Thursday 17 November 2016

President's Message, November 2016

Dear Members and Friends.
2017 we will be 30 years old. We have lots of plans to honour and celebrate this milestone and to chart a renewed commitment to our work with schools and our community.

We will be visiting Jamaica in April 24-29, 2017 and we invite anyone able to come on the trip with us to think about doing so. Details will soon be forthcoming.
In 2017 we plan to:
* Increase our membership by 30%
* Add 30 new schools (or more) to our roster
* Add 300 new donors and supporters
* Offer 30 new teacher scholarships

And of course we need to raise funds to make these plans a reality. Serious funds. We ask you to dig deep and if you can add an additional $30.00 to your contribution as a one time contribution or monthly. All will be gratefully received.

It cannot be ever said enough…. Thank you to our P.A.C.E. Adopt-A-School sponsors who continue to make sure that they send in their pledges and honour their commitments to their adopted schools. Thanks to our members who know we need their funds not only to do the work of the organization but because they know it is important to be involved! We are asking you all, you who have supported us through the years to invite others to join us to make all these goals a reality.

Thanks to our Board members who take the time to do the work.

I look forward to seeing you at the annual Toy Drive in December and the Strawberry Social in June 2017.

So again, thank you all and know that we do make a difference in the lives of children—the most important work of all.

Thank you,
 

Sandra Whiting


Wednesday 16 November 2016

P.A.C.E. Greeting Cards and Framed Artwork

Looking for a unique way to send “Big Up” greetings to your friends and family? How about some new framed artwork to decorate a spot in your home or office? .... while showing how proudly you support P.A.C.E.?

 Each year students at our adopted schools (ages 3 to 7)  send us Art Images. 


We have now transformed these precious drawings into greeting cards and framed pieces, and all are now available for purchase. Greeting cards are a set of 8 cards for $10.99 (blank inside) 

100% of the proceeds benefits P.A.C.E. Canada programs.

Please contact the office to arrange your purchase: 647-352-7223


Friday 11 November 2016

What Do These 4 Ladies Have In Common?

They each have received significant awards recently.














Lorna King, whose poetry elicits a variety of emotions, launches PRIDE's new "Poetry Soapbox". She is also a former President of P.A.C.E. (Canada).
The complete poem can be viewed online at
pridenews.ca/2016/09/01/poetry-forum-carding/




Congratulations to P.A.C.E. member, Nadine Spencer, recipient of the Philantrophist of the Year Award from the Brilliant Minded Women organization.

As she explains "In April, I was the recipient of the Harry Jerome Business Award, and in June I received the Junior League Award of Excellence. I was also honored as one of the 100 Accomplished Canadian Businesswomen, and nominated to be one of the women at the Women’s Summit. Finally, I was nominated by the Brilliant Minded Women’s Organization for the Philanthropist of the Year Award. For me, this was a wonderful honor, as I have dedicated so much of my time an energy to my work with women’s education and uplifting the impoverished.. These awards have helped me to further these very important causes".



Hon. Mitzie Hunter receives the 2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award, presented by Afroglobal Television's Excellence Awards program.






The 2016 Diamond Book Award goes to ... Cynthia Reyes for her memoir, An Honest House.








Monday 7 November 2016

AAS Chairperson Visits Jamaica

On November 1,2016 Diana Burke a Board Director of P.A.C.E.Canada delivered over J$4.5 million in cheques for schools on behalf of the organization to Mrs. Trisha Williams-Singh, Chair of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC). These funds were donated to 106 Early Childhood schools across all parishes in Jamaica.

This represents the second donation by P.A.C.E. in 2016 for a total of JA$9.7 million sent to 239 schools across Jamaica.

In 2017 P.A.C.E. Canada will be celebrating our 30th anniversary supporting early childhood schools and teachers in Jamaica through donations, teacher bursaries and training,  and computer education programs for the students.
P.A.C.E. is proud to be a partner with the Ministry of Education in promoting early childhood education.



This year’s Adopt-A-School event has been cancelled.


P.A.C.E. thanks the following sponsors for their donations to the following new schools:
1. Franklin Town Church of God Early Childhood Institution, Kingston - sponsor Joseph Halstead
2. Praise Tabernacle Christian Academy, St. Andrew - sponsor Florine Brown
3. Gospel Refuge Basic, St. Andrew - sponsor Issley Josephson Medecin
4. Maisie Green ECDC, St. Andrew - sponsor Janet Collins Group
5. Spring Garden Basic, St. Thomas - sponsor Candice Walker
6. Spicy Hill Basic , Trelawny - sponsors Dahlia Rose and Elaine Lawrence

Jahmona ECDC was visited on November 3rd by our AAS Chair Diana Burke to update them about P.A.C.E. and learn how the donations they receive are being used.

The Principal, Mr. Steeles, explained that funds are still needed to complete items such as floors, bathrooms and fence security.

These are all part of the requirements for certification by the Jamaica Ministry of Education.
 Tech de Bus II has been upgraded and is now back on the road, thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith the Principal of Allman Town Primary School. Director Diana Burke visited the school on November 3,2016 and observed 10 students from the Arnold Road Methodist Basic School taking their second lesson in computers. Their Principal, Mrs. Lacorbiniere, accompanied the students who are one of a group of 5 schools in Allman Town benefiting from the program. Each student and teacher gets a 'passport' badge when on the Bus which tracks there access and training. Plans are to open the program to other schools in the next term.




Friday 4 November 2016

Toy Drive Market Stall Friday, December 2nd, 2016

One one cocoa full basket’’
Come fill your basket(s) with Books and School supplies
At the

P.A.C.E. ‘’Market Stall” Toy and Book Drive
Under the auspices of
The Consulate of Jamaica
Friday, December 2nd, 2016
At the
Jamaican Consulate
303 Eglinton Avenue East
Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
Egg Nog & Sorell; Christmas Cake & other Refreshments
Carol Sing-Along
Prizes & Surprises

  • Monetary donations are appreciated in order to reduce shipping costs and speed up the delivery of educational supplies and books (Purchased from Sangster’s Book stores in Jamaica and delivered directly to the schools).
  • Sponsors can purchase a $100.00 box of supplies for their school.
  • Toys and books for P.A.C.E. projects in Toronto available for purchase.
  • All Donations welcomed.

R.S.V.P. 647-352-7223 or send an e-mail to

If you are unable to attend the event and would like to send a monetary donation,
Please mail to:
P.A.C.E. Canada, 1390 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto ON M6C 2E4

Select Option “6” or “4”

Helen Sissons Award

The Awards Committe recommended to the P.A.C.E. Board that the Award should not be presented this year. The committee confirmed that:
 “None of the submissions met the criteria fully and were not close to being considered by a publisher. In the past years we have had excellent submissions, some of which have been published commercially, and are enjoying great acclaim in the field of children’s literature. It is important to maintain the level of excellence that our organization has established”.


Boys and Girls Club Playground


 Ron Rock, Executive Director, East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club, provided us with this update as of October 2016: 

“We are at the initial stage of the Viability Review Process with TDSB. The Viability Review Form has been submitted for the natural playground project. 

A Business Process Analyst from TDSB will soon conduct an onsite consultation with the Club and East View P.S to discuss the project and set some time lines, if they are no issues with the school and we already have the support of the Principal then move forward with the project. 

We anticipate that the project will be completed by Spring 2017”.



ECIs Making Strides in the Attainment of Standards

The efforts by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) to have more Early Childhood Institutions (ECIs) certified by August 2017 are bearing results. The Board of the ECC has set a target of 100 more ECIs for certification in the next ten months.

I am very confident that we can attain the target set,” says Trisha Williams-Singh, the ECC’s Board Chairman. “Already the responses from the more than 2,000 ECI operators and practitioners at the two Regional Certification Fairs held in St. Andrew and Portland have been very positive; 155 applications by ECI practitioners for police records among other things, have so far been processed at the two events.” Williams-Singh pointed out. Police records are among the staffing (Standard One) requirements for certification. To date only 17 ECIs across the parishes of St. Ann; St. James; Westmoreland and Hanover, representing a mix of public, private and corporate-sponsored institutions have been certified.

The twelve (12) legal standards for the operation of ECIs in Jamaica cover the areas of staffing; development and educational programmes; interactions and relationships with children; physical environment; indoor and outdoor equipment; health; nutrition; safety; child rights, child protection and equality; parent and stakeholder participation; administration and finance. A Certificate of Registration when issued is valid for five years.

Standard Two which addresses Developmental and Educational Programmes at ECIs has been reflected in the National Age-Four School Readiness Assessment which was rolled out in May 2016. Just under 40,000 children at age four participated in the two-day national assessment in May 2016. The objective was to determine students’ state of readiness to access primary level education. The assessment is also used to support learning and instruction, and to identify children in need of additional support services. Honourable Ruel Reid, announced recently, that 92 per cent of children at the early-childhood level are at the required learning development stage..

For more information on the work of the ECC please visit :

website at www.ecc.gov.jm

Twitter: @ECCJA and Instagram: @earlychildhoodcommission.


Contact: communications@ecc.gov.jm.          

How Does Learning Happen?

The Early Years are a vital part of a child’s development and at the School of Early Childhood, George Brown College we emphasize the importance of positive relationships and engagement. To do this, we follow Ontario’s Pedagogy, How Does Learning Happen?  Over the next few months we will share information that supports this pedagogy and hopefully enlighten you. 
Let’s begin this month with the definition of pedagogy according to How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy (pg. 3). The term pedagogy refers to the process of understanding and supporting learning.  Pedagogical approaches that support quality programs are those that:
1. Build positive and responsive relationships;
2. Focus on children’s social, emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive development in a holistic way;
3. Provide environments in which children learn through exploration, play, and inquiry; encourage self-reflection, discussion, and ongoing collaboration and learning among educators;
4. Engage with families, and value their strengths, contributions, and unique perspectives; and use pedagogical documentation to study, interpret, make visible, and help inform children’s learning and development.
These pedagogical approaches support children as they learn along a developmental continuum, and allow for smoother transitions from one program to another – for example, from child care and family support programs to kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond.
Subscribe to this Blog and our Facebook page to see further updates on this topic.


Tips For Parents

There are many programs in Toronto that are geared towards supporting parents of young children. Many organizations that offer parent and child programs can be found on the 211 Toronto website.



Listed below are specific instructions on how to search for an organization that may offer a parent and child program that is of interest to you.
* Step #1: Go to 211toronto.ca
* Step #2: Click on the Child / Family Services icon
* Step #3: Scroll down to the bottom of the web page and click on Recreation for children/families
* Step #4: Search for an organization that offers parent and child programs geared towards young children. One example of a search can be: Ontario Early Years Centres.

Good luck!


George Brown College and P.A.C.E.

Did you know…George Brown College has a long history with P.A.C.E. Canada? 
In 2003, the School of Early Childhood was awarded a 5 year project in Jamaica from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. 
In 2008, the college was awarded a 3-year project to continue cooperation with the Early Childhood Commission and Shortwood Teachers’ College. 
Our connection with P.A.C.E. included orientation sessions for our faculty and students travelling to Jamaica and our attendance at fundraising events. P.A.C.E. also hosted our Jamaican colleagues who travelled on study tours to Toronto.  
The College also prepared presentations of our work for meetings held by P.A.C.E. 
Our association has been an opportunity to engage and learn from each other. The college has adopted Newlands Basic School located in Portmore, St. Catherine and students and faculty visit annually.


Aboukir Basic School

We just heard this amazing news from one of our members and sponsor, Sharon Clayton. She has adopted the Aboukir Basic School.

“Our genealogy records indicate that my GGGG grandparents, William Webb and Jane Syms, (both born as slaves) were married in Aboukir in 1838. They were the parents of Rev. William Menzie Webb, founder of Trelawny's Westwood High School for Girls and Stewart Town's Baptist minister for 50 years”.

Read more about the use of solar power at the school in this article:


New Marketing Strategy


 Are you wondering why we have a new colour scheme for this newsletter? Is it just me, or do we have a new logo?

P.A.C.E. Canada has partnered with BrandEQ to promote our 30th Anniversary in 2017, as we prepare to launch a number of initiatives to celebrate this milestone. BrandEQ's wide marketing network and expertise, combined with the firm’s marked history of working with and supporting philanthropic causes, will make for a perfect fit for us. 

“Here at P.A.C.E. Canada our goal is to further education for young children both in Jamaica and Canada,” says President Sandra Whiting.  “We believe it is important that we get our message out to as many constituents and potential partners as possible.  BrandEQ has the professional pedigree to achieve that for us, and has demonstrated a commitment over the years to causes such as ours.  We know that they will bring a new dynamic to the organization, and help us to further our work moving forward.  We are pleased to announce BrandEQ as our marketing partner.  With planned growth, we need a partner to help us guide our strategic direction.”
Some of the initial deliverables of this partnership include a redesign of our logo; a new logo for the 30th anniversary; and a new colour scheme that will be included on our promotional material and social media platforms.

We have already updated the Facebook and Twitter accounts with this new branding, and launched our new Instagram account, @PACECanada.

Over the years we have collected a variety of “Objets d'art” from the students at the school we sponsor. You might have seen these on display at the Starwberry Social events in the past. These items are being photographed and will be used as part of our promotional merchandise during 2017. You will also see them on our social media postings, and some are included throughout this newsletter.

Finally, we are working with BrandEQ to redesign the content and navigation of the website. Some of you have told us that, for example, it is difficult to find membership and donation information on the site. So these are the  types of things we intend to fix with the next release.
As you can see, there are many exciting things planned for 2017 and we look forward to having more members volunteer to get involved in making these plans a reality.

Strawberry Social To Be Held On Sunday June 4, 2017

The 2017 Strawberry Social Committee is busy planning next year's event, in conjunction with our 30th Anniversary. Stay tuned for more exciting details.

Remembering Norma Claire Fernandez (Nee Burke)

June 16, 1923 – October 6, 2016

Daughter of Charles Norman Burke and Ama Gladys Simpson Burke, sister of Mavis Elaine Burke, Sydney Yvonne Burke and the late Charles Norman Burke Jr.
Attended St Hugh’s High School in Jamaica and received a special prize for the French language examination at senior level.  Norma was a member of the choir of the Lyndhurst Methodist Church and remained attached to her Methodist connection.  A graduate of the Alpha Academy Commercial School, she served in the secretarial department of the Marketing Department and contributed to the development of Bryden & Evelyn Commercial Firm as well as the Avon Cosmetic business in Jamaica.  Known for her ability to develop good relations and her excellent secretarial skills she was highly regarded by her business associates.
Norma married Miguel Fernandez in May 1971 and after his death (1981), she relocated to Toronto, Canada to join her two sisters, where she worked with the North York City Hall and made many friends.
Norma served as president of the P.A.C.E. (Canada) organization and made a special contribution to improving relationships between the members. Her adopted school was the Lyndhurst Methodist Basic School, in Jamaica.
Since retiring, Norma tried to keep in touch with family and friends in Jamaica and other locations. She often referred to Bustamante’s advice to the downtrodden “to stand up for their rights”. She was interested in the world around her and tried to keep up with the news around the world.  A loyal Canadian, she will be missed by family and friends.
On behalf of the Jamaican High Commission, Janice Miller, High Commissioner passed along condolences. “May the strength and legacy of Mrs. Fernandez’ inspired contribution to P.A.C.E., including her service as President, provide treasured memories and comfort”.
Earl Jarrett, Acting Chairman of the Dudley Grant Memorial Fund, in sharing their condolences recalled that for more than two decades she supported the Basic School Movement in Jamaica. “We are grateful that her life was dedicated to caring for others; and we are pleased that the partnership of P.A.C.E. and DGMT is indicative of this committment”.


Friday 19 August 2016

Carl Edmonson: Our new Administrative Officer


Please join us in welcoming Carl Edmonson as our new Administrative Officer. Carl has over ten (10) years of progress experience in social services, customer care, training and development, and community services. He has worked with municipal, provincial, national and international organizations both in the public and non-profit organizations. Job roles include executive leadership, administration, teaching and learning, human resource management, coaching and collaborative partnerships and team-building.
He is an Elementary Teacher (Jamaica) by profession however he has a degree in Human Resources and has also had significant administrative experience in not for profit community service organizations.
He will be in the office on Thursdays 9 am to 5 pm

Carl Edmonson: Our new Administrative Officer


Please join us in welcoming Carl Edmonson as our new Administrative Officer. Carl has over ten (10) years of progress experience in social services, customer care, training and development, and community services. He has worked with municipal, provincial, national and international organizations both in the public and non-profit organizations. Job roles include executive leadership, administration, teaching and learning, human resource management, coaching and collaborative partnerships and team-building.
He is an Elementary Teacher (Jamaica) by profession however he has a degree in Human Resources and has also had significant administrative experience in not for profit community service organizations.
He will be in the office on Thursdays 9 am to 5 pm

Tuesday 12 July 2016

Meet the Judges for Helen Isobel Sissons Canadian Children’s Story Award

The Helen Isobel Sissons Canadian Children’s Story Award is presented each year, and the new deadline has been extended till October 7th, 2016.

Learn more about the award at:
http://www.pacecanada.org/our-programs/awards/

Ever wonder who are the people responsible for selecting the winner? Read about the background to the selection committee members.


Dr.Rita Cox

Rita Cox is an award-winning, master storyteller who has performed across North America, in Europe, Brazil and the Caribbean, on stage, radio and television. She teaches courses, leads workshops and seminars, and performs for adults and children. She has been on the Board of Storytelling Toronto and has served as chairperson. Her stories have appeared in many anthologies and school readers. She tells stories from the Caribbean, Africa and around the world. Rita was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1997 and is a recipient of honourary degrees from York and Wilfred Laurier Universities and of the 1995 Black Achievement Award.

On Oct 22, 2008 the City of Toronto dedicated a new park in honour of Dr. Rita Cox, community activist, librarian and renowned storyteller.

Publications
The Pre School Story Hour
How Trouble Made the Monkey Eat Pepper


Theo Heras
Theo Heras was a children's librarian with the Toronto Public Library for 24 years, the last twelve as the Children's Literature Specialist at the Lillian H. Smith Branch. In that capacity, she provided programs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children and teens. Her favourite and most rewarding activity by far was to create a welcoming and entertaining library program for babies and their parents.
Theo has performed at The Franklin Children's Garden on Toronto's Centre Island, Toronto's Word on the Street, and at storytelling festivals and other events. She has conducted "Ring Around the Moon", a weekly program of circle games at Dufferin Grove Park. Since her retirement, Theo has facilitated baby and toddler programs at Theatre Direct and at other venues in the city. Theo is branching out and creating cabaret shows for the grown-up crowd. Her most recent show was "A Trip to the Library". She is currently working on a program about the life and work of lyricist Dorothy Fields.
Theo's book reviews have appeared in Quill & Quire, Resource Links, School Library Journal, Children's Book News, and Books in Canada. Her articles have appeared in Horn Book, CCL (Canadian Children's Literature), and Children's Book News. Theo contributed regular columns to CANSCAIP News and Music Time, the newsletter of the Early Childhood Music Association and is the current editor of the latter.


Jeffrey Canton

Jeffrey Canton has been a lecturer at York University since 2003 and teaches in the Children’s Studies Program in the Department of Humanities and is a founding member of the Children's Studies Advisory Committee.

His academic work focuses on the interaction of children's literature texts with topics including ethnography, memory, philosophy and critical thinking, social justice and activism and children's rights. A writer, storyteller and reviewer, he is also a long-time member of the jury for the IODE's national Violet Downey's Children's Literature Award as well as serving on the jury for The Herbert and Violetta Halpert Writing Award in Children's Studies at York University since the inception of the prize in 2009-2010.

 He is also currently the Chair of the Board for the Toronto arts organization, Big Pond Small Fish.


Ken Setterington
Ken Setterington is an international authority on children's books. He is a storyteller, author, children's book reviewer and a retired librarian. 

His most recent position was as the children and youth advocate for the Toronto Public Library. He is a respected storyteller and author, and his awards include the Toronto Arts Awards, Librarian of the Year (Ontario Library Association), Champion of Canadian Children's Literature (Canadian Children's Book Centre), and Jubilee Award (University of Toronto).

He was named the first Children and Youth Advocate for Library Services for the Toronto Public Library. He has been on the award committees for the Newbery, Caldecott and Sibert awards. Ken received the title Librarian of the Year in 2000 from the Ontario Library Association and won the prestigious Toronto Arts Award for Writing and Publishing in 2001.

He has been an active storyteller with Queers in Your Ears and others, and published retellings of The Snow Queen and The Wild Swans. He is the co-author, with Deidre Baker, of A Guide to Canadian Children's Books. He is the author of Mom and Mum are Getting Married and Branded by the Pink Triangle.