Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! This time last year, our streets were bare and our fields were green. I only remember this as my son was not impressed that there was no snow for Christmas last year.

Well, this year the snow has arrived on time, and as we get ready to close off this week - and this year - I wanted to remind everyone to spend time with the ones you love, get outside and play in the snow, and rest, relax and refresh!

The OSCA/ACOSO family would like to wish you all a happy, safe and restful winter break.

OSCA/ACOSO is pleased to offer Additional Qualifications Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (Specialist)  for Guidance and Career Education this winter! 

Taught by a current Guidance-Teacher Counsellor in an Ontario school, these courses use an online virtual classroom setting, making the courses accessible for all. These courses outline all the necessary practices for delivery of a comprehensive Guidance and Career Education program for your school. There is no textbook in any of these courses. Each registrant receives the current copy of OSCA's Ethical Guidelines and a one year AQ student subscription to OSCA/ACOSO. 

Course dates : January 6th to March 30th. Cost: $650.  
Please visit the rolling banner, on OSCA's website to register at www.osca.ca.  Please note, a person may take one part per session.  Courses run pending enrollment.

REGISTER TODAY! 

SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques) Education is a 9-session, 20-hour evidence-based program designed to address the needs of educators, professional support staff, and those involved in the lives of children and youth.

This evidence-based course trains educators to better manage work-related and personal stress, in order to cultivate emotional balance.

SMART integrates the teachings, practices and research from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, emotion theory, and compassion training to address the specific needs and challenges of educators. Each session
consists of presentations, group discussion and experiential practices in
mindfulness.

A 4-hour silent retreat and weekly home practice is also part of the course. SMART is a secular program, delivered by SMARTUBC accredited facilitator. 

For further questions, please contact Angela Ventrice (416) 884-6843 or email angela.ventrice@mindfulnesseveryday.org

Register HERE: http://www.mindfulnesseveryday.org/schedule.html#CoursesForEducators 

This program first ran in winter 2019 for a select group of 5 Ontario school boards.  It has now become an open enrollment program! OSCA members can take advantage of 10% discount on this program.The discount code is OSCA-10. Register today at osgoodepd.ca/humanrightslaw

AgScape is excited to kick-off our province-wide campaign to "Fill the Shoes of Tomorrow’s Agriculture Leaders."
 
During the month of December, we aim to raise much-needed funds to support the development and delivery of hands-on programs that will help youth learn about the agriculture and food sector and encourage them to pursue exciting agriculture careers. 
 
"With Ontario’s agriculture industry on track to having more than 40,000 vacant jobs by 2025, this begs the question of who will fill the shoes of today’s farmers, food scientists, production managers and equipment mechanics. The answer depends on whether we are able to engage students about these careers that lie ahead,” said Glenna Banda, Executive Director, AgScape.

Watch the promotional video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0vsms3Rqxk&feature=youtu.be 

Learn more about how you can support the future of the agriculture & food sector.

Register your class today to provide unparalleled exposure to the landscape horticulture profession!
 

Learn, Network and Explore at Congress! Attend speaker and workshop sessions, explore the show floor, learn about new products, network and discover the diversity of careers in the Landscape Horticulture Profession!

Free speakers and events for students include:

• Trade Show
• HardscapeLIVE
• GreenLIVE
• DriveLIVE
• RecruitLIVE
• Green Careers Canada: The Game of Life
• Landscape Contractors: The New EcoWarriors
• Speed Networking
• Snap Dragon's Den

Register today! 

CERIC – a national charitable organization focused on research and education in career development – has published an Action Plan for educators and counsellors working with youth that provides practical discussions and activities based on the Guiding Principles of Career Development.

The Youth Action Plan outlines insights and ideas for working with high school students, primarily in Grades 10-12, who are having to make career/education-related decisions.

These students may be engaged, highly engaged or disengaged. With a focus on "How do we help?”, questions and activities in the plan are grouped around five key areas of career work. Suggested discussions and activities provide relevant conversational starting points, concrete interventions and fun activities for each of the key areas of career support. The five key areas are: Self-exploration, Decision-making, Support through transition, Future thinking and Mental health. The intended users of the plan are a broad spectrum of professionals in schools – both inside and outside of Guidance and Career Studies – who provide career-related support to students. Download the Action Plan for free at www.ceric.ca/principles.

For more information, be sure to read the article on six action plans used by CERIC 

Expo hours: 1pm to 5pm

Seminars: 12 noon to 5pm

Venue: Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building)

Sunday, March 1, 2020

A "must visit" event for students considering their post-secondary options, or experiential travel/gap year programs. Representatives from over 100 universities/colleges from around the world will be at this prestigious student expo, to meet with students, parents and guidance counsellors.

Learn about program options, scholarships and admission requirements. Free admission. https://www.studyandgoabroad.com/toronto

Category
Contribution to Guidance and Career Education

When to Apply
Nominations for this certificate may be accepted all year long.

History
The Award of Merit was first presented in the spring of 1972. In 1977 the OSCA Board of Directors passed a resolution to rename this award The Olive Diefenbaker Award of Merit to honour the late Mrs. Diefenbaker''s contribution to Guidance and Counselling in the Province of Ontario. The first awards were presented by her daughter during the 1977 Annual Conference at Niagara Falls in November. The citation on The Olive Diefenbaker Award of Merit reads: "In recognition of long and dedicated service to guidance and counselling in the Province of Ontario"

This award is to recognize retiring individuals who have made a contribution to the Counselling and Guidance Profession in Ontario

Criteria
This award may be presented to teacher-counsellors, teachers, administrators, trustees and/or members of the community

An OSCA member must nominate the retiree

The nominee should:

• Be retiring
• Have been involved in Guidance and Career Education in Ontario for a minimum of five years.
• Have demonstrated leadership in guidance through active participation in professional development, counsellor education, administrative support, promotion of guidance, professional writing, research, or in contributing to professional guidance and counselling organizations.

The awards will be mailed to the nominator for presentation by the nominator or by another OSCA member appointed by the nominator. These awards are often presented at retirement functions rather than the Awards Banquet. However, the names of the recipients of The Olive Diefenbaker Awards may be noted in the official program of the OSCA Conference.

Procedure

• Nominations for this award must be submitted by an OSCA member
• Nominations should be received six weeks in advance of the presentation date in order for sufficient timing for certificate arrival .

Nominate a retiring colleague.