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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-02-12, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009. JiggaJump! The JiggaJump Snack Attack paid a visit to Hullett Central Public School on Tuesday, teaching the students about the importance of healthy snacks and exercise to energize yourself. Lisa Metzger and Chris James, who travelled from Toronto, were the presenters for the presentation. (Shawn Loughlin photo) The Accommodation ReviewCommittees from the five schools inthis area held open houses onTuesday evening, Feb. 3. TurnberryCentral joined the Wingham schoolcommittee at the Wingham Public School, East Wawanosh held its own and Blyth Public and Hullett Central Schools hosted one at the Blyth school. The school committees were inviting comments from their respective communities about their proposal for a “new modern school” for the northern area of the review group. The Hullett/Blyth forum was presided over by David Sparling, Heather Toll and Robert Hunking. For the benefit of those attending, the committee’s proposal for the North Maitland Education Centre of Excellence was presented. There followed a question and answer period. Nothing conclusive came from the meeting at Blyth; it was an opportunity to air comments and hear how others were thinking. There was some concern that a student from a rural area would not get enough attention in a large school. On the other hand it was reasoned that needed specialists would spend more time in a larger school. Another parent wondered if there would be a need to upgrade high schools for the pupils coming out of a larger modern elementary setting. The enrollment of the new school has been revised to 750 pupils from the original 1,000. It was also noted that the current enrollment of the four northern schools is 650. The meeting learned that Essex County has recently opened a “super school”. Another in attendance has learned that there is a law in the state of Florida that limits the size of a primary school to 500 to eliminate problems. On questioner pondered why a union between Blyth and Hullett wouldn’t seem reasonable. Also why one of the schools under review couldn’t be turned into a middle school for Grades 7 and 8. No one wishes those pupils to be housed in a high school. If the schools all remain open they will need $8 million in upgrades over the next five years. The freeing up of infrastructure monies by governments in recent weeks may have a bearing on the final decision. It continues to be important for area persons to talk about this issue. Only two trustees are present at the formal ARC meetings, but the names of the other seven who will be involved in making the final decision for this area are listed on the AMDSB’s website. Comments to those other trustees could be important to the future of this area.The fourth and final public ARCmeeting will take place Thursday,Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at East WawanoshSchool.*** The character attribute receiving attention at Hullett Central Public School for the month of February is ‘perseverance’. The pupils will talk about staying purposeful and committed to decisions and projects. Valentine candygrams are on sale at the school this week. These candygram valentines can be purchased from the student council for oneself or a special friend. They will be delivered on Friday, Feb. 13. Grades 4 to 8 will have a Valentine’s dance that afternoon as well. Recognizing that oral communication skills are an important component of the school curriculum, Hullett Central continued with their tradition of a public speaking event. A school- wide presentation of chosen pupils was held on Tuesday morning, Feb. 3. Nine primary students recited a poem of their choice that morning. Chosen as the top three reciters were Kaleb Wilts with I’m Practically Perfect,Avery Wright and her poem, I Wrote an Awful Poem and Jazelin Wright for reciting Lousy Catcher’s Mitt. Other poem subjects dealt with snowmen, computers, witches and falling asleep in class. Six junior pupils delivered their own stories/speeches in the auditorium. A concern for the environment, Going Green, won top place in this division for Lexi Aitken. A message for all of us, Laughter Is a Medicine, presented by Valerie Westerhout was also chosen as one of the best. Third place in this group was scored by Emily Wilts talking about Homework. Broomball and pets were other topics for speeches by this age group. There were also six speeches presented in the intermediate division. An interest in social justice was the reason behind the winning speech, Free the Children delivered by Kelsey Falconer. Moving forward with her education must have been on the mind of Nicole Middegaal as she wrote her speech, High School. Braces was the topic of the speech by Courtney Middegaal. Speeches themselves, the Bermuda Triangle and government conspiracies were other intermediate topics delivered at Hullett. Municipal Fire Services PUBLIC MEETING AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will hold a public information meeting on: Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 pm at the Bluevale Hall - 32 Clyde Street in Bluevale • To relay information to the public of the changes in the provision of fire services as of January 1, 2010 • To explain the dissolution of the Wingham Area Fire Board agreement • Question period will follow All persons are welcome to attend this information meeting. For further information please contact:Nancy Michie, Administrator Clerk-Treasurer Municipality of Morris-Turnberry 41342 Morris Rd., RR 4 Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 Telephone - 519-887-6137 Email: morris@scsinternet.com Website: www.morris-turnberry.on.ca NEWS FROM LONDESBORO On Sunday, Feb. 8, in the absence of Rev. Pat Cook, Ian O’Neill, a lay pastor from Parkview United Church in Stratford conducted the morning service. The senior choir anthem was titled A Place Where I Can Go. During the receiving of the offering, Mary Kate Allen and Barb Bosman played a piano duet. Aspects of nature were evident throughout the various parts of the service. The sermon was titled The Eagle of Faith. During the children’s time at the front, Mr. O’Neill drew an analogy between baptism and gardening. He told the children that in order to start plants inside the house for transplanting outside in the spring, one needs seeds, a flower container, soil and plant food. The children suggested that the seeds would need water to germinate, for without water there is no life. Jesus is the water in life. The water of baptism is the symbol of life for Christians, said Mr. O’Neill. Robert Hunking read the gospel passage, Mark 1: 29-39. These verses tell of Christ’s travels throughout Galilee healing people. The reading from Isaiah 40: 21- 31, is a well-known passage which speaks of the creation and tells of how God helps the weary, making them rise up on the wings of eagles. These verses remind that although struggles seem devastating, God runs the course/race with us. Life is a challenge but He is there to help people do their best. A church is all working together. If people follow their hearts in peace, God’s message will reach everyone. Londesborough United will gather for worship at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 15. The official board will meet on Thursday, Feb. 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Pick up your copy of the last meeting. The Londesborough UCW will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16. MEETING NOTICE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY The upcoming Council and Committee meetings for the Municipality of Morris- Turnberry will be held: Wednesday, February 18 at 1:00 pm Budget Meeting Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 pm Public Meeting - Municipal Fire Services Ian O’Neill leads service at Londesborough United All winters come with a certain degree of isolation, generally weather related, and this year is no exception. This snow and cold just doesn’t want to leave us. However in this last week we have seen the sun occasionally and it serves to lift the spirits. We are on the downside of winter and spring will arrive. It does every year. In the meantime think July. And the days are getting longer. Another factor making the winter longer are the nasty bugs that continue to circulate. Every day brings news of someone else dealing with the flu or a nasty cold. If you haven’t seen friend or neighbour for a time, perhaps they are shut in with an ailment and both of you would enjoy a chat. Currently Harry Lear is dealing with the effects of a nasty fall outside the Betty Cardno Centre a week ago Monday. Someone else who took a tumble was Marie Glousher who sported a few facial stitches as a result. Schools prepare By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO