Hello members,
You may notice as you scroll through that the format of our newsletter has changed slightly. Going forward, while we experience a number of changes due to COVID-19, we have updated two sections of our newsletter. You will now find a "Resources" section that will provide a variety of resources for educators, families, and students that directly relate to the situations people are finding themselves in during this challenging time. You will also notice that we have added a "Post Secondary Admissions Updates" section. Here you will find communications from universities, as well as admissions systems updates (OUAC & OCAS). We will update these weekly as more information becomes available. Please feel free to share these updates with colleagues, students and families. As always, please take care of yourselves.

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.

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.

Ontario Enabling Students to Complete the Academic Year, Offering Loan Payment Deferrals and Financial Support for Institutions

TORONTO — The government of Ontario is easing the financial burden on students and making sure they can complete their studies during the COVID-19 outbreak by temporarily deferring payments for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loans and making online learning supports, including year-end exams, available to postsecondary institutions.

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.

2020 U.S. College Expo- Ottawa

2020 U.S. College Expo Counsellor Day- Toronto

OUAC Update

The OUAC and Ontario universities are closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on your students' applications.

In response to the many questions being asked about the impact of school closures due to the COVID-19 crisis on university applications, the OUAC and the Ontario universities want to reassure you that they are focused on ensuring that the application process continues as smoothly as possible for your students. Until we receive direction from the Ministry of Education, we hope to adhere, as best we can, to the published 101 Schedule of Dates to try to maintain some semblance of normalcy for students and parents.

We will continue to email updates as the Ministry announces its plans for the remainder of the school year.

L'OUAC et les universités de l'Ontario surveillent de près l'impact de l'épidémie de COVID-19 sur les demandes de vos étudiants.

En réponse aux nombreuses questions qui nous sont posées relativement à l'incidence sur les demandes d'admission aux universités de la fermeture des écoles en raison de la crise de la COVID-19, les universités de l'Ontario et l'OUAC souhaitent vous rassurer que leur objectif est maintenant de s'assurer que le processus de demande d'admission se poursuive le plus harmonieusement possible pour vos élèves. Jusqu'à ce que nous recevions des directives du Ministère de l'Éducation, nous espérons respecter du mieux que nous le pouvons les dates à retenir pour la demande 101 qui sont publiées, afin de tenter de maintenir des conditions proches de la normale pour les élèves et les parents.

Nous continuerons à envoyer des mises à jour par courriel, et ce, au fur et à mesure que le Ministère annoncera ses plans pour le reste de l'année scolaire.

Check the OUAC website for ongoing updates: www.ouac.on.ca/news.

For more information, check the universities' websites: https://ontariosuniversities.ca/coronavirus.

Update from OCAS

We have updated both our ontariocolleges.ca website and OCAS website with communications to date and will continue to update as things evolve.  We are suggesting people check these locations for the most current and accurate information from OCAS.

Information for education partners: https://www.ocas.ca/covid-19

Information for applicants: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/covid-19

During this challenging time, we want to take a minute to recognize you. Every day you work to make sure that your students can be the most successful versions of themselves. We know that this work doesn't stop in the midst of COVID-19. We want to make sure you have the support you need from us to continue your great work.

With the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 affecting our community members, we are reaching out to let you know that we are here to support you during these challenging times.

Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

As Canadians do their part to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, families and teachers are adjusting to the new reality and working to provide educational and diverse content to children at home.

Starting today, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the country’s leader in audiovisual learning resources, is offering FREE online learning resources that will give Canadian families and teachers new tools to keep young minds engaged.

Parents can access a special collection of acclaimed NFB films and learning resources at NFB.ca/education.

All teachers across Canada, from now until June 30, 2020, have FREE access to CAMPUS, the NFB’s online media portal.
Resources for parents at NFB.ca/education

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or guardian, you’re likely grappling with how to help students continue learning at home during these unprecedented times. As Canada’s learning company, Pearson can help.

You now have open access to over 70 of our most widely-used digital learning resources at www.pearsoncanada.ca/athome

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.

Headspace offers free access to all K-12 teachers, school administrators and supporting staff in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

*For US educators, please select your state based on what letter your school district name starts with and enter your school email address. If you're not allowed access on the next

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)

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.

She:kon sewakwekon (greetings everyone)

At Brantford Collegiate Institute, we have a new Cultural Mentor – Cassandra Hill – Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan. On March 11, she arranged a workshop for some of the Native students to learn about the Haudenosaunee Creation story and its connection to one of our sacred medicines – Oien’kwa’on:we (Mohawk - tobacco).

smartEducation Online Program

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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