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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-08-23, Page 6THE EDITOR,My youngest son has been puttingthe final touches on his summer, mixing friends, weekends at the beach and learning how to scuba dive all while working full time. There’s not much reflection on his part about the start of another schoolyear, outside of a comment aboutneeding new running shoes. For my part, I’m gladly taking some time to think about him going back to school, because this year marks the last year I’ll have a child in our public education system.Our oldest started school in 1985.Her first day was a bit of an achievement on my part, mostly because her little brother managed to be born before her second day of school. Nevertheless, I can still remember what she wore, her bluelunch box, and how little she wascompared to the steps on the school bus. However, I remember far more vividly how hard it was to make the decision that she would go to a public school. Many of our friends were choosing private schools at that time, and others were home schooling. To say we agonized over the decision actually minimizes the angst we felt as we considered our family’s future. For many years my husband and I continued to struggle with our decision to keep our kids in the local school, and even whether to go to various family gatherings where our choice was usually a focus of conversation. I don’t remember that any concerns ever had to do with things that were actually going on at the school, but the soul searching seemed like it would never end. I’m not sure how long it took before my husband and I stopped second guessing ourselves, but we finally made our peace with our decision when we sat back and looked at how our kids were turning out. We liked what we were seeing. Not that they had arrived, but they were all becoming responsible citizens, well fitted for their choiceof either further education or theworkplace. They maintained the family ideals that we valued, had great friends and were active members of our faith community. This is what we wanted for them. That said, my husband and I did suffer a bit of a blow when we realized that none of them wanted to take over the family farm, but we’ve managed to survive. Our oldest is a portfolio analyst, our second is a teacher, our third is in university, and our fourth is apparently considering underwater salvage as a career. I wish I had understood public education better when my kids were just starting school, and just how good it is. I would have worried less, and had more confidence in schools. As it is, I am delighted that my somewhat ambiguous first years in public education are behind me. As chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board I take much pride in the many successes of our students. It is our mission to unlock the potential in all of our learners, and it will be good to be back at the job in September. Jenny Versteeg, Chair Avon Maitland District School Board. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007. Tasty stop Kristina Gibson, left, with Page Fleming and Stephanie Hummel with Leelan Fleming enjoyed the Doors Open stop at Chocolates and Fudge in Brussels on Saturday. (Vicky Bremner photo) Letter to the editorAMDSB chair praises public system Continued from page 1 been put aside. In addition, the new system had to absorb a one-time $10,000 cost of preparing an operation manual. But while this cost won’t be in future budgets, councillor Mark Beaven, who sits on the water committee, warned this might not be a saving in future years because more money might be needed for the capital reserve. Other major expenses in the budget include $31,833 in payments to the operators of the system, $8,600 for administration and $5,500 for miscellaneous costs, the largest of which is for chemicals at $3,000. Several users posed questions about the new system. Glenn Raynard wondered how often the operating manual needed to be updated. Michie noted the manual has been set up so it can be revised electronically so should be economical to update. Beaven and mayor Dorothy Kelly noted that the initial cost of preparing the manual was higher than another bid, but this one should be cheaper in the long run because it can be updated without having to go back to the consultant. Raynard also wondered how the size of the capital reserve was determined. Beaven said the water committee is still trying to estimate how much is needed to cover repairs, and eventual replacement, so there won’t be a large charge to homeowners in future as there was to fund the installation of the current system. “But we don’t want a $10 million reserve,” said councillor Bill Thompson. Michie said the size of the reserve will be determined as part of the asset management study for the municipality. In answer to another question from Raynard, Michie said the contractor plans to be back in Belgrave Sept. 1 to complete side and back-yard connections to the system. The rehabilitation of properties after water line installations brought questions from the audience and councillors. Beaven said he had been contacted with complaints about the weeds and mess. The lawn at the pumphouse has “a nice lawn of weeds,” he said. “Frankly, it’s a disgrace.” Kelly said she too had received calls over the situation and had contacted the engineer in charge of the project to complain. Beaven said the properties need to be put back in the condition they were in before construction. Raynard said the complaints are widespread. “We (property owners) shouldn’t have to phone in to be put on a list (for remedial action).” Michie noted that in fairness it had been a hard year to keep grass growing and the contractor was coming back to finish the job in September. Beaven said he hoped the work would be complete to everyone’s satisfaction then. “I don’t want us paying for work that isn’t done.” Councillor warns of future costs THE HURON-PERTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT REGISTRATION Parents desiring a Catholic education for their children may contact the following schools to register their children during the week of August 27 to 31, 2007 or on the second day of school, Wednesday, September 5, 2007. SECONDARY Perth County: Huron County: St. Michael Catholic Secondary School St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School 240 Oakdale Avenue 353 Ontario Street Stratford, ON N5A 7W2 Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 Telephone: 519-271-0890 Telephone: 519-482-5454 ELEMENTARY Huron County: St. Columban School St. Columban 519-345-2086 Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Mount Carmel 519-237-3337 St. Joseph’s School Clinton 519-482-7035 Precious Blood School Exeter 519-235-1691 *St. Mary’s School Goderich 519-524-9901 St. James School Seaforth 519-527-0321 Sacred Heart School Wingham 519-357-1090 St. Boniface School Zurich 519-236-4335 Perth County: St. Patrick’s School Dublin 519-345-2033 St. Patrick’s School Kinkora 519-393-5580 Holy Name of Mary School St. Marys 519-284-2170 St. Mary’s School Listowel 519-291-3000 *Jeanne Sauvé School Stratford 519-273-3396 St. Ambrose School Stratford 519-271-7544 St. Joseph’s School Stratford 519-271-3574 St. Aloysius School Stratford 519-271-3636 * Jeanne Sauvé and St. Mary’s, Goderich are French Immersion. Ron Marcy, Larry Langan, Chairperson of the Board Director of Education EatRight Ontario Paid for by the Government of Ontarioontario.ca/eatright Call 1-877-510-510-2 and talk to a Registered Dietitian for free.