Welcome back to school year 2020/2021

I would love to say my normal happy back to school this year and maybe had unrealistic hopeful thoughts that this school start up would resemble those of the past. But we are here and are about to embark on the greatest educational challenge many of us have ever encountered. We are all in this together!
Over the next few weeks we will be sending some exciting updates about professional development we will be offering, scholarships and bursary information, and webinar series that may be of interest to you. As you have seen in the past newsletters all member subscriptions from the 2019/2020 year will remain so we are happy to have you all and be a solid resource for you as the weeks roll out.

In love and light,

Stay safe and well.

Over 62 nominations were received. Thank you all for your meaningful and moving contributions. The Governance Committee has completed their voting process, and the nominees listed below received an email letting them know they won the awards.

One thing is clear: Our students are strong and resilient, hard-working and determined. Some of the nominations were difficult to read, as stories of hardship and perseverance were shared with us. If we could, we would have selected them all.

The recipients of the 2020 OSCA-ACOSO Anthony Di Lena Student Pathway Awards are:

Rosemary Cameros Arbizu: University Pathway
Anusha Nimalaranjan: College Pathway
Maggie Benusik: Apprenticeship Pathway
Jackie Mitsima: Workplace Pathway

Students may experience a range of emotions during the COVID-19 situation. As well, changes in routine, including time away from school, may create challenges for some students. We also understand that young people with pre-existing mental health problems may find their symptoms increasing in light of the current uncertainties.

We’ve compiled tips and resources to help answer questions you may have about how to support students during this time.

This is an event you won't want to miss!
Monday, September 21 - Friday, September 25, 2020

We've lined up a week of live, virtual programming, designed to connect you with current Ryerson students! In these sessions, explore our campus, meet our community, and experience Ryerson - from home! Live chats will also be available during each session to answer all of your questions about Ryerson University.

After monitoring the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and following the advice of public health officials and our member institutions, we have regretfully decided to cancel this year’s OUF and Regional Fairs. The health and safety of everyone who attends and participates in the fairs are of the utmost importance to us.

This year's fair is virtual! We are excited to deliver this event virtually, more details to come.

Everything you need to learn about college in one place!

Discover our nation’s distinct musical heritage through interactive Toronto Symphony Orchestra performances on this innovative learning platform. Free for learners of all ages!

This video explains what everyday mindfulness is, and how being aware of what is going on around you and inside of you can help make life more enjoyable and less stressful.
For more information, visit: https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/ment...

Building resilience and strength in families and communities is one of the most important investments we can make as a society. But what does that mean? Read on to find out more about moving from surviving to coping to resilience.

It is the start of a school year like no other. Something none of us prepared for, and for which there are few roadmaps or signposts to guide us. We are welcoming students back to school during a moment in time when there are more questions than answers. So, how do we proceed?

Registration for the virtual Cannexus21 Conference, Career Development for Public Good, is now open!

What does a virtual Cannexus look like?

Cannexus21 will be taking place on January 25 & 27 and February 1 & 3, 2021
Register by September 9th to the get Gratitude rate

• Days will begin at 12:00 pm ET and run until the late afternoon, accommodating all Canadian time zones. Special Around the World sessions will accommodate a few other different international timezones.
• Over 150 sessions including live keynotes, and both live and on-demand concurrent sessions
• All sessions will be recorded and will be available for later viewing
• Live chat and Q&A with speakers
• Networking opportunities including peer-to-peer matchmaking sessions
• Online exhibit hall

Stay tuned for more details in the coming months...

Register here

The mind is like a garden - remove the weeds (negative thoughts) and plant beautiful flowers (positive thoughts).

Register here!

When students return to school in the fall—whether live or virtual—there will be many conversations about COVID-19 and many opportunities to reflect on what they missed when schools were closed, on how the summer was different, and perhaps on family and friends who were stricken with the virus. Children will be affected by the anxiety of their parents, who are returning to work, bringing children to child care, and venturing to haircuts, restaurants, gyms, and beyond. As we transition into the new school year, the task for educators in the coming weeks and months is to help children reflect, refocus, and move forward.

OSCA/ACOSO Guidance and Career Education Awards 

Awards are now open for nominations!
Deadline is now May 28, 2021

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