On Your Mark Parent Information

On Your Mark

Parent Information

Since the program’s inception in 2001, we have assisted over 3,700 students to date and annually serve over 200 students from 107 schools across different Toronto school boards.

On Your Mark Tutoring helps parents and students

Isaac’s mom speaks about challenges and how proud she is of Isaac’s hard work and his scholarship.

On Your Mark Parent Information

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 647-735-4662 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.


How can I advocate for my child at the school?

If you think there is a problem with your child’s education at school, you have a right to speak to the school about this.


Your first stop should be your child’s teacher. For more details on how to handle problems at school and who to contact see our resources below.


Parent Workshops

These workshops provide parents and guardians with practical tools and methods to offer assistance with the following:

  • support for their child’s learning
  • how to work closely with the Toronto school system
  • understanding of the Ontario elementary school and high school curriculum, and the methods and behaviours to facilitate the learning process



Workshops are offered annually and attendance at at least one is mandatory for all parents.


Online Orientation Session

We are excited to invite you to our online orientation session designed to help you better understand how our tutoring program works. This session will provide valuable insights into the program's structure, goals, and how we can work together to support your child's academic success.


We believe that a collaborative approach between parents, students, and tutors is key to a successful learning experience. Your participation in this orientation session will help ensure that you have all the information you need to support your child effectively.


Please complete the THREE questions at the end of the Orientation. Once you submit the questions your answers will be submitted to a Program Coordinator.



A reminder that this form is to be completed by at least one parent/guardian if the registered On Your Mark student is NEW to the program.


PLEASE NOTE: If at least one parent/caregiver has already completed an Online Orientation in the past, you do not need to complete it again. Only NEW Parents/Caregivers to the program must complete an Online Orientation.

Begin the Orientation

How the program works

OYM Parent Information

Volunteering

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)

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