Our Learning Coach Newsletter - April, 2015

Studious has recovered and is now back on duty!
Studious, our mascot, is back!

He's been gone for a long time, recuperating from restorative surgery but he's back now and looking much, much better. We certainly missed him and are very happy to welcome him back.



You'll remember, no doubt, that Bethany's crack medical team was responsible for saving Studious after his near death accident. It was touch and go for a while but, thanks to Judy and her superb assistant, he pulled though emergency surgery. Following the advice of his doctor - Dr. Phil - he rested for several months - and rumor has it he recuperated at a spa in the south of France - where he fully healed and regained his strength. 



If you have a moment, do drop in and say hello to Studious. For sure, he'll be glad to see you.

Classroom Events: PLAR & ENG4C
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning in April, students are encouraged to come in and work on their PLAR assessment packages. If you are currently in the Literacy Course, or working on PLAR through Co-op, this is your chance to earn PLAR credits this semester.

GRADE 12 ENGLISH STUDENTS - The morning of Tuesday April 14th, we are inviting all ENG4C students to meet here at Bethany for a group study session. This will be run by you - so bring your questions and ideas. There are a lot of Grade 12 English students, and many share questions about Writing Portfolios, Chamber of Commerce projects, and more. Get together and share your knowledge!
Summer's coming. It's time to plan activities for your family

Despite the cold start to our Spring, it's not too early to start planning activities for your kids for the warm summer months. To help you with this task, the City of Ottawa has put together an extensive list of interesting things for them to do. In addition, the city has a program to help parents pay for these activities, regardless of their ability to pay.



Here's how the city describes its financial help program:

The City of Ottawa offers help with program fees so that all residents can take part in recreation and culture activities regardless of their ability to pay. If you are already a participant in a community or social service agency program, or if you are an individual or family with a low-income, you may qualify for the Ottawa Hand in Hand recreation and culture fee support program.

To apply for the Ottawa Hand in Hand, Recreation and Culture Fee Support:

Step 1: Get the application form at any recreation or cultural facility or at a Client Service Centre.
Step 2: Complete the application form.
Step 3: Bring the completed application form to your local recreation or cultural facility. A supervisor will review the application for approval.
More information on the fee support program:

Residents of all ages are eligible for Ottawa Hand in Hand, recreation and culture fee support.

Applications can only be approved at a recreation or cultural facility.

Residents are encouraged to apply for the Ottawa Hand in Hand fee support as early as possible before the program registration period. Each qualifying individual, or member of a family, is eligible for an annual amount of fee support ($165 per person).

Participants can register for recreation and culture programs or activities at any of the program registration locations across the City.

Applicants are encouraged to pay a minimum of 25 per cent of the program cost. A parent or guardian can transfer all, or a portion of their Ottawa Hand in Hand fee support entitlement to a child or children in their household.

Applications for Ottawa Hand in Hand, recreation and culture fee support are accepted at anytime.

Click here to view a PDF file of activities for pre-school children.

Our clients travel from near and far to get to Bethany

Ottawa is a very big city that's spread out over a very wide geographic area. A quick look at the graph below clearly shows how widely dispersed everyone is in Ottawa.

Fewer than 10% of Learning Coach clients live within a 30-minute walk of 820 Woodroffe.

Whether by foot, car or bus, we're always glad to see everyone no matter how they get here.

Distance from Bethany Hope Centre to Clients' Homes
Community Day: Celebrating Young Parents & Their Children

The Bethany Hope Centre is hosting a Community Day event on Saturday, May 30, 2015 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. 


 
Everyone is welcome!


 
Community Day is a fun opportunity for everyone at Bethany Hope Centre to spend some time with our neighbours. We've been on Woodroffe Ave for a couple of years now, but there's a lot of doors we have yet to knock on. So...knock, knock, neighbour! Come on over!


 
Showcased at the event is an Artisan craft sale featuring youth entrepreneurs. 


 
There will be live music provided by members of "The Split", children's activities including a bouncy castle, a Disney Princess and Spiderman, a specialty French fry and poutine truck and a popsicle cart!


We are currently seeking two kinds of donations:
 

1) Good quality used items we can sell at the Garage Sale section 

of Community Day (all proceeds go to Bethany Hope Centre)


2) Soda, bottled water and juice boxes we can share with Community 

Day visitors

 

"The BHC Community Day event offers a chance to celebrate the resiliency and courage of young parents as well as the joy that comes with being part of a great neighbourhood," said Brenda Coles, Executive Director for Bethany Hope Centre, "We want to thank the public and our sponsors Zak's Diner, Dream, Love, Grow, Project Tembo,  The Merry Dairy, and Big D's Dog House & Poutine Emporium for their continued generosity in support of these special events for young parent families within our community."


 
Thanks to Jump 106.9 and Boom 97 for their media coverage of the event.

 

To make a monetary or food donation or to purchase a vendor table please contact Brandi Chaffey at The Bethany Hope Centre at 613-725-1733 ext. 101. 


 
If you would like to volunteer please contact Christine Lauzon, Volunteer Coordinator at 613-725-1733 ext. 211. 



Bethany's Parent Enterprise Program
Nurse Judy's Fitness Challenges: Bring on the Bay!

As a new fitness challenge, I have registered for Bring on the Bay (a 3 km open water swim), on July 11 and The Army Half Marathon run (21.5 km) on September 20. 


 
As a youngster, I was quite a good swimmer, but slacked off as an adult.  When I was 59 years old, my son challenged me to do a triathlon.  My response was "No way!" 


 
But he persisted: "Mom, you can swim".  I replied yes (but not fast).  He said, "That doesn't matter".  Then he said, "You can ride a bike".  "But", I said, "I could not RACE a bike".  He said, "That doesn't matter".  I then said, "Aha!  I can't run!". "That does not matter", he said, "lots of people just walk".  I had no comeback.  


 
After I signed up for my first very short triathlon,  I was hooked.  Since then I have participated in short distance triathlons, 5 and 10 km running races and one long distance (100 km) bike ride.


"After I signed up for my first (very short) triathlon,  I was hooked."


 
Health problems and injuries slowed me down in the last couple of years, but this year, at age 67 very soon to be 68, I am fighting back.  I jumped on the training wagon a little too hard in March, so I am trying to ease into my training routine.  Nutrition is also important. I need to lose a little weight (and I have a very sweet tooth).  But I will balance that with nutritious food.


 
My son?  Well, he and his wife have been my #1 supporters, cheering me on and making sure I have the equipment I need. 


I hope to write more to you over the next few months. I'll keep you posted on my progress, and remind you that you don't need to be an Olympian to be fit. You just have to get active!


The Learning Coach - (613) 799-2668 (voice or text)

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