Counsellors' News
Semester 2 Timetables
Students are able to access their timetable on the Parent-Student Maplewood Access link on HCToday. This link is under the “Academic” section on the Quick Links on the Home Page. Students should also verify demographic information here and notify Student Services of any changes. If you have misplaced your username and password, contact Student Services.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course/Test
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) has been scheduled for Thursday, March 29th , 2012. All Grade 10 students who are working towards an OSSD will write the test. Senior students new to the province, or who were unsuccessful on the test/absent the year before will also write the test. Students who have been eligible to write the OSSLT and have been unsuccessful at least once, are eligible to fulfill the requirement through the Ontario School Literacy course (OSSLC) which is being offered in Semester 2. Please see your Guidance Counsellor if you qualify to take this.
Looking for a Job OR Volunteer Hours?
Students are reminded to regularly listen to announcements
and check the postings on the Job & Volunteer Board located outside Student Services.
Before and After-School Homework Help
The Library will be open on a regular basis between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., staffed by Educational Assistants, who are available to help students.
Course Load
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.
Parent-Student Maplewood Portal Access
All students have access to their credit history through the parent-student Maplewood portal on the Holy Cross website. Passwords and usernames are available from Student Services. Grade 12 students are encouraged to check their credit histories to ensure all requirements are fulfilled for graduation and post secondary applications. The timeline for next year’s timetable distribution is the last week in May.
Volunteer Opportunities/Part-time Jobs
Students should check the bulletin board located outside Student Services for summer job postings and volunteer opportunities. Summer job information from Employment Ontario can be found at ontario.ca/summerjobs.Katimavik
Graduating students not ready for college or university, who are adventurous and ready to live in different areas of Canada, and who are interested in volunteering in community development initiatives may be interested in what Katimavick has to offer. Katimavik provides participants with a structured learning program that focuses on civic engagement, leadership, healthy lifestyle, cultural discovery, and environmental stewardship. Go to katimavik.org/gap to learn more about their programs.
Dual Credits
St. Lawrence College provides an opportunity for Grade 12 students to attend a St. Lawrence College course and receive credit towards their Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma. See your Counsellor for more details.
Volunteer Hours
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.
myBlueprint.ca
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
Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com) is an 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.
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
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| Holy Cross student Miranda at her Coop placement “The Main Obsession” hair salon. |
Apprenticeship is a training program of choice for more than 35,000 employers, 120,000 apprentices, and 300,000 active journeypersons in Ontario. (Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors. June 2010)
An apprenticeship is a hands-on training program for people who want to work in skilled trades or occupations. About 90% of an apprenticeship involves on-the-job training by employers; the remaining 10% involves theoretical training at a college or with a training provider. In Ontario, there are more than 150 trades in which a person may register as an apprentice. Exciting apprenticeship opportunities are available in a broad range of careers; from a hairstylist, to a baker, to a carpenter.
One popular route to an apprenticeship is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Senior students with the help of their OYAP coordinator, register as apprentices while still in secondary school. These students complete a cooperative education placement in a skilled trade. They receive credit for the skills they develop and demonstrate to their employer during the apprenticeship. A successful OYAP placement can lead to paid employment and continuation of an apprenticeship after graduation.
Interested students should speak with their Holy Cross guidance counsellor, Holy Cross cooperative education teacher Mr. Mark Kallevig, ALCDSB OYAP Coordinator Mr. Jim Johnston at (613) 532-3985, or visit the OYAP website at: www.oyap.com
Rotary Youth Exchange
Students ages 15 and older have the opportunity to experience a foreign country, learn a new language and culture by participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange. Opportunities for long-term and short-term exchanges are available. Students must be of good character, possess a desire to broaden their horizons, and be adaptable to new environments. For more information contact sharon7040yex@hotmail.com or sherri@agnewfoods.com