CVDCS launches SHSM in Health and Wellness and Mining

Discover a world of opportunities!

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School officially launched two new programs on Friday, May 8th – a Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness and a Specialist High Skills Major in Mining. Both programs give students a head start on possible career paths by providing sector specific training and hands-on learning experiences while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

To obtain a diploma with the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) designation, students must complete five components that provide a rich and varied range of curriculum-based and experiential learning experiences as a foundation for making a successful transition to a postsecondary destination of choice. The Specialist High Skills Major provides opportunities for students in all pathways – apprenticeship, college, university and workplace.

The program includes five key components:
• a bundle of eight to ten courses at the senior level (Grade 11 and 12)
• Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses
• Reach Ahead experiences connected to postsecondary pathways
• Experiential learning opportunities outside of the regular classroom
• Development of Essential Skills and work habits using the Ontario Skills Passport

“Students who complete a Specialist High Skills Major graduate from secondary school with the knowledge, skills, and industry-recognized qualifications valued by employers,” says Director of Education Jean Hanson. “Students are well prepared to pursue postsecondary education and training in the specific sectors.” Rainbow District School Board currently offers Specialist High Skills Major programs in Health and Wellness, Mining, Business, and Arts and Culture.

The programs are developed with input from community partners who serve on advisory panels. “Having sector representatives involved in building the programs from the ground up ensures that they are both responsive and relevant,” adds Director Hanson. “The advisory panels provide invaluable input to the various components of the program, including certification, course development, co-operative education placements and teacher professional learning. We thank our many community partners for their support.”

Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness

Chasity Pacan, left, receives care from Carley MacLeod. Both students are pioneers in the new Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness being offered at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School.

At Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, there are currently 32 students enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness. Students take Grade 11/12 Health Care, Biology, Chemistry, Phys Ed and Co-operative Education in a health care field.

They gain hands-on learning by participating in the Cambrian College Careers in Health Science Day, the P.A.R.T.Y Program (Preventing Alcohol Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Laurentian Hospital, and by touring the Northern Ontario Medical School. Upon completion of the SHSM in Health and Wellness, students will have earned the following certifications – Customer Service Training, Infection Control, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), CPR and First Aid Level ‘C’.

“Health and wellness is a growing area of the economy, particularly with our aging population,” says Principal Leslie Mantle. “Chelmsford Valley District Composite School has a long tradition of providing programs that promote healthy lifestyles and physical fitness. When the Ministry of Education announced this new program option for students, the Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness was a natural fit for our school.”

The Specialist High Skills Major in Health and Wellness is complementing the health care courses introduced at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School a few years ago. “The career exploration provided by the program is proving to be invaluable to our students,” adds Principal Mantle. “Reach ahead experiences allow for networking which gives students an edge in the job market. Many of the certifications are transferable, another benefit for our students.”

“I like the Specialist High Skills Major Program because it is giving me an opportunity to see my options in order for me to reach my maximum level of success in my future career,” says Jordan Leclair, a student in the SHSM in Health and Wellness.
   
“In the Specialist High Skills Major, you go on all different kinds of field trips to all different places. It really opens your eyes to how many careers there are in the health field and you get to look at them all. It helps you decide what you’re going to be when you are older and ready to pick your career for college,” adds student Deidre Richer.

Advisory panel members for the SHSM in Health and Wellness include:

Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Lynne Morin – Lively Physiotherapy
Debbie Digby – Sudbury & District Health Unit
Denise Tessier and Julie Nelson – Meadowbrook Retirement Village
Françoise Roussel – Sudbury Regional Hospital
Lisa Riddle and Donna Smrek – YMCA Sudbury
Joanne Pelletier – Laurentian University
Sharon Murdock – Sudbury & Manitoulin Workforce Partnerships Board

Specialist High Skills Major in Mining

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School student Joe Eadie, left, and Brett Cunning are enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School.

Ten students at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School are enrolled in the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining. The bundle of courses in this program includes Technological Design, Automotive Technology/Manufacturing Technology, Introduction to Mining, Physics and Co-operative Education in a mining occupation. “Introduction to Mining” was developed by teachers from Rainbow Schools with support from industry. The course focuses on mineral exploration, mining methods, mineral processing, environmental remediation, new technologies and health and safety.

Students enjoy a number of Reach Ahead and experiential learning opportunities, including a tour of the Vale INCO Mine, smelter and mill operations, and participation in the So You Think You Know Mining contest, a Surveying Camp, the Mineopoly game, a Geology Study, Dynamic Earth programming, observation of a mine rescue competition and a visit to Mirarco to learn about 3-D technology.
   
Students earn many certifications, including First Aid, CPR, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), General Safety Awareness, Confined Space Awareness Training, Fall Protection and Personal Protective Equipment.   
   
“The career exploration provided by the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining is invaluable to our students,” says Principal Mantle. “With hands-on learning, students make the connection between the classroom and the world of work, enabling them to focus on a future career path.”

Many parents of students at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School are employed in the mining sector, creating high interest in the sector among students. This provided an excellent foundation on which to build the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining at the school. Rainbow District School Board was the first school board in Ontario to pilot the Specialist High Skills Major in Mining in 2006. The program has since been expanded to other schools in the province.

“The Specialist High Skills Major in Mining has given me the chance to see all the different options that are offered in the mining sector, giving me opportunities for employment in the future,” says student Scott Lovelace.

“This program is a great way to learn about mining. You get to go on lots of field trips and see some cool things,” adds student Eric Samas. “You get special certificates which look really good on your resume, and, when you apply to college or university, it shows that you’re willing to do that extra little bit.”
   
Advisory panel members for the SHSM in Mining include:

Steve Ball and John Breau – Vale Inco
Dan Malinski and Christine Bertoli – Xstrata Nickel
Chantal Jolette – FNX Mining
Bill Neil – Atlas Copco
Dale Rakochy, Tanya Karns and Rosas Salvas – Atlas Copco
André Dumais – Bestech
Jim Gallagher – Hatch Engineering
Angèle Poitras –Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA)
Sharon Murdock – Sudbury & Manitoulin Workforce Partnerships Board
Otto Rost and Daryl Lake – NORCAT
Sylvie Montpellier – YMCA Employment Services
Laura Clinton – PDAC Mining Matters
Mia Boiridy and Sarah Chisnell – Dynamic Earth
John Sagman- Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)
Wijdan Malik – Mirarco
Eric Kohtakangas – Cementation
Peter McBride – Ontario Mining Association (OMA)
Shannon Katary- Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)
Steve Oaks – Stantec Engineering
Dana Matson – Toromont CAT
Gloria Thibault – MTI
Ingrid Hann – DeBeers Canada
Geoffrey Dalton and Louise Turcotte – Cambrian College
Dr. Dougal McCreath, Dr. Helen Shang, Dr. Singh, Nicole Tardif, Dr. Greg Baiden, Ed Guerra – Laurentian University
Dr. Greg Baiden – Penguin ASI
Stephanie Leclair – Collège Boréal
   

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Media Contact:

Leslie Mantle, Principal,
Chelmsford Valley District Composite School,
Rainbow District School Board, 675-0225.