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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-12-04, Page 26ANTIGUA SiGNATURE Book by 15, 200ir V A C. A I I O P. JOLLY HARBOUR VILLAS 2-bedroom villa departures January 13 & 20, 2003 7-nights including air 078 CAD p.p./quad FREE UNLIMITED GOLF plus take golf dubs at no charge Taxes e.tr a. ArC from To, •nto Conditrors apply. s e Sign al are Caribbean a caddy lbcanClasZcr: 2002/2003 brorecahu..„739245u/bbiecl Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel Exeter 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 Goderich 524-8692 or 1-877-847-1272 Exeter open Saturdays and evenings by appointment www.ettravel.com Goderich open Saturday 9am-1 pm Helen Graf Goderich Office RED GREEN'S DUCT TAPE IS SNOT ENOUGH Red Green provides a humorous guide to midlife with short one-page pieces and hilarious "Quotes of the Day". More than 200 pages of light- hearted fun. $21.99 THE LAST STOP Ron Brown, author of Ghost Railways of Ontario and Ghost Towns of Ontario turns his attention to classic railway stations including those in Owen Sounds, Woodstock, Stratford and St. Marys. $24.95 GENERAL STORES OF CANADA R. B. Fleming, who grew up in a general store north of Toronto tells the story of general stores and their owners from coast to coast. Hundreds of photos tell their history. $24.95 Check out these and other great books at: The Citizen 1111 51J! PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2002. Exeter high school panel looks at double cohort issue By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen Any way you look at the issue, it's obvious that Ontario's education providers have a challenge ahead of them, providing for the much- anticipated and anxiety-causing "double cohort." That's the term given to the expanded number of high school graduates expected to converge on the province's colleges and universities in Sept. 2003, after the first crop of students completes Ontario's new four-year high school curriculum at the same time as the last group of five-year high schoolers graduates. The guidance department and school council from South Huron , District High School in Exeter combined forces last week, to host a panel discussion about the issue. Sandy Birthelmer, a double cohort ambassador for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Education, told about 40 attendees that the commitment is there from the government to support anything that's needed to adjust to the double cohort. That includes ongoing monitoring of how graduates from each system compare, when it comes to deciding which student should be accepted into particular r programs. It includes ensuring enough funds are available to hire new instructors. And it includes providing SuperBuild funding to post-secondary institutions to create spaces for the students to study, sleep and learn. "For a sum that is the highest in the history of Ontario for this type of project, we have approximately 115,000 spaces created for students in the double cohort," Binhelmer said. Ruth Rodgers, curriculum consultant for London-based Fanshawe College. didn't dispute that the government has committed to making the transition work. She went so far as to suggest Ontario's community colleges are fully behind the move to a four-year high school curriculum, since the so-called "C" (or "college") level courses — which colleges helped formulate — more adequately prepare students for a college education than the "general" courses. under the outgoing curriculum. "One thing you have to remember is that the three streams in the new curriculum are not the same as - Advanced, 'General and Basic under the old curriculum,"• Rodgers stressed. "That's not how the (new) curriculum was developed. It's not about level of difficulty; it's about destination." Still, Rodgers put Birthelmer on the spot by challenging the government to replenish the SuperBuild pot. She noted that Fanshawe experienced an unexpected jump in applications for the 2002-03 school year, due to students "fast-tracking" through high school to get ahead of the double cohort. She says the college adjusted fine, with significant new construction and by moving a large number .of part-time instructors to full-time. But she called on the province to recognize that some institutions have already spent their SuperBuild contributions. "We just need the money to (accommodate even more students), and the government says it's there. Hopefully that's true," she said. The University of Western Ontario, meanwhile, expects the total number of first-year students in its ranks to rise by 900 between 2000 and 2004. A ninth residence building has been constructed as part of the London- based institution's response, and it has also decreased the percentage of first-year students drawn from sources other than students graduating from Ontario high- schools. Patricia Neufeldt, team leader in Admissions at Western, advised students and parents to "apply broadly," submitting the regular three choices listed by graduating Students, as well as paying extra money for the right to submit even more choices. Neufeldt explained she had seen applications with as many as 31 different university programs, some at the same institutions and others scattered across the province. She admitted this may be over-reacting, but said, "I think we're going to be seeing more of that — not necessarily 31, but maybe eight or 15." Rodgers responded that this can create problems for institutions, since such applications may give the impression that a student would readily accept a spot in a program when they actually have little intention of studying there. As a result, institutions may have difficulty deciding how many students are serious when they apply. Avon Maitland District School Board trustee Randy Wagler suggested research might be the best option. He noted that- the government's average enrolment increase for post-secondary institutions doesn't apply evenly at every single' school, since some urban-bound or cash-strapped. institutions may not be able to expand. Other,, meanwhile, may be expanding by 30 per cent or more. (Examples given by Birthelmer included Trent University in Peterborough and Brock University in St. Catharines, which aren't bound by urban development and plan to expand significantly.) "As a parent or student, you really need to weigh those things out if you think you're on the edge." Birthelmer also noted that out-of- province institutions "are rubbing their hands together" at the prospect of an expanded crop of Ontario graduates. Dalhousie University in Halifax, which already draws up to 30 per cent of its first-year students from Ontario, plans to increase that amount. And nearby American universities "have been very active here, really trying to take advantage of the anxiety that exists here in Ontario," she said. • • Municipal insurance jumps 20% HEALTH ON THE HILL By Mark Nonkes Wingham Advance-Times The municipalities of North Huron and Morris-Turnberry are preparing for a 20 per cent jump in insurance rates next year. Jeff Coleman of Frank Cowan Insurance attended a Morris- Turnberry council meeting two weeks ago and North Huron last Tuesday where he reviewed the municipalities' insurance coverage. Coleman said Morris-Turnberry could expect a 21 per cent increase and North Huron a 19 per cent increase. "I know the insurance is going the wrong way," Coleman sympathized with North Huron council. He said several factors contributed to the increase. However, he did note that 20 per cent is about the average rate increase facing the majority of municipalities they insure. "I'd like to know about next year right now," said North Huron Councillor Archie MacGowan. Coleman said there might be two more years of continued hikes before things level off again. He blamed Sept. 11, the legal community and society's attitude for the in- crease. held further discussion. They "Everyone is looking for instructed clerk-treasurer Nancy compensation because it can't be Michie to investigate quotes from their fault," Coleman said. other companies and if possible In Morris-Turnberry, after present the quotes at the Dec. 5_ Coleman left the meeting, council meeting of council. *************If ************************************ 441. *4 WITH AXE AND 3o. FLASK 40' *4 *4 *4 *4 *4, *4 *4 *,4 f *4 *4 400 *4 *4 *4 *4 *4 4,4 404 Queen St., Blyth 541 Turnberry St., Brussels "-14i 523-4792 887-9114 * *4 VkleTir itirir*VVVIT4rtir*Virivir****t*4 44************************ A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL '-Season's Greetings to everyone as we quickly approach the Christmas season." -Christmas Tree Illuminated Seaforth Hospital Auxiliary extended their sincerest appreciation to the community, volunteers, and staff for ALL support of their Annual "Tree of Lights" Christmas Celebration of Sharing fundraiser held on Sunday, NOVEMBER 24, 2002. The evening festivities were a tremendous success. For anyone still interested in purchasing tickets at suggested cost of $5.00 each, they will be available until December 24th from Hospital Auxiliary members and at Switchboard. Donations over $10.00 will receive a charitable tax receipt. A display of individuals remembered by your donations is located across from the Auxiliary Gift Shop in the Hospital corridor. Proceeds towards the purchase of Automatic Wheelchair Door to patio. Disabled/Wheelchair Designated Parking there are 5 areas specifically for disabled/wheelchair bound individuals located outside the main hospital entrance and 4 outside the Medical Clinic entrance. Recent incidents of unauthorized vehicles in these designated spaces have made parking difficult. Please be considerate in reserving these parking spaces for the disabled who display an authorized sign in their vehicle. Christmas Wish Campaign The Seaforth Hospital Foundation 2002 Christmas Campaign is underway. This Holiday Season the Seaforth Hospital is in critical need of a gift that we just can't live without. That gift is a 3 in 1 Cardiac Monitor. In the Spirit of the Season, please be generous with a donation "from the heart..for the heart" to the Seaforth Hospital Foundation. This years campaign also includes a Christmas card for everyone to return their Season's Greetings to the Health Care staff and patients at Seaforth Hospital. New Recruitment CD For Health Care Professionals the Foundation is excited to have recently funded the creation of a CD Recruitment video for the Seaforth Hospital recruitment of Health Care Professionals. Foundation WEB Page Seaforth Hospital Foundation are pleased to announce that you can find us on the web on the Seaforth Hospital's web page. You can visit our web site directly at www.hphp.org/seaforth foundation Planned Gifts are becoming an increasingly popular way to leave a lasting gift. Bequests made through your will and special gifts made by other methods such as life insurance will help patients for years to come. Walk-In Clinic/Seaforth Medical Clinic all Thursday walk-in clinics have been cancelled. We apologize for any resultant inconvenience. Prescription Renewals effective October 15, 2002, the Seaforth Medical Clinic will be charging a $10.00 fee for patients requesting to have prescription renewals picked up at- the reception desk, Patients .) I L' reminded to call the Clinic to make an appointment well in advance' to have their prescriptions renewed. There is no charge applied jot- prescriptions renewed at time of appointment. quat gift Idecta, &twit iieltem Dan Needles, whose hilarious tales of life in Persephone Township have delighted audiences in the Wingfield plays and books, now tells the unique history of the township, a tale unlike any other township history. $24.99