PLASP Child Care Services welcomed Dr. Laura Markham as the keynote speaker at PLASP’s Annual Parent and Community Meeting on Monday, October 29, 2018 at the International Centre in Mississauga. Almost 900 parents, staff and community guests attended the meeting.

 Dr. Laura Markham is a clinical psychologist, author and AhaParenting.com creator. She has helped thousands of families throughout the U.S. and Canada. Referencing her book, Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, Dr. Laura talked to PLASP parents, staff and community partners about the importance of supporting children emotionally and connecting with them at their level. She offered parents hands-on tools they can use to help kids WANT to cooperate.  

Dr. Laura Markham, author, Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

During the event, PLASP celebrated its continued growth and shared its success with community partners. Sherry Fodor, President of the PLASP Board of Directors, reported that PLASP is now serving 17,000 children in 237 locations.

PLASP CEO Lynn Hiebert, spoke about the beliefs that guide PLASP’s strategic plan, and mission: Supporting families by providing high quality licensed early learning and child care – where children thrive and want to be. She emphasized the importance of community involvement, the growth of programs across Peel and Toronto and the significance of early learning through child care programs.

At the community reception, the following leaders spoke about their partnership with PLASP and received plaques to celebrate the new PLASP programs in their school boards:

• Manon Gardner, Associate Director of School Operations and Service Excellence, Toronto District School Board
• Peter Joshua, Director of Education, Peel District School Board             
• Marianne Mazzorato, Director of Education, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School  Board                                     
• Rory McGuckin, Director of Education, Toronto Catholic District School Board           

Janet McDougald, Chair, Peel District School Board, Mario Pascucci, Chair, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, and Barbara Poplawski, Chair, Toronto Catholic District School Board provided greetings on behalf of their school boards. Mayor Alan Thompson, from the Town of Caledon, provided welcoming remarks.

PLASP also recognized retiring Chair Janet McDougald, and presented her with a special gift acknowledging her 30 years of service with the Peel District School Board and her ongoing support to PLASP programs, families and communities in Peel Region throughout her career.

Lynn Hiebert, CEO recognizing retiring Chair Janet McDougald, Peel District School Board, with Sherry Fodor, PLASP President

The 27 sponsors of the 2018 Parent and Community Meeting were recognized and thanked for their financial assistance in making the event possible. Lead sponsors for the evening were Grocery Gateway by Longo’s, Mississauga News, Brampton Guardian, and Etobicoke Guardian. All donors are listed in the 2018 Annual Report, which is also available online at plasp.com.

To see photos of the event, please click here.