Latest news with #ConestogaCollege
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Latest potential measles exposures in Waterloo Region include hospital ERs and Lifelabs
People who visited hospitals in Kitchener and a Lifelabs location in Waterloo may have been exposed to measles. The Region of Waterloo updated its list of potential measles exposures on Monday. The latest additions include: Curex and Waterloo Guardian Pharmacy – 5-380 King Street North, Waterloo Tuesday, May 13 between 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, May 23 between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25 between 11:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. Waterloo Region Health Network @ Queen's Boulevard Emergency Department (formerly St. Mary's General Hospital) – 911 Queen's Boulevard Saturday, May 24 between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Waterloo Region Health Network @ Queen's Boulevard 700 Medicine Unit (formerly St. Mary's General Hospital) – 911 Queen's Boulevard Sunday, May 25 between 11 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Conestoga College's Doon Campus was also listed as a potential exposure site on Friday. The latest data from Public Health Ontario showed at least 78 cases of measles reported in Waterloo Region between Oct. 28 and May 27, however Waterloo Region Public Health has reported at least 79 confirmed and 22 probably cases within the region. What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Conestoga College campus listed as possible measles exposure site
People who visit Conestoga College's Doon Campus may have been exposed to measles. In a new release, the Region of Waterloo said people may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease on May 21 between 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The areas of concern include 2E06, Starbucks in the Doon Main Building E-Wing and any other classrooms or corridors on the second floor of the building. 'Region of Waterloo Public Health has been working closely with Conestoga College to notify students and staff who should refer to the communication provided by the College to determine if they can attend school,' the news release said. The Region of Waterloo maintains an ongoing list of potential measles exposure locations. Some of the latest additions include Dr. Erin Walker Family Dentist on May 22, Waterloo Region Health Network @ Midtown (formerly known as Grand River Hospital) on May 21 and Cook's Pharmacy on May 20. More than a dozen new cases According to the latest data released by Public Health Ontario on Thursday, Waterloo Region Public Health and Emergency Services has reported at least 78 cases of measles between Oct. 28 and May 27. That number represents an increase of 14 cases since the last report from Public Health Ontario a week ago. Meanwhile, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has reported 54 cases of measles since Oct. 28, including one new case within the last week. Grand Erie Public Health, which serves Brant County, Norfolk County, Haldimand County and the City of Brantford, continues to struggle with the spread of measles. They have reported 248 cases since Oct. 28, including 12 new cases since the last update from Public Health Ontario. In a news release on Thursday, Grand Erie Public Health said community members may have been exposed to the measles at Houghton Public School in Langton on May 20 and May 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The health unit said school bus route N534 is also considered a potential measles exposure site during those days. What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
CTV News
09-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Some Conestoga College campuses switching to four-day week for the summer semester
Conestoga College's campus on Frederick Street in Kitchener, Ont. was photographed on April 16, 2025. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News) Conestoga College says some of its campuses will be moving to a four-day week for its summer semester. The school did not explain what prompted the decision but touted the benefits to both students and the college. 'Student timetables have been developed so that our students are able to benefit, as much as possible, from four-day schedules,' they said in a statement emailed to CTV News. 'This initiative offers flexibility to students who may have summer jobs, creates operational efficiencies while our campuses are a little quieter over the summer months, and supports our sustainability measures.' Specifically, they cited a decrease in the use of air conditioning. 'Sustainability is a key priority for the college and reducing HVAC usage over the summer helps us meet our carbon reduction goals,' the school explained. Conestoga College did not make anyone available for an interview. A list of affected locations can be found below. Reaction to new international student rules The shorter weeks are just the latest move by Conestoga College after Ottawa placed new limits on international student enrollment in Canada. In December 2024, the school offered early retirement packages to 54 support staff and 106 faculty members. According to Vikki Poirier, president of OPSEU Local 238, all of them were over 50 years of age and had more than 10 of service at the college. Another 180 support workers were laid off or were reassigned on March 28. An internal memo, by Conestoga College president John Tibbits which was shared with CTV News, cited the federal government's decision to implement a cap on international student enrolment and other unnamed 'changes' that have created a perception that Canada 'is no longer a welcoming country for international education.' College surplus On the same day those layoffs were announced, the Ontario Sunshine List was released for 2024. It named the public sector workers making more than $100,000 a year. Tibbits had the highest public salary in the Region of Waterloo with a salary of $636,106.70 and $3,898.71 in taxable benefits. His income topped the regional chair, regional mayors, the presidents of the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, both the public and Catholic school board directors, the president and CEO of Grand River Hospital and the chief of Waterloo Regional Police. Conestoga College announced on March 13 it would be extending Tibbits' contract to Dec. 31, 2026. Last July, the school reported a surplus of $251,646,838. According to financial documents, that was nearly double its surplus of $106,220,863 in 2023. Campuses affected by closures Brantford 1 and 50 Wellington Street closed Mondays Cambridge Not affected Guelph (Speedvale Avenue) Not affected Guelph (Riverside Glen) Not affected Ingersoll Closed on Mondays Kitchener ATS Engineering Complex closed Mondays Transition Classroom Building closed Mondays Therapeutic Sciences Building closed Mondays Toyota Power Engineering Centre closed Fridays Downtown (49 Frederick Street) closed on Mondays Milton Parkhill Drive closed on Mondays Steeles Avenue closed on Mondays Stratford Not affected Waterloo Not affected More details can be found on the college's website.
CBC
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Conestoga chef and hospitality students put to the test at provincial competition: Jasmine Mangalaseril
Social Sharing With capstone projects top of mind, end-of-term can be busy and stressful for college students completing their diploma programs. For Dux Donyll Menil, Sanskruti Patil and Emilie Duffin, it also means extra hours in training so they can represent Conestoga College's School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at the Skills Ontario competition in early May. With more than 2,400 secondary and post secondary students vying for medals, it's Canada's largest skilled trades competition. While good marks are important, intangible qualities also play a part in selecting competitors. "There's always the gifted one in class where you can see the ideas are very different, interesting," explained chef Sergio Shidomi, one of Conestoga's culinary instructors. "Who's standing out from the group. It's not easy to do…it's a lot to absorb, so they have to be a very calm person, too." Restaurant Service Dux Donyll Menil's attention to detail and problem-solving skills were important factors in being selected for the Restaurant Service competition. "So much of service is about personality and problem solving in the moment. Dux, our competitor, already he's a great server," said Darryl Haus, hospitality instructor and maître d' at Conestoga's Bloom Restaurant. "You can tell he really, truly is a professional because he knows how to read the guests. He knows how to meet and exceed their expectations." Menil arrived at Conestoga having studied hospitality and hotel management in the Philippines. Here, he knits together academics and work from both sides of the globe. "Working in a restaurant as the server, you think that is a simple thing, but if you're going to put yourself in our shoes, we have a hard time to shift your mood while you're here in the restaurant," said Menil. "We're not only serving food. We're giving you an experience." The Restaurant Service competition will test Menil's bartending skills and ability to identify wine varietals. He will also be expected to serve a four-course meal for four and prepare a unique non-alcoholic cocktail from a list of provided ingredients. Haus and Conestoga instructors, Sam Prout (bartending) and Nikki Does (wines) oversee his training. Baking Competition Over the course of their diplomas, Sanskruti Patil and Emilie Duffin displayed a strong understanding of flavours. Shidomi also mentioned Patil's clean presentations at in-school competitions, while Duffin's forte is thinking outside the box. Their coaches are chefs Sabine Heinrich-Kumar and Tim Simpson with Shidomi providing guidance when and as he can. "I get to learn new chefs are so good they calm us down. They run down the process to us and then it's really great," said Patil. As the students' training progresses, their confidence grows. "They've been giving me great feedback on the flavours and the designs," said Duffin. "It's been really helpful everything." In Toronto, Patil and Duffin will compete as individuals, creating bonbons, macarons, and a sculptural chocolate centrepiece. Each submission will need to meet specific weights and measurements and the recipes they're currently developing must use ingredients from a list provided by contest organizers. Attracting young people to skilled trades According to Employment and Social Development Canada, more than 700,000 tradespeople in Canada are expected to retire within five years, which means these competitions are important in highlighting career possibilities for the next generation. These events help colleges attract students, and the students benefit too. Apart from testing their skills outside their school environment, participants make connections and build their professional networks. And while competition training is a lot of extra work, it also allows them to excel beyond their usual schoolwork. "At the end of the day, this as an opportunity for the student to push themselves. So often in the industry, we push ourselves to be better and to learn better," said Haus. "And this is an opportunity for them to grow."
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Conestoga chef and hospitality students put to the test at provincial competition: Jasmine Mangalaseril
With capstone projects top of mind, end-of-term can be busy and stressful for college students completing their diploma programs. For Dux Donyll Menil, Sanskruti Patil and Emilie Duffin, it also means extra hours in training so they can represent Conestoga College's School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at the Skills Ontario competition in early May. With more than 2,400 secondary and post secondary students vying for medals, it's Canada's largest skilled trades competition. While good marks are important, intangible qualities also play a part in selecting competitors. "There's always the gifted one in class where you can see the ideas are very different, interesting," explained chef Sergio Shidomi, one of Conestoga's culinary instructors. "Who's standing out from the group. It's not easy to do…it's a lot to absorb, so they have to be a very calm person, too." Dux Donyll Menil's attention to detail and problem-solving skills were important factors in being selected for the Restaurant Service competition. "So much of service is about personality and problem solving in the moment. Dux, our competitor, already he's a great server," said Darryl Haus, hospitality instructor and maître d' at Conestoga's Bloom Restaurant. "You can tell he really, truly is a professional because he knows how to read the guests. He knows how to meet and exceed their expectations." "He knows how to meet and exceed their expectations" says hospitality instructor Darryl Haus (left) of student Dux Donyll Menil (right) who will be taking part in the restaurant service portion of the competition. (Jasmine Mangalaseril/CBC) Menil arrived at Conestoga having studied hospitality and hotel management in the Philippines. Here, he knits together academics and work from both sides of the globe. "Working in a restaurant as the server, you think that is a simple thing, but if you're going to put yourself in our shoes, we have a hard time to shift your mood while you're here in the restaurant," said Menil. "We're not only serving food. We're giving you an experience." The Restaurant Service competition will test Menil's bartending skills and ability to identify wine varietals. He will also be expected to serve a four-course meal for four and prepare a unique non-alcoholic cocktail from a list of provided ingredients. Haus and Conestoga instructors, Sam Prout (bartending) and Nikki Does (wines) oversee his training. Over the course of their diplomas, Sanskruti Patil and Emilie Duffin displayed a strong understanding of flavours. Shidomi also mentioned Patil's clean presentations at in-school competitions, while Duffin's forte is thinking outside the box. Their coaches are chefs Sabine Heinrich-Kumar and Tim Simpson with Shidomi providing guidance when and as he can. Student Sanskruti Patil will compete against classmate Emilie Duffin in the baking portion of the competition. (Jasmine Mangalaseril/CBC) "I get to learn new chefs are so good they calm us down. They run down the process to us and then it's really great," said Patil. As the students' training progresses, their confidence grows. "They've been giving me great feedback on the flavours and the designs," said Duffin. "It's been really helpful everything." In Toronto, Patil and Duffin will compete as individuals, creating bonbons, macarons, and a sculptural chocolate centrepiece. Each submission will need to meet specific weights and measurements and the recipes they're currently developing must use ingredients from a list provided by contest organizers. According to Employment and Social Development Canada, more than 700,000 tradespeople in Canada are expected to retire within five years, which means these competitions are important in highlighting career possibilities for the next generation. Emilie Duffin will compete in the baking portion of the Skills Ontario competition. (Jasmine Mangalaseril/CBC) These events help colleges attract students, and the students benefit too. Apart from testing their skills outside their school environment, participants make connections and build their professional networks. And while competition training is a lot of extra work, it also allows them to excel beyond their usual schoolwork. "At the end of the day, this as an opportunity for the student to push themselves. So often in the industry, we push ourselves to be better and to learn better," said Haus. "And this is an opportunity for them to grow."
