The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-03-06, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008.The Huron-Perth Catholic DistrictSchool Board tightened up thelanguage in its hiring policy, reinforcing its intention to give preference to applicants with a Catholic background. “That’s what you do with policies. From time to time, you take a look at them and make sure they’re clear,” explained board chair Bernard Murray, followed acceptance of the changes by trustees at a regularmeeting Monday, Feb. 25.Under Ontario’s Education Act,Catholic school boards are entitledto – in the words of the Huron-Perthboard’s updated policy – “give preferential consideration to qualified Catholic applicants.” According to Murray, proof of Catholic background is generally provided in the form of a baptismal certificate, usually with back-up support in the form of a letter from a parish priest. By the time teachers are granted“permanent status,” which generallyoccurs after two years ofemployment with a board, they’rerequired to have completed aReligious Education course administered by Ontario’s Catholic teachers’ unions. The Huron-Perth hiring policy covers teachers, subject co- ordinators, department heads, consultants and co-ordinators. The Feb. 25 amendments included calling on employees – in the Expectation Statement segment ofthe policy – “to uphold and impartthe doctrine and moral teachings ofthe Roman Catholic Church,” and“to encourage students to be activein church and community.” Murray says these expectations were present in the previous version of the policy, but he described the now-removed language as “vague and unrealistic.” “All this does is clarify the language,” he said. “(Trustees) thought this spelled it out more clearly.”Murray noted the Huron-Perthboard currently employs a numberpeople who don’t have Catholicbackgrounds, and he expects thatwill continue. That’s because it’s not uncommon for there to be a shortage of qualified, Catholic applicants – particularly in fields such as elementary-level French and specialized secondary school subjects. Board tightens language on hiring policy Two leaders of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board have been recognized by their colleagues from across Ontario, and will receive awards in April. Life-long educator and trustee Ron Marcy of Stratford, who has served numerous terms as Huron- Perth board chair and currently sits as chair of the management committee, will receive the 2008 Award of Merit from the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA). The award “is to recognize long service . . . and distinguished contribution to Catholic education,” explained fellow Stratford resident Bernard Murray, who represents Perth South and West Perth on the board. Murray, current Huron-Perth chair, also happens to be OCSTA president, but was quick to note he did not serve on the Award of Merit selection committee. The award will be presented at the provincial organization’s 2008 annual general meeting April 25 in Niagara Falls. According to Murray, OCSTA normally chooses just one award-winner from the list of nominees, but special circumstances (one award-winner will be recognized posthumously) led the committee to select three deserving recipients this year. Murray doesn’t recall any other member of the Huron-Perth board ever receiving the OCSTA award. He noted Marcy was nominated in 2007 but was not selected. At another annual general meeting, April 15, Huron-Perth education superintendent Martha Dutrizac will be presented with the 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award by the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’Association. Dutrizac, who handles elementary curriculum, has been with the board for about five years, since being brought over from the London and District Catholic board. Throughout that time, she has been very active in getting Huron-Perth educators involved in provincial curriculum development initiatives, and bringing provincial innovations to the Huron-Perth district. “It’s very exciting to have these awards coming to the board,” Murray commented. School board leaders recognized By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen The Blyth Festival and AM920 CKNX Radio are hosting the Ontario Open Country Singing Contest May 22-25. An added feature to this year’s contest is the Rising Star Award which is recording package valued at $7,500. It will be presented to a teen, male open or female open contestant as determined by the judges on the final day of competition. The Rising Star Award is a package consisting of the production o f a single prepared for radio with Jason Barry, of BarryTone Studios (value: $3,500); a single tracked to radio (100 stations coast to coast) by Janice Greco Consulting (value: $2,000); a single released to radio through DMDS by Joe Wood of RDR (value $500); a professional biography by Patrick Duffy of Attention Design (value: $500); and a marketing and promotions consultation with Kathalene Stearn, of Kattz Marketing and Promotion (value: $1,200). This year the contest is also expanding to add both a senior male and a senior female category. Other categories include male open, female open, teens (18 and under) and karaoke (12 and under). Only 100 spots are available. Singers will be evaluated by a panel of highly-experienced judges from Ontario’s country music scene. Over $6,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top three singers in each category. The competition gets underway at 4 p.m. with senior category rehearsals on Thursday, May 22. The general public is welcome to attend the first set of performances on the following day, Friday, May 23. The full schedule is available on the website at: www.ontariocountrysingingcontest.com A weekend pass to the Ontario Open Country Singing Contest is $20 for adults and $15 for youth. Single day passes are also available. For information contact the Blyth Festival Box Office at 519-523-9300 or toll free at 1-877-862-5984. 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 TThhee CCiittiizzeennCheck out other great books at... BREWING MADE EASY Imagine offering guests your own home brew. This book provides information from brewing your first batch of beer to creating your own recipes. Information on equipment, instructions on making beer and recipes for different beers and ales. $13.95 HOMEBREW FAVORITES Enjoy the added pleasure of creating and drinking your own home-brewed beer and ale. Instructions on choosing ingredients plus 240 recipes for beer, ale, porter, stout and European and American lagers. $22.95 THE HOME BREWER’S ANSWER BOOK Dreamed of creating your own beer? Ashton Lewis, head brewer with Springfield Brewing Company in Missouri and columnist with Brew Your Own magazine provides answers to every question. $18.50 MAPLE SYRUP COOKBOOK 100 recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, everything from Maple French Toast to Maple Pecan Pie. $14.95 SUGAR ON SNOW Introduce kids to the world of maple syrup with this charming picture book, a warm tribute to family teamwork in collecting maple sap, boiling it at the sugar house and, best of all, drizzling it over snow to make taffy. Originally $23.50. $15.99 THE MAPLE SYRUP BOOK The reward for surviving a Canadian winter is the sweet tradition of maple syrup. This richly illustrated book explores the history and lore of maple syrup, how it’s made, helps you judge the best and gives recipes. $24.95 NOTES ON A BEERMAT: A book in praise of beer written by Toronto author Nicholas Pashley. Thoughts on everything from finding the perfect pub to surviving a hangover. More than 200 pages of quirky thoughts on his favourite subject. $19.95 Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fantastic book Singing contestants compete in 2008 for recording contract Clothesline is a lifeline for Canadians with diabetes. Call 11-800-505-5525 for a FFREE pickup of unwanted clothing. Proceeds from this program help to support the mission of the Association: to promote the health of Canadians through diabetes research, education, service and advocacy.