Please visit the OSCA/ACOSO website for details and to submit your workshop proposal. The deadline for proposals is April 30, 2024.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dear OSCA/ACOSO Community,

I am Charmaine D'Souza and delighted to serve on the Board of Directors - Professional Development for OSCA/ACOSO. I have had the pleasure of connecting with my fellow board members throughout this year, and am excited to learn and share more ideas to help serve you as we all continue supporting our students.

I am a Guidance Counsellor at St. Patrick C.S.S. through the Toronto Catholic District School Board. I care deeply about my school community and am committed to provide a mission and vision for our staff and students that is rooted in academic success. Similar to all of you, it is truly a thrill to see students as they grow and develop, find their passion, strive for greatness and kindness, and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they walk the stage at graduation. 

Although I serve as Guidance Counsellor in my community, I also lead many school initiatives such as serving as the Musical Director of our school's musicals, overseeing the Camp Olympia Leadership team, and supporting our Student Ambassador Team. I miss not being in the classroom every day, as I love to witness my student's growth first hand, however, fulfilling extracurriculars that I believe strongly in helps me to see my students thrive outside my office, where oftentimes they solely share their struggles. 

In addition to my involvement in my school community, I have been a classroom/private teacher in the areas of: English, Spec Ed., ESL, Social Sciences, Drama, Music, History, and many more. I have also started new initiatives in my Guidance Department, including a transitional series for Grade 12 Graduating students called: Next Step Prep, a Grade 10 Pathway Night in collaboration with colleges and universities, an elementary transition day called: Take Your Student to High School, Summer Transition workshops geared to help incoming Grade 9 students as they prepare for their course planning, school based welcome packages for newcomer and International students, and course selection videos to help students and staff in future planning for post-secondary decision making. I believe strongly in a school community that fosters a student's growth through beliefs and practices rooted in faith and equity, allowing all students to find their calling and feel a sense of belonging; St. Patrick continues to be that community for me, my students, their families, and the staff. 

I look forward to serving you, and collaborating on new ideas to help all our students find their academic success and feel that sense of accomplishment. Please don't hesitate to reach out to any of us as your board members!
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Chère communauté OSCA/ACOSO,

Mon nom est Charmaine D’Souza et je suis ravie de siéger au conseil d’administration de l’OSCA/ACOSO en tant que membre du comité de perfectionnement professionnel. J’ai eu la chance de tisser des liens avec mes collègues du conseil au cours de cette année et j’ai hâte d’apprendre et de partager plus de suggestions pour vous appuyer alors que nous continuons tous à soutenir nos élèves.

Je suis conseillère en orientation à St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School (école secondaire catholique St-Patrick) au sein du Toronto Catholic District School Board (Conseil scolaire catholique du district de Toronto). Je tiens ma communauté scolaire à cœur et je m’engage à fournir à notre personnel et à nos élèves une mission et une vision axées sur la réussite scolaire. Comme vous tous, je trouve que c’est un vrai plaisir de voir les élèves alors qu’ils grandissent, se développent, découvrent leur passion, visent l’excellence, pratiquent la gentillesse et éprouvent un sentiment de fierté et de réussite lorsqu’ils montent sur scène à la remise de diplômes.

Bien que je travaille comme conseillère en orientation dans ma communauté, je dirige également de nombreuses initiatives scolaires, notamment en tant que directrice musicale des comédies musicales de notre école et surveillante de l’équipe de leadership du Camp Olympia. Je soutiens aussi notre équipe d’élèves ambassadeurs. La salle de classe me manque parce que j’aime témoigner la croissance de mes élèves de près. Toutefois, ma participation aux activités parascolaires dans lesquelles je crois fermement me permet de voir mes élèves s’épanouir en dehors de mon bureau – un lieu où ils partagent souvent que leurs difficultés.

En plus de mon engagement dans ma communauté scolaire, j’ai été enseignante en salle de classe et de façon privée dans les domaines suivants : anglais, enfance en difficulté, anglais langue seconde, sciences sociales, art dramatique, musique, histoire et plus. J’ai également lancé de nouvelles initiatives dans mon service d’orientation, y compris : une série pour la transition des élèves finissants de la 12e année intitulée Next Step Prep, une soirée pour le parcours des élèves de la 10e année en collaboration avec des collèges et universités, une journée pour la transition élémentaire intitulée Take Your Student to High School, des ateliers de transition pendant l’été visant à aider les nouveaux élèves de la 9e année avec leur choix de cours, des trousses d’accueil pour les nouveaux arrivants et les élèves internationaux ainsi que des vidéos de choix de cours pour aider les élèves et le personnel avec la prise de décision concernant la planification postsecondaire. Je crois fermement en une communauté scolaire qui favorise la croissance des élèves grâce à des croyances et des pratiques ancrées dans la foi et l’équité, leur permettant tous de découvrir leur vocation ainsi qu’un sentiment d’appartenance. St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School représente pour moi, mes élèves, leurs familles et le personnel cette communauté indispensable.

J’ai hâte de vous servir et de collaborer afin d’aider tous nos élèves à réussir académiquement et éprouver un sens d’accomplissement. N’hésitez surtout pas à communiquer avec l’un d’entre nous en tant que membres du conseil d’administration !

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 Daryl L. Cook Peer Helping Award |Le prix Daryl L. Cook Peer pour l’aide des pairs

This award is presented to one elementary and/or one secondary school in Ontario in recognition of its exemplary peer helping program..
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Remis à une école élémentaire et/ou secondaire en Ontario en reconnaissance de son programme exemplaire d’aide des pais.

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 !

As the weather gets warmer, campus tours and open houses are spring-ing into action! This is the time of year when colleges fling open their doors and invite visitors to experience everything they have to offer.

There’s no better way to imagine yourself at college than by exploring a campus firsthand. You’re not going to want to miss this opportunity!

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!

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

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!

The report "Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada’s Career Development Sector" shares the groundbreaking results of a CERIC-funded project to investigate the full scope of the people and systems providing career services and supports to Canadians. Produced by Challenge Factory in partnership with the Canadian Career Development Foundation, the study identifies who does career development work in Canada and where.

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.

Much of Canada’s career development field is not visible or known to Canadians and policymakers. Without a comprehensive evidence base that identifies who does the important work of career development across the country, several challenges will continue to hinder the advancement of the field. In light of this, CERIC funded Challenge Factory to undertake a research project to identify the size and membership of Canada’s career development sector. In a first-of-its-kind evidence base, the report Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada’s Career Development Sector reveals the full scope of the people and systems providing career services to Canadians. In this informative webinar, Challenge Factory will share key findings from the project and provide an update on the response the work has received since its launch.

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.

 

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.