Interested in taking your next Guidance and Career AQ course? Did you know you can take this course with OSCA from July 3 to July 31?  Taught by a current Ontario Guidance Counsellor and entirely online. There is no textbook for the course. For the low cost of $650 HST, each participant will have access to their own copy of Ethical Guidelines, as well as a one year AQ subscription to OSCA for the school year 2023-2024. To register, please visit osca.ca.

Each year the Foundation makes available a number of scholarships in a wide range categories. Many of these awards are determined by the number of applications received. All applicants must reside in Ontario and all scholarships are subject to availability.

Now accepting applications and nominations for 2023 scholarships — Apply by June 30, 2023.

Wednesday, October 18 5pm - 9pm Thursday, October 19, 9am - 2pm Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place Learn More...

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How can organizations demonstrate allyship towards individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI ? DEI leaders discuss Canada's first Federal 2SLGBTQI Action plan and share success stories of initiatives that lead to creating an inclusive and psychologically safe space for individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI .

Keen to Help is on a mission to help students across Canada find volunteer opportunities to help with the professional development of the future generation of leaders in Canada. We know it can be hard for students to find opportunities that accept volunteers under the age of 18, which is why we have curated a database of close to 100 nonprofits in Ontario (primarily in Ottawa and the GTA) that request help from high school student volunteers. These nonprofits build profiles on our website that we periodically update and advertise to students in schools across the country. Students can browse and sign up to volunteer with these nonprofits directly on our website linked below:

 keentohelp.com/volunteer

We also work with schools who request an online volunteer portal for their school to add opportunities and curate a list of approved nonprofits for students to sign up with. Using this portal, we can also help facilitate the logging and verification of student volunteer hours (if needed). We have set this up for a few private schools in the GTA - should you be interested in learning more, you can contact:

mateo@keentohelp.com

Earth Rangers is introducing a new program called ER Teens. This project-based volunteer program enables teens aged 13-18, to make a difference in their local area and get involved in the environmental space.

When participating in the program, teens will connect with like-minded peers and network with professionals while building leadership skills like communication, problem-solving, and time management skills. They''ll be working with a mentor to design and lead an impactful environmental project in their community with the option to earn volunteer hours!

Registrations are currently being accepted for Summer 2023. Students can also learn more by going to the ER Teens website https://www.earthrangers.com/EN/CA/er-teens/

High school students face important decisions around the pathways they want to pursue after graduation. Teachers and counsellors play a key role in guiding and supporting them on this journey. Here are several resources that educators can use to integrate career development into their work.

If you ask any parent what they want most for their child’s future, they will usually express some iteration of "I just want them to be happy." So let’s talk about happiness and what the implications are for becoming our best possible selves in the future. The longest running study on happiness out of Harvard has provided us with a powerful recipe. Dr. Robert Waldinger and his team have decades of data, both quantitative and qualitative, that suggest that a happy life is one filled with happy relationships. Happy relationships within our family, community, and friend groups, but also in our workplaces. The lessons from the Harvard study underscores that "having social connections is better for our health and well being—and conversely, loneliness kills. Second, having higher-quality close connections is more important for our well-being than the number of connections. Third, having good relationships is not only good for our bodies but also for our brains."

Career education across Canada varies based on provinces and territories. While curriculums differ in structure, they are all designed to help youth find success. Here is a breakdown of curriculum information for elementary and high school cohorts.

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 Phil Hedges Award

This award is 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.)

OSCA/ACOSO is pleased to announce our 2023 Fall Conference Keynote Speakers:

Dr. James Makokis and Anthony Johnson

The Amazing Two Spirit Couple is on a mission to raise awareness to create equal access for LGBTQ2S & Indigenous populations. Their ability to blend their personal experiences with high-level expertise creates new foundations of understanding for the acceptance of individuals while empowering individuals to give them tools and strategies for how they can be a part of the solution through allyship and unity. In 2019, Dr Makokis competed alongside his husband Anthony Johnson as "Team Ahkameyimok" on the Amazing Race Canada and won, becoming the first two-spirit, Indigenous, married couple in the world to do so.