Guidance
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Amanda Fisher-O’Dell - Department Head of Guidance
Brigitte Van de Laar - Guidance Counsellor
Kathy Pleterski - Guidance Clerical Support
Please direct all emails to Ms. Pleterski to secondaryathome@ddsb.ca
Transcript requests - secondaryathome@ddsb.ca
Multi-lingual parent/caregiver resources
There are new/updated resources for parents and caregivers from School Mental Health Ontario that are available in the following languages:- English
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Hindi
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Spanish
- Tagalog
- Tamil
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
These resources were developed to assist parent/caregivers in supporting their child’s mental health and well-being.
They Include:
-
How to help your child have a mentally healthy return to school
-
Prepare, Prevent Respond - A suicide prevention guide for parents and caregivers
Taking Care
Though the winter is often equated with warmth, joy, festivity and happy moments with family and friends, for many this is not the case. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, grief, and anxiety can be magnified against this backdrop.
Here are some resources to have handy if needed: https://smho-smso.ca/taking-care-over-the-winter-break/Counsellors encourage you to pop by these sessions to ask quick or general questions. If you require more guidance or have more complicated questions, email your name and contact number to amanda.fisherodell@ddsb.ca. The counsellor will email you back to confirm an appointment date and time.
All students have been added to the Guidance Google Classroom. If you do not see the classroom, please email Mrs. Fisher-O’Dell who will be sure to add you to the class at amanda.fisherodell@ddsb.ca.
Please refer to the Guidance Google classroom Classwork section to learn more about Community Involvement Hours and Submissions, Community Supports and Resources, Pathway Planning information and much more.
The following guides will be helpful with Pathway planning and course selection.
Choosing My Success! (2023-2024)
Refining My Pathway (2023-24)
Designing My Future! (2023-24)
Pathways to Student Success (2023-24)
If you started Grade 9 in or before Fall 2023
If you started Grade 9 in Fall 2024 and after
Grade Tracker and Diploma Checklist - Grade 10+
Grades and Diploma checklist - Grade 9
Course Selections for the following academic year occur at the beginning of semester 2. Further information will be provided by Guidance closer to that time through grade level assemblies and postings on the Guidance Google Classroom. Please continue to check the guidance classroom for updates and announcements.
DDSB@Home - Secondary students can direct questions to their guidance counsellor.
If students are returning to in-person learning for the next academic year, students must attend the home school in their local area. Not sure what Home School you are assigned to? Use the School Locator feature to find your school.
In this section you will be able to find the answers to our most asked questions.
More Information on Community Involvement Hours - Please check the Guidance Google Classroom for information on submitting your Community Involvement hours
If you meet the following criteria and would like to get a referral to D.A.S.S., please email secondaryathome@ddsb.ca:
You are at least 17 years of age or older
You have previously attended DDSB@Home Secondary School
You have not yet graduated (earned your OSSD)
and you are not enrolled at another DDSB high school
