Jessica Dulmage
Vice President of Professional Development

And just like that January has flown by and I don't know about you, but February is a busy month in my building!  Between Semester two course changes, new registrations, and then course selections for the following school year, February is a month that flies by. I've often thought of wearing roller skates to school so that I can get around the building just as quickly! Thankfully, we do have a Family Day break where we can simply sit and take a moment to breathe and enjoy life's little blessings.   

The PD Committee has started to prepare for our 2023 conference, which will be face to face again! We can't wait to see all your faces — both familiar and new. This means that we will be putting out a call for proposals soon. This is where we invite OSCA members to present to their peers at the conference. We would love to hear from you about the awesome new things you have been up to these past few years. So make sure that you are watching the OSCA site and checking your emails so that you don't miss your opportunity to present at the 2023 conference.

My name is Elizabeth Butera-Fracassi, I am the newly appointed OSCA/ACOSO VP-Governance. I look forward to this role and the duties associated with this position. Prior to entering my teaching career 13 years ago, I worked at a Canadian banking ombudsman office for many years where I reviewed policies/procedures and existing initiatives and tried my best to affect change within the bank and reach a mutually satisfactory outcome with bank customers. A difficult feat since I worked for the bank but it was incumbent on me to remain impartial. 

As an elementary guidance teacher-counsellor, I worked with many schools to assist with social and emotional learning activities/presentations and assisted the intermediate students transition to high school with various lesson plans and opportunities. In addition, I provided counseling to students requiring strategies to improve academically and socially.  

This year, I was assigned the Elementary Guidance Resource Teacher position at the TCDSB. I strive to offer support and resources to my colleagues so that they may continue to do wonderful work in their schools. 

Wishing you all a wonderful start to 2023!

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 Elmer Huff Award for Guidance and Career Education Resources

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.

 

Join us as we welcome Sherri Vansickle RS, Native Education Counsellor with the Grand Erie District Board, and take the time to look into the intersections of society that affect our First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students. We will look into the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and the Calls to Justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Girls Report. For those of us in the education system, conversations like this offer opportunities for professional growth (learning and unlearning), for support of our Indigenous students, and for the creation of environments where dialogue, understanding, and the dismantling of oppressive systems can take place. Bring your questions and let's roll up our sleeves to see how we can better meet the needs of our Indigenous students!

Register here!

 

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!

The OSCA Board of Directors was sad to learn of the passing of Joanne Twist, OSCA Past President. She was a strong advocate for guidance and career education with the Peel DSB and in the province of Ontario. OSCA will be making a donation in her memory.

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Thursday, February 9, 11 am - 12 pm

Join us for a one-hour virtual session to hear updates on admissions and have your questions answered. As well, learn about our careers, co-op, and Student Success Team who support students throughout their first year at TMU and beyond.

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 start preparing for university. Join us online or on campus.

Thursday, February 23, 2023
6:30 to 8 p.m.
University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre & Virtual livestream
An information fair (in-person only): 5:30 to 6:30 & 8 to 8:30 p.m.

About the Organization 
The ERA is an ISO Certified (9001:2015 and 14001:2015), Non-Profit who has been helping companies effectively manage their retiring electronic/IT equipment in a responsible manner since 2004.

We collect all kinds of equipment (computers, laptops, printers, telephones, etc.) Then we refurbish it and donate to various charities and non-profit organizations. 

Goals of Scholarship 

ERA Scholarship program was created to give high school and college age students an opportunity to get involved, raise awareness on this issue, and get a chance to receive a financial reward.

Learn more here!

February 22, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Job seekers in the Muskoka area: Come check out the job fair on February 22, 2023 at the Rotary Club of Bracebridge, 131 Wellington Street, Bracebridge, ON.

Drop by, network with employers, meet the Apprenticeship Team, and discover how to turn a landscape horticulture job into a career.

There is still limited space available for employers to participate.

Register Here!

Last week, Jacinda Ardern announced she would be standing down from office as New Zealand’s Prime Minister. The 42-year-old, whose more than five-year term was marked by her handling of the aftermath of the country’s worst ever mass shooting, a deadly volcanic eruption and the Covid-19 pandemic, said on January 19 that she no longer had enough "in the tank" to do her job justice.

"Politicians are human. We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time," she said. "And for me, it’s time."

Though Ardern, who also gave birth while in office, didn’t explicitly refer to burnout as the reason for her decision to quit politics, the public and media have widely interpreted her resignation speech as a reference to it.

In collaboration with the newcomer working group, School Mental Health Ontario is pleased to offer a webinar designed to provide some foundational knowledge and resources about how to effectively support the mental health and well-being of newcomer students. The webinar will also feature a spoken word artist and panel of individuals currently working with newcomer students/families in both community and school settings. The webinar will be presented in English, but French Language slides and bilingual support for questions will be provided.

Eligible participants (Student Support Staff (e.g., CYCs), Guidance Educators, ELL/ESL Educators, Youth Settlement Workers) may register using the following link. Please do not distribute the registration link widely as the webinar has a limited capacity and is only intended for eligible participants working in Ontario school boards.

February 23 – 1-3:30pm

Due to the length and time of the webinar, we understand that educators may not be able to attend the entire webinar. Please feel free to join whenever you are able. The panel will likely be taking place during the latter half. The first half of the webinar will feature the majority of the content.

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 27th or sooner when session capacity is reached.

Apply early to avoid disappointment!

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