Cranbrook community helps kick-off  new school year at College of the Rockies

On Tuesday, September 4, the Cranbrook community will be joining forces with College of the Rockies to welcome more than 1,400 new and returning students to the college’s Cranbrook campus.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students have the opportunity to learn more about the college and the community during the Community Showcase. The main purpose of the event is to introduce students to the resources available to them in the community. Students can also learn about volunteer opportunities and about community events they may wish to participate in.

“Students attending College of the Rockies are an important part of our local community,” said Cranbrook City Councilor Danielle Eaton, who will be on hand to help kick off the day with a welcome to students. “We all benefit from having an active and engaged student population, and this event is a great way to start building connections.”

Also on hand to welcome students will be College of the Rockies President and CEO, David Walls (pictured above), Bonnie Harvey from the Ktunaxa Nation and the College’s Resident Elder, also from the Ktunaxa Nation, Herman Alpine.

As many as 30 local groups are also expected to be at the Community Showcase, ranging from support organizations like Canadian Mental Health and East Kootenay Addiction Services, to recreational groups like the Rowing Club and Toast Masters, and community favourites like the Cranbrook Farmers Market, and Kootenay ICE.

“Students attend College of the Rockies from across the East Kootenay, from across the country, and from abroad,” says Doris Silva, Director of Student Affairs for the college. “It is important to us that they not only feel a part of the college community but that they feel a part of the Cranbrook community as well.”

“By introducing our students to community organizations where they may be able to volunteer their time or participate in community events, we hope to foster a strong connection to our community and our region,” added Silva.

The College’s Student Life department will continue to provide opportunities for students to take part in events in the region throughout the month of September, including Pins n’ Pizza at Juniper Lanes, white water rafting on the Elk River, and scaling the climbing walls at ARQ Mountain Centre.

“Whether students taking part in these events are from outside of our region or are locals, these activities are aimed at creating lasting memories with a new peer group and to highlight how lucky we are to be located in the heart of the BC Rockies,” Silva says.

A number of College of the Rockies students will also have the opportunity to develop relationships in the community through the College’s Homestay Program, which offers visiting students accommodation in people’s homes in the community. This Fall, 60 families and individuals will act as Homestay hosts to college students from a multitude of countries.

Tuesday’s Community Showcase follows a number of back-to-school events held over the past week. On Monday, August 27, the college held its first ever JumpStart Day, which included events and seminars aimed at giving students the best start possible on their academic journey. Seminars included: How is College Different from High School, Study Skills, and Exam Taking Strategies as well as information on services available at the College to support student success. About 120 students took part in JumpStart Day.

The College also held an employee kick-off event, bringing together faculty and staff to prepare for the year ahead.

“We want our students to have the very best experience possible,” says Silva. “We are excited for a great year ahead of us.”

Over 1500 students are expected to attend the College’s seven campuses for the Fall 2018 semester. Though the semester kicks off on September 4, some college programs and courses are still accepting applications, online or in person, until September 19^th.

Find out more about College of the Rockies at: cotr.ca

Community Showcase participants include:

Ankors

Arq

BC Responsible Gambling Program

Bell Mobility

Big brothers/Big sisters

Canadian Mental Health

CIBC

City of Cranbrook

Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy

Cranbrook Farmers Marker

Cranbrook Public Produce Garden and Farm Kitchen

East Kootenay Addiction Services Society

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

EK Employment Cranbrook

Joseph Creek Village

Key City Gymnastics

Kootenay ICE

Mission Thrift Shop

One Love Yoga

Options for Sexual Health BC

RBC

RCR- Fernie

RCR- Kimberly

Rowing Club

Studentcare

Symmetry Dental

Toast Masters

University of Lethbridge

Wayne Stetski MP

About College of the Rockies

For more than 40 years, College of the Rockies has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and aspirations of the people, industry and businesses of our region.

Each year, we deliver instruction to approximately 10,000 learners, in a full range of programs, including: skilled trades, university studies, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism and recreation, fire services, continuing education and general community interest.

Though our breadth of programs is wide, we strive to deliver the most personal student experience possible. Through smaller class sizes, highly-personalized instruction and dedicated support services, our students are primed to succeed in the job market, or in the next stage of their academic journey.

College of the Rockies

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