Welcome Back to In-Person Learning – UPDATE February 22, 2022

As restrictions continue to shift, so does the mode of delivery for the course offerings at St. Louis.

The following programs are currently offered in-person (as of February 22nd):

Personal Support Worker Certificate program is full, in-person learning, in class (Kitchener Main Campus, Fairview Mennonite Homes) or at designated placement
Hairstyling program is full, in-person learning, in class (Kitchener Main Campus) or at designated placement
Culinary Arts Training program continues at designated placement locations
Spots for Tots licensed childcare is in-person for registered children of parents who are learning onsite (Kitchener Main Campus)
Core Essentials (Literacy and Basic Skills) students continues to have the option of in-person or online learning (Kitchener Main and St. Benedict Campuses)
Correspondence Tutoring services are available offers in-person or online options (Kitchener Main Campus) – check and book according to day and evening schedules
LINC and Care for Newcomer Children – CNC / Childminding for qualifying families is full, in-person learning, in class (Kitchener Main, St. Francis, and Highland Campuses)
ESL students continue to have the option of in-person or online learning, whichever one they registered for at most locations (Kitchener Main, St. Mary’s 77 Young, St. Francis, Emmanuel and St. Benedict Campuses)
Students who are earning credits while they work, either at an in-person or remote job, are encouraged to have regular contact with your St. Louis Credits@Work teacher.
Homework Clubs at over 30 Catholic Elementary Schools and all Catholic Secondary Schools have resumed to in-person learning, before / after school or lunch (depending on school’s designated time)

** All other programs continue in a remote, online format until further notice**

Looking for Guidance Services?

LAST CHANCE to REGISTER For:

Term 4 in-person or online Day credit classes beginning March 2nd (8:45am-11:30am / 12:30pm-3:30pm, ending May 2, 2022)

Guidance Services are also either in-person or remote. ALL current and prospective students must first complete the Guidance Intake form. All students NEW to St. Louis and WCDSB need to complete the New Student Registration Form. Regular Office Hours: Now to June 30, 2022: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 12:30pm/1:30-4:00pm, Tuesday & Wednesday 5:30pm – 7:30pm . Closed Fridays for PLAR and online appointments.

Upcoming Skills Training Intake Sessions:

Next Personal Support Worker Certificate Training Intake Session will be in-person on Monday, April 25, 2022, 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Pre-registration begins soon!

Next Hairstyling Training Intake Session will be in-person on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 4:00-6:00pm. Classes start September 2022. Pre-Register TODAY.

Stay tuned for details about the Culinary Arts Training programming for a September start. Expressions of interest welcomed or for further inquiries, please call 519-745-1201 x201 or email Maria.Sukarieh@wcdsb.ca

** For more information on all St. Louis programs, visit https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca **

New Year! New You! St. Louis can be part of the plan.

New Year! New You!

While in the face of this new wave of the pandemic, and classes having to switch to remote learning, St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education is still a beacon of hope for many. This student’s one assignment last term was to create an infographic and she chose the topic of self-regulation, goal setting, and staying focused. How appropriate leading up to the new year!

Now What?

We are a few days into 2022 and you may feel like it’s not going as planned. If you think you missed your New Year’s opportunity, or you know someone in a “now what” situation, check out the St. Louis school programs available now. Some secondary school credit courses can be short-term and completed in just a few weeks . They can lead to a high school diploma or upgraded marks for post-secondary next Fall. Term 3 day classes have just begun, however you can register now for future teacher-led and online options, night school or you can earn high school credits while working. It’s not too late.

Skills for your Future

St. Louis also offers programs in Hairstyling, Culinary and Personal Support Worker skills training. St. Louis Personal Support Worker (PSW) program is offering one last opportunity for FREE tuition, FREE materials fee and a paid placement, subsidized by the Ontario government. Working as a PSW or any healthcare professional is noble, with many rewarding facets. It is also hard work and not for everyone. Learn the skills to care for the most vulnerable that would accompany your compassionate nature, self-regulation and good communication skills. Sign up now to be selected for the St. Louis PSW Certificate Training full-time day program starting February 22nd. Or plan ahead for all the September full-time, part-time, day and evening options available.

Hope and Opportunity

Explore our website https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca to find the option right for you or email us at stlouis@wcdsb.ca with any questions. Make 2022 your year of Hope and Opportunity!

St. Louis Graduates 538 for Class of 2021

After a week-long graduation celebration in the cafeteria of St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Centre – Kitchener Main Campus, we are so proud of the 538 certificates and diplomas earned by our students.

9 Ways to earn Secondary School Credits

Earn in a Class

Of this total, 379 students achieved their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) in 2020-2021. Last year, ALL secondary school credit day classes (1) and correspondence (2) courses were held online, and many students persisted toward this goal. Guidance counsellors worked remotely with those adult students who wanted to have their learning gained through work and life experience assessed against the Ontario curriculum. By doing Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition – PLAR (3), up to 26 credits could be granted and the final 4 credits earned at St. Louis. This past month, some daytime credit classes returned to in-person learning and we have already begun to register for Term 3. Registration is open until December 16 for classes that begin January 5 . PLAR and correspondence have continuous intake.

Earn while you Work

Other students navigated Covid restrictions by earning secondary school credits in-person and on the job, through our Credits@Work (4) program. Every hour worked counted as credit hour earned. 110 hours are needed to earn each credit. Students earn earn these as co-op credits toward their OSSD and employers gain a greater skilled work force and students.

Earn while you Gain Skills

We also helped students earn credits and gain skills through our three School-to-Work programs (#5,6,7 ways to earn secondary school credits). 2020-2021 Certificates were granted to 23 Culinary Arts students, 46 Hairstyling students and 90 Personal Support Workers – almost all working in their respective industries.

We are currently registering for the Pre-Apprenticeship Hairstyling Training classes that begin on January 6th and April 4th, 2022. A minimum of 16 secondary school credits is required to start, tuition is covered by the Ministry of Education, the equipment and materials fee is $1300, and teachers are Ontario Certified with years of previous and current industry experience. Complete the Pre-registration Form online to get started!

The full-time (Mon – Fri) day (8:45-3:30) PSW Certificate program that starts February 22, 2022 and is the last chance to take advantage of the free tuition, free materials fees and the 300 hour paid placement covered by the government of Ontario. Start class in February, and be work-ready by November! Pre-Register Now and be invited for a PSW admissions presentation and interview on one of the following dates:

Monday, January 10th, 10:00am-1:00pm
Monday, January 24th, 5;00pm-8:00pm
Monday, February 7th, 10:00am-1:00pm

**While the Culinary Arts Program is under a program review for 2022, expressions of interest are welcomed.

Earn while you learn a language

While many students rely on that upgraded math, science or English credit toward their high school diploma, the 8th way some of our graduates may have earned a credit is through language credit classes (8). In the new year, we will begin planning the course offerings and registration processes for an exciting Fall 2022 line-up of languages taught by Ontario Certified Teachers September 2022- June 2023. International Languages – Secondary prepares youth and adults for post-secondary studies and careers in the fields of business, trade and communications.

Earn in Summer

Even though snow is on the ground now, we ‘Think Summer” early at St. Louis. Of the 538 graduates, a handful might say that ‘Summer School 2021‘ contributed toward their OSSD. However, there are hundreds of youth from Grade 8 – Grade 12 each year who choose St. Louis summer school, and summer co-op, as part of their secondary school credit journey. Watch for details in late February, early March about Summer 2022 course offerings.

If ever you thought it was too late or not possible, contact St. Louis Guidance Services because we believe there is Hope, Opportunity and Success for All who attend St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres.

To view a few of our happy graduates: 2021 St Louis Graduation2

St. Louis Evening Classes Move to Remote Learning – Dec 1

weather alert using a snowflake and caution sign

December 1, 2020 (as of 12:00pm)

Due to the current weather conditions, St. Louis Continuing Education and Adult and Learning Centre buildings are CLOSED to students and staff for afternoon and evening classes. When All St. Louis programs and services switch to or continue as remote learning on any weather affected day, this means that afternoon and evening classes become remote learning, as well.

School closures on weather impacted learning days affects:

Secondary School Credit Day classes – 12:30pm-3:30pm (students see details on D2L announcements)
Core Essentials (Literacy and Basic Skills) class – 12:30pm-3:30pm
English Language EVENING classes (ESL) – 6:30pm-9:30pm
Personal Support Worker (PSW) PART-TIME EVENING class – 4:30pm-9:30pm

For notifications on future Weather Impacted Learning Days:

Visit: https://wcdsb.ca

Subscribe to receive automatic notifications: Provide your email address to St. Louis Newswire at the bottom of our website https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca

Follow:

@StLouisWCDSB on Twitter (https://twitter.com/StLouisWCDSB) or @WCDSBNewswire

stlouisalc (https://www.facebook.com/stlouisalc)

St. Louis Term 2 classes start on a Friday?

Who thinks about going back to school on a Friday at the end of October?

Adults who are determined to get their high school diploma – no matter how long it has been or how many credits you ‘think’ you still need!
Adults who have sights on post-secondary for 2021 (university, college, trades)
People looking for work and need to brush up on skills or pivot directions
Newcomers to Canada who have improved their English levels to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 6+ and are ready to have their International Education recognized and high school equivalencies measured
Existing St. Louis students who just finished a rigorous 8 weeks of remote learning from home on the Desire to Learn (D2L) platform and are that much closer to reaching your goals.

Secondary School Credit (SSC) day classes are offered morning and afternoon. During Covid-19 restrictions, these day classes are still being taught remotely or through distance learning. St. Louis is a really great adult, school-board run institution that will be a safe landing space to prepare you for your future. Commit to the set times every morning and/or afternoon, Monday to Friday from October 30th to December 18th and earn one or two SSC’s toward your goal.

You’ve heard of Motivation Mondays? Let’s call this Fired-up Friday.

Don’t wait! It’s never to late to start or upgrade. Get motivated and let us help you reach your goals!

Term 2 Course Selection Form is available Oct 29, 30 and Nov 2 ONLY during Guidance Office Hours. A Guidance Counsellor will get back to you as quickly as possible, to get you started.

For more information visit: https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca/programsandcourses/ssc/day-classes/

What’s Keeping You From Finishing?

What’s keeping you from finishing your high school diploma?

Cost?

Not enough time?

Going back with teenagers?

Something else?

STOP

We have the answers to all your questions about finishing your high school diploma and achieving your goals fast! Finishing your high school diploma. It’s easier, faster and more within reach than you probably think. We understand. The idea of finishing your high school diploma in your final year of Grade 12 or as an adult of any age can be stressful. For some adults, it’s a fear of going back to school with a younger crowd. For others, it’s a cost consideration. Maybe you don’t think you have time — that the sacrifice is too hard.

It’s FLEXIBLE

At St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres, we’ve made it easy for you to take the next steps toward your successful future, with flexible options that suit your life timetable. You can take courses or earn credits at our Main Campus, at home, at work or online. Credits can be taken during the day, night or even in the summer. Ask us how to tailor your journey today or explore your website: https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca/programsandcourses/ssc/ .

It’s FREE

If you’re an Ontario resident over the age of 18, tuition is free when finishing your high school diploma. That’s right. You can achieve your high school diploma without tuition costs. Some materials fees do apply, yet still highly affordable.

It’s FAIR

Credits toward finishing your high school diploma can be applied for previous learning or experience you may already have. This means that finishing your high school diploma may be closer than you imagine. This is especially important for new Canadians who have previous academic and life experience prior to arriving in Canada.

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is the preferred accreditation for employers, as a minimum standard. It’s what they look for when considering job applications and in today’s online application process, it’s an important tick box that must be truthfully answered.

Don’t let ANYTHING hold you back from taking the next easy step toward achieving your goals.

YOU DESERVE IT!

St. Louis is one of 60 locations in the Province to serve you and we are proud to serve Waterloo Region for over 30 years!

Still not sure if you are ready? Visit getmyhighschooldiploma interactive microsite for more information.

Or go directly to the St. Louis at 80 Young Street, Kitchener. Explore our website: https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca/. Email stlouis@wcdsb.ca with your questions. Call to speak with someone in Guidance at 519-745-1201.