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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-03-01, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012. PAGE 11. If all proceeds as planned construction on the new Maitland River Elementary School (MRE) in Wingham would start April 2, Morris-Turnberry councillors were told at their Feb. 24 meeting. Trustee Collen Schenk and Mike Ash, superintendent of education for the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) attended the meeting in response to a request from council for an update on plans for the new school. Schenk told councillors she and Ash had hoped to be able to announce that the Ministry of Education had approved plans for the new school, allowing tenders to be called, but that hadn’t happened yet. Approval was expected any day now, she said, with the construction tender scheduled to be awarded March 27. Currently enrolment at the new school may be slightly higher than originally projected because more Blyth parents seem to be choosing to send their children there instead of the Hullett Central Public School, Schenk said. Blyth parents can choose which school their children will attend. Board planners expected 70 per cent of Blyth students would go to Hullett and 30 per cent to MRE but barring last minute changes of mind, it looks like it will be a 50/50 split. Councillors questioned why AMDSB is planning to close schools in Belgrave, Blyth and Brussels before the new school is completed. Ash said that the effect of the Drummond Report, which calls for the province to cut costs, will hit in September. “If we don’t eliminate some of our excess building capacity we’re going to run into a wall,” he said. It’s also essential to concentrate all students at the Turnberry Central and Wingham Public School locations because full-day, every- day kindergarten will be implemented starting in September, said Schenk. Under the “Plan B” adopted by the board after it became apparent the new building would not be ready by September, Grade 7-8 students from East Wawanosh, Turnberry, Wingham and the Morris area of both Blyth and Brussels Public Schools as well as Blyth students who choose not to go to Hullett, will go to a newly renovated wing at F.E.Madill Secondary School. Schenk called this a “terrific learning environment for the students. It is warm and welcoming and well laid-out.” Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 from East Wawanosh, Turnberry and Wingham, the Morris students from Brussels and Blyth schools, and those Blyth students who choose that option, will be formed into their new classes and split between the Turnberry and Wingham campuses until the new school is completed. Schenk said bringing the students together would “begin to build the culture of the new K-6 school” allowing students to have the same teachers and classmates they’ll have in the new building. This will be less disruptive than keeping them in their current schools and then moving them during the year if the school is completed. When a councillor expressed concern about the two Wingham schools not being able to accommodate the student population, Ash said that wouldn’t be a problem with a projected enrollment of 515. He said at this point they didn’t know which classes would go to which school. Ash said the board is trying to avoid the use of portable classrooms, although one will be used at Hullett Central until the actual enrolment is determined, after which an addition may be considered. Noting that the estimated $300,000 cost of playground equipment isn’t in the budget and must be financed by public fundraising, Councillor Neil Warwick wondered if there are any other school necessities that the community will have to raise money for. Ash said most necessities are covered. Computers, smart boards, etc. from current schools will be moved to the new school. “These are things that still have a life,” said Ash when one councillor questioned using used equipment in a new building. “It wouldn’t be a good use of resources to replace them with new equipment.” Warwick asked if the board was aware that “if you take $300,000 out of the community for playground equipment it will take money from hospitals and other needs.” Ash said staff had looked at the playground equipment at existing schools but most of it is more than 10 years old and doesn’t meet current codes. Morris-Turnberryreceives update onnew public school Melville Guild meets Good job Primary students competed in the Blyth Legion Branch 420’s annual public speaking competition on Saturday at Memorial Hall. Taking first place was Colby Dale from Blyth Public School, centre; Jeylin Riley from Hullett Central Public School, right, finished second and Ella Sawchuk, left, from Blyth Public School finished third. (Vicky Bremner photo) Well said Junior students competed in the Blyth Legion Branch 420’s annual public speaking competition on Saturday at Memorial Hall. Placing first in the competition was Ethan Scrimgeour, centre, from Hullett Central Public School; Jaden Shortreed of Blyth Public School, right, finished second, while Avery White, left, of Hullett Central Public School finished in third. (Vicky Bremner photo) Impressing the judges Intermediate students competed in the Blyth Legion Branch 420’s annual public speaking competition on Saturday at Memorial Hall. Placing first in the competition was Emily Wilts, centre, of Hullett Central Public School; Connor Driscoll, left, of Hullett Central Public School finished second, while Chantel VanSchaik, right, of Blyth Public School finished in third. (Vicky Bremner photo) The February meeting of the Melville Presbyterian Church Guild and WMS was held in the church parlour on Tuesday, Feb. 21 with eight members present. The WMS Purpose was read in unison to open the meeting. Marg Work read a story “Teach Us Father,” followed by prayer. The hymn, “Saviour Teach Me Day By Day” was sung and the scripture was read in unison. The topic, “Love, to be Person, Love Yourself” was read by Leona Armstrong and the hymn, “Take My Life and Let It Be” was sung. Mrs. Armstrong then read the second part of the topic, “I Love Life”. Marg Work read a poem and the Mizpah Benediction was repeated in unison to close this part of the meeting. Leona Armstrong presided over the business. Mrs. Armstrong read a story, “Valentine’s Day” and the minutes of the January meeting were read by the secretary, Dona Knight. Leona Armstrong moved to adopt the minutes as read. Alice Marks read a thank you note from Anna Cunningham for the poinsettia she received at Christmas. The roll call was answered with everyone telling something special that happened at Valentine’s. The World Day of Prayer will be on March 2 at the Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. Mary By Keith Roulston The Citizen Continued on page 31