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The Citizen, 2008-03-06, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008. Continued from page 1 think that we should be the one to raise the flag on the issues but there comes a time when the issue is far more important than party politics,” he said. “All of us transcend from party politics from time to time.” Steckle reiterated that while the budget may not mean much to the average Canadian, they will remember why the election was called. “We will not give the Conservatives the election they desperately want, but we will also not allow Mr. Harper to plagiarize work done by others and call it his own,” he said. “By contrast, we will hold their feet to the fire to ensure that they pass more valuable Liberal initiatives in the coming Parliamentary session. Canadians need to know that this government has run out of ideas and that they are tired and desperately clutching to power for the sake of it.” Could be so much worse And with weeks left for the practical winter it could still be. But this photo is from March 1947 showing big snowbanks on Brussels main street. The shot was taken from the front door of the American Hotel (now gone). The overhead sign is the Arcade Store. The photo was submitted by a reader and former Brussels resident Lawrie Cousins of London. Two pre-existing policies will berolled into one, and changes will bemade to how existing curriculum isdelivered, all in an attempt by the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board to strengthen its ability to promote environmental sustainability. “We’ve decided it’s time to do better,” said education superintendent Dan Parr, prior to the board’s regular meeting Monday, Feb. 25. At the meeting, trustees approved a recommendation to create a new policy entitled “Environmental Stewardship,” aimed both at ensuring current practices are ecologically sound, and promoting a long-lasting sense of environmental responsibility among students. “We are stewards of the environment and we have to be conscious of that,” commented board chair Bernard Murray, following passage of the policy by trustees. “Plus, it helps raise the profile of the system among the ratepayers, because they see these things being done and maybe start thinking about the effects of what we do every day.” Parr says the board already had policies directing the way its facilities and employees limit the generation of garbage and use of non-renewable resources. It also hada policy stating that environmentalconsciousness should be aconsideration in all board purchases.The new policy, he explains,strengthens the language on wastediversion and purchasing. “I think we do a better job addressing those two issues,” the superintendent said. But it also sets out a process for incorporating environmental sensitivity in various aspects ofexisting Ontario curriculum.“We’ll be looking at opportunitieswhere there’s a natural fit for puttingsomething about the environmentinto the current curriculum,” Parrexplained. According to Murray, it’s common to hear about particular teachers, students or parents who enthusiastically promote an environmentally conscious initiativeat a particular school. With the newpolicy in place, he says, the boardhopes to ensure those ideas spreadthroughout the district.“I say share it around. I think it’simportant they remember to do that,” the chair commented. The impetus behind the new policy came from the board’s Eco Schools committee, which comprises membership from variouseducation stakeholder groups. The committee looked atexamples already set by other schoolboards in Ontario, but also drewinspiration from an internationalorganization also called Eco Schools. That organization draws its insight and information from education and environment experts at the United Nations. Catholic board rolls 2 policies together Strong words for Harper For the fourth year in a row, Canadian Parents for French (CPF) has appeared before the Avon Maitland District School Board, appealing for the expansion of French immersion programming into Huron County. “It would be our pleasure to assist you in the process (of introducing French immersion), in order to limit the use of staff resources,” explained CPF Ontario representative Monika Ferenczy, at a regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 26. Ferenczy acknowledged the parent surveys undertaken by the board in two of the past four years, which showed the board would not be able to generate enough per-pupil funding to introduce a program without subsidizing it using money from other areas of expenditure. But she noted CPF met recently with Education Minister Kathleen Wynne to stress the importance of French language instruction, and deliver 56 recommendations for increasing access to French immersion in Ontario. She told the board that 45 new French immersion programs were introduced in Ontario last year, including the expansion of the Avon Maitland’s Stratford-based offering into the secondary school level. “Currently, the largest demand for French immersion expansion comes from our rural communities,” Ferenczy said. She cited the Bluewater District School Board (Bruce and Grey Counties) and the Grand Erie District School Board as organizations that had found ways to bring French Immersion to rural settings, despite perceived funding limitations. “We urge the Avon Maitland District School Board to confer with other school boards with rural configurations to devise a model through which French immersion can be offered in Huron County.” Trustees did not immediately respond to Ferenczy’s delegation. Continued from page 1 and were beginning to look into it,” Baird-Jackson said. Indeed, the Feb. 26 report notes the operator in Goderich and Wingham, K.D. Catering, was “a recipient of the ‘Eat Smart’ designation, which signifies their efforts to provide healthy food choices in their cafeterias.” “Certainly, the intent is there to come up with healthier choices,” Baird-Jackson said. The proposed legislation, which has passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature, would limit trans fat levels in margarines and spreads to two per cent by this June, and cut the total trans fat levels in all food offerings to five per cent by March, 2009. There would be exemptions for foods which naturally contain trans fats, and for foods – such as pizza – sold during “special” fundraising events. “Compliance to the new standards will not only depend on our contracted cafeteria operators but also on the cooperation of food suppliers for their ingredients, condiments and prepared food items,” the report explains. And the biggest adjustment may be for administrators of the high schools themselves. That’s because the money from on-site vending machines has typically been used for such things as subsidizing school or athletic trips. “It’s at the discretion of the principal,” Baird- Jackson said, “but for the secondary schools, I would suggest (vending machines) represent a significant source of funds.” The challenge, of course, is convincing students to choose the healthy options instead of heading down the street to the nearest fast food outlet. “One of our independent contractors said she’ll do what she can, but she rather candidly said she can’t make the kids eat the healthy foods,” Baird-Jackson told trustees. Following the meeting, the business superintendent expressed a level of frustration with the legislative approach, arguing it may be more effective to put greater resources into what school boards are good at: education. “Some of our teachers are doing tremendous jobs in inspiring our students about healthy foods,” Baird-Jackson said. She said Paul Finkelstein, a Food Network television personality and a culinary arts teacher at Stratford Northwestern Secondary School, “is having his students educate elementary students about this. And I think that education process, as much as getting rid of the foods, is what’s going to determine how well this works.” A culinary arts program is also offered at Goderich District Collegiate Institute. Healthier choices on offer By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen French immersion parents make plea By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Presented by Saturday, May 3, 2008 Clinton Public Arena Get Your Tickets Now ~ only $50 each For gala tickets or to donate auction items Call 519-482-3440 ext. 6297 Star Bound Gala Dinner & Auction Meeting our communities’needs for healthcare Raising funds for digital x-ray equipment Last Chance!Tickets must be Purchased by March 15Last Chance!Tickets must be Purchased by March 15