Core Essentials – A Student Support Program
Do you want extra support while pursuing your academic goals?
Core Essentials can help.
We offer FREE individualized and flexible programming to build skills in:
- Reading
- Writing
- Numeracy
- Digital skills
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Creativity and innovation
- Collaboration
- Study Skills
- Prepare for St. Louis certification programs
Schedule an assessment to discover:
- Your academic strengths and any potential areas of growth
- The pathway to achieve your long-term and short-term academic goals
- How we can work together to help you to reach your full potential
We offer FREE class options designed to work with your life.
In-person, Synchronous, Remote, Student Support, Digital Essentials and PSW Essentials. Start anytime during the school year (September to June)
Students who take Core Essentials:
- Prepare for their next step such as: Secondary School Credit courses, employment or volunteer work
- Prepare for PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition) and School-to-Work Skills Training
- Discover academic strengths and any potential areas of growth
- Build confidence in reading, writing, numeracy, digital skills, problem solving, communication, creativity and innovation, collaboration, and study skills
- Focus on long-term goals and short-term academic goals
St. Louis Core Essentials Programs offer:
- Comfortable classroom environments (in-person, online, supported remote)
- Flexible daytime hours of study
- Instruction tailored to your goals
- Certified adult instructors who will guide and prepare you, respect your needs and eagerly help you learn
- Support through Independent Remote Learning (ask for details)
- Upgrading to prepare for many credit classes, including English and Math
Dates: September to June / Monday to Thursday
Time: Flexible options available
- In-person: [Mon – Thurs] 8:45am – 11:45am or 12:30pm – 3:00pm
- Synchronous: [Mon – Thurs] 9:15am – 11:45am or 12:45pm – 3:15pm
- Remote: [Mon – Thurs] 12:30pm – 3:30pm
- Student Support (including Digital): [Mon – Thurs] 8:45am – 11:45am & [Tues – Wed] 11:45am – 7:45pm
- PSW Essentials: [Mon – Thurs] 9:15am – 4:00pm * Hours may change on PSW intake weeks or during workshops
(Length of the Program and frequency of attendance to achieve goals is determined at time of intake and during the development of your personalized learning plan.)
Location:
- In-person @ St. Louis – Kitchener Main Campus
- Online
- Supported Remote
** NO FEES ** (Eligible students may qualify for financial support toward public transportation, technology and with child care costs.)
Register: Anytime September 2024 to June 2025
Student Support Hours:
Student Support is available for St. Louis Core Essentials, Correspondence, and Personal Support Worker students who are needing a little extra assistance in understanding course concepts, navigating D2L or building the skills and plans needed to be a successful independent learner.
Mondays 8:45-11:45 12:30-3:30
Tuesdays 8:45-11:45 11:45-12:30 12:30 – 3:00 3:30-7:45
Wednesdays 8:45-11:45 11:45-12:30 12:30 – 3:00 3:30-7:45
Thursdays 8:45-11:45 12:30-3:30
Fridays CLOSED
Digital Essentials is computer- based learning designed for students who want help to build their knowledge and skills in a digital, technology-based academic environment. Be ready for future credit classes, online self-study or other technology-based courses by learning:
- Time management and SMART goals
- Web browsing and internet safety
- Online research skills
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool
- Desire to Learn © – (D2L)
Time: Flexible options available – up to 15 hours
Support available:
- Instructor available: [Mon & Thurs] 8:45am – 11:30am and [Tues & Wed] 8:45am – 7:45pm
- Remote: [Mon – Thurs] 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Location:
- In-person @ St. Louis – Kitchener Main Campus
- Online
- Supported Remote
** NO FEES **
Register: Anytime
PSW Essentials is a Personal Support Worker preparation course offered through Core Essentials – A skills upgrading program designed within a PSW context. PSW Essentials is designed for students who want to upgrade or refresh their skills before enrolling into the (St. Louis) PSW program or pursuing health-care focused employment. The instructor will work with PSW Essentials students around such topics as:
- Knowing how you learn
- Hard skills vs. soft skills
- Problem solving
- Communication and professional behaviour
- Numeracy, reading and writing documents
Time: Program format should take 2-3 weeks with dedicated daily learning. Personalized additional learning materials may extend time needed for completion.
Instructor available: [Mon – Thurs] 9:15am – 4:00pm *Hours may change on PSW intake weeks or during workshops
Location: In-person / Supported Remote (through D2L)
** NO FEES **
Register: Anytime
Start Anytime during the school-year (September to June).
Core Essentials Intake Coordinator, Dina Amorim supports students by determining their current literacy and basic skills and developing a personalized plan with them to achieve their educational, volunteer and/or employment goals.
Please call 519-503-6987 or 519-745-1201 ext. 238 (Tracey) to book a meeting with Dina.
Meet the Core Essentials Team!
- Dina Amorim – Intake Coordinator and Core Instructor (PSW Essentials)
- Monique Benedetti – Core Instructor (Student Support)
- Stephanie Brubacher – Core Essentials Instructor (In-Person and Supported Remote)
- Heather Lee – Core Instructor (Online/Synchronous)
- Nicole Pyszka – Core Instructor (In Person and Student Support)
Jaime Sobotka – Program Manager ext. 216
Tracey Renon – Administrative Assistant ext. 238
For more information, call 519-745-1201 ext. 238
or email stlouis@wcdsb.ca
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
