News Release
5/16/2019
AURORA – Local high school students spent the day at a senior living residence yesterday learning about the importance of seniors’ dining experiences to their well-being.
The Grade 11 students from Alexander Mackenzie H.S. toured the facilities and learned about menu offerings, assistive devices, service plans and food preparation techniques from team members at Sunrise Senior Living in Aurora. The students had an opportunity to share their ideas on additional ways to enhance the dining experience for residents with memory loss or a physical impairment.
The students are all part of a Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major program at the school that enables them to experience a range of customized, career-focused learning opportunities connected to a field that interests them.
“I learned a lot today and it helped me prepare for a career in health care. Thanks to Sunrise for having us,” said Pray Lelee Faz, student at Alexander Mackenzie H.S.
Organized with Sunrise of Aurora, this event is one of several the Board is offering this year in collaboration with community organizations to support innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship training for Specialist High Skills Major students.
“This event gave our students an opportunity to learn more about career opportunities available to them in the health and wellness sectors, and to develop and apply their critical thinking and collaboration skills,” said Otilia Olteanu, Principal, Alexander Mackenzie H.S. “We are grateful to organizations like Sunrise of Aurora for working with us to provide these kinds of authentic learning opportunities for our students.”
“It was a great pleasure welcoming the Grade 11 Students from Alexander Mackenzie High School to Sunrise of Aurora! This is the second time this year that a talented group of high school students has visited a Sunrise community in this area,” said Esther Olalere, Executive Director at Sunrise of Aurora. “The young students had the opportunity to see the unique, resident-centered dining experience our caring team members deliver to our residents on a daily basis. It was truly inspiring to see these students learn and to hear the innovative ideas they shared with us. We hope that their knowledge and passion continue to grow and that they consider a career in healthcare!”
YRDSB has 33 secondary schools offering over 100 separate programs that represent different sectors of the economy, including arts and culture, business, and health and wellness.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 124,000 students in 177 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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