of children’s education relies on their support network and environment.

In my current role at OSCA, we try as a team to promote professional development of Ontario guidance counselors so that they can ensure a supportive learning environment for students. There is a wide range of training material offered, from online resources to monthly webinars and even our association’s annual conference. This conference offers an excellent networking opportunity to assist guidance counsellors in supporting their students. I invite you all to visit our website and participate in the annual conference taking place in November 2024.

Now is the time to nominate a deserving colleague for an OSCA award. Perhaps it is that person who has created a great resource that has allowed students to create their own pathway? Maybe you know a guidance counsellor who is the go-to person at your school? Perhaps a deserving community partner that provides excellent support for your school?

You have until September 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM to nominate someone, but why not do it now?
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Chacun et chacune de nous connaît un collègue innovateur, qui accomplit avec enthousiasme son travail auprès des élèves de son école. Pourquoi ne pas reconnaître leur contribution à notre profession en posant leur candidature à l'un des prix de l'ACOSO? Pour poser la candidature de quelqu'un, appuyez sur le lien de la mise en candidature. Toutes les mises en candidature doivent être soumises en ligne d'ici le 26 septembre 2024 à 4h.

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The Marion Axford Award for Elementary Guidance | Le prix Marion Axford pour l''orientation à l''élémentaire

This award is presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to Elementary Guidance in Ontario.
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Présenté en reconnaissance d''une contribution exceptionnelle à l''orientation au palier élémentaire en Ontario.

The Student Awards Nominations are here! Please nominate a deserving student today within the five Post Graduate Pathways:

• Apprenticeship,
• College,
• Community Living,
• University,
• Workplace. 

Details can be found on the nomination form. 

The link is live on the OSCA website and you can access the nomination form through it. The nominations will close on May 6, 2024, so nominate a student today!
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Les candidatures aux prix étudiants sont maintenant ouvertes ! Veuillez nommer dès aujourd'hui un élève méritant qui entreprend l'un des cinq parcours postsecondaires suivants :

• Apprentissage,
• Collège,
• Intégration communautaire,
• Université,
• Monde du travail. 

Vous pouvez trouver les détails dans le formulaire de candidature. 

Le lien est disponible à partir du site web de l'OSCA/ACOSO et vous pouvez accéder au formulaire de candidature via celui-ci. Les candidatures se clôtureront le 6 mai 2024, alors nommez un élève dès aujourd'hui !

Meet U.S. college and university representatives and guest speakers at our annual US College Expo.

Saturday, April 20, 2024
Roy Thomson Hall
60 Simcoe St, Toronto

All parents and students are welcome!
Speak with U.S. College representatives and ask about student life, the admissions process, tuition and so much more!

$1,000 for Your Education. A Voice for Your Generation.
At FurnacePrices.ca, we believe in the power of young voices to shape our world. Our scholarship isn’t just about financial support; it’s about giving you a platform to share your insights, concerns, and visions for the future.

Your Challenge. Your Voice. Your Impact.
We’re offering a $1,000 scholarship to students who are ready to stand up and speak out on the issues that matter most to them. Whether it’s climate change, mental health, educational equity, or any other challenge facing your generation, we want to hear from you.

We are pleased to invite you to our free virtual "Guidance Dialogue" on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.

You will be able to submit questions before the event and we will answer the most common questions following the university updates.

More details will follow in early April.

Registration is required and will be available in early April. Please be advised that this event is for guidance counsellors only.

Visit Guidance for more information and to register (once available).

Please send all event inquiries to: onunirecruitment@gmail.com.
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Nota : L''événement se tiendra principalement en anglais seulement.

Nous sommes heureux de vous inviter à une séance virtuelle gratuite des Dialogues, le mardi 16 avril 2024, de 9 h 30 à 11 h 30.

Vous aurez l''occasion de soumettre des questions avant la tenue de l''événement. Nous répondrons aux questions les plus courantes à la suite des mises à jour des universités.

De plus amples renseignements seront fournis au début avril.

L''inscription est exigée et sera disponible à compter du début avril. À noter que cet événement s''adresse uniquement aux conseillères et conseillers en orientation.

Consultez Orientation pour de plus amples renseignements et pour vous inscrire (une fois disponible)

Prière d''envoyer vos questions à l''adresse : onunirecruitment@gmail.com.

Northern Region

Northern College - Timmins
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northern-region-dialogues-northern-college-registration-836016526937?aff=oddtdtcreator

Eastern Region

Loyalist College - Belleville
Thursday, April 25, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/eastern-region-college-dialogues-2024-tickets-827265843407?aff=oddtdtcreator

Western Region

Niagara College - Niagara on the Lake Campus
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/western-region-college-dialogues-niagara-college-registration-815548867617?aff=oddtdtcreator

Central Region

Humber College - North Campus (BCTI Building)
Thursday, May 2, 2024
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/central-region-dialogue- humber-tickets-807176696227

OCAS Landing Page for Ontario College Dialogues https://www.ocas.ca/resources/college-dialogues

Live Online Instructor Lead 

Full days of individual training in 2024

Click here for complete schedule

May 6-17, 2024 (Monday to Friday)

June 10-21, 2024 (Monday to Friday)

August 5-16, 2024 (Monday to Friday)

We offer 23 different courses over the six (6) weeks.

See which one(s) are right for you. 

Weekdays: 9:00 to 3:30 PM eastern time

Registration fee: 

CAPT Members: $190 per day (plus GST)

Non-members: $220 per day (plus GST)

Register for one day or more.

 

For details on dates, registration, training outlines and learning outcomes visit: 

https://canadianplaytherapy.com/training/foundation-play-therapy-training/ 

If you have any questions, contact: kip@capttraining.com 

New Webinar! Tuesday, April 9 at 1:00 PM
Supporting Post-Secondary Options of Indigenous Students

We know it can be challenging for our Indigenous students to access post-secondary education, as there can be a variety of barriers to success. During this session, Samantha Brand from the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program will be with us to explore the history of APSIP, the services and programs available to Indigenous students, important website features, and how to get in contact. APSIP is a collective of recruiters from colleges, universities, and polytechnics helping Indigenous learners connect, explore, and discover the post-secondary landscape, striving to promote accurate and updated information to Indigenous students and supporters. Officially formed in 2011, the collective allows member institutions to engage more Indigenous students and their communities in their post-secondary education journey. Come join us for this 60-minute webinar, as we learn how to better support Indigenous students seeking to make the most of their post-secondary opportunities. Register Here!

On May 7, 2024 Skills Ontario is hosting our Skilled Trades Conference for Guidance Educators at the Toronto Congress Centre. The conference will feature Keynote Speakers, panelist discussions and the opportunity for educators to check out our Skills Ontario Competition.

Looking for support for Mental Health Month for your community? We have you covered!

We are Dr. Bisleen Attli, ND and Tara Rawana, the founders of All About Mental Empowerment. 

We're not just founders, we're passionate advocates who have touched the lives of over 21,000 students and have been a guiding light for countless parents and teachers across six school boards. 

Our tools? A blend of Naturopathic Medicine and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, all wrapped up in engaging, age-appropriate workshops for everyone in your school community.

Jump on board with our special "Buy 1, Get 1 Free” workshop offer! Secure a student workshop and we'll gift your school a 60-minute virtual workshop for parents or teachers, absolutely free. This will equal a savings of $650 for your school that you can allocate to other resources. This offer is only valid for the first 10 schools that sign-up!

CLICK HERE to book a meeting with us to learn more.

Get ready to celebrate innovation and expertise as National Engineering Month has kicked off in Canada this March! As such, ChatterHigh and Engineers Canada have partnered to create a course designed to help students discover the exciting and diverse range of opportunities in engineering, what it means to be an engineer, and how engineering impacts society! National Engineering Month is guided by the theme, "There's a place for you in engineering," which celebrates the diversity of thought, opportunities and people that make up the engineering profession and whose passion and commitment drive tangible efforts that improve our world. In some provinces, you'll find geoscientists joining in as part of National Engineering and Geoscience Month.

The Let's Explore Engineering course is a gamified, freely available resource for students and educators and consists of the following six modules:

• What is an Engineer?
• Engineering Disciplines Pt. 1
• Engineering Disciplines Pt. 2
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering
• Path to Becoming an Engineer
• Other Steps and Benefits to Becoming an Engineer

To learn more, visit the course landing page where you can download a copy of the course booklet, or, to access the courses directly on the platform, create an account.

Join the celebrations by completing the course and follow along during the month on social media using the hashtag #NEM2024!

Career development is a lifelong process that begins in the early years. In elementary school, engaging in career conversations is not about getting children to make decisions about what job they will have in the future. Rather, it is a time when we ask our young learners to begin the process of investigating themselves, finding out more about their interests and aptitudes, and considering what type of life they feel they might want to lead.

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In my role as a career practitioner working with newcomers to Canada, it’s essential for me to look at a client’s situation full circle, seeing them as a whole person and considering how their life circumstances are preventing them from taking steps forward to reach their goals. This approach is what has allowed me to be able to help others to find their path.

A person’s mental, physical and emotional states as they settle in Canada, make a life and home for themselves and their family, and attempt to find employment are critical factors that impact their success – especially when working to create changes that might be suggested by a career practitioner or employment counsellor.

This webinar shares the findings of a CERIC-funded project that responded to the important question: Why should elementary education be concerned with career? Knowing that career is about life, learning and work helps us understand that career concerns everyone, is for everyone and encompasses the learning we undertake from birth throughout life. When viewed through this lens, it becomes easier to see why we should be thinking about career in elementary schools. Through extensive literature reviews and empirical data, we examined what helps children aged eight to 12 years thrive, (e.g., through their development of self-regulation, self-efficacy, confidence). From this data we have produced a teaching toolkit of career-related learning that takes the reader through unpacking career, nurturing and developing foundational skills, the value of a community approach and where to draw upon support from the curriculum and the broader career development field.

Do you have students looking for ways to earn their volunteer hours? ER Teens, a volunteer program for youth aged 13-17, gives teens the opportunity to design an environmental stewardship project in their community with support from an Earth Rangers mentor.

Projects range from battery recycling, to pollinator gardens, to awareness campaigns! Lana, 16, from Ontario, hosted a clothing swap in her community and had this to say.

Dear OSCA/ACOSO Community,

I trust your March break was both restful and rejuvenating! I am Ereney Shenouda-Tortian, honored to serve as a Board of Director in Communications for OSCA/ACOSO. It is truly an enriching experience to collaborate with the diverse talents and backgrounds of our esteemed board members.

Currently, I hold the role of Instructional Coordinator of Guidance and Career Education at the Peel District School Board. My educational journey includes earning a Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University.

My professional path began with teaching Mathematics at the American International School in Kuwait for three years. Upon returning home, I continued my teaching career with the PDSB, dedicating 15 years to the field. However, my trajectory shifted when a newfound passion for guidance and careers education emerged. For six fulfilling years, I served as a guidance counsellor, and now, at the board level, I am committed to supporting students in their individual pathway planning.

Throughout my career, I have steadfastly advocated for students' success, always seeking opportunities to enhance their educational journeys. Now, in my role with OSCA/ACOSO, I eagerly look forward to serving you all. If you ever identify gaps in resources or seek information on specific topics within the OSCA Today magazine, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to assist and support you.

Warm regards,

Ereney Shenouda-Tortian

OSCA/ACOSO Board of Director - Communications

Instructional Coordinator of Guidance and Career Education- Peel District School Board
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Chère communauté OSCA/ACOSO,

J’espère que votre congé de mars a été à la fois reposant et énergisant ! Je suis Ereney Shenouda-Tortian et je suis honorée de siéger auprès du conseil d’administration et du comité des communications de l’OSCA/ACOSO. Le fait de collaborer avec nos membres du conseil qui possèdent une diversité de talents et d’antécédents est une expérience véritablement enrichissante. 

J’occupe actuellement le poste de coordonnatrice pédagogique en orientation et formation au cheminement de carrière au sein du Peel District School Board (conseil scolaire du district de Peel). Mon parcours scolaire comprend l’obtention d’un baccalauréat en mathématiques spécialisé en informatique de l’Université de Waterloo ainsi qu’une formation à l’enseignement de l’Université Queens. 

J’ai débuté mon parcours professionnel en tant qu’enseignante de mathématiques à l’American International School au Koweït pendant trois ans. Lors de mon retour au Canada, j’ai poursuivi ma carrière en enseignement au sein du PDSB, y consacrant 15 ans. Toutefois, ma trajectoire a changé lorsque j’ai développé une nouvelle passion pour l’orientation et la formation au cheminement de carrière. J’ai occupé le poste de conseillère en orientation pendant six années satisfaisantes. Maintenant au conseil scolaire, je m’engage pleinement à appuyer les élèves dans leur planification de parcours.

Tout au long de ma carrière, j’ai préconisé la réussite des élèves et j’ai toujours recherché des possibilités pour enrichir leur parcours éducatif. J’ai désormais très hâte de vous servir dans mon rôle actuel au sein de l’OSCA/ACOSO. Si jamais vous identifiez des lacunes dans les ressources ou si vous recherchez des informations sur des sujets spécifiques dans le magazine OSCA Today, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter. Nous sommes là pour vous aider et vous appuyer.

Sincères salutations,

Ereney Shenouda-Tortian

Directrice au sein du conseil d’administration de l’OSCA/ACOSO, Membre du comité des communications

Coordonnatrice pédagogique en orientation et formation au cheminement de carrière – Peel District School Board