When you have clear vision – 20/20 vision – setting goals, seeking guidance and putting plans into action is the easy part.

Really?

That seems so hard, you say.

Most students have shared that when they come to St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres, the hardest part was opening the door.

Who stands at our doors – literally and virtually?

• an aspiring college or university student needing to upgrade or earn a pre-requisite
• anyone at a crossroads looking to start a new job or develop skills toward a career
• someone who has been out of school for a while and wanting to finally finish their high school diploma
• a high school student wanting to finish their last couple of credits quickly instead of a 5th year
• a hard-working parent, juggling work, family obligations and finding it hard to fit school in the mix
• a newcomer or landed immigrant wanting to improve their English for a better life
• or parents wanting to find fun and meaningful learning opportunities outside of school, so their child may be more successful in school

If this is you, then it’s time to open that door and we will work with you to set some goals.

Set Goals

Let’s be real – even the best-laid plans may not turn out the way you expect. You may not achieve every goal you set out, or your goal may change and develop as time progresses. Most paths are not a straight line.

Either way, it’s important to have an idea of how to set goals. Developing SMART goals is a great way to get started.

Not all SMART goals are created equally, either.

To start, think about what long-term goals you want to set. These goals will take longer and have more moving parts. (By the way, finishing your high school as an adult might not take as long as you think it will)

Once you’ve determined a long-term goal (or a couple), break it down and determine:

• Obstacles that will make it hard to achieve.
• Resources that can help you hit your target.
• Benefits of making the goal happen.

Next, you’ll want to further break down your SMART goal into smaller targets or short-term goals. What tasks can you accomplish in the next day or weeks to help you reach your end result?

Seek Guidance

As you approach a new year, share these goals with someone. You are welcomed to come to St. Louis with your 20/20 vision or even your hopes for your future and

•  St. Louis Guidance Counsellors will work with you to develop an educational plan. They will look at your past education and life experience, explore where you are at now, what you need to achieve your goal and how best to get you there quickly, affordably and successfully.
• Get a language assessment at the YMCA to determine your English language level. St. Louis ESL/ LINC teachers will work with you in class. They have real-life tasks that will help you communicate better, leading to work, further education and Canadian citizenship.
• Visit our website to find out what’s required and what benefits you gain from our three skills training programs. There are lots of jobs in food service, hairstyling, barbering and personal support worker. Louis can help you gain employable skills and certificates.
• Explore the many language offerings available evenings and Saturdays that could enhance your child’s learning in the new year. Feel free to email or call if you cannot find the language you are interested in on our website.
• Ask your child’s Grade 7 – 10 teacher or Principal what resources they have to help your child do better in school and how a St. Louis after school or Saturday program can help

Put 2020 Plans into Action

• NOW – Culinary Program has a few spots left for the next class that begins January 6^th . Call St. Louis school before December 19th to register.
• December 16-19, 8:30-12:30 / 1:30-3pm + Tuesday and Wednesday evening – Term 3 Secondary School Credit classes begin Tuesday, January 7. Online correspondence courses begin at any time. Visit a Guidance Counsellor Monday to Thursday at 80 Young Street, Kitchener or 150 Main Street, Cambridge. No Guidance services over the holidays.
• January 13 at 9:00am – Personal Support Worker intake/info session for a class that starts February 19.
• January 14 at 6:00pm – Hairstyling / Barbering intake for a class that starts March 23
• New ESL / LINC registrations are welcome any time after January 6. Bring your language assessment from the YMCA, Immigrant services. ESL/LINC classes resume January 6 at all 7 locations.
• Register your child online any time for one of 19 International Languages elementary (IL) offered for JK to Grade 8 students. When children learn another language, they tend to do better overall in school. IL classes resume January 11.
• Register your child online any time if your child is in Grade 7 or 8 and struggling with school. You may also start anytime to get academic help on Saturday mornings or ask your school if they have a homework club.
• ALWAYS Celebrate the start of a new year by reflecting on what you HAVE accomplished. And know that St. Louis can be here beside you as you build on your hope for more, better or different, pursue opportunities and continue a pathway to educational success.

Don’t stand at the door and wait for someone to open it for you.

You can wish for it, hope for it, dream of it.

By all means, do it.

LINC, ESL, Core Essentials and Childcare Centres are CANCELLED TODAY ONLY (Wednesday, Dec 4)

The following programs and childcare centres at St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education are CLOSED TODAY, Wednesday, December 4, 2019: 

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) at all St. Louis locations 
• English as a Second Language (ESL) at all St. Louis locations 
• Core Essentials in Kitchener and Cambridge 
• Spots for Tots Licensed childcare at St. Louis Kitchener Main campus 
• LINC childminding at St. Louis Kitchener Main and Highland Campus 

These classes will OPEN again on Thursday, December 5. 

ALL other programs will be running as usual. These include all St. Louis Secondary School Credit courses, International Language, Culinary, Hairstyling and Personal Support Worker programs.

OSSTF staff at St. Louis will not be at work on December 4, as they are on strike TODAY.  

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board’s International Languages – Elementary Program, hosted by St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education, has made a solemn commitment to the Professional Development of over 100 language instructors. By dedicating one day each year, all language instructors will assemble to learn and share best practices.

This Saturday morning, November 16^th, will mark the 15^th consecutive year that all language school teachers come together to share the common elements of effective language learning. By devoting this time for professional development, there will be NO language classes offered to students this Saturday at any of the five locations. (Note: Monday and Wednesday evening classes are still scheduled for next week.)

Winter is here! Did you know you can start school in DECEMBER?

At St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres, there are a number of programs that have staggered starts every two to four months.

• Secondary School Credit classes
• Culinary Arts Training
• Personal Support Worker Certificate Program

We also have continuous registration for online credit courses, academic upgrading or English language classes.

Start anytime!

Hairstyling and Barber Training

Tuesday, Nov 12 there is an intake and information session for the Hairstyling and Barber Training program that begins December 2nd.

See you TONIGHT at 6:00pm at St. Louis Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener, ON

As a result of the agreement reached between the government of Ontario, the Trustees’ Associations and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), all Waterloo Catholic District School Board Schools including St. Louis will be OPEN on Monday, October 7, 2019 – and all programs and services will continue running on their regular schedules.

Important Message: Possible CUPE Strike and St. Louis

October 4, 2019

Dear St. Louis Students, Parents and Guardians and Community Partners

Wednesday morning, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board received notice that a full Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) strike may commence on Monday October 7^th, if an agreement is not reached this weekend.  If the strike proceeds, this will mean CUPE members will not report to work.  Our CUPE staff here at St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres are incredible Administrative Assistants who support all programs in our Kitchener Main campus office, Secondary School Credit and Guidance offices, ESL/LINC sites, Core Essentials, Culinary Arts, Hairstyling & PSW programs and our various satellite campuses.  They do extraordinary work to support all students to be successful and the work of all our teachers, instructors and managers.

As a follow-up to the October 2^nd news of a possible CUPE strike, all Waterloo Catholic District School Board schools may be closed.  These schools mentioned would be all the Elementary & Secondary Schools in the Catholic Board and not the Public Board. St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres are proud to be part of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. The exception to the WCDSB school closures is St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres.

All programs at all St. Louis locations will remain open in the event of a strike next week.

Classes will be running daytime, evening and Saturday as per our usual schedule, but it will not be ‘business as usual’.

At this time there will be no new student registrations for:

• Term 2 Secondary School Credit,
• Correspondence; and
• English Language classes (ESL and LINC programs)

Guests and partners will have their campus visits and services rescheduled until after labour disruptions are resolved.

St. Louis students who are also parents of children who attend our Catholic Elementary and Catholic Secondary Schools are advised to arrange alternate care for their children.

As labour negotiations continue, we ask everyone to please check the St. Louis website https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca over the weekend for updates. This will be your most important resource to get the most up to date information regarding St. Louis programming. Alternatively, you can visit StLouisALC on Facebook or follow @StLouisWCDSB on Twitter. For information regarding  possible school closures of Catholic Elementary & Catholic Secondary schools next week please refer to https://www.wcdsb.ca.

We are all hopeful for a satisfactory resolution to the negotiations in the days ahead.

Quick Facts:

• St. Louis supports approximately 3000 learners at one time (ages 6 months to over 70 years old) meeting the continuing education needs of over 12 000 students annually.
• St. Louis is funded by various ministries (the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services; the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Canada; and the Ministry of Education)

In April 2018, Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) released a report capturing how we will address the shortage of Personal Support Workers in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

The WWLHIN Report

The 2018 report states that “The WWLHIN is working hard to address the shortage for Waterloo Wellington. The obstacles surrounding the issue are complex and will take time to resolve, however, strategies are under development to rectify the issue for both the short and long term.” And St. Louis Personal Support Worker Program Manager, Tammy Cantin has heard first-hand from numerous care partners who have responded to this report with action. Some organizations have created incentive options for prospective PSW students and graduates, which could include the offer of subsidized training, cost of living, child care and partnering with PSW educational providers.

By partnering with St. Louis’ PSW program,  many long-term care and community care partnerships have emerged or been strengthened by our own school’s commitment to addressing the critical shortage of PSW’s in the Region and across the province. St. Louis is committed to training the best PSW’s possible, so that their training will take them to being sustainable members of the health care workforce.

St. Louis Certifying PSW’s

St. Louis breaks down the barriers to becoming a certified PSW by:

• Delivering Quality education and hands-on training – meeting standards by Ministry of Education, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
• Blending secondary school credit curriculum with PSW certification expectations and real work experience.
• Supporting job-readiness – intensive lab instruction and significant community and long-term care placements builds a more confident PSW and sustainable employee. Employers hire 98% of St. Louis PSW’s within the first month of course completion.
• Making the PSW program affordable – tuition is paid for by the Ministry of Education. Additional certificates, learning materials and uniform costs $1300 for the program.  Other costs include appropriate footwear and First Aid / CPR (required before beginning the program).  Community supports, financial assistance and child care services are available onsite at Kitchener Campus.
• St. Louis PSW Program is available in Kitchener and Cambridge, full-time, part-time, days and evenings with both September and February start dates. Visit webpage for details: PSW Certificate

Start this September!

All classes in Kitchener are FULL for September and we are accepting applicants for February, 2020.

Some space available at our Cambridge location in partnership with peopleCare, Hilltop Manor.

Cambridge PSW class – starts September 25

Part-time, Tues, Wed and Thurs, 8:30am-3:30pm

Last chance to register:

Monday, September 16

10:00am-12:00

150 Main Street, Cambridge

Region of Waterloo Building

Rm 172

(next to main reception area)

Are you over 18 and ready to go back to school?

If you are looking for:

• Credit courses to finish high school or get ready for college and university.
• Credit preparation.  Have you been out of school for a while?
• Skills training toward employment. Are you a better hands-on learner or ready for a career change?
• Classes to improve English for newcomers, refugees or citizens. For a better life in Canada, better English language skills are needed.
• Support for your children’s learning.

St. Louis has opportunities for you!

Registration begins Aug 27!

Visit our website https://stlouis@wcdsb.ca to find the program you are looking for.

Then come in to register at several locations through Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge