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Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 13 Clarington Museums and Archives Mystery History Camp at Clarington Museums Join the Clarington Museums and Archives DISCOVERY CLUB and join in the Intrigue and Mystery History Day Camp, which takes place August 16th - 20th. Decipher codes as a spy for the day on August 16th, discover the early inhabitants of Clarington on August 17th, dive into the science of submarines on August 18th, blast off into space on August 19th and then become a mad scientist on August 20th with ooey gooey experiments. Day camps run from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and are suitable for children aged 5 to 11. Before and after care is available for an additional fee. The cost per child is $30.00/day, or $120.00/week. To register call 905-623-2734, or visit the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre at 62 Temperance St in Bowmanville. You can also visit our website at www.claringtonmuseums.c om. photo by Ron Locke No one was hurt when the wall of the building at the four corners of Newcastle collapsed and spilled out onto the highway on Friday afternoon, July 30th. The building is being demolished to make way for a new Shopper's Drug Mart. Durham Regional Police Services Mail and phone fraud on the rise Two separate fraud incidents have investigators seeking the identity of the suspects involved and police are appealing to the public for their assistance. On Friday July 23, 2010, an unemployed resident of Pickering reported she had received a package in the mail following the recent posting of her resume onto three websites. The package was from an alleged company entitled 'Manpower Solutions Inc. and arrived approximately one week earlier. The package included a letter offering her employment as well as a money order. As per the specified instructions, the victim cashed the money order and then forwarded the funds to a foreign address in Europe. She was later informed by her own banking institution that the money order was fraudulent and she incurred monetary losses as a result of her actions. The complainant reported the incident to police to assist with informing the public of this type of criminal activity. The second fraudulent incident occurred on Saturday July 24, 2010 in which an elderly Whitby resident was contacted by phone by a woman indicating she was his niece from Montreal and requesting money for legal expenses. The complainant believed the suspect to be his relative and transferred several thousand dollars to a banking institution in Quebec. The complainant then contacted his niece to confirm the requested monies had been sent and was informed she had never initiated any such contact or request of him. The complainant reported the incident to police to assist with informing the public of this type of criminal activity. Anyone with new information about these fraud investigations is asked to contact the DRPS Major Crime Fraud Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5230. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477 (TIPS) and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. How to prepare your child for kindergarten The start of a new school year is an even more exciting time for children who will be heading into a classroom for the first time. The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR) has practical advice to help parents prepare their children for the start of a new school experience. "By encouraging their children to be independent and by speaking positively about the coming school year, parents can help prepare their children for a smooth transition into the classroom. The positive attitudes of parents, siblings and other family members can help set the tone for a successful school experience," says Director of Education Rusty Hick. "We also know that all children are unique, and some children may have special abilities and needs," he adds. "We encourage parents and guardians of children who will need extra support to contact their school when it reopens the week before school resumes. We want to work with families to help all students meet with success." The first day of school is Tuesday, September 7. School offices will be open weekdays from August 26 to September 2. "We look forward to welcoming all new students, whether they will attend the traditional alternate-day Kindergarten classes, or be among the first students at 10 schools offering full-day Kindergarten this fall," notes Board Chairperson Diane Lloyd. The following suggestions for getting first-time students ready for the school experience are taken from KPR's Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten brochure, available in the Parent Guides for Learning section of www.kprschools.ca. Preparing your child for kindergarten Parents and guardians can do a great deal to help prepare their little ones for that exciting first day. By the time they start kindergarten, most children should know: · their first and last name and the names of family members · their age · where they live and their phone number. Interaction with other children and adults helps children gain confidence and many of the skills necessary in school and in life. Parents and guardians should encourage their children to: · interact with their peers and adults · speak about thoughts, feelings, needs and actions · take turns, co-operate and share with others · use markers, crayons, paint and scissors · sit and listen to stories and music, or play a game · play with toys and put them away when finished or when play time is over · participate in new experiences · solve problems and work simple things out on their own · be good listeners. It's also important that parents and guardians: · read to their children daily · talk to their children to help their vocabulary grow " ensure their children are well rested " provide healthy snacks to give their children enough energy to get the most out of each day " show a positive attitude towards school " cheer on their children to believe, "I can do it!" First-time school bus riders KPR also encourages parents whose children will be riding a school bus for the first time to take advantage of the First Rider program. The free, onthe-bus safety lessons will be offered at: Clarington Central Secondary School in Bowmanville on Friday, August 20 from 3:30-6 p.m. and Saturday, August 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For details about the First Rider program, visit the website at www.stsco.ca.