TOP 5 REASONS FOR SHSM ARTS AND CULTURE

• Bundle of grade 11 and 12 courses

• Co-op 

• Certifications

• Experiential Learning and Career Exploration

• Reach Ahead Experiences

• Sector Partnered Experiences (SPE)

As you complete your high school credits you might actually already be on track towards one of the SHSMs offered at Northern. The SHSM program is a unique experience that allows you to gain real work experience in a field that you may wish to pursue as a career.  Students who have earned a SHSM can provide evidence of their achievement of the required components (e.g., sector-recognized certifications and training programs) to prospective employers and postsecondary educational or training institutions.

There are certified workshops like CPR and First Aid that are a requirement for SHSM students and also a huge bonus to add to your resume. Through a SHSM, students begin to establish relationships and networks in their chosen field.

The SHSM programs allow you to gain certificates and work with professionals in a field that you may never thought possible. Once you complete the program, you are given a red seal on your OSSD. Another great thing to add to your resume!

The SHSM Program allows students to experience a range of customized learning opportunities in an area that interests them, and helps to engage them in their school program. 

A SHSM program gives students the opportunity to explore, identify, and refine career goals and make informed decisions related to postsecondary education or training and next steps towards a career. The experiential learning opportunities provided in an SHSM enable students to develop Essential Skills and work habits that are required in the sector, and have their performance of those skills and work habits assessed and documented, using tools connected with the Ontario Skills Passport.

A SHSM helps students gain confidence in their ability to succeed, and see the connections between their studies, the world beyond high school, and their future careers.

Students must take a core set of six Ministry of Education approved courses that have been created and bundled to give experiences and skills in the arts.

Four sector-specific courses (majors) such as Visual Arts, Media Arts, Dance, Drama, and Music

• 1 major in Grade 11 & 3 majors in Grade 12  OR

• 2 majors in Grade 11 & 2 majors in Grade 12  OR

• 3 majors in Grade 11 & 1 major in Grade 12

Two other required courses: one must be English and  the other can be in Business or Canadian & World Studies

Schools may commit to including a contextualized learning activity (CLA) for the arts and culture sector in each of the two credits. In each credit, some of the course expectations are then met through the CLA. (Schools that do not formally commit to including CLAs are still free to offer them in one or more of the credits.)

Two Cooperative Education (Co-op) credits in an arts related placement are required.

Co-op placements could include working at places like local art galleries and shops, local professional theatre companies, the conservatory for the arts, photography studios, elementary school art or music programs, etc.

3 Mandatory

• CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C – includes automated external defibrillation (AED)

• Standard First Aid

• WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) – generic (i.e., not site-specific) instruction

3 Optional - see chart

Some examples include:

• Portfolio Development

• Advanced Training in a Technique/Technology/Art Form/ Art Therapy

• Proposal and Grant Writing

• Leadership Skills

• Anti-Oppression and Allyship Training

You only have to complete this once and can include any of the following:

• Job-TwInning - one-on-one observation of a cooperative education student at a placement in the arts and culture sector

• Job Shadowing - a day-long observation of an artist

• Work Experience - a one- or two-week work experience with a member of an industry association or a professional in the sector 

• Participation in a local, provincial or national competition focused on one of the arts

• Attendance at a sector trade show, conference, symposium, or job fair

• A tour of a local theatre, museum, studio or art gallery

Students are provided one or more reach ahead experiences – opportunities to take the next steps along their chosen pathway – as shown in the following examples:

• Apprenticeship: visiting an approved apprenticeship delivery agent in the sector

• College: interviewing a college student enrolled in a sector-specific program

• University: observing a university class in a sector-related program

• Workplace: interviewing an employee in the sector

If you are interested in the SHSM program you can book an appointment with Ms. Vibert in Student Success.  You also have the option of looking at the SHSM programs through myBlueprint. Simply log-in to your myBlueprint account and go to your education planner - explore programs - choose a pathway and select "indicate interest". Once this is selected Ms. Vibert will contact you to discuss how you can achieve your SHSM red seal!

When you are ready to enroll you will need parent permission. Have your parent/guardian sign the application form and email it to april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca