Dear OSCA/OCOSO Members,

I am thrilled to be joining the OSCA Board as a new director this year. I am passionate about guidance education and love this opportunity to connect with colleagues across the province who share the same drive for supporting students.  

I began my teaching career as a chemistry/science teacher with the Peel District School Board and then moved to the Durham District School Board in 2003. I transitioned to guidance counselling in 2010 and assumed the Department Headship in 2014. Since then I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as a guidance leader that has allowed me to focus on supporting student well-being, pathway planning and academic success. I also relish my involvement in our school's annual Leadership Camp, our Positive School Climate Team and our Ambassador program.  

I have been fortunate to instruct the Guidance Part One Additional Qualification course for several years and am grateful for the opportunity to mentor and learn from aspiring Guidance educators. There is so much to learn in this job as we grow and respond to the ever-changing needs of our students, the labour market and our broader communities.  

I look forward to serving on this board and to meeting you all at our 60th anniversary conference in November!
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Chers membres de l’OSCA/ACOSO,

Je suis ravie de me joindre au conseil d’administration de l’OSCA/ACOSO en tant que nouvelle directrice cette année. Je suis passionnée de l’orientation dans le contexte scolaire et j’adore cette occasion de tisser des liens avec des collègues partout dans la province qui partagent la même volonté de soutenir les élèves. 

J’ai commencé ma carrière en enseignement en tant qu’enseignante de chimie et de sciences au Peel District School Board (Conseil scolaire du district de Peel), puis j’ai rejoint le Durham District School Board (conseil Conseil scolaire du district de Durham) en 2003. J’ai assumé le rôle de conseillère en orientation en 2010 et je suis devenue chef du département en 2014. Depuis, je profite pleinement de mon rôle de leader en orientation qui m’a permis de me concentrer sur le bien-être des élèves, la planification de parcours et la réussite scolaire. Je me réjouis également de ma contribution au camp de leadership annuel de notre école ainsi qu’à l’équipe visant un climat scolaire positif et à notre programme d’ambassadeurs.

J’ai eu la chance d’enseigner la partie 1 du cours de qualification additionnelle en orientation et formation au cheminement de carrière pendant plusieurs années et je suis reconnaissante de l’occasion d’offrir du mentorat et d’apprendre auprès des futurs éducateurs en orientation. Il y a tellement à apprendre dans cette carrière à mesure que nous évoluons et répondons aux besoins en constante évolution de nos élèves, du marché de travail et de l’ensemble de la communauté.

J’ai hâte de siéger à ce conseil d’administration et de vous rencontrer lors de notre conférence du 60e anniversaire en novembre !

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 26, 2024 at 4:00 PM 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 26 septembre 2024 à 4h.

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The Elmer Huff Award for Guidance and Career Education Resources | Le Prix Elmer Huff pour les ressources en orientation et en formation au cheminement de carrière

This award is 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.
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Présenté pour la contribution exceptionnelle au développement de carrière des jeunes à travers la création, le développement et la mise à disposition de ressources de haute gamme en orientation et en formation au cheminement de carrière.

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

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

Details can be found on the nomination form. 

The link is live on the OSCA website and you can access the nomination form through it. The nominations will close on May 6, 2024, so nominate a student today!

 

Grade 10 students thinking about university are invited (along with their supporters) to an information session on admission requirements, financing their education, and advice on how to get started preparing for university. Join us online or on campus.

Thursday, February 22, 2024
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre & virtual livestream
An information fair (in-person only): 5:30 to 6:30 and 8:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Did you know there is a new link on the Ontario Colleges website that provides all this information?

Visit: ontariocolleges.ca > applying > skilled trades for tons of great information on the skilled trades.

Save the Date...New Webinar Opportunity!
Where to Turn: A Look at the OSCA/ACOSO Ethical Guidelines
Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 AM 

Join DPCDSB Guidance Coordinator and past OSCA Director, Martha Biagi, for a dive into the OSCA/ACOSO Ethical Guidelines, and ethical considerations for Ontario's Guidance Teacher-Counsellors. This session will include a look the topics below through the lens of guidance and career education:

• The counsellor-counselee relationship;
• Confidentiality;
• Cyber Ethics and Social Media;
• Mental Health;
• Equity & Diversity;
• Exploration of several real-life scenarios from the guidance office.

This session will explore a number of frequently asked questions that guidance teacher-counsellors have on a regular basis, and will aim to enhance your professional practice. We hope you will join us for this very informative webinar. Register Here!

A few words about the Network: The initiative aims to identify the obstacles faced by 2SLGBTQIA Francophones in Ontario and people at the intersection of these identities, at public service points, among others, in order to identify needs and offer support consequently. We want to equip Ontario organizations on issues of diversity inclusion with the goal of ultimately making it an integrated practice. The Network places particular emphasis on an intersectoral and intersectional approach. To learn more about the project, visit our website at www.francoqueer.ca/ simplicate/consultations

Who can participate in the survey? Anyone working or volunteering for an organization offering French-language services in Ontario can complete this survey. Therefore, employees, volunteers, members of management and members of the board of directors are invited to participate. If you work with more than one organization, you can complete the survey for each organization, therefore more than once, if you wish.

Click on the link to complete the survey 

For a more inclusive Ontario "Francophonie," click here: https://fr.surveymonkey.com/ r/FQ-org

In addition, as a reward for those participating, a draw will be launched.
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Quelques mots sur le Réseau:  L’initiative vise à recenser les obstacles auxquels font face les francophones 2SLGBTQIA de l’Ontario et les personnes à l’intersection de ces identités, dans les points de services publics, entre autres, afin de repérer les besoins et d’offrir un appui conséquent. Nous souhaitons outiller les organismes ontariens sur les questions d’inclusion de la diversité dans le but qu’elles en fassent à terme une pratique intégrée. Le Réseau met un accent particulier sur une approche intersectorielle et intersectionnelle. Pour en apprendre davantage sur le projet, visitez notre site web à l’adresse www.francoqueer.ca/ simpliquer/consultations

Qui peut participer au sondage?:  Toute personne travaillant ou faisant du bénévolat pour un organisme offrant des services en français en Ontario peut remplir ce sondage. Ainsi, les employées, les bénévoles, les membres de la direction et les membres du conseil d’administration sont invités à y participer. Si vous œuvrez auprès de plus d’un organisme, vous pouvez remplir le sondage pour chaque organisme, donc à plus d’une reprise, si vous le souhaitez.

Cliquez sur le lien pour remplir le sondage Pour une francophonie ontarienne plus inclusive !  : https://fr.surveymonkey.com/ r/FQ-org.  De plus, en guise de récompense pour les personnes participantes, un tirage au sort sera lancé

We're thrilled to invite you and your students to Discover Year's inaugural Good Life Summit!

During this interactive event, students will have the opportunity to connect and learn from diverse professionals from across industries and kick-start their journey to living a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
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DATE: Thursday, May 9, 2024
TIMES: Session 1: 8:30-11:00 am ET / Session 2: 12:30-3:00 pm ET
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

This event is ideal for students in Grades 10-12 in the following courses: Civics/Careers; Leadership; Entrepreneurship; Healthy & Active Living; or a SHMS program.

ChatterHigh is thrilled to announce the launch of Financial Literacy Fest taking place from February 14 - March 13, 2024. This free and gamified multi-competition series includes essential financial literacy and life skills topics like money management, taxes, and insurance literacy. Integrating these topics into student curricula fosters financial responsibility, independence, and critical thinking skills, preparing students for future careers, reducing financial stress, and contributing to a socially and economically empowered population. Let's help our students prepare for a strong financial future. 

For extra motivation, school communities will have the ability to compete for a combined total of $15,000 in school cash prizes! All you need is a ChatterHigh account to get started.

The available competitions include:

• Learn About Your Taxes Competition by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Money Management Competition by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
• Insurance Literacy and Me Competition by the Insurance Institute, Career Connections, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Visit the ChatterHigh competitions page for information on all the current, upcoming, and past competitions available to schools and students! 

Careers in Mining: A Teaching Resource offers 12 unique and high-quality lesson plans to grades 7 to 10 students. The curriculum is available in a variety of formats that include themes and interactive, hands-on activities to introduce students to what it’s like to work in Canada’s mining sector. The resource’s Curriculum Connections also identify how each lesson fits within each province and territory’s curriculum.

Get ready for some learning! CERIC, along with its partner associations, will be offering a variety of webinar series coming up in the next few months to help you with your career development. Check out our list – there's a lot to explore and boost your professional skills. And stay tuned because we'll be adding more webinars for you to discover new things and keep growing!

The Ministry of Education has updated the High School Graduation Requirements webpage to include a footnote about the compulsory Technological Education credit requirement effective September 2024 for students entering Grade 9.

My name is Mark Abouelsaad, and I am honored to be a member of the OSCA Board of Directors. I have a long experience working with non-profit organizations to promote positive change in the community. I am a passionate educator with special interest in youth development. I am looking forward to using my experience and skills to further the mission of OSCA. I strongly believe in the OSCA’s mission of providing quality services and resources to those in need, and I am excited to be a part of this effort. 

Currently, I am a Guidance Counselor and a biology teacher with the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir. I hold a medical degree and I used to be a surgical resident. I realized that my passion for teaching and mentoring others was greater than my love for surgery which let me to pursue a career in education and teach high school science. 

Throughout my career, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and have seen firsthand the positive impact that education and mentorship can have on their lives. As a member of the OSCA Board of Directors, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow board members, staff, and volunteers to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. 
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Je m’appelle Mark Abouelsaad et j’ai l’honneur d’être nommé pour siéger au conseil d’administration de l’ACOSO. J’ai une longue expérience de travailler avec des organisations à but non lucratif pour promouvoir des changements positifs dans la communauté. Je suis un éducateur passionné avec un intérêt particulier concernant le développement des jeunes. J’ai hâte d’utiliser mon expérience et mes compétences pour faire avancer la mission de l’ACOSO. Je crois fermement en sa mission de fournir des services et des ressources de qualité à ceux et celles qui en ont besoin, et je suis ravi de contribuer à cet effort. 

À présent, je suis un conseiller en orientation et enseignant de biologie au Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir. Je suis titulaire d’un diplôme en médecine et j’étais résident en chirurgie. Je me suis rendu compte que ma passion pour l’enseignement et le mentorat était plus grande que mon amour pour la chirurgie. J’ai alors décidé de poursuivre une carrière dans l’enseignement et je suis devenu enseignant de sciences au secondaire. 

Tout au long de ma carrière, j’ai travaillé avec des étudiants de diverses cultures et j’ai apprécié l’impact positif que l’éducation et le mentorat pouvaient avoir sur la vie des jeunes. En tant que membre du conseil d’administration de l’ACOSO, j’ai hâte d’avoir des opportunités et de surmonter les défis qui nous attendent. Je m’engage à travailler en collaboration avec les membres du conseil d’administration, le personnel et les bénévoles pour faire une différence positive dans la vie de ceux et celles que nous aurons l’occasion de servir.