GUIDANCE UPDATES - December 20

APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY?   HOW TO APPLY  https://www.ouac.on.ca/planning/how-to-apply/    January 15, 2025 The deadline for Group A applicants to submit their completed applications to the OUAC. Note: The OUAC will continue to process applications received after this date and distribute them to the Ontario universities; however, specific university deadlines will apply.   May 29, 2025 The latest date all Group A applicants who submitted their application by the January application deadline can expect a response from an Ontario university. This includes an offer of admission, a refusal or a deferral, once additional information is received.   June 2, 2025 The earliest date a Group A applicant may be required to respond to an Ontario university offer of admission and give a financial commitment (e.g., registration deposit, residence deposit). All other admission-related elements, including scholarships, other forms of student assistance or financial incentives, and offers of residence, are considered part of the offer of admission. Therefore, a student may accept these other offers before June 2, 2025, but Ontario universities will not compel a student in any way to make a decision before this date.   The OUAC is officially closed for the holidays from December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025, inclusive. The OUAC website will remain available during this time. We will re-open on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. If you submit your payment or make changes to your application during these dates, you may not be able to access your online application until the office re-opens and we process these transactions. Due to high processing volumes, your payment may take longer to be processed. Note: Transcript request processing will be paused at the OUAC from December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025, inclusive. Regular processing will resume at the OUAC on January 2, 2025. Reminder: Ontario universities are also closed for the holidays, so you may not receive confirmation that they received your application until mid-January.

APPLYING TO COLLEGE?   You may create an account and begin your application. November 1, 2024: Earliest Offer Date This is the earliest date that colleges may begin to send offers of admission to programs for the upcoming academic year. Offers will continue to be issued until programs are filled or wait-lists are established. February 1, 2025: Equal Consideration Date Apply on or before this date in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs starting the following fall. After this date, colleges consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full. Note that applications to Highly Competitive Programs must be received by this date in order to be considered. Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications well before the Equal Consideration Date, as website volumes on the online application are at their highest at this time. Many programs continue to accept applicants after February 1. Use our Find a Program tool at any time to find programs that are still open.   May 1, 2025: Deadline to Confirm Offers of Admission Applicants must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission by this date. Log in to your ontariocolleges.ca account to confirm your offer. Colleges may extend offers of admission after this date. Each college will set the deadline to confirm offers made after May 1, and this deadline will be communicated to you with your offer.   June 2025: Tuition Deposit Due at the Colleges The colleges require payment of a tuition deposit in June to secure your spot in your program. Each college sets its own tuition deposit amount and payment deadline. This information will be communicated to you by the college. As the holiday season approaches, we’d like to share that OCAS, including our Contact Centre, will be closed between December 25, 2024, and January 1, 2025. We’ll re-open on Thursday, January 2, 2025

IT’S ALMOST TIME TO CHOOSE COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR (2025-2026)!!   COURSE SELECTION ASSEMBLY All students will attend a “Course Selection Assembly” in the cafeteria.  The assembly will cover all the information required to make educated decisions on course selection for the next year’s grade level.  The Assembly - Wednesday, January 8 - Cafeteria  Period 1 - Grade 11s and 12s Period 2 - Grade 9s and 10s Note:  If you have a spare during this period, please make arrangements to come to the caf during the appropriate time.   COURSE SELECTION WORKSHOPS If students would like some more in depth information about courses, please drop into one of these sessions. All workshops will take place in the library. JAN  13 - Period 3 JAN  16 - Period 4 JAN  20 - Period 2 FEB  13 - Period 1, 2  FEB  19 - Period 1, 2, 3 FEB  20 - Period 3, 4, 5 DEADLINES Course Selection Opens: Tuesday, February 13 (9:00am) Course Selection Deadline: Friday, February 21 (3:20pm)

Venture Week Press Release

The Entrepreneurship Program, now in its’ thirty fifth season, is the ultimate, Westmount Collegiate Institute eighteen-week job interview, where candidates compete, in teams, over the duration of the semester in a series of rigorous business tasks, that require the perfect balance between street smarts and book smarts to conquer, in order to show Mr. Coates, the boss, that they are the best candidate for his company, Coates Securities. In each task, the teams are sent to the boardroom, where Mr. Coates and his hired associates judge the job applicants on their performance in the task.

The current season include seven teams of four, challenged to combine both "Street Smarts" and "Book Smarts" as they go head-to-head to see which team is most innovative and enterprising. This season’s ventures include everything one might need this winter and beyond. As the tasks have become tougher, the judging has become harder, and the contestants have become fiercer.  All profits raised are combined with the profits raised through Bare Necessities and Marketing Event Week, to support the Canadian Cancer Society. Over the past thirty-four seasons, over $171,000 has been raised to support those in need.

In the end, the question will be answered in the showdown of the semester – The Final Challenge – Venture Week 35 (January 6^th to January 10^th, 2025 in the atrium during period 2). Who will take their well-earned place, this season, with Mr. Coates on the other side of the boardroom table? Who will succeed? Who will be ordering a taxi? And who will be hired?

 

YRDSB Mental Health Team Podcast

New Podcast Alert! Hear students from our Youth SPACE Advisory share about Social Media and teen mental health

TCC Heritage Month Video Essay Competition - 2025 Call for Entries!

o  The Tamil Community Centre’s Tamil Heritage Month Video & Essay Competition. Students from all schools are invited to participate in this exciting contest. Submissions are due by January 7, 2025. Please visit our flyer for more details.

Student Mental Health Strategy Implementation LAMPS: Learning About Mental Health Presentation Series (Update)

o    Parent Presentation: Social Media and Mental Health 

o    January 15th 6:00- 7:00 p.m.

o    Sign up here

Youth Speak

Speak Real for Youth Community Talk for parents, service providers, educators, and others who care about youth in our communities on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, 7-8:30 pm at Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford Street, Newmarket.  

o  This event includes a panel discussion that will bring valuable tips and tools on how to support youth by trained youth facilitators who will share from their lived experience and Dr. Wendy Manel, Clinical Psychologist CMHA who will bring a clinical lens. 

o  The panel will inform strength-based mental health promotion, stigma reduction, and key messages related to equity and inclusion. Following please join us for a networking reception, light refreshments, and free resource materials including our first-ever ParenteBook!

Vaping resources for parents

o    ////QuashApp.com/Conversations

o This toolkit, developed by public health experts from Ontario Public Health Units and the Lung Health Foundation, is suitable for educators, school staff, coaches, youth workers, and parents. It aims to curb the youth vaping epidemic by increasing knowledge and application of Brief Contact Interventions (BCI) among those who work with youth who smoke, vape, or use other nicotine products. The toolkit includes videos, sample scripts, posters, and more, and is available in both English and French.

York Hills

o    Groups

o    https://www.yorkhills.ca/services/group-services/

o    Webinars

o    https://www.yorkhills.ca/services/workshopsandwebinars/

York Region Arts Camp

2025 Camper/Counsellor/Counsellor-In-Training Application Information 

Information is available for Arts Camp 2025:

 

What is YRDSB Arts Camp? 

Celebrating over 30 years on the shores of a private lake in the Haliburton Highlands, Camp White Pine is host to a unique yearly camp for Grades 7-12 York Region District School Board students. Arts Camp is an intensive week-long immersion in visual, studio and performance art programs and experiences. At camp, each camper is encouraged to discover and explore their identity through supported risk-taking and positive collaboration with peers, staff artists and camp leaders through intensive and extended opportunities to explore and discover new and creative talents. Arts Camp fosters rich opportunities to gain self-awareness, self-confidence and a distinct identity, while supporting the growth, individuality and potential of all participants.

 

When is it? 

Saturday, May 24 to Saturday, May 31, 2025 

 

Where is it held? 

Camp White Pine, Haliburton, ON 

(Optional transportation is offered for a fee.) 

 

Who can apply? 

Students in Grades 7 – 12 who are registered in a York Region District School Board school. There is no limit to the number of student applications submitted from an individual school provided that each student applicant has met the following criteria: 

● Student demonstrates positive character in the school; 

● Student does not show significant behavioural and/or safety concerns in the school; 

● Student would positively contribute to and benefit from an arts program in an inclusive community; 

● Student is prepared, mature and well enough to spend a week away from home and school; 

● Student has parental/guardian consent; and 

● Student has their school administrator's support and the endorsement of a teacher at the school.

If interested in applying, students/families should first download the 2025 Camper/Counsellor Counsellor-In-Training Application Information from the board website.

 

Students in grade 9-12 are able to apply to the Counsellor or Counsellor-in-Training program.  Students can apply to these positions by completing the Counsellor or Counsellor-in-Training section at the end of the camper application form. You can learn more about these positions by reading the Counsellor/Counsellor-In-Training Information Package. 

 

Applications are now open and close February 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.

REGISTER HERE

Food Drive

COATES SECURITIES PRESENTS: PRESS RELEASE

      FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024 12:10 p.m. – 1:05 p.m.

With special marketing promotions all week in the atrium during the period 1.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9^th – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12^th, 2024

Season 31 of The Marketing Director has seen many a strong candidate step up to the plate to prove their marketing abilities. The Director, one of four ultimate eighteen-week job interviews, has candidates competing over the duration of the semester in a series of experiential and rigorous marketing tasks, that require both street smarts and book smarts to conquer, trying to prove to Mr. Coates that they are the best candidate for Mr. Coates’ company, Coates Securities. Rather than becoming The Apprentice (as in Entrepreneurship), The Agent (as in Sports & Entertainment Marketing) or The Broker (as in the Investment Finance), the selected candidate becomes The Marketing Director for Coates Securities – spearheading business mentorship roles for the organization. For this final task, the teams have been challenged to host an event that is designed to raise money for The Canadian Cancer Society.  Events will take place in the atrium and the cafeteria on Friday, December 13th! 

JOIN THE FIGHT, HELP THOSE IN NEED. HELP FIND A CURE.

PROFITS ARE DONATED TO THE CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY.

Please see the Talking Tuesday Handout discussing, Teens, Social Media ad Online Privacy.

Gurpurab Celebration

 

We are excited to invite you to a special Gurpurab Celebration on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This event will honor the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings and provide an opportunity for our community to connect, learn, and collaborate.

Event Highlights:

Workshops to Learn about Sikh Identity:

Educators, students, parents, and caregivers are all welcome to participate in

workshops designed to foster understanding of the Sikh identity and values. Each

workshop is thoughtfully crafted for different age groups to encourage meaningful

engagement and learning.

Workshops:

○ Educators: Workshop on the Sikh Identity, including a Q&A session to address

any questions or curiosities.

○ Primary Students (K-3): Storytime

○ Junior Students (4-6): Painting Workshop

○ Intermediate Students (7-12): Community Circle

○ Parents and Caregivers: Community circle to engage, share in strengths and

challenges

Langar Seva:

Following the workshops, we will gather to share a Langar (free community meal) in the Sikh tradition. Langar embodies Guru Nanak’s principles of equality and

community, and all are welcome to join.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

○ Welcome message: 5:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. 

Workshops: 5:20 p.m. – 6:00 p.m

○ Langar: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location: Emily Carr S.S., 4901 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4H 3C2

This event is for everyone—students, educators, parents, and caregivers from all backgrounds and communities—to come together to learn about Sikh traditions, ask questions, and connect in an inclusive space. It is an opportunity to build understanding, celebrate diversity, and engage in shared learning.

Please complete the Registration Form RSVP by November 27, 2024, to assist with

preparations. We look forward to celebrating this meaningful occasion with you

News and Events From YRDSB

1) Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter - December 2024 | York Region District School Board

2) Student Mental Health Strategy Implementation LAMPS: Learning About Mental Health Presentation Series (Update)

- Parent Presentation: Social Media and Mental Health 

- January 15th 6:00- 7:00 p.m.

- Sign up here

3) YRPH Building Healthy Kids

4) Kwanzaa Celebration - Monday, December 9, 2024

5) Gurpuraband Langar Celebration: An Evening of Learning and Langar 

- Families, students and educators, are invited to join the SEVA Affinity Group in a Gurpurab Celebration: An Evening of Learning and Langar on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

6) The Jewish Rainbow Alliance

-The Jewish Rainbow Alliance is hosting a monthly support group for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ individuals. Please contact sshedletsky@jfandcs.com for registration and view the flyer attached.

- Last session December 11

7)York Hills

Groups: https://www.yorkhills.ca/services/group-services/

Webinars: https://www.yorkhills.ca/services/workshopsandwebinars/

New Podcast Alert! Hear students from our Youth SPACE Advisory share about Social Media and teen mental health. Share the link far and wide!

Transit Assistance Program (TAP)

Transit Assistance Program (TAP)

For Those who Qualify

York Region is offering the Transit Assistance Program (TAP) to help

make transit more affordable for eligible residents.

➢ Eligible TAP participants can receive a 50% discount on regular Adult single ride York Region Transit (YRT) fare using a PRESTO card. After 40 trips, rides are free for unlimited travel for the remainder of the calendar month.

➢ Anyone in the family can use the TAP card, including students going to high school

➢ Please Visit : Eligibility and How to Apply for TAP

➢ New Applications and Renewals for 2025 are now being accepted by telephone. There are a limited number of new spots available so apply soon.

Please contact ACCESS YORK at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75581. All Students turning 18 should apply in their own right.

➢ If you require language interpretation for this call, simply say the language you speak when connected at the number above and interpretation services will be put in place.

If you have any additional questions please contact:

Yvonne Kelly,

Community and Partnership Developer, YRDSB

Regional Portfolio on Poverty/Intersections of Poverty

Inclusive School and Community Services

yvonne.kelly@yrdsb.ca

(905) 895-5155 ext.5124

Message from Our Trustee

December 2024

As we approach the winter break, I am happy to share a few updates from the Board of Trustees and to wish you all the very best for the approaching break and holiday season. 

Multi-Year Strategic Plan

In October, we launched our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan: Building Unity, Achieving Excellence. The plan sets out three priorities that will guide our direction and decision-making as a school board: student achievement, health and well-being, and human rights and inclusive education. It was developed by the Board of Trustees based on feedback received from the community, and we are grateful to everyone who shared their input. It was important to Trustees to ensure that this is a plan that serves the needs of our students and community. I invite you to learn more about this plan.

Family Engagement

Earlier in the fall, we hosted a series of school council forums, bringing together school council representatives for an evening of shared learning and discussion. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the important role school councils play in our system and to connect with families. Thank you to all of the family members who are supporting the work that we do in schools, including participating on school councils, volunteering in schools, attending events and meetings, sharing information and getting involved in any way to support and strengthen our schools and school communities. Your partnership matters and makes a difference both to your child and to our schools and school communities. Thank you for all that you do. 

 

Some families have asked for tips on encouraging their children to share more information about their school day. Here are some tips that I hope you find helpful. 

 

As part of our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with families to support your child’s education, we also recently introduced the Family Dashboard. The dashboard will offer you secure, one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. If you have not yet signed up, you can find more information on the Board website. 

 

We hope you continue to see evidence of your child’s learning. This year, that includes welcoming school police presentations in partnership with York Regional Police on community safety topics, such as road, bike and pedestrian safety for elementary school students.  

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize the outstanding, dedicated and professional staff members throughout our system who work hard to provide your children with clean, safe, caring and inclusive learning environments. They provide students with learning supports, resources and opportunities that will help them develop skills, knowledge and experiences that will benefit them now and in the future. They collaborate with families and community partners, knowing that these partnerships make a difference to student achievement and well-being. To our staff members, thank you for all that you do. 

Happy Holiday Season and Winter Break

For many in our community, this time of year includes significant dates and celebrations. For those who are celebrating, I wish you a happy and joyous celebration. It is also a valuable time to connect with family and friends, as well as to rest and recharge. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable winter break and we look forward to welcoming you back in January. 

Estelle Cohen, Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5