Dear Families and Friends of Creating Together,

Spring has now firmly put down roots here in Parkdale. We hope that the warmer weather and brighter evenings can bring you some cheer. Amongst the many things we acknowledge this month, with April comes World Autism Month – you can look forward to conversations, resources, and materials in the centre to reflect our understanding, acceptance, and celebration of neurodiversity! 

As inspired by the seasonal changes, we too have many changes going on at Creating Together. Read on below for further programming updates and news:

• Program Updates & Daily Schedule
• Upcoming Information Session
• Virtual Program Updates
• A Guide to Springtime Fun
• Call for Board Members
• Resource Boxes
• Goodbye Amira & Arij

Program Updates & Daily Schedule

We’re finally delivering the news you’ve been waiting for! Beginning April 4th we will return to full drop-in style indoor programs, five days a week at the centre, and two Saturdays a month. That’s correct, registration will no longer be required! 

Our doors will now be open:

 Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

Two Saturdays a month:

10:00am – 2:00pm

We ask that all families come prepared to remove their shoes when in the centre – feel free to bring a pair of indoor shoes or slippers! You can find a detailed schedule below to help guide any timing preferences you might have to drop-in. We also have it posted on our online calendar.

Daily Schedule

COVID-19 Protocol

We will no longer be screening upon your arrival, yet we invite you and your family to self-screen using the following tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ or our posted notice at the door. For the safety and respect of all of our community members, we continue to ask that you remain at home if a member of your household feels unwell. Please ensure you sign yourself in and out of the program on the attendance sheet.

Our staff will remain masked, and encourage you and your families to follow the same protocol for the health safety of children under four, and our elderly or immunocompromised community members. We are thankful for your continued cooperation. 

In-Person Information Session: Dietary Restrictions and Food Intolerances

On April 12th, we’re excited to bring you a short Parent and Caregiver Information session on Dietary Restrictions and Food Intolerances led by our very own Creating Together nursing student Amira Lebreja. 

The session will cover topics such as signs and symptoms of food intolerances common in children: Lactose Malabsorption (LM), or lactose intolerance, and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). The session will take place at 12:30 pm – drop in, and join! Session materials will be posted online at the later date for any families who are interested but unable to attend. 

Virtual Programs

With the expansion of our in-person programming, our virtual programming will be slightly reduced, however we still offer the following programs: 

Live Circle Time

We invite you to join our live circle time Fridays at 10:00am using the following zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5199316471

We’ll also be continuing our new science program…

April Dates: Science with Sal

Looking for some interactive live virtual science? Our virtual science program Science with Sal continues with three new dates for April! Join Salvina in our virtual lab for an interactive science program from the comfort of your own home. This program offers opportunities for you to embark on a hands-on learning experience no matter where you are, using easy-to-find at home materials. Whether your desire is to participate hands-on, or your prefer  to observe and enjoy – we will now be using the “drop in” format for programming. Join using the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5199316471 .

The live virtual science sessions will take place for 3 weeks consecutively on Thursdays from 2:00pm – 2:30pm with the first session starting on April 7th. On the Monday of that program week, a pre-recording of the science experiment which we will be doing together on Thursday will be posted. NOTE: Registration is no longer required for this program. 

*Adult supervision required for all live sessions

We will post any updates to our in-person and virtual programs on our Facebook page, so check back often .https://www.facebook.com/CreatingTogetherParkdale 

Springtime Fun

Outside of our Creating Together programs, spring is a great time of year to get outside and explore all that the Parkdale neighbourhood and City of Toronto has to offer! Our Creating Together ECE student Arij Alrachid has prepared a special guide to activities that you and your family can enjoy all spring long! You can take a look at the posted information at the centre, or see the activities from her guide on the Creating Together Facebook and Instagram page. 

Call for Board Members

Are you passionate about strengthening families and making a difference in the Parkdale community? Consider supporting the Creating Together Family Resource Centre by joining our team as a volunteer member of our Board of Directors. The Membership and Board Development Committee is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in being recommended at our spring 2018 Annual General Meeting. You can find more information on the Board, and how to apply https://creatingtogetherparkdale.com/about-creating-together/board-of-directors. 

Resource Boxes

With the expansion of our in-person services, Resource Boxes will be limited in materials moving forward. Resource Boxes will still be available for pick up this month, in the first two weeks of April, until April 15th. 

To book your pickup time, please contact Creating Together by phone or email: (416) 537-1004 / creatingtogether@rogers.com. 

It’s Hard to Say Goodbye

Goodbyes are hard to say, but it’s time to wish our beloved students a fond farewell. We’re so grateful to have had Amira and Arij with us these past few months. Their support has been invaluable, and we know that their learning has been so enriched by each and every one of you. If you see them in the centre over the next few weeks please be sure to send them your goodbyes and best wishes! Thank you Amira and Arij!

From all of us at Creating Together, we wish you a wonderful April. To see some of Creating Together’s springtime fun, give us a follow on our brand new Instagram account @creatingtogetherearlyon – catch all of our centre updates, shared activities, and unforgettable program moments!

April is arriving, and we’re enjoying the breath of fresh air!

-Creating Together

Creating Together EarlyON Child and Family Centre gratefully acknowledges Mazon Canada for their grant of $2,100 in 2021 to help support our food and nutrition programs. This funding was used to purchase food gift cards to distribute to families in South Parkdale with children up to 6 years during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank You Mazon Canada!