Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-02-03, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2011. PAGE 7.Continued from page 1saying. “We had two schools thatclosed, a Kindergarten to Grade 3and a Grade 4 to 8.” She explained that the group went through finding a new location, building their new school, and seeing students from Kindergarten through Grade 6 move there during Thanksgiving weekend of this school year. The Grade 7 and 8 students moved to their local high school. Before the students got to the new school, parents and concerned citizens did a lot of work to prepare the new school. The duo explained that the community helped move all the necessary equipment from the old schools to the new one over the course of the long weekend, but that their drive to enrich the school started long before that. A ‘core group’ of parents got together and tackled fundraising to make sure the school had what they felt it needed. Jill said they were surprised atwhat the school came equipped with,and what it didn’t.“Having seen this process all the way through, I was surprised with what the board did give to us,” she said. “Everything they provided us with was great, but some of the things that were missing were surprising.” An example that Jill mentioned many times was storage, stating that things that used to be stored at the school were currently in the homes of the parents who fundraised for the school. One of the major spots that served as storage, the stage in the gym, was one thing the group wished they could have raised funds for. “We have a mobile stage that can be moved in front of the gym to put on shows, but it really isn’t the same as a full stage,” she said. “Being able to store mats and gym equipment there, and being able to have a full gym for an audience are things we miss.” The group did raise $315,000 toput towards the school, nearly half ofwhich came from a lead donor.“The major donor was a couple that just believed in schools,” Jill said. The funds went towards projects like Library upgrades, SMART Boards, playground equipment, a milk cooler and a staff room. One of the major points of their fundraising success was the lead donor. “It’s a lot easier to ask people for money when you can say we’ve already raised X amount of dollars,” Jill said, adding that they got money from companies that were recognized through naming things in the new school. Some of the funds also came from a Trillium grant, since the outdoor, ‘green’ gym that makes up some of the playground equipment could also be shared by a nearby seniors’ centre. The most important part of the project was knowing what needed to be upgraded, according to theTaylors.“We had to know what to raisemoney for,” she said. “You need to start a group right now and, throughyour school’s current administration,be in touch with what the school willhave and what it will need.” Continued from page 1 implement the program delivery benefits associated with congregating students,” the release stated. The decision to amalgamate will also allow the other schools affected, Grey Central, Hullett Central and Elma Township Public Schools to not have to integrate an influx of new students halfway through the 2012-13 school year. Steve Howe, Manager of Communications for the board, stated that, while the board still hopes for the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeals to be cleared up that are currently preventing the school build from starting in Wingham, this process will continue regardless of the site of the new school. “In all likelihood, the plan to drop from four schools to two will happen regardless of the site,” Howe said. “In two to three months we will know whether the Wingham site will work.” Howe stated that the plan is independent of the final build site and will go ahead whether the current proposed site adjacent to F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham is finalized or if the board has to look into alternative school sites. Parents can help with school transition News on Wingham site expected by spring Walk for Memories The Alzheimer Society of Huron held its annual Walk for Memories fundraiser on Saturday, with several walks happening throughout Huron County, including Goderich, Clinton and in Wingham at F.E. Madill Secondary School. Phyllis Henhoeffer, left, and Jean Culliton, were some of the participants in Wingham who helped raised over $11,500 in Wingham alone and over $45,000 throughout Huron County, surpassing the society’s goal of $40,000. (Vicky Bremner photo) Building bridges From left to right; Jessica McNichol, Kyle Gottschalk, Ally Glousher, Hannah Ortman and Logan Chalmers begin to understand not only the mathematics of building a bridge, but those of funding it as well. The Blyth Public School students have to build a bridge using a ledger to keep track of all the girders, cables and other building supplies they buy to stay under budget. (Denny Scott photo) Before February 18th Please check your Bell phone book and if your landline number is incorrect or not listed give us a call to ensure you are in The Citizen’s 2011 phone book. These are for exchanges in • Auburn • Blyth • Brussels • Clinton • Goderich • Gorrie • Listowel • Wingham Call today! Don’t miss your name in our new book. The Citizen 519-523-4792