Spring session: April 8 to June 7, 2024

OSCA-ACOSO is pleased to announce that they will continue to offer Part 1, Part 2 and the Specialist in Guidance and Career Education Additional Qualifications courses this spring. Additional sessions will take place in the winter, spring and summer. Advantages of taking the course with OSCA are the instructor is a current guidance counsellor, a one year OSCA subscription is included ($55 value if currently not active) and a downloaded copy of Ethical Guidelines ($25) is included. As part of the OSCA subscription, you have the opportunity to attend the fall conference at a member rate, gain access to webinars throughout the year on topics related to guidance and career education, receive the weekly OSCA News to keep up to date with guidance/career topics, and receive the tri-annual OSCA Today, the professional magazine of the association.

Cost: $675 plus HST.

To register: www.osca.ca --> Next AQ course

Registration closes: March 28, 2024  at 12:00 noon. Please register early to reserve your seat!

Hello! I am Jen Rankin and I have been in guidance for 10 years. Prior to that, I had experience working as a language, resource, ESL and Student Success teacher. Now that I am into my second year as an OSCA/OCOSO Board of Director in Governance, I have a greater understanding and appreciation of the knowledge and variety of experiences that the current board members bring to the table. This group of volunteers is dedicated to keeping up with the pulse of guidance across the province as it continues to inform and present counsellor colleagues with the most up-to-date information through proactive resources and webinars. As directors we are here to work for all members. If you see a gap in resources or are looking for more information on a specific topic, reach out and we will seek out new resources to support you.

The role of a guidance counsellor is in constant evolution as we adapt to the varying and shifting needs of our all those we support. As guidance counsellors we are always learning and unlearning individually and collectively. We all share the common goal to best support our diverse schools and communities. This is evident as we celebrate and learn throughout Black History Month.

To all, whether you are new to the position, or you have year of experience, be proud of the hard work you do to support students. Know that your efforts are appreciated, and you do make a positive difference in many people’s lives! The best way to celebrate your hard work would be to join your fellow colleagues for the 60th Anniversary OSCA/OCOSO Conference in November! We are looking forward to seeing you there!
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Bonjour ! Je suis Jen Rankin et je travaille en orientation depuis 10 ans. Avant cela, j’ai travaillé comme enseignante de langue, enseignante-ressource, enseignante de l’anglais langue seconde et enseignante responsable de la réussite des élèves. Maintenant que j’en suis à ma deuxième année en tant que directrice de la gouvernance auprès du conseil d’administration de l’OSCA/ACOSO, je comprends et j’apprécie davantage les connaissances et la variété d’expériences que possèdent les membres actuels du conseil. Ce groupe de bénévoles s’engage à suivre le rythme de l’orientation dans toute la province en continuant d’informer et de présenter à leurs collègues conseillers toutes les informations les plus récentes par le biais de ressources proactives et webinaires. En tant que directeurs, nous nous engageons à travailler pour tous nos membres. Si vous constatez un manque de ressources ou si vous recherchez plus d’informations sur un sujet spécifique, contactez-nous et nous trouverons de nouvelles ressources pour vous aider. 

Le rôle d’un conseiller en orientation est en constante évolution à mesure que nous nous adaptons aux besoins variables et changeants de tous ceux que nous soutenons. En tant que conseillers en orientation, nous sommes toujours en train d’apprendre et de désapprendre à la fois individuellement et collectivement. Nous partageons tous l’objectif commun de bien soutenir nos diverses écoles et communautés. Cela se voit alors que nous célébrons et apprenons tout au long du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs.

Que vous soyez nouveau dans votre poste ou que vous ayez des années d’expérience, soyez fier du travail acharné que vous accomplissez pour soutenir les élèves. Sachez que vos efforts sont appréciés et que vous faites une différence positive dans la vie de nombreuses personnes ! La meilleure façon de célébrer votre beau travail serait de vous joindre à vos collègues pour la conférence du 60e anniversaire de l’OSCA/ACOSO en novembre ! Au plaisir de vous y voir !

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 Russ Seltzer Award for Contribution to Counsellor Education in Ontario | Le prix Russ Seltzer pour la Contribution à la formation des Conseillers en orientation de l’Ontario

This award is presented to honour contributions to Counsellor Education in Ontario, including teaching Guidance and Career Education Additional Qualification courses.
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Présenté pour rendre hommage à la contribution à la formation des conseillers en orientation de l’Ontario, y inclus l’enseignement des cours de qualifications additionnelles en orientation et 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!
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Les candidatures aux prix étudiants sont maintenant ouvertes ! Veuillez nommer dès aujourd’hui un élève méritant qui entreprend l’un des cinq parcours postsecondaires suivants :

• Apprentissage,
• Collège,
• Intégration communautaire,
• Université,
• Monde du travail. 

Vous pouvez trouver les détails dans le formulaire de candidature. 

Le lien est disponible à partir du site web de l’OSCA/ACOSO et vous pouvez accéder au formulaire de candidature via celui-ci. Les candidatures se clôtureront le 6 mai 2024, alors nommez un élève dès aujourd’hui !

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.

At All About Mental Empowerment, we are committed to fortifying resilience and equipping school communities with the coping strategies they need to instill emotional resilience. We have collaborated with over 45 schools, supported over 21 thousand students, and hundreds of parents and teachers along the way.

We are Dr. Bisleen Attli, ND and Tara Rawana, the founders of All About Mental Empowerment. Our combined expertise in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and cognitive behavioral therapy sets us apart. 

We understand the challenges that you face from tending to individual student needs to addressing academic concerns and navigating complex personal issues, including mental health struggles. You support students in developing emotional resilience and we believe that emotional resilience is the key to student success, both in and out of the classroom.

We want to help you support the emotional resilience of your student community. We’ve crafted a special gift for you, our complimentary e-book called "Empowering Young Hearts: The Educator’s Handbook for Enhancing Emotional Resilience in Schools.” It’s packed with crucial emotional strengths in your students.

You can click here to grab a copy of the e-book. If you’re looking for emotional resilience training for your students in the form of a small-group workshop or an assembly, you can email us at support@allaboutmentalempowerment.org. Thank you for supporting our young ones!

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

This course aims to equip educators with the skills and knowledge to foster positive and nurturing learning environments.

🌟 Course Highlights:
- Identify and create a safe, inclusive learning community in a variety of contexts
- Explore how to weave mindfulness and compassion practices into planning, instruction, facilitation
- Discuss and demonstrate how to support learners in their personal growth and cultivation of compassion toward self and others
- Describe how to integrate active learning strategies, resources and curriculum which advance well-being and mental health
- Discuss how to respond skillfully to learners through mindful and compassionate embodiment

✨ Why Enroll?
- Contribute to creating safer and more compassionate learning environments.
- Equip yourself with valuable skills for the ever-evolving education landscape.
- Be part of a community dedicated to fostering positive change in schools.

📆 Enrol Today University of Toronto - Cultivating the Compassionate Classroom
Together, let's shape the future of education by cultivating compassionate classrooms that empower students and educators alike. Join us in making a lasting impact on the educational landscape.

Did you know that 1 out of every 100 Ontarians is employed by the forest sector?

Ontario’s forests are vast and provide many economic, social, and environmental benefits. Covering nearly two-thirds of the province, forests are important to wildlife habitat, biodiversity, clean air and water, cultural enrichment, recreation and education services. A career in the forest sector can provide meaningful and fulfilling work. Not only is it good for your mental and physical health, but it is a profession that is in demand and projected to grow.

Want to learn more? Join Forests Ontario on March 6, 2024 for a Student-Employer Engagement Day (SEED) session which will bring together students and young professionals in the forestry sector within a virtual space to explore pathways and careers in the forest sector.

When: March 6, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Where: Online

Who: Students, recent graduates and anyone interested in learning about a forest career!

Cost: None, this is a free event!

This year, Canadian Agriculture Day is Feb. 13. Canada’s agricultural sector is facing chronic work shortages, which cost the economy $3.5 billion in 2022. One of the reasons for this shortage is the difficulty in attracting jobseekers, and in particular young people, to this sector. This article provides resources to help career professionals identify pathways, labour market information and opportunities to support jobseekers and students interested in careers in agriculture.

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 to 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!

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 !