Update From Guidance

GUIDANCE UPDATES -  October 16

UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

University applications are NOW OPEN.

https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/undergrad-guide/ 

Week of October 14th: Required Student Information sent to students electronically by ITS via GAPPS email. 

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Automatic email notifications are sent when grades are updated; if discrepancies occur, students should contact their guidance counsellor.
  • Students need to verify their grades and ensure nothing is missing.
  • Students need to check their email frequently.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS 

College applications are NOW OPEN.

https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply 

Week of October 14th: Required Student Information sent to students electronically by ITS via GAPPS email. 

MARINE CAREERS EXPO

 

Are your students ready to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure? We are thrilled to invite you and your students to the Marine Careers Expo 2025 – a chance for students to learn about marine industry, and chart a course towards many rewarding career opportunities with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)! We will be hosting a booth filled with opportunities and insights into maritime careers with the Canadian Coast Guard.

 

Admission is free, and all are welcome!

Location: Sugar Beach Park

Date/Time: October 17th @ 11:00-6:00/October 18th @ 10:00-4:00                     

 

Why Should Your Students Attend?

Discover Diverse Career Paths: Help your students explore the myriad of career options available within the Canadian Coast Guard, from navigating the seas to safeguarding marine environments, and more.


Meet the Experts: Provide your students the opportunity to interact with experienced Canadian Coast Guard personnel who will offer valuable insights and guidance on maritime career development and advancement opportunities.


Network and Connect: Enable your students to connect with like-minded individuals, industry leaders, and potential mentors who can support them on their maritime career journey.


Inspiration for the Future: Whether they dream of protecting our oceans, serving their community, or embracing adventure on the open water, this event is their gateway to an exciting and fulfilling career.

 

National Outreach & Recruitment Team/Équipe nationale de rayonnement et recrutement

Canadian Coast Guard/Garde côtière canadienne

Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada

DFO.CCGRecruitment-RecrutementGCC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

BFCN - SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WORKSHOP

 

The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN), in collaboration with YRDSB, is offering a free online Scholarship Application Workshop on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This workshop is designed for high school students and will guide them through how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships and bursaries.

Students are encouraged to attend with their families to make the most of this informative session.

🔗 Register directly at: bit.ly/BFCNWorkshopNovember11

📧 Meeting link will be provided upon registration

Halloween within YRDSB Schools

Dear Families,
We want to bring to your attention important information regarding the practice of Halloween within YRDSB schools.

We kindly ask for your support in reviewing this information with your child.
Halloween is celebrated and acknowledged in a myriad of ways across schools and communities. We want to remind all students of the following:
  • In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, it is important that costumes do not trivialize and devalue the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 
  • If your child is planning on wearing a costume on Halloween, it should be respectful of others. Symbols or objects representative of a person’s race, culture, ethnicity, or religious beliefs should not be worn as another person’s costume, nor should costumes that caricature social identities through stereotyping.
Please remind your child that the following items are prohibited on YRDSB premises and are not allowed to be worn:
  • Halloween masks
  • Replica weapons of any kind
  • Students should only use single-use make-up
We thank you for all your support.

Take Our Kids To Work

Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKW ) Wednesday, November 5, 2025 is a national initiative that allows Grade 9 students to explore career options by spending a day in a real-world work environment. Students may join a parent/guardian, relative, family friend, or volunteer at their workplace, or participate in career-related activities at home or school.

To participate, parents/guardians must complete the Informed Consent Google Form sent to their student’s GAPPS account on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, indicating their child’s choice of activity. Resources are available through The Student Commission of Canada.  Please complete the Informed Consent Form by Friday, October 24, 2025.

Grade 8 Open House

Mental Health Resources

 

Please see the mental health resources that are available to our students and families.


GUIDANCE UPDATES -  OCTOBER 7

Post Secondary Applications

 

Grade 12 potential graduates can begin the application process for Ontario Colleges and Universities in October.  

 

To apply for Ontario Universities, students should visit OUAC (the Ontario University Application Centre) and start by setting up an account and completing their profile.  Students will require their OEN (Ontario Education Number), this can be found on a report card.  Students will also receive this information in an email from YRDSB the week of October 14th (to their gapps accounts).

 

Applications for Ontario Colleges will be open as of October 10th.  Start by clicking on the “Apply Now” button and setting up an account.  Students will require their OEN (Ontario Education Number), this can be found on a report card.  Students will also receive this information in an email from YRDSB the week of October 14th (to their gapps accounts).

 

On October 16th, during period 1, Guidance will be holding an assembly for Grade 12s to go over the application process and answer any questions that students may have. *Any student who has a spare during period 1 needs to make arrangements to be at the assembly. 

 

On October 22 from 6:00-8:00pm Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School will be hosting a Post Secondary Information Fair for students from Westmount, Stephen Lewis, and Maple.  This is a great opportunity to do some research and speak with both college and university representatives.

GUIDANCE UPDATES -  OCTOBER 6

SHAD CANADA

2026 Application Open!

Shad offers transformative programs for grade 10 and 11 students across Canada. With live-in and virtual programs, and specialty options like A-Plus and Unplugged, students engage in STEAM learning, mentorship, and innovation, building the confidence and leadership skills they’ll carry into the future.

Early Bird Advantage: Apply by November 3. The first 650 accepted applicants are guaranteed placement at one of their top 10 campus choices.

APPLY NOW!!

NYCS (Newcomer Youth Connections for Success) 

There are two important Newcomer Youth Connections for Success (NYCS) Events we are having in November. 

Email amy.feigelsohn@jvstoronto.org  to register

Workshops for Newcomer Teens

Mentorship Event 

Our Mentorship Event is happening on Tuesday, November 4th from 4:30-6:00pm at 540 Finch Avenue West, where we will have our university and college student mentors offer advice and insights to our newcomer students. This is an incredibly valuable experience for youth.

Career Exploration

We are having a Career Exploration Workshop on Friday, November 21st from 2:30-5:30pm at 540 Finch Avenue West. In this workshop, a career counsellor will lead a free, interactive workshop with coaching and a personality test which will prepare students for their future career. This is a YRDSB PA Day so we sincerely hope that many of your students will be able to attend. 

We offer transportation support to eligible students in the form of a Presto Card and will have snacks and drinks available during the workshops.

School Council Meeting Slides

  


Thank you for all those who attending our September School Council meeting.

For those who were not able to attend, you can view the meeting presentation.


Programs for Newcomer Youths