Hospital volunteers, college student support, bullying awareness

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Monday, November 20, 2017

Today – A mix of sun and cloud. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 6.

Tonight – Partly cloudy. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low plus 4.

Volunteers needed at Sydenham Campus

Volunteers are needed for the information desk and the gift shop at the Sydenham Campus of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance in Wallaceburg.

Volunteers take turns helping for three hour shifts in the morning or the afternoon, Monday to Friday.

Some volunteers come once a week, a couple of times a week or every second week.

For more information, call Kathryn Kleistra, volunteer resources specialist, at 519-352-6401 ext. 6485.

College students to receive additional support to finish studies

Ontario is ensuring that college students returning to classes following the strike will receive the support they need to complete their studies, government officials said on Monday.

The province has required colleges to establish dedicated student support funds with net savings from the strike that will assist students who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the strike.

“Over the past month, I have heard from students about hardships they have experienced as a result of this strike,” stated Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Digital Government, in a press release.

“It is clear that they have borne the brunt of this situation. That’s why we are taking these measures to ensure students have the support they need to complete their studies, and continue working towards an education that will allow them to succeed in a highly-skilled workforce.”

Government officials say full-time domestic and international students will be eligible to receive up to $500 for incremental unexpected costs they incurred, such as additional child care fees, rebooked train or bus tickets or January rent.

Ontario expects that students will be able to apply to their college for financial assistance through the fund starting this week.

Any strike-related support will not count against a student’s OSAP assessment.

Students who decide to withdraw from college because of the strike will receive a full tuition refund.

Apprentices can also apply for a full refund of classroom fees if they are unable to complete their in-school training for reasons related to the strike.

These financial supports for students were determined through consultations with student leaders and their provincial associations and colleges.

The province will continue to work with students and colleges to finalize implementation plans in the coming days.

Government officials say supporting college students is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change.

The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

More details:

– The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Labour Dispute Resolution Act, 2017 was passed by the Ontario legislature yesterday to end the college labour dispute and return students to the classroom. All outstanding issues are to be referred to binding mediation-arbitration.

– Students currently receiving OSAP who were likely to graduate before December 31 of this year, and who have their current semester extended, will receive additional OSAP for the length of the extension. OSAP will start making payments for extensions in mid-December, after college extension plans are finalized.

– Students currently receiving OSAP who have their winter semesters extended past the normal end date will also receive additional OSAP aid.

– The Government of Canada has committed to partner with Ontario on the extended OSAP supports that help students impacted by the college strike.

– Students who withdraw from their studies have two weeks from the re-start of classes to receive a full tuition refund.

– This year, more than 210,000 full-time university and college students are receiving free tuition for the first time ever.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

The Lambton-Kent District School Board is participating in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, November 20-24, 2017 to help promote safe schools and positive learning environments in Ontario.

The LKDSB is committed to ensuring positive, safe and inclusive learning and working environments for students, staff and the community.

During this week, students, staff and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent, and aggressive behaviour that occurs in a context of a real or perceived imbalance of power between individuals.

Bullying can be represented in various forms – physical, verbal, social and electronic – and has a negative impact on a student’s well-being and ability to learn, and compromises the overall school climate.

LKDSB schools, with support from LKDSB Safe Schools teams, will be participating in a variety of activities to promote bullying awareness and prevention. Students will learn more about bullying and its impact on the school community, as well as participate in acts of kindness in schools and the community.

Many schools across the LKDSB will be displaying positive messaging in classrooms and public spaces and host assemblies focused on anti-bullying.

“We all play a role in ensuring our schools are safe spaces for everyone,: stated Director Jim Costello, in a press release.

“I am proud of the efforts of our students and staff during Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to reinforce these important messages in support of student well-being and promoting a culture of inclusion.”

Additional information about Bully Awareness and Prevention Week is available at
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.

Ontario names Molly Shoichet the province’s first Chief Scientist

Ontario has appointed Molly Shoichet to advance science and innovation in the province and to make government smarter and more effective by providing decision-makers with the world’s best scientific research and evidence.

Government officials say the Chief Scientist will advise Premier Kathleen Wynne directly on key scientific matters, demonstrating Ontario’s ongoing commitment to grow our economy by investing in scientific research and promoting the world-class science both at home and to international audiences.

Shoichet, a professor at the University of Toronto and a member of the Order of Ontario, will report to Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science.

An internationally respected and award-winning expert in the study of polymers for drug delivery and tissue regeneration, as a teacher, mentor and researcher Shoichet has demonstrated her dedication to the advancement of scientific knowledge and excellence.

“Scientists right here in Ontario are doing amazing research that is fundamental to our progress and prosperity,” Wynne said in a press release.

“As we tackle some of today’s biggest challenges, science plays an increasingly vital role in helping governments make informed decisions. I am excited that Molly Shoichet will become Ontario’s first Chief Scientist. I look forward to her thought leadership and advice on how we can strengthen the research and innovation happening across our province — and how we can apply scientific evidence to make government smarter and more effective.”

In the coming months, Shoichet will help develop Ontario’s strategic research agenda and grow the province’s reputation as a top destination for global research talent.

The Chief Scientist will also provide advice informed by science to help government decision-makers tackle some of the greatest challenges of our time, such as climate change, aging populations and the impact of transformative technologies.

More details:

– Recruiting a Chief Scientist is part of Ontario’s five-year, $650-million Business Growth Initiative, which is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale up and modernizing regulations for businesses.

– Ontario held public consultations to help determine the skills and experience the Chief Scientist should possess, and how this role could advance science.

– A recent survey by the Ontario Science Centre shows that many Canadians lack an awareness and understanding of science. Four in 10 said they think science is a matter of opinion, and 33 per cent consider themselves ‘science illiterate.’

– Canada ranks among the world’s top 10 countries for total research publication output, and Ontario produced about 46 per cent of Canada’s national output from 2009 to 2014.

– Ontario plans to increase the number of postsecondary students graduating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines by 25 per cent over the next five years, to 50,000 per year. This will give Ontario the highest number per capita of postsecondary STEM graduates in North America.

Wallaceburg blood donor clinic on Thursday

A blood donor clinic is being held at the UAW Hall in Wallaceburg on Thursday, November 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information or to book an appointment call the Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-236-6283 or visit blood.ca.