HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-12-03, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009.Five schools have been selected byadministrators of the Avon MaitlandDistrict School Board, for potential
implementation of phase 1 of the
provincial Education Ministry’s full-
day, every-day programming for
Kindergarten-aged students.
Pending Ministry approval, full-
day programming and extended-care
early learning for three-, four- and
five-year-olds will be available in
September, 2010 in the following
schools: Clinton Public School (two
classrooms), Milverton Public
School (two classrooms), Downie
Central Public School (two
classrooms), Howick Central PublicSchool (three classrooms) andStratford’s Romeo Public School(one classroom).Programming will run from 7 a.m.until 6 p.m., with regular Education
Ministry curriculum being presented
only during the regular school day: 9
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Outside of those
hours, an Early Childhood
Education (ECE) instructor will
deliver traditional daycare-style
programming.
Attendance in full day school (or
an alternative such as home-
schooling) is not mandatory until a
child reaches senior kindergarten
age. It’s expected that will remain in
place.
Likewise, attendance in the ECE-run programming will be optional. Ifa child attends outside of regularschool hours, costs must be coveredby the parents – either directly, orthrough application to subsidy
programs already administered by
municipal social services
departments.
According to Avon Maitland
business superintendent Janet Baird-
Jackson, the five schools were
chosen due to a variety of possible
criteria, as stipulated by the
Education Ministry. These include
the scarcity of accessible daycare
services in the community, the
availability of adequate space within
the host schools, and an
unsatisfactory success rate for theschool in provincially-standardizedtests. There must also be a highlikelihood that the host school willremain open over the next five years.
Asked about the renovations
necessary in the schools to
accommodate additional
Kindergarten-style programming,
Baird-Jackson said they will be
minimal – which is what the
Education Ministry wanted.
However, she noted, the pre-
existing Huron County Board ofEducation diligently includedspecialized kindergarteninstructional spaces during recentconstruction and additions. As aresult, necessary changes will be
negligible in Clinton and Howick.
The same can’t be said for the pre-
existing Perth County board,
however, so the board may have to
purchase some additional
kindergarten-style equipment for the
planned sites in Downie, Milverton
and Stratford.
Getting started
A new youth musical group held its first rehearsal on Sunday at Knox United Church in
Belgrave. Elizabeth Stennett, not pictured, has formed the group in hopes that a performance
of a musical entitled Life On The Edge will be performed sometime in May. The play will deal
with the challenges faced by young people as they grow up and look for guidance, Stennett
says. Beginning to run through the material was, back row, from left: Brianna Yuill, Lindsay
Shiell, Kathleen Stennett. Front row, from left: Andrea Shiell, Jessica Procter and Emily
Stennett. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
AMDSB selects 5 schools for full-time kdgn.
The Auxiliary met in the
boardroom at Wingham and District
Hospital at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov.
23 with an excellent attendance.
The meeting was filled with good
news.
The announcement of a new
doctor potentially coming to the
hospital was made. Jana-Sue
McKague-Weishar, the new doctor
recruitment officer for the hospital
was introduced by Verna Steffler.
Jana-Sue spoke briefly of the her
plans.
The volunteers who assist visitors
at the controlled entry have proven
very successful and will continue.
Lynne Hopper, manager of health
and records registration at WDH
made a presentation stressing the
individual rights to control personal
information within the hospital and
on helpful information to the
volunteers at the front entrance.
Members viewed new toys, teddy
bears, dolls, hand-knit baby outfits
and stocking stuffers available for
Christmas buying in the gift
shop.
Fall rummage sale winners were:
first, queen-size quilt, Elizabeth
O’Neil; second, Christmas floral
arrangement, Bill Hallahan; third,
Christmas wreath, Jo-Ann Olson.
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A Taste of Huron
- Buy Local -
Honey & Garlic
Robinson’s Maple Products
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Meeting Place Apple Butter
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Deadline December 23
By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen
Wingham Hospital Auxiliary
meets new recruitment officer