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🪡 First Stitches Sewing Workshop in Markham

Learning Life Skills, One Stitch at a Time

At Envision Robotics, we love empowering young people with hands-on skills — and this January, we’re excited to team up with Thread Together for a brand-new community event designed to teach kids a simple but incredibly useful life skill: basic sewing. ✨

On Sunday, January 18th from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, join us for the First Stitches Workshop, a fun and practical session led by Michelle Sun, founder of Thread Together. Michelle has built a caring, grassroots movement focused on teaching kids and youth how to repair, reuse, and appreciate the clothing they wear.
📖 (Read more about Michelle’s movement HERE.)
🌐 (Visit her website HERE.)

Hosted at Envision Robotics (8220 Bayview Avenue, Unit #10), this special event blends creativity, resourcefulness, and community spirit — all in a supportive environment where kids learn by doing. 🤝💡

🧵 What Students Will Learn

Kids will dive into the fundamentals of sewing, including:

  • 🪡 Basic repair stitches

  • 🔘 How to fix a button

  • ✂️ How to mend small tears in clothing

  • 🧸 Simple techniques for repairing their favourite stuffed animal

These skills help build independence, confidence, and an appreciation for caring for personal belongings rather than throwing them away. 🌱

👥 Who Can Join?

  • Ages: Kids 8 and up, including high-school students

  • Capacity: Up to 28 spaces

  • Cost: FREE (all materials included 🎉)

Students don’t need to bring anything — but if they have a piece of clothing that needs repair, they are welcome to bring it to practice on. 🧥✨

🧣 Paying It Forward: Optional Winter Clothing Donation

Winter can be especially difficult for many families in our community. ❄️ As part of the workshop’s spirit of giving, participants are invited to bring a new or unused piece of winter clothing.

We’ll collect these items and donate them to 360 Kids (HERE) to support youth in need during the coldest months of the year. 🧤❤️

🗓️ Event Details

Date: Sunday, January 18th
Time: 10 am - 12 noon
Location: Envision Robotics Studio, 8220 Bayview Avenue, #10, Markham
Attendance Guideline:  We welcome each student to bring one parent or guardian to share the experience. To keep the workshop running smoothly, we ask that families not bring extra siblings or children who aren’t registered.  Thank you for understanding.
Cost:  Free (all materials provided)
What to Bring:  participants are welcome to bring an article of clothing to fix (clothing missing a button, clothing with a small tear, etc.)
Registration: to reserve your spot (s) use the form below 

December 31st UPDATE:  all spaces are filled for elementary aged students but feel free to join the waitlist be completing the form. Registration is still open to high school aged students - we have 2 spots remaining.  Thank you for understanding.  

 

Partnering With:

Thread Together Michelle Sun

🌟 Join Us for a Meaningful Morning

This workshop is more than just learning to sew — it’s a celebration of community, skill-building, and the joy of fixing something with your own hands. We’re proud to collaborate with Michelle Sun and Thread Together to bring this special experience to kids and teens across the GTA.

🎟️ Limited spots are available — secure your place early!

Envision Robotics STEM Education
8220 Bayview Avenue, Unit #10
Thornhill ON  L3T 2S2
647-502-6319

info@envisionrobotics.com
www.envisionrobotics.com
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The Role of a Volunteer
Envision Robotics Volunteer Guide

Volunteers are an important part of the Envision Robotics team. Your support helps our programs run smoothly while creating a positive, safe, and engaging environment where students can learn, explore, and grow.

As a volunteer, you are more than an extra set of hands — you are a mentor, role model, motivator, and leader. Whether helping a student complete their first robot build, encouraging them through a coding challenge, or helping maintain a safe environment during camp activities, your contribution has a direct impact on each child’s experience.

At Envision Robotics, we want students to feel:

  • Supported when they need help
  • Encouraged when things become challenging
  • Proud of what they create
  • Excited to return and learn more

Your attitude, energy, patience, and professionalism help make this happen.

Core Responsibilities

Classroom Assistance

Volunteers help students remain engaged, successful, and focused during lessons and activities.

Supporting Student Learning
  • Help students locate robotics parts, tools, and materials needed for activities
  • Assist students who may be stuck during a robot build or coding activity
  • Encourage students to try independently after demonstrating or explaining a step
  • Avoid completing projects for students — the goal is for students to learn through hands-on experience
  • Help students understand worksheets, instructions, spelling, and lesson concepts when needed
  • Encourage students to problem-solve and think critically before immediately giving answers
Encouraging Student Success
  • Monitor student progress throughout the lesson
  • Help students stay on track so they can complete their build and coding objectives
  • Encourage students who may become frustrated or discouraged
  • Celebrate student successes and progress, even small achievements
  • Help create a positive and welcoming classroom atmosphere
Maintaining Classroom Safety & Organization
  • Watch for tablets, laptops, robotics parts, or materials left on floors or desk edges
  • Help keep student workstations organized and safe
  • Encourage students to remain seated and focused while lessons are in progress
  • Help minimize distractions and unnecessary noise during instruction
  • Notify instructors if equipment appears damaged or unsafe

Student Transition & Classroom Reset

Volunteers play an important role in helping classes transition smoothly and efficiently.

Helping Students Prepare to Leave
  • Remind students to collect personal belongings:
    • Water bottles
    • Coats and hats
    • Lunch bags
    • Worksheets or projects
  • Ensure tablets and computers remain safely at workstations
  • Help maintain calm and organized dismissal procedures
Cleaning & Resetting Workstations
  • Assist students with carefully disassembling robots
  • Ensure motors, controllers, and sensors are returned to the correct storage areas
  • Help prepare stations for incoming students by:
    • Loading lessons on computers/tablets
    • Organizing materials
    • Replacing missing components
    • Tidying desks and workspaces
  • Scan floors for robotics parts, electronics, or tripping hazards
  • Help keep the studio clean, organized, and professional at all times

Summer Camp Responsibilities

Safety is always the highest priority during camp programs. Camp activities include both in-studio learning and outdoor activities at nearby parks.

Volunteers play an important role in helping maintain a safe and organized environment.

Indoor Safety
  • Remind students to walk safely inside the studio
  • Help guide students to their assigned rooms and activities
  • Assist with student transitions between activities
  • Help supervise hand washing, lunch preparation, and line organization
Outdoor & Park Safety
  • Help maintain orderly walking groups to and from the park
  • Assist instructors in monitoring students during outdoor activities
  • Position yourself strategically at the park to help supervise equipment and student behaviour
  • Watch for unsafe actions or situations and notify staff immediately if concerns arise
  • Encourage students to include others and participate respectfully
  • Help students follow instructions quickly and safely

Expectations & Professional Conduct

As a volunteer, you represent Envision Robotics and are expected to demonstrate the same professionalism and positive behaviour expected of staff members.

Professionalism
  • Arrive on time and ready to assist
  • Maintain a positive and respectful attitude
  • Be engaged and attentive throughout your volunteer shift
  • Use appropriate language and behaviour at all times
  • Treat students, families, instructors, and fellow volunteers respectfully
Being Alert & Proactive
  • Stay aware of what is happening in your assigned area
  • Look for students who may need assistance, encouragement, or support
  • Watch for potential safety concerns before they become problems
  • Keep your attention focused on students and activities
Positive Student Interaction
  • Be encouraging, patient, and approachable
  • Speak respectfully and positively with students
  • Help students feel confident and capable
  • Encourage persistence when activities become difficult
  • Always ask before physically assisting or touching a student’s project or materials
Phone & Device Usage
  • Personal phones and devices should not be used while volunteering
  • If you need to take an important call or send a message, please ask an instructor for a brief break
  • Volunteers should remain fully engaged with students during programming time
Breaks & Communication
  • If you need a break or need to step away, let an instructor know first
  • Communicate concerns, incidents, or questions to instructors promptly
  • Ask questions whenever you are unsure about procedures or expectations

Tips for Being a Great Volunteer

Great volunteers are:

  • Positive and encouraging
  • Patient and understanding
  • Responsible and dependable
  • Observant and proactive
  • Professional and respectful
  • Willing to learn and help wherever needed

Remember:
Students may not remember every lesson you taught them — but they will remember how you made them feel.

Your support, encouragement, and leadership can help inspire confidence, curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong passion for learning.

Thank You

Thank you for volunteering your time, energy, and talents with Envision Robotics. Your contribution helps create an exciting, supportive, and inspiring environment where students can explore technology, build confidence, and develop skills for the future.

Volunteer Code of Conduct
Policy Brief & Purpose

As a volunteer you are a representative of Envision Robotics and an important part of our team! Our Code of Conduct policy outlines the expectations regarding a volunteers’ behavior towards current and prospective students, their parents, the public, and fellow colleagues.

We promote freedom of expression and open communication. But we expect all staff to follow our code of conduct. Staff should avoid offending, participating in serious disputes and disrupting our workplace. We also expect staff to foster a well-organized, respectful and collaborative environment.

Scope
This policy applies to all our staff regardless of employment agreement or rank.
Volunteers are bound by our Code of Conduct while performing their duties.

The components of our Code of Conduct below:

1. Compliance with law
• All staff must protect our company’s legality. We expect staff to be ethical and responsible when dealing with our company’s clients, finances, products, partnerships and public image.

2. Respect in the workplace
• All staff should respect their colleagues, our current and prospective customers. We won’t allow any kind of discriminatory behavior, harassment, or victimization.

3. Protection of Company Property
• All staff should treat our company’s property, whether material or intangible (i.e., digital, licenses), with respect and care.
• Staff:
- Shouldn’t misuse company equipment or use it frivolously.
- Should respect all kinds of incorporeal property. This includes trademarks, copyright and other property (information, reports etc.) Staff should use them only to complete their job duties.
- Staff should protect company facilities and other material property (e.g. robot platforms, tablets, laptops, etc.) from damage and vandalism, whenever possible.

4. Professionalism
• All staff must show integrity, fairness, respect, dignity, and professionalism in the workplace
• All staff should dress in attire appropriate for working with youth
• Avoid and minimize physical contact with youth
• Encourage people to speak up about issues related to personal or Group safety that concerns them.
• Personal devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops should be stored; request a short break if you need to access your phone/tablet for messages, to arrange pick-up, etc.

• I WILL NOT EVER:
• Behave in such a way that anyone could misinterpret my actions no matter how well-intended
• Engage in any form of inappropriate relationship with youth or exploit them in any way
• Ignore or trivialize abuse, harassment, bullying, hazing or bad behaviour
• Have one to one contact with youth online or in-person
• Swear or use inappropriate language in front of youth
• Use punishments and discipline that are demeaning, embarrassing or degrading
• Engage in inappropriate conduct or behavior with youth, including suggestive remarks threats, even in fun.

5. Job duties and authority
• All staff should fulfill their job duties with integrity and respect toward customers, and other staff
• Managers mustn’t abuse their authority; we expect them to delegate duties to their team members taking into account their competences and workload.
• Likewise, we expect team members to follow team leaders’ instructions and complete their duties with skill and in a timely manner.

6. Absenteeism and tardiness
• Staff should follow their schedules. We can make exceptions for occasions that prevent staff from following pre-scheduled days.
• But, generally, we expect staff to be punctual when coming to and leaving from work.

7. Collaboration
• Staff should be friendly and collaborative. They should try not to disrupt the workplace or present obstacles to their colleagues’ work.

8. Communication
• All staff must be open for communication with their colleagues, managers, and team members.

9. Disciplinary actions
• Our company may have to take disciplinary action against staff who repeatedly or intentionally fail to follow our code of conduct. Disciplinary actions will vary depending on the violation.
• Possible consequences include:
- Reprimand.
- Suspension or termination for more serious offenses.

How can we help?

Camp Policies

IMPORTANT:
  • We do not offer refunds for camps or programs so please be absolutely sure you can attend the date (s) you booked – otherwise we recommend not booking.
Emergency Situations
  • In the event your child is severely injured (e.g., broken limb) or a family emergency (e.g., funeral) prior to starting a camp or program a credit may be issued and/or the start date shifted
  • A credit may be issued for the value of the unused portion
  • Any credit issued under the above circumstances will expire after 12 months
Schedule Conflicts:
  • We expect parents to attend the camps and programs that they book – otherwise we recommend not booking until you know can attend
  • Camps – in the event you have a conflict with your camp we offer the following:
  • If a camp date is available for an earlier week we may be able to shift your child to that week
  • We can’t shift camps to weeks later in the summer season
  • We allow parents to find other families to take their camp spots (but the economics of that will need to be worked out between the families)
  • We work very hard to ensure a fair and equitable solution for all
  • Our philosophy is simple "what we do for one we need to be able to do for all"
Thank you for understanding!
If you have questions email us at info@envisionrobotics.com

Weekly Class Policies

IMPORTANT:
  • We do not offer refunds for classes so please be absolutely sure you can attend the date (s) you booked – otherwise we recommend not booking.
Make-Up Policy
  • Since we schedule and set up workstations in advance, we ask that you give us prior notice if you’re unable to attend your class.
  • Please provide 24 hours’ notice if you cannot attend your class. For illness, same-day notice is required before the start of class.
  • Students may use one make-up class per Level (8 classes) when advance notice is given. Without notice, the absence will be considered a ‘no-show’ and the make-up opportunity will be lost. Thanks for your understanding!
  • We are unable to provide refunds or credits for missed classes or absences.
  • As a small business, managing missed classes and schedule changes can be challenging. We appreciate your support in following our policies and thank you for your understanding.
Emergency Situations
  • In the event your child is severely injured (e.g., broken limb) or a family emergency (e.g., funeral) prior to starting a weekly class a credit may be issued and/or the start date shifted
  • A credit may be issued for the value of the unused portion
  • Any credit issued under the above circumstances will expire after 12 months
Schedule Conflicts:
  • We expect parents to attend the programs that they book – otherwise we recommend not booking until you know can attend
  • Regular Programs – in the event a schedule conflict arises we may consider a temporary pause of a few weeks with advance notice (2 weeks)
  • We work very hard to ensure a fair and equitable solution for all
  • Our philosophy is simple "what we do for one we need to be able to do for all"
Thank you for understanding!
If you have questions email us at info@envisionrobotics.com