Guidance

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

 
Pathway Planning Information 

Course selection information for the 2024-2025 academic year will be posted to the guidance classroom at the beginning of semester 2. Please continue to check the guidance classroom for updates and announcements.

 

The following guides will be helpful with pathway planning and course selection. 

 

Choosing My Success (Planning for grades 9 and 10) https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/resources/Documents/Pathways/Choosing-My-Success-2021-2022-Accessible.pdf

 

Refining My Pathway (Planning for grades 11 and 12)

https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/resources/Documents/Pathways/Refining-My-Pathway-Accessible.pdf

 

Designing My Future (Planning for Initial Post-Secondary Destination)

https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/resources/Documents/Pathways/Designing-My-Future-Accessible.pdf

 

Pathways to Success

https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/resources/Documents/Pathways/PATHWAYS-2021-2022_DDSB-Student-Success.pdf

Graduation Planning

What do you need to graduate from high school?

Grade Tracker and Diploma Checklist

Durham Alternative Secondary School (D.A.S.S.)
Grade 11 and 12 students who are interesting in looking to attend Durham Alternative Secondary School should contact their grade level counsellor to discuss and plan.
 Guidance Department Staff 
 

Amanda Fisher-O’Dell - Department Head of Guidance 

Brigitte Van de Laar - Guidance Counsellor

  

Guidance Clerical Support

 

Kathy Pleterski - Guidance Secretary 

Please direct all emails to Ms. Pleterski to secondaryathome@ddsb.ca

Transcript requests - secondaryathome@ddsb.ca

 Guidance Open Office Hours for Students 
 

Open drop in office hours are available on Tuesday and Thursday at lunch.

The link to the office meet will be live and posted to the guidance classroom at 12:15 p.m. 

Office hours will close at 12:45 p.m. to allow students enough time to get to their next class. 

 

Google Classroom Code
All students are encouraged to join the guidance google classroom using their DDSB student account. Students can ask their teacher for the guidance classroom access code. 
 Frequently Asked Guidance Questions 

 In this section you will be able to find the answers to our most asked questions. 

 

 Where can I find out about what courses I can pick in my course planner?
Click on the link to your home school under the "DDSB Secondary School Websites" tab. DDSB@Home counsellors will be updating this frequently, as resources from home schools are shared with us.
 How can I get course selection support from a guidance counsellor?
Grade level counsellors will be available during open office hours twice per week during the lunch hour. 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 your assigned counsellor. The counsellor will email you back to confirm an appointment date and time.
 What is the deadline to submit course selections?
You must submit your course selection by the home school's published deadline. Students who submit after the deadline will have courses selected for them by their guidance counsellors. Home schools will be using student courses selections to build the timetable for next year. Students who submit courses by the deadline will have equal consideration for registration in a course.
 How can I access MyBlueprint?
 

There are instructions and help documents posted to each grade level classroom. Use the following instructions to access myBlueprint:

  1. Visit www.myBlueprint.ca/ddsb
  2. Click 'School Account Log In'
  3. Enter your school email/username and password
 What if I am moving before September? How do I select courses for my new home school?
 You must pick courses for your current home school. Students can only select courses at another school once they have officially registered with that school. If you are moving, you must check the registration procedures for your new school.
 What are some helpful websites to research post-secondary options?
 There are a variety of resources posted to each grade level classroom. In addition to this, you may want to look at the following websites outlining options for college and university programming in the province of Ontario.

www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca

www.ontariocolleges.ca

www.ontransfer.ca

If you are interested in exploring opportunities in the trades, through apprenticeship or the workplace - please email your counsellor. Counsellors would be happy to help you start your research. 

I have questions about my IEP and supports. Who can I talk to? 
Questions about IEP's can be directed to Inclusive Student Service staff. Please see the staff listing on the grade level classroom for contact information. 
How and when do I register for summer school? 
Students will register for summer school courses through the My Blueprint website. Counsellors will approve summer course requests. Generally, summer school registration opens in April or May. More information will be posted to the grade level classrooms as it becomes available. You can also check www.dce.ca for more information. 
What awards, bursaries and scholarships can I apply to? 

Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships

Students are encouraged to check the guidance google classroom for updated information about scholarship, awards and bursary information.

How do I do Career Planning? 
Career Planning 
How do I get information about Community Involvement Hours? 

 

More Information on Community Involvement Hours - Please check your Grade Level Google Classroom for information on submitting your Community Involvement hours.

Community involvement activity record

 
 How do I know if I am on track to graduate?
 

Graduation

 

This applies to students who entered grade 9 ON OR AFTER September 1, 2020.  

 

Beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year, all students must earn a minimum of two online learning credits as part of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma unless they have been opted out or exempted. 

 

To review the list of  Graduation Requirements please review the following link: https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/graduation.aspx?_mid_=236#Secondary-School-Diploma-OSSD

 

For more information about the Online Learning Graduation Requirement please click the following link: https://www.ddsb.ca/en/programs-and-learning/online-learning-graduation-requirement.aspx

 

Families wishing to opt-out of the mandatory online courses required for graduation must complete the “Opt-Out Form.” (available on the guidance office google classroom).  The Opt-Out Form will need to be submitted to the school for processing and storage in the student’s OSR.  Virtual students learning with DDSB@Home must complete the fillable form and submit as a PDF to secondaryathome@ddsb.ca

 

The ministry recognizes the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result, up to one secondary school credit completed by Grade 9 students in the 2020-2021 school year during the province-wide school closures (from April 2021 to June 2021) may be counted towards the graduation requirement. 

 

If you have any questions regarding the Online Learning Graduation Requirement please contact the Guidance Department.

Where can I find help with my homework?
Homework Help
How do I report a student absence?
Parents/guardians should report an absence by calling 1-844-350-2646 or by using the SchoolMessenger app.
I have a problem with my Chromebook. Who do I contact?
Chromebook issues must be reported to a students' classroom teacher. Please include the device serial number and a description of the issue when emailing your teacher. The classroom teacher will submit a help ticket to IT Services on your behalf.