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2 Red Deer Express Learning Connections

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

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Learning Connections Red Deer Express 3

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

City offers variety of activities for all ages BY ERIN FAWCETT Red Deer Express Families looking to get involved in various activities can turn to the City of Red Deer for help. There are a number of different programs available at the Collicutt Centre, the Dawe Centre and the Red Deer Recreation Centre. To help make choosing activities easier, the City has a ‘Look n Book’ guide to help residents. The ‘Look n Book’ is tied to the Community Services Activity and Program Guide that is distributed three times a year. The fall issue is slated to be released mid-August. If it is not delivered directly to a resident’s home, it can be picked up at any City recreation facility. There are a number of programs that are offered at the G.H. Dawe Centre and the Recreation Centre including Red Cross AquaQuest swimming lessons, water workouts, adult swimming lessons, diving lessons, SCUBA diving lessons, snorkeling lessons and Lifesaving Society programs. Skating, karate and golf lessons are also available as well as a number of sport camps. There are also yoga

classes, nutrition and cooking classes and business and ﬁnancial courses. All of the recreation centres are also offering a variety of summer camps for kids, some of which start next month. The Collicutt Centre is offering a lifeguard camp, a climbing camp and an outdoor explorer camp, among others. G.H. Dawe Centre is also offering camps including Sports of all Sorts, a super heroes camp and Sensational Exploration. The Recreation Centre also offers a Boy Crew Dance camp. There are also a variety of clubs Central Albertans can join come the fall including the Golden Circle Ho-Downers, the Exelta Gymnastics Club and the Kvitka Red Deer Canadian Ukrainian Dance Club, to name a few. Some community program providers also utilize the ‘Look n Book’ as well. It doesn’t only include City of Red Deer programs, but it also offers community programs as well. “We offer a variety of programs in the visual and performing arts,” said Teresa Neuman, the City’s community and program facilitator for the performing arts. “We have programs

for all ages – from infants to seniors.” Central Albertans can get involved in music, dance, theatre as well as visual arts programming such as drawing, painting and clay, among many others. “Our summer camps are quite popular and they tend to ﬁll up quickly,” said Neuman. “Throughout the year, one of our most popular programs are the adult and child art programs. “There are new programs added seasonally by all of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Departments. We respond to the need of the community and try and include programming that there is an interest for.” Neuman added when putting together the activity guides, it is important for City staff to include a wide range of activities for those young and old. “We want everyone in Red Deer to have access to ways to interact with each other, to be active and healthy and experience the diversity of culture that is here in Red Deer. One thing we really keep in mind is what community providers are already doing. We try to ﬁll in the gaps.” For more information visit www.reddeer.ca. efawcett@reddeerexpress.com

Getting your youngster ready for kindergarten Schools across the country are getting ready to once again open their doors and welcome new and returning students. The newest crop of kindergarteners will be among the fresh faces roaming the hallways and classrooms, and parents can take steps to make this transition go more smoothly. Although many children attend preschool, kindergarten typically marks a child’s initial foray into formal education. It can be a time of wonder, new experiences and rapid educational growth. Kindergarten also can stimulate nerves and fears about the unexpected. Preparing children for kindergarten requires a little finesse to make this significant milestone in a kid’s life that much more special. Speak often about kindergarten. Talking openly and excitedly about kindergarten is one way to spur a child’s interest in school. As the first day of school approaches, bring it up in conversation and see how your youngster feels about kindergarten. Some children are anxious to begin this new chapter in their lives, while others are daunted by the prospect of starting school. Understanding how your child feels about kindergarten can help you more effectively deal with any apprehension he or she might have. Schedule a tour. Some schools

have programs in place to introduce incoming kindergarteners to the school and the curriculum. For others, you may have to request a visit to the school. Such visits can be helpful, especially if your child does not have an older sibling already in the school and is completely unfamiliar with the building. Sometimes just being able to see what the school and

kindergarten classroom looks like is enough to assuage fears. Start adjusting kids’ schedules. Summer vacation and prekindergarten life may be about retiring to bed late and waking up much later than the start of a typical school day. But such schedules are no longer realistic once kids begin school. Help kindergarteners-to-be acclimate

to their new schedules by gradually changing their bed times and wake times in the weeks leading up to the ﬁrst day of school. Fiveyear-olds need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night. Let kids choose some school supplies. Encourage youngsters to join you as you shop for school supplies, which may excite kids about school and help them feel

more actively involved. That new backpack or folder your child picked out can be a source of pride and a security blanket for the first few days of school. Encourage kids’ independence. A kindergarten teacher will be supportive and nurturing but will not be a substitute parent for the class. Children should be able to do certain things for themselves when entering kindergarten. Taking their jackets on and off, packing up their belongings, cleaning up toys and other supplies and following directions are just a few things kids should be able to do on their own upon entering kindergarten. It may be tempting to do everything for your preschooler, but kids who are too dependent may struggle to acclimate to kindergarten. Encourage kids to spend time with their peers. Your child may benefit from spending time with other kids their age and sharing their expectations of kindergarten. Such dialogue can remove some of the unknown of starting school. Don’t pressure kids at the last minute. There is no way to cram when preparing for your kindergartener’s first day of school. Rushing through flash cards or quizzing kids on the alphabet may just make them nervous about the start of school.

4 Red Deer Express Learning Connections

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

City’s library hosts a range of learning programs BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express Red Deer Public Library is continually exploring fascinating ways to help bolster learning for virtually any age. Briana Ehnes, the downtown branch’s digital literacy coordinator, is responsible for helping to keep the facility on the cutting edge as well as sharing the ever-evolving technological advances with the public. “My role is to help both the staff and public to increase their digital literacy skills,” she said. These days, there are a whole stream of ways that libraries have changed to keep up with the times – it’s not just about checking out a book anymore. “People bring in their various devices – tablets, e-readers and laptops – they want to learn about downloading an e-book, an e-magazine of searching through databases. “We also like to move into the realm of some more fun-type programs like smart phone photography, or talking about favourite apps – fun, exploratory stuff.” Ehnes said she is also working on developing a ‘Makerspace’ – which she describes as a community space where people can come together to create, be innovative and do all kinds of collaborative projects. It’s a growing trend in libraries and community centres, and Ehnes is excited about what establishing one at the Library will mean for the community. “It can be a combination of anything that suits your community. “I know that Edmonton Public Library

has book printing machines so you can print and publish your own books, a green screen with a professional video camera, video game centres and computer programming centres.” Other more conventional creative sessions can also be in the mix and the possibilities are pretty much endless. “We are in the planning stages for it, and we’re hoping to have something open by the end of 2014,” she said. “I think ultimately we would like to see some structured time where we’ve got programs, classes or courses running with a community expert or someone from the library who specializes in that area teaching the class. “We would also want people to be able to come in with their own projects – either working alone or with others – a very collaborative, creative space.” Ehnes also runs one-on-one technological sessions. “People can call me and set up an appointment, and they can bring in their tablets, e-readers and laptops. I can help get them set up with the Library’s databases. “Sometimes it’s nice to have me or someone else here at the Library walk you through that.” Ehnes said for those who haven’t dropped by the facility in awhile, they might be surprised at what they ﬁnd. “Libraries are a hub of activity – there are usually community events or other interesting things now – it’s not just books. But sometimes unless you are an avid library user, you might not be aware of all of the things that we offer.

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“We have so much that you can learn here – whether it’s in books, or on our databases, or through hands-on learning or through meeting others. I think that these tools we have here showcase all of that.” Looking into the fall, one very unique program will certainly be a fascinating way for the youngsters to brush up on their reading skills. Reading Tails, to be held at the downtown branch as well, is a program for six to 12-year-olds who would like to practice their reading skills with a trained St. John Ambulance therapy dog buddy and their handlers. Registrations are being taken for September, explained Laural Grimes, children’s services coordinator. It’s proven to be an incredibly effective means of helping children grow in their skills – they become more confident and also find reading more enjoyable overall. These dogs are used in many capacities throughout the community to help people, and it’s been found they are very helpful in this particular reading program as well. “Their concentration just soars as do their confidence levels.” Kids will find a chapter in a favourite book, for example, and read it out loud for 15 minutes every night for a week at home. Then one evening during the week, they come to the Library, and read that same chapter to the dog and the handler.

They then move on to the next chapter and repeat the process. Grimes said many of the children who take part in the program may not like reading, or struggle with concentrating, for example. The dogs and the handlers provide friendly and non-judgmental listening buddies. “The success stories are amazing. One girl who was in Grade 5 or 6 had terrible test anxiety. She went through the program for a month, and then she had a science and social studies test. “Afterwards, her mom phoned me in tears because the girl had aced the test.” She had asked her daughter what was different, and her daughter explained that when the test started, she closed her eyes and imagined she was in the library with the dog and its handler. All of sudden everything was ﬁne and she went ahead and wrote the exam in peace. Grimes said the dogs have a calming effect on the children. “It’s got success written all over it.” For more information contact Laural Grimes at 403-346-4688 or by email at lgrimes@rdpl.org. For more information about any of the programs running through Red Deer Public Library, check out www.rdpl.org. editor@reddeerexpress.com

CATALINA ROOKIE CAMP ! will be held at the Michener Pool Tuesday Sept. 2nd - Friday Sept. 5th, 2014

• Can you swim a length of the pool (25 meters)? • Never been a member of our swim club before? • Want to learn some new swimming skills?

Ages 9 years & under: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. each day Ages 10 years & Over: 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. each day

Cost: $60.00 * Catalina offers a Pre-Competititve Program

Registration begins August 18th, 2014 Established in 1952, the Catalina Swim Club is one of Alberta’s oldest amateur swimming clubs!

To register call: 403-347-SWIM (7946)

Visit us online at: www.reddeercatalina.ca Email: rdcatalina@telus.net

Learning Connections Red Deer Express 5

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Variety of opportunities offered via Soccer Association BY JENNA SWAN Red Deer Express With the 2014 World Cup having wrapped up earlier this month, there has never been a better time to get you and your family involved in soccer. Although known as football throughout much of the world, on Canadian turf the game is referred to as soccer. The sport has around 5,000 current enrollments per year in Red Deer with many of those registrations coming from U-16 soccer programs. The Red Deer Soccer Association (RDSA) organizes a variety of leagues for every age and skill level starting as young as four-years-old and going up to anyone over the age of 35. Soccer Operations Manager for the RDSA, Admir Ado Sarcevic, explained that soccer is an incredible sport for people of all ages as it allows a number of skills to develop. “It’s a great way for both you and especially your children to gain coordination, it teaches a variety of movement skills and it teaches you to be a team player,” said Sarcevic. “It also teaches you to handle competition healthfully, as well as that nothing happens over night and if you want to get better then you have to practice, so this teaches hard work, commitment, fair play and sportsmanship.” Business Operations Manager for the RDSA, Brian Desjardins explained how soccer is a wonderful sport because it really offers something for everyone of all skill levels. “Aside from the skill building that we do with the children, what we like to teach them ﬁrst and foremost is how to have fun while you’re playing. “Soccer is a great way to learn to recreate and have fun but in a team environment where you’re always learning and working with one another.” Sarcevic added how soccer is also one of the least expensive sports to put your chil-

dren in, as the only equipment required to play is soccer cleats (shoes) and shin pads – where as many other sports such as hockey and American football require a lot of equipment purchases yearly. With both indoor and outdoor soccer leagues, you and your family have the opportunity to play soccer year round in Red Deer thanks to facilities like the Collicutt Centre and the Westerner Park’s indoor soccer pitches. Getting your children started in soccer at a young age can increase their chances of staying active for life. With the RDSA’s Timbits soccer program they will make friends and stay active in a healthy environment with talented coaches and staff assisting them along their soccer journey. For the older members of the family, the Association’s men’s and women’s leagues as well as an over 35 men’s league offers a fun and recreational, yet competitive league which sees Red Deer’s teams travelling around Central Alberta to play other towns. The RDSA is currently undergoing changes to better incorporate itself with Red Deer’s highest level of soccer, the Red Deer Renegades. The Renegades Soccer Club offers a higher level of competition for those who are serious about soccer. The club includes a U10, U-12, U-18 and a major soccer league team, which allows Red Deerians the opportunity to compete at the highest levels the sport has to offer in the province. According to their web site, “The Renegades Soccer Club is dedicated to creating opportunities for youth to improve their soccer skills to the highest level by upgrading our coaches, placing teams in leagues with the highest competition, and providing elite technical training. “Through this process, we believe our players will receive opportunities provincially, nationally and at Canadian universities and colleges as well as NCAA.” jswan@reddeerexpress.com

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6 Red Deer Express Learning Connections

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Bringing clarity to learning differently BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Learning differently is something that thousands of Albertans live with every day, affecting their motor skills, coordination, understanding, retention and communication of ideas. There is no single resolution to helping those who learn differently, but there are many resources avail-

able to work with these difﬁculties. Information, support and programs are available through organizations like the Learning Disability Association and through private councillors, educators and medical professionals. Janet de Laforest works with the Learning Disabilities Association, Red Deer chapter and explains that the most common struggle

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is a lack of widespread information and people’s willingness to examine if they or their loved one learns differently. “We’re just trying to get the awareness out there. We get a lot of people referred to us who had never known that we we’re here (in Red Deer), and they are so pleased to find us. It’s kind of difficult for us because people don’t understand what learning disabilities are,” she said. “There is a stigma and people don’t want to recognize (a learning disability), but we’re working to overcome that. It’s often finding what you’re good at, and then figuring out how to pursue that.” Learning disabilities can take many forms and affect many areas of learning. People with learning disabilities often have aboveaverage intelligence and simply have difficulty receiving, organizing, retaining, processing and communicating information. The term ‘disability’ is often met with disdain, and sometimes is associ-

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ated with developmental disorders or other forms of mental or physical disabilities, which are not the same as learning difficulties. The best terminology to communicate these issues in a positive light is to use terms such as ‘learning difficulty’ or ‘learning differently.’ “A learning disability is just a way that a person learns differently. They are usually very intelligent and they have very creative tendencies. They find an outlet for it. It’s often finding what you’re good at, and then being able to pursue that.” The first step in living with a learning disability is to recognize and diagnose a person’s difficulties. Each person is affected differently by their learning disability, so markers may vary. For a child, symptoms of a learning disability may include difficulties with written work, word recognition and comprehension, trouble grasping math concepts or solving equations, or have difficulties speaking and comprehending speech. There are other symptoms as well, so the best way to see if your child has a learning disability is to converse with teachers to discuss areas of trouble and then to seek out a psychologist to receive a diagnosis. Early identification can help a child succeed and feel more confident in their learning. “Adults face the fact they are often under-employed. Adults can come in for tutoring, one on one, in specific areas like math or whatever they need to get more certification in their field,” said de Laforest. “Often adults with a learning disability are

excellent entrepreneurs. They have learned over the years to see the big picture, and they can delegate what they need help with. They learn how to cope and use their skills and seek help from others doing the work they struggle with,” she added. Those living with special needs due to cognitive function disabilities or other forms of mental health issues may also learn differently, but not in the same capacity of someone with a learning disability. For example, a person with hearing problems may require a sort of ampliﬁcation system where a teacher might wear a speaker around their neck that transmits a signal to a

headset for the student who has trouble hearing. Someone with vision problems may require special lenses or lighting to be able to read a book. These are just a couple of examples of people who learn differently, but do not necessarily have a learning disability. The concept of how people learn is constantly evolving with new research and information available all the time. If someone is unsure if they or their child has a learning disability or some other hindrance in retaining or accessing information, it is always best to check with councillors, medical professionals and educators. kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com

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Learning Connections Red Deer Express 7

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Tips for beating all the back-to-school stress Ways to start the school year off right Heading back to school can mean mixed emotions for children and parents alike. Many kids are ready to meet new friends and teachers, but at the same time they are reluctant to give up the freedom and frivolity of summer. Meanwhile, parents have also adjusted to the easygoing schedule that comes with school vacation so preparation for the busyness of fall is often quite daunting. This year you can remove the stress for the family by transitioning back into the school year seamlessly, as follows: Establish a routine - after a summer with a relaxed schedule and little structure, the return to the classroom can be a shock to your kids’ systems. Ease them back by gradually integrating more structure into their days. Meals and bedtime are a great way to start—begin to get your children back into a routine about two weeks before school starts

to make the transition easy. Get organized - before the hustle and bustle of school kicks in, take some time to get ahead of the game. Put together a master calendar everyone can use for the year, including important school dates, vacations, sporting events and practices, and parent teacher conferences to keep you on schedule. Make sure you’ve prepared all of the paperwork, school supplies, and permission slips you and your kids need. If your child needs any medications or the school requires doctor’s notes, be sure to book necessary appointments. Organize a carpool - if there are other families in your neighborhood heading to the same school, carpooling is a great way to save gas and time. Create a rotating schedule for drivers and make sure it’s kept up to date. “Be sure to also check your insurance policy before the ﬁrst day,” said Shir-

ley Parchoma with Western Financial Group. “If you’re receiving any money for gas, your normal liability coverage may not be enough. Talk to your insurance broker and make sure you’re covered before you get behind the wheel with a group.” Start a fun tradition - one way to make back-to-school more fun is to create a tradition that your family can look forward to each year. This tradition could be a dinner, interviewing your child on video, or taking a picture of them in their first day outfit. Bonus - this can also be an easy way to create keepsakes—save each year’s photo in one place and pull them out for the next big graduation or family event. The school year is an exciting time and taking a few steps to prepare will make sure you all enjoy the final days of summer and start the new school year off on a positive note. www.newscanada.com

Congratulations

2014/2015

‘Kvitka’ on another spectacular year! Red Deer Canadian Ukrainian Dance Club will be starting Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014. Registration at 6pm at Festival Hall. EVERYONE IS WELCOME - Not necessary to be Ukrainian or have any dance experience. Adults do not need to be couples to join. www.KvitkaRD.ca

For more info, call Irene 403-346-5712, Andrea 403-749-3252 kvitkardukrdance@yahoo.ca

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For Children Born 1997 to 2011 Registration begins August 1 until September 26, 2014 For more information and to register on-line

www.rdcsa.com Or call: 403-346-4259, Or email: ofﬁce@rdcsa.com Registration also available at: 6905 Edgar Industrial Drive, Soccer Ofﬁce (Monday-Thursday 10-6pm and Friday 10-5pm) Indoor turf for rent. Competitive rates available!

For players interested in the Renegades Competitive Program, try-outs will begin September 2, 2014 for the U12 – U18 age groups.

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8 Red Deer Express Learning Connections

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Alberta curriculum to change with the times BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Big changes are in the works for new curriculums, driven by a movement towards meaningful learned skills instead of recollection of facts. Alberta’s curriculum is undergoing an overhaul that shifts the focus from retention and display of factual knowledge to skill development and competent learning. The curriculum redesign from the Alberta government states that these competencies are an interrelated set of attitudes, skills and knowledge drawn upon and applied to a particular context – otherwise meaning it is about what students can do with what they know, and how to apply what they learn in school to other areas of life. “The big shift in the redesign is moving away from single disciplines to more interdisciplinary work. In real life, we don’t just shut down math skills after 20 minutes and move into social studies,” said Red Deer Public School District Assistant Superintendent Ron Eberts. In 2013 Alberta Minister of Education Jeff Johnson put forward a ministerial order regarding student learning that outlines the mission of the change in learning priorities. In this order he deﬁnes what Alberta is going to need from its students – engaged thinking that creates ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit – ‘The

Three E’s of Education.’ Overall, the shift is characterized by putting greater emphasis on individual student success through 10 main competencies, or desired skill sets that are introduced and expanded upon throughout a child’s growth from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Those competencies include skills such as thinking critically, identifying and solving complex problems, identifying and applying life skills, demonstrating global and cultural understanding and managing information effectively, including recall, organization and application of concepts. “Ultimately what we want students to know when they come out of high school isn’t ‘know speciﬁc things’, it’s ‘know skills, have abilities and be able to think’. That’s how this whole shift from content to competency base has started,” said Karyn Barber, principal of Hunting Hills High School. “We’re going to see a shift to helping students attain information. We want to see skills like critical thinking rather than just looking up an answer. We’re looking at how people come to information, how to ﬁnd it and then how to communicate it,” she added. It is important to know that current curriculums are not being entirely disregarded. They are being altered to include competencies that will further student understanding and achievement, she said.

An example of the change in focus can be seen with the change from Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) in Grades 3, 6 and 9 to Student Learning Assessments (SLAs). This is a demonstration that the province is looking to make learning meaningful to each student and to examine with greater detail the needs of individual students. Grades 1 through 6 will see the changes in the form of a shift towards projectbased learning. This means that students will experience more hands-on work that helps create a deeper understanding of ideas through things like engaging science projects, build-

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ing objects to study and measure in math or doing more demonstrations in classes. “The focus is more on the competencies. The content becomes the vehicle to get you there. In math, the teacher would create a project or relevant, meaningful tasks where you’d apply the use of mathematical concepts to build that competency,” said Eberts. An example of projectbased learning in a middle school grade might look like this: to understand the concept of a radius and ratios, students could draw out small shapes, have to measure and do math, enlarge the shapes and apply them to an artistic piece of work. This would present students with a visual, and an application for their learned concepts. Eberts continued, “Teachers can plan units

and projects that put two or three competencies as a primary focus – maybe it’s problem solving or working on communication and collaboration. Then they’d bring in content that used to stand alone (math, social, language skills) to work towards the competency.” As students move through grades, the competencies will become more in-depth and will start to be tied to things like social issues, the economy and ethical discussions. As students enter into middle schools and high schools, there is going to be more ﬂexibility in allowing students to choose some of what they feel they need more help in. How this works is a list of academic and life skills are presented to students and once a week, they could spend an hour or two with the things they need help

with. These issues could range from math and science concepts to better selfesteem and learning about how to create a meal plan (they would be appropriate for each age group). “The reality is that at high schools, there is some pressure because the exit exams (diplomas, and 30 level course exams) still exist. So if you’re say, a Social 30-1 or 30-2 teacher, more than likely you’re still going to be concerned about content, because your students are still taking this test worth 50 per cent of their ﬁnal grade.” The shift has already begun to be implemented in schools and parents are encouraged to become engaged in this process by taking an interest in how their student learns, not simply if they have passed a test or not. kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com

Downsizing & Moving Forward The Challenge of Sorting Through Memories

• For those needing to downsize personal possessions, and those helping others downsize. • This challenge requires balancing what things we need to let go of, while holding on to what we treasure. When: Monday, Sept. 22nd, and Wednesday, Sept.24th, 6:00-8:00pm. Where: Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre, Red Deer 4620 47th Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 3R4 Course Fee: $50, or 2 for $75.

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For more information, or to register, Call Shalom at 403.342.0339.

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Learning Connections Red Deer Express 9

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

RDC will get you Internet and social media savvy BY KALISHA MENDONSA Red Deer Express Red Deer is not exempt from the overwhelming transition to social media dependence, but now there are a few ways to ease into the online community. Red Deer College offers a variety of courses that help people gain the skills they need to stay connected. From courses on LinkedIn and Twitter, to a certificate in Social Media and Electronic Communications, there are options for becoming more social media savvy. “As an individual, you might want to learn about what platforms to use and what kinds of activity to do on it, and we can give you that basic introduction. As a company, if you have people in marketing departments, or people who have been out of school for a while and you want to get the skill set for social media, those are what the courses are made for,” said Brenda Munro, dean of RDC’s School of Continuing Education. The Social Media for Business Certificate Program involves an introduction to using social media, integrating social media into an organization and marketing using social media. These courses are available to take individually, or can be bundled into the certificate. Society as a whole has shifted into a new way of gathering and sharing information. The use of smart devices such as phones and tablets has completely revolutionized the way people prefer to advertise, find businesses and make connections, she said. “Continuing education courses are mostly for

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Registration Night Sept. 9, 2014

people who are working in the ﬁeld or who are already into social media but want to further their skills. Our programs are really targeted at using the tools for business. For people that aren’t aware of it, there is a whole new set of rules for businesses using social media,” said Munro.

“OUR PROGRAMS ARE REALLY TARGETED AT USING THE TOOLS FOR BUSINESS. FOR PEOPLE THAT AREN’T AWARE OF IT, THERE IS A WHOLE NEW SET OF RULES FOR BUSINESSES USING SOCIAL MEDIA.” BRENDA MUNRO Any person who looks for it will see the generation gap that is constantly displayed at work places. There is the younger generation with smart devices attached to the hip, who are actively engaged on social media and use it as their main source of information and news. Older generations tend to much prefer a personal touch that does not rely on a facebook message, a Twitter post or some other social media platform to engage customers and potential business partners. “RDC is following trends and looking for emerging careers – we’re looking at all of the opportunities and requirements of new jobs and what is changing in the world,” said Munro. “I’d say for the last six or seven years, we’ve been talking about that and putting courses out there, but we’re just now seeing the uptake really come – especially as businesses are hir-

Juniors Program (Ages 7 - 17) Registrations are now being accepted for the fall program: • 12 Weeks of Instruction (1 x per week) • Use of Club Bows / Targets • CAAA Membership + FCA Insurance Coverage • Cost: $250 + Purchase of 3 Arrows ($25) • Classes Held Tuesday OR Wednesday Evening:

ing people to handle social media strategies.” The need for an Internet savvy hire is getting bigger and bigger. Unfortunately, this also means that many people who did not grow up with smart phones in their hands are slowly becoming less qualified to handle that direction of business progression. These programs are beneficial to people who wish to engage themselves in lifelong learning and to become more comfortable with online interactions within their businesses, she said. The RDC certificate program of social media for business is organized through a ‘UGotClass’ online interface that allows people to work at their own pace and to take the course

without having to take time from work. Similar courses include a Mobile Marketing Certiﬁcate, a Video Marketing

Certificate, a Managing Social Media Platform certificate and an Emarketing Essentials certificate. For information visit the Red

Deer College web site. Program information will be under the continuing education umbrella. kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com

Now Recruiting for 201 -201

RED DEER ROYALS Central Alberta’s Premier Show Band has openings in brass, woodwind, percussion and color guard sections. If you are interested in meeting new musical challenges and enjoy travelling, you are invited to audition for the “Royals Experience”!

ARCHERY

For All Ages

Central Alberta Archers Association

Starting on Tuesday, September 16 or Wednesday, September 17

Archery Lanes Open For Public / Members • Pro-Shop Available to Supply All Archery Equipment Needs • Equipment Available for Rent • Memberships Available for Singles / Families • Adult League to Start in Dec.: Call for Details

New Member Auditions: Tuesday, September , 7:00 p.m. at Westerner Park Rehearsals held Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. For further information and to book your audition please call .JDIBFM .BOO at 403-34 -

www.reddeerroyals.com

www.CentralAlbertaArchers.ca 11-01972.indd 1

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10 Red Deer Express Learning Connections

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Red Deer Royals looking to recruit more members

MILESTONE – The Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band pose on the steps of the Orvieto Cathedral following a parade and performance in Orvieto, Italy earlier this month.

BY ERIN FAWCETT Red Deer Express Musicians are currently being recruited to join Central Alberta’s only marching show band. The Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band offers unique experiences for musicians aged 12-21 who would like to take their musical careers to the next level. The mission of the Red Deer concert and marching show band is to facilitate an environment of musicianship, learning, friendship and mentoring for musicians and colour guard ages 12-21 of Central Alberta and surrounding communities. This band promotes musicianship, leadership, teamwork, community service and pride. Band members currently represent 20 schools throughout the area. Although most of the 120 members are from Red Deer, there

are young people traveling from as far south as Carstairs, as far north as Edmonton, as far west as Caroline, as well as many other communities in between. Over the past 43 years, the Royals have developed into an award-winning band performing, competing and delighting crowds locally and internationally. This unique band program trains young instrumentalists in the performance of traditional and contemporary music in concert, parade and ﬁeld show settings. They are known for their quality instruction, variety of repertoire and originality of presentation. The band is made up of woodwinds, brass, percussion and colour guard. Regular rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings during the school year. As well, there are Saturday blocking camps beginning in late January

and their busy performance season runs May to July. “We are usually looking for wind and percussion performers as well as brass and drummers who have about two years of experience in a school band program,” said Michael Mann, band director. “We also are looking for members for our colour guard. They don’t need to have experience but dance or gymnastics is always an asset.” Mann added there are many opportunities members of the band experience each year. “The Red Deer Royals perform on average between 35 to 40 times per year. We do concerts, parades and we do a ﬁeld show.” The band also travels abroad every three years to perform and compete. They just returned from Italy where they competed in the Italian Marching Show

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Band Championships. The Royals placed second in that competition. “It was a fantastic experience. Performance-wise it was great to perform but also culturally it was great too.” Musicians can audition for the Red Deer Royals on Sept. 2nd at 7 p.m. at the Westerner. “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet other students in the area who are dedicated and likeminded,” said Mann. “We have a saying and that is once a Royal, always a Royal. We have students who come back year after year because they make such great friends.” As for Mann, he holds a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Calgary where he studied secondary music education and percussion. Since his graduation in 1995, he taught band and Kindergarten

photo submitted

to Grade 12 general music at River Glen School in Red Deer. Mann was appointed music director of the Red Deer Royals in September of 2011. He also served as interim band director from January to July of 2007. Prior to his appointment as music director, Mann was the lead percussion instructor for the Royals. His previous experience includes work with the Calgary Stetson Show Band and the Penhold Air Cadet Camp band. Along with his teaching duties, Mann is also active as a clinician and guest conductor. He has performed with the Calgary Civic Orchestra, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra and the Alberta Winds professional wind ensemble. For more information, visit www.reddeerroyals.com or call Michael Mann at 403-346-3911. efawcett@reddeerexpress.com

Dance Classes & Music Lessons for ALL ages and abilities! REGISTER NOW for FALL PROGRAMS.

Offering quality instruction in a fun, upbeat and positive atmosphere. • 89 week and full year classes available for students age 5 mths - adult • Convenient class options for busy families to save valuable time • Committed to providing a supportive, family friendly and non-competitive environment

“Where everyone’s a STAR”

www.reddeerdancemagic.com • 403.309.7319 Located in the Collicutt Centre & Heritage Plaza North

Learning Connections Red Deer Express 11

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Community Programs offers range of learning options BY MARK WEBER Red Deer Express There is a multitude of ways to expand your world via Red Deer Public Schools Community Programs, based at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School. Lots of both ‘in class’ and online opportunities are available. Staff say that whether folks are looking to follow a personal interest, advance their careers or enhance their lifestyles, there are all kinds of courses covering a range of topics and subjects. Community Programs is also going into its 48th year, said Rixta Moritz, community programs coordinator.

“COURSES CHANGE AS THE INSTRUCTORS COME AND GO IN THE COMMUNITY. THAT ALWAYS PROVIDES LOTS OF VARIETY IN WHAT WE OFFER.” RIXTA MORITZ In checking out the ‘Ed 2 Go’ online courses offered through Community Programs,, there’s everything from Discover Digital Photography, Computer Skills, Fundamentals of Supervision and Management and Building Teams That Work to Mastering Public Speaking, Advanced Web Pages and Instant Italian. On the lighter side, there is Introduction to Interior Design, Writing for Children, Luscious, Low-Fat, Lightning-Quick Meals, Travel Writing, Introduction to Journaling, Introduction to Guitar, Mystery Writing, The Pleasures of Poetry, Genealogy Basics and Get Funny! Other areas of study include several law-oriented courses dealing with everything from wills, preparation for divorce to being an executor. The law courses are taught in class by local lawyers and have proven to be particularly popular, said Moritz. “Every year we get a grant from the Alberta Law Foundation,” she said. The funding helps with an array of law courses for lay people who want to have a stronger understanding of the legal system. It’s subsidized to the tune of about $40 per person because of the Alberta Law Foundation as well, she

added. “We’ve really expanded what we are doing with that, now going into how to represent yourself in court, child custody issues, and common-law prenuptials. The local lawyers that teach these are all volunteers.” Moritz said Community Programs also receives a grant from the Lifelong Learning Council to help with the operation of English as a Second Language courses. Almost all of these kinds of courses are run out of Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, and they are offered through the year. As for who teaches, many of the classes are led by people with a tremendous passion and talent for the given area of study. Some are retired professionals and simply want to keep sharing their knowledge specialties with others. Moritz invites folks in the community who are experts or teachers in a given area, and who are interested in teaching others, to contact her. The potential for what then can be presented to the community is limitless. One fun and new workshop, for example, this fall is one where students will learn ‘millinery techniques’, or the art of making hats, said Moritz. “Courses change as the instructors come and go in the community. That always provides lots of variety in what we offer,” she said. Moritz said the online courses are often more instructional and informational in nature, whereas the local classes include that stimulating element of interacting with others, too. “A lot of those classes work really well because you are interacting – you are getting other people’s experiences as well as (growing) your own. “People are looking for experiences of being with their neighbours and their communities.” Class sizes typically run about six to 10, but some of the law classes run up to 20 or so. Red Deer Public Schools Community Programs also offers high school credit courses during the evening in the fall and winter and on a daily basis during the summer.

Students receive credit towards their diploma after successfully completing their courses. There are also a range of summer tutorial classes and diploma prep classes as well. For Moritz, seeing people sign up for courses and broaden their experience is a fulfilling line of work. It’s fun to see how many folks take one course and then are essentially hooked on garnering knowledge in lots of other areas as well. “Pretty well all of the interactions are positive. “You are helping people to fulfill a goal or reach a destination, and you are able to fill in a lot of the blanks that they don’t know about. “Everyday is new – you never know who is going to walk in the door or what request they will bring to you. “You don’t know what teachers are going to come forward and want to share their crafts or specialties with the community. The variety is incredible.” For more information, check out http://communityprograms.rdpsd.ab.ca towards the end of August when more details are finalized, or call 403-342-1059 anytime. editor@reddeerexpress.com

NIGHT SCHOOL (credit classes)

Schedule of Module Delivery Classes: (Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs)

• Biology 20, 30 • Chemistry 20,30 • English 10-1, 10-2, 20-1, 20-2, 30-1, 30-2 • Math 10-C, 10-3, 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 • Physics 20, 30 l Science 10, 14, 20, 24, 30 • Social Studies 10-1, 10-2, 20-1, 20-2, 30-1, 30-2 • Tourism • Calm (3 Credits) • “Teacher Taught” Math 30-1 NEW Classes run Tues/Thurs or Mon/Wed Beginning the week of Sept. 8th

Cost:

Students 19 years of age or younger as of September 1, 2014 pay ONLY for BOOKS. Book purchase required upon registration.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Students 20 years of age or older as of September 1, 2014 pay $600 plus the cost of books. Book purchase required upon registration.

International students pay $880 plus books.

Deadline To Register: Sept. 4, 2014

403-342-1059

http://communityprograms.rdpsd.ab.ca htt // it d d b

12 Red Deer Express Learning Connections

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

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