Southgate Medallion Tribute
Welcome to our April Educator Newsletter Volume 49 Issue 4
Coordinator Corner
Hello Educators
Welcome to Spring! As I write this, there are some big snowflakes falling, but that is Spring in Alberta for you, and I am grateful for the moisture – we will need it this summer.
Survey
April is our annual survey month. Please take the time to complete the survey. We really value your feedback and suggestions. Simply click the link and take a few moments to provide your feedback.
Results will be published in our May Educator Newsletter.
Standard 10B – Home and Safety
As we come out of our March Safety Check month, something I have been noticing is mixed understandings of the safe storage of household medications - medications that you and your family might be using (medications, vitamins, cough remedies, etc).
As part of Standard 10 B, you are required to have your household medications locked up at all times, regardless of where they are stored (for example, in your upstairs bathroom), this still remains a standard.
Here is the wording taken directly from the standards handbook:
“all medications and vitamins must be kept under lock and key (excluding emergency medications, such as an EpiPen©, which must be stored according to Standard 10E: Medication);”
This standard is there to protect your children from the potential ingestion of a medication which could have serious consequences to the child’s health, and it is also there to protect you from the following investigations you would have to go through should a child have been able to access your medications.
If you require further clarification, please reach out to your consultant.
Dates for your diary
The agency is pleased to announce two dates for you to save:
Saturday 25th May 11am - 2 pm Wilfred Laurier Park – Educator Appreciation Party in the Park
Saturday 24th August – 11 am – 2 pm Capilano Park – Educator and Agency Pot Luck.
More details are to follow. We look forward to seeing you there.
Have a fantastic April
Emma Dajavs
Coordinator
Workshops
Core Training
April. 3rd, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm - Program Planning.
Let your consultant know if you plan to attend.
Curiosity and Wonder of Heuristic Play and Treasure Baskets: Infant and Toddler Play Explorations
April 10, 2024 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$28.55 (Eligible for PD funding)
https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/workshop-events/treasure-baskets-and-infant-toddler-play/
April 2024 Free Workshop: Menu Planning with Canada’s Food Guide
Join our workshop for tips and tools to improve your menus within your budget. Come learn about the new AHS Menu Planning Resource, Canada’s food guide, suggested amounts of food to prepare, recipe Ideas, reading food labels, and opportunities to share your ideas!
Please follow the link to register.
April Sunday Social
April 14, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
$10.00
https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/workshop-events/april-sunday-sociable/Recording of FREE Webinar- Improving Environmental Health and Sustainability in Home Child Care is now available
Rocks and Sticks and Wonderful Things! Creative Outdoor Play Experiences for Young Children
April 17, 2024 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$28.55 (Eligible for PD funding)
https://inspiredmindsecc.ca/workshop-events/outdoor-play-for-young-children/
Congratulations
Congratulations to Julia Patt and Family on the addition of their sweet baby boy, Andreas Ryker! Born March. 9th/2024
Congratulations to Amarjeet Kaur, Moriah Ralph, Harjinder Sandhu, and Karthiga for completing the Flight course. Congratulations to Moriah Ralph, Grace Caramat, Roya Fadamin, and Girija Prakash who completed the Brain Story Certification. We also congratulate Tonia Browell who completed the Supporting Curriculum Practice Series.
Menu Planning on a Budget
Thank you to those who attended the workshop. We shared some tasty recipes.
Vera gave us permission to share her tasty White bean stew, known as Fasolia.
Don’t forget that our agency recipe book is available on our website.
Two cups of dried beans soaked in water overnight
Cut one big onion into small pieces put oil in pan and sauté the onion and one glove of garlic
200 gr of ground meat and a can of crushed tomatoes boil till the beans are tender serve rice on the side don’t forget the salt and black pepper.
And Bon Apetit!
Raman's Paneer Hot Dog Recipe
Here is another interesting and tasty recipe that was shared by an educator.
1 pack of hotdog buns
1 bowl of shredded Cabbage
1 bowl of shredded Carrots
1 bowl of fine chopped Tomato
½ bowl fine chopped Onions
1 table spoon ginger garlic paste
Green sprinkled Onion
Salt and black pepper ( according to taste) or ½ table spoon
1 tablespoon butter
Add 2 Full spoon of Tomato Ketchup
2 Full spoon of Soy Sauce
Preparation
Take a pan, put it on stove add butter and add onions and ginger garlic paste.
Cook until the Onion gets brown
Add all the vegetable salt and black pepper
Cook for 5-7 minutes until the veggies got soft
Add Tomato Ketchup and Soy Sauce
Then add vertical sliced Paneer mix it well
Lastly, put the mixture into buns
For garnishing put some sprinkled onion on the top of it
Serve it with Cumber and Tomato salad and cup of Water
Saba's Tuna Fish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- One canned tuna
- 2 tablespoons regular mayonnaise
- Handful of shredded cheese
- Whole wheat bread slices
- Butter as needed
Instructions
1. Open the can of tuna, place it into a colander and drain the water.
2. Add the tuna, mayonnaise and cheese in a bowl and mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
3. Fill the tuna mixture onto the bread slice and make a sandwich. You may make additional sandwiches at this step, as needed, and place them on the side.
4. Heat up a frying pan and put half teaspoon of butter.
5. Once the frying pan heats up and the butter is melted, put the sandwich on the pan.
6. Use a spatula to press down on the sandwich. When one side is light brown, flip the sandwich and add a little bit more butter onto the pan.
7. Press the other side of sandwich by using the spatula again. This will help the sandwich stick together.
8. When both sides are light brown, take off the sandwich from the frying pan and place it on a plate. Cut into bite-size pieces.
9. Once the sandwich reaches a warm room temperature, serve with carrots and cucumber salad.
Meet The Staff - Nancy Peterson
I previously worked with Southgate Medallion over 30 years ago.
After raising 3 children and working primarily in Property Management and Real Estate,
I am happy to be back with Southgate Medallion in the accounts receivable department.
I completed my education here in Edmonton at Grant MacEwan with studies in the social sciences.
I enjoy the new opportunities that working at the agency brings me and getting to know the many
wonderful people and families along the way.
Article
How to treat children’s art respectfully?
As educational professionals, it’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing art as only a finished product. Let’s review how we appropriately respect children's art. Firstly, we need to ensure that we are considering their work as art, reinforcing that their concentration, perseverance and creativity have curated an art piece, even if it does not look like one to us. It is art.
Ø Should we be writing on children’s artwork?
As we reflect on the art process within our services, continuing with our play-based philosophy by providing uninterrupted play is important. This prompts the question, is it necessary that we write a child’s name on their work? Most children are quite attentive and can not only identify their work but their peer's work as well. In our younger age groups, we can offer alternatives for naming if we are unable to ask permission verbally.
Here are some tips that might work in your day home:
· Pre-printed and cut names for the children to add to their artwork.
· Ask permission before writing on children’s work, including looking for non-verbal approval in younger children.
· Ask the child where they would like their name written. Is it the front, the back, the top of the page, the bottom of the page etc?
· Ask questions that allow agency and choice "Would you like to write your name, or would you like me to?" Or if they can’t yet write it, encourage them to write the first letter of their name.
· Try leaving it open to the child and ask a broader question. “Is there anything you would like me to write on your creation?”
· Use placemats, and transfer these to the drying rack with the artwork for an easy way to identify who completed the artwork.
Ø Is it appropriate to interpret and comment on a child’s work?
When a child participates in art, they are sharing a message with you. You may not understand the message, but it’s important to remember that any art is a form of self-expression. Whether that be an expression of development, symbolism or non-verbal communication, there is an underlying message that the child is trying to communicate.
As part of our scaffolding, we can fall into a habit of leading children in a discussion. Typically, this can look like "What did you make?" or "I can see you have drawn people, is that your family?”. Instead, we can approach this with “I noticed” statements. "I noticed that you spent a long time creating your art" or "I noticed you tried lots of different ways to join the pieces". This allows the child to share as much (or as little) information about their art as they choose but still invites them to share their achievement and journey with us.
In conclusion, respecting children's art is not only about appreciating the final product but also embracing the creative process and honouring their autonomy. By reflecting on our practices when approaching art, we empower children to develop a deeper connection with their art, express themselves authentically, and cultivate a lifelong love for creativity. As educators, let us create spaces where children's artistic voices can flourish, unrestrained by external influences, and celebrate their unique perspectives through the beautiful language of art.
Refreshing Fruit Salad
Educator Spot Light
We would like to show case Crystal Sollow's Inviting play space.
Office Closures
The office is closed on April 1, 2024 for Easter Monday and will reopen on April 2, 2024. Please call the After-Hours Emergency Phone : in case of any emergency.