The last days of February brought warmer temperatures and sunny days, reminding me the promise of spring just around the corner. I found myself smiling more as I ventured out for my daily walks; a lighter skip to my step. Then March hit, and with it, we were all plunged into colder temperatures, slippery roads, and colder temperatures. As Canadians, we are adept at adapting to the ever-changing weather; however, this year we have had to deal with oscillating professional and personal challenges beyond our imagination.
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Les derniers jours de février ont apporté des températures plus douces et des journées ensoleillées, me rappelant la promesse du printemps au coin de la rue. Je me suis retrouvée à sourire davantage alors que je m'aventurais pour mes promenades quotidiennes; mon pas ayant un saut plus léger. Puis le mois de mars a frappé, et avec lui, nous avons tous été plongés dans des températures plus froides, des routes glissantes et un climat plus froid. En tant que Canadiens, nous sommes aptes à nous adapter aux conditions météorologiques en constante évolution; cependant, cette année, nous avons dû faire face à des défis professionnels et personnels oscillant au-delà de notre imagination.

 

OSCA-ACOSO Anthony Di Lena Student Pathway Awards' mandate is to assist at-risk students in their journey towards success. One of the most important ways this is accomplished is by providing the OSCA-ACOSO Anthony Di Lena Student Pathways Awards to at-risk students who have demonstrated the exemplary ability to succeed in the face of adversity. $500.00 awards are presented to students who, in their postsecondary pursuits, are taking a pathway to apprenticeship, college, university or workplace.

 

OSCA-ACOSO Anthony Di Lena Student Pathways Awards for At- Risk Students

One of the most important mandates is to provide scholarships to exemplary at-risk students for post-secondary education or vocational training.

Nomination Deadline is May 28, 2021
Click Here for the Nomination Form

Award Criteria

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 or a Guidance Counsellor who are not their 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

A complete nomination requires three parts:

1. Completion of the on-line nomination form found below;
2. A detailed description, written by the nominator, of how the nominated student fulfills one or more of the criteria mentioned above;
3. A short description, written by the nominated student, of how they have overcome these obstacles and achieved their success.

Four Pathways Awards will be awarded for $500 each.  The nominator should indicate which pathway the nominated student will pursue after completion of their high school education – University, Apprenticeship, College, or Workplace. 

It is our hope that this award could be presented to the receiving student at their graduation ceremony.  The nominator should provide the date of this ceremony.

• Students may not be nominated for more than one award per year.
• Students may receive an OSCA-ACOSO Award only once.
• OSCA-ACOSO Awards are one-time awards only.  
• Decisions made by the OSCA-ACOSO Board regarding nominations are final.

Nomination Deadline is May 28, 2021

The SciXchange at Ryerson is hosting a Let's Talk Health Symposia, a series of virtual events that highlight the intersection of health research with various subjects in science. Each event is open to students in grades 10-12. Participants will get to meet researchers, ask questions and gain experience in virtual labs. Content is independent so students are welcome to sign up for one or multiple events.

Dates:
Let's Talk Health: Sports - Saturday Mar. 6 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST

Next session: July 9th to July 31st

All three parts will be offered. Candidates may enrol in one part.

Cost: $650 (includes a copy of ethical guidelines and a one year OSCA Subscription)

Taught by a current school Guidance Counsellor, through an interactive, online classroom environment.

Candidates must hold a valid OCT and be in good standing to register.

Register here!

The Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) undertook a focussed discussion with ninety-nine (99) Indigenous educators and administrators across Ontario to examine the well-being of Indigenous learners in school. This discussion resulted in a shared understanding of well-being & the identification of the kinds of resources needed to support the well-being of learners at school.

This Web-Based Resource Guide was created as a companion document to Indigenous Well-Being in Schools, Understanding, Promoting and Supporting Indigenous Learners, Final Report, Ontario Native Education Counselling Association, 2018.

Supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students Transitioning from First Nations Schools to Provincial Schools, A Resource Guide, ONECA, 2018, is yet another excellent complimentary document supporting Indigenous student's success in school.

Beyond the Cuckoo’s Nest is CAMH’s longest-standing educational outreach program to high school students and it aims to increase awareness among youth of the causes, treatments, signs, symptoms, and interventions for mental illness, including addiction.

Get insight on mental health and semi-isolated practices with a focus on our Indigenous population through a rural Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic (NPLC) model.

This webinar will showcase how the role of the nurse practitioner and the NPLC model can promote better health outcomes for clients in a semi-rural community. Join us as Connie Foster shares her journey to becoming an Indigenous Nurse Practitioner.

Date: March 26, 20201 | 12 - 1 p.m. (ET)

The trauma of the present COVID-19 pandemic has hit education hard. Now, more than ever, the focus to provide additional resources for all educators is essential.

The evidence based SMART Education Program equips educators - teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers - and all helping professionals with actionable strategies to use immediately for themselves and in working with and supporting children, parents, and families during these difficult times. Amidst chaos and through adversity, this rich program supports the development of self-care techniques to cultivate personal and professional resilience through a greater understanding and control of breath, movement, and the physiology of emotions which can support and nurture educators to become more resilient together.

Take part in CCGSD’s newest queer history program!

Learn about the history of community engagement, legal changes, and civic action in Canada relating to the 2SLGBTQ community.

This program offers a collection of free digital resources for educators of youth ages 14-29. The digital resources offer flexibility in terms of when and how you use them.

An inclusive curriculum is an important part of creating safe and affirming learning environments for all students. We’ve created these classroom resources to bring to light stories and identities that have been overlooked and misrepresented throughout history.

Want to give your students an independent learning opportunity or are you a student hoping to widen your horizons? Are you looking for ways to complement your lesson plan or planning to organize a school-wide learning session?

This is an opportunity for you!

This FREE webinar series will be presented by experts from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Canadian Career Development Foundation, (CCDF) and the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC). The series will address three key gaps that affect the practice of career practitioners in Canada today: an understanding of those individuals using career services, an evolving scope of practice and competencies of career development practitioners, and an increased focus on skill development and identification in the workforce.

If the Pandemic has shown me anything, it has been a focus of ‘cleansing.’ Not only the physical need to wash hands frequently, stay distanced and self-examine prior to coming in contact with anyone, but on a different level: in ways of purging - assessing what is of most value and importance, and who to be responsible to and in what ways. Most enjoyably, I find myself "stepping away and stepping out" on a daily basis: my way of purging within by focussing on what is of value in the moment and where it fits into my day. Setting a timer gives me the opportunity to focus on the tasks at hand, be dedicated and committed, in addition to well-balanced.
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Si la pandémie m'a montré quelque chose, elle a été un objectif de "nettoyage". Non seulement le besoin physique de fréquemment se laver les mains, de rester à distance et de s'auto-examiner avant d'entrer en contact avec qui que ce soit, mais à un autre niveau: en termes de purge - évaluer ce qui est le plus précieux et le plus important, et de qui doit-on être responsable et de quelle manière. Plus agréablement, je me retrouve «à m'éloigner et à sortir» au quotidien: ma façon de purger ma vie est de me concentrer sur ce qui a de la valeur à l'instant et où cela s'inscrit dans ma journée. Le réglage d'une minuterie me donne l'occasion de me concentrer sur les tâches à accomplir, d'être dévouée et engagée, en plus d'être bien équilibrée.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

This next issue of OSCA Today will drop into your mailbox one year into this global pandemic,
which only appears to be getting worse before it gets better. We have all made sacrifices.
Many of us may be managing but many more are not. Educators across our province are
witnessing first-hand how many of our students are struggling. This pandemic continues to put
a strain on all of us especially our students and their families. We need help with advice and
resources. We need you!

Here is what we need:

First. Resources. We would like your suggestion for support agencies that our students can
reach out to. We especially need resources for our BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour,
2SLGBTQQ students.

Second. Articles. If you have stories, ideas or advice to help us and our students endure this
pandemic, we would love to hear from you. We would love it if you would write an article for
OSCA Today.

Please reach out and submit your resources and articles ideas to Roderick Conte, OSCA VP of
Communications at rbconte@yahoo.com

 

The Ontario School Counsellors' Association has a long-standing tradition (over 40 years) of recognizing and awarding those who stand out in the field of Guidance and Career Education. OSCA recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have made a significant contribution to Guidance and Career Education in Ontario. We can say with confidence that our past award winners have helped thousands find their pathways to successful futures! OSCA's awards are an excellent way of recognizing your most dedicated peers.