Peterborough Petes Name Winner of Overtime Teacher Program

After a three-day voting period, Grade 7 and 8 teacher Marc-Andre Brisson of James Strath Public School has been declared the Peterborough Petes Overtime Teacher program winner on Tuesday.

Brisson was the first of four to receive his nomination on May 28. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Voting began on Saturday through Monday for the four finalists including Amanda McIness, Daniel Murphy, Joanne Haacke and eventual winner Marc-Andre Brisson.

Brisson was nominated for his unique ability in developing personal connections with all his students. Whether discussing hockey or current news, he is celebrated for fostering an open dialogue with his students and ensuring that everyone is comfortable in the classroom.

For winning the honour, Brisson earns a Petes’ prize package that includes a Zoom call for his class with Rob Wilson, Petes head coach and goaltenders Tye Austin and Michael Simpson for their students.

All four finalists will receive two tickets each to the Petes home opener in the fall.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

“Having been nominated by a student to be the Overtime Teacher means a great deal to me,” said Brisson. “Students are extremely busy these days with online learning and for Cameron to take the time out of his day to complete the nomination process, it means a lot. I am so proud of the students in my class, and all the students at James Strath and their perseverance through this tough school year.”

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Fleming College Begins New Era With Brand Transformation

Fleming College has rebranded itself with a new logo representing the college’s rich heritage while celebrating its future outlook in a press release on Monday.

Fleming College’s new logo, a multi-coloured shield symbolizing sustainability and the natural beauty of our college campuses. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The new brand system embodies the essence of all Fleming campuses under their new theme, “One Brand. One Community. One Fleming.” The principle behind the redesign is the brand statement, “Communities that ignite your passion for change.”

“Founded in 1967, Fleming College has been built on a legacy of innovation, inclusiveness and community building,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College President. “We are proud to unveil a new brand that honours our rich heritage while celebrating a bold, future-forward outlook – for the College, our students and the communities we serve – locally and around the world.”

The new design was crafted through consultation with stakeholders, including staff, alumni, donors, students and community partners. Indigenous partners and the international community made in-depth consultations and conversations for the brand’s design. Fleming’s marketing team worked with the Blazing Agency to develop the new platform and resources.

The shield signifies stability, protection and longevity. The lines within the shield form the veins of a leaf, symbolizing sustainability and the natural beauty of Fleming campuses and respectfully acknowledging that the College is situated on Michi Saagiig lands and the traditional territory covered by the Williams Treaties.

In the largest portion of the shield, the lines come together to showcase the letter “F.” With contemporary colours that represent each of the campuses and the natural beauty surrounding them, the new brand reflects Fleming’s commitment to providing the foundation for student and community growth.

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Trent University Raises Over $150,000 for United Way

Trent University faculty, staff and retirees have raised a record-breaking $150,936 for the 2020/21 annual United Way campaign for community organizations and services in need announced Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

The campaign launched virtually in October as The United Way committee was thrilled with the result and donations from the fundraiser.

“The pandemic created a crisis for the United Way: community need surged while fundraising activities became enormously more difficult,” says Dr. Marcus Harvey, United Way Peterborough campaign chair. “Trent’s response was crucial to this year’s campaign. For people who rely on the services of United Way Partner Agencies, the generosity of the Trent community can be life-changing.”

Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Funding will go to various initiatives including 325 counselling sessions; housing supports for 200 people; spaces for 200 women and gender diverse individuals in our community to access social supports to build self esteem, manage stress and navigate healthy relationships; court advocacy and service navigation for 100 women; as well as supporting a Peterborough agency the ability to support nine people with barriers to traditional employment and who have experienced homelessness.

“Each year, Trent faculty and staff come together to support the United Way and our local communities,” says Julie Davis, vice president of External Relations and Development at Trent. “This year was a particularly challenging for many as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been inspiring to see the generosity of our Trent community in support of the United Way, their partner agencies, and the people who rely on these vital supports and services – contributing to the largest gift to the United Way in Trent’s history.”

“Through the generosity of Trent University, the United Way and partner agencies successfully supported over 800 community members this year,” adds Jim Russell, CEO, United Way of Peterborough & District. “With thanks to Trent’s generosity community members struggling with mental health, emotional wellbeing, employment and housing received the support they vitally needed. We are truly grateful to the Trent University community.”

Trent has been supporting the United Way since 1965, raising over $2 million during that span. The campus has been Peterborough’s largest workplace partner in the Peterborough region.

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Four Finalists For Petes Overtime Teacher Program Finalized For Voting

One of four outstanding teachers will be declared the winner of the Peterborough Petes Overtime Teacher program in a vote announced Wednesday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Voting opens on the Petes website this Saturday at 8:00 am until Monday at 8:00 pm to crown the ultimate Overtime Teacher. Fans can vote as many times as they want for their favourite educator as each vote counts towards the end result.

The four finalists are Marc Andre Brisson, Amanda McIness, Daniel Murphy and Joanne Haacke. 

Receiving the first nomination of the four, Brisson received his honour on May 28. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Marc Andre Brisson- The Grade 7 and 8 teacher at James Strath Public School was nominated for his unique ability for making personal connections with all his students. Whether it is talking about hockey, or what is going on in the news, he is celebrated for fostering an open dialogue with his students and ensuring that everyone is comfortable in the classroom.

McInnes received her nomination on June 4. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Amanda McInnes- McIness works at St. Catherine C.E.S., teaching Grades 7 and 8. The elementary school teacher is recognized for her ongoing work in supporting students at the Peterborough Regional Science Fair (PRSF), and Canada Wide Science fair (CWSF). This year at the CWSF, two of McIness’ students took home the top prizes. 

Murphy received his nomination on June 11. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Daniel Murphy- Murphy, an Educational Assistant at Highland Heights Public School, works with students in Grades 2-4. In his fifth year as an educator, Murphy’s positivity and dedication to his students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic impressed everyone around him. He is continuously celebrated for facing each new challenge with optimism and for prioritizing his students' needs.

The final teacher, Haacke received her nomination on June 15. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Petes.

Joanne Haacke- Haacke teaches Grades 3-5 at James Strath Public School. Haacke is being honoured for her amazing work both in and out of the classroom. Not only is she extremely dedicated to her job as an educator, but she also serves as an assistant coach and is a chair on the board of directors for the Kawartha Komets.

The winning teacher will receive a Petes prize package that includes a Zoom call for their class with Petes Head Coach Rob Wilson and goaltenders Tye Austin and Michael Simpson. They will also receive two tickets to the Petes’ home opener for the upcoming 2021/2022 season.

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Trent University Requires First Vaccine For Students In Residence Living

Trent University has announced students living on campus in residence this fall will be required to have at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine according to a press release issued Tuesday.

Trent University in Peterborough is divided into five separate colleges: Lady Eaton, Gzowski, Champlain, Otonabee and Traill. File Photo.

“The University is committed to keeping our residences and communities safe as we plan to return to in-person terms this September,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Requiring vaccines for students living in residence will be an important way to ensure that we avoid residence outbreaks and are able to offer our residence students the transformative on-campus experiences students have learned to expect from Trent.”

With the support from Peterborough Public Health, the University will ask students to book and arrange their first-dose vaccine prior to moving into residences at both the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses.

The University’s Housing Services will help students who are unable to receive a vaccine prior to arrival attain their first dose when they move into the residence. Residence students will also be asked to commit to a second dose of the vaccine on a schedule that will be subject to availability. Exemptions will be allowed in cases in which students require accommodation for medical or other reasons. 

Mandating vaccines for all residence students will safely allow for near-full occupancy of residences on both Trent campuses according to the release. As an added precaution, the University also plans to reserve a small number of residence spaces for isolation, if needed.

 “We know living in residence can be a valuable part of the first-year student experience at Trent,” says Dr. Nona Robinson, Trent associate vice president of Students. “We also know the health and safety of our campus and local communities is our shared responsibility. Congregate living areas, such as residences, are at higher risk for transmission due to people living closely together. We are delighted that vaccines are now available for the age group of most of our first-year students. This vaccine requirement will help minimize risk, as we offer a positive residence experience for new students this fall.”  

The vaccine requirement for residence students will be part of a wide range of the University’s COVID-19 health and safety measures to ensure a safe return to in-person learning on campus.

Other measures may include masking, physical distancing requirements and mandatory self-screening, as well as enhanced cleaning. On-campus testing, as well as vaccine clinics for students and employees in Peterborough, may also be implemented based on the recent success of pop-up clinics.

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Tuition-Free PSW Program Introduced to Peterborough Educational Institutions

Trent University and Fleming College will receive over $2 million towards 11 innovative virtual learning projects to help provide students with more choice and access to high-quality postsecondary education and retraining opportunities.

The Ontario government is transforming virtual learning across the province by supporting nearly 400 innovative projects at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.

“These exciting projects will help people develop in-demand skills by providing access to innovative educational technologies and better position them in the workforce,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

File Photo.

“People’s lives are busy; working full time and raising families. They don’t always have the time to enroll in part-time courses in-person to sharpen their skills or knowledge,” MPP Dave Smith said. “In our rapidly changing economy, access to these online resources will support workers in their professional development and growth,” MPP Smith added.

The 11 projects are part of the province’s Virtual Learning Strategy announced last December and support key priority areas that include creating or adapting digital content, equipping faculty and students with skills and resources to teach and learn online and identifying educational technologies to support online courses and programs. Some of the programs include:

• Fleming College, in collaboration with other educational institutions, is creating a series of eight micro-credential courses in the field of Virtual Reality. Working with subject matter experts, industry partners and employers, this micro-credential series will prepare learners with the high-demand skills and competencies employers are looking for in the industry.

• Trent University is creating and developing a micro-credential course in nursing leadership to help nursing students prepare for a leadership role in the healthcare environment.

Trent University will receive $916,992 for their program development and Fleming College will receive $1,100,908 for a collective total of $2,017,830. This is part of the Ontario government’s investment of more than $70 million to implement Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy, including $21.4 million announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.

“These projects will build on and advance the skills and capacity of students and faculty at Trent through multi-media channels, such as virtual lab sessions, career development, and knowledge communication skills,” says Dr. Cathy Bruce, vice president of Research and Innovation at Trent. “The projects that are being led at Trent University contribute to the training of knowledgeable and highly qualified personnel that will in turn support post-pandemic economy recovery.”

File Photo.

“Ensuring that Ontario’s postsecondary institutions offer responsive and flexible digital courses and programs will help students build the skills and competencies they need to be competitive in today’s economy,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Our Virtual Learning Strategy is aimed at creating a platform that will allow all post-secondary institutions to compete in the new and necessary environment of learning from home.”

Last month, Fleming College started accepting applications for Ontario’s new accelerated training program for Personal Support Workers, this includes both Peterborough and Lindsay Fleming College campuses.

“Our historic plan to build a modern long-term care system, in which residents receive 4 hours of direct quality care per day, requires strategic investments; investments that guarantee results for the seniors that deserve it,” MPP Dave Smith said. “Years of neglect cannot be fixed overnight, but today’s announcement is another concrete series of steps in creating a system that puts care at its centre.”

“This tuition-free accelerated program is another example of how our government is working to build a 21st-century long-term care system and train more people to deliver the care our seniors deserve,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.

“As many aspects of our lives and learning have transitioned to online over the past year, we have had to adapt quickly. The investment from the Ontario government will help Fleming dedicate more resources towards virtual learning to prepare for a future of hybrid delivery and provide more options for students,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. “Also, at a time when there’s a demand for personal support workers in our communities, Fleming is happy to contribute its expertise in health care training to offer the accelerated PSW program.”

The program is part of the Ontario government’s $115 million investment to train up to 8,200 new personal support workers; as part of the governments’ overall strategy to hire 27,000 new nurses, personal support workers and allied health professionals within the next few years.

The Accelerated PSW Training Program is a tuition-free opportunity for 6,000 new students and is expected to only take 6 months to complete, rather than the typical 8 months. After three months of coursework and experiential learning in a clinical setting, students will complete the final three months in paid onsite training in a long-term, home or community care setting.

The province is also offering tuition assistance to in-process PSW students who started the program at one of Ontario’s publicly-assisted colleges in January 2021. These students will be eligible to receive a $2,000 grant to help complete their studies, as well as a stipend to complete their clinical placement as part of their training.

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Fleming Students Receive Certification to Give COVID-19 Vaccines

Twenty-six Fleming College students of the pharmacy technician program have been approved to help local pharmacies load and administer COVID-19 vaccines in Peterborough.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The Ontario College of Pharmacists issued the Emergency Assignment Registration for all pharmacy students in the province to gain certification to temporarily load and give vaccines. The emergency certification is for 60 days but is open to being extended as needed. The opportunity came after the Canadian government recognized a shortage in vaccine administers.

The second-year students received the opportunity as their practical exams as a pleasant surprise when they found out back in early March. It was a different format from what was originally planned.

“I wanted to change their practical exams on this,” said Amanda Mushynski, pharmacy technician program coordinator. “It would qualify them to give vaccines and they were ecstatic. The students jumped on it.”

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

Students would be dispatched to local pharmacies, public health units or mobile vaccination sites to administer the doses.

Helping these locations is a big load off pharmacists’ shoulders according to Mushynski.

“They’re trying to do their regular jobs as well as administer vaccines,” she said. “Our students can go into the pharmacies and do the injections. Some of the local pharmacies don’t have the manpower, they might hesitate but now they have a pool to choose from.”

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

Students are currently waiting on final confirmation from the college before getting the green light to give the vaccines during this article’s publication.

This unexpected yet positive news for the students is a rare opportunity that they took advantage of and can put them over the top says Mushynski.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

“I’m so very proud of what we’ve done in the program and giving vaccines,” she exclaimed. “Flipping from face-to-face to learning online, learning from home and studying themselves. This is a group of phenomenal students. Their reward is to be able to give back.”

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Fleming Student Wins Gold Medal In Province-Wide School Competition

Culinary Management student Liam Collins of Fleming College has won the gold medal in the Skills Ontario Competition held from May 3 to 5 announced on Friday.

Liam Collins showcases his three-course meal entered in the Skills Ontario Competition. The Skills Ontario Competition did not have an event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College

His win makes him the school and Ontario representative in culinary arts at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in a two-day event on May 26 and 27.

The virtual competition had Collins cook an appetizer, main course and dessert while supervised by a proctor at the campus’s classroom kitchen. Competitors had to detail all the elements used in each dish in addition to being judged by taste and presentation.

Liliane Michaud (pictured) earned silver in culinary arts showcasing her three-course meal at Fleming College. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The following are a list of Fleming students who participated in the event and earned top-three honours in the province:

• Liliane Michaud won silver in culinary arts

• Bailey Wodzack won silver in carpentry

• Nicholas Stock won bronze in welding

• Devin Cartmell-Martin won bronze in metal fabrication-fitter

Nicolas Stock (left) and Devin Cartmell-Martin (right) both won bronze medals in welding and metal fabrication-filter respectively for the competition. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

If successful at SCNC, Collins could qualify for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. That event was originally scheduled for Sept. 22 to 27 this year but has been postponed for the fall of 2022.

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Fleming College Soars With Free Aircraft Interior Program

The sky is the limit with Fleming College’s SkillsAdvance Ontario Altitude aircraft interior program.

Students in SkillsAdvance Altitude train to be Aircraft Interior Technicians and Upholstery Technicians. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The College is offering a new intake of the free 12-week program that offers job readiness skills, technical training as an Aircraft Interior Technician or Upholstery Technician and a paid work placement with a local company.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone in our community who is unemployed or underemployed. There is industry demand for workers locally as well as beyond the region,” said Pam Stoneham, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology at Fleming.

The SkillsAdvance Ontario Altitude Altitude classroom at the City of Peterborough Airport. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The program is open to early school leavers, unemployed or underemployed youth and adults. EI eligible and non-EI eligible as well as women, Indigenous peoples and newcomers to Canada are encouraged to apply.

All training takes place at the City of Peterborough Airport. Participants start with in-class instruction and progress to hands-on training. The program culminates with a paid, two-week work placement.

“The program has been optimally designed for both students and employers,” said Stoneham. “It provides thorough hands-on training, soft skills that are essential for employment, and real-world work experience. This is all done in a compressed format that is highly specialized for the unique needs of the airline industry. Students can train quickly and graduate into the workplace.”

There is no cost to participants as all training and related costs for tools and equipment are covered.

Applications are due by May 21 with classes starting May 31. For more information or an application, visit their website or contact Tonya DeJong.

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