Summer Reach Ahead

* Assessment Deadlines are the final submission dates for all course work and quizzes.

** Summer Technological Education course options are:

• Exploring Construction Technology
• Exploring Hospitality and Tourism
• Exploring Hairstyling and Aesthetics

Course offerings may vary by location based on facility requirements, staffing and registrations.  CE reserves the right to cancel, combine and/or relocate programs.

The package below contains additional information for students about the program and key information to get started in the on-line Civics and Careers courses:

Welcome Package Reach Ahead CIVICS & CAREERS – Summer 2025 – Coming in May 2025

Dates: July 2-14, 2025

CIVICS (POLITICS) from the 2013 REVISED Canadian and World Studies, Ontario Curriculum document

Politics involves the study of how societies are governed, how policy is developed, how power is distributed, and how citizens take public action. The Grade 10 course Civics and Citizenship focuses on civics, a branch of politics that explores the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the processes of public decision making, and ways in which citizens can act for the common good within communities at the local, national, and/or global level. By focusing on civics and citizenship education, this course enables students to develop their understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen and to explore various elements of the citizenship education framework.

Civics and Citizenship provides opportunities for students to investigate issues of civic importance, the roles of different levels of government in addressing these issues, and how people’s beliefs and values affect their positions on these issues. Students will analyse the roles, responsibilities, and influence of citizens in a democratic society and explore ways in which people can make a difference in the various communities to which they belong. Students are encouraged to clarify their own beliefs and values relating to matters of civic and political importance and to explore ways in which they can respond to these matters.

Civics and Citizenship introduces students to the political inquiry process and the concepts of political thinking. Students will develop ways of thinking about civics and citizenship education through the application of these concepts and will use the political inquiry process as they gather, interpret, and analyse data and information relating to issues of civic importance. Students will make informed judgements and draw conclusions about these issues and will develop plans of actions to address them. This course supports the further study of politics in Grades 11 and 12.

Dates: July 15-25, 2025

CAREERS from the 2019 REVISED CAREER STUDIES, Ontario Curriculum document

To prepare students for the future, it is necessary to empower them to take an active role in finding their path in the world of work and the community. With the rapid pace of technological, social, and cultural change in today’s global economy and with new understandings of what a career looks like in this context, it is more important than ever that students be supported in their transition from secondary school to their initial post-secondary destination, whether in apprentice-ship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace. Thoughtful and intentional education and career/life planning that involves both parents* and educators is essential in ensuring that students make well-informed decisions as they look ahead. It is also important that students learn about the fundamentals of financial management, so that they can be informed about and responsible for the implications of their decisions, and better managers of their own lives.

The revised Career Studies course will enable students to consolidate and share what they have learned in the four areas of learning of the education and career/life planning framework – Knowing Yourself, Exploring Opportunities, Making Decisions and Setting Goals, and Achieving Goals and Making Transitions – at a key time in their education. While exploring the career opportunities that are available to them, their own interests, values, and goals, and their particular pathway options, students will also learn about the skills, strategies, and resources that can help them adapt to change and challenges and become lifelong learners.

Dates: July 2-25, 2025 

Exploring Construction Technology (TCJ1O) from the 2009 REVISED Technology Education, Ontario Curriculum document

This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills in construction technology, which encompasses plumbing, electrical and network wiring, masonry, heating/cooling, carpentry, and woodworking. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.

Dates: July 2-25, 2025

Exploring Hairstyling and Aesthetics (TXJ1O) from the 2009 REVISED Technology Education, Ontario Curriculum document

This exploratory course introduces students to concepts and skills related to hairstyling and aesthetics, including hair, nail, and skin care applications. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field.

Dates: July 2-25, 2025

Exploring Hospitality and Tourism Course (TFJ1O) from the 2009 REVISED Technology Education, Ontario Curriculum document

This course provides students with opportunities to explore different areas of hospitality and tourism, as reflected in the various sectors of the tourism industry, with an emphasis on food service. Students will study culinary techniques of food handling and preparation, health and safety standards, the use of tools and equipment, the origins of foods, and event planning, and will learn about tourism attractions across Ontario. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues, and will explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the tourism industry.

Here’s a video that demonstrates the Summer School submission process for students.

Keeping up with work:  For Civics and Careers courses – Each day throughout the course (Monday-Friday), there will be an assignment due for submission.  It is important for students to keep up with the work each day and to contact their teacher if they are having difficulty.  Students who have not submitted work by the end of the day July 9th will be automatically removed from the Civics course.  Similarly, students who have not submitted work by the end of the day July 22nd will be automatically removed from the Careers course.

Behaviour:  Students enrolled in Summer Reach Ahead programs must make every effort to complete both in-class work and homework assigned to them.  Any lost time and/or assignments must be reconciled with their teacher.  Respect for teachers, peers, and all staff members is essential to maintain a positive learning environment. Failure to meet these expectations may result in disciplinary actions, including being asked to leave the program. Your cooperation and commitment to these guidelines are appreciated.

Technical Support: Technical and course start-up support will be available on July 2, 3 & 4, 2025.  To report a concern: CLICK HERE – WILL BE ACTIVE JULY 2, 2025

Support: Special Education Resource Teachers are not available to make modifications to, or create accommodations within, the Reach Ahead course programs. Every effort will be made by the teachers to support and enhance the learning of each student. Students with Individual Education Plans are welcome to attend with the above understanding. HWDSB is committed to protecting your personal information.

Please refer to the “Welcome to Summer On-Line Learning 2025” package for additional information (package will be available in May 2025).

Course selection in myBlueprint is open from January 7 – 29, 2025.

Course selection will reopen again from February 3 – 21, 2025 and from April 1 – June 9, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

Deadline for application is June 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Grade 8 students from outside HWDSB will need to:

Step 1:  REGISTER AS AN HWDSB STUDENT  – do this now!  Deadline: May 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m. with all required documents provided – NO EXCEPTIONS

Step 2:  Once registration is complete, you will receive an HWDSB Student Registration confirmation, along with your @hwdsb.on.ca email address and password.

Step 3:  Go to myBlueprint for course selection.  Course selection will be open from January 7 – 29, 2025.

Course selection will reopen again from February 3 – 21, 2025 and April 1 – June 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Deadline for application is June 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.