Biinoojinh Gamgoonhs – M'Chigeeng First Nation

Aanii Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to another year of learning and growing at the Binoojiinh Gamgoonhs! I’m pleased to share that we have made some exciting changes at the Centre. Those of you returning will notice some staffing changes. We are very pleased to announce/confirm the following staff members for each program:
Infant Program: Bethany Taibossigai (RECE) & Shania Roy (Educator Assistant) Toddler Program: Jasmine Roy-Corbiere (RECE); Valerie Corbiere (RECE) & Mnawaate Gordon-Corbiere (Educator Assistant)
Preschool Program: Erica Young (RECE) & Brenda Armstrong (Educator Assistant)
Before and Afterschool Program(s): Dream Saunders, Sheila Esquib, Shania Roy, Mnawaate Gordon-Corbiere

We are also pleased to be working closely with our new Director of Education, Kimberley Debassige, who brings a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in the field of education. We will also be posting soon for an Assistant Supervisor to help in our efforts to provide high-quality early learning programming. Together, we are committed to these goals:

Ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for students, parents/guardians.
Focusing more deeply on early literacy and numeracy skills.
Integrating Ways of being, knowing and understanding through Ontario Early Years Pedagogy focusing on culture -Aodiziwon, and language – Anishinaabemowin.

To achieve our goals, we are working collaboratively with two talented educational consultants who bring expertise in the above goal-areas.

Dr. Pat Bucci is an Education Consultant with expertise in brain development, early childhood education and special education. Pat will be at the centre throughout the year, to coach, model and mentor staff, and to assess student growth.
Ms. Faith Hale is an Indigenous Early Childhood Education Consultant who will provide both professional development sessions and in-class support over the course of the year.

We look forward to seeing you at the Centre for drop-offs, pick-ups, parent engagement sessions, etc. On September 20th we will be holding our annual “memorial” pow-wow from 9:30AM-11:30AM with a feast to follow, and on September 28th we will be hosting a meet and greet evening from 5pm – 6:30pm. Please keep watch for upcoming events and activities being hosted and/or facilitated by our team in the Child & Family Support Program (aka Toy Library).

Later include this our week, approved you will daycare receive a calendar. copy of Please the take 2023/24 time Parent to review Handbook it carefully which and will On don’t behalf hesitate of the to let us Binoojiinh know if you Gamgoonhs have any staff, we questions, look forward comments to or working suggestions.with you to provide your child with the best possible learning opportunities.

Yours in Early Childhood Education,

Denise Debassige
Supervisor

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n Monday, January 9, 2023 the educators/staff participated in an evening information session with Dr. Patricia Bucci on Early Literacy – The Miracle Years. The days following, on January 10th and 11th, Mrs. Bucci remained on premises and modelled techniques to educators within all the groups. She also provided staff with sample activities and next steps. In addition, she administered a PRE- Phonological Awareness Screener with all the preschool children who returned parent consent forms. Reports of these screenings will be made available to parents in the coming weeks. My hope is to bring Mrs. Bucci back for a POST – follow up screening in the Spring 2023.

I want to welcome Kaelyn Moor as the newest member of the team. Kaelyn is joining us full time as our new Resource Teacher, effective Monday, January 30, 2023, and she is very happy and eager to begin her new role! I would also like to welcome Rosetta Toulouse, an additional enhanced language speaker. Rosetta is with us daily for 3 hours along with Norma Corbiere who has been with us since April. These ladies work collaboratively with Susan Corbiere, our Language Mentor in modelling the language and promoting our Anishinaabemowin Culture.

We invite you to join us on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 for an Open House from 5PM – 7PM. Meet your child’s educator, visit their classrooms, view their daily routines, see what they are learning and all the fun activities they are engaged in. A spaghetti dinner will be available and chance to win a door prize!

On Friday, February 3, 2023, the Childcare Centre will be closed for Professional Development. All staff will be participating in a full day workshop facilitated by Mrs. Sylvia Recollet, RP. Mrs. Recollet will be presenting the 8 Point Star Teaching that focuses on self-care. Participants will hear the 7 Grandfather Teachings and how it applies to Mino Bimaadziwin (their good life). It is my hope that participants will take away from the presentation a tool to help with their wellness. The afternoon, will have the team will be engaged in a workshop addressing lateral violence prevention in the workplace.

February 22, 2023 is identified to show your support and create awareness for “anti bullying” by wearing your “pink shirt”.

There have been a few inquiries on whether we will be open for the March Break. Please rest assured that yes, we will remain open for working parents. Approved calendars for 2022/23 were previously distributed the parents/families, however, if you require an extra copy Rhonda will be happy to supply you with a copy.

Binoojiinh Gamgoonhs in conjunction with M’Chigeeng’s Human Resource’s department continue to actively seek and secure a pool of “on call supply” in all the following areas – educators, dietary and janitorial support, reception. In addition to this pool of on call supply, the following full-time positions are posted. Registered Early Childhood Educator and Resource and Cultural Facilitator.

-Denise Debassige, Childcare Supervisor

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Junior Preschool

Aanii, we are the Jr Preschool Room. We are a classroom of 15 children who are Ruben, Annabella, Clayton S, Clayton A, Olive, Elliana, Emaleigh, Alexa, Kayianna, Ashdon, Kaelen, Deon, George, Mariana and Tianna who are loved, cared for and protected daily by Miss Brenda, Miss Ashlyn, Miss Bethany and many more. We have very exciting news as we have a new Native Language Educator her name is Miss Rosetta. The children admire Miss Rosetta and are drawn to her attention.
For the month of February, we have two birthdays in our classroom this month which are Ruben and Annabella in which we will be celebrating with a party to congratulate. We will also be celebrating Valentine’s Day! Our Valentines party is on Tuesday February 14th. Everyone will be given a Valentine’s day bag to collect cards.
Activities this month are cutting, tracing, practicing our ABC’S, colors, names, shapes, numbers, days of the week and as well as our names after completion. Miss Rosetta does so in Native Language.

Yours Truly,
Jr. Preschool Room.

Senior Preschool

Aanii, Educators in the Sr. Preschool Program are Sheila Paul, Florita Copada. We have an enrollment of 5 Jr. Kindergarten’s. In the months of October, November, December we finished our Phonics Program in December. We had a few community outings. Trick or Treating in October, We went shopping for our Christmas Party down at Freshmart here in M’Chigeeng. We are awesome in the classroom with our activities, cutting practice with scissors, tracing, coloring, painting, self-help skills are coming along, name recognition, making our own playdough, moon sand. In the few months Educators have seen a lot of growth and have a few more months to get ready for Lakeview School.

Miigwetch, Sheila & Florita

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Toddler Program

It is amazing how fast time flies when you’re having fun! Our upcoming special events for February are below:

February 3rd: fruit kabob making along with wear your favourite jersey day.
February 10th: Pancake and pj day.
February 14th: Valentine’s Day followed with a party (wear red this day)
February 17th: Smoothie making with a cinema day
February 24: Rainbow day

The highlights in our learning this month is story telling, singing, friends and family members in spoken in our anishnaabemowin.
We will be working on arts and crafts for Valentine’s Day for friends and family. We will be sharing a list of our friends that are in our toddler program if you wish to send them a valentines. You can come in to pick it up or choose for it to be sent through email or call and we will happily send it your way.
If you choose to stop in, we will have a valentine’s box outside our door that our little friends decorated. We thank you for all your continued support! We are excite to see what the rest of the school year has in store.

Daycare Reminders

• CLOTHING – We ask that your child is dressed in clothing that is appropriate for the season, outdoor play may sometimes prove to be messy/wet. Winter clothing needed; warm hat/toque, 2 pairs of mitts, winter boots, winter coat/jacket, snow pants, neck warmer (no scarves). Friendly reminder to keep extra comfortable and seasonal clothing in your child’s cubby/bin, including underwear, socks and 2-3 sets of clothing. Please replace any soiled items sent home the next day.

• OUTDOOR PLAY – All children are taken outdoors daily. Please remember to send you child with proper outdoor clothing. Children who are well enough to be in attendance will be required to participate in outdoor activities

• ATTENDANCE – Regular and consistent attendance is encouraged and required in order to maintain their childcare space with the program. Please notify the Daycare Centre of any absences due to illness or anticipated lengthy absences (ex. Family holiday).

• HEALTH & SAFETY – If your child(ren) is experiencing any symptoms of sick health / communicable diseases; please keep them home until they are well enough to return to the Centre or have been cleared by the health clinic.

Friday, February 3rd is a PD Day – The Daycare centre will be closed.

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