Counsellors' News

All students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 are required to carry a course load of 4 courses each semester. Even in Grade 12, only students who have already earned 24 credits may take a spare. All are required to carry a minimum of 3 courses each semester.

The completion of forty (40) hours of community involvement is required as a key component of the diploma requirements. The community involvement hours are to be completed and submitted to Student Services.

Holy Cross is pleased to provide an education planning resource and a career research tool available at school or from home. My BluePrint Education Planner provides students the opportunity to engage in an interactive education plan. Students can build customized high school course plans, instantly identify the postsecondary options that are available to them and explore valuable information about apprenticeships, college programs, university programs and workplace opportunities across Canada. With direct access from home, parents can also be more informed and involved, and log in and learn about courses, graduation requirements and the post-secondary options that are available. The “My Profile” feature allows students to set goals, save plans, short-list programs and occupations of interest, and record extra-curricular activities. To access the site visit www.myBlueprint.ca and input the Activation Key: hckingston

Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com) is another educational planner that is available to our students. It allows students the opportunity to research and explore their career choices. It provides interest inventories, occupation profiles and post-secondary education information. The username for this tool is Algonquin, and the password is 1170.

There are over 150 skilled trades in Ontario, and forecasts indicate there are extreme shortages of workers in many of these areas. The province expects to register 24,000 new apprentices this year; however, there are indications that this number will not keep up with the on-going demand for skilled trade workers. To assist in this regard, OYAP helps young people to “jump start” their careers while still enrolled in high school. Full-time senior students who are at least 16 years of age and have an interest in a skilled trade/ occupation are eligible to apply. Information about OYAP may be obtained from the guidance department or cooperative education teacher in any of the Board’s high schools. Additional support or information is available from Jim Johnston or Paul Denison, OYAP Coordinators with the Board. Jim may be reached at (613) 532-3985; Paul may be reached at (613) 849–8550.