Adrian Polidano

Spring has sprung and just in time for Grandview’s Spring Into Literacy conference.

On Saturday, April 21st, Grandview hosted their annual Spring Into Literacy conference at the Durham District School Board. This yearly event is a collaborative effort with EarlyON Child and Family Centres – Durham, Durham Catholic District School Board, Durham District School Board and Carea Community Health Centre.

Over 150 participants, vendors and volunteers took part in this year’s conference, enjoying an engaging keynote address by Jill Javelosa-Alvarez, an Early Literacy Specialist. Participants also attended two break-out sessions from a choice of five.

Two different sessions were actually presented by Grandview staff members, like the “We Can Read Too: Early Literacy for Children with Complex Needs” session and the “Occupational Therapy Tools for Learning” session.

Throughout the day, participants could be found listening to incredible speakers and involved in hands on activities.

Participants, including Registered Early Childhood Educators, other early years professionals and parents reported that they enjoyed the format and content of the conference, learning new strategies to support the early literacy development of children from birth to six years.

The entire day was packed full of hands-on learning opportunities and the workshops were well received by all participants.

Congratulations to the entire organizational team for coordinating a successful conference this year. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2019.

Featured photo courtesy of Snapd Whitby.

On May 31, Grandview’s 21st Annual Golf Fore Grandview Kids Charity Golf Classic will be taking place on the north course of Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility.

The day will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m., followed by lunch, a silent auction and a raffle for a V.I.P. luxury golf cart. The shotgun start will happen promptly at 11a.m. followed by a 5p.m. reception with dinner, awards and auction shortly after at 5:30 p.m..

Students from Grandview Children’s Centre’s co-located educational partner Campbell Children’s School will be on hand for the day’s festivities. These Grandview Kids will greet each golfer when they arrive and hand out welcome prizes. They will also kick off the golf tournament by singing the national anthem.

Golfers will get the chance to learn about the exceptional programs and services offered by Grandview Children’s Centre at interactive displays throughout the course. Clinical staff members will team up with Grandview Kids clients to give a show and tell about different types of therapy, like Occupational Therapy, Social Work Services, Speech-Language Pathology, etc.

Last year more than $81,000 was raised for Grandview Children’s Foundation by the 176 golfers that participated. The money was raised through the initial registration fee for the links combined with sponsorship packages and the participants’ amazing generosity bidding on silent auction and raffle items during the dinner and awards portion of the day.

There is still time to become a sponsor or to register as an individual golfer or as a foursome.

For more information about the 22nd Annual Golf Fore Grandview Kids Charity Golf Classic or to register visit: https://grandviewkidsfoundation.ca/events/golf-fore-grandview-kids/

Grandview Kids is currently recruiting individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

Who are we?

Grandview Children’s Centre provides expert paediatric assessment, specialized medical and other treatment and rehabilitation services to children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs. It is the only children’s treatment centre in Durham Region. Grandview’s work has a broad impact in our community, changing lives daily.

We need individuals who want to help our organization develop and grow to meet the needs of our expanding community and who are aligned with our mission and values.

As we enter the next 5 years of unprecedented growth and build our new facility, we are seeking those with expertise/experience in construction/facility design, information technology, public relations/ marketing, finance, governance and/or childhood disability.

In order to be eligible to stand for election as a Trustee, each nominee must:

1. Be a resident of Durham or in the opinion of the Board maintain a direct and substantial interest in Durham, or, in the opinion of the Board, have the potential to make a significant contribution to the Corporation, and
2. Support and promote the purposes and objectives of the Corporation

The Grandview Children’s Centre Board meets monthly, as do subcommittees of the Board. A minimum of 6 hours commitment per month is required. It is anticipated that members will also participate in agency events.

If you are interested in being considered for a position on the Board of Trustees, please submit a letter expressing your interest and a CV outlining your qualifications by email to: kelly.oconnor@grandviewkids.ca on or before Friday, April 27, 2018.

Please note this is a volunteer position.

Accessibility: Grandview Children’s Centre is committed to complying with all applicable standards as set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). If you have accessibility needs and require alternate formats or other accommodations please contact Kelly O’Connor, Executive Assistant at 905-728-1673, extension 2224, or by email at kelly.oconnor@grandviewkids.ca

Are you a parent who wants to have a say when it comes to helping protect the rights of students with special learning needs? If so, this volunteer position may be perfect for you!

Grandview Kids is currently seeking a parent volunteer to represent Grandview Children’s Centre on the Durham District School Board (DDSB) Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for the 2018/19 school year.

Interested? Keep reading!

In Durham, the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) helps the Board protect the rights of students with special learning needs. SEAC provides information, advice and assistance to parents/guardians whose children may require additional support. SEAC advises and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the establishment and development of special education programs and services.

Regular SEAC meetings are held ten times per school year and are usually the third Thursday of the month. The meetings are a forum for SEAC members to discuss and provide advice on Board programs and support services for exceptional students. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. A brief written summary of each meeting will be submitted to Grandview’s Family Engagement Coordinator.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Be a Canadian Citizen, eighteen years of age or older
• Be a resident of its area of jurisdiction and have a child attending school in the Durham District School Board
• Not be employed by the school board

Note: in addition to the above requirements, all volunteers of Grandview Children’s Centre must submit an application package with 3 character references, and be willing to provide a recent criminal reference check with a vulnerable sector screen and attend ability awareness training prior to the school year start.

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 27 2018.

How to Apply:

If this volunteer position is of interest to you, please contact Andrea for an application package:

Andrea Belanger

Family Engagement Coordinator

905-728-1673 x 2281

andrea.belanger@grandviewkids.ca

The Progressive Conservative, Liberal and NDP candidates running in Durham Region for the Provincial election paid a visit to Grandview Children’s Centre’s Oshawa site recently to discuss key issues impacting Grandview families.

Grandview Children’s Centre Board Chair Brad Phillips, Foundation Board Chair Bryan Yetman and CEO Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann discussed a range of topics including the Special Needs Strategy – specifically school based rehabilitation services, the Ontario Autism Program and the changes being implemented across Ontario, the funding of Children’s Treatment Centres and the construction of the New Grandview.

We wish all the candidates well in their upcoming campaigns.

Do you know a Grandview staff member who has made a big difference for your child/youth and your family? We want to hear from you!

We are currently accepting nominations for Grandview’s Power of One Award. Any Grandview staff member can be nominated, and the deadline for submissions has been extended to April 30, 2019.

One staff member will be chosen, and will receive recognition at the Annual General Meeting.

We love our amazing staff and want to hear why you do, too.

To submit your nomination, fill out the form attached below and e-mail it to: powerofone@grandviewkids.ca OR print the form, fill it out and hand it in at reception. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Grandview Kids – Power of One Award – Nomination Form