PLASP’s 2013 Parent and Community Meeting, held at the Living Arts Centre, was a tremendous success.  1,404 people were in attendance, including parents, community representatives and staff. Greetings were brought by special guests including the Honourable Liz Sandals, Minister of Education; Her Worship Mayor Hazel McCallion, City of Mississauga; Her Worship Marolyn Morrison, Town of Caledon; Mario Pascucci, Chair and Trustee, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board; Jeff deFreitas, Superintendent of Education, Early Years, Peel District School Board; Cristina Fernandes, Superintendent of Early Learning, Toronto Catholic District School Board; and Gen Ling Chang, Associate Director, Toronto District School Board.  

Paul Kranjac, President, PLASP Board of Directors, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. He also presented the President’s Report covering significant highlights from the 2012/2013 year, including the growth in services, and the opening of new programs. In 2012/2013 PLASP cared for a total of 10,152 children from 8,140 families in 201 school age locations, 59 with programs for children in full day kindergarten, and 20 early learning and child care centres.  Lynn Hiebert, PLASP CEO, presented the CEO’s report. Lynn highlighted PLASP’s continued partnership with the school boards as full day kindergarten continues to be implemented, across the province, resulting in ongoing growth at PLASP. Olga Nikitovic, Treasurer, PLASP Board of Directors, presented the Treasurer's Report. 

Keynote speaker, Dr. Karyn Gordon, provided an inspiring and informative presentation to guests on how to build thriving relationships with their children, with a special emphasis on recognizing the power of self-esteem, how it radically impacts the overall relationships between parents and children, and the child’s decision-making.

At the Community Reception held immediately prior to the Parent Meeting, greetings were brought by Emil Kolb, Regional Chairman, the Region of Peel; Sonia Pace, Director, Children’s Services Division, Human Services Department, the Region of Peel; Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent Early Years, Community Relations and Partnerships from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and Beryl Ford, Trustee, Peel District School Board .

Sixty donors sponsored the 2013 Parent and Community Meeting and were recognized and thanked for their financial assistance in making the event possible. The lead sponsors for the evening were Kwik Kopy Printing, Queensway; DiBlasio Homes; Lions Club of Streetsville; Alpha Eagle Group Ltd.; Borden Ladner Gervais; Conversion Marketing-Communication Inc.; GroceryGateway.com; Highland Gym; JJM Graphic Ltd.; JSL Inc.; JS Ontario Janitorial Supplies; Living Arts Centre; Louise Kool and Galt; Mississauga Convention Centre; Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning; Standard Life; The Capris Group; The Magnes Group Inc., and TELUS Mobility.  All donors are listed in the 2013 Annual Report which is also available online at www.plasp.com.