PSSD Parent/Student Newsletter March 2014 POST-SECONDARY 1. University of Saskatchewan Get FocUSed is a new event designed to help applicants and admitted students learn about the next steps to prepare for post-secondary education. Get FocUSed will be held at the U of S campus on March 14th. Please register online for this event. The document deadline for students who have applied to the colleges of Engineering, Kinesiology and Education (Practical and Applied Arts programs) is March 15th. Heading to the U of S this fall? Take a summer class and get a head start on your degree. Focus on that tough class you want to get out of the way in a smaller class setting or simply lighten your load during the fall or winter session. 2. University of Regina Priority deadline for applications is March 15th. If students apply by the priority deadline, they will get front-of-the-line registration and advising, be guaranteed a spot in residence and be eligible for entrance awards. Math 102 (Mathematical Modelling and Pre-calculus) is being offered at the U of R in July and August. This class is a pre-requisite for Math 103 (Calculus). This class will be valuable to any students who want to improve their high school Pre- Calculus mark or who haven’t taken it yet. 3. SIAST Psychiatric Nursing diploma - Applications are not currently being accepted for this newly designated high-demand program. It will reopen for application at 8 a.m., October 1, 2014, for the fall 2015 intake. Radiation and Environmental Monitoring Technician certificate - Effective July 1, 2014, admission requirements include Grade 11 with a minimum average of 60% in each of English Language Arts A20 and B20, Pre-Calculus 20* and Physical Science 20*. *Previous Saskatchewan mathematics and science requirements also accepted: Math 20, Chemistry 20 Applications to the Telecommunications/Radio Systems Technician program have been suspended. Telecommunications Networking Technician certificate is a new three-semester certificate program. It provides a practical and analytical approach to telecommunications and basic computer networking. Admission requirements to the program are: Grade 12 with a minimum of 60% in Workplace and Apprenticeship Math 30 or Foundations of Math 20 or Pre-Calculus 20. From the plastic parts in your cell phone to the tires on your car, machinists make the moulds and dies for manufacturing countless consumer and industrial items. Come to Machining Madness at SIAST Wascana Campus in Regina on Saturday, March 15th and have a great day finding out more about becoming a machinist. There will be competitions to see who will be the "maddest machinist"! Don't miss it! You might even win a prize! Lunch will be provided. To register, please login to myChoice or contact Amanda Powers at 306775-7432 or email amanda.powers@siast.sk.ca. CSI (Come See Investigate) SIAST is available to students in Grade 11 and 12, as well as high school graduates. It's an ideal way to get an in-depth look at a specific program and become familiar with student life, campus atmosphere, financial aid, admission requirements and the application process. The CSI for SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon is scheduled for Thursday, March 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Participating programs include: Agriculture Machinery Technician; Automotive Service Technician; CAD/CAM; Computer Systems Technology; Early Childhood Education; Educational Assistant; Electronic Systems Engineering Technology; Electronics Technician; Funeral Service; Hotel and Restaurant Management; Industrial Mechanics; Machine Shop; Mechanical Engineering Technology; Parts Management Technician; Power Engineering Technology; Recreation and Tourism Management; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. The CSI for SIAST Wascana Campus in Regina will be held on Tuesday, March 25th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participating programs include: Auto Body Technician; Building Systems Technician; Continuing Care Assistant; Dental Assisting; Dental Hygiene; Childhood Education; Educational Assistant; Graphic Communications; Health Information Management; Machine Shop; New Media Communications (certificate); Office Education; Power Sports Equipment Technician; Primary Care Paramedic; Telecommunications Networking Technician; Welding. Registration for CSI events will close seven days in advance of the CSI dates. Spaces for some of the programs fill up quickly so register soon! SIAST After Hours: Can't make it during the day? Parents and potential students are welcome to attend a general Campus tour of SIAST Kelsey campus at 7:00 p.m. on March 11th. The session will include a tour of the campus, as well as an overview of the programs and services SIAST provides. To register, contact Debra Stevenson, student recruitment advisor, SIAST Kelsey Campus at 306-659-4715 or by email at stevensond@siast.sk.ca. 4. Great Plains College Drop by the Warman Campus Open House on April 9th (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.) and meet with a student advisor or staff member to find out more about what the college has to offer. For anyone interested in Practical Nursing, two-year diploma programs are available in Swift Current and Biggar. Swift Current Campus welcomes new students every September so there are always first and second-year students on campus, while a new class begins every second February in Biggar. The application deadline for September entry in Swift Current is March 31st, 2014, while in Biggar it is June 30th, 2014, for the February 2015 intake. 5. Lakeland College Enviro-Citing 2014, an informative and interactive day for anyone interested in studying environmental sciences at Lakeland College, will be held on March 7th. New this year is a separate stream for anyone interested in Lakeland's Applied Science Degree in Environmental Management. Ag-Citing 2014 will take place at Lakeland Vermilion Campus on March 14th. This day is designed for those interested in studying Agricultural Sciences. Design-Citing will be held on March 21st at Vermilion Campus. Learn all the different techniques for rendered drawings as part of a day long info session about the Interior Design program. Interested in Street Rod Technology? At Get Fired Up for SRT on March 21st you'll get to see the SRT lab, meet the first class of students and see their projects. Olds College A series of Preview Days will be held in March highlighting a variety of program offerings. Horticultural and Brewmaster programs will be featured on March 7th; Land and Environment programs on March 14th; and Agriculture and Business programs on March 21st. These days will include guided tours and program information sessions. Please register in advance. Lethbridge College If you plan to attend Lethbridge College in 2015, experience all this college has to offer at Your Home for the Weekend on May 9th – 11th. Students receive two nights of free accommodations and participate in fun and informative activities. SCHOLARSHIPS The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall Scholarship is intended to assist Grade 11 students living with vulnerable circumstances to complete their secondary education. Up to 20 scholarships of $500 each are awarded, especially to those students who may be at risk of not completing high school. Schools can nominate one Grade 11 student for this scholarship. The deadline has been extended to March 15th but applications must be submitted to the career counsellor or administration in your school so check for your school’s deadline. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Scholarship is intended to assist Grade 12 students who are living with vulnerable circumstances and who will be attending a post-secondary institution in the fall after high school. The goal is to support students who need assistance in meeting their goals of furthering their education, especially those who may be at risk of not succeeding in their first post-secondary year due to financial burdens. Schools can nominate one Grade 12 student for this $1,000 scholarship, but interested students must complete an application form and hand it in to their career counsellor or administration. The deadline has been extended to March 15th but your school may require applications to be handed in prior to that date. Retail as a Career Scholarship Program is for students entering a retail or business-related post-secondary program. Programs include: fashion merchandising/marketing; graphic design; advertising; communications; human resources; management; sociology. Applicants must have some retail work experience at least on a part-time basis. The deadline for applications for one of the 26 scholarships to be awarded is March 31st. SaskTel awards eleven post-secondary scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, to Saskatchewan students pursuing careers in telecommunications and information technology. The deadline for application to the SaskTel Scholarship is March 31st. Every full-time student in a student-loan eligible program who applies before April 30th, will receive a minimum Entrance Scholarship of $500 from Great Plains College. Gradesbased scholarships up to a maximum total of $5,000 are available to students in the Bachelor of Social Work, Business, Educational Assistant, Electrician, Office Administration, University, Welding and Youth Care Worker Programs. Apply in Grade 11 and you’ll also be considered for an Early Entrance Award of $1,000 (must apply before June 30th though). This is in addition to any money you may receive based on your Grade 12 marks! CAREER EVENTS 1. Grade 10 and 11 students: Health Link is a one-day career discovery event which aims to expose students to the increasingly varied number of careers in the health care sector through hands-on activities and short presentations. The conference will be held at E.D. Feehan High School in Saskatoon on Wednesday, March 12th. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Application forms are available online. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 4th. 2. There will be a series of Spotlight on Careers in March and early April. If one of the featured careers is of interest to you, this is an excellent way to learn more about the opportunities available. The deadline to register is Monday, March 10th but the spots fill up quickly so register early! Computer Science & Technology (Tuesday, March 18) Mental Health & Addictions Counselling (Wednesday, March 19) Engineering & Related Careers (Thursday, March 20) BioScience Technology (Thursday, March 20) Veterinary, Veterinary Technology & Related Careers (Tuesday, March 25) Dentistry, Denturist, Dental Artistry & Related Careers (Wed., March 26) Agriculture Machine Technician & Heavy Duty Mechanic (Wednesday, March 26) Chemical Technology and Mining Engineering Technology (Thursday, March 27) Mining and Related Careers (Thursday, March 27) Hairstyling and Esthetics (Wednesday, April 2) 3. Considering a career in the RCMP? Come to an information session on March 4th (6:00 p.m.) or April 5th (10:00 a.m.) at SIAST Kelsey Campus, Room 309. TRADES 1. Students interested in pursuing a trade in the future should consider signing up for the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship program. To be eligible for the program, students must be registered in school, be at least 15 years of age, and meet one of the following criteria: (a) have experience with part-time or seasonal employment, (b) be registered in a trade-related Practical & Applied Arts (PAA) class, (c) be registered in Career and Work Exploration 10, 20 or 30, or (d) be registered in a PAA survey course with at least one-third trade-related content. While SYA is not a credit program, it does provide several advantages to students who enter a trade after high school and it looks great on a resume! 2. Skills Canada is accepting registrations for their 16th annual provincial competition on April 10th & 11th in Prince Albert. There will be 37 competitions including job interview, machining, prepared speech, computer animation, auto body repair, baking, hairstyling, worksite safety and welding. This event will also have a Career Exposition and Try-a-Trade. These competitions and events are open to all high school students. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES 1. CISV Saskatoon is hosting a mini-camp weekend March 7th to 9th for youth ages 8 to 18. This 3-day camp provides an introduction to CISV (a non-profit charitable organization that educates and inspires action for a more just and peaceful world) and is a great way to spend a weekend. The theme for this mini-camp (held at Beaver Creek) is Pac-Man and activities will focus on diversity, human rights, sustainable development, conflict & resolution. If you would like more information, follow the link or contact Alanna King at cisvsaskatoon@gmail.com or 306-6833695.