White Oaks Secondary School

SHSM Programs

Specialist High Skills Major Programs allow students to focus on a sector or area that interests them for their final 2 years of secondary school. These programs target all students, as programming may lead to university, college, apprenticeships and the workforce. White Oaks offers Specialist High Skills Major program in:

ARTS & CULTURE SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJOR PROGRAM

The Arts & Culture Specialist High Skills Major Program provides students with the opportunity to learn and work across the full range of the Arts sector.

In a world where computers are replacing human workers, all signs point to a future where creativity will be increasingly important. The Arts & Culture SHSM program can prepare you for potential careers such as: a designer, an artist, a musician, an actor, a curator, an audio/visual technician, a photographer, a publicist, an author, a stage manager, etc ...

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Arts and Culture SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Arts and Culture SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:

Heather Wilford, Drama Teacher
Leah Bice, Visual Arts Teacher

BUSINESS SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJOR PROGRAM

The Business SHSM offers opportunities in finance, retail, entrepreneurship, real estate, human resources or organizational, management and budget-related careers in the other sectors of our economy. Students who know they love business or are interested in exploring their options can take the Specialist High Skills Major program to engage in learning and experiences that will be an asset for a future in business.

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Business gives students an opportunity to specialize, gain qualifications, and plan a career pathway in various areas of the Business sector while still in high school. The SHSM Program has a number of required components, designed to give students a “leg-up” to pursue post-secondary opportunities in each of the identified sectors, valuing apprenticeship, college, university and work.

Courses:

BOTH Non-IB and IB students can qualify. A bundle of nine credits in Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits which students earn:

Four Business major credits: (If IB need to take BOTH SL Business & Management and HL Economics)

One English credit
Two Math credits
Two Co-operative Education credits - either in-school during grade 11 or first semester grade 12, in night school, or most commonly in the summer between grades 11 & 12.

Co-op:

Co-operative Education (Co-op) provides students with workplace experience that enables students to refine, extend and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills.
Examples of Business Co-op Placements:
Technology & Marketing firms, Banks & Financial Institutions, Insurance companies, Graphic Arts & Design companies and more.

Certifications:

First Aid/CPR & Customer Service (mandatory)
At least 2 of: Personality Inventory, Project Management, Leadership, Business Etiquette
Optional additions: Equity & Inclusion, Ethical Considerations

The Business Specialist High Skills Major is designed to provide an opportunity for students to learn skills that will enable them to be successful entrepreneurs in a hands-on learning environment.

Why get involved?

Attend a retail show, conference, or workshop in the business sector
Explore careers in business through work placements
Networking with local businesses
Participate in a business-focused competition (DECA, Stock Market Challenge, Virtual Business Challenge)
Touring of the local chamber of commerce or other businesses
Graduate with a SHSM seal of designation on your secondary school diploma
Gain valuable industry specific work experience and knowledge

Skillset

The SHSM-Business Program will help students develop:

A sound foundation to learn in General Business
Accounting, marketing and entrepreneurship
Personal management skills
Teamwork skills
Communication skills
Leadership skills
Self-confidence

Teacher Leads:

Christine Ivey
Caitlin Kemp

SHSM Guidance Contact:

Jackie Morris

Registration & Consent Form

Business SHSM Planner

GREEN INDUSTRIES: URBAN PLANNING, HORTICULTURE & LANDSCAPING

The Green Industries: Urban Planning, Horticulture & Landscaping Specialist High Skills Major Program provides students with the opportunity to investigate the entire Green Industries sector and develop skills that are in demand for the fields' employers, educators and concerned public.

Potential careers that can be pursued following this schooling include: Landscape Architect, Urban Planner, Small Business Operator (ie. Design/Build Landscaping Company Owner), Arborist, Irrigation Specialist, Herbicide/Fungicide/Pesticide applicator or Golf Course Groundskeeper and many more.

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:

Conor Morris, Green Industries Teacher

SPORT AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP (HEALTH & WELLNESS)

SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJOR PROGRAM

The Sport and Health Community Leadership also referred to as the Health and Wellness SHSM is designed to give students the opportunity to explore a variety of fields in the Health and Wellness sector.

This Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program gives students an opportunity to learn from a variety of specialists within the Health and Wellness field including Kinesiologists, Athletic Therapists, Nurses, a variety of professionals from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Group (MLSE) including Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Game Coordinators, Dieticians and more. This SHSM program will allow students to also receive a variety of certifications to develop skills needed for the Health & Wellness field. SHSM programs require students to complete a CO-OP so they can gain experience in their preferred career field.

Certifications:

Standard First Aid **
CPR Level C & AED **
Infectious Control **
Customer Service
WHMIS **
Managing Risk in Outdoor Education
Leading Group Activities
Athletic Wrapping & Taping for Performance and Injury

** Mandatory certifications

Why get involved?

Graduate with a SHSM seal of designation on your secondary school diploma
Attend sporting events like Toronto Raptors and Toronto Argos and learn from industry specialists from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE)
Learn Kinesiology research skills by participating in a Kinesiology lab
Develop your leadership/communication skills
Exposure to university/colleges
Explore careers in health & wellness through work placements
Participate in Healthy schools team to run wellness events for the school and community
Gain valuable industry specific work experience and knowledge

Teacher Leads:

Jenn Pratt
Steve Shortly

SHSM Guidance Contact:

Jackie Morris

How to Apply:

MOTIVE POWER: ENGINEERING, DESIGN & MAINTENANCE

The Motive Power: Engineering, Design & Maintenance Specialist High Skills Major Program provides students with the opportunity to learn and work across the full range of the Motive Power Sector.

This learning can prepare you for potential careers as: a Small Business Owner (Garage or Repair Shop), an Automotive Mechanic, an Automotive Design Engineer, a Service Department Manager, an Automotive Salesperson, a Truck and Coach Mechanic and a Marine and Small Engines Mechanic.

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Transportation SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Transportation SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact: