Guidance Department

Description

The Guidance Department at Victoria Park is dedicated to the success and well-being of every member of our school community. Our Guidance Counsellors demonstrate this by supporting students in the realms of personal, social, and educational development, as well as in career planning. Students are welcomed into our Guidance Office and, in fact, often gather in our reception room to research and discuss opportunities, utilizing the wealth of information accessible in that area. Some of the many services that we provide to assist in the cultivation of student success are:

1) Aiding Personal and Social Concerns/Development

Confidential individual counselling relating to issues a student may be encountering inside or outside school.
Referral to our internal support staff (ex. CYW, Social Worker, Settlement Workers) or to outside community agencies.
ICARE box – an anonymous outlet for students to express a concern about themselves or others to a counsellor.
Education about and referral to alternative programs/schools that may suit student based on unique needs.
Volunteer and job opportunities through announcements, newsletter**, postings, and compilation binders.

2) Assisting with Educational Planning

Awareness of O.S.S.D and post secondary requirements.
Course selection and timetable changes.
Credit courses available outside of regular day school - night school, summer school, and virtual school options.
Peer tutoring through our comprehensive after-school program.
Up-to-date post secondary prospects – including out-of-Ontario.
Financial aid resources - scholarships, loans, and bursaries.

3) Supporting Career Planning/Provision of Career Information

Compulsory Careers credit course in Gr.10.
Interest inventories to allow students to discover possible destinations appropriate to their passions.
Referral to computer programs (ex. Career Cruising) that allow for Career exploration.
Reference materials in the Guidance Reception Area and soon-to-be revamped Career Centre.

Students are encouraged to visit their assigned Counsellor by booking a time in the appointment book available in the Guidance reception area. Upon completion of an appointment, a student will receive an admit slip to return to class. Counsellors are also available on a drop-in basis before and after school, as well as during lunch time.

Parents are urged to maintain contact also, and may make an appointment or speak with individual Counsellors by calling our main number below.

Councellors:
L. Pengelly	Surname beginning A - F & Visa Students
M. Burstein	Surname beginning G - L
L. Czudnochowsky	Surname beginning M - Z
R. Ullah	Special Programs Students

Contact Info

Office Administrators:
Mrs. L. Dale
Mrs. S. Lewy

Location: Beside the Main Office

Phone Number: 416-395-3310 ext. 20040

Office Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays)

**For up-to-date Guidance-related opportunities/information, please see our weekly newsletter The Guidance Corner

Courses Offered:

	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
General Learning Strategies	GLS101
Mentoring			GPP301