Guidance

Guidance is an area where students can receive assistance with educational planning, career goals, personal counselling, or referrals to outside agencies. Guidance counsellors are teachers with additional expertise in the area of Guidance and Career Education and are trained to help students make informed decisions about their future.

Guidance News

Grade 9 or 10 Technology Credit: Beginning with the cohort of students who enter Grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year, all student must earn one grade 9 or 10 technology credit as part of the graduation requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Grade 8 to 12 Course Selection Dates:
- February 2025 (date tbd): Course Selection Opens in myBlueprint
- February 2025 (date tbd): Course Selection Closes in myBlueprint

The Guidance team has held assemblies for all grades. We also hosted a Parent and Guardian Information Night. Course selection takes place using myBlueprint, which is accessible by all of our students by visiting: www.myblueprint.ca/ddsb. Course selections must be approved by a parent or guardian by clicking the approval button in the email you receive from myBlueprint after the courses are submitted.

Online Learning Credits: Beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year, all students must earn a minimum of two online learning credits as part of the graduation requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma unless they have been opted-out or been exempted. Families wishing to opt-out of the mandatory online courses required for graduation must complete and return the “Opt-Out Form" to the J. Clarke Richardson Guidance Office.
Summer School Information:
- Summer School Registration will begin February 2025 (date tbd) using myBlueprint. www.myblueprint.ca/ddsb
VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HOURS:
- Community Involvement Hours Sheets (Activity Records) are located on the Guidance Google Classroom as well as our school website. Students can submit their completed activity record(s) by scanning and emailing to our Guidance Secretary, Ms. Sheppard at: christine.sheppard@ddsb.ca.
- Alternatively, you can submit a hard copy of your form directly to the school in the Guidance Office. https://jclarkerichardson.ddsb.ca/en/students/resources/Documents/Standard-Fillable-Community-Involement-Hours-Form-1.pdf.

Programs and Courses Available to J. Clarke Richardson students:

The Guidance team has held course selection assemblies for all grades. We also hosted a Parent and Guardian Information Night. To access resources shared with students during our Course Selection Assemblies and our Parent and Guardian Information Night, please click on the Links below:

Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation Document

Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation Document for Grade 9 to 10 Course Selection

Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation Document for Grade 10-11 and 11-12 Course Selection

Guidance Team

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT HEAD

A. Flemming (Grade 10 Counsellor)

GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

A. Gray (Grade 9 Counsellor)
S. Lamoureux (Grade 11 Counsellor)
A. Pearson (Grade 12 Counsellor)

GUIDANCE SECRETARY

C. Sheppard Ext. 234020

Guidance Appointments

Guidance Counsellors are available for students to help with Career Planning, Wellness and Mental Health Support, plus access to other supports.

Appointments are booked using the Google link provided in each grade's Guidance Google Classroom:

Grade 9 - Ms. Gray (5um2lto)

Grade 10 – Ms. Flemming (54vaxjf)

Grade 11 – Mrs. Lamoureux (5um2lto)

Grade 12 - Ms. Pearson (y4eqeug)

WELLNESS SUPPORTS
If you are in immediate need of help or feel you are in crisis, the following resources are available:
- Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 – or text “connect” to 686868 (https://kidshelpphone.ca/)
- Durham Crisis Support for Children and Youth – 1-855-310-COPE (2673)
- Durham Mobile Crisis Team - 1-800-742-1890
- Durham Region Crisis Response Line – 905-666-0483

If you are concerned for the immediate safety of yourself or someone else, you can call 911 or visit any hospital emergency department.

Student Registration

Graduation Requirements

Course Selection

The Guidance team has held assemblies for all grades. We also hosted a Parent and Guardian Information Night. Course selection takes place using myBlueprint, which is accessible by all of our students by visiting: www.myblueprint.ca/ddsb. Course selections must be approved by a parent or guardian by clicking the approval button in the email you receive from myBlueprint after the courses are submitted.

Online Learning Credits: Beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year, all students must earn a minimum of two online learning credits as part of the graduation requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma unless they have been opted-out or been exempted. Families wishing to opt-out of the mandatory online courses required for graduation must complete and return the “Opt-Out Form" to the J. Clarke Richardson Guidance Office.

Programs and Courses Available to J. Clarke Richardson students:

Grade 9 Information:

Grade 9 Course Descriptions 2024-2025

Grade 9 Course Selection Options for Planning Purposes for 2024-2025

Grade 10 Information:

Grade 10 Course Selection Options for Planning Purposes for 2024-2025

Grade 11 Information:

Grade 11 Course Selection Options for Planning Purposes for 2024-2025

Grade 12 Information:

Grade 12 Course Selection Options for Planning Purposes for 2024-2025

Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation Document

Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation Document for Grade 9 to 10 Course Selection

Parent/Guardian Information Night Presentation Document for Grade 10-11 and 11-12 Course Selection

Please also click the links below for pathways resource guides that have been prepared by the DDSB to support students and their families:

Choosing My Success - Planning for Grade 9

Refining My Pathway - Planning for grades 10 - 12

Designing My Future - Planning for my initial post-secondary destination

Students are encouraged to book an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor if they would like support with their course selections. Appointments are booked using the Google link provided in each grade's Guidance Google Classroom:

Grade 9 - Ms. Pearson (ixhnzr2)

Grade 10 – Ms. Flemming (54vaxjf)

Grade 11 – Mrs. Lamoureux (5um2lto)

How to order a transcript or replacement diploma (for former JCR Grads)

Click Here for instructions on how you can order a transcript or replacement diploma

Night School & Summer School

Night and Summer school are offered through Durham Continuing Education (DCE). Full information regarding these courses can be found on their website, www.dce.ca

Students sign-up for these courses through their DDSB myBlueprint account using the Continuing Education tab.

Guidance

Guidance News

Programs and Courses Available to J. Clarke Richardson students:

Grade 9 Information:

Grade 10 Information:

Grade 11 Information:

Grade 12 Information:

Guidance Team

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT HEAD

GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

GUIDANCE SECRETARY

Guidance Appointments

Student Registration

Graduation Requirements

Course Selection

Programs and Courses Available to J. Clarke Richardson students:

Grade 9 Information:

Grade 10 Information:

Grade 11 Information:

Grade 12 Information:

How to order a transcript or replacement diploma (for former JCR Grads)

Night School & Summer School

Grade 8 to Grade 9

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12