TDSB CHOICES
Here you can find a comprehensive list of all TDSB Schools and their programs.
TDSB Continuing Education
Link to the TDSB's continuing education program offering including secondary credit, language and non-credit courses. Please note that applications for credit and language courses must be made through the Riverdale Guidance department and that specific eligibility rules apply. Contact your Guidance Counsellor for further information.
TDSB Career Center
A great site to visit for Career Education.
211Toronto - Guide to Community Resources in Toronto
A comprehensive guide to information, including addresses and phone numbers, for community, social health and government services throughout Toronto.
The Silverthorn Guidance Department

The Guidance Counsellors work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with students, parents and other staff members to provide a broad range of programs and services for students. Counsellors may assist students with program planning, career choices, post-secondary planning and personal issues. Silverthorn has a dedicated support staff team which includes apublic health nurse, social worker and a psychologist to help with more serious concerns. To access our social worker or psychologist, students and parents should first speak with a counsellor who will facilitate a referral.

It is the goal of our department to help students understand, develop and apply the concepts related to lifelong learning, interpersonal relationships and career planning. Classroom visits for course option selections as well as university/college/apprenticeship and workplace presentations are presented to students in all grades throughout the year at Silverthorn CI

Making a Guidance Appointment

Counsellors are assigned by alphabet and appointments may be arranged in the Guidance office. Parents are welcome to make inquiries.

If you wish to see a counsellor, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Write your name on an appointment slip for the counsellor assigned to you. The secretary or a counsellor will book an appointment for you at the earliest possible date and return it to the student’s home form teacher’s mailbox.
  2. Keep this slip with you and show it to your subject teacher in order to be excused from class. After your meeting with your counsellor, ensure that the slip is completed and signed by the counsellor, showing time when the meeting ended. You will need this to be re-admitted in class.

Parents who wish to see a counsellor are asked to call our Secretary, Mrs. Cabral, at (416) 394-7010 Ext. 20040 to arrange an appointment.

The guidance department is open from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Guidance Secretaries
Mrs. Cabral
Mrs Zenchuck / (416) 394-7010 ext. 20040
(416) 394-7010 ext. 20040
Guidance Counsellor Assignments
Counsellor / Alpha Group / Phone/Extension
A-D / (416) 393-9886 ext. 20041
Mr. Miles / E-L / (416) 393-9886 ext. 20044
Mr. Corner / M-S / (416) 393-9886 ext. 20046
Mr. Nigro / T-Z / (416) 393-9886 ext. 20042
Mr. Arduini / High Performer Athletes / (416) 393-9820 ext. 20043
Student Support Services
Social Worker / Stuart Kerr
School Psychologist / Joni Shanoff
Attendance Counsellor / Raj Tella

Community Involvement

Students are required to complete 40 hours of community involvement as part of the requirements for their diploma.

The Guidance Department has a number of placements available throughout the year to help students complete their hours. Information is regularly posted on our Volunteer Information Board. For a list of other approved activities, see the back of the Community Involvement Passport

When students have completed their 40 hours, they should hand in their passport, signed by their supervisor(s), to Mrs. Cabral in the Guidance office.

Although the Ministry requirement is 40 hours, students are encouraged to do more than the required 40 hours for many reasons. This encourages civic responsibility, promotes community values and supports career exploration. Besides, many scholarships are tied to not just marks, but community involvement as well. Additional volunteer opportunities are available at

Destination: University
Post Secondary Presentations @ Riverdale
Check out the schedule of visits by most universities and community colleges to Riverdale. Note - most presentation occur at lunch in room 212 but check carefully and plan to attend.
University Campus Visits
Check out the dates for visiting University campuses around Ontario -- remember, if you miss one of these dates, make sure you contact the institution and arrange a visit of your own!
How to Get There from Here?
This is a practical article on the process of choosing and applying to a
Post Secondary Program.
Staying the Course in University (S De Rocher-Leaside)
Researching Universities: Glossary of Terms
Template to use when Researching Post Secondary Institutions
Resources for Researching University and College Choices
Educational Planning for University Programs
Ontario School Counsellors Association Website (O.S.C.A)
This is the Ontario Secondary Counsellor's Association site: It is the "Master Encyclopedia for both students, counsellors and parents. For students, go to Student Resources, to Career Education, to University & Colleges. Find out about scholarships, bursaries, and residences, scan schools in Canada, the U.S. and the World and much more!
University Applications - Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC)
RCI runs mandatory workshops for all university applicants - be sure to sign up starting in November! For all the info (and more) on the university application process, browse this very comprehensive site. Remember that your P.I.N. is available only through Riverdale's Guidance department.
INFO - Guide to Ontario Universities
This guide is distributed to every RCI student during class visits in October. This link provides you with the most updated .pdf version of the guide. An essential link.
Schoolfinder
A useful tool in finding a wide variety of post-secondary options in North America.
The Ontario College University Transfer Guide
The Ontario College University Transfer Guide is a searchable, bilingual database containing information about transfer arrangements between the province's Colleges and Universities All students should be aware of the these opportunities.
Universities Outside of Ontario/Canada
Click here to link to the universities outside Ontario
U.S. College Search
Peterson's Home Page
This is an excellent site to explore alternatives to Ontario Post Secondary
Institutions. You can search by program, by country, how much money you
want to spend and more. It is an excellent site to bookmark!!!!
Admissions Testing
SAT's, ACT's, the TOEFL and more - loads of practical information through the OSCA website
Destination: College
Post Secondary Presentations @ Riverdale
Check out the schedule of visits by most universities and community colleges to Riverdale. Note - most presentation occur at lunch in room 212 but check carefully and plan to attend.
Personal Information Sheet
This might help you to decide what career area you might like.
Resources for Researching University and College Choices
How to choose a University or College. Make sure that your decision on whether to go and where to go is based on sound planning and careful thought. Use this checklist before you begin filling out your college or university application forms in early November.
GotoCollege.ca
This site provide fast LINKS to essential information on Canadian colleges, admissions, finances, careers etc.
Great College Resources from York DSB
This is the most comprehensive up-to-date info for students and parents It includes strategies, facts, alternatives and more... All RCI grads, looking at all post secondary destinations, should check out this page.
Ontario College Application Services (O.C.A.S Site)
[Note: All RCI students must see a counsellor to apply to college but please use any of these valuable tools]
» Program Locator
[An easy-to-use, searchable database of all College Programs in Ontario]
» How to Pay for College
[Includes an on-line cost calculator]
» Career Planning
[Linked to 'Ontario Prospects 2003' - Ontario's Guide to Career Planning]
O.S.C.A Site
This is the Ontario Secondary Counsellor's Association site: It is the "Master Encyclopedia for both students, counsellors and parents. For students, go to Student Resources, to Career Education, to University & Colleges. Find out about scholarships, bursaries, and residences, scan schools in Canada, the U.S. and the World and much more!
The Ontario College University Transfer Guide
The Ontario College University Transfer Guide is a searchable, bilingual database containing information about transfer arrangements between the province's Colleges and Universities All students should be aware of the these opportunities.
Ontario College Guide
A guide to all college programs in Ontario - this was distributed to all college-level English students in October. Anyone wanting an extra copy - or university-level students considering college as an option can view and dowload this .pdf file.
OCAS - Ontario College Application Service
Employment Profile 2000-2001
Research the employment for areas you may be interested in. This publication shows you employment rates and earnings for occupations sorted by college programs. Also shows employment trends -- can help to answer the question -- "Will this program get me a job?"
Other Post Secondary Institutions
Other Post-Secondary Institutions
Includes links to schools such as the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, the DeVry Institute, the National Theatre School, the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture and more.
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Information on apprenticeship opportunities to many of the skilled trades in Ontario.
Top
TDSB South Education Office (SEO) Blue Book
TDSB South Education Office (SEO) Blue Book
TDSB South Education Office (SEO) Blue Book A comprehensive guide for students, parents and teachers to the resources, agencies and staff contacts available at the Board and in the South Area Office community.
Emergency:
Kids Help Line / 1-800-668-6868
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / 416-597-8808
Children's Aid Society / 416-924-4646
Assaulted Women's Help Line / 416-863-0511
Distress Centres (Toronto) / 416-598-1121
Medical Services:
Hospital for Sick Children Teen Clinic / 416-813-5804
South Riverdale Health Centre / 416-461-2493
Addiction Counselling and Groups:
Alcoholics Anonymous / 416-487-5591
East Metro Youth Services / 416-438-3697
YMCA Substance Abuse Treatment Centre / 416-515-1917
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health / 1-800-463-6273 or 416-595-6111
M.A.R.S. Metro Addiction Assessment Referral Services / 416-599-1448
Parent Help Line / 1-888-603-9100
PAD Drug Education and Support Services / 416-395-4970
The Hospital for Sick Children - Outreach Program / 416-813-5097
The Self-Help Resource Centre Of Greater Toronto / 1-888-283-8806 or 416-487-4355
Toronto Health Connection / 416-338-7600
Adult Children of Alcoholics / 416-593-5147
Alateen / 416-410-3809
Narcotics Anonymous / 416-236-8956
Sexuality Clinics:
Danforth Tech Clinic / 416-393-0586
Hassle Free Clinic
Men's Clinic / 416-922-0603
Women's Clinic / 416-922-0566
Someone To Talk To:
East Metro Youth Services / 416-438-3697
Emergency (after 5:00 p.m.) / 416-438-3944
Lesbian, Gay Bisexual Youth Line / 416-962-9688
Turning Point Youth Services / 416-925-9250
G.A.T Gay Asians Toronto / 416-961-8239
Information Services:
Aids and Sexuality Hotline / 416-392-2437
Finding a Job:
Canada Employment (Specialized Youth Unit) / 416-952-5522
Turning Point Youth Services / 416-925-9250
Woodgreen Employment Services (ext. 218) / 416-469-5211 Ext. 218
Gateway / 416-466-7489
Pape Adolescent Resource Centre / 416-462-1010
Touchstone Youth Centres / 416-696-6932
WoodGreen Youth Job Centre / 416-469-1094
Youth Hotline (Job Training) / 416-326-5656
Want To Go Back To School?
Adult Learning Centre / 416-396-2300
Contact School / 416-393-1455
Independent Learning Centre (Correspondence) / 416-325-4388
Massey Centre (Teen Mothers) / 416-425-6348
Need A Place To Stay?
Eva's Place / 416-441-4060
Flemingdon Neighbourhood Services / 416-424-2008
Rent Control Programs / 416-326-9800
Second Base / 416-261-2733
Touchstone / 416-696-6932
Turning Point Youth Services / 416-925-9250
Massey Centre / 416-423-7859
Bethany Home / 416-461-0217
Women:
Bethany Home (Maternity, Long-term) / 416-461-0217
Covenant House (Emergency & Long-term) / 416-593-4849
Massey Centre (Maternity, Long-term) / 416-425-6348
Stop 86 (Shelter) / 416-922-3271
Street Haven (at the Crossroads) / 416-967-6060
Men:
Covenant House (Emergency & Long-term) / 416-593-4849
Good Shepherd Centre / 416-869-3619
Salvation Army Sherbourne Street Hostel (18+) / 416-366-2733
Other Important Community Resources:
Birth Certificates Registrar's Office / 416-965-1687
Birth Registration City Clerk's Dept. / 416-392-1810
East Toronto Legal Services / 416-461-8102
Health Card / 416-482-1111
Metro Social Services / 416-392-3200
WoodGreen Info Link-Housing / 416-469-5211 Ext. 1175
Hospital For Sick Children - Medical Info Line / 416-813-5817
Local Community Resources Centres:
Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach / 416-465-1410
Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre / 416-392-1750
WoodGreen Neighbourhood House / 416-469-5211 Ext. 1131
South Riverdale Community Health Centre / 416-461-1925

Last time updated by Jan 12, 2002
If you have any technical problems or complaints, please email us at . Thanks for your support!