Happy New Year, WOPC Families and Community Members!
We wish everyone a joyful and prosperous 2025! As we bid farewell to the holiday season, we are excited to share the highlights of the past months with you.
Fundraising Highlights
Our annual Purdy’s Chocolates and Scented Market fundraiser was a tremendous success! Thanks to your generous support, we raised over $700. These funds will go towards enriching programming for children.
A special thank you to Ms. Cathy for her hard work and dedication in organizing these events. Your participation makes a significant difference, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support.
Staff Professional Development Highlights
On Friday, December 6th, our staff engaged in professional development workshops hosted by Halton Region and Kerry’s Place Autism Services. The training sessions included:
- Pedagogical Documentation
- Reframing Behaviour
- Empowering Neurodiversity: Understanding Autism
Kerry’s Place, a not-for-profit organization supporting individuals with Autism, provided valuable tools and insights that help our team better meet the diverse needs of our families.
Holiday Concert Highlights
The Holiday Concert on December 12th was a magical evening! Thank you to everyone who contributed to making it a truly memorable experience.
- WOPC Staff: Our dedicated staff worked tirelessly with the children, teaching them songs and dances, and creating a festive atmosphere. Their commitment and creativity brought joy to the event.
- St. Volodymyr: We are deeply grateful for the use of the beautiful ballroom at St. Volodymyr, which provides the perfect setting for our annual concert.
- Ms. Jordana as Santa: A special thank you to Ms. Jordana for playing Santa this year! Your festive spirit delighted the children and families alike.
Staff and Board Member Updates
We’re thrilled to welcome new members to our team and board:
Tina Lee – Supervisor
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Ms. Tina has 16 years of experience in education across non-profit and private childcare organizations. She holds a BA in Child Studies from Concordia University and has worked with children of all age groups, from infants to school-aged.
For the past 11 years, Tina has served in administrative roles, focusing on fostering environments that promote belonging, well-being, expression, and engagement. She is excited to meet the WOPC community and build meaningful relationships with the children and families.
Debra McLellan – Board Member
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Debra brings over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, relationship building, and fostering impactful change. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and French from the University of Toronto and is fluent in both English and French.
Debra is passionate about giving back to her community and looks forward to using her expertise to empower others and support WOPC initiatives. When she’s not volunteering, she loves spending time with her family and her dog, Ruby.
Sabeen Ishtiaq – Board Member
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Sabeen is a financial professional with over 10 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, and strategic analysis. She specializes in managing internal controls, liaising with auditors, and improving compliance processes.
Sabeen’s strong financial expertise will be a great asset to WOPC as we continue to grow and enhance our programs.
Upcoming Renovations
We are excited to announce that WOPC has received funding from Halton Region to upgrade our washrooms. Renovations will include lowering sinks and toilets and installing new hardware to better accommodate our children’s needs.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2025, creating a more accessible and comfortable space for everyone.
Warm Wishes
We are grateful for your continued support and involvement in our community. Wishing you all a wonderful start to the year!
Warm regards,
Amanda Feng & Tina Lee
West Oakville Preschool Centre