Winter Session: January 13 to March 7, 2025

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 summer. Additional sessions will take place in the fall and winter. Advantages of taking the course with OSCA are the instructor is a current guidance teacher-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, participants 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

Registration closes Friday, January 3 at 11:55 pm. This is a FIRM deadline.  

Teaching experience forms (Part 2 and Specialist) are all due no later than Wednesday, January 8.

Please register early to reserve your seat!

Navigating through Grief - Bereaved Families of Ontario
Tuesday, December 17th @ 1:00 PM

OSCA/ACOSO is excited to host representatives from Bereaved Families of Ontario to lead us through our next free subscriber webinar! Grief, bereavement, and loss are complex and deeply personal emotions that affect everyone at some point. As Guidance Teacher-Counsellors, we are often called upon to support students in our school communities as they deal with loss in their lives. This webinar is designed to provide valuable insights and strategies whether you’re navigating your own grief journey or supporting others through theirs. We hope you will join us for this informative session!

This 60-minute webinar will focus on the following topics:

• Myths and Facts About Grief
  
• Grief and Loss Terms - The Basics
  
• How Grief Manifests (physically, emotionally, socially)
  
• Uniqueness of Grief
  
• Unhelpful and Helpful Things to Say and Do
  
• Tips to Support Yourself and Others
  
• Coping Strategies for Triggers
  
• Ways to Honour Loved Ones
  
• Q & A

Register here!

The University of Guelph-Humber?(U?of GH) brings together the best of the University of Guelph
and Humber Polytechnic:?academic excellence from instructors who are industry professionals,
accessible scholarships and a supportive learning community.
Located in Toronto, your students will graduate with an honours degree from the University of
Guelph and a diploma from Humber, plus built-in work experience, in four years!

Avec sa mineure en leadership, axée sur la collaboration, le travail d’équipe et les
simulations de milieux de travail, uSudbury s’apprête à former la prochaine génération
de dirigeants, qui sera fin prête pour le marché du travail. Alors, si vous reconnaissez
des leaders en devenir chez vos élèves, montrez-leur la voie : c’est par ici.
Découvrez les programmes, l’aide financière et les ressources du campus de uSudbury:
usudbury.ca
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uSudbury is gearing up to nurture the next generation of leaders with its leadership
minor, which focuses on collaboration and teamwork skills they need to excel in the
workplace. If you see the seeds of leadership in your students, show them where they
can grow: uSudbury.
Find out more about uSudbury’s French-language programs, financial aid, and
resources: usudbury.ca

Our BCom Honours provides in-demand specializations:
- BCOM in Business Management
- BCOM in Digital Sales and Marketing
- BCOM in Information Technology Management
- BCOM in International Management and Technology.

Each pathway combines academic rigor with practical learning, ensuring students graduate ready to excel.

IBU supports students through scholarships, bursaries, and unique resources, such as:
- LinkedIn Learning for ongoing skill-building
- Bloomberg for Education for real-world business insights
- Future Talent Research Institute for trend analysis
- Centre for Sustainable Businesses for responsible business practices
- Career Services and the IBU Student Success Team for career guidance
- Personalized one-on-one mentoring

With small classes, dedicated faculty, and a vibrant community, IBU empowers your students to pursue their ambitions. Our BCom Honours program opens doors to success—no limits, no boundaries.

Our student’s story matters, and at King’s, we give it the space to unfold in big ways. With small class sizes, unique programs and pathways, generous scholarships and unwavering support, we ensure our students receive the personalized attention they need to thrive.

To mark the 60th anniversary of OSCA/ACOSO, the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF),
as a proud conference Platinum sponsor, awarded student scholarships to two schools in
attendance.

The University of Niagara Falls Canada Innovator Award is a $500 scholarship awarded to
one graduating student who embraces innovation and leadership from each of the selected
schools.

Carleton has six new programs! 

Join us online on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m. ET to learn about Carleton's new programs: Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Mechatronics Engineering (BEng), General Studies (Online BA). Get your questions answered during the live Q&A. Learn more and register here: admissions.carleton.ca/ virtual-information-sessions

Family Information Evening

Discover all that Carleton has to offer on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET (in person or online). Learn more about our programs, admissions, scholarships and bursaries, and support services. Meet Carleton faculty, staff and current students. Register to attend in person or online here: admissions.carleton.ca/family- information-evening

Future Raven: Ask Us Anything!

Preparing your Carleton application and have some questions? Join us for our online Ask Us Anything sessions to get all of your questions answered! No matter where you are in the application process — considering programs, preparing your application, or awaiting a decision — if you've got questions, we've got answers! December 18 and 19 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Register today here! admissions.carleton.ca/events

Discover Carleton's campus

Join a student tour guide to visit Carleton classrooms, lecture halls and study spaces. Discover all the resources available to Carleton Ravens. Visit our website for dates, times, more information and to register: carleton.ca/tours

Join us at our next Info Session to meet our staff, students and community and learn more about the benefits of a structured and purposeful gap year with Discover Year!

Online (Zoom): January 23, 7-9PM

Learn More!

The TCP is an opportunity for Ontario educators to stay connected with CPA Ontario throughout the school year! Teacher Colleagues enjoy classroom presentations, access to exclusive classroom resources, and educational events for their students.

Support your students’ futures with OCAS’ essential online resources, designed to support your
efforts and help you guide students through every step.

Our New Help Centre provides practical, step-by-step assistance, making it easier to navigate
the application process and answer student questions.

If you’re working with students interested in skilled trades, our College Trades website is a
central resource for information on programs, pathways, and certification details—perfect for
exploring hands-on career options.

Finally, our High School Partners page offers targeted resources just for you, from info sessions
to essential application tools.

Visit OCAS.ca and make the most of these valuable resources!

Help students explore rewarding careers in skilled trades with Merit Ontario. Apprenticeships
are a fantastic way for students to learn a trade, and secure financial stability. Students can
begin their apprenticeships in high school through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship
Program (OYAP), gaining early experience in fields like plumbing, electrical, and carpentry.
Additionally, Merit Ontario's apprenticeship program can help students connect with
employers across Ontario. It's a fresh start for your students — give them the guidance they
need to explore hands-on careers that are in demand and well-paid. Visit
www.meritontario.com to learn more.

Last July under idyllic summer conditions, the Canadian National Exhibition received a record number of visitors. The gate-crashing crowds didn’t come to fawn over farm animals or catch an airshow.

Rather, more than 37,000 people – nearly double the number from the year before – showed up for the CNE Job Fair hoping for one of 5,000 positions such as short-order cooks, retail associates, and cashiers.

The Russ Seltzer Award for Contribution to Counsellor Education in Ontario
Mélanie Gamache, Centre des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est

The Marion Axford Award for Elementary Guidance 
Carolina Greco, Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Career/Life Skills Resources Award for Excellence in Career Education
Elizabeth Lessard, CSC MonAvenir

 

 

 

The Phil Hedges Award, Contribution to Guidance and Career Education

East (Ottawa) Region - Sarah Abrams, Ottawa Catholic School Board
Toronto Region - Tina Brochu, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
Northwest (Thunder Bay) Region - Tamara McLean, Rainy River District School Board 
Toronto Region - Liliana Mavrogiannis, Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Olive Diefenbaker Award of Merit 
Jennifer Boston, Peel District School Board
Diane Pounall-King, Peel District School Board

Nomination forms for both Student and Guidance Teacher-Counsellor awards for 2025 will be open soon on www.osca.ca.  Educators are strongly encouraged to nominate early in meeting deadlines for consideration! In the meantime, feel free to use the following links to act early!

Anthony DiLena Student Awards
Guidance and Career Education Awards (including the Olive Diefenbaker Award, available for distribution throughout the school year)