Ontario Early Years Programs

Saturday programs are closed over the long weekend - enjoy your weekend!

Our new Focus on Families is now available on line - coming to programs soon........

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WONDERFUL
SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS:

Rocky Crest Resort  www.rockycrest.ca
South Muskoka Golf & Curling Club www.southmuskoka.ca
Reflexology Session with Lisa  (2 sessions)
Doug Outtrim Woodworking
Swish Cleaning Productswww.swish.ca
Rich MacDonald
T-Rex Excavating  705-641-9196
Mary Kay Robyn Specht-Kilroy
 Baby Slings  Green Things  Baby Slings & Green Things
Purk's Place in Bala  www.purksplace.ca
Zcizzorz in Bracebridge Info
The Marriott Residence Inn - Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst 
Lilibird www.lilibird.com
Applause Toys www.applausetoystore.com
Dan Wyjad Pinkard Wyjad Associates Barristers and Solicitors
Fowler Construction Fowler Construction
Jon Partridge Jon Partridge Pottery
Dorothy Jackson
Lisa Moore
Amy McLeish
Randy Turner

Statement from the Chair of the Board of Directors, 
Muskoka Family Focus & Childrens Place

I wish to address and clarify some of the statements made by Mr. Chris Sax, CUPE National Rep, to the Bracebridge Examiner and the Moose FM, with respect to our recent contract negotiations.

It is absolutely not in either party's best interests to strike or to lock-out staff.

We were very surprised by the content of Mr. Sax's recent statements to the media. I wish to clarify that, earlier this Spring, we had presented to him and the union a 3 year offer including wage increases, vacation improvements and mileage, an offer Mr. Sax has omitted from his statements. Unfortunately, the union rejected our offer and called for a strike vote.

Our dedicated staff have been without a contract since June of 2011 and we are all anxious to have a mutually acceptable agreement in place as soon as possible. The recommencement of negotiations was delayed until April of this year as Mr. Sax was on an extended leave from his position. Currently, our consultant is in Peru on a 2 week volunteer commitment to build a daycare centre, an important commitment we fully understand and support.

We will continue to negotiate in good faith and, when requested, we immediately agreed to a Mediator's request to meet on May 23, 2012.

We are committed to our staff and to the families of Muskoka. It is our utmost desire that we reach an amicable agreement so that Muskoka Family Focus and Childrens Place may continue to provide excellent service within this community.

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Garrow Sneyd
Board Chair

Thursday June 21st

$15 per person (taxes included)
2 years and over

coupons required - may be picked up at all Early Years Programs, Early Learning Centres or at our Admin Building at 20 Entrance Dr in Bracebridge - click here to print your own.

Saturday May 26th

Take a Hike

Avery Beach Park - Huntsville

11 - arrival & registration
11:30 - GPS demo
12 - lunch break
(lunch provided by Muskoka Trails)
12:45 - geocaching, ultimate
          Frisbee, scavenger hunt

Bus from Gravenhurst Public School (10:15), Monck Public School (10:30)
and VK Greer in Port Sydney  (10:45) Bus will leave on a return run at 2:00.

 Call Barb to register for this event at 705-645-3027 x200

Runs rain or shine—bring a water bottle!

This special event is brought to you by the Muskoka Fathering Coalition

Alyson Schafer is back this May 30th
at the Rene Caisse Theatre

Click on image to enlarge.

Your are invite to join us!

All Kindergarten Aged Children of Muskoka!

CLICK HERE for more information about Ready for Kindergarten community events.

Thursday June 14th

Annie Williams Park
in Bracebridge

4:30 to 7:30 pm

Bring your picnic basket
We'll provide drinks and dessert!

This event is for all past and present families, volunteers and staff.

SPREAD THE WORD...............

Help us celebrate 25 years of providing quality service to Muskoka families.

Games, Fire Department, Police Department, Ambulance, Slide Show, Music, FUN!

Please bring any pictures or memorabilia you may have from our programs and add them to our scrapbook pages or bring your own 6" x 6" page to add.  Thank you to all the wonderful ladies at the Craft Nook's Scrapbooking Weekend for donating their creative pages for our MFF Scrapbook!

We are now accepting applications for the 2012 Schools Cool Season.

This amazing program helps children prepare for Kindergarten.

This summer we will offer 2 half day programs*:  
HPS in Huntsville and GPS in Gravenhurst
Monday to Thursday
9 am to noon

5 full day programs*
KP Manson, Macauley PS, VK Greer & Glen Orchard will be Tues & Thurs
Muskoka Falls will be Mon & Wed
9 am to 3 pm

This 6 week program is only $200.
Partial assistance may be available

Click here for a current registration form

*contingent upon enrolment

Click on the poster
at the right to get
more information
on Licensed Child
Care in Muskoka

Are you looking for childcare in Muskoka?  

• Gravenhurst Children's Place - Call Tanya at 
  705- 687-6664 to inquire (waiting list available)...

• Bracebridge Children's Place.  Call Kathleen at 705-645-3362 to inquire...

• Before School and After School care at MMO & BPS.  Call Kathleen at 705-645-3362 to inquire...

FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS IN MUSKOKA
click here for a link to all programs

To contact BBOOTC, please call 705-644-3761 or email BBOOTC@hotmail.com

Volunteer opportunities may be available.

Where are BBOOTC dinner programs offered?
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Busing is Tues & Thurs until March 29th
School Bus cancellations apply 705-644-3761

TUESDAYS FROM OCT 4 TO JUNE 12
Bracebridge United Church
46 Dominion St (by the Library)
Bus P/U Woodchester & Cedar @ 4:35, McVittie Place @ 4:40, Alice & York @ 4:45
Hiram & Train @ 4:50 and 100/200 Oakwood heights @ 5

WEDNESDAYS FROM NOV 16 TO APRIL 11
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
118 McMurray St (by BPS)

THURSDAYS FROM NOV 3 TO APRIL 12
Bracebridge Legion
168 Muskoka Rd S.
Bus P/U Woodchester & Cedar @ 4:35, McVittie Place @ 4:40, Alice & York @ 4:45
Hiram & Train @ 4:50, 100/200 Oakwood heights @ 5, and Theatre Parking Lot @ 5:10

ARE YOU ON A FIXED INCOME OR TIGHT BUDGET?

Lots' of us are.  Sign up for a 

Community Kitchen Workshop

and see new ways to use the food you get each month in your
Fresh Food Basket (FFB)

NEW - Child care available - call 705-645-3027 x 200 to arrange

Next Workshop April 12th - click here for details and sign up info  

FRESH FOOD BASKETS IN MUSKOKA

Link to more information about the FFB.