The Citizen, 2006-12-21, Page 7When We Succeed,
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I THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006. PAGE 7.
Report hits close to home for some educators
By Stew Slater
Special to The Citizen
A scathing report from
Ontario's auditor-general in
early December didn't hit too
far from home for some
educators in Huron and Perth
Counties, as a large school
board immediately to the
south came up for significant
criticism.
The London-based Thames
Valley District School Board,
which also serves the
counties of Middlesex,
Oxford and Elgin, was one
of four school boards
examined in what was a first-
time effort by the auditor-
general to cast scrutiny over
the spending of agencies
which aren't necessarily
government agencies, but do
exist mainly due to
government funds.
Administrators of the board
were cited for controlling
about 300 credit cards, and
using them to pay for items
which drew some concern
from the auditor and the
media.
At a regular meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 12, trustees of
the Avon Maitland District
School Board discussed the
contents of a memo sent out
by the education -ministry in
conjunction with the auditor-
general's report.
"The ministry appreciates
and supports the advice from
the Office of the auditor
general of. Ontario and
strongly encourages all
boards to review their current
practices in light of the
recommendations proposed,"
states the memo.
According to Avon
Maitland education director
Geoff Williams, the
recommendations cover four
main topics: corporate credit
cards, travel and hospitality
expenses, advertising, and
"advocacy" (expressing
opinions about issues on
behalf of the board).
Speaking to reporters, he
explained it should only
require minor revisions to
bring the board's existing
policies on credit cards and
travel expenses ' into
compliance with the auditor's
recommendations.
But administrators and
trustees will probably have to
"start from scratch" in the
other two areas, as major
changes to the advertising
policy will likely be necessary
while there is no existing
board policy regarding
advocacy. .
Asked about his thoughts
on the Thames Valley board's
credit card use, Williams said
he couldn't comment.
But he explained the Avon
Maitland board has only five
corporate cards, controlled by
himself and four top
superintendents.
"We have tight proc9dures
in place," he added. "It would
be very difficult to abuse our
board credit cards."
Madill students enjoy
learning in co-op program
Mary Ann Aitchison
Good morning ladies. How
are you today?
This is how I start my day
at my F.E. Madill Secondary
School co-op placement. My
name is Mary Ann Aitchison
and I'm co-oping at
Huronlea, Home For the
Aged in Brussels.
I work approximately three
to four hours a day switching
from morning to afternoon to
broaden my experience of
daily activities.
These activities include
music groups, spa days,
game days, and other social
activities. Besides all the fun
and games we're doing
•morning exercises where we
have some of the residents in
'wheelchairs go for walks to
get them up and stretching.
I'm completing my co-op
placement there so I can get
an idea of what it's like to
work in the activation
department.
By working here I get to
witness the many different
professions needed to make
this facility run smoothly and
attend to the needs of the
residents. They include
dietary workers, healthcare
aids, registered nurses,
cleaning and office staff and
volunteers. To "look" after
our seniors requires a real
team effort.
I'm supervised by Steve
Cook and Pauline Mero and
their responsibilities are
teaching me how to interact
with the residents and make
their lives more enjoyable.
I have learned a great deal
by working at Huronlea and
would like to thank SteVe
Cook and Pauline Mew for
helping me learn more about
being in the activation
department. I look forward to
each day and what it brings.
By Jill Johnston
`It takes a village to raise a
child°.
This is a statement that the
Huron County Child Abuse
Prevention Committee
(HCCAPC) really takes to
heart. HCCAPC is located in
Clinton and reaches out to
over 25 communities through
THE Bus, Parent
Support/Education, Personal
Safety for Children with
Disabilities — (SNAP)
education, and several other
child abuse, prevention
programs.
I am Jill Johnston, a
student at F.E. Madill
Secondary School, and this
semester I have been given
the amazing opportunity of
doing a co-operative
education placement with
this social service
community-based
organization. Three days a
week I commute to Clinton
to learn, try different
activities, and acquire
practical experience in the
social work field.
I have been given the-
opportunity to work in many
areas of the organization
including THE Bus Program,
which is a " toy
lending/resource library on
wheels that travels across
eight communities in Huron
County. I help by attending
the lending library-and play
group at Gorrie United
Church, as well as the
lending library every
Monday night at the Clinton
Office. I am able to get help
with games, facilitating
crafts, the lending
procedures, and foremost, get
a chance "to play and interact
with the children.
HCCAPC has also given
me the opportunity to learn
about not-for-profit
organizations and do daily
office tasks - and
administrative work.
I am currently job
shadowing the operation of
Kids On the Block program,
a unique program for all
schools in Huron County
providing Grade 3 and 4
students with personal safety
education.
Most recently, I have
started working with the
Family Ties Program in
Wingham which supports
new parents with resources,
activities for their children,
and the opportunity to
develop new life skills and
access community services.
This co-op placement has
been very rewarding and has
helped me gain in-depth
knowledge of the social work
field, which I am- interested
in pursuing in the near future.
I would like to thank Marie
Tyler, my co-op supervisor,
as well as the entire staff at
HCCAPC for welcoming me
with friendly smiles each and
everday, and for their
patience when answering
questions that I may have
about the organization. I look
forward to continuing my
placement at HCCAPC and
gaining more insight on
future career opportunities.
A very Blyth Christmas
These Blyth Public School students sing their little 'hearts out for this year's
Christmas concert at Memorial Hall. From left: Katelynn Becker, Heather
Riley and Kaila Nesbitt. (Shawn Loughlin photo)