The On Your Mark tutoring program provides one-to-one and small group tutoring for students of Portuguese and Spanish speaking descent in elementary and high school. The program is geared to students who are at lower levels of academic achievement, specifically students who are in the early grades (primary division) lagging behind in literacy and numeracy standards for their grades and students who are attending special education support services. This program works with students at crucial points in high school; at the transition years and towards the end, to prevent drop-out and encourage the pursuit of post-secondary education. On Your Mark tutors operate their tutoring sessions on a student-centered approach to learning; sessions are organized around the needs of the individual student. Apart from academics, tutoring sessions are based on mentoring, building self-esteem and fostering friendships. On Your Mark youth have an opportunity to discuss with their tutor their educational and career goals towards entering high school and pursuing post-secondary education. – On Your Mark operates during the school year within both the public and catholic school boards.

In 2009 we served over 300 students, worked with close to 200 volunteers, operated out of nine schools six days a week and welcomed students from 53 schools from both the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).

 

See our FAQ’s for some more details on the program.

Our Resources page has some of our most useful resources for parents, students and tutors, check it out!

On Your Mark Mentoring Program

This component focuses on encouraging On Your Mark Participants to expand their circle of support by exposing them to University students and business professionals. It aims to encourage youth to become familiar with post secondary settings and works with parents to provide information and support regarding the school system.
Some of the activities are:

• Adopt-A-Student Day  This event is held on the- same day as Take your kids to work day Grade 11-12 Portuguese high school youth are matched with a University mentor to shadow them for the day at the University of their choice. This year’s event, held on November 7th, had 63 high school students from 8 high schools in the community, both TDSB & TCDSB.

• Transitions Workshop for Youth for Grades 7-12 These workshops are provided to students regarding high school and post-secondary education and career options information. Guest speakers are invited to present to students- and parents on the importance of education and staying in school, referring to their own educational experience- they provide ideas of- how- to identify an educational and professional path. Guest Speakers have included: Suzy Soares, news reporter/host at OMNI Television, Josa Rodrigues, OMNI Television Reporter Tony Belas, president/owner of Ferma Foods; Tony Azevedo, lawyer for Azevedo & Nelson; Maggie Unsao,  elementary school teacher. Parents are also encouraged to attend the workshop.

• Parent Workshops provide parents and guardians practical tools and methodology to support their child’s learning, how to work closely with the school system, understanding the Ontario elementary school and high school curriculum, methods and behaviours to facilitate the learning process.

This program relies on strong partnerships with:

• Toronto District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• York University’s Teacher’s College Concurrent Program – ED I Community Field Placement

• University of Toronto – Concurrent Teacher Education Program

• Frontier College
• Licensed to Learn (L2L)
• The Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals (FPCBP)