To all of our students, we know you’ve been working hard at your studies, and applaud your commitment to continuing your education with us. As we follow all federal, provincial and regional public health directives, we continue to plan for both blended, and virtual, program delivery options as we head into 2021. The health and safety of our learning community remains a top priority. Please note all College learning locations close at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, reopening on Monday, January 4, 2021.

The majority of classes at Carlton Trail College will resume on January 4, 2021. We hope you are able to take some time to rest and “recharge” over the holidays. Should there be any changes to your particular program, this information will be communicated directly to you. Over the holidays, please monitor your email for official communication from the College, and watch Remind text notifications, our website and social media channels. This is the best way to stay connected to important information or updates that we may need to share.

With enhanced public health directives in place to try and slow the spread of COVID-19, we also strongly encourage everyone to do their part to keep our friends, families and communities safe this season. Remember: 

• Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces across Saskatchewan, including our learning locations.
• Stay 2 meters apart from others and wear a mask when you can’t.
• STAY HOME if you feel unwell, even if you have only mild cold or flu symptoms. Monitor your symptoms. Get tested.
• STAY IN SASKATCHEWAN. Travel is not recommended.
• Do not host or attend gatherings of more than 5 people in private settings.
• Wash your hands.
• Continue to refer to saskatchewan.ca for the most-up-to-date COVID-related information for the province.

Carlton Trail College is proud to have a strong student advising team available – please don’t hesitate to reach out to your program’s Student Advisor with your questions or concerns.

For those of you finishing your programs this month – congratulations! This has been a year unlike any other, and – from all of us at Carlton Trail – best wishes as you take the next steps in your personal and career journeys.

With best regards for a safe, healthy and wonderful Christmas – and a Happy New Year.

- Shelley Romanyszyn-Cross, President & CEO

Starting Monday, November 16, 2020, Saskatchewan’s public health officials have stated the use of non-medical masks is mandatory in almost all indoor public places, including communities with populations of 5,000 or greater.

This means that masks are now mandatory in ALL Carlton Trail College classroom spaces within our region, for both students and instructors, even if physical distancing is maintained. Further guidance will be forthcoming to our programs and classes on this matter.

Carlton Trail College reminds our learning community that all learning locations are “mask required” environments, meaning that the requirement is that staff, students and visitors are to wear a mask within all common areas in College facilities.

This includes hallways, washrooms, classrooms, lab and shop spaces and entrances/lobby areas.

This enhanced standard follows guidance provided by public health officials on November 13, 2020.

For all residents within Saskatchewan, health officials strongly recommend wearing a non-medical mask anywhere outside the home.

Information on how to use non-medical masks properly is available at: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/masks.

As a community, we have a responsibility to protect one another. If we all follow public health recommendations, we are helping slow the spread of COVID-19.

We strongly urge everyone at Carlton Trail College to continue to follow the basics of COVID-19 prevention:

• Practice regular hand washing and/or sanitization.
• Limit and monitor your social contacts.
• Physically distance.
• Wear a mask.
• Stay home when you feel unwell.

Together, we need to work together to help safeguard our friends, families and communities.

The health, safety and security of everyone in our learning community remains top-of-mind as we continue to adapt our academic and business plans during this pandemic. Please know that Carlton Trail College has taken many precautions to safeguard our learning locations, including following the advice of the Chief Medical Health Officer and the Government of Saskatchewan’s health and safety guidelines.

Masks are required in all common areas in College facilities. We remind everyone to practice proper hand hygiene and to physically distance. With increasing COVID cases around the province, we also ask you to be mindful of your “social bubble” and to be aware of gathering restrictions and recommendations.

If you are feeling unwell, you can use the Self-Assessment tool on saskatchewan.ca or call HealthLine 811. Stay home if you feel sick.

You can also download the Government of Canada’s free COVID Alert App, to help protect yourself and our communities. This app aims to break the cycle of infection by letting people know of possible COVID-19 exposure.  

Our team continues to work on appropriate processes, supports and services for our learning community. We will provide timely COVID-19 updates, communicating with our staff and students and sharing information as it becomes available. A reminder your Student Handbook also contains related COVID protocols and information.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructor, student advisor or other College staff if you have questions, are experiencing stress or need supports to help you with your studies. For post-secondary students experiencing financial hardship due to ongoing pandemic impacts, the Walker Wood Foundation/SIOS Emergency Financial Aid Bursary may be an option to consider. A reminder, too, to apply for a range of our student awards – the deadline is Friday, October 30!

If you have specific COVID-related questions or concerns, please email covid19@carltontrailcollege.com.

Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility.

Take care and stay safe.

- Shelley Romanyszyn-Cross, President & CEO

Starting Monday, October 5, 2020, applications for a range of student awards will be accepted! Visit www.carltontrailcollege.com/succeed/scholarships,-awards-and-bursaries for details, application forms and deadlines. 

NEW this year is The President’s ‘Courage to Grow’ Award for students demonstrating perseverance, dedication and personal resilience. Also NEW is access to an emergency bursary fund, intended to assist Carlton Trail College post-secondary students with short-term, financial aid to cover basic needs or unexpected costs, including those related to impacts experienced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility criteria apply to both.

Thank you to our committed donors, the Walker Wood Foundation and the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program, for providing opportunities for our students to reach their learning goals.

While all Carlton Trail College students have been supplied with one, College-branded mask for personal use, masks may now be purchased at the Humboldt administration location. The cost is $6.00/each – cash, debit, credit cards and e-transfers are accepted. If interested, please contact the College (306) 682-2623 or 1-800-667-2623 for payment details and to arrange for purchase. Carlton Trail College merch can also be viewed online.

Did you know … the FREE “COVID Alert” app is a contact tracing app that notifies users if they have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. The app does not track or share your location, and uses codes assigned to users to check if any of the people associated with the codes are COVID-positive. The app is available for Apple and Android users.

Please remember to regularly check official College communications, including your Carlton Trail College email, for information about programs and important College activities.

Carlton Trail College looks forward to seeing our students and all those connected to our learning community as we return to classes!

Over the past several weeks, our focus has been on preparing for the fall. Staff have been busy transitioning programs to a blended format, meaning students will study remotely for portions of their program and attend classes in-person for other portions of their coursework. Note that blended learning scenarios will vary depending on the program. Blended learning scenarios, based on individual program needs and requirements, will be communicated directly to students.

The health and safety of our College community and the communities we serve continues to be at the forefront of our planning and decision-making. Our plans and protocols fully support current public health guidelines, including physical distancing, increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols as well as mask/face covering use. These measures are all intended to help reduce transmission of COVID-19.

As of August 1, 2020, all Carlton Trail College learning locations became “mask expected” environments, meaning the expectation is that staff, students and visitors are to wear a mask or face covering within all common areas in College facilities. Students will be receiving information about this protocol as part of their information package(s) and will receive one branded mask to support their in-person learning experiences. Individual programs will also identify if additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for safe work or learning purposes. If required, further details will be communicated directly to students.

While your experience at Carlton Trail College may look different this fall, we are ready to support you on your learning journey. Please note the related resources and information available to help you.

For official communications and information about programs and courses, students should refer to their Carlton Trail College email and monitor the College's website.