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The Citizen, 1999-06-16, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1999. PAGE 13. Principal retires after 33 years in education By Janice Becker Citizen staff After 33 years, a familiar face in Huron County schools will not be greeting children when they return to class in the fall. Al Harrison, current principal at East Wawanosh Public School has decided to retire at the end of this school year following a career which took him to six different schools in three counties. Harrison began teaching at Lis- towel Central Public School before moving to Paisley Central. He had his longest stint at Turn­ berry Central where he taught for 16 years. He had. a brief stay at East Wawanosh 13 years ago prior to moving to Howick Central as vice­ principal. He came to Blyth seven years ago as principal and has filled the same role at East Wawanosh since 1996. Harrison believes regular shifts to new schools were good for the Rec board hears concerns The Brussels pool was a hot topic at the June 9 meeting of the Brus­ sels, Morris & Grey recreation board. Present for the meeting were the lifeguards and a delegation of par­ ents whose children had' registered for the first session of swimming lessons. Pool committee chairman Paul Gowing explained that there had been difficulties in opening the pool because of vandalism over the winter and spring. As a result of debris-at the bot­ tom of the pool, when the chemi­ cals were added to the water it became cloudy. The health inspec­ tor would not allow to pool to be open until the bottom could be seen. Gowing also said that the com­ mittee had followed the advice of Middegaal Pool’s staff with regards to getting it ready on time. They told the arena manager Murray McArter, that the debris did not need to be cleaned out before the chemicals were added, Gowing said. A concerned parent questioned whether the water should be drained out. McArter said there had already been a significant amount of money spent on the chemicals. There was discussion on what should happen with regards to the first session of lessons. Head lifeguard Heather Blake was instructed to notify the parents and the local schools to explain the situation. One parent asked if the wading pool could be opened earlier than July. Rec. board chair Alvin McLellan said it wasn’t poissible this year because the water comes from the big pool, but added it could be considered in the future. The parent also pointed out that many dogs are being allowed to drink out of and run through the wading pool. After the parents left a letter was received from Karen Slater expressing her displeasure with the services she received from the pool staff over the past three years. The lifeguards were asked to respond. It was agreed that the life­ guards should enforce the height restriction rule and also use their own discretion as to whether or not school, the community and for himself. ■‘It is healthy to move around.” Of his greatest accomplishments over more than three decades. Har­ rison sees his consistent concern for the environment as his proudest achievement. Not only did Harrison encourage East Wawanosh students to create a natural habitat area for fish and wildlife at the side of their school, but he helped plant 500 trees at Turnberry Central along with fel­ low staffer Paul Statia. “There were 50 species of trees there by the time we left,” he says. Harrison has also played an active role in local and national sci­ ence fairs in which many of his stu­ dents have done very well. He has been involved in a half a dozen Canada-wide science fairs and in 1986 was chair of the Cal­ gary event. During his tenure, Harrison says education has changed, mostly in the last few years. “The new curriculum and report cards have created a lot of change a child has met the requirements to pass a level. Slater’s money is being refunded. Lisa Blake was to prepare a package tor Slater explaining the rules and regulations at the pool and that all pools do not have the same rules. It was decided that McArter was to leave the water in the pool until Thursday, June 10 to see if there had been any improvement. If not he was to drain it. A letter was being sent to Med- degaal’s expressing the board’s dis­ satisfaction with the service in this situation. In other business the board heard from representatives of the Huron County Men’s Fastball League. Their proposal was to have the rec Morris, Turnberry talk restructuring Members of Morris and Tumberry Twp. councils met June 8 to discuss restructuring. Morris Twp. Reeve Bert Elliott questioned Turnberry Twp. Reeve Brian McBumey on the future of the talks as McBumey had asked county council to re-open single-tier consid­ erations. McBumey explained that although the group of two was his preferred option, if the county were to consid­ er three municipalities in all of Huron County, he would ask they look at one-tier. As discussion continued, it was agreed that a plan should be finalized by Sept. 1. It was decided that the amalgamat­ ed council shall have seven mem­ bers, three each from Morris and Tumberry with the reeve elected at large. The deputy-reeve will be the coun­ cillor receiving the most votes, resid­ ing in the ward other than the reeve. The committee passed a motion which would leave all current boards in place for the future amalgamated council to review. A letter will be sent to the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and and some anxiety.” While Harrison believes change is healthy, he says educators need time to fully implement the new policies and programs. . There has also been a greater challenge in trying to provide the same level of programming with the cutbacks and fewer staff, he says. His role in the school has also changed. Beginning his work day at 7 a.m. to complete administrative tasks before teaching all morning, Harrison says he spends a lot of time away from the school, dealing with system-wide programming. This too is due to downsizing at the board administration level, leaving more responsibilities for the principals. Though Harrison is leaving the school with thanks to the support­ ive parents and school council, he says he will still be very active in community activities. He will also not be taking things too easy. He hopes to drive charter buses as a way to see the country and meet people. board take care of the beer gardens during the playoff tournament, Aug. 27, 28, 29. This would mean a 50/50 split. The board was in favour of the proposal. The accounts payable totalling $56,007.60 were approved for pay­ ment. McArter is to look into a low maintenance solution to replace the shrubs at the entranceway to the arena. The Horticultural Society had informed the board that they could no longer maintain the shrubs. Mary Stretton said that she had received a complaint from a resi­ dent that the water tap at the ball park had been left on. The board decided the tap will be shut off. the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority asking that the board be realigned. With regards to municipal employ­ ees, all jobs will remain for the first year to see how things work out, After that time, some positions may be amalgamated. Chief Building Official Paul Josling will be asked to prepare a consolidating bylaw for the town­ ships. A drainage costs report will be pre­ pared by the clerks for the next ses­ sion. Several changes were made to the animal control bylaws to make the two the same. The changes were: add the dangerous dog section to the Morris Twp. bylaw, first dog fee will be $20 and $30 for a second dog, kennel fee will be $75 as well as for a dangerous dog, pups will be count­ ed at three months, the number of dogs in a kennel will be removed for the Turnberry Twp. bylaw and the noise section will be added. Up for discussion at the July 15 include landfill, administration, building bylaws and function and the name and logos survey. Retiring from teaching East Wawanosh Public School principal Al Harrison will be leaving the school for the last time at the end of June as he retires from a 33-year teaching career. Grey Central Echo School has fun day By Samme Beirnes, Kim Cox, Jelma Gorter, Jenn Harrison and Missy Engel On June 13, Grey Central Public School put on a Family fun Fair. There were many activities to attend such as go-carts, a live band, soak the teachers and principal, face painting, tug-of-war, pony rides, etc. Lots of fun was had by all parents, staff and students. As school comes to an end, the Grade 8 class will travel to Toronto, while the Grade 7 class visited Quebec. The Grade 3 class has been studying pioneers and will visit Black Creek Pioneer Village, where they will learn lots more about pioneers. They also had Jack Cox come in and show how the pioneer tools were used. They found this really fun and interesting. The kindergarten class will be Mene&etung 5 Miles North of Goderich, Ont. on Hwy. 21 1999 Co-ed Camps July 4-9: Senior 1 (Ages 11,12 & 13) July 11-16: Beginner-Junior (Ages 6-6) July 25-3(9: Intermediate (Ages 9 & 1(9) August 1-6: Senior 2 (Ages 12-14) SIGN UP NOW!!! You could have the best summer of your life! For registration forms call The Registrar 519/524-5S44 or The Administrative Director 519/4S2-9572 Camp Menesetung is a project of the Huron-Perth Presbytery of the United Church of Canada holding a Celebration of Learning on Monday, June 28. The Grade 8 class has also been getting ready for their graduation celebration which will be held on the evening of Monday, June 28. But we have not been having fun ail this time. We also have been working hard on finishing our projects and work, so we can prepare for our next year of learning. Correction Students in the front row of the Grey Central Public School picture in the June 9 issue of The Citizen were incorrectly identified. It should have read Francis Deit- ner, Crystal Daugherty and Kristen Stewart. We apologize for the error.