Peterborough Blogs
Kids Get An Aquatic Lesson From the Peterborough Children's Water Festival
/Over 650 students from over 20 schools in grades 2 to 5 got educated about the element of life as they attended the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) at Riverview Park and Zoo on Wednesday morning.
Julius the turtle and Peterborough Green up’s Karen O’Krafka are presenting to over 300 children at the return of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. Photo by David Tuan bui.
The festival returned to an in-person event after going for the last three years in a digital format.
“We are excited to once again offer a live, in-person Water Festival this year after three years of virtual programming,” says Patricia Skopelianos, PCWF chair.
The two-day event saw students from 45 classes from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District and Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Boards learn about water at over 20 learning stations ranging from water consumption, leaks to conservation.
“Once again, we are pleased to offer several activity centres in the French language with the involvement of students from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School,” said Skopelianos. “We are also welcoming back Elder Dorothy Taylor for a midday Sacred Water teaching, Adventures in Understanding by The Paddling Puppeteer Glen Caradus, Stepping Stone by The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, and The Great Fish Migration by OFAH’s Bring Back the Salmon, who will all be returning to the Festival this year.”
During the event, a ceremony was held to commemorate and thank all who supported and sponsored the event.
“We are very fortunate to have tremendous community support for the Peterborough Children's Water Festival,” said Skopelianos. “For 22 years, local businesses and agencies have made generous financial contributions. We also have many volunteers who give their time and expertise and several more who provide in-kind contributions. Our community helps make this Festival a reality for the children.”
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Students Display Their Art Skills In the 10th Annual Paint a Peterborough County Snow Plow
/Teachers and students of Peterborough County got to put their creative side on display as they got to participate in the 10th Annual Paint a Peterborough County Snow Plow.
Photo courtesy of the County of Peterborough.
Snowplow blades were delivered the schools in early May where they were painted with their custom designs. Chemong Public School, St. Martin Catholic School, Millbrook Public School, Norwood District Public School, Rhema Christian School and Buckhorn Public School participated in the painting event.
“This is our 10-year anniversary engaging with our local schools to paint our plows,” said Bill Linnen, General Manager Public Works Division “They have fun and get to share their creativity with us and we enjoy displaying them along Hwy 28 and sharing them with the greater community.”
They are being displayed at the Douro Public Works Depot at the corner of Hwy 28 and County Road 4 upon completion. They will remain there until they are needed next winter for plowing operations.
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Photos: Holy Cross Students Celebrate Asian Heritage Month With Cooking Demo In 'Cook Eat Love' Culinary Program
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Roughly 20 students from grades 9-12 at Holy Cross Secondary School received a cooking demonstration from Susan Tung and Morgan Bell, owner and general manager of Hanoi House (Vietnamese) and NAKA Japanese Food & Drink restaurants.
The demo is part of the school’s Cook Eat Love culinary program offered to the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board’s six secondary schools throughout May to learn about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage.
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Trent University Signs New Agreement with Centennial College to Bridge Business Programs
/Trent University has created a new learning pathway for students studying at Centennial College, enhancing the already extensive college-to-university offerings between the two institutions and offering students the opportunity to complete two programs in four years.
file photo.
“The new agreement between Trent and Centennial College increases the number of pathways to 23 in total, exemplifying the strong partnership between our two institutions, offering students diverse and seamless postsecondary learning pathways,” said Marilyn Burns, vice president of Communications & Enrolment. “This newest learning pathway in particular—related to business education—enhances the collaborative role of universities and colleges in delivering highly qualified persons to work in the diversity of careers available in corporate, not-for-profit, and public sectors.”
Students completing their studies in Centennial College’s two-year Business Diploma can now earn their Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A) degree – one of Trent’s most in-demand programs within the prestigious School of Business —in just two additional years of study. The new 2+2 agreement between Trent and Centennial offers students the opportunity to earn both diploma and degree in just four years total. Students transferring to Trent with a minimum 75 per cent cumulative admission average will receive 10.0 transfer credits to be applied to the 20.0-credit B.B.A. program, halving the time to complete their university studies and venture into the business world with advanced knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills.
“Creating new pathways for our students is integral to their future career success. I am delighted to support this innovative partnership with Trent University that fully recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of our business students,” said Barry O'Brien, dean, The Business School, Centennial College.
St. John CES Celebrates Indigenous Culture With Pow Wow
/As a way for roughly 300 St. John Catholic Elementary School students to enrich their cultural knowledge, a pow wow was held on their grounds to celebrate Indigenous culture on Friday afternoon.
Several of the school staff and students are Indigenous, the largest population in all Peterborough Catholic schools according to Jen Wright, St. John CES principal.
“That's one of our main priorities at St. John is to support and represent all of our students,” she said. “It's celebrating the culture and community of Indigenous families. It is so special that it's one step towards reconciliation that we can host today.”
“I thought it was important to bring a pow wow here so they can get in touch with their culture and help them more identify with who they are,” said Richelle Weekes of Hiawatha First Nation.
Members of Hiawatha First Nations, Haudenosaunee and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation came to St. John for the pow wow to celebrate all Nations coming together. An intertribal song was sung to unite everyone together as students and teachers were invited to dance and sing along.
“I'm actually so happy and amazed that so many people have actually shown up to support this,” explained Weekes. “It's so good for our non-Indigenous to see how the Indigenous culture is so that we're aware of all the different cultures out there.”
While it’s not the first pow wow hosted at a Catholic school in Peterborough, Weekes she wants to make this a more regular event throughout the years.
“My goal is to hopefully get a pow wow maybe every year to a different school throughout the board just to keep bringing more awareness and to keep everything open and just help people be proud of who they are,” she said.
Trent University Partners with Dene First Nation to Offer Innovative New Indigenous Diploma
/Trent University is launching a new Indigenous Environmental Studies & Sciences diploma with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) for Dene students in the Northwest Territories.
photo courtesy of trent university.
The program will blend Western sciences with Dene Indigenous Knowledge and offering experiential learning opportunities grounded in YKDFN culture.
“Trent’s leadership in Indigenous Studies and Sciences continues with this exciting and innovative new diploma program,” said Dr. Chris Furgal, program co-Director of Trent University’s Indigenous Environmental Studies/Sciences degree program. “The diploma program will provide Indigenous members of the Dene Nation with the opportunity to learn knowledge and develop skills to address complex environmental problems facing their own communities, governments, businesses and society.”
This Dene focused Indigenous Environmental Studies & Sciences diploma is the first diploma program the University has developed in specific partnership with an individual First Nation. It is offered jointly by the Trent School of the Environment and the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies in partnership with Trent’s Indigenous Environmental Studies/Sciences program. The diploma consists of 10 courses over two years with credits transferrable to a B.A. or B.Sc. program.
“This is a really good program. Residential schools and far-away from home education is a thing of the past; we are dealing with reconciliation now and we are hoping that education can be closer to home and family,” said Chief Fred Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. “The family are the cultural keepers, and this is one reason we want our young people to be closer to their families and home for a brighter future outlook. As Yellowknives Dene First Nation leadership, we fully support the younger generation’s education and future economic prosperity as it happens in the community and still receive the same academic credits as they would have, if they attended southern universities.”
Year One courses will introduce students to foundations in Indigenous learning and the environment. Year Two courses will provide a deeper exploration into language, ethics, the environment, and critical relationships among these things.
All courses will offer a unique opportunity to incorporate Dene ways of knowing and being and their application to land and environment and be tailored to relevant environmental and ecological systems in the North. For example, course work is likely to include local cultural and environmental components including Dene land use protocols, Dene land stewardship practices, and traditional Dene land navigation skills.
To qualify, students must have successfully completed the equivalent of Ontario Grade 12 or qualify as a mature student.
Trent University Recognizes Nine Distinguished Research and Symons Teaching Award Winners
/In a return to an in-person ceremony, Trent University has announced the recipients of the 2023 teaching and research awards at Stohn Hall at the University’s Student Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
“Each year, the teaching and research awards provide us an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of some of our amazing faculty members – and the ways that they shape Trent as an institution that is known for critical thought, engaging dialogue and interdisciplinarity,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor.
The following is a full list of recipients:
Distinguished Research Award: Dr. Hugh Elton, Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
Celebrating a full career of internationally recognized intellectual contributions, the Distinguished Research Award is the highest honour conferred by the University for research and scholarly activity.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Elton is an internationally renowned scholar in Roman military history and the political and cultural history of the Late Roman Empire. With research focused on the Eastern Frontier (cultural and political boundary covering a large part of Central Asia), Prof. Elton has contributed extensively to our knowledge of the development and impact of the Empire Frontier in the area we now know as Türkiye.
Over his career, Prof. Elton has published three monographs and five co-edited collections with highly regarded scholars in his field, as well as over 60 refereed articles. Since 2020 his publication record continues to flourish with eight published refereed articles, seven more in press and another monograph.
One nominator highlighted, “Whether measured by volume, by quality, or by the impact he has had on other scholars, Prof. Elton’s research contributions are extraordinary.”
The impact of Prof. Elton’s work is simultaneously precise and wide-ranging. His influence spans time as well as place. Recognition for his work was buoyed by many letters from colleagues around the world. As an active lecturer since 1993 and a member of the Ancient Greek & Roman Studies program at Trent since 2006, he has also significantly contributed to the training of highly qualified personnel through mentorship and research guidance, leading his students to many and varied successful careers.
Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Elizabeth Russell, Psychology
The Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching, named in honour of Trent’s founding president Professor Thomas H.B. Symons, recognizes faculty and staff members who encourage learning, offer unique experiences to their students, challenge them to do their best work, and inspire them to learn.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Professor Russell is well known for demonstrating a passion for teaching and for her dedication to mentorship, inspiring students to do their best work.
One nominator highlighted, “Never in my academic career have I seen such a commitment, on a professor’s part, to ensuring their students have everything they need to succeed.”
Professor Russell incorporates active learning strategies, authentic assessment forms, and interactive experiential learning into all her courses. Through her role as director of the Trent Centre for Aging and Society, Dr. Russell has led the creation of the TCAS Knowledge Mobilization Hub, a platform to share academic, aging-based research with non-academic audiences, and also the Master’s in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies, a new graduate program which, in true Trent fashion, brings together academic research with hands-on, experiential learning.
She makes a point of getting to know each student by name and maintains a focus on student wellness.
According to another nominator: “Dr. Russell’s concern for students should be the standard by which all others operate.”
Early Career Researcher Awards
Recognizes promising, early-career Trent University researchers and is designed to help accelerate early-stage career faculty in building strong research programs of consequence.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Dr. Jenn Cole, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies and Gender & Social Justice: Professor Cole’s impressive program of research—supported by external grants from the Ontario Arts Council and Social Science and Humanities Research Council—is focused on Indigenous performance and gender and community engagement. Her work has led to a unique combination of artistic expression and academic outputs. Her already extensive publication record includes a peer-reviewed monograph, peer-reviewed journal articles, and a list of widely accessible articles and creative works crafted for the community.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Dr. Kimberly Ritchie, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing: The strength of Professor Ritchie’s research program stems from her blend of expertise in mental health, trauma, aging, and healthcare work. With a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, she is supporting trauma-informed organizational practices for healthcare workers. She is also the principal investigator on a project studying the mental health and well-being of veterans. Prof. Ritchie is also affiliated with McMaster University's Trauma and Recovery Unit, further demonstrating considerable involvement in advancing both knowledge and practice in public mental health and trauma.
Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation
Recognizes faculty and staff who make a distinctive impact through their educational leadership and innovation in teaching and learning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Dr. Jennifer Newton, Anthropology: As an assistant professor with the department of Anthropology, Professor Newton is known for her extraordinary innovation at the course and department levels. Dr. Newton has worked diligently to create innovative and equitable learning experiences for anthropology students across both campuses, developing unique opportunities and teaching materials for the Durham lab.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Dr. Kirk Hillsley, Biology: An assistant professor in the department of Biology, Professor Hillsley is recognized for his pedagogical innovations at the course and department levels. Prof. Hillsley led efforts to create an introductory course for non-science majors and has also been a leader in the development of best practices for online courses within the biology department.
Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance
Recognizes teaching assistants who excel at encouraging learning in workshop, tutorial, seminar, laboratory, or field settings.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
William Kim, Environmental and Life Sciences: Kim, a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental and Life Sciences and a teaching assistant in biology, is championed for his exceptional support for students’ learning. Both students and faculty recognize how Kim goes above and beyond to foster student success.
Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
Recognizes instructors who have demonstrated a passion for, and commitment to, online teaching and who have implemented effective approaches to fostering active learning and student involvement.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Dr. Erick Laming, Sociology: An assistant professor of Criminology in the department of Sociology, Laming supports student learning by using a variety of teaching materials to foster multiple modes of student engagement. Professor Laming makes accessibility a priority in his pedagogical approach.
CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching
Recognizes contract faculty who have a strong, positive impact on students’ learning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Dr. Mary-Claire Buell, Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences: As a course instructor in Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences and soon-to-be assistant professor in the Trent School of the Environment and Forensic Science, Professor Buell encourages and supports students’ curiosity and responds quickly and actively to students’ needs. Concepts of equity are successfully built into her course design and materials.
“At Trent University, researchers continue to demonstrate an exceptional level of research activity and a keen commitment to their work, which is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, vice president of Research & Innovation. “The range and depth of scholarly activity has garnered global attention, making a profound impact on our understanding of the world and one another. The Trent community extends heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients on these well-deserved recognitions of achievement.”
"This year's award recipients exemplify not only excellence and innovation in their teaching but they also reveal a capacity to inspire students not only to succeed, but to extend their learning beyond the classroom," said Dr. Fergal O'Hagan, associate dean of Teaching and Learning at Trent. "We are humbled by their tireless efforts, and celebrate their dedication to student learning, their lasting impact, and the value teaching holds within the institution."
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Fleming College Student To Compete In National Culinary Competition
/Fleming College Culinary student Mayank Mohandas has punched his ticket to the National Culinary Federation (CF) Competition in Niagara Falls after taking the top spot in the CF Central Region Chef’s Challenge Competition, announced on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Fleming College.
Mayank is in his fourth semester of the Culinary Management program. He was joined at the March competition by fellow students Josh Massie and alumna Sophie Crowder.
Competitors had to break down a chicken and then turn four portions of it into an entrée.
The National Junior Chef Competition at the CF Conference runs from June 4 to June 8.
Crowder placed third in the Central Regional competition and is now a support team member on Senior Team Canada. They are competing in Luxembourg later this year.
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Trent University President Leo Groarke Announces Intention to Step Down From Presidency
/Trent University President Dr. Leo Groarke to step down from his presidency as of June 2024, deciding not to pursue a third term as president.
photo courtesy of trent university.
