Guidance

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Guidance is an area where students can receive assistance with educational planning, career goals, personal counselling, or referrals to outside agencies.  Guidance counsellors are teachers with additional expertise in the area of Guidance and Career Education and are trained to help students make informed decisions about their future.

Follow us on Facebook (USSGuidance) and Instagram (ussguidance)!

Contact Us 
Please contact our Guidance Secretary, Mrs. Vallier, with general inquiries: laura.vallier@ddsb.ca , (905)852-3391 x261020
Who is my Guidance Counsellor?
Where to book a Guidance Appointment?
Click the following link for instructions: How to book a Guidance Appointment
Student are also welcome to email their guidance counsellor or message them in their Google Classroom with questions they may have about timetables, volunteer hours, resources....
Any student who is in crisis is welcomed in the Guidance office. Just ask your teacher to let us know that you are on your way!
Parents who wish to schedule an appointment can do so with their child or by calling Mrs. Vallier.
 
 Transcript Request Form

 Former students of Uxbridge Secondary School can use the attched form to request an official transcript.  Current USS students should speak with their guidance counsellor about academic records.

 

Transcript Request Form
Courses & Programs 
It's an exciting part of every school year to select which courses you'd like to take for the following year. Here is lots of information to help you along with this process. At any point in the process, students can book themselves an appointment to speak with their counsellor about their plans.
General Information 
Course Selection Presentation
Course Catalogue 
Course Catalogue 
myBlueprint 
myBlueprint website 
Specialty Programs 
Academy for student athlete development 
Designed to support high school aged student athletes as they strive for success at regional, provincial, national & international levels of competition, the Academy for Student Athlete Development (ASAD) provides one of the most unique and inclusive models to support student athletes on able-bodied, parasport, and Special Olympic performance pathways. For more information, check out the Durham District School Board's page on ASAD. 
Co-operative Education 
A Co-operative Education program allows students to gain secondary school credits while completing a work placement in the community. This program helps students prepare for apprenticeships, college, university or the workplace. For more information, check out USS's Co-operative Education page. 
 Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)
 Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs) let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while still meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:

  • complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's selected field

  • earn valuable industry certifications including first aid and CPR qualifications

  • gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements.

At USS, we have four SHSMs to choose from. Click below for more information about of these amazing opportunities and/or speak with the lead teacher for the program(s) of interest to you. You will be automatically enrolled in the SHSM once you take the respective Grade 11 course.
 Summer School
 Summer school registration can be completed in myBlueprint.  Registration instructions can be found using the attached document.
 
 
Transitions 
 New Students/Registration
 Registration information
 Grade 8's
 Grade 8s currently at USS Feeder Schools:

The USS Guidance Team will be visiting schools and doing info presentations in February 2022 for all of our Feeder schools. Click here to view the presentation given by Guidance at our Feeders schools this past February about course selection and becoming a USS tiger.

 

Click the titles below to access the 2 documents created by the DDSB to support Grade 8 students and their families with their transition to high school:

“Choosing my Success Transition Guide” and “Choosing my Success - for Grade 8 students and their families”
 Graduation
 Grade 12's .... Join the USS Grade 12's Google Classroom for up-to-date notifications of events, dates, deadlines, etc. Contact Mrs. O'Keefe for the link code!
THE USS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The link above contains important information about:

  • Guidance Appointments

  • Post-Secondary, Graduation

  • myBlueprint Course Selection for 2023-24 (OR what to do if you're not returning)

  • OSAP, and

  • other Post-Secondary Funding
Post Secondary Planning 
Post Secondary Planning Information 
 
Help & Support 
 
 Mental Wellness
Welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
When it comes to Mental Health and Well-Being, start with the basics .... diet, exercise, sleep, communication, involvement, asking for help, and time for yourself are all important for your mental health. If you are struggling with these basics or you feel that it's not enough and you need more support please check out the interactive board below, the list of links, and of course please reach out to a member of our Guidance Staff to explore resources and counselling options.
Here is a list of fabulous resources that are all direct links:
Durham Region Mental Health Resources
Cam's Kids
mindyourmind - exists in the space where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
kidshelphone.ca, 1-800-668-6868
Durham 24/7 Distress Helpline 1-800-452-0688

https://www.ourvoicematters.net/

 

https://jack.org/Home

 

https://www.headspace.com/

 
 Tutoring
 
NEED A TUTOR?
Here is a list of community/student tutors working for a fee: USS Community Tutors
Here is a list of student tutors working for community service hours : USS Student Tutors
Interested in being a community tutor? Complete this Google Form.
Interested in being a student tutor? Complete this application form, get it signed by a parent/guardian, and submit it to Guidance.

The USS Science Department is now hosting an extra help session/room once a week on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Click HERE to access the Science Google Site to learn more.

Online support for Math and Science:
www.khanacademy.org - This is a fantastic site with many, many videos explaining specific math/science concepts. It's free, but you are invited to make a donation.
Mathify... homework help for grades 7-10 math.

 

DURHAM BLACK EDUCATORS’ NETWORK

ELEVATE AND EXPAND: COACHING FOR EXCELLENCE

With our continuous focus on optimizing educational experiences and strengthening our commitment to enhancing academic equitable outcomes, in partnership with DDSB’s Student Achievement and Curriculum Department and Minds-On, Durham Black Educators’ Network (DBEN) has created Elevate and Expand: Coaching for Excellence. In it’s 3rd year, this virtual tutoring support program is for Durham District School Board students in Grades 6 – 12who identify as a part of Durham’s Black diaspora.

 

Virtual 1:1 support will be offered through Google Meet. Students will be matched with tutors based on academic strengths and needs, and our tutors’ teaching qualifications. Students will be provided 1 hour of complimentary tutoring per week.

 

Elementary students’ sessions will run throughout each term and Secondary students’ sessions will be based on semesters.

 

Families are kindly asked to complete the Elevate & Expand: Coaching for Excellence Registration Form below, including the media release by 4pm on November 16th .

 

2022-2023 Elevate & Expand: Coaching for Excellence Registration Form

 

Sessions will begin during the week of November 28th 2022

For more information, please send your inquiries to our Program Coordinator at elevate@minds-on.com.

STRESSED FOR THE TEST?
Tests and Exams can be stressful! We have created a presentation that outlines some of the fears that come with tests/exams and how to deal with them by preparing and implementing some useful strategies.
Exams Can Be Stressful: How to Deal with It!
 Community Service Hours and Information
Please see below for all of the details and links you need for your Community Service Hours Graduation Requirement
*Once you have complete your hours, please bring your printed form(s) to
Mrs. Vallier, our guidance secretary, so that they can be approved and inputted.
Revised Community Involvement Graduation Requirement

For students who are graduating in the 2021-2022 school year, the Ministry of Education reduced the graduation requirement to a minimum of 20 hours of community involvement activities. The community involvement graduation requirement of 40 hours will be restored in 2022-2023. Students working towards their OSSD should make sure they meet these graduation requirements in time for their graduating year.

Students can start accumulating their community involvement hours in the summer before entering Grade 9.

Students may wish to consider virtual volunteering, such as connecting with seniors, organizing virtual fundraising events and facilitating discussions with newcomer youth. Outdoor volunteer opportunities could include, for example, picking up litter. Volunteer opportunities, such as connecting young people to be technology mentors to seniors, can be found through agencies such as Spark Ontario.

In addition, the Ministry is providing increased flexibility in how all secondary students can earn hours. At the principal’s discretion, students may count the following towards their community involvement hours:

These hours spent in the community are meant to encourage students to:

  • Develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility

  • Understand the role they play and contributions they can make to support and strengthen the community

  • Learn more about themselves and possible career opportunities

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITY RECORD

Make sure you keep your Community Involvement Activity Record forms up-to-date with the proper information and signatures. You must submit your completed records to your school for data entry.

REQUIREMENTS

These community activities must:

  • Be completed outside scheduled class time

  • Not be a part of a credit course

  • Be unpaid

  • Total a minimum of 40 hours

  • Be complete by the end of grade 12

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

The Ministry and DDSB have developed a list of activities students may (eligible) or may not (ineligible) choose. Click here for a comprehensive list of eligible activities and suggestions

OPPORTUNITIES

If you're unsure what you want to do for your community hours, check out Volunteer Durham and Youth Opportunities Ontario.
 Volunteer and Job Opportunities
 
 Volunteer Opportunities
Uxbridge Public Library Reading Buddies

High School aged volunteers are needed to be Big Buddies for our Reading Buddies program!

Jan 17/23 to Mar 9/23

Receive 1.5 hours of volunteer time per week for a total of 13 towards high school requirements.

Required to arrive by 3:45 pm

To become a Big Buddy volunteer, please email andrea.stewart@uxlib.com indicating your

preference of Tuesday or Thursday sessions.

 

Cam's Cup Pond Hockey Tournament

happening on Saturday February 8th at Elgin Pond, Uxbridge! The event consists of 120 players and all proceeds benefit Cam's Kids Foundation, "Supporting Young People Struggling with Anxiety".For more information please visit www.camskids.com or email info@camskids.com

 

Looking for volunteers :Feb 8th - ice maintenance - shovelling and keeping the skating pads clear. Feb 9th - tear down of the boards and clean up after the event

Minimal experience - reliable and prepared to work in cold, outdoor conditions

Contact: vanessam@camskids.com if you are interested

 

Uxbridge Hospital Auxiliary has been affording students the opportunity to complete their required volunteer hours for several years. Our involvement with patients has changed since COVID, but there are still positions available such as Wayfinding (directing patients/visitors to the required location eg Emergency or Registration for appointments),

Times will vary depending on activity, shifts are 8am to 11:30am, 11:30 am to 3pm, 3pm to 6pm, 6pm to 7pm

 

Contact Bev Latva Director of Volunteers at Uxbridge Hospitaldovuchauxiliary@msh.on.ca or (905)852-9771 ext 5237

 

Got a passion for the environment? Looking to make a positive impact in your community? There could be a place for you on our Youth Council

Check out these links for opportunities to join the Youth Council or to just to do some volunteering. GTA locations include Claremont

 

https://trca.ca/conservation/watershed-management/regional-watershed-alliance/youth-council/

https://trca.ca/get-involved/volunteer/
 Job Postings

Swimming Instructor/Lifeguard

 

Marg's Swim School in Mount Albert is looking to hire a fun, energetic and highly motivated Advanced Swimming Instructor/Lifesaving Swimming Instructor/NL Lifeguard who is as passionate about working with kids/adults as we are! Contact us now to set up an interview!

 

July 3rd - August 25th, 2023

No weekends/No evenings!

 

Margsswimschool@gmail.com

www.mjfitness.ca

647-528-9732
Is your organization looking for volunteers?  Post your opportunity here ...
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS?

If you are part of a non-profit organization/individual and would like to post a community service / volunteer opportunity, please click the white rectangular button below and fill out the form provided. Be sure to include your email address / phone number so that we can contact you regarding your request.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Mrs. O'Keefe at kathleen.okeefefoster@ddsb.ca or 905-852-3391 x261021

Request for volunteer form