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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2005-05-05, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005. AMDSB decided to re-visit French immersion issue By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen With two previously-dissenting trustees apparently confident their concerns had been addressed, the Avon Maitland District School Board voted 7-2 in favour of asking administration to again look at the possibility of introducing French immersion outside Stratford. A report will now be delivered to trustees on Oct. 25, 2005, “provid(ing) information about a potential French immersion program to start in September, 2006.” The present board first requested information on a potential program following a public delegation in Datemas celebrate golden day Marthinus (Merv) and Gaye Datema celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Golden anniverssary Gaye and Merv Datema celebrated 50 years of marriage on Saturday at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church, (jim Brown photo) Lunch with Margaret Atwood Tickets available at the following locations ONLY on May 7, 2005 from 10 am to 1 pm Goderich Finchers -The Square Clinton Cross Roads-Main Street Exeter Exeter Golf Club Kirkton Road, S.E. of Exeter Sponsored by Women's Shelter, Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services of Huron in celebration of 20 years of service. November, 2004, from a representative of the group Canadian Parents for French. Following a series of public information sessions throughout the board, and a survey of parents with children already in the Avon Maitland system, trustees received a report suggesting French immersion should not expand. Early last month. South Huron representative Randy Wagler informed fellow trustees he would bring the issue back to the table for the second meeting of the month — April 26. He suggested “new information” had been provided by Canadian Parents for French and a local parent group affiliated with the larger organization, including during April 30 with an open house in the Fellowship Hall of the Blyth Christian Reformed Church. Saturday, September 24, 2005 Knights of Columbus Hall, Wingham, ON Tickets are $30 per person Silent Auction Wingham The Gift Chest -Josephine St. Bayfield Village Book Store-Catherine St Seaforth Nifty Korners - Main Street a meeting with some Avon Maitland trustees and staff. “Generally, in rural settings, enrolment tends to grow over time ... which would suggest you don’t need quite as high of numbers to have a sustainable program,” Wagler said, in defending his motion to revisit the issue. North Huron trustee Colleen Schenk seconded the motion, saying, “most of us were; disappointed that results were not better when we did the survey originally.” But support for Wagler’s idea seemed slow to build at the April 26 meeting. “1 approve of looking at this program, but just not at this Mr. Datema was born in Wetsinge, Groningen, the Netherlands, the son of Reolf and Hilliggiena Datema. Mrs. Datema was born in Pietersbierum, Friesland, the Netherlands, the daughter of Don and Judy Hibma. They were married on March 4, 1955, in Owen Sound, by Pastor Hiram VanderKlay. The attendants were Fritz Datema, brother of the groom; Cobie Hanenburg (Hibma), sister of the bride; Sippe Hibma and Sandy Hibma, brother and sister of the bride. The couple resided in Goderich, Kintail, Ailsa Craig, before returning to the Blyth area. They lived in the old station house before they bought a farm in 1959 and moved there in 1960. They are still active in farming. They raised five children - Robert, Judy, Giena, Donald and Wayne. The couple are life-long members of the Blyth Christian Reformed Church, where they are both active leaders. Classified advertisements published in The Citizen are now available on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON BLYTH WARD HYDRANT FLUSHING NOTICE The water department will be conducting a hydrant and main flushing program during the hours of 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday, May 9, 2005 to Wednesday, May 11, 2005. This procedure could result in the discolouration of your water. It is recommended that all customers check their water for rust prior to use each day as discolouration of laundry, etc. could occur. Running a cold tap until the discolouration has cleared is advised. For further information please contact 357-3550. Thank you for your co-operation. time,” said Perth South/West Perth representative Carol Bennewies. “I don’t think the numbers will change sufficiently.” North Perth’s Jenny Versteeg and Central Huron’s Shelley Kaastra also expressed opposition. Kaastra wondered if all parents are clear on the possible introduction of French immersion, and the fact it could be brought to a school within their secondary school feeder area but not necessarily their child’s home elementary school. And Stratford’s Doug Pratley was concerned about revisiting a decision made so recently, arguing, “it sort of smells of ‘let’s vote until we get it right’ . . . Surely, our staff have better things to do than constantly survey the same question over and over again.” However, Kaastra and Pratley eventually voted in favour of Wagler’s motion, following expressions of support for revisiting French immersion. In particular, chair Meg Westley passed the gavel and had her say, suggesting the recent survey was “superficial” because it failed to seek input from parents of children outside the Avon Maitland board — including those in the Catholic and private systems, as well as those not yet of school age and those being home-schooled. “It is a program that has experienced tremendous success in Stratford,” Westley argued. Following the meeting, Westley conceded Avon Maitland staff may be limited in who they can pursue when it comes to seeking information for a survey. She also agreed it may be difficult WHAT A NIGHT! Thank you to all the families, surrounding community and the following local business' for making our 3rd annual silent Auction and carnival at Hullett Central Public school In Londesboro such a success! Clinton Raceway J& J Pharmacy Brenda Empey - 'PROF BUG' Elliott's Auction and Liquidation, Clinton The Old Mill, Blyth Huron County Milk Committee Londesboro Lions Club° NJS Design & Wedding Shop Tim Horton's, Clinton and Goderich Interior Trends, Clinton Townsend Tire Blyth Festival Tuckersmith Communications Newtech Ag. Inc. Twp Of Central Huron Nature's Nest, Londesboro Ontario Egg Producers South Easthope Ins. Company Walton Inn Shurgain The Citizen Bainton's Old Mill Bayfield General Store McDonald's Restaurant, Goderich Pro-Tips Hockey School, London Creyhaven Gardens, Londesboro Perfect Designs, Clinton Vincent Farm Equipment Blyth Printing Ashley Photography Scrimgeour's Food Market Godfather's Clinton Crown Lanes Benmiller Inn Zehr's Markets, Goderich Bailey's Restaurant, Coderich Curves, Clinton Howson Mills Hensall Co-op Fuel Department Plant Paradise Atlas Tanning Cornerstone Spa, Clinton First Choice Haircutter's, Goderich McKinley Hatchery Harvey's/Swiss Chalet, Goderich McGee's Goderich Between Friends Luann's Country Flowers to determine, based on a survey of interest, how many people would actually take the next step and register for French immersion. “I, personally, wouldn’t mind seeing (the Avon Maitland study) go to registration,” she said, while admitting that mandate wasn’t necessarily stipulated in Wagler’s motion. “I think we can do that without actually approving the program, because registration doesn’t commit you to anything. If you do it early enough, you can have people registered and then call them back and say we can’t provide the program.” Referring to Pratley’s concern, Westley said the board doesn’t intend to continually revisit the program if it isn’t approved. Education director Geoff Williams, however, cautiontd that it’s unlikely French Immersion will ever disappear from the board’s agenda entirely. “It may be something that comes around every five years or so,” he said, following the meeting. “You get a different parent community and they may have different priorities and decide they want you to look at it again.” L4IVN QUESTIONS? Organic Programs jfjJVb Available ACCREDITED Yfccd'Max. 524-2424 -Trust the Professionals - Snippity the Clown L.H. 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