The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of December 10 to December 17, 2020

Mount Wachusett Community College Awarded Grant Funding to Expand College Access to Winchendon Residents

Addresses regional job losses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic

GARDNER, MA - December 7, 2020 - Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to announce that it has been granted additional funding from the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation, Inc. to expand its skill-building workshops for Winchendon adults, particularly those who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through job loss or other economic hardship.

The Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, Inc. support will enable MWCC to offer a free, virtual workshop series--the Adult College Experience (ACE)--that is designed to guide adult learners through the steps of applying for college and financial aid, selecting courses, managing coursework and balancing school with work and family life. Participants attending all four workshops will be eligible to win a free, three-credit course provided by the college.

Each year, millions of adult students return to college to expand their career options, change careers, or fulfill a long-held dream of earning a degree. "We developed the ACE program to provide students with a roadmap to follow to make their transition to higher education as seamless as possible," said Marcia Rosbury-Henne, Dean of Enrollment Management and Admissions.

The ACE sessions are geared toward adults over 25 years old. Participants will attend a number of workshops over the course of the program covering topics including "College for Adults", "Navigating the 'Net for Career Success", and "Foundations for Success." MWCC anticipates enrolling 30 adults in the program, providing them with the skills and tools they need to successfully enroll and complete a degree or certificate program and find new employment.

"We are continually grateful for the support of the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation and look forward to doing our part to continue their mission to improve the lives of Winchendon residents," remarked MWCC President James Vander Hooven.

About the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation
Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, Inc. was incorporated on March 24, 1984 and recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation by the IRS on June 10, 1985. Today, with over $55 million in assets, RBFI serves to improve the lives of the residents of Stamford and Worcester, New York and Winchendon, Massachusetts.

Sizer School to Launch "Sizer School: LIVE!" After the Holidays

Live Open House Sessions on Social Media to Feature Tours, Interviews and More

Lindsay Sauvageau of Sizer School
Recruitment & Communication Coordinator Lindsay Sauvageau will start Sizer School: LIVE! starting every other Wednesday and Thursday in January from 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. respectively.

Since the start of the school year, Sizer School has been successful in delivering safe, engaging, innovative education that has felt anything but remote.

"Being a part of the Sizer School community is an amazing experience. Making human connections is an integral part of our educational philosophy. And this year especially, our administrators and educators have been working overtime to keep our community connected. Sizer School: LIVE! is a way we can make new connections and still keep everyone safe," said Recruitment & Communication Coordinator Lindsay Sauvageau.

Starting the first week of January, Sizer School will hold live events through their Facebook page. Every other Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. and every other Thursday from 6-7 p.m., Sauvageau will go live on Facebook to connect with prospective families.

"We are currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year and normally I would be meeting with prospective families through in-person Information Sessions, but because of COVID-19, Sizer has made great efforts to make sure we keep our faculty and families safe. Limiting in-person events is part of that," said Sauvageau.

Sauvageau said that Sizer School: LIVE! sessions will air on Sizer's Facebook page (@sizer6) and include things like Live Q&A sessions as well as topical discussions like "What is an Essential School?" and "What kind of college/career readiness programs does Sizer offer?"

Sizer School: LIVE! sessions will also include Live Tours of the School that interested families can watch from the comfort of their homes as well as interviews with staff and faculty and testimonials from students and current families.

According to Sizer School Principal Frederick Randall, Sizer School: LIVE! will help create and foster new community relationships.

"At Sizer School, we value and nurture strong relationships between students, families and our school personnel. Please join us for one of these information sessions to see and hear what Sizer School, and its dedicated and talented staff, can do for you and your child's education and future," said Randall.

So start the new year by connecting with Sizer School. Sizer School: LIVE! will start Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. and Thursday, Jan 7 at 6 p.m.

Event details can be found on the Sizer Facebook page (@Sizer6) or on the Sizer School event calendar at www.sizerschool.org. For questions or more information about Sizer School: LIVE! sessions, email Mrs. Sauvageau directly at info@sizerschool.org.

To apply for the 2021-2022 school year, or the current school year, Sizer is accepting applications for grades 7, 8 & 9 now; apply online at sizer.schoolmint.net.