students

School officials say that school nutrition programs are a “gamechanger”

December 18, 2024 by Ryan Funk

The first semester to include new federal and provincial nutrition and food programs is coming to a close, and schools in Winnipeg are already seeing a difference.

Jason Drysdale, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Planning at River East Transcona School Division (RETSD), says it’s still too early to see how these programs affect student academics. However, in terms of engagement, they’ve already seen significant change.

The federal and provincial food programs are expanding to the existing nutrition programs across the 42 schools of the RETSD and create a sense of consistency. Thirty-three schools and six high schools across the division have received enhanced snack carts, with three community schools receiving breakfast, lunch, and snack programming.

Impacts aren’t only felt in the schools. According to École Salisbury Morse Place School’s principal, Tanis Ziprick, for many parents and families, the meals make a huge difference in their children’s lives.

A bearded man holds a megaphone, surrounded by supporters and photographers.

Protestors clash as controversial Israeli activist visits Concordia

December 5, 2024 by Adam Inniss

Protestors clashed on Tuesday December 3 at Concordia’s Hall Campus after Concordia’s Israeli student group Start Up Nation invited IDF soldier and internet activist Yousef Hadad on campus to table before a speech at McGill.

Start Up Nation is a student group at Concordia that represents Israeli students and hosts pro-Israel and anti-boycott events on campus. Hadad is an Arab Israeli Christian, controversial for his anti-Palestinian rhetoric. He has consistently questioned how many civilians have been killed in the ongoing conflict, and he has made controversial statements about Muslims in general.

The purpose of Hadad’s presence on campus was unclear. CJLO followed the events of the day closely, and spoke to Hadad to understand why he was there and question some of his controversial claims.

A group of students stand proudly together as recipients of awards. They are standing under a red and white mural with red forests and a bird over a lake. The word "Respect" is in the lower right hand third of the mural.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School recognizes student achievements at undergraduate awards ceremony

November 29, 2024 by Elizabeth Oakley

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School handed out awards and recognition recently as part of its undergraduate awards ceremony.

The high school’s scholarship fund presents over 200 awards to the undergraduates and graduates. Eighty-five of those awards come from the Haliburton Highlands Scholarship Endowment Fund. Both individuals and organizations have contributed and the Endowment Fund continues to attract donations, often in memory of a loved one. The remaining awards are donated annually by businesses, service clubs and individuals throughout Haliburton County.

Scholarship Committee Chair Melissa Stephens says the awards take into account far more than marks alone.

CanoeFM attended the ceremony and spoke to two award recipients who were thrilled to receive recognition for their efforts.

Resting on a table are the special edition prints of the Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual, and Player's Handbook. The table also contains a collection of school supplies, including paper, pens, rulers, and pencils. Several blue and red dice are on top of the papers.

How two teachers are engaging Winnipeg classrooms with Dungeons and Dragons

November 13, 2024 by Ryan Funk

Two educators within the Winnipeg school system are “gamifying” their classrooms, utilizing components of the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as a tool to explore subjects in a way students are excited to engage with.

Jonah Simmons, a substitute teacher, integrates D&D into his teaching to enhance student engagement and learning. A significant problem Simmons sees in classrooms he subs in is the shift in student-teacher relationships, where students don’t feel their voices are being heard. He says games are a way to better connect with students.

Curtis Bilewitch teaches grade nine English and runs a D&D club at Sisler High School. For him, D&D and similar games support cross-curricular education by merging storytelling, art, math, and strategic planning elements, preparing students for real-world collaboration and critical thinking. A significant benefit of gamification for student engagement, especially for shy or socially anxious students, is the motivation from a play environment in helping students feel part of a collaborative experience.

A group of students, dressed in Trent branded clothing, walk along Water Street in downtown Peterborough.

Trent, DBIA launch scavenger hunt to help students explore Peterborough

September 6, 2024 by Edward Sweeney

This September, Trent University has partnered with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) to organize a scavenger hunt for the first time, called “Explore the Boro,” to help introduce students to local community.

“Explore the Boro is a virtual, digital, scavenger hunt for all Trent students. It’s intended to introduce them to hot spots, cool places, tradition, and history, of both the Trent campus, as well as of Peterborough, our host community and our home away from home,” says Allison Scholl, senior manager of community and external relations for Trent University.

Explore the Boro is being run through the “Goosechase’ application, which can be accessed through Trent’s website.

The partnership with the DBIA allows for a direct connection between Trent students and downtown businesses. The highest scores in this scavenger hunt will be rewarded gift cards that can be used at over 100 businesses across Peterborough.

Listen to the full CFFF story to learn more.

Waterloo mayor McCabe delivers “State of the City” address

May 10, 2024 by Dan Kellar

Waterloo’s annual State of the City address was delivered on May 2nd by mayor Dorothy McCabe at Wilfrid Laurier University, and was full of celebration of the current work the city is doing, and enthusiasm for the future.

The mayor focused significantly on the work the city is doing on housing, climate action, community building, infrastructure, service delivery, and affordability and she noted the interconnectedness of these topics throughout her speech.

McCabe also celebrated the youth of the city and the students of the region’s high schools, post-secondary institutions throughout the speech, saying of the “council for the day” students “Waterloo’s future looks very very bright”.

The State of the City was organized by the Rotary Club of Waterloo and raised over $15,000 for Supportive Housing of Waterloo, an organization which helps people who have experienced long periods homelessness with housing and other support services.

Pictured are parents and students in a parking lot at the ski hill unloading equipment for the day.

Documentary film set to spotlight Knowlton Academy’s unique ski program

February 29, 2024 by Taylor McClure

A documentary film about the Knowlton Academy (K.A.) ski program is in the works 53 years after students first hit the slopes.

Local photographer and filmmaker Ben McAuley and teacher and director of the K.A. ski program Nicolas Lemaître are collaborating on the project to provide people with a visual archive of what the program is all about and to “develop public interest.”

According to Lemaître, the K.A ski program is “unique” in the sense that it is built into the curriculum for physical education at K.A., and it is funded and organized by the school, volunteers, and parents.

But Lemaître explained that the ski program is facing certain challenges, including an increase in transportation costs, and he hopes that the documentary will encourage others with a passion for skiing to get involved and help keep the program going.

CIDI has more on the story.

Bishop’s University, Universities Canada react to international student cap

February 26, 2024 by Taylor McClure

Educational institutions and stakeholders are voicing their concerns following the federal government’s announcement in January to cap the number of international students that can come study in Canada at 350,000 over the next two years.

Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, vice-chancellor and principal of Bishop’s University (B.U.), called the announcement “unfortunate” because it’s going to make it challenging for candidates to make it on time to B.U. for the start of their program.

Lebel-Grenier explained that there is currently a freeze on study permits for prospective international students as the federal government discusses how individual caps with be implemented amongst the provinces and territories, which is creating uncertainty for students.

According to the announcement from the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the goal with the cap is to help address issues within the international student system and to relieve pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services.

The front window of a performance space with the wording "Espace Diffusion" and "Soif de Musique."

Espace Diffusion launches project to make culture more accessible

February 7, 2024 by Taylor McClure

Espace Diffusion has launched a new project entitled Connexion Culture with the goal of making cultural experiences more accessible to citizens in Brome-Missisquoi.

Espace Diffusion is a concert venue space in Cowansville that produces concerts, stand-up comedy shows, and more.

Recognizing that not everyone has the ability to attend live shows, the Espace Diffusion team wants citizens to “have an opportunity to thrive through different cultural experiences, not taking into account their age, gender, social or economic status,” noted Candice De Souza, the person responsible for communications at Espace Diffusion.

Providing more details on Connexion Culture, De Souza said that $1 of every ticket purchased through Espace Diffusion or Soif de Musique (an annual music festival), will go towards Connexion Culture. Those funds will then used to provide free tickets to shows at Espace Diffusion or to bring smaller entertainment to schools, retirement homes, and community organizations.

The interior of Algonquin College courtyard with snowy footprints and fall trees.

Federal housing minister announces low costing loans for student housing

January 31, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced on Jan. 29 that Canadian universities and non-profit organizations will be eligible to apply for low costing loans to build student housing.

Fraser says that this policy will benefit the housing crisis as a whole as well as helping students worry less about finding a place to stay during the school year.

For this story and other regional and national stories, listen to the ELMNT News Brief.

A woman with brown hair, pink scarf and patterned sweater stands in a cafeteria between two open windows into the kitchen.

School breakfast program program seeks more community support as food costs, demand rises

January 26, 2024 by Taylor McClure

The Knowlton Academy (K.A.) breakfast program is looking for community support in order to continue providing a healthy breakfast to students at no cost.

Shelley Judge, a K-4 educator at K.A., told CIDI that throughout her four years as a volunteer with the breakfast program she has seen an uptick in demand, especially within the last six months.

Judge estimates that the breakfast program is currently spending a monthly average of $1,800 on basic food items, such as yogurt and cereal, to help meet the needs of its students. She explained that the $1,800 does not include the cost of the food donations that she receives from the local IGA, program volunteers, and community members.

With the inflation in food prices, Judge noted that donations – and volunteers – are important for keeping the breakfast program going and ensuring that students are starting their school day on full stomachs.

A portrait a seated woman in front of a fern. She has glasses and short hair and is wearing a grey blouse with pink flowers.

Science workshop series for students receives new funding

January 24, 2024 by Taylor McClure

The Eastern Townships will continue to benefit from the Inspecteur Génético project, having received $59,000 in funding from the Pôle régional en enseignement supérieur (PERES).

The Inspecteur Génético project was started on a small scale by Bishop’s University (BU) Biology professor Estelle Chamoux back in 2019. The overall aim of the project is to spark interest in scientific careers by offering workshops to elementary and high school students.

As a result of the recent funding, the Inspecteur Génético project will now continue until the end of the 2024-2025 school year, Chamoux told CIDI. She added that there will be new learning opportunities for students, such as “lab bootcamps.”

There are also plans to expand the project to include science workshops that are adapted for other members of the public, including adults who are looking to re-enter the job market, seniors, and people living with learning disabilities.