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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1979-04-11, Page 8from Tasty-Nu Bakery, Thurs-Fri-Sat only Hot Cross Buns Pkg. of 6 69 ° Fresh crusty Dinner Rolls a doz. 89° YOUNG'S Variety Weekdays 9-9, Holidays & Sundays 12-6 Brussels 887-6224 Vancouver in June at the last board meeting. Only three are permitted to attend with all expenses paid according to the board by-law. Following a vote by the trustees, the three chosen to go are John O'Drowsky of St. Marys, Tim McDonnell of Gadshill and Keith Montgomery of Wingham. Mickey Vere of Stratford was named an alternate. A presentation by the Physical Education and Health Curriculum Commit- tee was made at the meeting. Presenting the outline of the curriculum for the trustees were: Co-conveners George LONGSTAFF -OPTOMETRIST- SEA FORTH 527-1240 Monday to Friday 9-5:30 Saturday 9-12:00 Closed Wednesdays By Appointment Van Slyck of St. Ambrose School, Stratford; Lorne Rideout of Mount Carmel; and other members Patty Anderson of St. Joseph's School, Stratford; Jim Steffler, Scared Heart, Wingham; Jim Date, re- source teacher in board office. The board approved the financial statement for the year ended December 31, 1978. Included in the report. Total expenditure of $4,551,354 compared to $4,313,756 in 1977, Education services cost the board $3,065,064 up from $2,879,007 in 1977; plant operation and maintenance amounted to $455,561 up $22,220 from 1977; trans- portation costs were $499,463, down $32,067. Net expenditure amounted to $4,401,069, and this was raised mainly from govern- ment grants fo $3,642,700 and local taxes amounting to $719,633 up from $647,731 in 1977. 8 — THE BRUSSELS POST, APRIL 11, 1979 Clinton school tOo small HPRCSS told BY WILMA OKE The Huron-Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board was asked by three members of the Catholic Parent Teacher Association of St.Joseph's School in Clinton to provide additional space at the school to meet the needs of 110 students enrolled there this year. Mrs. Carole Kerrigan, vice president of C.P.T.A. at St. Joseph's read a brief out- lining why the addition is needed. Others attending with her were the president, Seamus Doherty of Clinton and member Marris Bos of R.R.2, Seaforth, and the school principal Donald Far- well. The C.P.T.A. wants two additional portable class- rooms set up to provide the addition. The school now consists of three classrooms, a staff room and principal's office, as well as two portable classrooms. There is no base- ment in the school. Mrs. Kerrigan said under board direction there is a higher standard of education in the school and a large number of Catholic students have been attracted into the school from the public school system. Mrs. Kerrigan read, "/ s interested parents, we feel that unless we can continue to grow physically, as well as academically, we cannot maintain the standards of education that have been achieved at St. Joseph's over the years. We therefore, cannot continue to increase our enrolment and further the goals of Catholic education for future students. The school community is trying to meet the needs of the'children, but our limited space makes this increasingly difficult." Mrs. Kerrigan pointed out that the problem was not vith the number of stuc enrs is they fitted into the school nicely but with the small groups such as the French classes, the music and special education class- rooms. She pointed out that Grades 6, 7 and 8 French classses are had to be held in the hall. The library is located in the hallway and it is used to view video tap ed programs. She described the number of classes that move around such as the spelling classes which are held every day and rotate from the hall to the Kindergarten room to the )ffice; special math classes are held either in the kitchen or in the hallway when the kitchen is full; the Health Nurse works in the classroom or in the hallway or staff room; Mass is in the hall or in the kindergarten room; for music classes the piano gets pushed from one room to the other and sometimes this class is held in the hall, She pointed out that all the classes in the hall or in the kitchen or in the office have no provisions for black boards. She said the black- board is propped on top of the drinking fountain in the hall. She said the hall is constantly congested with tables and chairs blocking exits and washroom door- ways and the traffic to the washrooms and the staff room, as well at to the library continually interrupt these classes. She said audio-visual equipment is stored on the floor in the principal's small office, making it very con- gested and as well the secretary's desk is also inthis office. She said tumbling mats and other gym equip- ment is stored on the floor of the washrooms, inviting ac- cidents and is not very sanitary as a storage spot. NOT ATTACHED Because the present two protables are not attached to the school the television can- not be wheeled into those classrooms and as well students in the protables have to dress fully with boots and coats during inclement weather. Among other problems she pointed out there is no room for parent interviews in the office and sometimes they are held in the hall and the speech therapist has to use the kindergarten and then the spelling class has to moved elsewhere. There is no couch for a sick child in kitchen. Mrs. Kerrigan explained her group was asking for the portables in case no grants were available from the Ministery of Education to build a permanent addition to solve the problems at the school. In the question and answer period Trustee Michael Con- nolly asked if some students could be bused to another school, suggesting the kind- ergarten students being located in Seaforth. To this Mrs. Kerrigan replied that 15 were expected in the kindergarten class this year and "if we move them to eaforth I think we would lose them". OBJECT STRONGLY Principal Don Farwell said he would object very strongly to transporting students to Seaforth. He said here was a feeling of ineasiness in the school •ommunity. He said it is a amily school, the students lave a feeling of achievement, not defeat. He ..;ave credit to the teachers 'rho are of a high calibre, and cs a result the children :.oming out of St. Joseph's are better than other students, he said. He pointed out that the crowding situation is becoming more difficult all the time because it is difficult to find space for the improvements that are coming into the school. Seamus Doherty stated that, "We are here tonight to let you know the situation and our feelings." Mr. Doherty said as a high school teacher he can vouch for the fact that the students from St. Joseph's do well when they reach high school level. Mrs. -Kerrigan concluded, "Unless you read the copy of the brief over carefully you won't understand how constricted we are. For anyone who believes in Catholic education as we do, it is important to keep school where it is. These are our concerns as we see it." In other business the board accepted the resignations of Sister Louise Lowry, principal of St. Boniface School, Zurich and of SuSan Kraftcheek who teachers music (30 per tent) at 8t. Michael's School, Stratford. Chairman William Kinahan commended the teachers for submitting their resignations early, making it easier for the administration to plan. Mary Flannery and Jim McDade will continue with their present roles and responsibilities in the area of special education and curriculum development respectively for the school year 1979-80. Re-appointed to the Declining Enrolment Committee this term were Ronald. Murray, John O'Leary, Ronald Marcy and Mickey Vere. MILEAGE Mileage for board and staff was set at 20 cents retroactive to January 1, 1979 until the end of August 1979, when it will be 22 cents beginning September 1. Presently the rate is 18 cents per mile. Superintendent of business pointed out it is the first increase in four years. Several trustees had asked to have their names stand for attending the second World Congress in Education in IS YOUR PAPER DUE??? This is the only notice you'll receive that your subscription is due. CHECK YOUR ADDRESS LABEL on the front of your paper HERE'S HOW EXAMPLE Mr. Doe's subscription ex- Doe, John D. pries the first of May 1979. R.R.6, Walton The last digit at right May 2-1-0-9 indicates the year of expiry. DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE!! Please watch the date on your label and renew before your Subscription expires foommiliNum. ES tilt: Et Brussels Post Post 887-6641