Does all-day kindergarten really help kids?

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A very interesting article in Maclean’s by Reuters writer Kai Pfaffenbach contends that all-day kindergarten may actually hinder the advancement of some children, and at best, does not do much to assist them over those who still go to half day pre-school. Here is an excerpt in which the author states the nub of the case. Worthwhile reading for any parent or prospective parent. Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters
Full-day kindergarten does nothing to permanently improve academic performance. It may stunt the emotional and social development of many kids. And it does no favours to those with special needs. While children from poor or disadvantaged families may derive short-term benefits from extra attention in kindergarten, it defies common sense and financial reality to provide this to all families on a universal basis. The tax system or local authorities are much better suited to targeting children at risk, and at far less cost.

Cornered Mayor Ford “prepared to fight on”

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Warmington

Deputy mayor hopes Ford makes ‘right decision’

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680 News 

Board of Trade calls on mayor to step aside

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Many are hoping Mayor Ford might spend the weekend absorbing the growing calls for him to step aside. But remarks by his lawyer, Dennis Morris, attacking Police Chief William Blair and saying that it is the chief who should resign, suggest that the mayor is prepared to push on in office no matter what. Mr. Ford’s brother, Doug also, criticized the police chief in a radio interview. He said Chief Blair was playing politics by naming the mayor during his news conference Thursday.  Late Friday, the Toronto Board of Trade called for Mr. Ford to step down. A poll by Forum Research following Blair’s news conference yesterday is said to register an increase in support for the mayor. At the same time, however, 60 percent of respondents are said to have agreed that the mayor should resign.  In another development, an email written by a City Hall security employee tells of a drunken appearance by Mr. Ford at City Hall on the night of March 17, 2012. The mayor is said to have accused unknown acquaintances of stealing his car and wandered the halls with a bottle of brandy. He was eventually taken home in a taxi by an aide. The mayor is set to meet with his deputy mayor, Norm Kelly, this weekend to hear the concerns of members of the executive committee. The members have declined to describe their message to Mr. Ford but the sense of their concern will not be hard to guess. 

Glebe residents attend Jack-O-Lantern Parade

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Residents of the Glebe enjoyed a post Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Parade tonight in the Glebe Manor East Parkette on Belsize Drive.  It was, as advertised a Spooky Parade.  

Wallin committed “fraud” Mounties allege

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The CBC says that  the RCMP is accusing Senator Pamela Wallin of committing fraud and breach of trust by filing inappropriate travel and living expenses claims. The documents, filed by the RCMP National Division in Ottawa on Oct. 28, allege that Wallin “defrauded the Senate” between Jan. 2, 2009, and Sept. 30, 2012, in an amount exceeding $5,000 “by deceit, falsehood, or other fraudulent means.”  CBC

Vatican conducts world-wide poll of Catholics

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The Guardian newspaper says that the Vatican has sent a survey to every national conference of bishops worldwide in order to learn more about what ordinary Catholics are thinking. The poll was sent out in mid-October by Vatican co-ordinator Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri with instructions to the bishops to “share it immediately as widely as possible to deaneries and parishes so that input from local sources can be received”. The survey reflects the pope’s pledges to move away from what he called a “Vatican-centric” approach towards one in which local church leaders are more involved in decision-making.

261 Donlea Drive sells for $880,000 in two days

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261 Donlea Drive
The detached home at 261 Donlea Dr. has sold for $880,000. It had been listed at $890,000.  This is a 1,200 sq. ft. home built in 1949. It also has a 600 sq. ft. basement on a lot that is 34 by 135-ft. A single-car garage is attached with a private drive Taxes: $5,614 (2012) Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Days on the market: The home sits a south-facing lot near Brentcliffe Rd.  Main floor has: living room with hardwood floor, fireplace and crown moulding; dining room with hardwood floor, crown moulding and walkout to deck; kitchen with halogen lighting and vinyl floor. On the second floor are: master bedroom with hardwood floor and closet; second bedroom with hardwood floor and double closet; third bedroom with double closet and hardwood floor; four-piece bathroom. Basement is finished with: recreation room with broadloom floor, pot lights and above grade window; three-piece bathroom; separate entrance

Leaside Orthodontic Clinic will open shortly on Bayview Ave

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As reported in October, an orthodontic practice will be opening shortly at 1600 Bayview Ave., former home of the  Sleuth of Baker Street. The practitioner will be Dr. Emel Arat. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry in the Department of Orthodontics. Dr Arat is also a resident of Leaside, where she lives with her husband Arin Arat, P. Eng., and their three children. Dr. Arat is planning the most modern of clinics at her Leaside Orthodontic Centre. It is scheduled to open in February. Dr. Arat says she is thrilled to be a part of South Bayview with its many independent shops, restaurants and professional offices. Welcome Dr. Arat. 

Winners of Leaside-Davisville pumpkin contest

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Here are the winners in the Leaside and Davisville Pumpkin Carving Contest sponsored by Charlene Kalia. Left, first prize (Creative) goes to Pam of Davisville. She wins a $250 RBC Visa card. Centre is Amanda of South Leaside’s second prize winner (Scary) winning a $100 Gift Certificate at Scholar’s Choice. Right, the third place winner (Funny) the work of Rachel and Jason of South Leaside They win a $50 gift certificate at Cineplex. Congratulations to all.  

KFC lot at Merton-Mt Pleasant zoned for condos

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The Kentucky Fried Chicken property at Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Balliol Street is named in a Post Magazine story as land zoned “multi-use” — a designation that permits condominium development. The article’s author, Angela Hennessy, says such construction would represent unprecedented development for the area. This might be truer of the east side than the west, where a number of fairly high condominiums and seniors homes stretch north from Merton Street to Davisville Ave. The address is 415 Mount Pleasant Rd. and is owned by Plazacorp Retail Properties. It is 6,000 square feet in size and as such is not very big, a point made by Greg Russell, president of the South Eglinton residents and Ratepayers Association (SERRA).  The land sits north of another somewhat nondescript parcel, however, the Hudson Plumbing Supply firm.

Playing games on planes from gate-to-gate

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The U.S. air safety authority will allow airlines to relax rules on mobile devices to permit the use of laptops and tablets gate-to-gate but not the making of phone calls. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has apparently concluded that most commercial airplanes — those made by the likes of Boeing (BA) and Airbus — can tolerate radio interference signal from personal electronic devices like smartphones and tablets. That determination came after consultation with manufacturers, passengers, flight crews and the mobile technology industry. Some critics say however that although there is a probability that the move is safe, it does not eliminate the chance that interference might at some point cause trouble for airline electronics. The eased restrictions are expected to roll out on most flights sometime next year, though Delta Air Lines (DAL) and JetBlue (JBLU) both said on Thursday they are attempting to become the first carrier to allow mobile device use even earlier. Delta said its approval could come as soon as November 1 for flights operating under 10,000 feet.