In follow-up to the memo sent on October 2, 2020, titled “Guidance on Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting,” we would like to provide a reminder about the changes that were made to the community involvement graduation requirement for the 2020-21 school year.

 

The ministry’s intent in making temporary changes to the community involvement graduation policy for the 2020-21 school year is to reduce barriers students may face and make it easier for students to earn community involvement hours given the challenges related to COVID-19. 

 

The ministry has introduced flexibility in meeting the community involvement hour requirements, along with reducing the total number of hours required for students graduating in the 2020-21 school year. With these changes in place, schools are encouraged to work with students to ensure all graduating students are able to meet the minimum of 20 hours required to graduate this school year.

 

The temporary changes include reducing the number of hours required for students graduating in the 2020-21 school year to a minimum of 20 hours of community involvement activities, as well as waiving a number of policy restrictions, as follows, at the principal’s discretion:

 

1. Schools may allow students to earn hours during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day;
2. Schools may allow students to earn hours through duties normally performed in the home; and
3. Schools may allow students aged 14 years and older to count up to a maximum of 10 hours from paid employment towards their earned hours. Students counting paid employment towards their graduation requirement will be required to complete a reflection exercise indicating how their work contributed to the service for others. 

In addition, the ministry has waived the requirement that schools use paper-based forms and is permitting school boards to develop their own processes for collecting, recording and validating hours, including allowing electronic signatures.

 

School boards and schools are requested to communicate these changes broadly, including updating relevant websites and asking schools to communicate to students and parents.

 

Students should continue to seek out and accumulate community involvement hours in accordance with school board policies and procedures, keeping in mind local public health unit recommendations.

 

Students are encouraged to consider virtual volunteering. There are a number of organizations that provide virtual volunteer opportunities for students. Some of these volunteer opportunities can be found through agencies such as Spark Ontario.

 

The following list provides some examples of flexible ways’ students could earn community involvement hours in keeping with the purpose of the policy, which is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities, including:

• Providing tutoring and mentorship supports through:
  • Virtual tutoring to help students with reading, communication and/or other skills
  • Teaching online music or dance lessons
  • Hosting art classes for younger students
  • Assisting siblings and/or younger students with online learning and schoolwork

 

• Connecting with and supporting seniors by:
  • Conversing with seniors virtually, for example, acting as technology mentors or providing a regular check-in to address isolation and build cross-generational friendships
  • Joining or creating a letter-writing campaign to seniors
  • Delivering groceries to elderly/immunocompromised neighbours

 

• Supports for families, neighbourhoods and community initiatives:
  • Supporting a family by walking a younger child to and from school
  • Participating in donation pick-ups for not-for-profit organizations
  • Coordinating a donation event with a local organization such as a shelter
  • Facilitating discussions with newcomer youth or families to help them learn about their new community
  • Sewing masks to donate to social agencies
  • Shoveling snow and/or performing yard work for a family or neighbour’s family due to extenuating circumstances
  • Taking part in neighbourhood litter-pick-up hour

 

• Utilizing social media to connect with their community by:
  • Organizing a virtual reading or math activity for their feeder elementary schools
  • Creating a transition support video for Grade 8 students
  • Doing a musical performance that could provide entertainment for seniors
  • Encouraging people to donate through various social media platforms to food banks or other not-for-profit organizations
  • Creating a flyer for promotion on social media for a local cause

This is not an exhaustive list; schools and boards are encouraged to develop additional examples.

 

The ministry encourages school boards and schools to communicate with students and parents about these flexible ways that students could earn hours. We know that a number of boards are doing this already and we encourage all boards to make this information readily available to all students, parents and educators.

 

Thank you for your support. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Yael Ginsler

Assistant Deputy Minister (A)

Student Achievement Division

 

Denys Giguère

Assistant Deputy Minister

French-Language Teaching, Learning and Achievement Division

 

c:        Executive Secretaries to Directors of Education

Regional Office Managers, Field Services Branch, Student Support and Field Services Division

Director, Field Services Branch, Student Support and Field Services Division

 

 

 

Comme suite à la note du 2 octobre 2020 intitulée « Orientation sur les pratiques d’évaluation et de communication du rendement », nous aimerions vous rappeler les modifications apportées à l’exigence de service communautaire aux fins de l’obtention du diplôme pour l’année scolaire 2020-2021.

 

En modifiant temporairement cette exigence pour l’année scolaire 2020-2021, le ministère vise à réduire les obstacles auxquels pourraient faire face les élèves et faciliter l’accumulation d’heures de service communautaire malgré les difficultés liées à la COVID‑19.

 

Pour ce faire, le ministère accorde une plus grande marge de manœuvre pour l’accumulation des heures requises et a réduit le nombre total d’heures que doivent accumuler les élèves qui obtiendront leur diplôme à la fin de l’année scolaire 2020-2021. En s’appuyant sur ces modifications, les écoles sont encouragées à travailler avec les élèves finissants afin que tous puissent accumuler le minimum de 20 heures nécessaire pour obtenir leur diplôme à la fin de l’année scolaire.

 

Aux termes de ces modifications temporaires, on a fait passer à 20 le nombre minimal d’heures de service communautaire exigé des élèves finissants en 2020-2021 et on autorise les directions d’école à lever, si elles le souhaitent, certaines restrictions prévues dans la politique et à faire ce qui suit :

4. Permettre aux élèves d’accumuler des heures de service communautaire durant les heures prévues pour l’enseignement.
5. Permettre aux élèves d’accumuler des heures en accomplissant des tâches normalement effectuées à la maison.
6. Permettre aux élèves d’au moins 14 ans d’accumuler jusqu’à 10 heures de travail rémunéré aux fins de leurs heures de service communautaire. Les élèves qui accumulent des heures de travail rémunéré devront effectuer un exercice de réflexion décrivant comment leur travail a contribué au service de leur communauté.

De plus, le ministère a levé l’exigence voulant que les écoles utilisent des formulaires imprimés et autorise les conseils scolaires à élaborer leurs propres processus pour recueillir, consigner et valider les heures, notamment à utiliser des signatures électroniques.

 

On demande aux conseils scolaires et aux écoles de diffuser largement ces modifications, notamment en mettant à jour les sites Web pertinents et en communiquant avec les élèves et les parents.

 

Les élèves devront continuer à rechercher et à accumuler des heures de service communautaire conformément aux politiques et modalités du conseil scolaire, en gardant à l'esprit les recommandations du bureau de santé publique local.

 

Les élèves sont encouragés à faire du bénévolat virtuel. À cet égard, divers organismes peuvent leur offrir des possibilités de bénévolat, notamment Élan Ontario.

 

Voici quelques exemples d’activités différentes que les élèves peuvent mener pour accumuler des heures de service communautaire en conformité avec l’objectif de la politique qui est de sensibiliser les élèves à leurs responsabilités civiques et de les aider à comprendre le rôle qu'ils peuvent jouer pour soutenir leur communauté :

• Offrir des services de tutorat et de mentorat :
  • fournir des services de tutorat virtuel pour aider les élèves en matière de lecture, de communication et d’autres compétences;
  • enseigner en ligne la musique ou la danse;
  • organiser des cours d’art pour les jeunes élèves;
  • aider ses frères et sœurs ou de jeunes élèves pour l’apprentissage et les travaux scolaires en ligne.

 

• Établir des liens avec des personnes âgées et leur offrir du soutien :
  • échanger en ligne avec des personnes âgées, par exemple pour les aider en matière de technologie, prendre régulièrement de leurs nouvelles pour contrer l’isolement et nouer des relations d’amitié intergénérationnelles;
  • prendre part à une campagne d’envoi de lettres à des personnes âgées ou lancer une telle campagne;
  • livrer des articles d’épicerie à des voisins âgés ou immunovulnérables.

 

• Apporter son aide à des familles et à des initiatives mises en œuvre dans un quartier ou la collectivité :
  • aider une famille en accompagnant un jeune enfant sur le chemin de l’école et le retour à la maison;
  • participer au ramassage des dons pour des organismes sans but lucratif;
  • coordonner une campagne de dons avec un organisme local, par exemple un refuge;
  • faciliter les discussions avec des jeunes ou des familles nouvellement arrivés pour les aider à découvrir leur nouvelle collectivité;
  • confectionner des masques et les donner à des organismes sociaux;
  • effectuer des travaux de déneigement ou d’autres travaux extérieurs pour une famille du quartier aux prises avec des difficultés particulières;
  • participer à l’initiative de ramassage des détritus dans le quartier.

·       Utiliser les médias sociaux pour établir des liens avec sa collectivité :

• organiser une activité virtuelle de lecture ou de mathématique pour les élèves des écoles élémentaires nourricières;
• créer une vidéo d’aide à la transition pour les élèves de 8^e année;
• présenter un spectacle musical susceptible de divertir des personnes âgées;
• encourager sur divers médias sociaux les gens à faire des dons à des banques alimentaires ou à d’autres organismes sans but lucratif;
• créer un prospectus pour faire connaître une cause locale sur les médias sociaux.

Cette liste n’est pas exhaustive. On encourage les écoles et les conseils à ajouter d’autres exemples d’activités.

 

Le ministère encourage les conseils scolaires et les écoles à communiquer avec les élèves et les parents au sujet de ces diverses façons pour les élèves d’accumuler des heures de service communautaire. Nous savons que plusieurs conseils le font déjà et nous encourageons tous les conseils à diffuser ces renseignements à tous les élèves, parents et membres du personnel enseignant.

 

Nous vous remercions de votre aide et vous prions d’agréer nos salutations les meilleures.

 

Denys Giguère

Sous-ministre adjoint

Division de la réussite, de l’enseignement et de l’apprentissage en langue française

 

Yael Ginsler

Sous-ministre adjointe (I)

Division du rendement des élèves

 

  c. c. :          Secrétaires administratives des directrices et directeurs de l'éducation

Chefs des bureaux régionaux,

Direction des bureaux régionaux,

Division du soutien aux élèves et des services régionaux

Ministry of Education   315 Front Street West Toronto ON  M7A 0B8	Ministère de l'Éducation 315, rue Front Ouest Toronto ON  M7A 0B8
MEMORANDUM TO:	Directors of Education School Authorities
FROM:	Yael Ginsler Assistant Deputy Minister (A) Student Achievement Division   Denys Giguère Assistant Deputy Minister French-Language Teaching, Learning and Achievement Division
DATE:	March 10, 2021
SUBJECT:	Community Involvement Graduation Requirement 2020-21

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Ontario Reduces Financial Barriers to Postsecondary Education

Student Assistance Applications Open for 2020-21 School Year

TORONTO — The Ontario government is reducing financial barriers for full-time students attending postsecondary education. Starting today, those most in need can apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for the 2020-21 school year.

"Investing in higher education is one of the most important investments a person can make in their future," said Ross Romano, Minister of College and Universities. "To help ensure today's students, and tomorrow's entrepreneurs, innovators and workers can obtain the skills they need to succeed in a highly competitive global economy, our government is helping to remove the financial barriers to postsecondary education."

For many students, the loans they receive from OSAP are their first major financial commitment. To support a greater understanding of the program and the responsibilities as an OSAP recipient, applicants will be required to complete an information module that highlights basic information about the student assistance program and financial literacy. This is knowledge students will need to make informed financial decisions today, and throughout their lives.

During this unprecedented period, the government is providing a six-month temporary deferral of OSAP loan payments and interest accrual on OSAP loans from March 30-September 30, 2020 to support OSAP borrowers in good standing. The province has also worked with postsecondary institutions to support virtual learning and virtual exams.

The government is now preparing for the 2020-21 school year by working closely with the province's colleges and universities to ensure students receive the high-calibre education and training they need to obtain rewarding careers. Acting on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario's postsecondary institutions are developing their plans for the fall term - exploring a range of delivery options depending on the trajectory of COVID-19.

Quick Facts

• Learn about supports from the federal government for students and recent graduates impacted by COVID-19.
• Ontario provides grants and loans through OSAP to eligible students to help them with the costs of postsecondary education.
• Both the Ontario and federal governments provide grants and loans to eligible students through OSAP.

Additional Resources

• Visit the OSAP page to learn more and apply.
• Go to NSLSC.ca or www.canada.ca/student-financial-assistance for more details.
• Read more about the province’s Ontario Together initiative.

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Royals- although apart we are in this together!

Try your best every day.

This is brand new to all of us! We are all trying to create a little bit of normal in our lives. Continuing your studies is a perfect way to bring some motivation, routine, purpose and connectedness to your day. Keep going- you will find that each day this will become not as overwhelming. Break things down into manageable chunks.

Connect with your teachers.

Ask questions. Reach out through email. Some of your classes may even send you an invitation to a TEAM class session. Remember that we are all in this together and we want everyone to feel connected. Do not hesitate to ask your questions.

If you need any other support, the Student Services team and Learning Resource team is still right here for you.

Set up a schedule or routine for yourself on school days.

As stated before, this is new to everyone. Keep going and soon you will find that this will feel routine too. Set up a schedule for yourself. Please keep in mind that your teachers will be following the regular hours of a school day so if you have decided alternate times for your own day, your teacher may not be available to answer your questions at that time. You may have to wait until the next day to receive a response. Please get in the habit of responding to messages that are sent to you. Get in the habit of checking your school email. Try to check the school website at least once per week for any updates. Make these check-ins a part of your daily startup routine. Don’t forget to schedule breaks and lunch too during your school day. Create a motivation for yourself. Maybe you will go out for a walk, watch Netflix, or be on your favourite social media spot after you have completed an assignment. Balance is very important in time management. Surprisingly, you likely had already formed some sort of routine in these past few weeks; please allow your school work to be another layer in your new normal.

Practice self- care.

All of these doctors know what they are talking about! There is a reason why every time that they promote physical distancing that they also promote exercise, diet and human connection.

Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day. If you can be outside- even better! It is incredible how many workouts, yoga sessions, running plans, training schedules etc. that are available online for free. Why not try something new? Invite a friend to join you.

Help with the cooking at home. Look up healthy recipes and make your own snacks. Again, you have an incredible “how to” resource at your fingertips. It can be so much fun and delicious too.

Connection. We hope you are connecting with your friends and family through text, email, FaceTime, etc. Be sure to reach out. Think of how you feel when you know someone is thinking about you. We need to remember that we are all in this together.

Try keeping a journal. You can keep your own historical record of this truly exceptional time. It could be something as simple as naming one thing for which you are grateful every day or noting changes around you on a daily basis. Writing, videoing or recording- any kind of tracking will help to ground you.

One day at a time, one step at a time. Stay patient, recognize why this is happening and the rest will follow. We will all support each other any way we can to get through.

We’ve got this, Royals!

Class of 2020

Please be watchful for links to local scholarships that will be posted here on the school website and on our social media links.

www.scholartree.ca is great place to look for scholarships. Look on the website of your post-secondary institution for scholarship opportunities too.

Do not forget to keep checking your OCAS or OUAC accounts. That is where you will click “I accept” for the program of your choice. Pay close attention to dates. Your midterm marks will be uploaded between April 23 and May 1^st for the next round of acceptances. Remember that everyone, including colleges and universities, is going through this and adjustments may need to happen in order to keep things moving forward. Check your email regularly for messages from colleges and universities.

www.myblueprint.ca is a surprising resource. Check it out.

Please submit your “Graduate Declaration” via email to Miss Dolphin.

A link has been provided.

We are still planning for Commencement to happen in October. Please be thinking of whom you would like to name as your Valedictorian for the Class of 2020. A nomination link will be posted at a later date.

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Graduate Declaration

Please take the time to fill out the Graduate Declaration Form linked below. This is your application for Commencement Awards that will be distributed in October of 2020. At SDSS, our Commencement Awards total over $20 000. 

GRADUATE DECLARATION FORM

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Canadian Mental Health Association
March 2020 Presentation

Adobe Acrobat PDF

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The Elmwood and District Chamber of Commerce Post-Secondary Education Award

The Elmwood & District Chamber of Commerce Post-Secondary Education Award is
intended to financially assist students with their post-secondary education or training. A monetary donation will be provided each year to assist a student or students and
recognize their commitment and motivation in the areas of academic achievement,
community service, and extracurricular involvement.
Applicants Must:
Reside in the Elmwood area
Be a current year graduate
Registered as a full-time student in either:
1. A one, two, or three-year certificate program offered by a college of applied
arts and technology, or private post-secondary institution;
2. An undergraduate degree program at a recognized post-secondary institution;
3. A registered apprenticeship program.
Complete the attached application, including all supporting documents, and submit to:
elmwoodchamber@outlook.com
OR
The Elmwood and District Chamber of Commerce
PO BOX 99
Elmwood, Ontario
N0G 1S0
Due date is June 15, 2020

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM

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