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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-16, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003. Trustees asked to reconsider eonsequenees of decision By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen The decision to move from a two- semestered secondary school program to year-long courses was made two years ago by the Avon Maitland District School Board. But as teachers and students continue to adjust to the change, the board is periodically asked to look back on that decision and consider its consequences. A year ago, senior students from Mitchell District High School appeared before the board, seeking the retention of a grade-by-grade split between systems, so senior students could finish out their studies in the old semestered timetable. The board refused, arguing such a split would require the hiring of additional teachers. Debate continues to heat up HE council chambers By David Blaney Special to The Citizen A week of reflection on., their various positions didn’t seem to have changed any opinions when the police budget was discussed at the April 8 meeting of the Huron East council. Despite appeals for the need for tradeoffs in an amalgamated community and the mayor’s attempt to downplay the significance of the dispute, council ended another discussion of the police budget with angry words and hardened positions. The debate was sparked by a notice from Seaforth Ward Councillors Richard Burgess and William Teall that they intended to use the dispute resolution provisions Hullett Central focuses on early literacy program Literacy, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is the ability to read and write. Learning to read and to write is fundamental for citizens of a democratic society. Learning to read and to write has been a goal of Ontario's Public Education System from its earliest beginnings. That goal continues in Ontario Public Schools and, specifically, in the Avon Maitland District School Board at Hullett Central Public School. Reading, however, as researchers acknowledge, is not a simple task; however, learning to read at an early age is a determining factor for success in school. Therefore, the emphasis on literacy is absolute. Research suggests that boys learn to read at different rates and with different results than do girls. Study of the EQAO results for Grade 3 and Grade 6, reveals that boys' attitude towards reading is not as positive, nor are their scores quite as high, as are the girls' scores. David Booth, professor of Literacy Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies at the University of Toronto, in his book, Even Hockey Players Read, and Michael Gurian, in his book, Boys Learn Differently, have devoted much time to the examination of gender differences in reading preferences and in acquisition of skills. Both authors suggest that boys prefer non-fiction literature while girls prefer fiction. Since early literacy is a determining factor for school success and there are differences in the manner in which boys and girls develop reading skills, this year at Last month, placard-waving teachers — without a contract since last August — gathered outside the board room during a regular meeting, to get the message out about their work-to-rule and listen to local union president Bill Huzar. One point made by Huzar was that the union opposes desemestering. Then, at a regular board meeting Tuesday, April 8, South Huron trustee Randy Wagler relayed complaints he had received during two recent telephone conversations, and asked board staff to provide details. Wagler said two current Avon Maitland students, both of whom need four or fewer credits to graduate from high school next year, are considering attending St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton so they can earn those of the restructuring order establishing amalgamation, to change a previously agreed upon method of apportioning the cost of the OPP contract among the wards. Although Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan said that treasurer Brad Knight had originally convinced him of the need for tradeoffs he continued, “If this happens I would have to ask council to reassess how we divide up the CRF (Community Reinvestment Fund) funding.” This was a reference to figures previously provided by the treasurer showing that the urban area of Seaforth gains distinct financial benefits from its rural partners. MacLellan also asked for a legal opinion about whether the provisions cited by Burgess and Hullett Central Public School, the School Parent Council has kindly offered support of the goal to fund levelled classroom libraries for primary and early junior classrooms. The rationale behind levelled books for classroom libraries: • allows easy access to books for kids, especially since many school libraries are staffed on a part-time basis and have a limited number of books • EQAO results have improved and maintaining these results is important. • levelled books enable children to select appropriate books at their reading level and allow them to progress at an individual rate according to their needs • teachers are able to evaluate the individual student's reading The family of Bud and Laura May Chamney invites you to an Open House to celebrate their 50111 Wedding Anniversary Saturday, April 19,h from 1:00 pm ~ 4:00 pm at the Auburn Memorial Community Hall 50tA Uleddin^ ttnniueuaiy. credits and complete their studies in the first half of the school year. That way, they’ll be able to earn money through the winter and spring. The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board operates semestered timetables at both its high schools. In response, Education Superintendent Marjatta Longston said Avon Maitland administrators knew such concerns might arise when they recommended moving to the non-semestered program. But she provided assurances that thd students who might leave the board will probably total “a handful of kids.” In January, she explained, administrators met with high school principals and asked them to survey senior students about their plans for 2003-04. A month later, they met with Teall covered the current problem. Clerk-Administrator Jack McLachlan informed him that a phone call to the regional office of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs had elicited the information that ministry staff would need to seek a legal opinion to determine the exact meaning of the section in question. This information caused Mayor Lin Steffler to comment, “They made us put it in but they don’t know what it means.” The mayor attempted to downplay the dispute saying, “I view this the same as every other ward protecting their ratepayers.” It did not appear to be a widely held opinion. Prior to abruptly walking out of the meeting a visibly angry Brussels Ward councillor Joe Seili ask if, “at progression and level accurately' with levelled books, using the Running Records method • non-fiction books are necessary for the reading success of little boys • EQAO testing suggests the provision of a variety of learning materials ie. magazines, non­ fiction, fiction, thesaurus, charts, and graphs. EM we® B Check out the classifieds guidance counsellors and asked them to solicit similar information. In both cases, the board offered to- look into providing some limited semestered programming, if numbers warranted. “We really want to maintain these students in our system,” Longston said. “And part of this process was trying to find out if there was sufficient interest in some semestered courses. Does semestering make that much of a difference in the choices these students make?” Longston said no students indicated a desire to switch schools except in Mitchell, where four students planned to “double­ register” — sign up at two different high schools — and make .their decision closer to next September. “It didn’t seem, from any one the next council meeting could we have 15 minutes for Brussels?” This was an apparent reference to the fact that the majority of the current meeting had revolved around the awarding of a $10,000 grant to the Seaforth Co-operative Children’s Centre, a lengthy discussion sparked by the Vanastra Day Care Centre’s more than $50,000 deficit and the dispute over the police contract. In a reprise of Teall’s earlier Hullett Central Public School invites you to a night of family fun! COMMUNITY FUN AND SILENT AUCTION NIGHT Activities include games, clown and face painting used book table, and silent auction Food and refreshments available. DATE: Thursday, April 24, 2003 TIME: 5:00 p.m. ‘til 8:00 p.m. PLACE: Hullett Central Public School All proceeds to Hullett classroom library fund All donations welcome COME OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN! E ».”»■ - ■- -ik dr oMemo/ties of, . Western Swingin, and Country Singin * OLD TIME AND FANCY SWING TUNES by Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion Scott Woods x GOLDEN OLDIE WESTERN SONGS by talented singer Tom Leadbeater and the band * FAVOURITE GUITAR INSTRUMENTALS by East Coast Music Award Winner Bruce Timmins x SENSATIONAL STEP DANCING by 2002 Canadian Step Dance Champion Chad Wolfe APPEARING Saturday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. Blyth Memorial Hall For tickets call 523-9300 or 1-877-862-5984 Good humour, Nostalgia and Western Warmth school, that semestering represented an option,” she said. “We were surprised, quite frankly. I thought, with us offering up (limited; semestering, people would jump at it. But I think they’re getting the counselling they need to come up with alternatives.” Longston suggested some students might actually prefer to balance jobs with a few high school credits in a non-semestered program. That way, they might be able to establish a timetable of one day on and on day off for the whole year, or a timetable where they’re always available for work at the same time of the day, all year long. She added the Avon Maitland board offers effective alternatives to in-class credits, included co-op programs and online “distance” education. statement about ensuring grants (to community groups) were fair and equitable, Councillor Greg Wilson of Brussels commented, “Speaking of fair and equitable r I have commented for two years about the deficit at the Vanastra daycare. The people up north get squat from that daycare.” Council has decided to defer the adoption of the budget until the April 22 council meeting.