December 2014

GLOWS Week

We had a great GLOWS week during the week of November 17.

Here are a few highlights from the week.

Annabelle served as our mascot on campus during the week. She

loved spending time in the office, greeting everyone, eating

popcorn with the students, and playing Frisbee with anyone willing

to throw it for her. Annabelle belongs to Surg Tech instructor, Toni

Shantz.

Tuesday was a popcorn kind of day!

Many stopped in the office for a popcorn

break and a little Wii competition.

Darla Price found the medallion hidden

under the sink in the quiet room.

Tyler Sinn was the Wii Bowling

Champion with a score of 214.

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 2

Thursday brought our Advent program led by Dr. Steve Witmer with lunch following. The

room was full of students, faculty, and staff. The counters overflowing with food, everyone

enjoyed the service and fellowship.

On Wednesday, 13 PC students tried their luck at bingo at the Knights

of Columbus Hall. We had a couple of turkey winners! Due to the

generosity of many local businesses, every player walked away with a

bag full of great prizes.

Our fun week ended with the GLOWS Parade through Downtown

Plaza. Despite the cold temperature, many PC students

walked in the parade and handed out candy to the spectators.

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 3

Counselor’s Corner Rebecca Christiansen

Stay Mentally Healthy During the Holidays

For many, the holiday season is a time of great joy and excitement. We get to see family

ad friends, eat great food, and partake in various traditions. As wonderful as that sounds,

with all that good comes a lot of demands on us and our time - parties, shopping, cooking,

cleaning… just to name a few. A lot of times stress experienced during the holidays is often

due to our own expectations of ourselves to be all things to all people.

Here are some things you can do to get through the season:

1. Admit how you feel. If someone close to you has recently passed away or if you can’t

be with loved ones, it’s ok to be sad. However, focus your energy on remembering

good times, not on missing those individuals.

2. Be realistic. Things may not go as planned. That’s ok! Try not to get your hopes set on

having the “perfect” holiday. Instead, focus on just enjoying yourself and those around

you.

3. Stick to a budget. Before you set off to purchase gifts, decide how much you can spend

and stick to it. It will reduce the level of stress you feel after the holiday season.

4. Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Your mental health is linked to your physical health.

It is ok to indulge a little bit, but make sure you continue to eat right and get plenty of

rest. Take some time for yourself, this often helps us to “recharge” and get back on

track.

5. Talk to someone if needed. Often when we are feeling overwhelmed, the easiest thing

we can do is reach out to someone for some help. Don’t be afraid to ask others to pitch

in with party planning or cleaning.

Enjoy your holiday break! Rebecca Christiansen, LPC, NCC - Campus Counselor

605-229-8524 • Rebecca.Christiansen@presentation.edu

Volunteers are needed for the Fairmont Blood Drive!

December 4 - 5 Call people to schedule appointments to donate blood.

8-10 people needed.

December 9, 10, and 11

Greeters: 2 per slot Canteen Workers: 2 per slot

Dec 9th 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. • Dec 9th 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Dec 9th 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. • Dec 9th 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Dec 10th 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. • Dec 10th 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Dec 10th 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. • Dec 10th 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Dec 11th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. • Dec 11th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Dec 11th 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. • Dec 11th 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Contact Toni Shantz

to Volunteer

toni.shantz@presentation.edu

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 4

Research Presentation Day

Senior nursing students presented

their research projects on Thursday,

November 20th. There was an

interesting assortment of topics that

kept students and faculty intrigued

all day long! Among the topics

was Information on Mindful

Meditation, Telemedicine, and the

Affordable Care Act.

Nursing Program Activities

Disaster Simulation Day

On November 5th, the senior nursing students

participated in a disaster simulation day on

campus. They had the opportunity to play both

the victims of a disaster and the nursing staff. On

our campus that day, we experienced a tornado

and an outbreak of monkey pox. The nursing

students learned how to set up a shelter, develop

and implement a plan of action, and how to be

flexible and adapt to changing circumstances.

They also learned how to treat victims of natural

disasters such as these in regards to physical

health emotional well-being, psychosocial, and

spiritual needs. They had a lot of fun playing the

role of victims in the natural disasters as well, but

also were able to give feedback through this role

in the way their cases were handled by our nurses.

It was a great learning experience for all.

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 5

Nursing Program Activities cont...

Pharmacology

Pam Braddock’s Pharmacology class worked

together in groups and demonstrated the

effects that medication has on the body.

Check out these Upcoming Local Events Downtown Fairmont’s Holiday Delights - December 5

Downtown Businesses open late with great deals.

Holiday Treats, Luminaries, and caroling

Downtown Dollars Grand Prize Drawing - Register until 10 p.m. at

participating businesses

Hay Rides 6 - 9 p.m. Loading at Citizens Park

Vendor Fair 6-10 p.m. 11+ Vendors - American Legion Event Center

Secret Santa 6:30-9:30 p.m. Santa will be giving away gift envelopes to lucky

shoppers

Holiday Delights for Kids - December 5 - Fairmont Opera House - 6:30-9 p.m.

Keep kids entertained while you shop. Holiday cheer, coloring contest, hot cocoa &

snacks. Kids will be making a Christmas gift for parent or grandparent with assistance.

$10 includes all supplies and snacks.

Red Rock Center - www.redrockcenter.org

December 2 10 a.m. Artist of the Month - Fairmont Area Rug Hookers

December 6 10 a.m. Chubb House Christmas Tea

December 7 7 p.m. Hymn Sing

December 9 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lunch with the Arts

December 16 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lunch with the Arts

December 19 7 p.m. Glenn Henrikson Christmas Concert

Opera House

December 12 7:30 p.m. A Broadway Boys Christmas

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 6

Career & Learning Center Amy Anderton

Job Placement

Did you know the Career and Learning Center (CLC) also helps with job placement? Job

opportunities are posted on Facebook and the bulletin board in the hallway and often

emailed to the student body from the CLC. The CLC sends out info about career fairs and

will provide a web-based career fair in the spring. Amy will help with your resume, cover

letter, job application, and interview skills. Workshops on those topics are also offered in the

spring. If you need a part-time job before you graduate, the CLC may have some options.

CLC Writing Workshop Hints for December

This month you are encouraged to learn a little more about the correct us of commas. The

most frequent comma mistakes are at the beginning of sentences. Many times we use a

comma when we should not. Check out the rules and examples below.

Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main

clause.

A. Common starter words for introductory clauses that need a comma include: After, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

Example: Because her dog was sick, the little girl was sad.

B. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include

participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases

(but who knows what they are?!), and long prepositional phrases (over four words).

Do not use a comma following short introductory prepositional phrases.

Example: After lunch and a long break, we were ready to work.

C. Introductory words that need commas include: yes, however, well

Example: However, the main point of the article was not clear.

Don’t use commas after the main clause when a dependent clause follows (except for ex-

treme contrast).

Example:

The baby cried, while the boy played. INCORRECT

The baby cried, although the family was very happy. CORRECT because of extreme

contrast.

Don’t use commas to set off essential elements. That clauses are always essential. Example: The boy that fell out of the tree broke his arm.

Check out this link from Purdue Owl about comma usage:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 7

National Radiologic Technology Week

The Fairmont Rad Tech Club met for National

Radiologic Technology week, which was the

first week of November. We held a meeting

and a pizza party in order to celebrate!!!

National Radiologic Technology Week is

celebrated annually to recognize the vital work

of R.T.s across the nation. The celebration takes

place each year during the week that includes

Nov. 8 to commemorate the discovery of the

x-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8, 1895.

The week-long celebration calls attention to the important role medical imaging and

radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety.

Importance of Safety

The Rad Tech and Surg Tech students worked together one

day to help explain some important safety information. The

Surg Tech students explained Sterile Field and the importance

of it to the Rad Tech students. That is their area of expertise

and Rad Tech students wanted them to take pride in

explaining it and why it is important.

At the same time the Rad Tech students explained radiation safety.

Rad Tech Activities

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 8

Fall Semester Calendar

Last Day of Fall Classes December 9

Finals Test Week December 10 - 12

Winter Break

No Classes December 13 - January 12

PC Fairmont Closed on

Wednesday, December 24

Thursday, December 25

Friday, December 26

Wednesday, December 31

Thursday, January 1

Friday, January 2

Spring Semester Begins January 13

Clothing Samples

We have some sample clothing

that is available for purchase at Fairmont Awards

in Downtown Plaza. They have

many other styles of clothing

and logos and they are also

able to put the

PC logo on a piece of clothing

you bring to them. Stop in

and check out these great products.

!

Communication Corner—December 2014—Page 9

Mardi Gras 2015

Saturday, February 7 Holiday Inn, Fairmont

Social Hour 6 p.m.

Inaugural Alumni Event We had our first alumni event on Friday, November 21 from 4-6 p.m. Several alumni and faculty attended.

They had a great time socializing and enjoying snacks and beverages before walking down to the GLOWS

parade.