Volunteer - On Your Mark

Women's Services

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Volunteer Positions

On Your Mark

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with On Your Mark! Below is a summary of the different positions we have available. Fill in the form at the end of the page and indicate which position you would be interested in. We will contact your for an interview once we receive your application.


**Please note, references will be provided only after completion of a 3 month probation period.  References will be provided up to a maximum of 3 years after leaving the program. **

Tutoring & Mentoring

In addition to one on one and small group support, On Your Mark focuses on encouraging 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 additional activities are: Adopt a student Day and Transition workshops for Grades 7 and 12.


How does the program work?

The program provides one-to-one and small group tutoring for students in elementary and high school, grades 1 to 12.

Volunteer tutors are recruited and matched with students considered “at risk”. Tutors and students meet after school and/or Saturday mornings for a minimum of one hour, tutoring sessions are organized around the needs of the individual student- with a focus on literacy and math.

Apart from academics, the program encourages discussion and relationship building between tutor and student. Many of our tutors are also of Portuguese-speaking/ Spanish-speaking descent and many attending post-secondary education, they are role-models to these students and have helped in increasing students’ self-esteem, which have lead to positive changes in students’ attitude towards school and more regular completion of homework, as noted by parents.

The tutoring program typically starts in late October/early November depending on the number of registration forms received. The program runs until the end of May. Parents are contacted by phone once their child is matched with a tutor, in regards to the date their child(ren) will start and their assigned tutoring day for the full school year. Please be aware that all students have various start dates due to scheduling and tutor availability.


Who is eligible for the program?

In order to qualify for the program, students must:

  • Be of Portuguese speaking descent OR be of Spanish speaking descent
  • Be enrolled full time in school in grades 1 – 12
  • Complete and submit a registration form signed by a parent or guardian
  • Commit to meeting with a tutor for a minimum of 1.5 hours per week

Volunteer Videos

How to Apply

Commitment Video

Volunteer Positions

ON YOUR MARK

The Volunteer Tutor position is available once a week from Monday to Saturday.  Afterschool sessions, from Monday to Friday, are held from 4:30pm – 6:30pm (options of 1 hour sessions, 1.5 hour sessions or 2 hour sessions) Our Saturday support session runs from 10:00am sharp to 12:00pm.  


Tutors are welcome to volunteer as many days as they choose, with the minimum being a commitment of one day a week.



Who Can Become A Tutor?

  • MUST HAVE EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN ENGLISH
  • A student or graduate of a secondary or post-secondary institution.
  • Minimum age of 16 required.
  • Ability to help students in all or some areas of reading, writing and math. Volunteers have the opportunity to specify subject area(s) of strength.
  • Some experience working with children and/or youth at the elementary and/or high school level.
  • Committed, reliable and interested in making a difference in the lives of children and/or youth.
  • Posses a positive attitude towards learning.
  • A strong commitment to the role and the student(s).

 How Do The Sessions Work?

  • To provide one-to-one or small group support to students in elementary and/or high school.
  • Volunteer tutors are recruited, interviewed and matched with “at risk” students to receive help with homework, and basic literacy and numeracy skills. 
  • Tutors have an opportunity during the interview to discuss grade preference and subject areas preferred.
  • Tutors and students meet a minimum of once a week for either Afterschool Support Sessions OR Saturday morning support sessions.
  • Support sessions are done in ENGLISH. You do not have to be of Portuguese or Spanish speaking descent or speak either Portuguese or Spanish to be a volunteer tutor.  It is an asset for those tutors who do speak Portuguese and/or Spanish, allowing communication with students or parents who do not speak English.

Apply

Volunteer SUPERVISOR Position

The Volunteer Supervisor will act as a liaison between Program Coordinator(s) and other volunteer tutors by visiting sessions online, maintaining attendance and providing weekly updates to Program Coordinators via email.


Who Can Become A Supervisor?

  • Excellent Communication skills in English (knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish an asset but NOT necessary)
  • Tutoring and/or supervisory experience is an asset but not necessary
  • Good interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Reliable, enthusiastic, positive attitude/role model and supportive to students, parents and volunteers
  • Committed, reliable and interested in making a difference in the lives of children and/or youth.
  • Posses a positive attitude towards learning.
  • A strong commitment to the role, the students and the tutors.

Advantages of Becoming an On Your Mark VOLUNTEER

  • Relevant educational experience
  • Letters of Reference
  • An opportunity to give back to the community
  • Make a real difference in the life of a child and/or youth

AFTERSCHOOL SUPPORT SESSIONS

  • 4:30pm to 6:00pm.  Held on a pre-determined day (to be decided by the volunteer) between Monday to Friday

 SATURDAY MORNING SESSIONS

  • Tutoring from 10:00am to 12:00pm
  • All volunteers must have a computer with reliable internet connection and quiet place to work  
  • Minimum age of 18. Reside in Canada for at least 3 months.

Apply

Resources

ON YOUR MARK

Over the years, we’ve come to amass a lot of resources for our parents, students and volunteer tutors. Now you can access most of them all in one place, wherever and whenever you need them.

General Resources

  1. Parent Handbook
  2. Back to School Tips for Parents
  3. EQAO Tests in Elementary School
  4. EQAO Tests in Secondary School
  5. Elementary Report Cards Brochure
  6. Newcomers Guide to Elementary School
  7. More Ways to Succeed in High School
  8. Solving Problems at School
  9. Who to talk to at your school and school Trustee’s contact information

Helping Your Child With School Work

  1. Helping Your Child do Mathematics
  2. Helping Your Child with Reading and Writing

Special Education- Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

  1. IEP Factsheet

Below is some information for your pathways through public school and beyond!

  1. On Your Mark Virtual Library on Google Drive
  2. Annual Education Plan – Grades 7 to 12
  3. Education Ministry Doc – Career Planning (2009)
  4. More ways to succeed in high school

Here is a collection of resources we’ve gathered over the years, ranging in topics. If there is anything else you’d like more information on, or a specific topic that you’d like to see more resources on, tell us about it!

Tutoring Session Tips & Tricks

  1. 10 Instructional Strategies
  2. Me read? No way!
  3. Websites for tutors and students
  4. Accomodations for ELLs
  5. Group and individual tutoring techniques
  6. Group games
  7. Homework help strategies

FAQs

ON YOUR MARK

Want some more information on how On Your Mark works? Read on for our most frequently asked questions.

  • How does On Your Mark work?

    The program provides one-to-one and small group tutoring for students in elementary and high school, grades 1 to 12.


    Volunteer tutors are recruited and matched with students considered “at risk”. Tutors and students meet after school and/or Saturday mornings for a minimum of one hour, tutoring sessions are organized around the needs of the individual student- with a focus on literacy and math.


    Apart from academics, the program encourages discussion and relationship building between tutor and student.  Many of our tutors are also of Portuguese-speaking/ Spanish-speaking descent and many attending post-secondary education, they are role-models to these students and have helped in increasing students’ self-esteem, which have lead to positive changes in students’ attitude towards school and more regular completion of homework, as noted by parents.


    The tutoring program typically starts in late October/early November depending on the number of registration forms received.  The program runs until the end of May.  Parents are contacted by phone once their child is matched with a tutor, in regards to the date their child(ren) will start and their assigned tutoring day for the full school year.  Please be aware that all students have various start dates due to scheduling and tutor availability.

  • Who is eligible for the program?

    In order to qualify for the program, students must:

    • Be of Portuguese speaking descent OR be of Spanish speaking descent

    • Be enrolled full time in school in grades 1- 12

    • Complete and submit a registration form signed by a parent or guardian

    • Commit to meeting with a tutor for a minimum of 1.5 hours per week

  • What must parents do to be part of the program?

    To qualify for the program, parents must:

    • Attend a short Orientation where the registration forms will be submitted in person, or complete an orientation online and submit your registration forms via fax, scan/email or in person at the WWCC offices.

    • Attend a minimum of one Parent workshop over the course of the school year

  • How do I register my child for the program?

    First, parent/guardian, student and teacher must complete a Student Registration Form. This form is available from your school, online, or contact us to get a registration form from our office.


    The parent/guardian must then attend an Orientation Session in order to hand in the completed registration form in person to one of the program Coordinators or staff. They may also complete an orientation session online, and submit your registration forms via fax or email. Please call the office to make sure your registration form was received if not submitting in person.


    You will be contacted BY PHONE, and then a Letter to Start, once a tutor becomes available for your child, students may start ONLY when contacted by the Program Coordinator and given a start date.To qualify for the program, parents must:


    • Attend a short Orientation where the registration forms will be submitted in person, or complete an orientation online and submit your registration forms via fax, scan/email or in person at the WWCC offices.

    • Attend a minimum of one Parent workshop over the course of the school year

  • What do I do if my child can’t make it to a session?

    If your child will not be making it to one of the sessions, please be sure to contact one of the Program Coordinators by phone at 647-735-5255 ext. 44 or 46 as soon as possible; leave a message if there is no answer.  It is important that your child’s tutor is then informed.

    ** Please note, the students’ school DOES NOT notify the On Your Mark Program Coordinators of the students’ absence from school.  It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the Program Coordinators within a timely manner.

    • A FIRST uninformed absence (not informing the Program Coordinator of your child’s absence) will result in a phone call to the parent/guardian.

    • A SECOND uninformed absence will result in a warning letter being mailed.

    • A THIRD uninformed absence will result in the student being removed from the program.

  • Who can be a tutor?

    In order to qualify for the program, potential volunteers must:

    • Be interviewed by program staff

    • Complete an application form

    • Complete and pass a police reference check

    • Commit to meeting with a student for a minimum of 1 hour per week and commit to the full school year

    • Possess a positive attitude towards learning

    • If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested in volunteering with OYM, please see our volunteer postings below.

  • Key Dates

    TBD ( To Be Determined)

Giving Helps

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