Delegate Registration NOW OPEN!
$299 FOR RENEWED SUBSCRIBERS EXTENDED to SEPT. 22! 

Visit our website to register without delay!

2023 OSCA Fall Conference - OSCA - Ontario School Counsellors Association

We have limited rooms blocked at the conference rate - BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM BY SEPT 22 to receive the conference rate. Bookings after this date will be at the regular hotel rate.   

Venue: Hilton – Mississauga Meadowvale

6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 2L3 (905) 821-1981

The hotel booking link for the group is https://book.passkey.com/go/ OSCAOct2023

Parking is complimentary for conference attendees.

Check out our AMAZING Workshops! 

Register for these asap in SCHED to guarantee your spot.

Session A

A-1 Supporting Emotion Regulation with Mindfulness in the Guidance Office

A-2 Manufacturing: Careers with Potential

A-3 Building a Toolkit to Help Your Students Develop Financial Capability

A-4 How to Handle our Hardest Students

A-5 Métis Nation of Ontario Educational Supports and Programs

A-6 Engaging and Supporting Underrepresented Students in the Scholarship Process

A-7 Dual Credits: An Effective Transition Strategy

A-8 Preparer les eleves aux carrieres de demain

A-9 Sponsor/Exhibitor Showcase

Session B

B-1 Découvrir la réalité virtuelle en salle de classe

B-2 Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

B-3 What’s New from OCAS

B-4 Preparing Students for the Careers of Tomorrow

B-5 Be the Hero of Your Story

B-6 Humour, Resilience & Change

B-7 An Indigenous Lens on Guidance Education

B-8 A "Resourceful" Approach to Promoting Apprenticeships

B-9 Sponsor/Exhibitor Showcase

Session C

C-1 Levelling up with Ontario Colleges

C-2 Supporting Students with Informed Pathway Planning

C-3 This is the Job - a DE&I Youth Initiative

C-4 Preparing for Postsecondary: Funding Opportunities for the Next Chapter

C-5 Fostering Student Mental Health and Engagement

C-6 Making the Invisible Visible: Supporting Students with Invisible Disabilities

C-7 Prolonged Exploration: The Benefits of Delayed Career Specialization

C-8 Le CAVFLO en 2023-2024

C-9 Sponsor/Exhibitor Showcase

SAVE THE DATE - NEW OSCA WEBINAR!

The Legalities of Professional Notetaking 
Tuesday, September 26 - 10:00 AM

OSCA is back to provide you with a dynamic series of informative and relevant monthly webinars, free for our subscribers! Kick off the school year by joining OSCA and Renata Antoniuk from the Ontario School Board Insurance Exchange on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, for a webinar on the legalities of professional note-taking, tailored to guidance teacher-counsellors in school settings. This session will be especially important for those who are new to the role of school counselling, and a vital refresher for those who already have some experience in the role.

We will be discussing issues surrounding the basics of notetaking, information to avoid including in counsellor notes, who may have access to the records, who they belong to, as well as when and for what purposes they can be used. The webinar will also cover recent cases applicable to the disclosure and use of counsellor notes. Register Here!

Construction Training and Apprenticeship Ontario is a project, funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) Skills Development Fund, dedicated to supporting individuals who want to pursue apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario's unionized construction skilled trades. CTAO aims to bridge the gap between aspiring tradespeople and their goals by providing comprehensive resources.

CTAO offers a wide range of information for over 30 distinct construction skilled trades, ensuring that the career explorer has access to relevant and accurate information.

In collaboration with SkillPlan, CTAO provides access to a self-guided learning platform called "Build Your Skills." Individuals can build on existing skills and knowledge in preparation for their apprenticeship journey. By offering these resources, CTAO assists in building apprentice success with trade-contextualized math and science that supports learning done on the job and in the classroom.

In February 2023, CTAO launched the "Apprenticeship Navigator." This tool streamlines the process of applying to trade unions, simplifying what can often be a complex and daunting procedure. By hosting the application process, CTAO provides apprenticeship seekers with direct access to trade unions in one place.

CTAO serves as a holistic and convenient resource hub, embodying its goal of being a one-stop shop for all things related to the skilled trades. It empowers individuals to explore their interests, acquire necessary skills, and successfully navigate the journey toward joining trade unions in Ontario. Through its dedication and commitment, CTAO plays a vital role in sustaining and advancing the construction industry's workforce in the province.

Friday, October 6, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Join us for a day of in-person professional development and networking. Hear from our Registrar, and TMU Deans from each of our six undergraduate faculties. Connect with Student Recruitment and the TMU community to learn about what's new at our university. Breakfast and lunch will be included in this event.

Agenda
9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Registration and Networking Breakfast
10:20 - 10:50 a.m. Keynote Presentation: Robyn Parr, University Registrar
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Dean Discussion
12 - 12:15 p.m. Faculty of Arts Feature: Geographic Analysis
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Networking Lunch
1:30 - 3 p.m. Experiential Activity: Engineering

Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF)
The OUF is coming up. Make sure your students attend!

The OUF gathers Ontario’s universities in one place. It's a once-a-year, free event, where attendees can talk directly with university representatives.

The OUF takes place October 21-22, 2023, from 10 am to 5 pm, daily, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the South Building. Admission is free.
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Foire des universités de l’Ontario (FUO)
La Foire des universités de l’Ontario (FUO) arrive à grands pas. Assurez-vous que vos élèves y seront!

La FUO réunit les universités de l’Ontario en 1 seul endroit. Il s’agit d’un événement annuel gratuit qui permet aux participantes et participants de s’entretenir directement avec des représentantes et représentants des universités.

La FUO aura lieu les 21 et 22 octobre 2023, à l’Édifice Sud du Palais des congrès du Toronto métropolitain, de 10 h à 17 h. L’entrée est libre.

We are offering 36 Loran Awards to graduating high school students entering university next fall who demonstrate strength of character, a commitment to service, and leadership potential. Last year, nine Ontario students were named 2023 Loran Scholars. 

The only award of its kind in Canada, the Loran Award (www.loranscholar.ca) is valued at more than $100,000 over four years of university undergraduate studies, including:

• an annual stipend;
• matching tuition waiver;
• mentorship;
• funding for summer work experiences;
• participation in an extensive network of past and present Loran Scholars.

There are many opportunities for young people to succeed in our selection process, including the granting of up to $400,000 in additional awards to 124 candidates. 

The students this program seeks may not see anything special about what they are doing, they just do what needs to be done. You play a critical role by encouraging them to apply and connecting these students with a community that will continue to encourage them to realize their full potential, for their benefit and the benefit of our collective future. A vote of confidence from a school counsellor can propel a student to do great things. 

Applications open after Labour Day and are due October 11, 2023, before 8pm ET. For the most up to date information and how to apply, visit www.loranscholar.ca.

Registration for Cannexus24 recently opened (launch announcement)! The conference, Jan. 29-31, 2024, will be a hybrid with both an in-person version in Ottawa, Canada and a virtual portion (cannexus.ceric.ca). 

This year we are offering a Super Saver rate to make Cannexus as inclusive and accessible as possible. Members of supporting organizations receive an additional 25% off.  Your members only pay $221 for the virtual conference or $393 for the in-person if they register by September 8. Both in-person and virtual attendees get access to all recordings in the virtual platform for three months after the conference ends.  
To support your communications, we encourage you to share this messaging with your members via newsletters, eblasts, websites and social media:

Enjoy Super Saver rates for Cannexus24: Empowering change, Building our future
#Cannexus — to be held as a hybrid conference this year — is now open for registration! We are proud to be a supporting organization for Canada's largest bilingual Career Development Conference and encourage you to take advantage of the Super Saver rate by September 8, 2023. Members of supporting organizations receive an additional 25% off and pay only $221 for the virtual conference or $393 for the in-person during the Super Saver period.

What to expect at hybrid Cannexus24
This year, Cannexus24 takes place from January 29-31, 2024, both virtually and in Ottawa, Canada. The virtual and in-person portions are essentially separate programs with shared keynotes & various touchpoints throughout the conference for virtual and in-person delegates to interact. Whether you are part of the in-person or virtual conference, you will:

• Gain knowledge from 100 live and on-demand sessions in both English and French;
• Meet like-minded delegates and build connections through networking activities;
• Be informed and inspired by diverse, world-class keynotes and presenters;
• Engage with organizations that offer programs, products and services to help your work;
• Have access to session recordings for three months to keep learning.

Regardless of which format you choose, Cannexus24 will leave you feeling empowered to enact change and to build our future together through career development.

Lazy Tommy Pumpkinhead was one of my favourite books as a kid. The story outlined how lazy Tommy had, quite brilliantly, devised an automatic system in his home to get him out of bed and ready for the day...all without him having to move much at all! I was fascinated with the process and the amazing equipment he had in his home to facilitate his morning routine. Of course, the moral of the story is to not be like Lazy Tommy. After an electrical storm, poor Tommy’s equipment failed to function properly and he ended up moving upside down and backwards through his usual morning routine with disastrous results.

With the often hectic and frantic pace of our lives, I continue to be amazed at the inventive strategies people use to save time and money – easing the stresses of their daily lives and becoming more efficient in the process.

Partnered with leading associations, CERIC is committed to offering enriching series covering pertinent subjects. Explore our expanding selection and elevate your professional journey with the latest insights!

OSCA subscriptions will expire on Sept 30. Please take the time to renew now. As a reminder, subscriptions need to be renewed in order to take advantage of the member rate for the conference. Renewals need to be completed before registering for the conference.

Please login to your OSCA account to renew. Encourage your new colleagues to start a subscription. Simply go to www.osca.ca to login and renew.

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.

Susi Dupuis - President

Welcome back to a fresh start and a new school year! With summer holidays coming to an end, setting up for routines is top priority. Time to encourage and inspire; provide new and bright beginnings to school life; and motivate students to stay in tune for and excited about unforgettable moments throughout the year.  

As a new school year begins, there can be a mix of emotions for all. From excitement to nervousness, we as counsellors can understand the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for both staff and students. Dedication and hard work is both admired and recognized in educating and guiding students who come before you each and every day. Your OSCA/ACOSO colleagues are readily available to share experiences, strategies and success stories to help build collaboration with staff within your schools.

Renewing your OSCA subscription will continue to provide access to weekly "OSCA News” briefs and seasonal "OSCA Today” magazines filled with opportunities, supports and events; will enable access to the Members’ Lounge for additional and useful resources for yourself and those you work with; will invite your participation in regular virtual webinars that have become extremely popular over the past couple of years; and will provide you with a direct link for registering for this year’s in-person conference! Encourage newcomers to the guidance world to become members, so they can take advantage of all that the Ontario School Counsellors’ Association offers.

Your OSCA Board of Directors is looking forward to an exciting Conference, "Come Back to Get Ahead," happening in just over a month! Preparations are being finalized for October 16. Continue to watch for publications and news on a regular basis and be sure to consider your colleagues in nominating those for recognition who are passionate and contribute that extra degree to the world of guidance and careers education! 

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Bonne rentrée scolaire, l’occasion de prendre un nouveau départ! Alors que les vacances d’été touchent à leur fin, l’élaboration de routines est une priorité absolue. Il est temps d’encourager et d’inspirer; d’offrir un nouveau début radieux à la vie scolaire; et de motiver les élèves de rester à l’écoute et d’avoir hâte aux moments inoubliables qui auront lieu tout au long de l’année.

Le début d’une nouvelle année scolaire peut susciter une gamme d’émotions pour tous. De l’enthousiasme à la nervosité, nous, en tant que conseillers, comprenons l’importance de créer un environnement positif et favorable pour le personnel et les élèves. En ce qui concerne l’éducation et l’encadrement des élèves qui se présentent devant vous à tous les jours, le dévouement et le travail acharné sont à la fois admirés et reconnus. Vos collègues de l’OSCA/ACOSO sont facilement accessibles pour partager leurs expériences, leurs stratégies et leurs réussites afin d’aider à établir une collaboration avec le personnel au sein de vos écoles.

Le renouvellement de votre abonnement à l’OSCA/ACOSO continuera de vous donner accès aux bulletins d’informations hebdomadaires OSCA News et aux magazines saisonniers OSCA Today qui sont tous les deux remplis d’opportunités, de soutiens et d’événements. L’abonnement vous permettra aussi d’accéder au salon des membres pour des ressources supplémentaires utiles pour vous et vos collègues; vous invitera à participer à des webinaires virtuels réguliers qui sont devenus extrêmement populaires au cours des dernières années; et vous fournira un lien direct pour vous inscrire à la conférence de cette année qui aura lieu en présentiel! Encouragez les débutants dans le domaine de l’orientation à devenir membres afin qu’ils puissent profiter de tout ce que l’Association des conseillers scolaires de l’Ontario puisse offrir.

Votre conseil d’administration de l’OSCA/ACOSO a hâte de vous présenter une conférence prometteuse – Revenir pour avancer – qui aura lieu dans un peu plus d’un mois! Nous finalisons les préparatifs pour le 16 octobre. Restez attentifs aux publications et aux actualités de façon régulière et assurez-vous de considérer vos collègues lors de la nomination de personnes passionnées qui apportent une touche spéciale au monde de l’orientation et de la formation au cheminement de carrière.