The Lucknow Sentinel, 1985-02-13, Page 6Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, February 13, 1985—Page 6
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BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
Intolerance is regrettable
Huron County Board of Education turned down a
recommendation to develop criteria for a late French immer-
sion program in grades 7 and 8 at their February meeting.
In a prepared statement to the board trustee Frank
Falconer told the board members "it is your decision which
way you vote, but remember' one thing, who won the war
between Wolfe and Montcalm". Falconer, a trustee for the
Clinton area, went on to comments when the taxpayers, of
Tuckersmith and Clinton area elected a Scot to the board
"They were sure they were not going to get French
`Iinmerge' with his vote".'
Such prejudice is unfortunate but especially so When it
comes from a person elected to serve on a public body such as
a board of education. Canada has two official languages. Mr.
Falconer would do well to remember that even though the
English won the war, and although their intentions were to
assimilate the French, the constitution was drawn up with two
official languages.
As citizens of Canada where there are two official
languages; it is becoming increasingly necessary to be fluent
in the two languages if one is to persue career choices: It is to
the advantage of all children whether they plan to spend their
lives in Huron County 'or not to be as fluent as possible in
French. It could open opportunities for them in their future
careers. .
Aside from the obvious advantage of a second language be
it French or any other language, such intolerance for another
language. and culture is bigotry of the most blatant form just
as slurs against any person for their religion; Dolour or race is
prejudice.
Surely there are many people in Huron County who are not
only tolerant Of different culture`s and languages but
appreciate that it is the difference in our heritage that make
Canadians a rich and colourful mosaic. It is the Scot, German,
French,. Japanese, Italian and. African origins of .our people
which makes` our country vital and interesting:
• Itis time for the silent majority of Huron, who are ashamed
of such prejudicial comments as those ,made by trustee
Falconer, to speak out and make sure their opinions also make
the headlines of the county's newspapers.
Compromise solution
Reaction to the Huron County Board of Education's
decision not to implement a French. unmersion program in
Huron County schools at this time varies from disappointment
to hearty endorsement.
The board's .ad hoc committee prepared a lengthy report
following an exhaustive study of the alternatives
To the credit of the committee they did not return with the
obvious recommendation of a total early immersion kinder-
garten class in Goderich where the most ,support for a French
immersion program • was indicated by presentations to the
board. The committee returned with a recommendation which
would have provided universal access to the county children.
Late immersion in grades 7 ' and 8 was a compromise
solution, which would have 'allowed a' child to take the
program, • by boarding a high school bus in the morning and
going to an immersion centre in, a town where a county high
school was located. At' the ages of twelve and thirteen there
would not have been social problems with children riding on
buses with highschool students, which may have presented a
problem if five year olds boarded high school buses to attend
French immersion. The late immersion could also have
developed into a Oontinution of the program in the high
schools which was also logical.
Unfortunaely the committee was unable to get realistic
estimates of the cost of such a program from the board
administration. Surely someone in the financial department of
this board of education could have come up with more
realistic estimates than. somewhere between $1,000 and
$90,000.
The committee grappled with the financial issue and it was
a concern that should the Ministry' of Education withdraw
finanaal support for immersion programs once established,
the board would be left with a program already implemented
which it could.not afford and would find difficult to terminate.
The Huron County Board could have placed a criteria on the
program such 'as the one stipulated by the Huron Perth
Separate School Board which would have allowed the
• program to continue unless cests became prohibitive.
Whether the Huron County Board of Education realizes it
or not, this issue will not die. It is indeed very possible
parents will come to the board again requesting this program.
It is to be hoped that when the request is made again, :the
board does not decide to study the issue one more time. A
complete study has been done and it is an excellent resource.
The board should refer to it when parents again request
• French immersion be provided in Huron County schools.
'1.
Special valentines. Members of Katie Hackett's grade four Sunday School class at
Lncknow United Church made valentine cupcakes on Sunday
morning. Decorated with pink icing and candy hearts the children were delighted with their special valentines.
• The children include, top photo, left, Angela Boyd and Michelle Andrew, Peter McNay,: right and bottom
photos; from the left, Eric McDougall, Michelle Andrew, teacheraKatie Hackett, Jessica Cooper, Jennifer
Porter and Angela Boyd. Photos by Sharon Dietz)
Although Neil MacCrimmon was by
no means a reflection of the character
depicted in the Bible, he was indeed a
good shepherd of sheep if not of men.
In the late fall he began feeding his
flock a little grain in preparation for
breeding; a procedure he called
"flushing". At this time too, he paid
particular attention to their hoofs,
carefully and gently trimming them
with the skill of a perfectionist. It Was
while he was engaged in this task that
Doctor Cameron paid him a visit.
"Well, well, Mr. Macerimmon.
Your, ,flock certainly looks good and
healthy," Cameron said for openers.
MacCrimmon smiled. He had a
deep affection for the doctor - a man
he admired for his kind, moral way of
life and dedication to the community.
He finished his work on a struggling
ewe and released it from the grasp of
.his brawny arms. It ran off like a
reprieved prisoner, out of the ' semi-
darkness of the barn and back • to the
already treated sheep on the pasture.
"Ye've no come tae give my woolies
a physical . examination have ye?"
MacCrimmon said with a laugh. "The
only time ye come tae see me is' if ye
want something."
The doctors's face became serious.
What Neil said was true.
"I've just come from the Shamrock
Hotel. I was called there to take a look
at a man called Adam Simpson - I
believe he is, or was' the foreman at'
the mill. He is in •a sorry state. I don't
think he's eaten anything for several
days. •It's not a doctor he needs, but
somebody to take him in hand until he
recovers. from his drunkenness."
MacCrimmon shook his head. With
so much work to do at the moment, he
REDTREES
by Don Campbell
was reluctant to be called out to deal
with the personal/ problems of a man
who was , hardly an established mem-
her of the community.
"Oh dear, oh dear! Sometimes I
think a sheep has more brains than a
man." He sighed heavily and placed
his trimming shears on a hook.
"Alright Cameron; I'll see what I can
do."
"Will you need me to help you,"
the doctor asked.
"Och no! Ye ve got better things
tae do." Neil smiled whimsically. "1
think I ken 'thevery man . tae help me
• wi' this chore!" ve
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