Isolation is a challenge for all but imagine being new to this world and not being able to see the friendly faces that you’ve gotten to know at the Firehall. We are doing our best to connect with our little friends through the Zoom platform.
OSCA is Changing its Online Registration System
We are excited to announce that we will soon be partnering with Amilia — a Canadian online registration software provider — to replace our current registration system.
Turning the Corner... OSCA President's Report
Did you have a chance to read OSCA President Richard Slowikowski's report in the March OSCAR? It's full of interesting information about some recent and upcoming changes at OSCA, so we reproduced it here:
All Spring Program Registration is now Open!
Registration for all of our Spring Programs in now OPEN!
OSCA Summer Camps 2020
We've put together a bunch of fun, themed activities for children each week. We're calling them our virtual camps! Virtual camp weeks will consist of a special themed activity each day of the week. You can sign-up individually for whichever you'd like! They are coordinated by Darcy Middaugh & Katherine Boisvert.
GivingTuesday: OSCA is Raising $2,000 for a New Kitchen Stove & for the Annual After-Four Turkey Dinner
GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The “opening day of the giving season,” is a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for their favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community comes together for GivingTuesday.
OSCA's Winter Programs Are Coming
Our Winter 2020 Program guide is available online here and will be available in hard-copy in the December OSCAR. We hope you enjoy our program lineup and some of the new things we’ve come up with – we think there is a little something for everyone!
Old Ottawa South Garden Club 2019-2020 Season
Welcome to the 25th anniversary year of the Old Ottawa South Garden Club. Attached is a copy of our exciting program for 2019-20.
After-4
OSCA’s After-School Program, After-4, includes supervised walkover from Hopewell Public School, games, crafts, trips to the park, and special workshops. All activities will be adapted to meet social distancing requirements. Coordinators and staff have been working with our Operations Committee to meet the growing needs of the community and help provide age-appropriate programming in these difficult times. Our dedicated staff are committed to building a positive rapport with every child. For more details about how we run our program, please see the After-4 Parent Handbook here.
Every day, we will choose between a variety of activities that may include active games and sports, crafts, cooking, science experiments, reading, and more! Our dynamic staff will make sure that your child has a great experience.
- Location: The Firehall (260 Sunnyside Ave.)
- Monday - Friday 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm (Except holidays and during Break Camps)
- September 2020-December 2020
To register please contact matt@oldottawasouth.ca
Health & Safety Precautions
We want to share some of the key changes we've made to the way we will be operating After-4 in the Fall:
- Ratios of 1 staff member to 6 kids for kindergarten and a ratio of 1:8 for all other ages. Both ratios exceed those that are recommended. For comparison, the City of Ottawa ratios are 1:8 and 1:10, respectively.
- Senior staff - coordinators and the Executive Director - will all be working in After-4 providing additional support and oversight.
- Each group will have their own separate space, separate entrance, separate storage, and separate washroom. In other words, cohorts and staff will never interact with each other or share space.
- Increased cleaning protocols.
- Groups will be formed based on existing school and/or family cohorts.
- Increased at-home programming options with video-on-demand for those who may miss a day.
- Supplemental programming in case of forced closure.
Walkover
We offer a walk-over service from Hopewell Public School to the Firehall.
Sign-Out
Pick-up will take place between 5:20 and 5:30 pm outside only. Participants will only be released to those who are authorized for pick up on their waiver. Children who are ready to walk home on their own may do so at a predetermined time with written parental consent, by either a note or by email to firehallcoordinators@oldottawasouth.ca
After-4 Staff
OSCA’s After-4 coordinators and counsellors are dedicated to providing a fun and safe after-school environment for every child in a socially distanced environment. Many of our staff have participated in the After-4 program as children, volunteered in the program and are now passionate about their opportunity to give back to the Firehall.
Each staff member is required to obtain the following qualifications: valid Standard Level First Aid, Level C CPR and AED certification; Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation training; Worker Health & Safety Training; and a vulnerable sector Police Records Check. OSCA After-4 staff also receive training on a monthly basis in many areas such as dynamic and age-specific programming, health & safety policies, special needs, behaviour management, and much more!
After-4 Fees and Payment Policies
September: $125
Monthly Fee: $295
Upon registration, OSCA requires the first month's fee to be paid. Your credit card will be set up for monthly payments made on the first of each month.
Youth & Junior Youth Nights Spring 2019
Spring Youth & Junior Youth Nights at the Firehall
Join us for an AMAZING lineup of Youth Nights this Spring. Read more to hear about the awesome themes we have planned.
