Guidance

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 - Counsellors, Appointments, Transcripts

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

Current and former USS students can obtain a transcript request form by using the link below.

Transcript Request Form

Courses & Programs - Course Selection, Course Catalogue, myBlueprint, Specialty 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 
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:
  • 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. 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.

 Summer School
Summer school registration can be completed in myBlueprint.  Registration instructions can be found using the attached document.
 
 

Transitions - New Students & Registrations, Grade 8 Info, Grade 9 Info, Graduation Info, Post-Secondary Planning

 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 2024 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”

Grade 9's
 Graduation
Grade 12's .... Join the USS Grade 12's Google Classroom for up-to-date notifications of events, dates, deadlines, etc. Contact Mrs. Ridgway for the link code!
The link above contains important information about:
  • Guidance Appointments

  • Post-Secondary, Graduation

  • myBlueprint Course Selection for 2024/25 (OR what to do if you're not returning)

  • OSAP, and

  • other Post-Secondary Funding

 
 
Post Secondary Planning 

Post Secondary Planning Information 
Post Secondary Information Night Presentation - September 26th, 2024

 

Help & Support - Mental Wellness, Tutoring, Community Service, Volunteer Hours, Job Opportunities

 
 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.

 

 Tutoring
 
NEED A TUTOR?
Here is a list of community/student tutors working for a fee: USS Community Tutors
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.

 

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.
 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:

  • Community involvement during school time, for example, walking a younger child to and from school or helping younger siblings with school work

  • 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:

  • 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

 Make a Difference Depot Helpers

The Depot is located at the back of Village Union Public School, Oshawa.

We have an exciting opportunity for student volunteers to gain their volunteer hours here at the Depot.

Tasks can include sorting clothing and organizing food donations. 

There are 6 different dates available.

All shifts are from 10:00am - 3:00pm and a pizza lunch will be provided. 

Saturday,  November 16th, 2024 

Saturday,  December 7th, 2024 

Saturday,  February 1st, 2025 

Saturday,  March 22nd, 2025 

Saturday,  April 5th, 2025 

Saturday,  May 3rd, 2025

If you're interested, please fill out the following Google Form:

Leaf Raking/Fall Clean Up Help
A senior lady is looking for help with the raking of leaves and some other light fall clean up around her property.
If you are interested, please contact Yvonne James at 905-862-3906.
I'm sure she'd even take a pair of students, if you want to work with a friend! 
"Brook Never Sleeps" Workshop - PA Day Opportunity
Friday, November 15th - 9am to 3pm
They're looking for volunteers to help run this workshop for youth, teaching about the Uxbridge Brook and other local ecology. 
Uxbridge Santa Clause Parade
Saturday, November 16th - 10am to 2pm
Volunteers are needed to help with the marshalling effort at the start of the parade between 9:30 and 11:00am or at the end of the parade between 11:00am and 1:30.
We also require people to wear mascot costumes or walk with those in the mascot costumes to assist. We would require those volunteers between 10am and 2pm.
Contact events@uxbridge.ca for more information/to help out!
The Rotary Club of Uxbridge and Little Forests Durham 

Planting of 600 native trees and shrubs to create the Uxbridge mini-forest. 

Saturday, Nov 2, 2024 @ 9am-12pm at the Fields of Uxbridge.

Any students/staff who might be interested in helping out and learning more, please click HERE

Uxbridge Skating Club

We are currently seeking enthusiastic high school students to join our CanSkate Program/learn to skate program as Program Assistants.

This role offers students the chance to earn community hours, gain valuable experience, and contribute positively to our community. Specifically, we are looking for individuals who are comfortable on skates and are interested in helping our young skaters develop their skills.

Details of the Program Assistant Opportunity:

  • Training Day: September 29th, Classroom: 9-10 AM | On-Ice: 10-11 AM
  • Availability Needed: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6-7 PM | Sundays, 9-11 AM
  • Requirements: Comfortable on skates and enthusiastic to contribute.
  • Season Starts October 6th and ends in May.

Contact info@uxbridgeskatingclub.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

Butternut Manor Volunteer InfoDurham Youth Health Volunteer

Reading Buddies NeededTAB Volunteer Hours