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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-07-15, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010. Alzheimer Society holds Coffee Break Day Girls wanted for Queen and Princess competitions Additional school closures in Zurich and UsborneOne by one, at a meeting Tuesday,June 22 in Seaforth, trustees of theAvon Maitland District SchoolBoard offered their perspective on why it’s beneficial to congregate Grades 7 and 8 students in numbers greater than currently offered in many of the board’s elementary schools. Then, in the culmination of an accommodation review process that began in September, 2009, they voted unanimously to create such a congregation of students at South Huron District High School (SHDHS) in Exeter – in the process, necessitating the closure, effective September, 2012, of Zurich Public School and Usborne Central Public School. “I’ve seen some of the objections to this in terms of interaction (ofsenior elementary students) withhigh school students, as well asconcerns about how much accessthey’ll have to the spaces,”commented South Huron trusteeRandy Wagler. “And, although we can’t guarantee that (the Grade 7 and 8s) will be able to get into a laboratory whenever they want, we’re confident that, with good timetabling, they will benefit from improved access.” Wagler led trustees in rejecting a different staff proposal, which would have sought funding from the Education Ministry for the reconfiguring of SHDHS and the adjacent Exeter Public School into a Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 facility. That proposal also called for the closure of Stephen Central Public School near Crediton. The trustee argued the boardwould be unlikely to qualify forMinistry funding, since none of theschools in the district are in poorrepair – particularly StephenCentral. But he did note the 7-12option at SHDHS, with two closures, does address the issue of empty space at both the high school and a number of the elementary schools. According to education superintendent Mike Ash, implementation of the change in September, 2012, will likely require one extra classroom to be built at Hensall Public School – which will accommodate K-6 students dislocated from Zurich. K-6 students from Usborne, meanwhile, will transfer to Exeter Public School, with some extra space being freed up in the town school by transferring Huron Park residents from Exeter Public to Stephen Central.Wagler noted that, until the 2000closure of McCurdy Public School,students from Huron Park did nottravel into Exeter. He suggestedattendance at Stephen Central is, infact, more in keeping with their natural community identity. Throughout the accommodation review process, many members of the public expressed displeasure with the notion of sending Grade 7 and 8 students into a high school environment. At the June 22 meeting, several trustees acknowledged that opposition, but again endeavoured to ease parent concerns. “Having lived through this – my son was one of the very first (in the Avon Maitland board to move into a Grade 7-12 configuration) in Stratford – we monitored the situation very closely, and none ofthe things that we had thought wouldcome to fruition came true,”explained Stratford trustee MegWestley.Perth East representative TinaTraschel also spoke from personal experience, noting she opposed the Stratford transition when it was proposed that students from the Shakespeare area would be part of the move several years ago. Perth East students were eventually removed from the process, but her son subsequently entered a 7-12 high school in Stratford at Grade 9, and expressed disappointment he couldn’t have been in the facility from the beginning. “If I had known 10 years ago now, I would not have hesitated (to support the concept) for a heartbeat,” THE EDITOR, The Huron Queen of the Furrow program and the Huron Princess program are an important part of the Huron County Plowing Match. It will be hosted by Warden Bert and Nellie Dykstra and landowners Andrew and Irene Dykstra at their farm at 80294 Stone School Line in Central Huron on August 26 and 27. The successful Queen participant at the local level promotes Huron County and will attend the International Plowing Match in the United Counties of Prescott/Russell in September 2011. This event enables young women (age 16-24) to gain leadership skills. They will present a two-to three- minute speech on agriculture, conduct an interview with a panel of judges and have a fun experience. Each contestant will use a different tractor and plow and they will be coached by local plowmen, many of whom have won provincial honours. The princess program (ages 12- 15) will take place on Junior Day, August 26 when participants will present a one-to-two-minute speech and have an interview but will not plow competitively. Both programs require the competitor to be a resident of Huron, but not necessarily live on a farm. This is a great way to meet friends, it’s conducted outdoors, looks good on a résumé and is a great learning experience. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador for Huron County as the Queen of the Furrow contact Marie McGavin 519-887-9996, Stacey Reinsma 519-440-3037 or as the Huron Princess, contact Ruth Townsend 519-522-1629, Jacquie or Kabrina Bishop 519-887-9379 by July 23. Marie McGavin, Huron Queen of the Furrow committee Ruth Townsend, Huron Princess Committee. THE EDITOR, The Alzheimer Society of Huron County is preparing for its 15th annual Coffee Break fundraising campaign. September 16 has been designated as National Coffee Break Day across Canada. You can make this a day to remember by becoming a Coffee Break Host. Coffee Break can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish to make it. Some hosts offer baked goods, some have hosted a dinner party. Other hosts put on a pot of coffee during a regularly scheduled monthly meeting. We leave the creativity up to you. The idea is to have fun, while supporting a great cause. Coffee Break fundraisers enable the Alzheimer Society of Huron County to continue offering programs and services in your home community. Today someone in Canada develops dementia every five minutes. If nothing changes it will increase to one every two minutes within the next 30 years. Hope lies in making changes today, which will lessen dementia’s crippling effect on families in Huron County. Help us turn the tide by calling the Society at 519-482-1482 or 1-800- 561-5012 to request a Coffee Break host package. We will ensure you receive everything you need to host a successful event. Theresa Wilson Events Coordinator Alzheimer Society Huron County Letters to the Editor Ph. 519-482-3020 RR #1 Bayfield Fax 519-482-1496 Summer Hours:Mon.-Sat. 9 am - 6 pm; Sun. 9 am - 5 pm U-Pick Raspberries Now ready weather and crop permitting Te-Em FarmTe-Em Farm Check out our blog “between the benches” at www.te-emfarm.ca “Home of the Brugmansia - The Ultimate Patio Plant” CC OO MM EE OO UU TT TT OO TT HH EE PP LL AA CC EE WW HH EE RR EE GG AA RR DD EE NN EE RR SS MM EE EE TT Colourful containers to spruce up your outdoor living space. MANY PLANTS NOW 1/2 PRICE Home of Ted’s Tasty Tomatoes By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen Continued on page 7