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Volume 46 No. 2

March 21, 2017

Spring Sprint turns 30 By Anna Killen

TO THOSE familiar with how things work around here, it should come as no surprise that the Beaches Spring Sprint began with Gene Domagala and a megaphone. A fixture at the now annual race, which turns 30 this year, the unofficial Mayor of the Beach helped launch the fundraiser in June 1987, by trying to “recruit various and sundry to the race with a megaphone.” That year, 10 runners participated – most of whom were the children of members of the Beaches Advisory Council and some who are still part of the now hundreds of people who run the race today. Back then, the race was called the Dash ‘n Splash, as the runners ended by jumping in the Summerville Pool. Council member Edna Houston renamed the run the

“Spring Sprint” when the race was moved to a date in early spring. “The race started as a ‘coming out’ from winter to see family and friends with a little exercise and proceeds to youth and senior programs at the centre,” said David Breech, whose Eagle Beaver Sports is a longtime sponsor. The ‘centre’ is the Beaches Recreation Centre. The event, which raises around $10,000 each year, is the major fundraiser for the centre and is organized by the centre’s advisory council. Part of the race’s charm is that to register, runners have to visit the space on Williamson Road – a move that started years ago out of the necessity to manage crowds but proved to be important in showing the heart of the organization to the surrounding community. Continued on Page 24

PHOTO: PHIL LAMEIRA

Sweet, Carolin(a)! A Carolina wren sings away as it tries to impress a mate at Rosetta McClean Gardens on March 19, almost as a cue for Spring to get going. The north shores of Lake Ontario mark, in general, the northern limit of the Carolina wren’s distribution range.

Longstanding local nursery school in danger of closure By Lara O’Keefe

IT’S A call for help that may come as a surprise to some given the urgent need for affordable childcare options in Toronto, but Dentonia Park Co-operative Nursery School (DPNS) – located in the Danforth Avenue and Dawes Road area – is at risk of permanently shutting its doors. The nursery school, which runs a morning program, has been a part of the East York community since 1974 but after 43 years, coordinators of the parent- and teacher-run facility say low enrolment numbers mean the school may not be able to afford the overhead costs required to keep it running. “Because the school has been around for about 40 years and holds an amazing reputation, it would be a serious loss for the neighbour-

hood and for the kids in it [if it ticipate in school fundraising. It’s a closed],” said Michelle Bagelman situation that parent Clifton Corbin whose three believes “is children ideal for the have either ‘new’, telecommuting, attended work-at-home Dentonia or or stay-atare enrolled home parto attend ent.” in coming Aside from years. keeping fees The school down, Dentooperates as nia believes a not-for– Michelle Bagelman this type of profit cohands-on paoperative rental parand in order ticipation to keep their ultimately fees low, Dentonia asks parents of enrolled leads to a better experience for the students to participate in a com- children at the school and a higher mittee, attend general meetings, quality of programs. do two weekend laundry duties “The structured program offered per school year, and actively par- at DPNS and the familiarity of

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“It would be a serious loss for the neighbourhood and for the kids in it.”

children, teachers and parents on a regular basis provides security to young children. My son thrived when he attended, and my daughter who is there now loves it as well,” said Corbin. Many involved in the Dentonia community have come to rely on the involvement not only for their children, but themselves as well. “I would lose an affordable early education program – drop-ins do not compare to the stability and continuity this program offers our children,” said Michelle Kwan who has two daughters enrolled at the school. “[But] I would also lose the community of parents, that as a stay-at-home mother I value and have come to lean on for support through these early years of raising my children.” The school has around 19 fami-

lies enrolled for the 2017-18 year, a combination of new and returning families, said Corbin. “If we are not able to get at least 24 families enrolled by April 15, 2017, we will likely have to shutter the school,” he said. It was upon hearing this news from the board in January that a group of parents including Corbin, decided to start a recruitment drive in order to increase enrolment and keep the school open. Ward 31 councillor Janet Davis says her riding would be remiss to lose the institution. “It is a longstanding co-operative nursery and it would be a real loss to see it close,” she said. The school will be holding an open house April 1 to allow people to meet members of the DPNS community and view the facilities located at 140 Dawes Road.

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