A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our annual fundraising auction: f-stop 30. Through the generous donations from local community businesses, participants, and an army of volunteers, we were successful in raising $11,562.00!!!

Office Hours:

9am to 5pm

Monday to Friday

Drop-in Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

9am to 1:30pm

Saturday

9:30am to 12:30pm

Wednesdays:

Prior sign-up is required for workshops and outings.

Call 416 469-3776 or drop by the centre. The sign-up sheets are located on the purple door.

Closed

~Family Day: Monday February 16^th

~Good Friday: Friday April 10^th

~Easter Monday: Monday April 13^th

~Victoria Day: Monday May 18^th

March Break is March 16^th to 20^th

Just a reminder: our program is designed for children 0-6 years of age. We appreciate you finding other arrangements for your school-age children during March Break. Thank you!

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, April 8^th, 2008

10:30 am on the 2^nd floor in the Ralph Thornton Building.

To be followed by a potluck snack in the drop-in. See details inside the newsletter.

INDOOR SHOES IN PROGRAM

In order to minimize grime and dirt inside, we continue to ask that people take off their outdoor shoes in the program room. Help us keep our room clean- please bring indoor shoes or slippers to wear inside and assist children in shaking off excess sand from their clothing outside. We appreciate your cooperation.

Wednesday Program Events

Prior sign-up is required and childcare for up to 15 children is provided for all workshops and meetings. Please remember that there is no drop-in program on Wednesday mornings.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Activities will be offered throughout the month. Please speak to staff if you would like to prepare a special snack, bring a song to Circle, or suggest a special activity.

FEBRUARY

February 4^th

Ontario Science Centre

10 am to noon.

If you would like to travel with staff, we will leave the Centre at 9:45 am and travel by TTC to this hub of activity. Anyone meeting us at the Science Centre should meet us at the front entrance at 10:30am. Science Centre exhibits include the popular KidSpark, specially designed for children under 8.

Bring your lunch or buy it there, however, line-ups can be very long. Staff will return to SRCPC by 2:30 pm

A donation envelope will be passed around to help cover the cost of admission. As always, please contribute what you can. All are welcome. Admission for adults (based on special Community Access rate) is $2.00

February 11^th

Foot Care for Children

10 am to noon. Chiropodist Dr. Peter Tsang from the South Riverdale Community Health Centre will lead a discussion and answer questions about proper foot care and shoe selection for children.

February 18^th

Cooking Workshop

10 am to noon, followed by lunch. Prepare a meal together in the RTC kitchen, and then join the children in the playroom to enjoy the results. Led by staff members Kirsten Schwarzkopf and Mien Ju Lee and participant Charmaine Cole. The menu includes:

Collard greens, Hoppin’ John, fried cornbread, fruit salad, and pound cake.

February 25^th

Yoga and stress reduction

Past participant and Kripalu Yoga instructor Lynne McNelly will lead you in this gentle yet profound practice which includes physical postures, breathing techniques, deep relaxation and meditation. Please bring a mat or towel as well as a blanket.

Kripalu Yoga is also a tool for self empowerment and personal growth. The practice teaches you to tap into your own inner-knowing rather than being dependent upon guidance from external authorities. You learn to be open to what others have to offer without giving away your powers to reason, discriminate and make our own decisions.

All levels welcome.

MARCH

March 4^th

Community Fundraising

10 am to noon. This committee works on a number of events throughout the year. We could not maintain the quality of our programs without the work of this committee. All kinds of skills are necessary and new members are always welcome and appreciated. Please consider offering whatever time you can to its efforts. This meeting will focus on implementation of our plans for the Spring Stroller-thon and Garden Party in June. Look for details at the Drop-in.

March 11^th

Video: It’s Elementary

Children’s environmental context is a key component in their brain development. Families create that context and this video is a fabulous look at how children understand diversity and family structure. Produced originally in 1996 and documenting how rural and urban children learn about family diversity, racism, and issues that challenge LGBTTQ families. The same children were filmed again in 2006. Remarkably, their attitudes and concepts are similar 10 years later.

March Break: March 16^th to 20^th

March 18^th

Regular program today.

March 25^th

Kortright Conservation Area and Sugar Bush

Welcome Spring!!! We will take a school bus to the Kortright Centre to walk along the trails and experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of maple syrup making. Plan to purchase pancakes (cash only) or bring a bag lunch. The bus will leave the Centre at 9:30 am and return by 2:45 pm.

We will be passing a donation envelope around on the bus to help cover the costs. As always, please feel comfortable contributing what you can.

Kortright admission is:

$7.00 per adult

$5.00 children over 5

$2.25 children age 3 -4

FREE children 2 and under

The cost of the bus is $8 per family.

APRIL

April 1^st

Guidance Strategies for 3,4 and 5 year olds.

10 am to noon. This workshop will include, but not be limited to: discussion about coping strategies, conflict resolution, diffusing difficult situations, keeping your cool, and planning for success

Staff member Kirsten Schwarzkopf will facilitate.

April 8^th

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, April 8^th, 2008

10:30 am on the 2^nd floor in the Ralph Thornton Building.

To be followed by a potluck snack in the drop-in.

The South Riverdale Child Parent Centre is a community based, non-profit charitable organization. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The current Board will be reporting to the membership at the A.G.M.

Elections for new and returning Board members will be held.

By attending the A.G.M. you will show that you support the role the Centre plays in your community.

Child care is provided with prior sign up: 416 469-3776

If you are interested in seeking nomination to the Board, or you would like to suggest a nomination, please leave a message with the Staff at the Centre.

April 15^th

Cooking Together

10 am to noon, followed by lunch. Staff members Mien Ju Lee and Kirsten Schwarzkopf will lead this workshop on how to prepare Thai springrolls, and a yummy dessert.

April 22^nd

Community Fundraising and Neighbour’s Network

10 am to noon. This committee works on a number of events including our Annual Auction in November. We could not maintain the quality of our programs without the work of this committee. All kinds of skills are necessary and new members are always welcome and appreciated. Please consider offering whatever time you can to its efforts.

This is your opportunity to hear more about and become part of an informal network of participants who are concerned for the wellbeing of each other and are willing to make that extra call, or help out in ways that can make life easier during times of transition or stress.

We are a group of people trying to create a caring, warm community, one neighbour at a time.

The network is available to help participants with short term assistance, whether it be running an errand, emergency childcare, or cooking a meal. Although you do have to be a participant in the Drop-in to receive help, you do not have to be a member of the network to ask for help. Likewise, you do not have to attend meetings to add your name to our list of enthusiastic resources.

April 29^th

Staff day. No meeting or workshop today.

First aid re-certification for staff.

MAY

May 6^th

Sportball

10am to noon. Sportball is a unique non-competitive sports program for young children that recognizes the importance of developing fundamental movement skills in the early years. Join coach Mike on the second floor for a fun and energy filled morning!

May 13^th

Baby Massage

10 to noon. Participant Joan Wyatt will demonstrate and practice some massage techniques, with parents and their infants. This workshop is particularly well suited for children who aren’t crawling yet.

Bring a cuddly blanket.

May 20^th

Program Committee

10 am to noon. This is a friendly way to become more involved in the Centre’s programs and environment. Participants and staff will look at suggestions and concerns. We’ll also plan activities and review feedback from workshops and outings.

May 27^th

First Aid

10 am to noon.

Presented by Link to Life. Parents and caregivers will learn what to do in case of an emergency and will also get familiarized with new first aid guidelines.

A FEW REMINDERS FROM THE FLOOR…

Our Program Committee has identified a few things to help keep the drop-in safe and fun for all who attend:

Please encourage your children to participate in circle time. If they prefer not to sit down, encourage quiet,

calm play to allow others to enjoy singing.

Please supervise your children, and discourage them from playing in the hallway. Staff are happy to assist in general, but please keep an eye out and always know where your child is in the room. Children have been known to master door handles or climb faster than expected!

Please keep coffee and other hot beverages out of children’s reach.

Please keep lunch to lunchtime (12:15- 12:45). Food should be contained at the table and children closely supervised. We would like to keep activities and puzzles available as long as possible for everyone who attends program.

Please help us keep the room tidy. Encourage children to clean up toys and activities when they are done. Ensure that dishes and eating areas are clean after lunch.

Thank you for cooperation. Every bit of help makes a difference.

Library Days

Once a month on Fridays, we will participate in the library program with Miguelita

February 9^th

March 6^th

April 3th

May 8^th

June 5^th

The Good Food Box makes top-quality, fresh food available in a way that does not stigmatize people, fosters community development and promotes healthy eating.

The most popular selections are:

Large Good Food Box $17

Family-sized selection of affordable fresh fruit and vegetables, with an emphasis on seasonal produce and one or two "interesting" items each delivery.

Small Good Food Box $12

A smaller version of the Good Food Box for singles, seniors or small families.

Small Organic Good Food Box $22

Certified organic produce, mostly local. Very seasonal, lots of root vegetables in the winter. The higher price of this box reflects the higher production costs that come from producing food organically.

If you are interested in ordering a box please speak to staff member Trish Hunt to find out how!

Back to Main Menu