October 2023

In this issue

• Get My High School Diploma site
• Samuel's PSW Success Story
• Our Annual Report
• PLAR FAQ
• Conference Keynote & Workshop Day
• Graduation Day at Pikangikum
• Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs
• Part-time PSW position at CESBA
• Equity & Inclusion - Hindu Heritage Month, Transgender Awareness
• Upcoming events

We are delighted to share the launch of the updated www.GetMyHighSchoolDiploma.ca website! The site is for prospective adult credit students to find learning centres near them. It also demonstrates to all our stakeholders that the OSSD and the PLAR process is available and accessible to learners throughout Ontario.

When the site was first launched a few years ago to support a larger marketing campaign, the goals and content were carefully crafted in close consultation with several adult and continuing education programs around the province. This new site kept that good work, but added a cleaner look and improved functionality in the map.

We also took some time to update site locations to the best of our ability, however we encourage you to check your street addresses, websites and contact information. Reach out to info@cesba.com to correct your school board location sites or contact information.

In due time, Cathy encouraged me to go back to school to get certified as a qualified Personal Support Worker and I came to St. Charles Adult and Continuing Education Center in Hamilton. There I met my wonderful professors, Paula and Laura, who were very kind, loving, accommodating and cheerful.

On completion of my PSW training, I worked for various health institutions and home care agencies until I got my permanent residence and went to Mohawk College to take the Practical Nursing program. Today, I have graduated and I currently work with Hamilton Health Sciences as a Registered Practical Nurse.

My goal is to continue to make a difference in the lives of our highly dignified seniors who make up our patient population as I work in a medicine unit. I will study until I become either a nurse practitioner or a nurse educator."

Our Annual Report celebrates the accomplishments of our last fiscal year. Our numerous events, activities, research and committee work from April 2022 to March 2023 are outlined in this interactive webpage.

You will also find a financial summary, from the audited financial statements approved last month at the Annual General Meeting, as well as lists of committees, members and partners.

Ce rapport est également disponible en français.

A: The requirement applies to adults (18+) who will be entering the Ontario school system for the first time (e.g. newcomers and/or out of province), and students from the 2020-2021 Grade 9 cohort who will be entering grade 12.

It does not apply to adults who were previously enrolled in the Ontario school system. An adult may also opt out of this requirement through the process outlined in the PPM. Online courses offered by any school authorized to award credit towards the OSSD may count towards fulfilling this requirement.

We still have some tickets left for Keynote/Workshop Day on Thursday, December 7

• Keynote address by Joze Piranian, "Face Fear. Become Resilient. Unlock Potential”,
  
  
• 21 varied workshops with a wide range of excellent presenters. See Thursday workshop details now!
• Entertainment from students at CEAO (Centre d'excellence artistique de l'Ontario)
  
  
• Network in person with your colleagues. Check out sponsors and exhibitors.

In case you missed it in June, check out this moving CBC video of Eenchokay Birchstick School's largest graduating class. The class included a mother and daughter celebrating their shared achievement. Located in Pikangikum First Nation, a fly-in First Nation near the Manitoba border, the school is an Indigenous Education Authority and a community partner of CESBA.

Watch now

Check out the Level up! website by Skilled Trades Ontario. There are upcoming career fairs in London, Mississauga, Oshawa and Ottawa. The site also has helpful resources for those interested in pursuing a skilled trade.

Our ministry representatives remind us that many of the apprenticeship opportunities and resources that were created with younger high school students in mind can still be leveraged by adult students.

We are still looking for a registered nurse or registered practical nurse who is interested in a part-time opportunity to support our PSW program quality assurance process. This must be someone who is not currently employed by a school board, so please share this posting with your wider network.

It is an opportunity to meet dedicated instructors and students around the province while earning supplementary income. View job posting.

November is Hindu Heritage Month coinciding with a busy holiday season, including Diwali.

Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance are also in November.

Here is a diverse selection of resources recommended by CESBA's Equity and Inclusion Committee.

• Hindu Heritage Month Guide - PDF summary of Hindu traditions from Toronto DSB
  
  
• What Are Trans Rights? - Summary and resources from Queer Events, a Southwestern Ontario community organization
  
  
• Looking Beyond the Bechdel: 5 tests that examine equality in film - A fun Bust article on representation as film season begins

The Equity and Inclusion Committee includes A&CE professionals from several member boards. The committee highlights interesting resources each month to offer new insights on diversity, equity and inclusion and to encourage continued discussion on these topics. We welcome new members. Please join us!

• CESBA Central, October 31, 1-3 p.m. (Zoom)
  
  
• New Administrator Day, November 1, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Chelsea Hotel Toronto
  
  
• Funding & OnSIS Day, November 2, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Chelsea Hotel Toronto
  
  
• PSW Q&A with EDU, November 7, 12-1 p.m. (Zoom)
  
  
• 2023 Embracing Transformation | Accueillir le changement, December 6-7 at Chelsea Hotel Toronto
  

Visit cesba.com/events for more information