Work. Family. Life.

Autism Centre Opens in Burnaby, BC

"Families living in British Columbia now have the first centre of its kind in Canada to
offer an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental behavioural conditions in children," states a press release issued on June 17, 2009 by Monarch House, which is part of the CBI Health Group.

Monarch House Autism Centre is a family-focused facility offering a comprehensive range of services and supports for individuals diagnosed with ASD. It is located in Burnaby at 3185 Willingdon Green. Monarch House Autism Centre provides diagnosis, intervention and ongoing support for children birth to 19. For more informatin about the centre, visit www.monarchhouse.ca or call 604-205-9204.

Tweet deals from Westjet...who are all a Twitter

From a Press Release today:

 Twitter account will give guests access to great deals

	 CALGARY, June 26 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced the
introduction of a new service that leverages the power of 
Twitter to provide its guests with instant access to great deals. 
Those Twitter users who sign up to follow "WestJet" on twitter.com 
will be provided with seat sales, special offers and
other uniquely-WestJet opportunities. This Sunday, June 28, 2009, 
the first of WestJet's Twitter deals will be made available to 
those individuals following "WestJet".
	 "We are a young, vibrant and healthy company," said 
Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Culture and Communications. 
"We need to employ all media possible to reach guests and 
prospective guests to offer them relevant information and great 
deals. 
Today's announcement is a reflection of how social media has 
become a staple for many of our guests and our WestJetters. 
The viral and word-of-mouth nature of social media is perfect for 
companies with great offers, great products and fun cultures 
like WestJet.
	 "We are encouraging as many people as possible to sign 
up and follow us on Twitter.com before Sunday, June 28, so that 
they are in the know with the first of many wonderful deals."
	 In addition, each day from Sunday, June 28, to Thursday, 
July 2, WestJet will be offering its followers on twitter.com 
one trip for two people anywhereWestJet flies in Canada. 
Visit WestJet's Twitter site at twitter.com/westjet
for more details.

	 

A "Wordle" of Our Best Future Report Recommendations

A complete copy of the report can be found via this post from earlier this week.

How much will full day learning for four and five year olds cost?

From CBC News Website - June 15, 2009

Premier Dalton McGuinty admits it will take longer than planned to implement full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds in Ontario.

McGuinty said Monday the government has allocated $500 million over two years to start phasing in optional all-day kindergarten in 2010.

For the most part, junior kingergarten and senior kindergarten currently run half a day.

The premier admits the plan likely won't be fully implemented in three years as recommended because of the faltering economy, and says he doesn't know how much it will cost.

When pressed, McGuinty said he didn't know the total cost, but admitted it would be "a lot of money."

'A lot of parents are right now running all over the place trying to patch together services they need for their kids and their families.'—Charles Pascal, Ontario government's early learning adviser

McGuinty also says teachers will have to work alongside early childhood education specialists, an idea teachers unions have balked at in the past.

Charles Pascal, the government's early learning adviser, recommends that full-day learning programs for preschoolers start in lower-income neighbourhoods.

McGuinty says that will help address the government's anti-poverty strategy and give children a stronger start to their education.

"This is a good program. I think it is very progressive. I think it is going to put us at the forefront internationally. We give our kids all the opportunities that they need, especially in their early years. And that's the strongest guarantor of a strong economy."

Early Learning for 4 & 5 Year Olds - Ontario Report Released Today

With Our Best Future in Mind - The Ontario report on early learning for 4 & 5 yr olds is out today.

More on the 140 Character Conf - about Twitter and the conference

Ontario's Special Advisor on Early Learning to release report

Media Advisory - Special Advisor on Early Learning

 TORONTO, June 12 /CNW/ - Dr. Charles Pascal, the Premier's 
Special Advisor on Early Learning, will release his report on implementing 
early learning in Ontario.

 Date:  Monday, June 15, 2009

 Time:  9:15 a.m.

 Location: Queen's Park
    Media Studio

 Non press gallery media, please go to room 387A to receive a media day
 pass.

Note for school

140 Characters Conference

BC child care is now under MCFD Minister

With the announcement of a new BC government cabinet today, the Hon. Mary Polak has been named as the Minister Responsible for Child Care on top of her new portfolio of the Ministry for Children and Family Development.  This is a shift from child care previously having a Minister of State for Childcare (Hon. Linda Reid) under the last BC Liberal government.

This is what Minister Polak is accountable for:

MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

(Minister Responsible for Child Care)

 

General Responsibilities

Adoption and reunion services

Child protection and family development

Foster care

Child care

Children and youth with special needs

Child and Youth Mental Health

Youth justice programs

 

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions

Board of Registration for Social Workers

Provincial Child Care Council

New cabinet appointments in BC government

Looking for the list of new cabinet appointments?  Try here.

The BC Government press release can be found here.  For a summary of responsibilities for each Minister click here.

How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live

How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live.

Once just a fad, Twitter is developing into a powerful form of communication. What its growth says about us — and the future of American innovation

PCQ seeking a laptop...can you help??

Parents for Choice & Quality are seeking the donation of a laptop to support their summer student position.  You can learn more here...can you help?

8 Island schools to close

Cabinet approves Eastern School District decision on school closure

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, June 2, 2009 — Premier Robert Ghiz advised today that  Cabinet has approved the school board’s decision to close eight schools at the end of this school year.
       “This was an extremely difficult process for everyone including students, parents, school staff and community members,” said Premier Ghiz.  “The last few months have been particularly challenging
for the Eastern School District trustees and they all deserve the thanks and support of Islanders for their outstanding efforts and the tremendous amount of public input that was gathered.”
       Premier Ghiz said that Cabinet wanted to make a decision as quickly as possible, given that the school year is nearing completion.
       “We are satisfied that the process followed by the board and the information they provided for our consideration and approval is in compliance with the School Act.  We are confident that the board’s
decision will result in greater access to programming by all students, a better balance in school populations, and a greater proportion of expenditures going to the program needs of students,” he said.
       According to the School Closure Regulations, the closures must take effect at the start of the school year immediately following the decision.
       Education and Early Childhood Development Minster Gerard Greenan advised that the school board has done some preliminary planning knowing that the closures were possible. “They will now turn their attention to more detailing planning in areas such as staffing, reorganization of bus routes, facility modifications and the sharing of information with staff, students and parents,” said the minister.
       There are now 43 schools and 13,000 students in the Eastern School District. A total of 421 students attend the eight schools scheduled for closure, which are: Tracadie Cross Consolidated, 74; Dundas Consolidated, 69; St Peter’s Consolidated, 59; Eastern Kings Consolidated, 55; Fortune Consolidated, 53; St Teresa’s Consolidated,47; Rollo Bay Consolidated, 34; Grand Tracadie Elementary, 30.

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For information contact:
Erin Mitchell
Office of the Premier
902 368 4400

Introduction to Montessori and the Montessori Foundation