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Wellness Programs – Winter Semester

Welcome back to a new semester. With the new semester, we have new programming for students to improve their wellness while here at campus.

Weekly Wellness Activities

  • Chill Café – Mondays 2-3pm in Room 308 – Group for students struggling with stress and looking for a way to manage stress better.
  • Movement Meditations – Mondays 5:30-6:30 in Room 328 – Mindfulness group with a dynamic approach to stress reduction.
  • Positive Space – Tuesdays 12-1 in Room 216 – Open drop in space for LGBTQ+ and allies to get together and have lunch together. Planning of social events happens during this time as well.
  • AC Dog Squad, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusMental Health Walk-In Clinic – Tuesday and Thursday 1-3:30 Room 138 – Students can be seen without an appointment by the mental health counsellor. Sessions are on a first come first served basis.
  • Dare to Self-Care – Tuesday 2-3 Room 308 – Drop-in group where students work on reducing stress and solving challenges
  • Colour and Chatter– Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 in Room 124 – Drop-in groups for students
    to participate in artistic activities and stress management.
  • WIND Walk/Yoga/Activity – Wednesday 11-12 meet in Commons – Wellness In Nature Days activities involve various activities to improve our physical and mental well-being.
  • Paws for Stress – Wednesday 1-2 Room 200 (starting Feb 6th) – Drop in to say hi to Luna to help reduce stress and have a moment with a dog.
  • SMART Recovery – Wednesdays 4:30-6 Room 308 – Drop-in group for students struggling with addictive behaviours including: drugs/alcohol, gaming, eating, etc…
  • Trauma Informed Mindfulness – Thursdays 12-1 in Room TBA – Mindfulness practice to help with managing stress and past trauma.

Matt Monych: A Happy Outcome

Matt Monych, Business, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusAfter retiring from the Canadian Forces, Matt Monych was aware that he needed to supplement his education to obtain the most up-to-date knowledge that would lead to a level of employment that he would find fulfilling. He turned to the Pembroke Campus and, “I could not be happier with the outcome” says Monych.

Monych continues to share, “without knowing precisely what I was getting myself into, I enrolled in the Business Program. I did know that the entrepreneurial aspects of the program would allow me to become capable of executing in each core aspect of business versus focusing on a specialty. What caught me off guard was the level of investment by the faculty and staff, both professionally and personally, in my success. I believe that Kim Drake was a significant influence on this type of culture. Despite having a tremendous amount of responsibility in her role with the College, Kim went above and beyond to ensure the success of her students including me. The program gave me a great base to work from and played an instrumental role in securing a professional position with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club following my studies.

Since the completion of my program, I have had nothing but forward trajectory. I have been able to succeed in leadership roles across multiple industries and have climbed the proverbial ladder to the point where I am now involved in senior management with a multi-billion dollar, publicly traded company. What might be most impressive is that with the combination of my experience and the Business Program from the Pembroke Campus, I have been accepted and am currently completing my Executive Master of Business Administration degree. Non-degree applicants are often only accepted into such prestigious programs in rare and exceptional circumstances and this feat would certainly not be possible without the help of Kim Drake. When I turned to Kim as an academic reference she didn’t hesitate for a second and once again proved that at Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, the people make the difference by investing in the success of their students, current or alumni.

If you are considering Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, more specifically the Business program under the supervision of Kim Drake, stop thinking and apply. You would be doing yourself a disservice otherwise.”

-Matthew Monych, EMBA Candidate and Business Program Alumni 2010

The Tip of the Iceberg: Improve Your Wellbeing through Yoga and Meditation

Overall wellbeing requires us to take care of our mental, physical, and social health. When one of these areas is not strong, the others are affected too. It can be hard to find balance and prioritize your self-care when you’re busy. But what if I told you that you can give all three aspects of your wellbeing a boost with just one activity? And getting started is as simple as unrolling a yoga mat.

When practicing yoga with others, we attend to all three areas of wellbeing at once (talk about efficient!). Yoga can help you…

  • Build self-esteem, as you learn to cultivate a more non-judgmental relationship with yourself and tame your inner critic.
  • Improve your relationships. As we become less judgmental, we start to view things more compassionately and respond with kindness.
  • Reduce stress and anxiety. When we are exposed to a sudden stress, we have a “fight or flight” response, which heightens our blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing and emotions. Yogic breathing and meditation can help to slow this stress response, so we can think more clearly

You might be thinking, “But I’m not flexible enough!” Don’t worry – yoga can be adapted for any physical ability. In fact, the physical poses (asanas) are just one aspect of yoga. They connect the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath (that’s a mouthful!). Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to be in the present moment, directs our attention inward, and has many benefits, especially for mental wellness.

Speaking of mind, meditation is a way to train the mind (much like fitness trains the body). In meditation, we practice making our minds Image result for meditation college“quiet” or “still.” There are different ways to meditate. Two ways that can be implemented into daily activities are:

  1. Concentration meditation, which involves focusing on a single point.
  2. Mindfulness meditation, or learning to observe and be aware of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judging or clinging to them.

Tip: If you have anxious thoughts, try to mindfully observe your breath throughout your day, if even for a moment. Doing so can help to slow
your system, thoughts, and emotions. Think of your breath like snacks – if you eat regularly throughout the day, you won’t be starving by suppertime. Just as our appetite builds, our anxious thoughts can build and often hit in the evening. Regular moments of mindful
breathing throughout your day can help reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts at the end of the day.

In this post, counsellor Patti presents a concept from the world of counselling that you might find useful in your daily life.

Mental Wellness Programs

Welcome to Algonquin College Pembroke Campus and the start of the school year.

As the counsellor on campus, I run a number of activities that I would like to invite you to. Activities and programs will be added regularly, so please watch in your Brightspace and email for new options. As we settle into our new schedules, many students are starting to see the need to maintain their mental wellness. We are offering a number of programs to help with that and we encourage you to take part.

  • Positive Space – Tuesdays at 12:00-1:00 pm in room 216 (Ongoing) – a drop in space for LGBTQ+ and allies to get together
    for lunch. Planning of social events occurs during this time as well.
  • Colour and Chatter – Wednesdays at 2 – 4 pm in room 124 – a drop in space (come for all or part of the time) to do some colouring, or bring your own and work at your own pace. This is a great opportunity to reduce some stress and meet people.
  • Chill Café – Tuesdays at 2:00-4:30 pm in room 308 – a 6-week stress and anxiety reduction program for anyone who has any level of stress.
  • WIND Walks – Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:00-11:45 am (meet in the commons by the doors to the patio, ongoing) – Wellness In Nature Days (WIND) walks take you with a group to explore the local area along the waterfront and beyond. A great opportunity to distress.
  • WIND Yoga – Mondays at 12:00-1:00 pm and Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 am in the gym (Ongoing) – Free yoga, need we say more?
  • Dare to Self Care – Fridays at 12:00-1:00 pm in Room 308 (Starting September 28th, 2018) – an opportunity to learn and practice ways to help take care of yourself in your busy life.
  • SMART Recovery – Thursdays 4:30-6:00 pm in Room 216 (Starting September 20th, 2018) – a peer-led recovery program focused on positive behaviour changes versus the specific addiction. Very effective for eating disorders, internet addiction, drug and alcohol addictions, gambling or gaming addictions etc.
  • Mental Health Walk-In Clinic – Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-3:30 pm in Room 138 – planning life stressors is not always easy, know that you can always get support last minute during walk-in clinic times. Or make an appointment by emailing Nicole at lewisn@algonquincollege.com but you might have to wait a couple weeks.
  • Movement Meditation – Mondays from 5-6 pm in Room 328 – with exams and the stress increasing due to busy studies, we are offering another option for people to have free sessions to reduce our stress. Movement Meditation goes over a weekly meditation with movement which is known to help us focus our thoughts and decrease stress response. No need to sign up. Bring a friend.

Looking for volunteer hours/co-curricular credits consider volunteering for Wellness in Nature Days Facilitators (lead an activity weekly for your fellow students), Purple Couch (promoting mental wellness and connecting with students), please email Nicole Lewis lewisn@algonquincollege.com for further details.

Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter Summer Edition

Algonquin College Students

We hope that you are enjoying the warm summer evenings and taking some time to relax because the fall semester is right around the corner! Whether your student is a new first-year student at our Waterfront Campus, or a returning student eager to come back to the shores of the Ottawa River, our fall semester is going to be jam-packed with learning and community building activities!

Take a moment to have a look at our Events Calendar! It features recent activities, as well as upcoming opportunities for students and their families.

Our dedicated Parents’ and Families website features links to blogs, interesting articles written by our Student Services staff, and a calendar that notes some important upcoming dates.

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.

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Advantage Week Orientation – An opportunity to start the academic year off right!

Before classes start on September 4, 2018 encourage your student to participate in their orientation activities. Orientation for full-time, first-year Fall students at the Pembroke Campus includes two important steps: Advantage Days (Step 1) and AC Day 1 (Step 2).

Both new and returning students are invited to join us for fun events and activities that will help them get to know:

  • Their new college campus
  • Their faculty and staff
  • Their new community
  • Their fellow students!

Our Orientation website is a one-stop portal to all you and your student need to know to get ready for school this fall. Be sure to explore the activities and events, FAQs, and 10 things to know about Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus too.

We also offer an orientation for parents and guardians! Learn more about these sessions >>

If your student is moving to Pembroke from out-of-town, plan on joining us for our FREE move-in day BBQ on Thursday, August 30. Register for the Move-in BBQ here >>

Before orientation, there are a few things your student should know:

  1. Reminder: Algonquin College is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) College which means that all students are required to have a mobile computing device that meets the technical specifications outlined by their program. The program specific details can be found on our BYOD site >>. It is also recommended that students bring their computing device to their Advantage Day in order to get their technology in place.
  2. Some of our programs require placement documentation prior to the start of college for first-year students. These programs include Early Childhood Education, Personal Support Worker, Practical Nursing and Social Service Worker. The documentation requirements can be found on each of the program pages, but for convenience, we have embedded a link in the program names listed above. The documentation deadline was August 3, so a check-in might be beneficial to your student.

This information has also been shared with all students!

We might be small, but our Support Services are mighty!

Our Waterfront Campus has an extensive number of student support services that might be appropriate for your student including:

Our Student Success Specialist, Shelly Waplington, will be your student’s GPS for student services – guiding them along the path most appropriate to support their success.

A full list of our Support Services can be found here >>

International Students @ Waterfront Campus

Did you know, we have a growing international student population at our campus. Meet Mayowa who is from Nigeria and is currently studying in our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

5 Quick Tips to Help Your Student During Their First Month at College

  1. Keep in touch! Quick texts or phone calls to ask how things are going will help you get a feel for how they are adjusting to college life and their program of study.
  2. Know what’s happening on campus. Follow the Waterfront Campus on social media so you can have an enriched conversation with them when they call. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and SnapChat (@ACWaterfront)
  3. Send them an inspirational card, perhaps with a photo from home. Nothing says you care like a traditional card that arrives in the mail.
  4. Help them manage their budget. Managing money may be new to them, so don’t be afraid to ask how they are financially. Our Financial Aid Officers are also available to help guide students who are new to managing their own finances.
  5. Coach your student into applying for our bursaries. Registered students can apply for all bursaries administered by Algonquin College through submitting one application. We even build the application process into our Advantage Days Orientation! Here is the step-by-step on how to apply >>

Upcoming Activities That Support Transitioning To College

  1. Thrive @ AC, August 22 – August 29: This series of workshops will help you to thrive at the Pembroke Campus and be prepared for your studies. Learn more about Thrive @ AC >>
  2. The Mature Student Success Workshop is a FREE day-long workshop for students who have been away from education for a few years. Learn more about this workshop on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. >>
  3. Strategic Learning in the College Environment (SLICE) Conference, is a FREE summer transition program offered to individuals with disabilities entering first-year studies at Algonquin College. Learn more about the SLICE Conference on Friday, Aug. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. >>

Encourage your student to come meet your CAL staff and learn about the support, resources, and services that are available to them as they transition to a college environment.

Dental and Health Coverage

If you have dental and health coverage for your student, your student can opt-out of the college’s insurance plan. However, this must be done within the first few weeks of classes. Withdrawing from the insurance program is easy. Your student just has to go onto the insurance plan website and complete a form. The money that was paid to the college for the insurance plan will then be reimbursed into their bank account.

Have your student visit wespeakstudent.com and complete the opt-out form.

Events on Campus

Fall Games Day

On Friday, Sept. 7 starting @ 2 p.m. Algonquin Administration, Faculty, and Staff will be ready to welcome all first-year and returning Pembroke Waterfront Campus students to the most exhilarating cross-campus orientation event – the Fall Orientation Games!

Students can wrap up their first week of studies with:

  • All kinds of sports including ultimate Frisbee, softball, mini-putt golf and more – all sports are co-ed
  • Carnival activities including buskers, cotton candy, and a free BBQ
  • 5 KM Just for Fun Walk or Run
  • Great prizes to be won including free groceries, gift cards, movie passes and much more

Students can get in on some CFL Action! Ottawa RedBlacks vs. Edmonton Eskimos, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018

Did you know our Varsity Loggersports Team has a great partnership with the Ottawa RedBlacks football team? Our varsity members and their coach attend each home game in Ottawa and put on quite the show when a touchdown is scored. Our students have an opportunity to attend Ottawa RedBlacks vs. the Edmonton Eskimos game:

  • Saturday, Sept. 22 – Bus leaves the Waterfront Campus at 1 p.m.
  • $20 ticket includes bus transportation to the game
  • Students can stop by the Students’ Association office in Room 100 during Advantage Days orientation to purchase tickets or purchase online!

Thank you for reading our newsletter for parents and families. We welcome your feedback.

Thank you for being part of your young adult’s post-secondary journey.
Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, Pembroke, ON.
PM-Parents@algonquincollege.com

From Business Student to Community Entrepreneur

Marc Lapierre, Business grad, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus Marc Lapierre graduated from the Business program in 2003. Since then, he has been a busy man, working hard at building three different businesses. Marc shared his story with us about his journey.

Where are you currently working?

I have been working as a Financial Advisor at Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. since 2009 guiding business owners and professionals towards financial security. I also am the owner/founder of GoHuntBirds.com – a boutique media company that focuses on growing the bird hunting community in Canada. GoHuntBirds.com was founded in 2013. I also act as the business development director for Revel Marketing Agency in a mentorship role to its two founders. Revel Marketing Agency is a small start-up SEO/Media/Marketing agency in Burnstown, Ontario which was founded in 2017.

How do you feel that your program helped guide you to your current path?

I have always been interested in business. Taking the business course in my hometown of Pembroke, Ontario set me up with the foundation to what has become a career as a lifelong entrepreneur. It allowed me to stay at home while I was going to school and save up quite a bit of money while I was studying that I used to start several businesses when I graduated.

If you had to choose, what were the top 3 program-related items, activities or experiences that benefited you most during your studies?

Learning techniques in sales, strategy and marketing/advertising are three of the MANY skills I built upon at Algonquin. I still use these skills daily and always evolving them to make my business ventures better.

Why did you want to get into your chosen field?

Financial Planning was always an interest of mine. I started investing at the age of 16 and learned about the markets and insurance at a young age. I was offered a position out of college by Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. when I graduated, but I declined it to try selling Real Estate (which I never did pass the exam to do). I took a job as a courier from 2005-2009 and scratched out a pretty good living delivering parcels and running other small venture businesses on the side. In 2009, I was again offered the same position at Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. and seeing as the economy was in a recession, I thought it would be a great time to get into the financial services industry….and I was right. The thing I love about my chosen career the most besides the ability to make my own hours is helping people.

What are your next steps? What are your future goals and aspirations?

I plan to continue to grow the three businesses I have a hand in as well as add a fourth piece to the puzzle by adding some more recreational real estate to my portfolio. I’d also love to do more mentoring and perhaps some teaching to other small business owners and startups. I love the mentorship role that I have with Revel Marketing because I can actually see value in it for others.

Would you recommend the Business program to a future student thinking about taking the plunge?

YES!! I would honestly suggest EVERYONE should take this program as a foundation to whatever it is that they think they might want to do. The things that you will learn by taking a business course can translate into all aspects of life, regardless of the nature of your future employment. Anyone who is seriously considering taking the Business program at Algonquin College or even just wants to chat business is free to get a hold of me anytime at marc@fcfinancial.ca.

Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter Spring 2018 Edition

With spring fresh in the air, we thought it was a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened on campus and provide some insight into upcoming events.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our dedicated Parents’ and Families website, featuring links to blogs, interesting articles written by our Student Services staff and a calendar that notes some important upcoming dates, we suggest that you take a moment to explore.

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.

Convocation: An opportunity to celebrate student success!

Convocation, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

The month of May has almost come and gone and we are saying goodbye to graduating students and getting ready to welcome a new group of incoming students. For those leaving us, we remind them that their graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 1st at 1 p.m. at the Pembroke Memorial Centre.

Each graduate will receive a personalized email with an invitation to register for their convocation ceremony. Learn more >>

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus Receives Key to the City

Key to the City

Algonquin College has always had a close working relationship with the city of Pembroke. To honour the College’s 50th anniversary, the municipality recognized the contributions the College has made to the broader community in a very special way by presenting the campus with its prestigious “Key to the City.” May 9, 2018 was also declared, Algonquin College Day in the city.

The Pembroke Campus began operating in the city in 1967, the same time that the Ontario college system was born. In 2012, when the Waterfront Campus opened, it was the result of a strong partnership between the city and the college that the project came to fruition. The city had donated 14 acres of waterfront property to the college to allow it to build what has become one of the most beautiful college campuses in the province. The campus has also played a critical role in revitalizing Pembroke’s downtown. The building of three privately owned and operated student residences to support the college’s growing out of town student population is a great example of the economic stimulus that has been injected into Pembroke through the opening of the campus. You can read more about the Key to the City presentation in this article by the Pembroke Daily Observer >>

Bursaries and Scholarships

Did you know, there are a number of funding sources available to students to supplement their income during their post-secondary studies.

Each semester, Algonquin College reaches out to current students and invites them to apply through the Algonquin College Student Information System (ACSIS) for all the bursaries that are available to our students. Make sure to remind your students to read all their AC emails because some of them are worth a thorough read, and contain very important information.

yconic is a student help platform that aims to make life easier, more affordable and less stressful for students pursuing higher education in Canada. Students complete their yconic profile to be matched-up with funding opportunities whether through scholarships or contests.

ScholarshipsCanada.com helps students find scholarships and bursaries free of charge.

Pembroke Campus to Offer Personal Support Worker Program in Renfrew

Colleges are well known for their ability to respond to community needs. In Renfrew, there is currently a critical shortage of Personal Support Workers and as a result, Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has partnered with the County of Renfrew to deliver a Personal Support Worker program at Bonnechere Manor, one of the county’s largest long-term care facilities. The program will begin in January of 2019 and will be delivered in an accelerated delivery model that will permit students to complete the program in six months, rather than the normal eight-month program length. With an aging population, the demand for healthcare workers, particularly PSW’s will continue to be great for the foreseeable future. Learn more about this partnership in this article >>

OSAP: Is your student eligible for “free tuition”?

If your family income is less than $50,000 per year, you may qualify for free tuition! That means you would receive OSAP grants (money you don’t have to repay!) that exceed the cost of your tuition.

Middle and higher income families

If your family makes more – even up to $160,000+ a year – your student may still qualify for support. Many students don’t apply for OSAP because they think their income (or their parents’ income) is too high – but you may be surprised! Get a quick estimate of your potential OSAP entitlement >>

Entrance Bursaries for OSAP Students

Students could be eligible for a $500 AC Aid Entrance Bursary! Learn more >>

Learn more by visiting our Financial Aid website >>

Repaying Ontario Student Assistance Program Loans: What’s the Next Step?

Is your son or daughter graduating and would like more information on repaying their student loans?

OSAP and the National Student Loans Service Centre offers a number of resources to guide your graduate through the repayment process.

Tuition Deposits Due June 15

Algonquin College requires incoming and returning students to pay a $500 tuition deposit fee by June 15th to hold their seat. Watch this short video to learn more about how this deposit can be paid. Watch College Tuition Deposit – Payment Options video >>

Did you know the Waterfront Campus has a Book Club?

Good news! For the first time ever, the Waterfront Campus Book Club will be running in the Spring/Summer semester! New members are always welcome. Our first book for the new semester is a fascinating page-turner:
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit By Michael Finkel – A National Geographic Best Book of the Year

Learn more about our Library Services and this Book Club meeting >>

Algonquin College Speaker Series Presents…Bruce Pappin and Pembroke’s Great Fire of 1918

Pembroke's Great Fire, Speaker Series, Algonquin College, Pembroke100 years ago much of Pembroke’s downtown was destroyed by a raging fire. The blaze broke out in the early evening of June 18, 1918, starting at the Laundriault’s Livery Barns on Prince Street and sweeping through the town. It took several hours for firefighters to get the inferno under control, but by that time a pile of rubble was all that remained for several blocks of the downtown. Local historian Bruce Pappin will lead an informative speaker series presentation to mark the anniversary of Pembroke’s Great Fire of 1918 with a two-part session that includes a walk through the downtown, highlighting how the fire progressed and what buildings were destroyed. The presentation will also explore the aftermath of the fire, including the inquest that was held to determine the cause. Learn more about our Speaker Series >>

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter for parents and families. We would welcome your feedback.

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

Sincerely,

Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Call for Nominations: Board of Governors Election

The Algonquin College Board of Governors is looking for an Academic Staff representative and a Student representative for the 2018-2019 academic year.

All full-time and part-time Academic Staff and Students are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to serve the College.

NOMINATIONS:

  • Call for nominations begins March 26, 2018 (8:00 a.m.)
  • Close of nominations: April 4, 2018 (4:00 p.m.)

CAMPAIGNING

  • April 5 – 19, 2018

VOTING

  • April 18 at 9 a.m.
  • April 19 at 12 p.m.

To submit your candidacy, support a nominee within your constituency, and to access the Terms and Conditions of the Board of Governors’ Online Elections, please visit the Algonquin College Voting System.

Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter Winter 2018 Edition

The calendar has turned to a new year and there are lots happening at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. Here is a quick update for parents and family members. Enjoy our 2018 parent newsletter winter edition.

Winterfest: February 28th

The winter semester at the Waterfront Campus is underway and recently we’ve had a lot of snow in Pembroke. This will certainly help us as we plan our Winterfest carnival for students on Feb 28th.

WinterfestWinterfest is a fun afternoon and evening for students that will include:

  • Outdoor activities in the snow like snowshoeing, ice sculpting and sliding
  • Loggersports and Action Sports Park Development demos
  • Free lunch for all students
  • Free public skating at the Pembroke Memorial Centre followed by a women’s and men’s student-staff hockey game
  • Free dinner back at the campus where students can enjoy live entertainment.
  • A Career Networking Fair featuring dozens of employers in many sectors.
  • Plus, we will be making a number of draws for some great prizes! All students who participate are eligible.

Yes, we like to give our students free stuff to make their college experience more enjoyable!

More details can be found here >>

Ottawa Valley Speaker Series

Ottawa Valley History: Speaker Series

The theme of our Algonquin College Speakers Series this year is Ottawa Valley history and there are certainly a number of stories to explore, including the Flying Bandit. On March 19, the reporter who broke the story and co-authored a book on the flying bandit, Ed Arnold, will share details of how an American convict escaped from prison and started a new life in Pembroke. Unfortunately, that life made him one of Canada’s most notorious bank robbers. Arnold was the managing editor of the Peterborough Intelligencer newspaper when the string of robberies was occurring. Three of the heists occurred in Peterborough, peaking Arnold’s interest, leading him on a journalistic investigation that led to him uncovering Canada’s most notorious bank robber.

This session will be held in the evening of Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at our Waterfront Campus. You can learn more about this presentation on our Speaker Series website >>

Indigenous Culture Celebration

Indigenous Hand DrummingIn partnership with the Circle of Turtle Lodge, we are exploring and celebrating the indigenous culture during the month of March with a variety of activities related to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. The goal of our celebration is to offer the opportunity for our students and employees to learn more about indigenous ways through interactive lunch and learns. Our activities include:

  • Info Fair Celebration Kick-off: March 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons
  • Algonquin Song Lesson & Drumming Circle: March 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gymnasium
  • Kairos Blanket Exercise: March 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gymnasium
  • Talking Stick Workshop: March 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 426
  • Talking Circle: March 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gymnasium

Events, Events and More Events!

We have a number of events on campus, both faculty and staff-driven and student organized. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everything that is happening, which is why we have created the Waterfront Campus Events Calendar >>. Learn more about the fun and academic event opportunities available for our students.

Flu Season Flu Season

With so many students and staff at the Waterfront Campus daily, it is easy for the flu to spread at this time of year. The College offers free flu shots to students through its Health Services office which is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An appointment is not necessary.

Throughout the campus there are also hand sanitizer stations and our Health Nurse does a great job of promoting the importance of hand washing, particularly at this time of year when the flu and cold season is at its peak.

Mental Health Programs Winter 2018

As we start the new semester, establishing good habits for our health and wellness is really important to continue to be successful. Counselling Services will be providing a number of free programs this semester to help students achieve the best success possible. Some great tips and information can be found in our Mental Health Matters Newsletter >>

  • Is your student STRESSED? ANXIOUS? – Have them check out the Chill Café! A 6-week program to help students with managing stress and anxiety in a more effective way. Thursdays Feb 8-March 22 (excluding Feb 22) from 2-3:30 pm in Room 308. Students can sign up at chillcafe.eventbrite.ca
  • Does your student need to improve their physical well-being and exercise? They are welcome to join us for snowshoeing, yoga, and walks with Wellness In Nature Days (WIND). We are adding new activities regularly. See our up to date programs at fb.me/WINDACOV
  • Is your student having challenges with Alcohol or Drugs? What about Eating Challenges? Gaming or on the internet too much? SMART Recovery works to help with various behaviours that can be addictive and helps by teaching skills to overcome these challenges. This is a student-run and for students only program. Thursdays at 4-5:30 pm in Room 216.
  • Positive Space offers a safe space for students to meet with open-minded people and enjoy lunch together – Tuesdays at 12-1pm in Room 308
  • Coffee House Art Space is a weekly opportunity for students to be creative and learn or practice art skills – Mondays from 5-7 in Room 122

March Break Open House

Are you a parent/guardian or spouse of a student starting a program at our campus September 2018? If yes, we invite you to join us on Saturday, March 10, 2018 starting at 9 a.m. for our March Break Open House.

At our Open House, you can:

  • Meet our student services staff and find out more about supports for students. Staff from the following areas will be available to answer your questions: Admissions; Financial Aid; Fee Payment Cashier; Recruiters; Student Success Specialist; Disabilities Counsellor; Housing, and General Information.
  • Attend a variety of 30-minute information sessions
  • Take a tour of our new waterfront campus
  • Enjoy a free Lunch & Learn Session – Q & A: Bring all your questions and our current student panel will answer them
  • Hear directly from current students at our popular student panel
  • Meet some of our faculty from specific programs

Learn more and register now >>

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.

Sincerely,

Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, Pembroke, ON.
PM-Parents@algonquincollege.com

Tax Receipts T2202A

Official Tuition Tax Receipts (T2202A) are available online via ACSIS in early February for qualifying programs and courses.

Please note: For post-secondary credit activity, fees are prorated over the learning period and are not always credited in the year of payment.

It is not necessary to include the T2202A with your income tax claim; however, it will be required to validate a claim if you are audited.

A T2202A is issued to the student. If a student is sponsored, the sponsor will issue a T4A for the amount paid on the student’s behalf. The student must claim the sponsored amount as income and can claim the tuition credit or allocate it to a parent/guardian if applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, please check the Government of Canada’s website at http://cra.gc.ca/students.