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Contact Us - Counsellors, Appointments, Transcripts
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Please contact our Guidance Secretary, Mrs. Vallier, with general inquiries: laura.vallier@ddsb.ca , (905)852-3391 x261020
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Who is my Guidance Counsellor?
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Where to book a Guidance Appointment?
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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.
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| Transcript Request Form |
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Current and former USS students can obtain a transcript request form by using the link below.
Transcript Request Form
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Courses & Programs - Course Selection, Course Catalogue, myBlueprint, Specialty Programs
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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 |
| Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Information |
| 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:
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complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's selected field
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earn valuable industry certifications including first aid and CPR qualifications
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gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements.
At USS, we have four SHSMs to choose from. Ask in person in guidance for more information about these amazing opportunities. You will be automatically enrolled in the SHSM once you take the respective Grade 11 course.
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| Summer School |
| Summer school registration can be completed in myBlueprint. Registration instructions can be found using the attached document. |
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Transitions - New Students & Registrations, Grade 8 Info, Grade 9 Info, Graduation Info, Post-Secondary Planning
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| New Students/Registration |
| Registration information |
| Grade 8's |
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Grade 8 Transitions Timeline 2025-26 (USS Class of 2030!)
December 2025 - Grade 8's from our 'Family of Schools' visit Uxbridge SS
February , 2026 (6-7:30pm) - Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Information Night (Course Selection), USS Cafeteria/LLC
Click here to view the presentation from February 6th, 2025.
February 2026 - Course Selection in MyBlueprint - OPENS early February and DUE end of February (OR earlier, if your Gr. 8 teacher has given you a deadline that differs from ours!)
May 2026 - Grade 8 Spirit Day (at USS) - for all students REGISTERED to attend USS in September 2026
September 2026 - Grade 9 Day (First Day of School!)
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| Grade 9's |
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| Graduation |
Grade 12's .... Join the USS Grade 12's Google Classroom for up-to-date notifications of events, dates, deadlines, etc. Contact Mrs. White for the link code!
The link above contains important information about:
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Guidance Appointments
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Post-Secondary, Graduation
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myBlueprint Course Selection for 2026/27 (OR what to do if you're not returning)
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OSAP, and
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other Post-Secondary Funding
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| Post Secondary Planning |
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Post Secondary Planning Information
Post Secondary Information Night Presentation - September 26th, 2024
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Help & Support - Mental Wellness, Tutoring, Community Service, Volunteer Hours, Job Opportunities
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| 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.
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| Tutoring |
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*Note - It is the responsibility of the student/family to assess the suitability of all tutors posted on this site.*
NEED A TUTOR?
Student tutors working for community service hours are also available. Speak to Guidance for more information.
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.
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.
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| 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.
Community Involvement Graduation Requirement
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:
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Community involvement during school time, for example, walking a younger child to and from school or helping younger siblings with school work
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Duties normally performed at home, for example, helping an elderly relative with errands or providing after school care for a sibling
These hours spent in the community are meant to encourage students to:
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Develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility
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Understand the role they play and contributions they can make to support and strengthen the community
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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:
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Be completed outside scheduled class time
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Not be a part of a credit course
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Be unpaid
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Total a minimum of 40 hours
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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.
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| Volunteer Opportunities |
*Note - It is the responsibility of the student/family to assess the suitability of all opportunities posted on this site.*
The Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee’s (ESAC) Brook Never Sleeps workshop
Looking for volunteers who can help with general organizing the participants (ages 9-13), helping with lunch, clean up etc. The event is the PD November 14 from 9:00-3:00. It was fun last year and should be this year too. We hope to do a hike (pulling invasive species out around the brook) water sample collection and live reptiles at the end of the day. Many of the activities will be outside so dress appropriately. There is pizza available for the volunteers. Use this link to sign up to Volunteer at the Brooks Never sleeps opportunity with Uxbridge Township.
Uxbridge Library - Reading Buddies
Looking for reading buddies for Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for the months of April and May (see poster below for more details). Contact andrea.stewart@uxlib.com if you're interested!
Uxbridge & District Curling Club
The Uxbridge Curling Club is hoping to compile a list of students who need volunteer hours and would like to help out in the kitchen for future bonspiels.
If you'd like to be on their contact list, please email the club at info@uxbridgecurlingclub.com
Uxbridge Hospital Auxiliary has been affording students the opportunity to complete their required volunteer hours for several years. Greet. direct and answer patient and visitor enquiries at the main entrance to the hospital. Training will be provided.
3 pm 6 pm Monday to Thursday.
Contact Bev Latva, Director of Volunteers at uchauxiliary@oakvalleyhealth.ca or (905)852-9777 ext 5237
*See Brochure below for additional volunteer opportunities, including helping out at "Chances Are" in the evenings, or on Saturdays!
ReachView Village
ReachView Village is looking for volunteers to help with their senior residents. Scheduling is ongoing but volunteers will need to have a police check completed. Contact Carlisle Britton at carlisle.britton@reveraliving.com (905) 852-9747.
Butternut Manor Volunteer Opportunity
| Volunteer Opportunities |
*Note - It is the responsibility of the student/family to assess the suitability of all opportunities posted on this site.*
The Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee’s (ESAC) Brook Never Sleeps workshop
Looking for volunteers who can help with general organizing the participants (ages 9-13), helping with lunch, clean up etc. The event is the PD November 14 from 9:00-3:00. It was fun last year and should be this year too. We hope to do a hike (pulling invasive species out around the brook) water sample collection and live reptiles at the end of the day. Many of the activities will be outside so dress appropriately. There is pizza available for the volunteers. Use this link to sign up to Volunteer at the Brooks Never sleeps opportunity with Uxbridge Township.
Uxbridge Library - Reading Buddies
Looking for reading buddies for Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for the months of April and May (see poster below for more details). Contact andrea.stewart@uxlib.com if you're interested!
Uxbridge & District Curling Club
The Uxbridge Curling Club is hoping to compile a list of students who need volunteer hours and would like to help out in the kitchen for future bonspiels.
If you'd like to be on their contact list, please email the club at info@uxbridgecurlingclub.com
Uxbridge Hospital Auxiliary has been affording students the opportunity to complete their required volunteer hours for several years. Greet. direct and answer patient and visitor enquiries at the main entrance to the hospital. Training will be provided.
3 pm 6 pm Monday to Thursday.
Contact Bev Latva, Director of Volunteers at uchauxiliary@oakvalleyhealth.ca or (905)852-9777 ext 5237
*See Brochure below for additional volunteer opportunities, including helping out at "Chances Are" in the evenings, or on Saturdays!
ReachView Village
ReachView Village is looking for volunteers to help with their senior residents. Scheduling is ongoing but volunteers will need to have a police check completed. Contact Carlisle Britton at carlisle.britton@reveraliving.com (905) 852-9747.
Butternut Manor Volunteer Opportunity
 
 
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| 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 email Julia Ridgway (Guidance) at julia.ridgway@ddsb.ca .
Be sure to include your email address, phone number and CLEARLY state the details about your opportunity (including times, dates and locations).
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