Uxbridge Secondary School

Co-operative Education

Curricular Integration

At Uxbridge Secondary School, the Guidance department oversees the implementation of Choices into Action, the Credit Recovery program and the Career Studies program. The Guidance and Career Education program is designed to help students develop learning skills, social skills, a sense of social responsibility, and the ability to formulate and pursue educational and career goals. Guidance teachers help to implement the Annual Education Plan across the curriculum. Guidance personnel work together with classroom teachers, parents, community partners and administration to effectively accomplish the goals of Choices into Action.

Department Vision Statement

Excellence, persistence, and commitment.

The Guidance department at USS works together as a team to ensure that our students are ready to meet the challenges that they will face after graduation. Whether it be the workplace, university, college or an apprenticeship, we encourage and enable students to pursue their post secondary goals.

Department Members

B. Cole (Secretary)
C. Allen
C. Higgins
R. Houston
E. Pinder

The Process

Most students select Co-operative education as an option in grades 11 or 12. All students are interviewed by a Co-operative education teacher to discuss potential placements prior to being admitted into the program.
Students attend 15-20 hours of pre-placement training per credit before going to their placements. During this time, they receive detailed instruction on resume writing, interview skills, confidentiality and health and safety.
Students attend their placement on a daily basis to get a taste of what it is like to work full time in their chosen field. Students return once a month for ongoing job skills training and presentations by guest speakers.

The Benefits

Practical work experience - often required for admission to many post-secondary programs and/or future employment.
The chance to "try on a job" before investing thousands of dollars in a college/university program.
Valuable references.
Personal skills such as self-confidence, initiative and creativity.
Teamwork skills such as problem solving and critical thinking.
The possibility of future part time or summer employment.

Where do USS students go?

Current placements include:

Provincial Court Office	Williamson's	Brandon Ford	all local public schools
JP Schloss metal sculpture	Nonquon Outdoor Education Center	law offices	CIBC bank
Uxbridge Times Journal	Township Offices	Pet Hospital on Main	Uxbridge Vet
local hair salons	Township Offices	Pet Hospital on Main	Uxbridge Vet
UC Colours	general contractors	travel offices	Martino's Cabinetry
Shoppers Drug Mart	Fox & Fiddle	Versa Care	Magnolias Art Studio
Durham Regional Police	Elegant Images	Durham Forest	Footsteps Sound Studio
Rogers Cable	Oshawa	Ministry of Finance	Ross Doble
Sunderland