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Home My WebLink AboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-12-07, Page 7nal -Star • Wedneeda , December 7 2011 pinio al Star 50 --ISSUE X NED WEEKLY EST. 1860 al Star Publishing Huckins St. rich ON N7A 3X8 -524-2614 .goderichsignalstar.com Sr*°6-FCI MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company her IER sing Manager 61101MN CRECES tors dteds & Sutscnptons BUTT Manager MCIVOR y Sales ws ►bowesnet.c o rtseDbowesnet.com s-+ bowesnet.c om irhads@bowesnetcom ill deadline Friday at 2 pm. !MON RATES ADVANCE: Copy 1,; S42plus GST S39 plus GS 1 5218.80 plus GST 5395 60 plus GST S1 25 lnciudino GST Mail Agreement 683 UNOEIMERAf3Lf CANADIAN ADDRESSES: TION DEPARTMENT vas St.. Godench ON N7A ars -deliveries o delivery Concerns: 4.2f 14 EMAIL lesebowesnet.camn kcn Signal Star shill not be liable tor faNlRs an ad to typographical errors m publication A extent of the cost of that portion of the ad P error occurred The Goderich Signal -Star rpM to rttect or edit any advetbsement. Signal -Star ss a proud mlmber of the Ca- munNy Newspapers AasociNion (CCNl1) and Community Newipopet;AMpqation (OCNAi. t►wledge the financial support of the ent 01 Canada through the Canadian Pund ((61') trx our puhilshtng arthritic,. Canada Mentor or ruCeram Cceimunity Naveittaper Awadsstksn and the Oneida community nn ► rs AswocMsoon editorial It's time to put an end to school bullying A mother of young children attending a rural school registers her concern with a conuninee assigned the task of examining the closure of the school that incidents of bullying are greater in town schools. Her concern for the wellbeing of her young children is palpable and genuine. Just shy of his 16th birthday, a young Ottawa teen takes his own life after being targeted for his sexual orientation. A few months ago, an 11 -year-old Pickering boy with muscular dystrophy committed suicide after being tormented at school by friends of a boy accused of mugging the young victim. A 15 -year-old Quebec girl, who was popular at a new school, took her life after being bullied at schoolout of jealousy. She left a note saying she could no longer tolerate the physical and psychological abuse. The number of deaths resulting from bullying and abuse in schools continues to mount. The tragic deaths of these young people, with so much promise, hope and life ahead of them, is incomprehensible and reprehensible. In the face of constant torment, abuse and negative attention, too many young peoplesee nothing but despair and desperation and a life lived in isolation. Helping young people through the despair of bullying is way past due.. There have been too many lives lost and simply too many attempted suicides for the system to ignore lives lived in quiet desperation. As much as the school system provides academic assistance for students in schools, it Ls incumbent upon the system to provide for young people's emotional and social development. Last week, the Liberals introduced anti - bullying legislation and Conservative, education critic Elizabeth Witmer, followed with a private member's bill aimed at tackling bullying. If they are on little else, it would behoove the parties in this minority government to come to agree- ment on protecting young people from bullies. The legislation provides tout consequences, including expulsion for bullies, expectatfons of school officials to take the issue seriously and support for students. - There has to be a dearly defined process for school officials to report and investigate incidents and there has to be dear consequences for bullies and remedial programs to promote behavioural change. Change is well past due. And the change has to be inclusive of tolerance for sexual orientadon, often a tipping point for the bullying process. The legislation allows for the establishment of clubs in schools for gay students but there is some controversy over the Catholic system refus- ing to establish gay -straight alliances in schools. Any type of bullying is wrong and has no place in schools. It's time to take a collective stand and eliminate it.DS SHOP LOCALLY ... AND COMPARE ! NORM 80uso$t HIS Td IN CODER +CN •ry 'wa oma. YoTAL yq$o0 4 3.00 $ 501:00 Merl'. Boowru;s ry 1N f.ONDOi $300 $399'0 *ca. •ry ".Jack Aston 'Ice Cadet "nwr P. •Tawang and Impound TOTAL...... ..... siases►s jtt { t_ KEV1r! 000t hr 140 TV IN itiATefit,00 Iti6Aft FEfko4)5 ) $ 30 00 in•perwitritsRow, 3 'Drinks $ t00 'Lap allinefik..:. 3 1o0 cx� 1Aore Drinks leo,cr► TOTAL . - " 1.27 1 9 letters to the editor Grief cannot be ignored during the festive season To the !Editor, I am enjoying the.'Christrnassy' feeling when I drive through the towns of Huron County. The lamppost decorations, the lights and other festivities are arousing the sense that Christmas is around the corner. For many this is an exciting time, watching the children with -eagerness and wonderment as they anticipate the season of school dramas, musical events, vacations, maldng secret lists and `checking them many times' to make sure they have the perfect gift for their loved ones. Huron Hospice. Volunteer Service also wants to observe the season with those who might not be feeling the spirit of celebration this year.- hurting, possibly because of the death of a loved one, the sadness of family not able to join them, the issues around this summer's storm...whatever the reason, grief cannot be ignored. Grief is not a respecter of time or age. We all have losses with which to manage. Huron Hospice is offering a "time of reflec- tion" for anyone wishing to remember their loved one. Please come, share a memory of and enjoy some refreshments with volun- teers of hospice and others who are hurting_. There are three locations from which to choose. Drop in when it suits you. Seaforth - Tuesday, December 13, 6.00- 9.00p. m. Northside United Church, (54 Goderich Street W.) Goderich - Wednesday, December 14,. 1.00-4.00p.m. - Knox Presbyterian Church, (9 Victoria Street N.) Wmgham - Thursday, December 15, 5.00-7.30p.m. Wingham Library (281 Edward Street) Huron Hospice also has a'Mernory Tree' set up in the Wingham Hospital - Terrace Room, and Seaforth Hospital. You can bring. a .special memento to hang on the tree, or use one provided. Come and stop a while, remember, reflect, perhaps write a short memory of your loved one in the Book of Memories. We hope you will feel welcome to come and 'remember'. to whatever way may bring comfort to you. Sincerely, Kathy Procter M iagerViluMeers & Programs For more info, Cation contact: Huron Hospice Volunteer Service 519-527-0655 or 519-357-2720 or wwwhuron- hospice. ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Signal Star welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verification). Anonymous letters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including letters for clarification, style and length. tetters must be signed and be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander.