OSCA is pleased to announce that our Call for Workshop Proposals is now open for our Fall 2023 Conference! This is an excellent opportunity to share best practices and programs with your colleagues. We encourage Guidance Counsellors and Careers teachers to apply. See the link below for topic ideas, more information and the application - DUE: April 30.
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L’OSCA/ACOSO est heureux d’annoncer que nous acceptons maintenant les propositions d’ateliers pour la conférence annuelle d’automne 2023! Ceci est une excellente occasion de partager vos pratiques exemplaires et vos programmes avec vos collègues. Nous encourageons les conseillers en orientation et les enseignants de la formation au cheminement de carrière à soumettre une proposition. Voir le lien ci-dessous pour des idées de sujets, plus d’information et le formulaire – À REMETTRE : le 30 avril.

OSCA/ACOSO is pleased to announce our 2023 Fall Conference Keynote Speakers:

Dr. James Makokis and Anthony Johnson

The Amazing Two Spirit Couple is on a mission to raise awareness to create equal access for LGBTQ2S & Indigenous populations. Their ability to blend their personal experiences with high-level expertise creates new foundations of understanding for the acceptance of individuals while empowering individuals to give them tools and strategies for how they can be a part of the solution through allyship and unity. In 2019, Dr Makokis competed alongside his husband Anthony Johnson as "Team Ahkameyimok" on the Amazing Race Canada and won, becoming the first two-spirit, Indigenous, married couple in the world to do so.

We are pleased to invite you to a free virtual Guidance Dialogue on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Event Schedule

9 am-11 am: Main Presentation and University Updates

Update from the Ontario Universitie's Application Centre (OUAC)
General update on recruitment activities
Updates from Ontario university representatives on admission and general information
11:00 am-12:30 pm: Chat with University and OUAC Representatives

You will be able to submit questions before the event. 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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Dialogues entre les conseillers et les universités de l’Ontario – Printemps 2023 – Séance virtuelle : Date à retenir

Nous sommes heureux de vous inviter à une séance virtuelle gratuite des Dialogues, le mercredi 19 avril 2023, de 9 h à 12 h 30.

Horaire de l’événement

De 9 h à 11 h : Présentation principale et mises à jour des universités

Mise à jour du Centre de demande d’admission aux universités de l’Ontario (« OUAC »)
Mise à jour générale des activités de recrutement
Mises à jour des représentant(e)s des universités de l’Ontario sur les admission et renseignements générales.
De 11 h à 12 h 30 : Clavardage avec les représentant(e)s des universités et de l’OUAC

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.

Nota : L’événement se tiendra principalement en anglais seulement. Puisque certaines universités sont bilingues, les participants auront l’occasion de s’entretenir en français avec certain(e)s représentant(e)s universitaires.

L’inscription est exigée et sera disponible à compter de la mi-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.

*Applications are now OPEN!*

Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is proud to announce the reopening of the Don McBain Memorial Award for its third year, in honour of the late OAHS founder and Executive Director. This award is comprised of (3) $5,000 scholarships that will be distributed annually to (3) Indigenous students from Ontario pursuing their first year of post-secondary studies.

Thursday, May 4, 2023
Mohawk College, Fennell Campus, 135 Fennell Ave W.
McIntyre Performing Arts Centre

Session 1: 9:00 - 11:00am
Session 2: 1:00 - 3:00pm
Parent Session: 6:00 - 8:00pm (details to follow)

Mohawk College would like to invite teachers, guidance counsellors and administrators from the school boards to join us for this important keynote and to be part of the discussion on supporting student mental health.

We are pleased to welcome student mental health experts, Dr. B. Janet Hibbs and Dr. Anthony Rostain, co-authors of The Stressed Years of Their Lives, to discuss the rise of mental health concerns in students pursuing and enrolled in higher education. Learn what educators, parents and families can do to support students in preparing for, surviving and thriving in the post-secondary environment.
Learn more!

We've had a great response to this year's free, monthly webinar series for OSCA/ACOSO subscribers and we thank you for the interest you have shown in the topics we've offered! Your input in helping us to book future professional development for these webinars is very important to us. Please use the form linked below to indicate potential topics of interest that you would like to see in our 2023-24 OSCA Webinar Series. This form will be open until April 15.

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 18, 2023 11:59 p.m. 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 18 septembre 2023 à 23h59.

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The Marion Axford Award for Elementary Guidance

This award is presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to Elementary Guidance in Ontario.

The Student Awards Nominations are here! Please nominate a deserving student today within five Post Graduate Pathways;

• Apprenticeship,
• College,
• Community Living,
• University,
• Workplace. 

Details can be found on the nomination form/link. 

The link is live on the OSCA website. You can access the nomination form through it. The nominations will close on May 5, 2023. Nominate a student today!

My name is Jen Rankin. Throughout my twenty years in education, I have taught a variety of courses from Spanish, French and ESL, to History, Law and Contemporary Indigenous Issues. I have experience in Resource, Student Success and Guidance. This journey has led me to my current role as a guidance counsellor that supports primarily newcomers and international students. Providing strategies to navigate the Ontario school system, language development, pathway planning, as well as facilitating academic, social, extra-curricular and wellness support. I also collaborate with local schools to provide students with the opportunity to travel abroad by facilitating short-term and long-term cultural exchanges. I have always enjoyed providing students with opportunities to explore pathways through experiential learning (guest speakers, the Arts, field trips, SHSM, Dual Credits, interprovincial exchanges, and international travel) while at the same time, offering them support to grow into confident, curious young adults. 

When I am not working or getting my own kids to and from their various activities, I am scouting out the next place for an adventure both near and far. I have been involved with Rotary International one way or another for almost 30 years.

As a guidance counsellor, I appreciate the opportunity to support, collaborate, share, and learn from colleagues and community partners. I look forward to working with all of you and understanding more about the complexities of our varied responsibilities as guidance counsellors in Ontario. It is an honour to be a new member of the OSCA/ACOSO Board of Directors serving in Governance. 

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Je m’appelle Jen Rankin. Au cours de mes vingt ans dans le domaine de l’éducation, j’ai enseigné une variété de cours incluant : l’espagnol, le français, l’anglais pour débutants, l’histoire, le droit et le cours de questions d’actualité et perspectives autochtones dans un contexte mondial. J’ai de l’expérience en tant qu’enseignante-ressource ainsi que dans les domaines de la réussite des élèves et de l’orientation. Ce parcours m’a menée à mon rôle actuel en tant que conseillère en orientation qui soutient principalement les nouveaux arrivants et les élèves internationaux. J’offre des stratégies pour naviguer le système scolaire de l’Ontario, le développement de la langue et la planification de parcours. De plus, je facilite du soutien scolaire, social et parascolaire ainsi que du soutien au bien-être. Je collabore également avec des écoles locales pour faciliter des échanges à court et à long terme afin d’offrir aux élèves la possibilité de voyager à l’étranger. J’ai toujours bien aimé avoir la chance de fournir aux élèves des occasions d’explorer différents parcours qui favorisent l’apprentissage par l’expérience (conférenciers invités, les arts, les sorties éducatives, la MHS, la double reconnaissance de crédits, les échanges interprovinciaux et le voyage international) tout en leur offrant les outils nécessaires pour devenir des jeunes adultes confiants et curieux.

Lorsque je ne travaille pas ou que je ne suis pas en train d’emmener mes enfants à leurs diverses activités, je suis à la recherche de ma prochaine aventure – que ce soit proche ou lointain. Je m’implique d’une façon ou d’une autre avec l’association Rotary International depuis près de 30 ans.

Comme conseillère en orientation, j’apprécie l’occasion de soutenir, de collaborer, de partager et d’apprendre de mes collègues et de mes partenaires communautaires. J’ai hâte de travailler avec vous et de mieux comprendre les complexités de nos diverses responsabilités comme conseillers en orientation en Ontario. C’est un plaisir de pouvoir siéger au conseil d’administration de l’OSCA/ACOSO au service de la gouvernance.

Save the Date: Upcoming OSCA/ACOSO Webinar!
Fostering Safe Spaces for 2SLGBTQIA Students  
Wednesday, April 12th @ 10 am

In this webinar facilitated by Erin Huston, Community Engagement Lead from OK2BME, we will cover 2SLGBTQIA identities and terminology, and existing challenges and barriers for 2SLGBTQIA students in school and at home. We will explore strategies and resources for increasing our capacity to provide affirming support to queer and trans youth and create safe spaces for all students. Don't miss this important session to learn more about how to support some of our more vulnerable students!

OK2BME is a program operated by KWCounselling located in the Waterloo Region, which offers programming and services built to support 2SLGBTQIA children, teens, adults, and their families across the region and beyond. This includes individual, family, and relationship counselling, group therapy, recreational youth programming, and public education. Register Here!

This webinar is designed for adult allies who are supporting youth to navigate the transition from post-secondary education to the world of work in institutions and in workplaces. It will be led by RBC Future Launch and supported by panelists from Jack.org and the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health.

Mandatory high school graduation requirement will empower students with early exposure to technological education and skilled trades

March 10, 2023

Education

MISSISSAUGA —The Ontario government is implementing a new high school graduation requirement to help better prepare students across our province for the jobs of tomorrow. Starting with students entering Grade 9 in September 2024, all students will now be required to earn a Grade 9 or 10 Technological Education credit as part of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
"I am proud to announce another step forward to ensure all students learn the critical skills necessary to succeed and get a good paying job," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. "By requiring students to take at least one Technological Education credit in high school, we are opening up doors and creating new pathways to good jobs in STEM and the skilled trades. All students will benefit from a greater emphasis on hands-on learning experiences and technical skills in the classroom so they can graduate with a competitive advantage in this country."
Read More...
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Une condition obligatoire pour l’obtention du diplôme dotera les élèves d’un atout en leur faisant découvrir plus tôt l’éducation technologique et les métiers spécialisés

10 mars 2023

Éducation

MISSISSAUGA — Le gouvernement de l’Ontario instaure une nouvelle condition d’obtention du diplôme d’études secondaires afin de mieux préparer les élèves de toute la province aux emplois de demain. Tous les élèves, à compter de ceux qui entrent en 9e année en septembre 2024, devront obtenir un crédit parmi les cours d’éducation technologique de 9e et de 10e année pour recevoir leur Diplôme d’études secondaires de l’Ontario.
« Je suis fier d’annoncer une mesure de plus pour veiller à ce que tous les élèves acquièrent les compétences essentielles pour réussir et pour occuper des emplois bien rémunérés, a déclaré Stephen Lecce, le ministre de l’Éducation. En exigeant que les élèves obtiennent au moins un crédit d’éducation technologique à l’école secondaire, nous ouvrons des portes et nous créons de nouveaux parcours menant à de bons emplois dans les disciplines liées aux STIM et les métiers spécialisés. Tous les élèves bénéficieront de l’accent particulier porté à l’expérience d’apprentissage pratique et à l’acquisition de compétences techniques dans la salle de classe afin qu’ils puissent obtenir leur diplôme en ayant un avantage concurrentiel au pays. »
En savoir plus...

A new survey by Wiley finds that one-fourth of students said they would be more invested in their courses if they learned in a way that emulated their future careers.

Undergraduate students are struggling to stay engaged in class—and they believe that material more directly connected to real-life issues could help solve the problem.

That’s a key finding of the recent State of the Student 2022 survey by the academic publishing company Wiley, which noted that 55 percent of undergraduate and 38 percent of graduate students said they struggle to remain interested in their classes. The same proportion of undergraduates and 34 percent of graduate students also said they have trouble retaining the material they learn.

Grade 11 students can soon apprentice full-time and still earn their high-school diploma

March 08, 2023
Premier's Office
 
TORONTO — The Ontario government is preparing young people for in-demand and well-paying careers by allowing students in grade 11 to transition to a full-time, skilled trades apprenticeship program. Upon receiving their Certificate of Apprenticeship, these young workers can apply for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma as mature students. At a time when the province continues to face historic labour shortages, this change means that more students will be able to enter the trades faster than ever before to help build Ontario.
Read More...
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Les élèves de 11e année pourront bientôt suivre un apprentissage à temps plein tout en obtenant leur diplôme d’études secondaires

08 mars 2023
Cabinet du premier ministre

TORONTO — Le gouvernement de l’Ontario prépare les jeunes à des carrières bien rémunérées en permettant aux élèves de 11e année de suivre un apprentissage à temps plein. Après avoir reçu leur certificat d’apprentissage, ces jeunes pourront demander leur diplôme d’études secondaires de l’Ontario à titre d’étudiants ou étudiantes adultes. À un moment où la province continue de faire face à des pénuries de main-d’œuvre historiques, ce changement permettra à un plus grand nombre d’élèves de se tourner plus rapidement que jamais vers les métiers spécialisés, afin de contribuer à bâtir l’Ontario.
« Ces changements offrent aux élèves des perspectives intéressantes pour accéder à des emplois stables bien rémunérés et à des carrières passionnantes tout en soutenant les efforts continus de notre gouvernement pour attirer davantage de jeunes vers les métiers spécialisés, a déclaré le premier ministre Doug Ford. Qu’il s’agisse d’améliorer la formation professionnelle dans nos écoles, d’éliminer les obstacles pour les nouveaux arrivants ou de perfectionner les compétences des gens, nous ne ménageons aucun effort pour former la main-d’œuvre qualifiée qui bâtira l’Ontario de demain. »
En savoir plus...

Next session: April 3 to June 2, 2023

Registration: Now open!

• Taught virtually by a current Ontario Guidance Counsellor.
• Participants sign up for Part 1 or Part 2 or the Specialist.

For further information, please visit www.osca.ca and go to the AQ section at the top of the main webpage.

Cost: $650
No textbook

Includes a one year OSCA-ACOSO: AQ subscription, if one does not have an active subscription and one link for a copy of Ethical Guidelines.

Registration closes March 27 or sooner when session capacity is reached.

Apply early to avoid disappointment!

> Summer Session will be July 3 to July 31 with registration opening up later in the spring <

 

COVID-19 brought many long-standing equity issues connected to education and work to the forefront. Early unemployment figures showed racialized Canadians’ employment was hit harder than that of white Canadians – a trend that continued to affect Black, Indigenous and other racialized individuals as the pandemic persisted. Front-line workers navigated increasingly precarious conditions and many women left the workforce, dropping the female labour-force participation rate to its lowest level in 30 years. Career professionals and those they serve grappled with uneven access to services and technology after lockdowns shuttered offices across the country.

However, the pandemic also brought increased recognition that – with a grounding in social justice – career development can be a powerful tool to challenge inequities and to advance the public good. Services, programs, advocacy and education can recognize and work to change the systemic barriers that prevent all individuals from having equal opportunity to seek work that is meaningful to them and meets their needs.