Parents

Welcome to our Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

With spring around the corner, we are midway through the winter semester. We thought it a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened and provide some insight into upcoming events.

Our goal is to keep you informed. While we respect the privacy of our students, the information we will provide in this newsletter will give you a good sense of what is happening on campus throughout the year and will provide you with enough information to have engaging conversations with your student. Enjoy our 2020 parent newsletter winter edition.

Next Steps in the Admissions Process

February 1st was a big day for College applicants. Colleges across Ontario started to make offers of admission, including Algonquin College. There are several key dates for applicants and their families to be aware of leading up to the start of classes in September 2020. They are:

• May 1st Confirmation Deadline: This is the deadline for applicants who have been made an offer of admission to confirm their intentions to enroll at the Pembroke Campus.
• June 15th Tuition Deposit Deadline: This is the deadline to pay the non-refundable $500 tuition deposit for the fall term or to complete a fee deferral through the College’s Financial Aid office.
• August 7th Documentation Deadline: This is the deadline for applicants to provide the college with any outstanding documentation such as transcripts for completed pre-requisites, health immunization records and police records checks, for applicable programs.
• Algonquin Advantage Days Orientation: Orientation for all Pembroke Campus students on September 3 and 4. Full schedules will be emailed and mailed to applicants.

Learn more about additional next steps.

Meet our Campus Dean

Dr. Keltie Jones became the sixth Dean in the 53-year history of the Pembroke Campus when she arrived from the Agricultural College of Dalhousie University in Truro, Nova Scotia last August. Dr. Jones is a graduate of Stanford University in California and has held leadership roles in post-secondary education in both Canada and the United States. She enjoys getting to know our students and her popular “Ask the Dean” sessions are enjoyed by students as it helps keep the lines of communication open with our students.

Dr. Jones enjoys engaging with parents and families and attends many of our student events. She looks forward to meeting you on campus.

Student Housing Options

With approximately 50 percent of students attending the Pembroke Waterfront Campus from out of town, student housing is an important consideration for both the College and families. While the College does not have a student residence, there are four privately owned and operated student residences that have the capacity to house more than 200 Algonquin College students.

These residences all offer different housing experiences and are all within walking distance of the campus. They include Algonquin House, AMNA Student Housing, the Lake Street Residences, one of which is currently under construction but will be ready for the Fall 2020 term and Canoe Lofts, a new student housing complex that is also expected to open in September.

The College has a Housing List page which provides information to students and families on all accommodation options including its new Homestay Program. Homestay allows a student to live with a family in Pembroke and is primarily available to international students and newcomers to Canada who are looking for an enriched Canadian cultural experience while studying at college. The campus housing website will also provide detailed information on other housing options including rental units and room and board.

All decisions made by students and their families to enter into a lease agreement with a landlord are made independent of the college. Therefore, families are encouraged to do their due diligence when making decisions about housing.

Paws 4 Stress – Meet Winston!

Winston is our Pembroke Waterfront Campus Therapy Dog and member of our Dog Squad at Algonquin College. Winston is on campus every Wednesday this semester to help support our students and staff.

Getting Around Pembroke and Getting Back Home

As a smaller city, Pembroke is very walkable, however, it no longer has a public transit service. This can be problematic for students who do not have access to a vehicle. Therefore, students and families should take this into consideration when looking for housing options that are within walking distance of the campus.

Many students use bicycles to get to and from school. The College provides bike racks for students to lock up their bikes while they are in class. Other students carpool, but most walk to and from the college.

Out of town students have two bussing options if they are going home for weekends, statutory holidays or break weeks. Both Greyhound and Ontario Northland serve the city of Pembroke and travel to most medium and larger cities across the province. The bus stop is located at the Giant Tiger store in downtown Pembroke, a short walk from the College.

Positive Space

The Positive Space program is organized by volunteers who work to create awareness of 2SLGBTQ+ communities at Algonquin College. The Positive Space program hosts events, conduct educational initiatives and shares information with all members of the campus community. Learn More →

Pembroke Area Offers Lots of Fun Activities in the Winter Months

Winter can be long and the Pembroke Area has experienced record snowfalls this year. The best way to get through winter is to embrace it. If you are the parent of a student who is currently studying at the Pembroke Campus, here are a few fun activities that you might suggest to your student to help them enjoy the winter season.

1. Pembroke is home to a beautiful outdoor skating trail that is 1.5 kms long and curls through a forested area. The Laurentian Valley Skating Trail is only a 15-minute drive from the campus. If your student is interested in trying this free activity but doesn’t have transportation to get there, have them drop by student services where we can help arrange for carpooling.
2. The Pembroke Lumber Kings Junior A hockey team plays most Sunday afternoons or evenings through the middle of March. Free tickets are often available through student services in Room 131. The Pembroke Memorial Centre, where the Lumber Kings play, is located across the street from the Waterfront Campus.
3. If being outdoors is not for your student during the winter months, Festival Hall Centre for the Arts has plenty to offer with concerts, plays and engaging presentations all winter long.
4. If your student is interested in history, Garrison Petawawa has an excellent military museum and the Champlain Trail Museum in Pembroke is well respected for providing a view into the Ottawa Valley’s past.
5. The Waterfront Campus has a vibrant book club. Tell your student to drop by the Huckabone Library to get involved and start reading and discussing some of the best books on the market.

These are just a few ideas to help your student get through the winter months. Soon it will be spring!

City of Pembroke By-Laws

Like every municipality, the City of Pembroke has many by-laws that govern how the city operates. These by-laws provide important information that helps families and students understand how they apply to things like parking on city streets during the winter months, noise restrictions, fire department false alarms, and more. It’s a good website to bookmark on your computer. Learn More →

Employment Opportunities in Pembroke

Many of our students are looking for a part-time job while they study at our campus. Our Campus Employment Support Centre office is located in Student Services on the first floor of our campus and is well connected with local businesses that are looking for help.

Job postings are regularly updated and students can access free help with updating their resume and cover letter by dropping by to see our helpful staff.

Many of our programs offer opportunities for students to participate in paid co-op work placements. Students pay co-op administrative fees and must complete a series of learning activities and maintain a high academic standing to be eligible for co-op, but it’s worth it! Co-op provides an exceptional opportunity for students to gain relevant work experience within their field of study, opening up opportunities to get their foot in the door and launch their career. Learn more about the Co-op Experience.

We hope this newsletter has been helpful. Please keep in touch with us and offer us feedback on topics you would like us to cover in future newsletters.

Thank you for being part of your young adult’s post-secondary journey.