Trent University’s Bachelor of Arts & Science Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Annual Lecture Series

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Trent University is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A.S.) program with a new annual lecture series created in honour of the late Dr. David Ellis announced on Monday.

B.A.S. is one of 23 programs at Trent that offer a paid co-op stream, through which students can gain valuable connections and graduate with 12 months of hands-on job experience in as little as four years. File Photo.

Ellis, a professor of Chemistry, served as acting dean of Science and dean of Humanities at Trent before passing in 2019. The Nov. 16 lecture is inspired by one of Dean Ellis’ signature sayings “Ask Me Anything”, and will feature a discussion on visual argumentation by Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor, as the inaugural speaker.

“I am honoured to be the speaker at the inaugural lecture,” said Groarke. “This event is a fitting tribute to honour the legacy of Dr. David Ellis, a man whose open-mindedness and natural curiosity for intersections between the arts and sciences was the driving force behind the dynamic degree program that embodies core elements of the Trent experience.”

Since the degree’s launch in 2012, 70 students have graduated from the program. Since then, the program has grown to 109 current students, 52 of which are currently in their first year – the largest-ever number of first-year students in the program’s history according to Trent.

“The 10th anniversary of our program provides a moment to reflect on how we have grown since we launched, and to celebrate the successes of our students and graduates,” said Dr. Jessica Marion Barr, B.A.S. program coordinator. “Our faculty and students understand the value of thinking critically, approaching problems creatively, and communicating effectively as we navigate the overlapping social and scientific complexities of today’s world.”

In 2021, a new Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A.S.) / Medical Sciences dual degree program was launched in a collaboration with Trent University and Swansea University in the United Kingdom.

The dual degree program offers students the opportunity to complete two degrees in four years for careers as medical professionals while gaining international experience.

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Five Counties Calls On Local Community to Support The Northumberland Backyard Project

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The Five Counties Children’s Centre is asking for community support on their Northumberland Backyard Project, which would see the area at the rear of its Cobourg location turned into a safe, fully accessible backyard green space available for treatment, recreation, cultural awareness and outdoor education programming for the community.

Photo courtesy of Five Counties.

The Northumberland Backyard Project is spearhead by Five Counties Children’s Centre in partnership with multiple community organizations.

The partners have applied to Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group for nearly $50,000 in funding to help with the first phase of the Northumberland Backyard Project. Commonwell’s Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund (LEAF) provides grants for community projects that promote learning and capacity improvements.

Five Counties and its partners have secured approximately 40 per cent of funding already for the project’s $255,000 estimated cost.

Part of the funding approval is based on community support for a project. Local residents are being asked to play a part by visiting the Commonwell website between Nov. 10 and 15 and sharing support and reasons why the project matters to the community. This can involve writing a short story, uploading a photo or just leaving an encouraging comment and spreading the word on social media.

“We know there is a long-term need for this type of accessible backyard green space in Northumberland County, so we encourage everyone in coming days to show your support online and spread the word to neighbours and friends,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “…the proposed accessible playground and natural enhancements to the outdoor space at our Northumberland site will have countless benefits to the children and youth who receive therapy services at the (Five Counties) centre, as well as other families and community members across the County.”

Show your support using the Commonwell website.

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Fleming College Multicultural Showcase to Celebrate International Education

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Fleming College Sutherland campus is celebrating International Education Week with a two-day Multicultural Showcase on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Fleming’s International Student Services group will host a series of activities and demonstrations to highlight the diverse talents within the community, like martial artists, dance performances and singers, featuring a culinary show and Zumba class.

Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days and take place in the main foyer of the Fleming Sutherland campus.

The all-ages event is free to attend and accessible to all abilities.

International Education Week runs from Nov. 14 to Nov. 18, and aims to celebrate the importance and impact of International Education on students around the world.  

Free parking will be available in the Ash, Aspen, Birch and Oak parking lots. Full event details are available here.

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Doug Ford Has 'Improved Offer' For CUPE Workers

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the provincial government is ready to stop fighting with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and has an ‘improved offer’ for education workers at the negotiation table at a press conference in Queen’s Park on Tuesday morning.

Screenshot.

Ford declined to speak about what the improved offer was immediately after stating that his government has an offer.

This comes a day after promising to rescind Bill 28 which took away their rights to strike and made it illegal. Ford stated on Monday that he was willing to revoke the bill if CUPE agreed to cease all strike/protest action.

The union agreed to withdraw and is expected to continue negotiations Tuesday morning.

Schools have re-opened for students following a two-day walkout from CUPE workers of roughly 55,000 workers.

CUPE has reportedly been asking for roughly 11.7 per cent wage increase over four years however the latest offer has been around six per cent. Education minister Stephen Leece and MPP Dave Smith have said workers have originally asked for 50 per cent which was deemed ‘unreasonable.’

CUPE can still legally strike but must provide five days’ notice if they wish to do so.

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"I'm advocating on behalf of two million students." MPP Dave Smith Urges CUPE To Renegotiate and Stop Striking

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MPP Dave Smith explains the province's steps and stance toward the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ actions which are fighting for a pay raise. He says the ball is in CUPE's court to act but wants to have students back in schools as soon as possible.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has agreed to repeal Bill 28 if the CUPE workers agreed to stop striking. According to Ford’s tweet Monday morning, CUPE has agreed to withdraw.

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CUPE Education Workers Protest During First Day of Strike

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Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers protest outside MPP Dave Smith’s office on Water Street as their strike for wage increases takes off on Friday.

CUPE workers are striking for a 6 per cent wage increase, down from their original ask of 11.7 per cent. “Ford and Lecce have got to go!” chants were made from the crowds as education workers picketed and receive honks of encouragement from passing vehicles.

Similar protests were held outside the offices of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott in Lindsay, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini in Port Hope.

The Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNC) and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) have both opted to closing schools during the strike, saying in a statement that “without CUPE workers on-site, (they) simply cannot ensure safe conditions for all students and staff.”

Students have been transitioned to at-home, asynchronous learning for the day on Friday as CUPE strikes.

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Fall Open House at Trent University on Nov. 4 and 12

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Trent University welcomes future students and their guests to explore their campus during fall open houses on Nov. 4 and Nov. 12.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Guests can tour the campuses and residences, explore paid co-op streams, meet current students and profs and apply on the spot.

Trent’s open houses at the Peterborough (Nov. 4) and Durham Greater Toronto Area (Nov. 12) campuses will feature a full academic and student services fair, mini-lectures, program sessions and the opportunity to tour Trent’s campuses and student residences.

This is the first fall open house event held in person since 2019.

“Our fall open house events offer an ideal opportunity for future students to gather information for making important decisions about their postsecondary journey, and get a feel for life on campus," said Marilyn Burns, Trent vice president of communications and enrolment. "Our current students, professors and staff really enjoy helping future students and their families learn about what makes the Trent experience so unique in preparing our grads for success."

All students who attend will be entered to win their first year’s tuition for free.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.trentu.ca/futurestudents/openhouse.

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Peterborough School Boards to Close Friday If CUPE Staff Strike Cannot Reach Agreement

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Peterborough public and Catholic school boards could be closed on Friday to in-person learning as Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) plans to engage in a full withdrawal of services from schools on Friday.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

The closures will occur if school boards cannot reach an agreement by Friday.

The Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNC) and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) have release the following statement regarding school closures:

“Please know, we do not make this decision lightly and we understand the impact this will have on families. Without CUPE workers on-site, however, we simply cannot ensure safe conditions for all students and staff.”

The statement continues that this course of action is appropriate based on the following considerations:

  • supervision of students;

  • medical support and care for all students;

  • safe operation of water and sanitation systems, including required water flushing;

  • conditions of school buildings and classrooms, and

  • overall safety and security.

CUPE represents 55,000 employees that represents custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, educational assistants, early childhood educators, learning commons specialists, paraprofessionals, central IT employees and more. They are looking for an 11.7 per cent increase in wages and are in a legal strike position starting Thursday. School boards must be given five days’ notice of any possible strike action.

Both school boards believe negotiations between the province and CUPE could go into late Thursday night.

Stephen Lecce, Ontario minister of education is adamant about keeping kids in the classroom and wants CUPE to withdraw their strike.

“In response to CUPE’s decision to strike, our government introduced legislation that will keep kids in class,” said Leece. “I’m again calling on CUPE to immediately withdraw this strike and work with us to keep kids in the classroom. Otherwise, to make sure schools don’t close, we have no choice but to proceed with legislation.”

If schools close on Friday, PVNC and KPRDSB will have students will transition to remote, asynchronous learning from home.

Both boards are beginning to collect information from families who require additional technology and distributing technology to students prior to Friday according to a statement issued by PVNC and KPRDSB.

On Friday, classroom teachers will connect with students through their regular communication platforms (e.g. Google Classrooms). The asynchronous model provides flexibility for families as teachers will be providing work that can be completed by students at any time during the day.

For students enrolled in virtual schools, programming will proceed as usual.

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Peterborough School Board Communication Services Team Wins National Award

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Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board won an Award of Distinction for its Everyday Hero Staff Recognition Program during the 2022 BRAVO! Awards Gala hosted by the Canadian Association of Communications in Education (CACE) on Monday.

Communications officer Alyssa Cymbalista (left) and communications manager Galen Eagle (right) celebrate their awards during the CACE gala on Monday. Photo courtesy of PVNC.

CACE recognizes and honours exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, marketing and engagement through this awards program each year.

“Our communications staff provide effective communication strategies to stakeholders across the district,” said Joan Carragher, PVNC director of education. “This award recognizes their exemplary work. It is a very well-deserved honour for a communications program that highlights our amazing staff and supports our multi-year strategic plan.”

The Everyday Hero Staff Recognition Program was developed as a strategic communication project to acknowledge the efforts of a range of school board staff and to help further the “Valuing Relationships” strategic priority set out in the board’s 2021-2025 strategic plan.

The CACE BRAVO! Awards are the only Canada-wide awards program specifically designed to recognize excellence in school board communications.

“We are thrilled and honoured to receive this national recognition from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education,” said Galen Eagle, PVNC manager of communications. “We were looking for a creative way to demonstrate to our employees how much they are valued. The Everyday Hero Staff Recognition Program has been a huge success story for us, allowing us to pay tribute to employees who lift-up those around them and go the extra mile for their peers, students and the families we serve.”

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Fleming College Fall Open House To Run This Saturday

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Fleming College is welcoming prospective students at the annual fall open houses at Frost, Sutherland and Haliburton campuses this Saturday.

File photo.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can check out different events taking place at each campus and speak with instructors and professors from a wide array of programs, who will be on hand to answer questions and meet prospective students.

Guests can tour our campuses, learn more about the services that are available to students and get the latest information on financial aid options, the application process, residence life and making the transition from secondary school to Fleming College.

The Sutherland Campus will commence with a land acknowledgment at the front entrance of the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre (KTTC). There will be fitness demonstrations put on by law and justice students and instructors, and the Child and Youth Care program will be running a sensory simulation lab for visitors. There will be many other displays and demonstrations throughout campus labs and at the KTTC throughout the day.

At the Frost Campus visitors can catch some live tree climbing and blasting technique demonstrations along with interactive demonstrations on the heavy equipment simulators. Displays of rocks, minerals, geophysical equipment and specimens from Frost’s Fish and Wildlife labs will be on display.   

Visitors to Fleming’s Haliburton Campus have a chance to tour the Haliburton School of Art + Design and try their hand at felting in the Fibre Arts Studio or hand building with clay in the Ceramics Studio.  

Fleming’s Pre Service Firefighter program will be hosting its open house at the Eastern Ontario Emergency Training Academy located at 36 Industrial Rd. in Norwood. 

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