A Race for First Place

During this school year there has been a friendly rivalry between Dixons and Gilmores/ Quilchenas to win the race from their schools back to West Richmond for after school care. The two groups usually arrive around the same time after school. Gilmores and Quilchenas arriving by bus and Dixons on foot. When the Dixons see the bus coming they will run as fast as they can to the entrance of the community centre. The moment the bus stops for the Gilmore and Quilchena group they all make a dash to the door. Both groups try to line up as fast as possible to win the prize of being the first school to enter West Richmond. They use encouragement and teamwork in an attempt to get everyone in their group in line first. The victory is quickly forgotten once the kids are upstairs but most seem to enjoy the bit of competitiveness outside the centre every day.

-Aislinn

Graham Cracker Houses!

Hey OSC community,

With Christmas right around the corner, what's a better excuse to be able to make sugary treats to send the kids home with to get into the spirit? Haha, sorry parents. I decided to scale down the classic gingerbread house and make graham cracker houses so that the kids could personalize it their own way. We used Froot Loops, sour keys, and a simple icing sugar-and-water 'glue'. I didn't think I was that old until the kids started asking me why I was calling the 'coloured cheerios' Froot Loops... 

I started wondering where the origin of the gingerbread house came from. Good thing Google is so readily at our fingertips! The origin of gingerbread is traced back to as far as the 10th century from an Armenian Monk and so European monasteries were known to have been the first places to sell gingerbread. Although it wasn't adapted to its iconic shape and decorated with candy until it made it's way to Britain. Even then, decorating gingerbread houses as a seasonal household activity didn't become popular until The Grimm Brothers famous tale Hansel and Gretel.

I hope everyone has had and will have a great holiday!

Sara E.

Seasons Greetings!

Hi Folks!

It's December again which means that the holidays are just around the corner. The kids and I decided to get a head start on our holiday preparations. We made holiday greeting cards. Some kids got quite creative with their cards; there was even a 3D pop out card! I made a couple simple ones myself, just a few ideas for those of you that like Do-It-Yourself crafts and cards.

Happy Holiday preparations everyone!

-Katrina

KIDS KORNER

Ever wonder what kids think about REAL issues?

This week in KIDS KORNER:  "What is Hanukkah?"

Here are some of the wise responses...

Leo & Xander- "oh, a holiday"

Alarii- "they celebrate dreidels"

James- "you can dance"

Tori- "it's like a tradition for Jewish people"

Nyah- "where you have the things for light, with the big light, and you light that one first then the other ones"

Christopher- "it's when you celebrate for a whole year"

Zev- "it's where you light candles for every eight day for eight nights"

Tune in next time for another gripping edition of KIDS KORNER.

If you have an questions you think we should ask the children on KIDS KORNER, please leave them in the comments below.

-Jason

Dungeons and Dragons

Hi folks! Hope everybody had a safe and successful Black Friday! 

Due to the cold weather and early sunsets, the kids will most likely be using the gym for activities at Junior OSC. Music Club is therefore going to be on hiatus until spring when we have more space to experiment with our creative intuition. In the meantime, I've been playing Dungeons and Dragons (OSC style) at Junior. The kids seem to really be enjoying it. With Dungeons and Dragons, what your character in the game can do is only limited by your imagination. Of course, the Dungeon Master has to agree with you (that's me). I've been working on reinforcing teamwork, cooperation, and creative thinking within the game, for example, when trying to destroy the Evil Dark Wizard who kidnapped Tinkerbell. 

Until next time! See you around! 

- Peter

Another Day, Another Adventure!

Wednesday Out Trip Adventures!

Wednesdays are out trip days here in the Junior OSC program and the children seem to love it! So far our destinations have included The Village Garden Pumpkin Patch, Garden City Park and South Arm Park. However with daylight fading sooner and sooner we will likely be changing our trips to more indoor locations. So far each trip has been accompanied by a group of Senior OSC children and staff, who have been great big buddies for the younger ones. The big buddies have been amazing role models and both the Junior children and staff enjoy having them join us on our trips. 

Just a reminder that if we are going to an outdoor destination, that you pack proper clothing and footwear as it is getting colder as the weeks pass. Keep an eye out for out trip signups because the spots do fill up fast!

-Emmett

Garden City Park's bird nest climbing structure.

The children quickly discovered jackets make great luges.

KIDS KORNER

Ever wonder what kids think about REAL issues?

This week in KIDS KORNER:  "What do we do on Remembrance day?"

Here are some of the wise responses...

Emily- "when we remember the people who fought for this place"

Adrianna- "we watch a movie about soldiers"

Jackson- "no fighting...no pushing"

Nyah- "when you have to wear a poppy and care for the war"

Emily- "about poppies...about the war"

Noa- "to remember the soldiers who fought in the war"

Tune in next time for another gripping edition of KIDS KORNER.

If you have an questions you think we should ask the children on KIDS KORNER, please leave them in the comments below.

-Jason