Political Update:

As you are aware full day kindergarten is continuing to move forward. We wish to remind parents that a child does not have to attend school on a full time basis until the age of 6 (entering grade one). The provincial government however, is taking away the choice of some parents to make this decision, by no longer funding subsidized child care during school hours (9:00 – 3:00). Parent’s who require fee assistance must enroll their child in the school system if full day early learning is available at their home school commencing in

September 2013. Please talk to the site supervisor for more information.

As we have seen this year there has been a number of labour disruptions in the public school system, parents were left stranded and may also being scrambling for care on PA days, March Break, Christmas breaks and summer depending on the arrangements

between the school board and the third party operators providing care.

Parents who have younger children may be faced with multiple drop offs and pickups morning and evening, depending on the ages the third party operators are servicing in the

schools and the availability of space.

For those children who remain in our care a 1:8 or 1:10 staff to child ratio will still be

maintained. The school system ratio for teacher/child is much higher.

A hot nutritious balanced lunch and two refreshments are provided daily. Parents avoid the hassle of packing lunches and the curriculums are very similar for our senior preschool

group in comparison with the Full Day Early Learning Curriculum.

GHNS urges parents to contact their local MP to protest the elimination of

choice.

www.graydonhallnurseryschools.com

Political Update 1

Days Closed 1

Special Days 1

Photo Day 1

Chef’s Corner 2

Mothers Day 2

Literacy 3

Above and Beyond 4

Elect Picture 4

Menu Change 4

Days Closed:

Good Friday— Friday March 29, 2013

Victoria Day — Monday May 20, 2013

There is no reduction in fees.

Have a safe and fun filled weekend.

Special Days:

Sunday March 17th, 2013 —St. Patrick's Day

March 18th—21st—Easter Parties will take place at

each location on one of these four days. Please

check your child’s calendar to determine the party

day at your site. (The Easter Bunny will visit on this

day beginning at 9:30 a.m. )

Photo Day

A professional photographer will be visiting each location

during April and May. Please check your child’s calendar

for the scheduled day at your location. Individual and

class photos will be taken. Pictures of siblings together

will also be taken where time permits. Watch

for details to be posted on site.

Graydon Hall Nursery School Gazette

Spring Edition

It is not mandatory for a child to attend school until grade one!

For Your Information Wednesday

March 20, 2013- Persian New Year

Inside this issue:

www.graydonhallnurseryschools.com

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Chef’s Corner Cooking With Parchment Paper

I remember my mother lining cookie sheets, cake and loaf pans with greased brown paper. We would save our paper grocery bags (this was before plastic grocery bags), tear them at the seams and store them away for Christmas and Easter baking. If you see paper grocery bags now, they are probably printed ones – using them is not recommended. What we have now is parchment paper. Besides lining baking trays and cake pans, you can actually cook in them by creating a paper envelope and cook “en papillote.” The parchment packets may be prepared up to a day in advance and are perfect for single servings when you are cooking for one, or to individualize each serving. Parchment is grease, moisture and relatively heat resistant. It can withstand temperatures up to 450°. You can cook a variety of foods in parchment including chicken, fish, shellfish and vegetables. Add aromatic ingredients to flavor the dish, including ginger, white wine, stock, herbs and scallions. The trick is to ensure that the vegetables cook through, by slicing them thinly and evenly. Also be sure to close or crimp the parchment packet completely so steam does not escape while the food cooks. Never open the parchment packet to check on food – be sure to follow all the cooking times specified in the recipe. I hope you enjoy the following recipe:

Halibut in Parchment

Ingredients 1 large potato scrubbed and sliced 1/8 inch thick 1 clove garlic 2 oz. baby spinach 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced 1 lemon, thinly sliced 2 6 oz. halibut fillets (about 1-1/2 inch thick) Salt and pepper Directions Preheat oven to 400°. Using two 12x17 inch sheets of parchment paper folded in half crosswise. Place 1 sheet of parchment flat on a work surface. Place half the potatoes, garlic, spinach, shallots and 2 lemon slices on one side of the crease, season with salt and pepper. Place halibut on top of lemon slices. Fold parchment over ingredients. Make small overlapping folds over the edges to seal. Place packets on a baking sheet. Bake until the packets have puffed and the fish is cooked through, about 18-20 minutes. Transfer the packets to individual plates and serve immediately. Open the packets at the table. Be careful – very hot steam escapes.

Garnish with any remaining lemon. Enjoy!

K.C Martin Cook and Menu Coordinator Sheppard Business Park Child Care

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Happy Mother’s

Day

We would like to

wish all mom’s a

Happy Mother’s Day

on Sunday May 12th,

2013. Don’t forget to

check your child’s

cubby for a special

surprise before

leaving on Friday.

Elect —Early Learning For Every Child Today

During Parent/Teacher Interviews this past January, the Elect program was reviewed with parents. Early Learning for Every Child Today, or ELECT is a guide to

support curriculum and teaching in the early childhood years.

In using this new tool, teachers through daily

observation, can better track and establish developmental goals for each child on an individual basis.

We received “rave” reviews from our clients on the Elect Document. For more information please see the site supervisor.

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Literacy

Establishing a love of reading is important for all ages. Reading to a child establishes a bond

between the child and the parent and allows for teaching opportunities and discussion. If

children are exposed to books through modelling they are more likely to want to learn to read on their

own. A list of books recommended in Today’s Parent Magazine for a variety of ages and stages is outlined

below.

Hello Baby (Ages 0-1) Written by: Roger Priddy Publisher: St. Martin's Press Vibrant colours, bold prints and a mirror that appears on every page will surely captivate curious babies who

are just beginning to explore patterns and shapes.

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket (Ages 1+) Written and Illustrated by: Tatyana Feeney Publisher: Random House

An adorable tale of a young bunny who feels like he can conquer anything — like flying high on the swings — as long as his blue blanket is by his side.

My Dad is the Best Playground (Ages 0-3) Written and Illustrated by: Luciana Navarro Powell Publisher: Robin Corey Books Take a look through young eyes in this cute board book that celebrates how fathers can be everything from a

merry-go-round to monkey bars.

The Perfect Present (Ages 3-5) Written and Illustrated by: Fiona Roberton Publisher: Putnam's Sons

When Henry receives a dog for his birthday, his pet duck, Spot, feels left out and runs away from home. But when Spot gets into trouble, he discovers what true friendship is about.

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses (Ages 3-7) Written and Illustrated by: Ian Falconer Publisher: Simon and Schuster Everyone's favourite pig is back in a charming new tale. While the other piglets obsess about being princesses,

Olivia looks for new ways to stand out from the crowd.

Wild About You (Ages 4-8) Written by: Judy Sierra

Illustrated by: Marc Brown Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pengaroos and pandacats star in this story that shows it doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you have a loving family.

A Home for a Bird (Ages 3-8) Written and Illustrated by: Philip C. Stead Publisher: Roaring Brook Press Beautiful illustrations complement this touching story about a frog who does his best to help a stranger find his

way back home.

Grass Seed Family:

Decorate clear plastic cups to create silly faces.

Once completely dry, pour potting soil into cup about ¾ full.

Sprinkle a good amount of grass seeds or chives on top of soil and sprinkle a very

small amount of soil on top of the seeds.Water regularly and watch it grow.

Cut or add ribbon to create interesting hair styles.

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Beverley DeGrasse is an RECE teacher at our Sheppard Square Location. She has been employed with Graydon Hall since May 2000. Beverley has inspired many co-workers as well as children to improve their overall health. You will regularly find Beverley working out with her senior preschoolers or running different exercise routines with

them. She is dedicated to working out Monday to Friday on her lunch break and encouraging other co-workers to join her. Beverley is a great motivator providing others with information and encouragement to get and stay healthy. She makes healthy choices of what she eats, based on her knowledge of reading labels and health magazines. Beverley has instilled similar values in her son, which has allowed him to receive a track and field scholarship to a college in Kansas. With her encouragement and motivation many of her co-workers are following in her footsteps.

Above And Beyond

Emergent Opportunities and Elect Skills Create Smiles

Emotional 2.1– 2.5 —Self concept, self esteem and positive attitudes towards learning is

encouraged by offing opportunities to extend activities and model curiosity creative thinking

and problem solving whether it be in group activities or special days.

Social 1.1 to 1.9 is easily introduced in

the Dramatic area– Making friends,

social problem solving, peer group entry

are only a few of the skills your child

develops.

Cognitive 4.1– 4.22—Questioning, observing,

exploring transformations and using spatial relations is

encouraged by providing activities that encourage

your child to explore their surroundings.

Menu Update GHNS continues to move towards a more wholesome menu. Check out our revised menu on line in our menu section. We have omitted items high in sodium and sugar, such as wieners and jello. Our menus have been reviewed and approved by Pediatric Consultant

and Registered Dietitian, Rachel White BASC, RD.

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