Professor Owls Book Corner

Variety Village included in Door Open Toronto 2009

Professor Owl's Book Corner:

Watch for June 2009 Newsletter and meet our new hero of the month.  Each issue is full of books, safe surfing and crafts and cooking recipes you can make yourself. 

To order your copy: send an email to professorowl@rogers.com  or take a look at our web site

www.professorowlspublications.com

For all parents of children with special needs, visit our website especially for you, to learn more about our treasure chest of resources, visit our web site. www.thetreasurechestofresources.com.  For the summer we have a special section on summer camps, take a look at the above web site.

Any one who is following Professor Owl's Monthly Newsletter, for children with special needs, chronic illness and learning challenges; will know that every month we are proud to present one of Variety Villages heroes - these are girls and boys who have followed their dreams and have excelled in the sport of their choice in spite of their illness or disability.

Professor Owl would therefore, like to promote their Open doors event - where people can take  Tours of the facilities, kids activities and learn the history of such a great help to thesr children..

Press release:

Variety Village is proud to be included in the roster of buildings for Doors Open Toronto 2009. This event provides a great opportunity for Variety Village members as well as members of the surrounding community to learn about the long history of Variety Village . The 10th anniversary of Doors Open Toronto takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 & 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tours of the facility and kid’s activities are scheduled for both days.

Variety Village is proud to be included in the roster of buildings for Doors Open Toronto 2009. This event provides a great opportunity for Variety Village members as well as members of the surrounding community to learn about the long history of Variety Village . The 10th anniversary of Doors Open Toronto takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 & 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tours of the facility and kid’s activities are scheduled for both days. Admission is FREE Where:  3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario. M1N 2G2              P: 416-699-7167     F: 416-699-5752      TTY: 699-8147              Info@varietyvillage.on.ca         | DOORS OPEN WEBSITE | VARIETY WEBSITE | H H     H

           

Fund Raiser for Ontario's Variety Village

Every Month Professor Owl's Newsletter - Features one of Variety Village's Hero's Lets help make more dreams come true.     On Tuesday, don't miss the 10th anniversary of this mouth-watering event!

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Happy May Day! Boys and Girsl

After a long cold winter for most of us, we are finally into spring with longer sunny warm days and of course “Base Ball Season!”

It is great to follow our favourite baseball team and even play a game or two like Professor Owl; however sitting in a wheelchair or standing on crutches or leg braces can  be a frustrating experience for some boys and girls especially while they watch their friends play baseball, basket ball or run races around the track.

Variety Village, local Municipalities and other organizations do arrange sports events for these children to compete in.

Watch this month’s newsletter, which again has our hero of the month.  Also in this month’s newsletter we will also have book reviews, book suggestions, other quite activities and some special recipes.  Of course we will also have safe surfing news and of course jokes by kids

 Tell your parents also, to look for “The Treasure Chest of Resources: Special Camp Edition” that will be available later this month for children with special needs, chronic illness and learning challenges.

The Treasure Chest Of Resources - Part-one

 RELEASE

Notice

April, 30^th/09

                                                         

Contact:

Sylvia McGrath - (Keswick, Ontario)

Phone:  289-231-3931

Fax:  1-866-306-2220

http://www.sylviawmcgrath.com

 

 

Renée MacLachlan - (London, Ontario)

 

Phone: 519-281-0053

Fax:  226-663-4506

 

http://focusingthevoice.com

 

Complimentary e-book for all parents of children with special needs, chronic illness and learning challenges.

 

Ontario, Canada - April 30^th/09 - It is hard enough for any parent these days to care for a healthy child however, when the child needs special help to live their daily lives; it is one mountain after another for their parents, and endless yards of red tape and regulations.

This multi-part complimentary e-book is available to you, in hopes of relieving some of the stress that entails when researching for a foundation of information on topics that are close to you.

Our goal is to cut through all of these - giving you answers to your questions all in one area, no more spending hours surfing to find answers.

Visit our websites to get your complimentary copy. 

http://treasurechestresources.com

http://www.thetreasurechestofresources.com/index.html

or email – atreasurechest@rogers.com

Making resources more accessible and available, because we know what's more important - family!

Professor Owls Book Corner & Newsletter

Hello Boys and Girls,                                                                     

 

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

With the March break just around the corner; this month’s newsletter is filled with some great crafts, activities and books to keep you busy over the holidays.

    

Perhaps during your holiday you could take Professor Owl's reading challenge; remember all you need to do is read just five pages a day and then you can go out to play. This way you will soon finish the book, when you have finished reading it, you write to Professor Owl and tell him about the story and if he decides to use your book in next month’s newsletter you will receive a special prize.  Just email your story to professorowl@rogers.com

 

Every month we have been working hard trying to improve your newsletter for you.  In this month’s issue we have our usual book review; we also have a great book of the month The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series #1) by Rick Riordan.

 

We have exciting surfing news, monthly jokes and delicious recipes that you can make yourself with some help from mom, dad or older brothers and sisters. 

 

 This month you will also meet Variety Village’s hero Kathleen who has been training with the “Young Choung Variety Village Taekwondo team”

 

This month we are also featuring a new book that Variety Village is promoting.

 

 

Glowing Hearts – From Play to Podium:  inspires children with, and without, disabilities to get active and reach their potential through the power of sport. It focuses on abilities, not limitations! With fabulous photography, colourful layouts, moving quotes and emotional stories from children and Paralympians alike, the message is clear - all kids can achieve their goals regardless of differences.

Books cost $20 each (including tax). Purchase yours at the Variety Village front desk or email Lynda at lelmy@varietyontario.ca for more details

 

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Variety Village for sending me the information on one of their hero’s every month for Professor Owl's Newsletter. These hero’s show us that nothing is impossible, and there is nothing we can’t do if we put our minds to it.

Variety the children’s charity do such great work that I would like to make this appeal on their behalf.

Variety Village, have helped raise a fair share of kids.  They have worked with youth who have gone on to win gold at the Paralympics, become inspiring teachers, professionals and parents. Others have developed the skills and confidence to live independently.

Variety Village is a magical place. It’s a place where people are seen for what they can do – not what they can’t do. It’s a welcoming place – whether you’re a youngster with Down syndrome competing on our Taekwondo team, an adult with autism working out in the weight room or senior swimming laps in the pool.

But what happens to a child without a village? In the last 24 years, Variety has had its ups and downs. But they may be facing their toughest times right now. That’s why I am doing something that’s not in my nature: I’m asking for your help.

If you’ve been a donor in the past, I know you care about Variety Village. I think it’s important you know we have had a difficult year financially. Sales of assets, which will meet some of our cash flow challenges, will take longer than expected. And with the global economic situation, fundraising from corporations and foundations will be tough in the coming months.

I am asking you to support Variety Village, to help them through this challenging time – to help ensure more kids will grow into confident adults far into the future. Please make a donation today. >> www.varietyontario.ca

 

 

 

  

Happy New Year Boys and Girls from Professor Owl and Sylvia

 Happy New Year boys and girls, here hoping 2009 brings you a great year.

Watch for January’s copy of Professor Owl’s newsletter.  We have been working hard trying to improve your newsletter for you.

In this month issue we have our usual book review, we also have a great book of the month titled “Chelsea’s Chariot.” By Carol Mayer.

As usual there will be a book review for every age group so that no one is left out.

We will also give you the opportunity to write to us for your own copy of a story to read while you take Professor Owl’s reading challenge. We will also offer  prizes for the boys and girls that read the most books each month.

We would love to know if you have been able to meet the reading challenge; some of the books for each age group can also be down loaded daily making it easier for you read the five pages a day. Please write and let us know how well you are doing mail:professorowl@rogers.com

We have exciting surfing news, monthly crafts, jokes and delicious recipes that you can make yourself or with some help from mom, dad or older brothers and sisters.  

This month you will also meet Variety Village’s hero Nydia, at 13 years old she is already an accomplished athlete. Awarded the 2006 Robert Hall Award by Variety for outstanding accomplishment by an athlete, she stands a good chance to make her dream a reality. Nydia’s been swimming with the Variety Village Flames Swim Team for five years, and she’s achieved national and international level standards as a swimmer with a disability.
To order your copy of the newsletter sign the form on this blog or sends us an email: professorowl@rogers.com   

Look for our February 2009 issue in which you will find a new series of crafts and activities.

For the parents of children with special needs:

 

 

Part one of “The Treasure Chest of Resources” will be ready for upload later this month.  I apologize for the delay, but as I mentioned last month I have been lucky enough to find a co-author who has the experience as a parent of a child with special needs– Her name is Renée MacLachlan: and we are trying to make this eBook “the number one resource for needed information.”

Professor Owl's Book Corner - November, 2008 Newsletter

Wow! Here we are in another month – a busy one for some.  This month we have the U.S. Thanksgiving and the thoughts of Christmas and Hanukah just around the corner.

This month we also have a great book of the month for you to read, and other great books to ask Santa for. There will be one for every age group so that no one is left out. We would love to know if you have been able to meet Professor Owl’s reading challenge; some of the books for each age group can also be down loaded daily making it easier for you read the five pages a day. Please write and let us know how well you are doing mailto:professorowl@rogers.com

We have exciting surfing news, monthly crafts, jokes and delicious holiday recipes and gifts that you can make yourself or with some help from Mom or older brothers and sisters.  

In this issue you will meet another remarkable Hero of the month - Cynthia, age 20; she is truly the leader of the Variety Village Flames Swim Team. While she’s incredibly competitive; she’s also a role model for the younger swimmers on her team. She’s been a member of the Flames for seven years and has participated in many national and international events.

Her coach Rafael Polinario describes her as fearless. She never holds back and always finds ways to improve her performance. She has the right desire to succeed as a world-class athlete and has become one of Canada’s best swimmers with a disability in her class.

 

We always have so much fun putting this newsletter together we hope your enjoy it.

To order your copy of the newsletter sends us an email to: professorowl@rogers.com

Look for our December2008 our special holiday issue, in which will give some ideas and instructions for a safe and happy holiday

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

For the parents of children with special needs: Part one of “The Treasure Chest of Resources” will be ready for upload in the New Year.  I apologize for the delay, but I have been lucky enough to find a co-author who has the experience as a parent of a child with special needs–

Her name is Renée MacLachlan:

Renee has a son with a rare syndrome called Meckel Syndrome.  Most children who are diagnosed with this syndrome do not survive. v  She has had 12 years of personal experience in raising, supporting and advocating for her son.  She has dealt with doctors, nurses, therapists, schools and others, to make sure he has the best life possible. v  Has gone through and continues to go through the love, joy, pride, stress, frustration, and even sometimes the pain of raising a child with special needs. v  Over the years, she has helped other families in their struggles by sharing information and resources as well as advocating with/for them and their families. v  Having held positions of leadership in various groups, being a singer and organizing numerous events, she is very qualified and comfortable in many different circumstances.  v  She is available to help make you aware of the resources available for you to access that will be of benefit. A person who knows what you need to know this can only make our book a perfect resource for you.   For more information on Renee and her services visit her website http://focusingthevoice.com/

 

 

 

Professor Owl's Book Corner - October 2008 Newsletter

This month’s issue is full of fun, games, recipes, crafts and instructions on how to make decorations and costumes; for Halloween.

Again it is packed full of great books for you to read. Some for every age so that no one is left out. We would love to know if you have been able to meet Professor Owl’s reading challenge; write and let us know to mailto:professorowl@rogers.com

We have exciting surfing news, monthly crafts, jokes and delicious recipes that you can make yourself or with some help from Mom or older brothers and sisters.  

In this issue you will meet our remarkable kid of the month Robert, 15 who is blind and who started his own charity called "Tabs for Kids" when he was five years-old, raising money for wheelchairs. He is a Variety Village Ambassador, and is an active competitive swimmer. Competing in the Paralympics Winter games, Robert won a gold medal in the 50 metre backstroke. .

We always have so much fun putting this newsletter together we hope your enjoy it.

To order your copy of the newsletter sends us an email to: professorowl@rogers.com

Look for our November 2008 issue, in which will give some ideas and instructions for making holiday decorations and gifts and meet another "Remarkable Kid"

Professor Owl's September 2008 Newsletter

 September 22nd is the first day of autumn, now the days are getting shorter and the temperatures cooler. It is back to school time again, with school, lessons and homework; it is not always easy to play outside.

This month’s newsletter is packed full of great books for you to read, and some for your parents to help you in school. We have exciting surfing news, monthly crafts, jokes and delicious recipes that you can make yourself or with some help from Mom or older brothers and sisters.  Just a few interesting things to keep you busy on those cool dark days and evenings.  There is also some news on how to meet Professor Owl’s reading challenge.  See his favourite books of the month,  listed by age groups so that no one is left out.

Meet our remarkable kid of the month Hristina, who is 11 years old, an accomplished synchronized swimmer who is part of a team of girls her age.

We hope you have as much fun reading the newsletter, as we did putting it together for you.

Watch for our October  Newsletter, full of Halloween fun, games ,recipes, crafts and decorations also meet another remarkable kid called Robert

To order your copy of the newsletter sends an email to: professorowl@rogers.com

With “subscribe” in the subject line or use or sign in box above.

ADD & ADHD in children

                                                                                              

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

It is normal for children to occasionally daydream during class, act without thinking, forget their homework, or get fidgety at the dinner table. However, impulsivity, hyperactivity and   inattention, are also signs of ADD or ADHD.

When a child has ADD / ADHD it can also lead to problems at home, school, and affect a child’s ability to learn and get along with others. It is therefore important to know what the signs and symptoms are and get help if any of these are present in the child.

Some ADHA Symptoms:

·         They cannot sit still, never seems to listen,

·         Do not follow instructions no matter how clearly they are given. 

·         They blurt out inappropriate comments at inappropriate times. 

·         May also be criticized for being lazy

·         They are labelled as troublemakers and undisciplined.

The symptoms and signs of ADD/ADHD usually appear before the age of seven. It can however, be a little difficult to distinguish between normal kid behaviour and ADHD.  If a few signs show up only in some situations then it is probably not ADD/ADHD. Should a child show a number of signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD and are disruptive at home, school and play then it is time to take a closer look.

Watch for my e-Book in the fall called the “Treasure Chest of Resources” in it you will find more information on ADD/ADHD and information on where to go for help. 

In Professor Owls - September newsletter we will have some suggestions of activities to help children with ADD/ADHD

Music to me, is as essential as breathing

    I was lucky enough recently to meet a young man who really impressed me not only with his singing but his outlook on life.

His name is Justin Hines and he is possessed with an unflagging spirit that’s remarkable under any circumstances, Justin copes with a rare genetic joint condition called Larsen Syndrome that keeps him wheelchair bound. “Sometimes people find it hard to understand why I would be so positive,” he explains. “I was born into my situation, I don’t know any different, and I feel very fortunate for my family and all the support that I have. I know my physical situation is a bit of an attention grabber, but as an artist and performer, it is my job to hold the audience’s attention, and let the music speak for itself.

 

His first gig was in front of 17,000 people; competing against hundreds of entrants, 14 year- old Justin won a radio contest to sing the Canadian national anthem at a Toronto Raptors game.

 

In talking about his music, Justin says, “Honestly, I don’t remember wanting to do anything else, period.” That sense of it being something as essential as breathing emanates from every track on his soul-searching debut album, “Sides”

 

  Check out Justine's music and his fund raising for the Variety Children Charity.

 

For more information about Justin Hines contact:

 

The Orange Lounge Recording Company

567 Queen St W, Suite 300

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5V 2B6

Tel: (416) 504-8084, Fax: (416) 504-8972

 

Home News Biography Tour Video Downloads Store MySpace Justin Hines Foundation Contact Information

 

 

http://www.justinhines.com/video.php