Deck the Halls!

Hello parents,

The holidays are coming right around the corner and Senior OSC is preparing hard to decorate the multi-purpose room.  So for crafts and arts, we decided that winter themed activities would fit perfectly.  Fuelled by their festive spirit, the children made snowflakes, snowmen and stockings, transforming the room into a Winter Wonderland.

My name is Jason Lee and I’m the third Jason to join the team. While many of you have met me I want to take this chance to properly introduce myself. I started as a volunteer for West Richmond’s Summer Day Camps and in 2011, started to work at both Junior OSC and Senior OSC as an assistant leader. I discovered my joy of working with kids during my time here, which has pushed me into studying to become a pediatrician.  I currently attend UBC as a first year science student and hope to pursue my career in medical school.

I look forward to meeting and talking to all of you!

Jason Lee

WRCC

Have you met Paul?

Hi to all OSC families and friends,

I hope the past few months of fall have treated you well and that the upcoming season is one full of excitement, relaxation, safety, and winter cheer!

I am fairly new to West Richmond Out of School Care (OSC) program and thought I'd give a quick introduction of myself.

My name is Paul and I am currently a student at Simon Fraser University.  My experience with youth ranges from the ages of kindergarten to late teen years.  I have coached high school basketball for six seasons, worked at an international language school for the past two summers, and have been involved with the Richmond Youth Basketball League for the past two years.  I love working with people and putting a smile on the kids faces that I've been privileged enough to work with throughout my life.  I am excited to meet you as the year progresses, and as it turns a new leaf into 2014!

Cheers,

Paul

Hello Readers!

I hope this coming weekend is kind to everyone! Consider yourself lucky because this post that you are currently reading is my first attempt, ever, at blogging. Witness history everyone, witness it!


Silliness aside, my name is James Ferguson and I’m the new guy to West Richmond’s Childcare programs. Currently, I’m spending my time subbing between Jr. and Sr. care and am thoroughly enjoying getting to know the kids, staff and parents! Over the past 4 years I have worked in other childcare programs including Tomorrow’s Top Kids and UBC Sport Camps and I am extremely fortunate that I have found West Richmond to call home for the time being. Working with this group of kids is inspiring, and every day I find I’m learning more about myself. I’m grateful for that.


If this crazy cold weather wasn’t already enough to get you feeling festive and wintery, this Monday November 25th the Gilmore & Quilchena kids will be heading to the ice rinks to take part in some skating and a friendly game of Hockey. Dress appropriately!


Take care everyone, thanks for reading,

James

What Does The Fox Say?!?

What does the Fox actually say?

Today at Sr. OSC we decided to answer the popular question “What does the fox say?” We asked a lot of the kids what they thought and the majority of them broke into song and dance borrowed from the viral YouTube video “What Does the Fox Say.” The kids decided to look up the real answer and write about it.  Read below to see what Jenna and Noah had to say.

- Carolyn

The official "What Does the Fox Say" Video

Today we wanted to know what noise a fox really makes. Do you know? We looked up “what sound does a fox really make” and we found a great article from Popular Science that told us and showed us what sound a fox really makes. We found out that a fox sounds nothing like the fun video!  

Here is the real sound of the fox!

Turns out foxes don't actually go "RING DING DING DING DINGERINGEDING!" 

Now we know!!!!

- Jenna & Noah

All About Alicia!

Hello Parents,

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend! It was lovely to see the sun come out after a rainy week.  As some of you might know, Senior OSC and Junior OSC are now going together on weekly mini out-trips every Wednesday. The first out-trip was on Wednesday October 23^rd and was a trip to The Village Garden Pumpkin Patch. Last week was a fun excursion to Garden City Park and this week was a trip to the South Arm Park. Not only does this give the children from both centres new activities but it also gives the juniors a chance to learn from and engage with the seniors and a chance for the seniors to be role models. It is an excellent way to create and strengthen friendships!

Now, on a more personal note. Many of you have probably seen me around both Senior and Junior OSC quite a few times now. However, it has occurred to me that a lot of the parents don’t know much about me. I thought I would take the time to write a little about myself. My name is Alicia Arnsdorf. I’m 17 years old and in grade 12 at Hugh Boyd Secondary. In my spare time I love to draw, listen to music, create scrapbooks and go on bikes rides. I started volunteering at Junior Days Camps the summer of 2011. Volunteering there had a huge impact on me because I realized how much I truly enjoy working with children. I was honoured to be offered the job as an assistant leader the following summer. Now I’m in my second year working as an assistant. I’ve built so many great relationships with the children, which is something that I cherish greatly.

I hope to see and talk to all of you soon,

Alicia

Last Week at Sr. OSC

"Carolyn winning her chair."

Last week, the Senior OSC staff had the pleasure of introducing the newest addition to our furniture collection; Larry the Leaf Lounger (named after by the kids)! Thanks to Carolyn’s good luck over the weekend at the Circles of Caring conference at McMath Secondary, we were able to take the lovely orange rotatable leaf lounge chair back to work with us, and boy, were the kids excited! Here’s a snap of a very happy Carolyn receiving her prize. 

"Emmett enjoying the weather at Garden City Park"

Some other memorable highlights of last week included Wednesday’s Big Buddy/Little Buddy out trip to Garden City Park with Jr. OSC, and the conclusion of our candy drive, ending with a total of 7.5lbs of sugary goodness. Job well done, Senior OSC!

"The lego table mural is coming along nicely. "

          The Lego-cover painting project is coming along beautifully, too. Check out the progress!

To end a busy week, Gilmore celebrated their first winning game of the volleyball season against Dixon in a tough match on Thursday, and, not to forget, a show-stopping, pop-n’-locking hip-hop performance on Friday for their families, teachers, and friends (and us OSC staff!). Way to go, Dixons and Gilmores!

We hope everyone has a relaxing, safe long weekend.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog action!

Kylie