important updates from guidance

SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Registration for summer school programming begins in the Spring (April/May). Important registration & program information will be posted to the Guidance google classroom. For more information please refer to the ELearning website.

GUIDANCE APPOINTMENTS:

Students and families are encouraged to sign up for appointments with Mr. Bis & Ms. Jaikaran. Please use the guidanceinterview  platform to schedule an appointment with a Guidance Counsellor. 

DAY SCHOOL E-LEARNING:

These Gr. 11 & 12 courses are for students who would like to take an e-learning course as a part of their day school timetable. Students may take a maximum of two e-learning courses during the school year, one per semester. Orientation and registration information can be found here: schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/elearning/e-Learning-Day-School .

NIGHT SCHOOL:

All Night School courses will be delivered virtually and will take place on either Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m. . Please check www.creditprograms.ca for updates, registration info and course offerings. 

DUAL CREDITS & SWAC:

Dual Credit and SWAC information can be found here. Please contact the Guidance department if you would like to register for a Dual Credit course or the SWAC program.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HOURS:

Students are being asked to record and track their own Community Involvement hours. Volunteer Toronto has several virtual community service opportunities. Please check the Guidance google class or see your guidance counselor regarding other opportunities.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:

The TDSB has compiled various resources to support students and families during this time. As always, please seek support and reach out to us if you have a concern about your well-being, the well-being of a classmate, loved one or a friend. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Supporting-You/Mental-Health-Well-being/Resources-During-Covid-19 

employment, community service & financial supports

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS:

Students are reminded to check the Guidance google classroom for regular updates and opportunities. The Volunteer Toronto site provides students with additional opportunities to earn Community Involvement hours. Please click here for the TDSB Community Service Form.

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program provides up to 5,000 students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through supervised summer employment in the Ontario Public Service.  To be eligible to participate in the program, students must be:

• currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution

• at least 15 years old

• living in Ontario during the summer

• legally entitled to work in Canada

To participate in this program, students must apply online at www.ontario.ca/careers.  

Youth Employment Agencies

In Toronto, youth employment agencies offer a variety of free services, including job search assistance, skills training, and placement opportunities. Many of these programs are run by non-profit organizations and supported by various levels of government, including the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario.  

• Youth Employment Services

• City of Toronto

• JVS Toronto

• WORKOPOLIS

grade 8-9 transition

The TDSB has shared a Gr. 8-9 transition guide and dedicated website to help you with this transition. Students are encouraged to begin exploring and researching their secondary school options as early as possible. 

Gr 8 Open House Slide Deck 

Applications & Course Selections

All TDSB students will be using the myBlueprint Education Planner to select and submit their courses for the 2025-2026 school year.  myBlueprint is a comprehensive online education and career planner. Students can use myBlueprint to plan their high school courses, research post-secondary and career opportunities. This is a fantastic tool for students to backwards-plan their future endeavors. Check out the myBlueprint Getting Started Guide for Families and How-To Submit Course Selection Video.

The STEM@RUNN program is identified as a Secondary Central Student Interest program as defined by the TDSB. Students apply to Centralized Programs through an online application that will be available in November. Learn more about Applications and Admissions.

Students can apply to one Centralized Programs and one alternate. If applying to two choices, the applications must be ranked. If accepted to the first choice program, they will not be considered for their second choice.

In addition to prioritizing students from underserved communities, the TDSB Math, Science and Technology programs are committed to supporting the representation of students self-identifying as female.

Non-TDSB students must complete the TDSB Online Registration form. A member of the RCI Gr. 8-9 Transition Team will contact families with information regarding next steps.

Important Dates & Deadlines

November:

• Grade 8 to 9 Transition Information Session for Grade 8 Families (October 29, 2024)

• Student Interest Program Information Session for Grade 8 Families (October 30, 2024)

• Gr 8 Open House @ Runnymede CI November 19, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

• Deadline to submit the Central Student Interest Program Online Application (November 22, 2024)

• Research Secondary Central Programs and Schools, Alternative Schools and Local Programs in the TDSB

December:

• Round 1

  • Deadline for parent/guardian to be informed of a Student Interest Program offer (December 5, 2024)

  • Deadline for parent/guardian to accept a Student Interest Program offer (December 11, 2024)

• Round 2

  • Deadline for parent/guardian to be informed of a Student Interest Program offer (December 12, 2024)

  • Deadline for parent/guardian to accept a Student Interest Program offer (December 18, 2024)

January

• Students wishing to attend a school other than their designated school by address; Out-of-Area Online Applications are available (January 6, 2025)

• Out-of-Area Online Applications are due (January 24, 2025)

February

• Round 1

  • Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the Out-of-Area Application (February 12, 2025)

  • Deadline for families to confirm acceptance of the Out-of-Area offer (February 18, 2025)

• Round 2

  • Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the Out-of-Area Application (February 19, 2025)

  • Deadline for families to confirm acceptance of the Out-of-Area offer (February 25, 2025)

• Final round

  • Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the Out-of-Area Application (February 26, 2025)

  • Deadline for families to confirm acceptance of the Out-of-Area offer (February 28, 2025)

• Students must finalize their destination for secondary school (designated school by address, Central Program, Alternative School, Out-of-Area Admission) by completing and submitting the corresponding course selection for the accepted school in myBlueprint by (March 03, 2025)