A full class of twenty-four students was on hand for the announcement on Wednesday, January 10, that the St. Albert Adult Learning Centre Personal Support Worker (PSW) program has officially received accreditation in their program. The PSW program began accepting students in September 2010 and is currently hosting its fourth PSW class. Approximately 100 students will have graduated from this accredited program by June 2012 with over 90% of students finding work in their field. What makes the PSW program at St. Albert unique, is that students can obtain their PSW certificate as well as credits towards their high school diploma. Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board commented to the group about this wonderful accomplishment. “The staff of St. Albert has worked so hard to make this opportunity available for its students,” McCullough stated. “Receiving official accreditation for the program is evidence of this hard work. The students who have, and are taking part in this program, continue to show success in their new careers. On behalf of St. Albert, I would like to thank all community partners, long term care facilities and community care agencies who have helped the St. Albert PSW program grow through accepting students for their experiential placements. Together we are making the greater City of Sudbury a healtheir place to live.”
Category: St. Albert Adult Learning Centre
St. Albert Participates in Spring Clean Up
Staff and students at St. Albert Adult Learning Centre did their part to keep their community clean. They participated in a spring clean up of area streets around the school. They received supplies and support from the city and in the end, picked up over 20 bags of garbage from around the neighbourhood.
Trillium Gift of Life at St. Albert
As part of Catholic Education Week, students at St. Albert’s Learning Centre were called on to help with the promotion of Sudbury Catholic Schools “Gift of Life” community challenge. Initially launched last December, St. Albert teacher Daniel Levecque reiterated this message to students on May 3rd, 2011 during a school presentation. “It’s great to see so many secondary students across the board become involved with our board’s challenge, and I truly believe our adult students can play an equally important role in the promotion of organ and tissue donation”.
Inaugural Personal Support Worker Class Graduates from St. Albert
Family and friends gathered in the gym at St Albert Adult Learning Centre on February 25th, 2011 to celebrate with the students of the school’s inaugural Personal Support Worker graduating class. Nineteen students made up the graduating class and, as well as a Personal Support Worker Diploma, several students also received their Secondary School Diploma. Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of the school addressed the students and spoke about how proud the staff and community is of the group. “By the year 2020, statistics say that one in every five Greater Sudbury residence will be over the age of sixty-five, and the need for this service is growing rapidly,” MacGregor said. “ Through their perseverance and determination, this class has demonstrated great skill and knowledge, and I know that my family and friends will be in good hands if and when these students’ skills are ever required.”
Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Landry-Altmann and Sudbury Catholic Board Chair Barry MacDonald echoed MacGregor’s sentiments and also congratulated the class for their courage and will to succeed in the program.
Numerous community partners and agencies were also on hand to support the students as many did on the job placements with the different organizations. Several of the students have already been offered jobs beginning immediately after the graduation. Valedictorian of the class, Brenda Legrow, spoke to the group about their success and voiced her elation at finally reaching this stage. “It is through the strength of our minds, our bodies and our hearts, that we have made it here today,” Legrow said. “And we need to thank ourselves for overcoming all of our own trials and tribulations and making it this far in our journey.”
The next group of students has already begun their classes this past January and the staff of St. Albert expects the interest in this program to steadily increase over the next year as with the growing aging population, the need for this type of job is rapidly expanding.
For more information on the Personal Support Worker program at St. Albert Adult Learning Centre, contact the school at (705) 673-3031.