Tuesday, September 27, 2011 Next Steps for the Graduating Class of 2012

1. Tuesday, September 27, 2011 Next Steps for the Graduating Class of 2012

2. As Circumstances Change & Your Interests Evolve You may discover in June that your destination decisions are different than they are now in September. Thank you for listening carefully to all options.

3. Grad Email • Be informed – add your name to the Grad Email distribution list (Blue Chit) • Daily announcements for graduates will no longer be made after October 1 • Be aware of your responsibilities and your opportunities • This applies to all destinations • Pick up easy instructions today • Avoid addresses with words that may be censored • You have until October 1 to sign up! • Also follow us on Twitter at ECSS_Guidance

4. Valuable Resources Guide • Available online on the Guidance link of our school website • Valuable post-secondary and career planning contacts for all graduates • A must-have! • Tested websites that support all destinations

5. OSS Diploma Requirements • 30 credits including all 18 compulsories • Literacy Test or Literacy Course • 40 Community Involvement Hours • By now for scholarship nominations • At the latest, by the April extract

6. Acronyms to Memorize OCAS Ontario College Application Service & OUAC Ontario University Application Centre

7. Release of Information • “There will be a one-time release of grades and other identifying information for all students in Grade 12 on October 14th to the Ontario College Application Service, and November 11th to the Ontario University Application Centre, using secure transmission technology. This will activate all of your future applications for this year. If you would like more information about this, please contact your assigned guidance counsellor.”

8. Data Transmissions We will send your marks electronically to OCAS and OUAC prior to these dates: • October 14 for OCAS (no midterm marks) • November 11 for OUAC (no midterm marks) • November 23 for OCAS (with midterm marks) • February 10 for OCAS (Sem 1 marks) • February 15 for OUAC (Sem 1 marks) • April 26 for OCAS & OUAC (Sem 2 midterms) • July 6 for OCAS & OUAC (Sem 2 finals) • August 24 for OCAS & OUAC (summer finals)

9. Speaking of Marks……. • It is your responsibility as a student to research the minimum mark and prerequisite requirement for each program you apply for.

10. Furthermore….. • It is your responsibility as a student to be in regular consultation with your teachers during formative assessments to find out what you have to do to attain the required averages on your summative assessments.

11. Finally….. • Be sure to review your marks on Exam Review Day at the end of each semester. • All report card marks are final. • If you are taking a Private School course outside of ECSS, you are responsible for ensuring that we have your official mark unless the Private School submits the mark on your behalf.

12. Scholarships, Awards, Bursaries • Spend a lunch hour in Room 116 on Tuesday, October 4th or Thursday, October 12th. Bring your lunch, and find out how to begin to navigate the scholarship world. • Not all scholarships are intended for those with the highest marks – there may be one for you, no matter what your destination.

13. Scholarships, Awards, Bursaries • Scholarship news will be shared with detail, contact links and application deadline dates on the Guidance link of our ECSS website. • Some information will be posted on our Guidance Notes bulletin board next to the Student Council board in the Guidance hallway.

14. ECSS Graduation Awards • Opportunity to nominate yourself or your peers • Teachers may also nominate students • Details of the June Graduation of 2011 are still on the ECSS Guidance website • Take a moment to view the list of awards and become familiar with the process • The June 2012 Grad Awards will be posted on the ECSS Guidance website in April 2012 • Once we post them, you will have 3 weeks to nominate yourself or your peers

15. Letters of Reference • Please give our administrators, your teachers or counsellors at least two weeks notice if you require a letter of reference. • Always provide your referee with a résumé. • Handy résumé and cover letter tips are available in Guidance.

16. Share your Strengths • We need strong academic senior students to volunteer as Peer Tutors. • We need senior students with strong learning skills and public relations skills to volunteer as Student Ambassadors. • Pick up applications for both as you leave or in the Guidance office.

17. Destinations • Workplace • Volunteer & Travel • Apprenticeship • College • University • Others: Military, Religious, Community Living, Returning to ECSS

18. Workplace Bound • Attend our ECSS Pathways to Opportunity event on November 10 to meet representatives for a variety of services . • Explore the Valuable Resources guide. • Pick up the Guide for Students Pursuing Employment as you leave.

19. Volunteer Opportunities • National & International opportunities • Board sponsored volunteering: - Opportunities to volunteer in more than 20 countries for 2 weeks or more • Consult the Valuable Resources Guide. • Representatives will also be here on November 10 for our Pathways to Opportunity event.

20. Apprenticeship Bound • Colleges offer Apprenticeship Programs. • Explore programs run by Local Unions and Trade Specific Associations. • Coop is the best route to Apprenticeships via OYAP, or use Job Connect after you graduate. • Excellent websites shared on the Valuable Resources Guide. • Go to the College Fair on Tuesday, October 25. • Meet several Apprenticeship and Trades representatives here on Thursday, November 10. • Pick up the Guide for Students Pursuing Apprenticeships as you leave.

21. Ontario Colleges • To earn a ‘diploma’, or a ‘degree’ • For information about Ontario Colleges and all of their program offerings, pick up your own Ontario College Handbook as you leave. • Information about Private Career Colleges is available on the Valuable Resources Guide. Also pick up a Private College pamphlet as you leave. • First, go to the Ontario College Fair, October 25. • Then, come to the ECSS Pathways to Opportunity event on November 10. • Every Ontario College will have a representative here for you to consult.

22. OCAS • Ontario College Application Service • Fees for this year: $95 to apply for 5 college programs at three colleges • Pay by credit card online, or call the Customer Contact Centre toll free number, or by mail • Go to www.ontariocolleges.ca • Create your own username and password • You may begin to fill out the application as soon as the site opens – usually mid October • A “How-to” tutorial will be announced • A Step by Step handout on “How to Apply” will be provided for you to pick up • Let us know if you need help

23. Ontario Universities To earn a degree • View the eINFO GUIDE online at www.electronicinfo.ca Pick up an eINFO guideline flyer as you leave • Provides information about: • Programs • Admission requirements • Campus visits • Additional resources

24. OUAC • Ontario University Application Centre www.ouac.on.ca • Online applications will require pin numbers • We will provide your PIN numbers by December • $125.00 for 3 choices, $42 for each additional selection • Pay online by credit card, or send cheque by mail • A “How-to” tutorial will be announced • A Step by Step handout on “How to Apply” will be provided for you to pick up • Let us know if you need help. OUT-OF-PROVINCE APPLICATIONS • Outside Ontario/Canada • Obtain your own applications online

25. For Degree Programs at Ontario Colleges and Ontario Universities ENG4U and 5 other grade 12 U or 12M courses For Diploma Programs at Ontario Colleges ENG4C and At least 3 grade 11C, 11M, 11U, or grade 12C, 12M, or 12U courses Common Requirements

26. Upcoming Events 1. Study and Go Abroad Fair, and International University and Travel Expo Metro Toronto Convention Centre Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2

27. Upcoming Events 2. Scholarship, Awards, & Financial Planning Workshops here at ECSS Tuesday, October 4, or Thursday, October 12 Room 116 @ 11:00 a.m. Bring your lunch

28. Upcoming Events 3. SAT , ACT & NCAA Workshop Wednesday, October 5 Room 116 @ 11:00 a.m. Bring your lunch

29. Upcoming Events 4. Ontario University Fair Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 14, 15, 16 Metro Toronto Convention Centre

30. Upcoming Events 5. Student Life Expo Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 14, 15, 16 Skywalk attached to Metro Toronto Convention Centre U’s and C’s across Canada, Gov’t Agencies, Ministry of Education, Industry Associations, Volunteer Organizations, Corporate Sponsors

31. Upcoming Events 6. Ontario Colleges Fair Tuesday, October 25 Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Place, Toronto

32. Upcoming Events 7. Pathways to Opportunity: over 50 post-secondary representatives here at ECSS!!! Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm Bring the family!!

33. Upcoming Events 8. Ontario University Applications are due Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9. Ontario College Applications are due Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Applications received and paid for on or before this date will be given equal consideration by the colleges.

34. Ultimate Upcoming Event The ECSS Graduation Ceremony On the evening of Wednesday, June 27, 2012

35. ECSS Guidance Counsellors • Ms Gallucci A - Di • Mr. Bray (Sem 1) Dj - Le Ms Milani (Sem 2) • Ms Ventrice Lf - Q • Ms Finelli R - Z Mrs. Genova Guidance Office Manager

36. Materials to Pick up today • Instructions for Grad Email (Blue Chit) • Your University eInfo handout and pamphlet from OUAC • Your Ontario College Handbook, bookmark and application process from OCAS • Your Guide for Students pursing Apprenticeships or Employment • The October 2011 Scholarship/Awards handout • Diploma Requirement handout • Flyers for the Fairs are available in the Guidance office for you to pick up.

37. Resources to Access Online • Scholarship and Awards online per month • Valuable Resource Guide • Community Involvement Opportunities • Guide for Apprenticeship and Employment

38. Begin your Journey • Sign up for Grad Email and follow us on Twitter at ECSS_Guidance 2. Go to the fairs, meet the experts, pick up your own brochures, and start your research. • Come to the Pathways to Opportunity event here at ECSS: Thursday, November 10, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. 4. Your Guidance counsellor will be pleased to help you navigate this process.

39. *************** Best wishes as you embark on this exciting new journey to graduation and beyond!