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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-04-20, Page 5THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988. PAGE 5. Education Week, April 17-23 Doing it our way.... BY TOBY RAINEY In an exercise marking Ontario’s Education Week, senior students from all five of Huron County’s secondary schools have had a chance to experience life on the other side: on Monday, they replaced the county’s elected school trustees and Board of Education senior administration personnel in a mock school board meeting at the Education Centre in Clinton. With only two short sessions of instruction and observation prior to conducting their own meeting, the Grades 12 and 13 students followed the formal agenda before them to the letter, debating such difficult and contentious issues as the recent Radwanski Report, the extension of French into elemen­ tary grades, AIDS education, and a policy of smoking in the school environment, as well as finding a solution to a parent’s transporta­ tion dilemma. They threw the Radwanski Report back to the “real” trustees for further discussion at a later date, but solved the other pro­ blems in a manner so knowledge­ able and responsible that Huron County Warden Bob Bell conced­ ed, following the meeting, that the exercise was very appropriate with elections coming up this fall. “You’ve done an excellent job,” he said. “Some of our board members may not feel as comfort­ able as they did before.” Replacing Blyth, Morris and East Wawanosh trustee John Elliott for the day, F.E. Madill’s Katrina Somers argues her point, while South Huron District High School’s Ross Keller, replacing HCBE trustee “Trustee” James Cook votes on a contentious Issue, while “Trustee” Dr. John Goddard for Hay, Hensail and Zurich, listens attentively.Mary Katherine Stapleton abstains. The motion passed 12-1. In the above photo, acting “Director of Education” Rhonda Farag, second from left, and “Chairman of the Board” Lori Bromley study the issues before them, flanked by “Vice-chairman” Mary Jo Evans [far right] and “Secretary” Marina Rawlings. In the photo at right, Lisa Bosman and Jerry Lamport replace Superintendent of Operations Paul Carroll and Superintendent of Personnel Gino Giannandrea for the duration of the mock school board Letters to the editor Citizenship Week is our way of celebrating THE EDITOR, From April 17 to April 23, 1988, Canadians will participate in Na­ tional Citizenship Week - a cele­ bration of our citizenship and what it means to be Canadian. Although in law Canadian citi­ zenship has existed only since 1947, the spirit that gives Cana­ dians their special identity has lived since the earliest days of Confederation. Equality, diversity and community are the essential ingredients of that spirit, and basic principles of Canadian society. Whatever our heritage, wher­ ever we live, we share a common vision that Canada is a compas­ sionate and vital nation a place where equality is an integral part of our society. Every Canadian should have the same opportuni­ ties to participate in Canadian life and every Canadian should accept the same responsibility to speak up and make his or her opinions known. Acceptance of differences is central to Canadian life. The Fathers of Confederation acknow­ ledged Canada’s diversity in geo­ graphy, language, religion and in traditions. The Canada of today is a thriving multicultural society. People from many different origins, cultures and backgrounds call Canada home. This diversity gives Canada a fresh and vital wealth of skills, experience and knowledge that enriches all aspects of our Cana­ dian society. At the heart of Canadian society - in our schools and neighbour­ hoods, in business, politics and the arts - is a sense of community. Canadians take pride in their communities; in their clean, safe cities and friendly neighbour­ hoods. We try to help those in need and support international efforts for human rights, freedom and justice. A great Canadian, the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, speaking in the House of Commons on July 1,1961 said, “I know there are some who feel a sense of embarrassment in expressing pride in their nation, perhaps because of the fear that they might be considered old-fasbioned or parochial. I do not belong to that group. I realize that a warped and twisted nationalism is productive of tyranny and war, but that a healthy loyalty and devotion to one’s country constitutes a most fruitful inspiration in life.” Being Canadian means finding strength in diversity, enjoying rich cultural traditions of others and respecting each community’s con­ tribution to our national life. And it means being proud to live in a free, united and tolerant country. National Citizenship Week - a Sunday shopping confusion explained THE EDITOR, I would like to clear up the confusion about the Ontario government’s plans for Sunday shopping legislation. On April 14, the government unveiled its plans to change legislation in order to provide Ontario residents with a new set of rules which are fairer, more coherent and can be enforced. The amendments are not likely toresultin major changes in the current Sunday shopping situation in Huron County. The new rules will allow Ontario communities freedom of choice in determining their own individual needs. Local governments will be able topass bylaws permitting the opening or requiring the closing of retail establishments on Sunday in keeping with their own values. time to celebrate our citizenship and what it means to be a Canadian - is now an annual event, which coincides with the anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on April 17, 1982. National Citizenship Week is As a result, Huron municipali­ ties will be able to allow the present situation to continue, if they wish, or, they will be able to make changes, if they wish. Currently, some - such as Blyth, Bayfield and Goderich -- allow varying degrees of Sunday open­ ings, while nearby towns such as Clinton, Wingham and Exeter are far more restrictive. The new rules are an extension of the current practice, which allows municipalities control of store hours six days a week and partialcontrolofSunday hours. The new rules give municipality more control over Sunday hours. The new laws will also have clear advantages over the current chao­ tic situation. The new rules will be coherentandenforceable-- and treat retailers more equitably. Canada’s way of celebrating what being Canadian means to all of us. Spread the word. Speak up! Join in! Be proud - to be Canadian! Murray Cardiff, MP Huron-Bruce In addition, amendments to the Employment Standards Act will, for the first time, provide effective protection for all retail workers, who will now have the right to refuse unreasonable assignemnt of Sunday work. The amendments also provide protection for religious groups, while allowing for an orderly transition to the new rules over a five-year period. Overall, the changes proposed by the Ontario government will provide a number of important benefits while leaving the deci­ sion-making powers in the hands of the locally-elected councillors. Jack Riddell, Minister of Agriculture & Food MPP for Huron