The Citizen, 2005-04-21, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005.
Board hears 2 sides of French program
By Stew Slater
Special to The Citizen
Ontario beef
The annual Huron County Beef Producers beef barbecue
was held Saturday evening in Brussels. The event featured
Ontario grain-fed beef. Bob Bennett carves the beef with
the help of an unknown assistant. (Vicky Bremner photo)
French Immersion has resurfaced
as an issue for the Avon Maitland
District School Board ... in more
ways then one.
At a regular board meeting
Tuesday, April 12. about 20
supporters were in the audience for a
public delegation by Kathy
Vassilakos, a parent from the
English section of Stratford’s “dual
track” Bedford Public School. ‘
Vassilakos presented findings
from a study by the Long Range
Planning Sub-Committee of the
school council al Bedford, which
also houses the board’s only French
Immersion program.
Her message of concern regarding
the effects of operating French
Immersion in a predominantly
English-only board came in contrast
to an event later in the evening,
when South Huron representative
Randy Wagler submitted a “notice of
motion” in advance of the board’s
April 26 meeting. Wagler informed
fellow trustees that he will seek
support for an in-depth examination
of possible French Immersion
expansion outside Stratford.
“Prior to the board making a
Londesborough Songfest
marks 25 successful years
Bu Brenda Radford
A 25th anniversary is a celebration
and it was definitely that on
Saturday, April 16 when the
Londesborough United Church
celebrated 25 years of Songfest.
Changes were made for this silver
anniversary and the whole day was a
success.
The committee decided to hold
two concerts and on a Saturday
rather than a Sunday evening as was
the custom. Concert goers also
purchased supper - as in a dinner
concert - served at the
Londesborough Community Hall.
What was really encouraging to the
performers was that many attended
both concerts. They were rewarded
by the presentation of different
shows.
An anniversary is a coming
together of family and friends from
near and far
Members of Londesborough
United Church’s family shared their
gift of music as a part of three
choirs. Erica Horbanuik directed the
young voices in the afternoon. A
mixed junior choir entertained with
songs of praise and thanks, some
with actions and even the playing of
kazoos. An all-girl junior choir, also
directed by Erica, was accompanied
by Barb Bosman on the piano and
Matt DeJong on guitar for their two
numbers.
A Londesborough United Church
men’s choir obviously enjoyed
singing for the afternoon audience
especially their last selection, You’re
Pretty Lucky. Mr. Churchman. Barb
Bosman directed the men and also
the Londesborough Ladies of Song
in the evening whose gospel
offerings included Make Me a
Blessing.
Harry Lear, who emceed both
concerts and whose stories added
humour, joined Ken Scott and his
guitar for two vocal duets.
Instrumental duets were offered at
both concerts by Gladys van
Egmond on the piano and Leona
McBride on trumpet.
Mother/daughter duo Marsha and
Keri Szusz played piano and organ
duets for the enjoyment of evening
concert arrivals.
No stranger to Londesborough’s
Songfest, and returning to bring his
particular style of musical ministry,
was Bob Heywood of Exeter. As he
accompanying himself on
accordion, Bob's lighthearted songs
brought a message for all.
Rounding out the afternoon
entertainment ' was the talented
Bushed family who were favourites
from a previous Songfest. This
family of four. dad. mom and two
daughters, sing a cappella in an ever
changing configuration of quartets,
trios and solos. Their first set
included In the Palm of Your Hand
and Rachel soloed in the second set
with ’Tis So Sweet.
Three family groups were featured
in the evening’s program.
George Turner, always in the
audience for Songfest, took to the
stage with his daughter, Bonnie, and
his granddaughter to sing hymns of
faith and hope. Bonnie played the
piano for their numbers.
played alongside wife,
A dulcimer, a flat wooden
instrument, is the oldest
musical instrument and.
decision about extending French
Immersion programs, further
information is needed in areas such
as program costing, staffing,
program structure and program
location,” states Wagler’s notice of
motion. He intends to request that
staff prepare a full report by
October, 2005, with an aim of
possibly introducing French
Immersion — should it prove
desirable — at one or more sites in
September, 2006.
The current round of pressure for
French Immersion outside Stratford
began in late 2004, with a public
delegation before the board by a
group called Canadian Parents for
French. Subsequently, a survey was
sent out to parents with children
already in the Avon Maitland
system, to gauge interest. That was
followed by public information
sessions in Exeter. Listowel,
Clinton, Wingham and St. Marys.
On Feb. 22, 2005, administrative
stafft delivered an analysis of that
survey and recommended no
expansion take place. That sparked
the formation of a new group called
Huron County Parents for French
Immersion, which sent letters to the
editors of several newspapers in the
region, and also arranged a meeting
between representatives from the
board and Canadian Parents for
French.
Wagler’s “notice of motion”
mentions that meeting, stating “the
information (provided by Canadian
Parents for French) included the
observation that French Immersion
programs in rural areas usually grow
once the program is in place.”
Vassilakos and her supporters
were no longer at the meeting when
Wagler brought forward the notice
of motion. Her message, however,
suggested caution should be
exercised when introducing French
Immersion into a portion of an
existing English-only school.
The Long Range Planning Sub
committee’s study showed English-
only enrolment has “declined
dramatically” since the introduction
of French Immersion at Bedford in
1999. By 2008, it’s projected there
will be only 66 English-only
students in the Kindergarten to
Grade 6 school, occupying just three
classrooms.
Though she praised Bedford’s
staff, Vassilakos accused the board
of neglecting to promote the benefits
of attending Bedford for an English-
only education, concentrating
instead on promoting the school’s
French Immersion option.
Cipen Steu&e &
You are invited to an
Open House
in honour of
Marthinus & Gaye
Datema's
50"' Wedding Anniversary
at Blyth Christian Reformed
Church Fellowship Hall
Saturday, April 30
from 1:00 ~ 4:00 pm
"Yourpresence is our
treasured gift”ft
the
the
the
The Kernighan family from
Komoka, whose roots are in this area
of Huron County, brought
instrumental gospel. Husband Don,
on electric guitar and son, Lyle, on
guitar
Marion,
stringed
known
historically has been in the western
world for 5.000 years. It is typical of
Marion’s nature that she should own
one of these instruments and be self-
taught in its playing. They added a _
most interesting element to
concert.
Always a favourite with
Londesborough church folk is
home-grown Snell family. Rob,
Barb, Bonnie and Betty thrilled the
audience with old favourites, like
Turn Your Radio On and Show a
Little Bit of Love and Kindness.
The Rose/Andrews Quartet,
accompanied by Kathy Potter, were
also a hit with the evening’s
audience. Richard and Esther Rose
of Mitchell and Oz and Alice
Andrews of Clinton added the love
of singing to a friendship. Their four
numbers included The Gift of Love.
Elgin and Joy Penfound who have
organized Songfest for all of its 25
years were thanked by the Board of
Stewards and presented with a token
of appreciation for their efforts over
the years.
rfwtiftenMruf,
Grandma & Grandpa
(Janet & Dave McCutcheon)
April 24
#■
I Suck X Shte
for . y[Lesley Elliott fa
(Brussels)
&
WEDDINGS (Windsor)
it
V • rfvMiuenAdvuf
Koos & Rita Verburg
'I 6
Performed - your location or our indoor
or outdoor chapel (non-denominational)
All Christenings & Memorials
For brochure call:
Rev. CHRIS MORGAN
ALL FAITHS PASTORAL CENTRE
BENMILLER....524-5724
HE
C BUCKS DOE
/ f°r
\ BILL KERR
C and
/JENNIFER LAMB
Saturday, April 30
\ 8 pm - 1 am
C Clinton Arena
/ Free in-town taxi
Age of majority
X Bus from Goderich
C leaves Wal-mart at 9 pm
/ Music by Neat Guys
> Call Andy 440-0304
< or BJ 440-0540
$
&
Love Evan, Kelsey,
Joelle, Melissa, Edward
and Avery
Come join us
to celebrate
Dad & Mom's 40th
at Blyth Christian
Reformed Church
on
April 23, 2005
from 2~4 pm
John & Ruth ~ Joshua,
Seth, Alicia
I Maria & Tim ~ Ashley, Brittany, I
I Zachary, Jeffrey I
I Mark & Dianne ~ Desirae, '
' Jordan
‘ Brenda & Gerry ~ Christophef
Leanne, Megan, Trevor
•
The Brubachers of Ethel
3le&tau>t.ant and fBakety
REAL Home-cooked meals!
Come and try our cinnamon buns.
Mon. - Fri. 7:00 am 'til 6:30 pm;
Sat. 8:00 am - 6:30 pm; Sun. Closed
887-8659 in Ethel Q
b
* • I
b
<1>1
WEDDINGS