CNI/LTC Students- Check your class BINGO card for a chance to win some great prizes!

Here are this week’s 4 words and definitions:

1. Mock Interviews 
   • Practice for an actual job interview that gives a person the chance to work with another person to act out what to say and do during an interview and receive feedback. 
   • For additional information on mock interviews, contact a Student Integration Coordinator, Jillian (jhoogland@rrc.ca) for Winnipeg students or Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca) for regional students. 
2. Sleep  
   • A period of rest for the body and mind in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes are closed, and the muscles are relaxed.
   • The average college student should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night. 
3. RRC Polytech – President  
   • Fred Meier 
4.  Student Integration Coordinator  (SIC) 
   •  An RRC Polytech employee who meets with students for advising services, helps identify students’ settlement needs, and access resources at the college and in the community.  
   • If you would like to book an appointment with a CNI-LTC Student Integration Coordinator, contact Jillian (jhoogland@rrc.ca) for Winnipeg students or Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca) for regional students. 

Check your class Weekly W-O-R-D-S card and try to complete one of the following patterns for a chance to win a prize:

If your class completes a BINGO, email CNI/LTC Student Integration Coordinator, Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca).

The Academic Success Centre is offering a four-part online workshop series during the fall term called Writing with APA. The series presents an overview of APA and prepares users to apply APA across their writing from citing and referencing, formatting, and style. 

All are welcome to attend any or all five sessions. Participants can log on to the workshop with this link. No registration is required – just log on!   

Sessions will be held on Webex Thursdays from 12:15-12:45pm with a repeat at 3:15-3:45pm.   

Workshop Schedule:   

APA Overview // Thursday, Oct. 17, 12:15-12:45pm and 3:15-3:45pm 

What is APA citation style?

APA References // Thursday, Oct. 24, 12:15-12:45pm and 3:15-3:45pm 

What are references?    

APA Formatting// Thursday, Oct. 31, 12:15-12:45pm and 3:15-3:45pm 

What does an APA formatted paper look like?

APA Language and Style// Thursday, Nov. 7, 12:15-12:45pm and 3:15-3:45pm 

What are good writing practices according to APA?    

 Questions? Contact writing@rrc.ca   

Click here for more information on the ASC website.

Halloween and Culture Days collide for this special edition of Dalnavert’s free Second Saturdays, a free program inviting families to explore the past! On this Spooky Second Saturday, explore the historic house at your own pace with a self-guided tour and get into the Halloween spirit with a craft and game sure to scare you. Guests are encouraged to come in costume!

• Saturday, October 12, 2024, 12:00 PM  4:00 PM
  • Drop in any time from 12 – 4 PM, no registration required!
• Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre
  • 61 Carlton Street

Visit the following website for more information: Spooky Second Saturday — Dalnavert Museum (friendsofdalnavert.ca)

CNI/LTC Students- Check your class BINGO card for a chance to win some great prizes!

Here are this week’s 4 words and definitions:

1. Job Application Forms  
   • A form that employers sometimes ask applicants to fill out in order to learn about the applicant’s availability, contact information, education, and work history.  
2. Volunteering 
   • Unpaid work
   • Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, help the community and help you feel happier and healthier.
   • Volunteering is a great way to gain experience and learn about the Canadian workplace culture. 
   • To look for volunteering opportunities in Manitoba, visit the following link: https://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/  
   • For additional information on volunteering, contact Student Integration Coordinator, Jillian (jhoogland@rrc.ca) for Winnipeg students or Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca) for regional students. 
3. Mindfulness 
   • Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment.  
   • Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.  
   • RRC Polytech students have unlimited access to the MindWell platform, which includes online mindfulness training, live guided mindfulness practices, monthly webinars with experts and a resource library.  
   • Visit the following link for more information: https://www.rrc.ca/well-being/mental-wellness/mindwell/  
4.  Manitoba’s Current Population 
   • 1,484,135 residents 

Check your class Weekly W-O-R-D-S card and try to complete one of the following patterns for a chance to win a prize:

If your class completes a BINGO, email CNI/LTC Student Integration Coordinator, Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca).

All the best!

Discover your path to wellness with Sara Riel Mental Health and Addictions and many more community partners, agencies and health and wellness professionals.

• When: Thursday, October 10th, 10AM-4PM

• Where: St. Vital Centre

Free admission, all are welcome.

Visit the Sara Riel website for more information.

Congratulations on completing your first month of studies this term! September was filled with exciting events and valuable learning opportunities for all our students. Here’s a quick recap of September and a look ahead at what’s coming in October.

Health Guest Speaker Webinar: Managing Your Stress in Challenging Situations

We’re excited to announce our next webinar. This is a great opportunity to learn practical tools for managing stress in high-pressure healthcare environments. 

Webinar Details:

• Topic: Managing Your Stress – Challenging Situations in the Canadian Healthcare System
• Speaker: Justin Penner, MA, RRC Polytech Counsellor and Member of the Healthy Minds Healthy College Advisory Group
• Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Join us for this valuable session to learn practical tools for managing stress in the healthcare environment.

September 2024 Recap:

Welcoming Week

We kicked off the term by warmly welcoming newcomers to CNI’s health programs. To learn more about how our programs are empowering internationally educated health professionals, check out our blog post: How CNI’s Health Programs Are Empowering Internationally Educated Professionals.

Communicating with People with Dementia Webinar

On September 25th, we hosted a highly engaging webinar led by Joyce Klassen, Dementia Care Education Coordinator at The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Joyce shared insights on communication strategies for caring for patients with dementia, which students found incredibly beneficial.

Student Reflections:

• Marvin Tiana shared how the webinar helped him better handle patients with dementia in his role at Concordia Hospital by using the “go with the flow” technique.
• Janice Ann Dela Paz reflected on how redirecting patients instead of correcting them has improved her interactions with patients with dementia in a long-term care facility.
• Dulcilene Montiero emphasized the importance of non-verbal communication, such as eye contact and smiling, to build rapport with patients with dementia.

Upcoming in October 2024:

Enhanced Skills for CELBAN Workshops

For students enrolled in the Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) Prep Modules and those in PMH (Prairie Mountain Health) and NREP (Nursing Re-Entry Program) coaching, we have two valuable workshops:

• Writing Opinion Letters: October 16th and 18th
• Talking About Current Health Issues: October 23rd, 25th, and November 5th

These workshops are aimed at helping students strengthen their written and verbal communication skills. Space is limited, so check your email for registration details or contact Aigerim at akassymova@rrc.ca to sign up.

Online Standardized Patients Workshop

This workshop is designed to help internationally educated health professionals, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and physical or occupational therapists, enhance their communication skills when conducting health history interviews in the Canadian healthcare setting. It’s open to those attending or having completed the following courses:

• Communication for Professional Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses
• Communication in Patient-Centred Practice
• Communication for Internationally Educated Nurses (CIEN)
• Skills and Strategies for CELBAN 

Keep an eye on your inbox for registration forms. 

CNI/LTC Students- Check your class BINGO card for a chance to win some great prizes!

Here are this week’s 4 words and definitions:

1. Resumé  
   • A resumé is a document that has information about a person’s qualifications for a specific position.
   • It includes information about work history, education, and job-related skills.
   • It is often needed when applying for a job. 
   • Check out RRC Polytech Career Services resumé tips: https://www.rrc.ca/careerservices/students/employment-resources/resume-development/  
   • For additional information on resumés, contact CNI/LTC- Student Integration Coordinator. Jillian (jhoogland@rrc.ca) for Winnipeg students or Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca) for regional students.  
2. Lifelong Learning
   • Ongoing development of one’s knowledge and skills.
   • Commitment to lifelong learning is often considered an important characteristic of a job candidate.
3. RRC Polytech – Student Support Services
   • RRC Polytech has many supports for students, including: Academic Success, Accessibility, Advising, Complaints and Concerns, Counselling, Early Assist, Test and Assessment Center, Indigenous supports, IT Help Resources, Mental Health, Student Employment.
   • For more information, visit the following website: Supports : RRC Polytech
4. Premier of Manitoba
   • Wab Kinew 

Check your class Weekly W-O-R-D-S card and try to complete one of the following patterns for a chance to win a prize:

If your class completes a BINGO, email CNI/LTC Student Integration Coordinator, Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca).

All the best!

CNI/LTC Students- Check your class BINGO card for a chance to win some great prizes!

Here are this week’s 4 words and definitions:

1. Truth and Reconciliation Day 
   • September 30-The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a new statutory holiday honouring survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned home.
   • To learn more about this day, please visit the website National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Canada.ca
2. Winnipeg Professional Sports Teams
   • Winnipeg has many professional sports teams including Winnipeg Jets Hockey, Blue Bombers Football, Goldeyes Baseball and Valour FC Soccer.
3. Computers for School
   • Computers for Schools is an organization that provides free refurbished computers to eligible clients who may not otherwise have access to affordable technology.  
   • For additional information about Computers for School, visit the following website:  Computers For Schools Manitoba (c4smb.ca)
   • If you need help to request a computer from Computers for School, contact a CNI/LTC- Student Integration Coordinator, Jillian (jhoogland@rrc.ca) for Winnipeg students or Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca) for regional students.
4. References
   • People such as an employer, manager or instructor who can be contacted by an employer to discuss someone’s work ethic and character, or whether they think the person is suitable for the position that is being applied for. 

Check your class Weekly W-O-R-D-S card and try to complete one of the following patterns for a chance to win a prize:

If your class completes a BINGO, email CNI/LTC Student Integration Coordinator, Reena (rmnerbas@rrc.ca).

All the best!

To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Manitoba Museum will be providing free admission to the Museum Galleries, Science Gallery, and Planetarium from Saturday, September 28 to Monday, September 30.

Visit the Manitoba Museum website for more information.

As Welcoming Week 2024 draws to a close, we take this opportunity to reflect on the connections made and stories shared. It was a privilege for us to visit classrooms, engage with   students, and hear about their personal experiences. The courage shown by all was deeply touching, reminding us of the strength of resilience and the power of community. 

We would like to thank the senior leaders from RRC Polytech who participated in Welcoming Week including  Fred Meier, President, Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President, Academic, Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, Dr. Jeanine Webber, Executive Director, Academic, and Kerri Korabelnikov, Dean, School of Education, Arts and Sciences.  

The CNI Student Support Team would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who helped make the Winnipeg and regional Community Resource Fairs a resounding success. Your dedication and commitment allowed more than 500 students to connect with community organizations and college departments and to learn about the vital services they offer. 

During our classroom visits, we extended a warm welcome to each student, symbolized by a package of hot chocolate—a gesture of warmth echoing the reception we strive to offer to all who join the community at RRC Polytech. Dr. Christine Watson, Kerri Korabelnikov and Dr. Jeanine Webber joined us in delivering these small gifts and took the time to listen to students’ powerful stories. These moments of connection were truly one of the highlights of the week, filling each day with support, understanding, and a sense of belonging. 

Students come from diverse backgrounds and have faced challenges that many of us may find difficult to imagine. Their courage and resilience remind us of the importance of creating a supportive community where everyone feels welcome and valued. As Elder Paul Guimond has wisely shared, “laughter is medicine.” His teachings bring healing and insight, deeply enriching our community during this week of welcome and reflection. 

Looking ahead, we also want to recognize the importance of Truth and Reconciliation Week, beginning September 23. This is a time for all of us to reflect, learn, and honour the Indigenous peoples of this land. As we commemorate Truth and Reconciliation, let us continue to educate ourselves and take meaningful actions that promote healing, understanding—including between Indigenous people and newcomers to Canada—and lasting change within our community 

To all the students, staff, and partners who contributed to this week’s activities, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Welcoming Week is an annual reminder of the power of inclusion and the shared values that help build a community where everyone feels they belong. Let us carry forward this spirit of welcome every day as we continue to create spaces of belonging for all.  

With gratitude, 

Stuart Schwartz Acting Associate Dean, English Language Learning and Newcomer Initiatives 

and

Anna Janik-Kelly Associate Dean, English Language Learning and Newcomer Initiatives