HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-06-18, Page 20A joint application from high
schools in Clinton and Listowel was
one of eight in Canada selected to
receive approximately $100,000
(US) in laptops, software and
training, thanks to US-based
computer giant Hewlett-Packard
(HP).
Entitled “The IDEAL Classroom
for 21st Century Education,” the
application was headed up by
Listowel District Secondary School
(LDSS) computer technology
teacher Blair McKay but also – in
keeping with HP’s application
requirements for inter-department
and inter-school cooperation –
included math and science teachers
at LDSS and Central Huron
Secondary School. It was selected as
one of the 2009 recipients of the HP
Innovations in Education grants,
along with applications from the
Dufferin-Peel school board, both the
French and English Catholic school
boards in Barrie, and applications
from Edmonton, Winnipeg,
Moncton, New Brunswick and
Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
The program is also active around
the world. Following a regular
meeting of the Avon Maitland
District School Board – at which he
provided information about the
IDEAL project – McKay told
reporters that approximately 14
applications were submitted from
Ontario.
The acronym stands for
“Interactive Digital Environments
for Accelerated Learning.” HP’s
commitment will begin in
September, 2009, with the provision
of two sets of 20 “Mini-Note PC”
laptops on moveable carts.
There will also be eight “Tablet
PCs”, complete with digital
projectors and video camera
capability, for use by teachers, and
two printers.
“This really brings the computer
lab to the student,” explained Jeff
Reaburn, who assisted the IDEAL
application team on behalf of Avon
Maitland administration. Currently,
he said, high schools are equipped
with computer technology that isn’t
portable, making it difficult to
incorporate computer applications in
diverse subject areas. The HP project
– which runs over two years – will
point the way to how that could
change in the future.
Attempts will be made to
incorporate the laptops in science
and math courses. And there will be
a focus on Grade 10 classes, since –
according to McKay – that’s when a
lot of students start making decisions
about future career paths.
“The other thing that’s really
exciting for us is the collaboration
between different schools, and
between different classrooms,”
McKay told trustees.
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009.
North Huron has 463 new trees.
This spring a tree planting program
was introduced by the municipality
making trees available to the public
to plant on their own property.
A project of the Energy and
Environment Committee of the
municipality and spearheaded by
CAO, Kriss Snell, 115 native species
of trees were picked up and planted
by ratepayers on private property.
The owner is responsible for the
care and maintenance of the trees.
North Huron currently boasts a
forest and natural environment
coverage of 22.7 per cent. The
municipal Official Plan sites a target
of 30 per cent forest coverage and
participation in this sort of program
puts us closer to our optimal goal.
“Our tree planting program
enjoyed a successful inaugural year.
One hundred and fifteen trees were
given out to municipal homeowners.
We would expect in subsequent
years for that number will grow as a
great amount of interest has been
expressed not only in this project but
in all environmentally conscious
activities. Not surprisingly we have
found that residents place a high
priority on ‘green’ initiatives”, said
Kriss Snell.
Over 300 native trees were also
planted by North Huron staff at
municipal landfills, parks and
cemeteries and along road
allowances. Forty trees were also
planted at the Blyth campground.
CHSS, LDSS get IDEAL money
North Huron council has
announced the hiring of John Black
as the North Huron fire chief.
Black brings a wealth of
knowledge and experience to the
North Huron Fire Service with 24
years service on the Gravenhurst
Fire Department, most recently
serving as the deputy chief.
He is also a qualified instructor
with the Ontario Fire College
and has spent time instructing
at the Emergency Services
Training Centre.
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
said, Black is familiar with North
Huron, the two fire stations, and
many of the firefighters, due to his
time spent instructing in the area.
“He is looking forward to serving as
Chief and the many opportunities
that exist with the creation of the
North Huron Fire Service.”
Black commences his
employment with North Huron on
June 29.
Their wall
Families and children of Walton’s Little School have been painting tiles to be included in a
collage mural at the entry hall of the school. Acting director Amanda Balon came up with the
idea and invited people who have had children attend the school since its opening to drop in
and paint a tile. With Balon are some of the current young ‘artists’ From left: Avery
McCutcheon, Cam Smith (on the chair) and Kyle Stevenson. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
N. Huron working to
increase forest cover
The shape of things
Kaleb Roth was working things out at the playdough table
during Walton Little School’s family day on Sunday. (Vicky
Bremner photo)
Council appoints
new NH fire chief
By Stew Slater
Special to The Citizen
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