Buffaloes’ October Newsletter

As we welcome the beautiful colours and cooler days of fall, there is so much to celebrate in our Buffaloes’ environment! From baking and exploring to discovering tiny creatures and building new friendships, September has been filled with curiosity, connection, and lots of joyful learning.

Our return to the centre’s baking routine has been a wonderful way to connect, create, and learn together. We have been busy making play-dough and a delicious French toast casserole, giving everyone opportunities to explore what happens when ingredients are mixed, measured, scooped, and combined.

Waiting for a turn, practicing patience, following steps, and working alongside friends all became part of the experience. Making play-dough was an especially big hit! Once it cooled, there was plenty of time to squeeze, roll, shape, and create with our homemade dough.

Neighbourhood park adventures continue to provide opportunities for building confidence, coordination, and physical strength.

One memorable challenge involved jumping high enough to grab the monkey bars. For some, it took several tries to coordinate the jump and reach the bar. When someone finally made it, cheers erupted from friends nearby! Those moments of encouragement and celebration are just as meaningful as the accomplishment itself.

Climbing onto the swings independently has also become a wonderful challenge. Each successful attempt brings a sense of pride while strengthening coordination, balance, and those growing muscles.

Our Forest School experiences have sparked a growing fascination with the tiny creatures that share our outdoor spaces.

A recent park visit brought an exciting discovery, a ladybug! Some friends carefully held it while others preferred to observe from nearby. Questions naturally followed: Where is it going? What is it looking for? Where will it go when the weather gets colder?

These simple discoveries create opportunities to slow down, notice what is around us, and wonder together. Sometimes, the smallest creatures can inspire the biggest conversations!

A beautiful, cool and sunny morning brought all of our North End Splash Centres together for our Terry Fox Memorial Walk.

Walking side by side gave us an opportunity to learn a little about Terry Fox and the meaning behind his journey. More importantly, it was a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with kindness, determination, and a shared purpose.

We are excited to welcome Miss Nichola and Miss Shania to our team!

With many years of experience in childcare and lots of wonderful ideas to share, they have already begun getting to know our routines, our spaces, and our little community. A few enthusiastic tour guides were happy to show them around the centre and introduce them to some of our favourite neighbourhood parks!

Miss Nichola’s first day also came with a very special surprise, two monarch caterpillars! 

They were carefully placed in our bug basket so we could observe, feed, and learn about their amazing transformation. By Friday, they had enjoyed quite a feast of garden parsley, and by Monday, both had formed their beautiful chrysalises.

Now comes the exciting part, waiting! Once the butterflies emerge, we will give them time to dry and strengthen their wings before finding a safe and suitable place to release them, hopefully at the butterfly building at Assiniboine Park.