HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-02-23, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012. PAGE 11.
Trustees got a look at one of the
AMDSB’s most unusual classrooms
at their Feb. 14 meeting. Heather
Durnin’s Grade 7/8 class at
Turnberry Central Public School
spends time almost every day
working with another Grade 7/8
classroom – one that is located 2,700
kms. away in Snow Lake, Manitoba.
The “Idea Hive” classroom,
created by Durnin and Joseph H.
Kerr school teacher Clarence Fisher,
sees the Ontario and Manitoba
students use Twitter, Skype,
Wordpress blogs and Google
applications to read, talk and write
together.
Durnin told trustees that the
students learn not just their work,
but also how to use online tools and
how to be responsible digital
citizens. Because the tools, and
schoolwork, can also be accessed
from home, parents are also
informed so that they know that
“Clarence is [the students’] other
teacher,” said Durnin.
Durnin with students Tyler Pham,
Shelby Green, Alyssa Huffman and
Logan Hemeon described one of the
major projects the classes completed
– a book study which included live
chats with each other, a Skype
interview with a Florida teacher
whose family had been affected by
Kristallnacht, a Skype interview
with the Australian author of the
book and a hard-copy companion
book that the students wrote and
published themselves.
Trustees were most impressed
with video footage of the students
working with their Snow Lake
partners. Pham assured the trustees
that the sound really was on as they
watched a silent classroom of
children concentrating on their
netbooks.
Durnin will be one of the speakers
at the AMDSB event “Ignite
Parents” May 2.
*****
North Perth is one step closer to
its new school following a
presentation at North Perth council
earlier this month by the AMDSB.
Representatives of the board,
including AMDSB chair Jenny
Versteeg, told council that the
AMDSB is interested in the
Havercamp-Purcell farm in Wallace
Township, north of Listowel, as the
site of the future new school for
North Perth.
The municipality will act as the
board’s agent for the zoning and
planning changes required. The new
school will house students from
Wallace and Listowel Central Public
Schools, which will be closed.
Senators considerenergy drink ban
On the road again
The Power of the Maitland co-author John Hazlitt, left, and Blyth Printing’s Ken Whitmore,
right, presented Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson with a signed copy of the book at her Blyth
office on Feb. 16 with hopes that she would take the book to Toronto. (Denny Scott photo)
Student senators at the Avon
Maitland District School Board
(AMDSB) want to discuss a possible
ban on the consumption of energy
drinks inside the board’s secondary
schools.
After the board’s Feb. 14 meeting,
student trustees Alanna Coneybeare
and Mathias Memmel said that
while energy drinks are not sold in
the schools, some students buy them
at nearby convenience stores and
bring them back to school.
“Essentially, we don’t want to see
them there,” said Coneybeare, a
student at Listowel District
Secondary School (LDSS). Memmel
is a student at South Huron District
High School (SHDHS).
Last fall, Health Canada released a
report on the caffeinated beverages,
which may also contain vitamins,
minerals and various herbal
ingredients.
The report stated that children and
teenagers under the age of 18 had the
highest risk of exceeding Health
Canada’s Recommended Maximum
Daily Intakes of caffeine. Health
Canada required energy drink
makers to cap the amount of caffeine
in their products, but did not prohibit
sales of energy drinks to minors.
Popular energy drinks include Red
Bull, Monster and Rock Star.
Student senators and board staff
will begin discussions on the issue at
the senators’ Feb. 28 meeting.
*****
There won’t be any modifications
to the next school year calendar,
AMDSB trustees learned at their
Feb. 14 meeting.
Superintendent of education,
curriculum, Kim Black presented a
report to trustees showing the
schedule that the AMDSB and
Huron-Perth Catholic District
School Board (HPCDSB) had
agreed on.
Elementary and high schools will
open Sept. 4, 2012, the day after
Labour Day. The 2012-2013 year
will end June 28, 2013 with a PD
day. Christmas break begins
Monday, Dec. 24 and ends Jan. 4,
2013. March Break is set for March
11 to March 15.
The board approved the new
calendar, which will now go to the
Ministry of Education for final
approval.
*****
Wi-fi technology may be up for
debate in the Catholic school board
system, but the AMDSB still
supports the wi-fi in its schools. The
Ontario English Catholic Teachers
Association (OECTA) released a
position paper early in February
calling for “prudent avoidance of
exposure” of the technology.
“Here, we haven’t had any
complaints from anybody,” said
AMDSB manager of
communications Steve Howe.
Many of the AMDSB elementary
schools and high schools have wi-fi
availability, which Howe said allows
students to use tablets, netbooks and
other devices more efficiently.
The Elementary Teachers
Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is
expected to release their own report
on the issue this summer.
Students connect with ‘Idea Hive’
The 135th Annual Meeting of the Members of
will be held at the
Royal Canadian Legion
123 Main Street South,Seaforth, Ontario
at 7:30 p.m.
McKillop Mutual
Insurance Company
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
To receive, consider and approve the 2011 financial statement
and auditor’s report;
To appoint Auditors for 2012;
To elect three qualifed Directors for a term of three years;
Retiring Directors are Donald McKercher and
Ed Van Miltenburg, both of whom are eligible for re-election
To approve proposed amendments to the company By-laws; and
To transact any other business that may properly come before
the meeting.
Any qualifying policyholder wishing to seek election must file
their intention to stand for election in writing with the Secretary
of the Company at least twenty-one days in advance of the
Annual Meeting.
The Annual Financial Statement will be available on the
company’s website and a policyholder may request a copy by
contacting the head office in Seaforth, Ontario.
By order of the Board of Directors
McKillop Mutual Insurance Company
Seaforth, Ontario
Secretary Bruce Wallis, CGA
Acting Corporate Secretary
Invites you to attend ourInformation Meeting
Time:Tuesday, February 28, 2012
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location:Wallace Community Centre
Kurtzville, ON
Lunch provided - RSVP by Feb. 23
Pre-register today by calling:
Greg Fritz at 519-440-1061
Brussels Location at 519-887-9933
Kurtzville Location at 519-291-2220
Speakers include:
Murray Insley - HDC -Food-Grade Bean Market Review
Mike Cowbrough - OMAFRA Weed Specialist
- Weed Control in Soybeans
Cal Whewell - FC Stone - Grain Market Update
Plan to Attend
- Call Today
By Rita Marshall
Special to The Citizen
By Rita Marshall
Special to The Citizen
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