A Message From President Nicole Trotter
Un message du président Nicole Trotter

 

The OSCA/ACOSO Board of directors wants to send out their love and support to our guidance community and partners. We know that the last few weeks have been stressful and overwhelming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We too share the concerns and uncertainty that this pandemic brings day by day. We also share the same concerns about our students, especially those most vulnerable and at risk. All boards have begun to make contact with families and students to share updates, plans, and to gather information about technology. We know that the Ministry, Boards, and educators are working around the clock to put plans together to support all learners and each other.  Over the next few weeks, we will also be sharing updates, tips, resources, tools, and information that we feel may be useful during these changing times.

We also want to hear from our members. With different boards and school districts, whether public or private; how are you reaching out to families and students? What online tools have you used that you find helpful? What resources can you share that you will use with families, students, or staff during these changing times. We hope to highlight these innovative thoughts and ideas here on our newsletter while sharing links for resources in the weeks to come. We hope that by sharing and highlighting we can continue to inspire each other as we all grow through this. Please send these ideas to l.ball190@gmail.com

Le conseil de direction de l’ACOSO/OSCA aimerait communiquer amour et soutien à notre communauté de conseillères et de conseillers en orientation et nos partenaires. Nous reconnaissons que les quelques dernières semaines ont été stressantes et envahissantes à cause de la pandémie de Covid-19. Nous partageons les soucis et l’incertitude que la pandémie nous apporte au jour le jour. Nous partageons également les mêmes soucis en lien avec nos élèves, surtout ceux et celles les plus vulnérables et à risque. Tous les conseils scolaires ont commencé à contacter les familles et les élèves pour partager des mises-à-jour, des plans et pour ramasser des informations concernant la technologie. Nous savons que le Ministère, les Conseils Scolaires, ainsi que les éducateurs sont en train de travailler fortement pour dresser des plans pour assurer du soutien à tous les apprenants et pour les uns les autres. Durant les prochaines semaines, nous partagerons aussi les mises-à-jour, des conseils, des ressources, des outils et de l’information que nous jugerons utiles durant ces temps de grands changements.

Nous voulons également écouter de nos membres. Avec les différents conseils et districts scolaires, privés ou publiques; comment avez-vous communiqué avec les familles? quels outils en ligne que vous avez utilisé et que vous avez trouvé utils? Quelles ressources pouvez-vous partager que vous utiliserez avec les familles. les élèves ou avec les membres du personnel durant ce temps de changement? Nous souhaitons souligner ces idées innovatrices dans cette lettre d’actualités, pendant que nous partageons des liens web et des ressources dans les semaines prochaines. Nous espérons qu’en partageant et en soulignant, nous pouvons nous inspirer les uns-les autres pendant que nous vivons à travers cela. SVP, envoyer ces idées à l.ball190@gmail.com

Online teaching with MyBlueprint (in French):
Enseignement en ligne avec MyBlueprint (en français):

http://education.myblueprint.ca/distance/?utm_source=Master List&utm_campaign=da85d40f6f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_19_03_01_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_320d0f2b17-da85d40f6f-127987809

 https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home

We encourage everyone to continue to stay well during these challenging times.  Sign off of social media and the news throughout the day, engage in physical activity and get fresh air while practising social distancing, and stay socially active. Use video chats and calls to say hello to friends and family. We are thinking of you all.

Nous encourageons tout le monde à continuer de prenez soin de vous en ces temps difficiles. Déconnectez-vous des médias sociaux et des actualités tout au long de la journée, faites de l'activité physique et prenez l'air tout en pratiquant l'éloignement social, et restez actif socialement. Utilisez les conversations vidéo et les appels pour dire bonjour à vos amis et à votre famille. Nous pensons à vous tous.

https://smho-smso.ca/blog/how-to-support-student-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/camh_covid19_infosheet-talking_to_kids-pdf

 

OSCA will once again be offering the additional qualification courses in Guidance and Career Education this spring and summer. Parts 1, 2, and 3 (Specialist) will be offered, pending enrollment.

Spring session: April 20th to June 15th
Summer Session: July 6th to July 31st.


Cost: $650
No textbook
Course is entirely online, within an online classroom format. The course is taught by a current Guidance Counsellor who works in a school setting.

Register by following the link below.

LEARN TO BOOST YOUR HAPPINESS, BUILD RESILIENCE AND THRIVE – PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY

Monday, April 27
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Free and online
(Log-in instructions will be e-mailed to registrants)

During these changing times, educators may be reaching out to students and families to make caring connections. As we move towards classrooms without walls, boards will likely have specific questions to pose to families to work towards building readiness for remote learning through technology. These conversations set the stage for virtual engagement and learning.

Durant ces temps incertains, le personnel enseignant se prépare à initier des conversations bienveillantes avec les élèves et leurs familles. Alors que nous nous apprêtons à enseigner dans des salles de classe sans mur, les conseils scolaires auront sûrement des questions spécifiques à poser aux familles dans le but de les préparer adéquatement pour l’apprentissage à distance, via la technologie. Ces conversations établiront les bases pour l’engagement et l’apprentissage virtuels.

Amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever for us as educators and career development practitioners to increase our self-management and help our clients do the same. Through these uncertain times, finding your peace and calm will help you navigate and optimize your situation. Mastering your mindset allows you to not only find calm through the chaos but also to find the unique opportunities that are presenting themselves to you.

Read on to find out 6 strategies for teens facing a new (temporary) normal provided by UNICEF.

The growing concerns about COVID-19 are certainly prevalent in the media, social conversations, and the thoughts of most Ontarians. What information we do have is being used to make ever changing decisions as parents and organizations about how best to keep people safe. Along with all of the information, there is also an abundance of unknowns and quite possibly fears.

Due to COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the spring 2020 Ontario Universities' Guidance Dialogues.

We may schedule a virtual Guidance Dialogue later this year. We will keep you informed of any upcoming events.

The Guidance Dialogues Resource Guide 2020 will be available on the Guidance website in early April.

The Resource Guide contains contact information, admission requirements, residence and scholarship details and other helpful information from Ontario universities.

Dear Educators,
Shad Canada would like to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership over the past number of years. Thanks to support from educators like you, we have been able to further our reach to remarkable and diverse youth across the country.
Shad Canada has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 program due to the COVID-19 outbreak in order to put the health and safety of our participants, team members and post-secondary partners first.

In light of the developments of Coronavirus (COVID-19), after careful consideration, Skills Ontario has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Skills Ontario Qualifying Competitions (April 4), the 2020 Skills Ontario Competition (May 4-6), and all corresponding events.

À la lumière de l’évolution de la propagation du coronavirus (COVID-19), et après mûre réflexion, Compétences Ontario a pris la difficile décision d’annuler les épreuves de qualification 2020 (4 avril), les Olympiades de Compétences Ontario 2020 (4 au 6 mai) et tous les événements connexes.

We were looking forward to hosting you and your students on campus, but in an abundance of caution, the decision has been made to cancel our Guidance Day that was scheduled for Thursday, April 3, as well as the Ryerson Open House that was scheduled for Saturday, March 21, and postponing campus tours until Friday, May 1, in response to COVID-19.

2020 OHSC Conference Postponed Until September 2020

Ryerson University SHSM Days

Ryerson University is proud to present SHSM Days - programming geared toward Specialist High Skills Major students. Each day will feature a program-specific interactive element and campus tour. Here is the list of upcoming SHSM Days:

• Arts & Culture - Postponed
• Non-Profit - Postponed
• Environment and Transportation - Postponed
• Science - May 6
• Health & Wellness - May 13
• Media - May 20
• Business - May 27 

Space is limited - register today! If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Kelly, On-Campus Engagement Officer, at visitus@ryerson.ca.

2020 U.S. College Expo- Ottawa

2020 U.S. College Expo Counsellor Day- Toronto

smartEducation Online Program

Find a copy of our latest Women in Trades: Myths and Realities booklet at our events and online. Inside you'll find information for women considering the skilled trades and advice on how industry, government, and educators can provide them with meaningful support from high school through to the workplace. We also highlight six common myths about women working in the skilled trades and dispel these with realities found in these careers, including excellent wages, good working conditions, and room for advancement.

Copies of this resource can be purchased for $2 per booklet for Skills Ontario affiliated schools, and $3 per booklet for non-affiliated schools (plus shipping and handling, minimum order of 5). For more information on how to order the Skills Work!® Skilled Trades Workbook, please email info@skillsontario.com.

2020 OSCA/ACOSO Student Awards

Awards are now open for nominations!
Deadline is May 29th.

OSCA-ACOSO Anthony Di Lena Student Pathway Awards' mandate is to assist at-risk students in their journey towards success. An award is given to at-risk students who have demonstrated the exemplary ability to succeed in the face of adversity. $100.00 awards are presented to students who, in their postsecondary pursuits, are taking a pathway to apprenticeship, college, university or work.

Nominated students must be graduating/or have graduated from an accredited public secondary, Catholic secondary, or inspected private secondary school, including First Nations, in the province of Ontario in the previous school year.

Students must be nominated by a classroom teacher, a Student Success Teacher, a Co-OP Teacher, a Tech teacher, or a Guidance Counsellor. (All teachers cannot be the student's parent.) The nominator does not have to be a member of OSCA.

In order to be nominated, a student must fulfill one or more of the following criteria:

The student succeeded in school despite having to overcome personal obstacles.
The student succeeded in school despite having to cope with bullying and/or violence.
The student succeeded in school despite being socio-economically disadvantaged.
The student succeeded in school despite having to manage a mental health issue.
The student succeeded in school despite having to overcome academic challenges.

Nomination Form

OSCA/ACOSO Guidance and Career Education Awards 2020

Awards are now open for nominations!
Deadline is May 29th.

Curriculum and Resources

**The Elmer Huff Award for Guidance and Career Education Resources - presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to the career development of young people through the creation, development and delivery of high quality Guidance and Career Education Resources.

Counsellor Professional Development

**The Russ Seltzer Award for Contribution to Counsellor Education in Ontario - presented to honour contribution to Counsellor Education in Ontario, including teaching Guidance and Career Education Additional Qualification courses.

**The Howard R. Beattie Award for Contribution to Counsellor Professional Development - presented to a counsellor who has created new and beneficial ideas and techniques for professional use and communicated these through such means as workshops, local leadership and the organization of a conference or guidance professional development activities.

Elementary Guidance

**The Marion Axford Award for Elementary Guidance - presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to elementary guidance in Ontario.

Peer Helping

**The Daryl L. Cook Peer Helping Award - presented to one elementary and/or one secondary school in Ontario in recognition of its exemplary peer helping program.

Contribution to Guidance and Career Education

**The Career/LifeSkills Resources Award for Excellence in Career Education - presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to career development. This award is presented by Career/Lifeskills Resources (www.career-lifeskills.com).

**The Certificate of Appreciation - presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to Guidance and Career Education in Ontario by individuals/groups who are community partners.

**The Phil Hedges Award - presented to recognize the contributions to Guidance and Career Education by dedicated counsellors in the Province of Ontario. An award will be given to one qualifying nominee from each of the six educational regions in the province, or up to a maximum of six qualifying nominees from across the province. **Please refer to http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/offices.html to determine which region each school board is included in.

**The Morgan D. Parmenter Memorial Award - presented to recognizes a person who has made a most significant contribution to Guidance and Career Education in Ontario.

Nomination Form

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