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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-06-27, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013. Learn how to love: Chuipka Morris-Turnberry not a ‘willing host’ Student work studyto improve learning Serving up good times The Grey division of the Huron East Fire Department held its annual breakfast at the fire hall on Sunday, serving hundreds of hungry diners. The Grey and Brussels firefighters are currently sharing this handsome new structure to aid in cooking events. On the bacon side of things, Tony Ward, left, and Mike Alexander were busy cooking up some pork while on the other side of the trailer firefighters were busy with eggs. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Dealing with the animal control bylaw issue led Morris-Turnberry Council to shelve its property standards bylaw recently. At their June 18 meeting, after some raucous behaviour resulted in one councillor leaving and a disruption during the meeting, councillors deferred the bylaw until a later date “due to the time of night.” M-T NOT A WILLING HOST Morris-Turnberry Council decided it was not a willing host for turbines during their June 18 meeting. Councillor David Baker stated that, in light of all the motions that they were seeing, he wanted to make a declaration for the municipality before it was too late. “I drive daily and I’m seeing more and more farm wagons with signs on them,” he said. “Is Morris-Turnberry a willing host? Are we going to act on this now?” Mayor Paul Gowing stated that this was a proactive move as there was nothing on their agenda that would force their hand on it. Council decided to pass the motion. Continued from page 16 lunch.” In this latter scenario, the gift of love was able to be given and received. Let me illustrate another language of love story from my past. I remember a family story where my uncle never visited my grandmother all year then at Christmas he came and brought her a gift. She was very angry at him and told him that she didn’t want the gift. I still remember hearing that story from my grandmother and from my uncle years after it had happened. I wondered what healing would have happened if my grandmother would have just received my uncle’s gift as a forgiving gesture. I think it would have made all the difference in their relationship. Knowing other people’s language of love can make all the difference in bringing about healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. I am a hugger by nature and yet I have learned that not everyone wants a hug or that is not their language of love. So instead of throwing myself on everyone and maybe even offending someone I need to ask, is it okay to hug you? I remember what a little old lady in the church said to me once when I asked her if I could hug her. She said I am not much of a hugger and then she smiled and held out her hand. She gave me a two-handed warm handshake. Checking out what people are comfortable with and respecting their language of love can help our relationships. I shall never forget the Bishop who hired me, giving me advice before I started my first church. He said, “Always accept the gifts that people give you because most of them give them out of love. He said, I have learned that it is easy to turn someone off by not accepting their gift... they will be turned off forever. But you can be the vehicle in turning someone on to God’s love by simply accepting their gift. So knowing the way that someone else expresses their language of love is important. It can help us to love our neighbour as ourselves. So let me return to the woman who was looking for God’s love to help her. We are all looking for God’s love no matter who we are or what we have done in the past. We become bearers of God’s love when you discover the way someone wants to be loved, needs to be loved and you respect them by giving them that love in their love language. The Huron Perth Catholic DistrictSchool Board (HPCDSB) continuesto work toward student achievement. The latest step is a Student Work Study (SWS). The SWS is a Ministry of Education initiative that started in the HPCDSB in February 2012. “This is the first year that our board has had a full-time teacher hired as the Student Work Study teacher,” said Mary-Jo Drager, of her job. “The purpose of SWS is to document and study student actions in a variety of learning contexts to better understand students and inform potential actions,” she said. Drager said she observes students in the classroom, noting what they say, how they respond to tasks, how they approach tasks and how they work in a group or individually. “Another purpose is to work through a co-learning relationship with students, host teachers and principals and finally to create and share suppositions or theories that emerge through the work,” she said, adding, “Collaboration is what makes SWS so powerful. Host teachers and the SWS teacher analyze the student experience through observations, conversations and student work and together reflect on research based strategies to move the students forward.” Drager said the students she studies are generally at a level 2 – which means they are working towards the provincial standard. “Moving forward means improving their thinking and learning so they can achieve the provincial standard,” she said. The research Drager and the teachers used can come from monographs written by the Ministry of Education or books or educational articles. This year four schools were involved, with seven classrooms being studied. The participating schools were St. Ambrose Stratford, St. Joseph’s Clinton, St. BonifaceZurich and St. Mary's Goderich.Drager said from this year’sresearch, two theories have emerged.“We will be taking a look at thelearning environment. If we design aresponsive collaborative learning environment where students have voice and choice, then students will communicate their thinking more clearly and freely,” she said. She said the process will consist of educators taking students from where they are and differentiating their teaching to meet the needs of all of their students. “It also means that students have a voice in what they are studying and how they show their thinking. It will mean students will be inquiring about topics that they are curious about and having their questions valued,” she said. The second theory surrounds Growth Mindset. “If students are encouraged and teachers use explicit strategies to develop a growth mindset in their students, then students will tackle more difficult tasks and thrive with them,” she said. Drager could not give a specific list of strategies. She said, “The strategies would be something that the teacher and I would develop together as we work with students. It would be things like teaching students what a growth mindset is and helping students recognize what type of mindset they have,” she said. The SWS will continue next year. “We have not chosen any schools or classrooms yet – those decisions are left until the fall,” said Drager, adding, “I will also share my findings with other teachers, board staff and trustees.” Wedding Announcement A very pretty wedding took place on April 25, 2013 on the sandy beaches of Eleuthra, Bahamas uniting Heather Demaray and Brandon Fritz of Red Deer, Alberta. Heather is the daughter of Rob and Sharon Demaray of Red Deer, formerly of Brussels. Brandon is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Gord Fritz of Red Deer. The maid of honour was Heather’s sister, Amy Demaray of Dundas, Ont. The best man was Brandon’s brother. A beachside reception followed the ceremony. Heather and Brandon reside in Red Deer, Alberta. Gift Registry 519-523-4299 414 Queen St., Blyth, Ont. 60th Wedding Anniversary The Cardiff family cordially invites you to celebrate Jack & Audrey’s 60th Wedding Anniversary Saturday, June 29 7:30 pm - ? at Brussels Community Centre No gifts please, but if you must, a donation to the North Huron Food Bank would be appreciated. By Hilary LongSpecial to The Citizen Have A New Addition? Call for prices and details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy! The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen Engagement Al and Frances Wynja and Auke and Chris Bylsma are pleased to announce the engagement of their children, Jeff and Laurie The wedding will take place, Lord willing, on July 13, 2013.