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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-11-19, Page 1News ■ Sports j| Achievement m Education Local people among MVCA service honorees See page 8 Blyth Midget Bulldogs take 2 away See page 9 Brussels Cadet receives special recognition See page 11 Concerned parents meet to discuss Bill 160 Carroll ponders Bill 160 positive By Janice Becker Citizen staff Some aspects of Bill 160 could actually be positive for the educa­ tion system, said Huron County Board of Education Director of Education Paul Carroll. “If we had the money to pay for them,” he added. The proposed legislation sets out an “average” elementary class size at 25 and secondary at 22. The edu­ cation minister will be allowed to- grant exceptions. The minister will also control the method of calcula­ tion and will review class size every three years. Carroll said this limited class size could result in 30 to 40 more jobs for teachers. The change in secondary school teacher prep time should be offset by the increase in staff needed due to the limited class size, he said. This was one of the few positive notes as trustees and administration once again discussed the ramifica­ tions of, and amendments for the controversial education bill, Bill 160, at what was probably the final meeting of the HCBE. Some sections of Bill 160 have a significant impact on the transition of the school boards to the newly- aligned system, said Carroll at the Nov. 17 meeting. “Many pages of the bill are needed to get from here to Jan. 1.” ' “Sections related to finance must go ahead. Il is imperative for the new funding model,” he said. However, Carroll said it is the transfer of power considerations which are causing the most prob­ lems in the most places. In re-examining the bill, Carroll reviewed a report on recent amend­ ments with trustees. In the elementary sector, teachers will be required to provide an aver­ age of 1,300 minutes of class time to students per week, while the average in secondary schools will be 1,250. There may be some adjustments to individual school and teacher time, at the board’s and principals’ discretion. Amendments regarding working school days in August and the use of teachers’ assistants will have less impact in Huron County as the practices are already in place, said Carroll. Trustee Joan Van den Broeck, representing Goderich and Col- bome Twps. expressed great con­ cern about the removal of principals and vice-principals from the teachers’ federation. The government continues to refer to the federations as unions, said Van den Broeck, so if they are not union members how are they able to teach in the schools. Stating he could not argue with her comments, Carroll said, there is a provision in the bill to deal with that matter. One amendment which Carroll said could be looked at as a posi­ tive was the change of title for school advisory councils. The orga­ nizations will now be known sim­ ply as school councils. Carroll said this may open the door for more involvement for the councils with reference to any recommendations which may come forward in 1998 after consultation on the matter. Citizen Vol. 13 No 45 w - ■- The North Huron Wednesday, Nov. 19, 1997 ■ I h i z< < tiII 7/: ; 51; KI < , Area girl receives top music honour By Janice Becker Citizen staff Dedication, hard work and a lot of practise has earned a Blyth-area girl a high honour. Janet Bosma, 16-year-old daughter of SLjep and Anne Bosma, captured top honours in the Grade 3 Theory exami­ nation conducted by the Western Ontario Con­ servatory of Music. The silver medal is awarded to the student with the highest marks in each province for each grade. Now in Grade 11 al London Christian High School, Bosma said she began taking piano lessons in Grade 4. "I was really surprised when I got this," she said. "I had (previ­ ously) done well on the Grade 2 theory, but the piano playing (mark) was less." Bosma earned a 96 in the histo­ ry section and 83 in harmony for the highest provincial average. When asked what helped her get to this point.and the role of her instructor, she said," Gail (Lear of Londesboro) pushes me to do well, and that is good." Lear, who has taught Bosma from the beginning, said, "She is a good student who is very consci­ entious. She has gone very quick­ ly (through the grades)." Having only started lessons in 1990, Bosma has advanced through the courses in seven years what it takes oth­ ers 10 or 11 years to complete, said Lear. "She has a good mind which helps with the book work," said Lear. "She also took history and harmony lessons in the summer." Bosma, who is cur­ rently working on Grade 9 piano with plans to finish in February, will receive a high school credit when completed. As for her future in music, Bosma said it would probably be possibly as a music teacher, but not as a performer. She received her silver medal in London, Nov. 15, at the Conserva­ tory's 63rd convocation ceremony. The best way to give support What better way to offer support, show concern or demonstrate you care than by a hug. Last Monday throughout the county parents rallied to "Hug a School" as part of an initiative to present a unified voice of opposition against Bill 160. At Brussels, Vai Watson, left, said that the goal is to express concern, tell the government that parents care what happens to their local schools. "The sincere hope is that our voices will be heard." Watson said the group of parents, which have formed as a sort of liason for the rest intends to continue to gather information and educate themselves on the events as they happen. The hope is for education in Ontario to remain quality-driven. That same afternoon, parents were rallying in Goderich in support of the march taking place at Queen's Park. At Brussels the hug was extended from a core group of people, who do support the initiative and was not taken in by the entire student population. Christmas Bureau seeks support It is once again that time of year when the thought of others comes to the fore, giving a little extra to help the less fotunate. The Huron County Christmas Bureau, in association with the Children's Aid Society of Huron County helps to ensure all needy children across the county are able to celebrate the holiday season. As with each previous campaign, children's clothes, new toys and food are the mainstays required by the Bureau. However, substantial amounts of money are needed to purchase both food vouchers and extra clothing in the popular sizes. In 1996, more than 1,100 chil­ dren and their families received gifts from the Christmas Bureau and it is hoped the needs of all can be met again this year. There are five drop-off sites which will be receiving donations during the week of Dec. 8 to 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sites are: Wingham, Wing­ ham United Church, 217 Minnie St.; Clinton, St. Paul's Anglican Church, 49 Ontario St.; Seaforth, Northside United Church. 54 Goderich St. W; Goderich, St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, 156 North St and Exeter, Caven Presbyterian Church, 68 Main. St. Monetary donations are tax. deductible. Morris council still in limbo, recount to be done, Nov. 19 While most newly-elected municipal councillors are preparing for their inaugural ceremony in early December, Morris council candidates still await the results of a recount. The recount, to be held the evening of Nov. 19, to determine which candidates fill the remaining two council seats, will involve Neil Warwick, Edna McLellan and incumbent John Duskocy. Votes for the three candidates varied by only six ballots with McLellan and Duskocy tied at 278 behind Warwick's 284.