MyBluePrint:

Follow this link for instructions on how to continue to access myBlueprint after graduation: Instructions

Google Drive and Gmail:

Once you have satisfied all of your graduation requirements and do not have any further courses, the board will delete your Google email account and your Google Drive. This can occur during the school year, if you are finishing early.

It is imperative that you take the necessary steps to save your data before this happens. Here are instructions on how to transfer your email and data before your account is removed.

To retain your G Suite data, please see one of the options below:

• Transfer email and Drive files to a personal Google Account using Google Takeout Transfer Your Content - see Transfer their content *HDSB accounts have unlimited drive space. Personal G Mail accounts only have 15 GB free drive space. All G Suite files do not count toward your quota. All other file formats will (PDF’s, Pictures, Videos, Microsoft Office files)

• Archive data using Google Takeout - The traditional Takeout is also available to create an archive of All their data in G suite.

This will enable you to easily retain your email, essays, resumes, science projects and any other files stored on Google Drive before access has been removed to your HDSB account.

If you have used your HDSB email when applying for post secondary, resume, job applications, you will need to update your information and change it to a personal email address before access to your HDSB account is lost.

A reminder of the flexibility and temporary changes made by the Ministry of Education to support students in completing their community involvement hours.

The temporary changes include reducing the number of hours required for students graduating in the 2020-21 school year to a minimum of 20 hours of community involvement activities, as well as waiving a number of policy restrictions for all secondary students, as follows, at the principal’s discretion:

• Schools may allow students to earn hours during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day;

• Schools may allow students to earn hours through duties normally performed in the home; and

• Schools may allow students aged 14 years and older to count up to a maximum of 10 hours from paid employment towards their earned hours. Students counting paid employment towards their graduation requirement will be required to complete a reflection exercise indicating how their work contributed to the service for others.

How to submit Community Involvement hours:

• Community Involvement Reflection Form

• Here is a link to the tracking sheet for any volunteer hours that needs to be completed and signed: Tracking Sheet

• Here is a link to submit your reflection form or tracking sheet, once completed: Submit Community Service hours

Here is your one-stop-shop for information on financial resources to help pay for your Post-Secondary Education. HDSB Scholarship Resources

Scholarships are not just for people with high marks. A lot of scholarship money goes unclaimed because no one applies. It is worth taking the time to research.

Most colleges and universities offer entrance scholarships and burseries as well. Visit to your college/university of choice to learn more.

We have received the most recent copy of the Scholarship report and are sharing it with you here (The Scholarship Report - April/May issue). This report is only accessible to Nelson grads and you must use your Halton email account to access it.

This issue contains scholarship listings with JUN-JUL deadlines as well as updates to scholarships listed in previous newsletters. The scholarships are listed according to application submission deadline. Just a reminder: All scholarships are linked directly to the scholarship's website. Just click on the name of the scholarship.

Additionally, myBlueprint has asked that we share this document regarding new bursaries (25 at $6,000 each).

We recently attended a University Dialogues presentation and received updates from all of the universities on their plans for the upcoming year.

Here are some of the points that were covered:

• Most of the universities plan on having some form of in-person learning in the fall with large lectures to be held virtually.

• Many of the universities said that they plan on having residence options available, based on the government health guidelines, either through a reduced capacity model or a single occupancy model.

• The Universities continue to extend offers and will do so until the deadline of May 27. McMaster University has not yet made offers from some of their competitive programs such as Health Sciences.

• A number of the universities stated that there are still programs that have space available and they are still accepting applications. In early June, the Admission Information Service (AIS) opens. The AIS allows you to determine which Ontario universities still have spots available in first-year undergraduate programs.

• University of Waterloo stated that they are continuing to run their co-op programs. This term, they have 8,300 students currently on a work term and another 8,000 planned for the upcoming term.

Here are some important things to remember:

• If you are considering living in residence next year, you should be make sure that you have applied for that option with your university. You will be required to provide a deposit in June.

• You will be required to provide a deposit to the University once you have accepted an offer. That deposit will be required in June as well.

• Course selection for University happens over the summer. Many universities offer summer programs to help students plan and prepare for the fall, and it is worth taking part in these programs.

• It is critical that you monitor your email and respond in a timely way. Email is the primary form of communication for universities.

• Please ensure that you are aware of the conditions of your offer. If you are not going to be able to meet the conditions, please contact the university directly and discuss this with them. There may be an option to improve a mark over the summer, for example.

GRAD UPDATE - Tuesday June 8, 2021

Dear Nelson Grads and Families,

We are sorry for the delay in sharing further details regarding our 2021 graduation ceremony. Although there have been recent government announcements providing options for outdoor graduation ceremonies, Nelson is committed to providing a “Drive Through” experience for all of our potential graduates on June 15th and 16th (rain date June 17th) between 3:00-8:00 pm, and following up with an official pre-recorded presentation on June 28th.

While we appreciate the feedback and the generous offers in support of a large group gathering we remain obligated to follow the guidelines from the health department and the Halton District School Board. Halton schools have been directed to adhere to their original plans, providing the safest possible sendoff for their 2021 graduates. All the details regarding our event and how to sign up are available below.

On behalf of the Nelson leadership team and staff, we look forward to seeing our graduates next week and to celebrating this important milestone in our graduates lives.

The following update was emailed to Grads on Friday, June 4, 2021:

You may have heard/learned that the Premier made comments during his press conference Wednesday afternoon that schools will be hosting outdoor graduations for all grades. This "news" came as a complete surprise to school boards and schools across the province. No official guidelines aligning with the current Provincial Opening Plans have been issued by the Ministry, nor have Public Health Guidelines been revised to allow for outdoor gatherings of this size. This being the case, we have been asked to wait for further direction from our Board. The Nelson staff are still committed to providing the safest graduation we can offer within the new guidelines. Stay tuned for more updates likely early next week.

Friday, May 28, 2021

With the ever changing Health Department restrictions this year, we are once again not able to offer a traditional commencement. Please know we are doing our best to provide this year’s graduating class an opportunity to safely celebrate all your accomplishments. With the understanding that all plans are subject to changes, and Board approval, we have put together an overview of what we are planning so far:

SAVE THE DATE! Drive-through Grad Celebration - Tuesday, June 15 and Wednesday, June 16, 2021

For those who wish to participate, we are planning to host a “covid friendly” drive-through grad celebration on June 15 &16, 3:00pm - 8:00pm. Join us out front of the school for a photo opportunity and to collect your grad gift bag. More details and information on how to book your time for this event will be communicated in the coming days, once provincial and Board guidelines are announced.

Nelson will be providing a complimentary grad gown, cap and stole for each of this year's potential graduating students. Students will receive their gown package at the drive through grad, along with their grad gift bag.

Community Pathways Program Graduation - Wednesday, June 23, 2021

April 29, 2021: IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO GRADS

IMPORTANT MESSAGE for grads: 2020-2021 students who are not: actively registered with HDSB (ie Summer School), or returning to HDSB for the 2021-2022 School Year, will lose access to the HDSB Network & Halton Cloud / G Suite for Education applications, data, and email two weeks after their demit or graduation date.

If you have used your HDSB email when applying for post secondary, resume, job applications, you will need to update your information and change it to a personal email address before access to your HDSB account is lost.

***May 9th is the cutoff date for all students who do not have courses in Quad 4**

To retain your G Suite data, please see one of the options below:

Transfer email and Drive files to a personal Google Account using Google Takeout Transfer Your Content - see Transfer their content *HDSB accounts have unlimited drive space. Personal G Mail accounts only have 15 GB free drive space. All G Suite files do not count toward your quota. All other file formats will (PDF’s, Pictures, Videos, Microsoft Office files)

Archive data using Google Takeout - The traditional Takeout is also available to create an archive of All their data in G suite.

This will enable you to easily retain your email, essays, resumes, science projects and any other files stored on Google Drive before access has been removed to your HDSB account.

• April 21, 2021: Grad Memory Book submission deadline.

• April 9, 2021: Grad information message sent to all grade 12 students. Click here to view message.

• April 1, 2021: With today's new Covid protocol announcement, Pegasus School Imaging has had to close their photo studio. Anyone who had booked an in-studio appointment leading to the April 16th deadline should have received an email from Pegasus with an update. If you have any questions please contact their customer service at 1-800-461-6575 or info@pegasus-si.com.

Grad Assembly - April 28, 2021:

Slide Presentation with active links: Grade 12 Post-Secondary Assembly April 28, 2021 slides

If you have any Community Service Hours that need to be submitted, please use the form below to submit them. You will need to scan any letters or forms and attach them with your submission. If you are claiming duties performed around the house or work hours, please complete a reflection form and upload it with the Tracking Sheet.

Community Service Tracking Sheet: Community Service Tracking Sheet

Community Service Reflection: Community Service Reflection form

Submit your hours using this link: Community Service submission form