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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-02-15, Page 16111 -TNI HURON 'EXPOSITOR, February 15,•1995 Education Schools alone can't raise our children BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff It takes an entire village to raise a child. The Royal Commission on Learning says it was constantly reminded of this old African saying ut many of the public hearings leading up to December's report For the Love of Learning, the springboard for the Ontario government's many recent policy directions in education. "For some years, society has been dumping on our schools the responsibility to deal with whatever new problem or crisis has come along that can't easily be handled elsewhere," the report states: "Then they are criticized for failing to educate our children properly. We are convinced that teachers - overwhelmed, overburdened and ill-prepared - can handle no more. Schools can't raise our children for us." The philosophy underlies last week's order by Education Minister David Cooke that all schools across the province have mandatory community councils chaired by parents, and oh which parents have a majority of seats, by the 1995-96 school year. Its the "nuts and bolts" of the notion that gives pause to local educators and trustees. "I think its a good thing to get parents involved," says Seaforth/McKillop Public School Trustee Pauline Siemon of the Walton area."Not so much in the decision-making but in helping out with things at school. They should have an input into the curriculum, not into the hiring of teachers and that sort of thing." Tuckersmith/Hensall Public School Trustee Allan Carter of Harpurhey echoes Siemon's sentiments. "You will get some areas where there will be a parent who really wants to have a lot of say in it," he says. "It is going to be difficult to control those situations because I personally don't feel that the parent councils should be involved in the hiring and firing of teachers. I'm not just sure where the Royal Commission is coming from on this because that to me is not part of a parent council group - there is so much personal information involved it could get nasty." FUZZY ON ROLES Seaforth students who brought home report cards in recent week also brought with them an Ontal • Allan Carter HCBE Trustee Parent Council bulletin that specifically states school parent councils should participate in decisions about the "hiring and performance review of teachers, principal, vice principal and other school staff." Premier Bob Rae and Education Minister Cooke's order on mandatory parent -dominated advisory councils was fuzzy on exactly what the relationships among parent, trustees, teachers and others should be. Rae said sorting out the issue is one of the challenges ahead. Trustee Siemon says there are so many changes afoot and the atmosphere is now so politically - charged in education in this province that teachers and trustees are not even clear about their roles anymore, or "even if they will be there" in the future. "In our vision, schools must no' longer be isolated, self-contained institutions doing their own thing," the Royal Commission states: "Instead they must become part of a network of many local or regional organizations, all inter -connected, and all dealing with the whole reality of childhood." This will help education become more focused on "the real world", an oft repeated criticism of the current system by many in this province. It is a vision that was shared long before the release of the report according to local educators. Huron -Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board Trustee for Seaforth/McKillop/ Tuckersmith Gerry Ryan of Dublin gays the board already has six parent and ratepayer councils, two Gerry Ryan HPRCSSB Trustee have been in place for three years, and is starting to evaluate feedback now. "By now I expect we have something we can get together and talk about, see what is working and what is not," Trustee Ryan says. Huron County Board of Education Director Paul Carroll says the Royal Commission "confirms directions we've been taking for the past three years" and public and community participation is happening "in every community, all 24 elementary and all regular high schools." He says the number of parents involved and the structures that have evolved vary from school to school, but numbers aren't his measure of success. AN AXE TO GRIND? "I'm concerned about representative input from a cross- section, and that's certainly happening," he adds. "As long as they are not there for vested interests or for single issues, that's enough. "So that you don't have parents who are trying to be trustees, or trustees who are trying to be parents, or either group trying to be principals or teachers. If the boundaries are defined in most cases' it works well. It goes off the rail only where you get that kind of person who is interested in a single issue or has an axe to grind, and usually what happens there is the peer group takes care of them," the education director adds. Every school seems to be different, Trustee Carter says: "We get one township that's really keen and there is a lot of output and a lot of members. And the opposite township, that still goes to the same school, there is not near as many but that's not to say the parents from that township who don't want to be part of a parent council - they are still in the schools as volunteers in the classroom. "Maybe they don't want to be on a parent council and they would just as soon be in the classroom helping students where they can," says Carter. Children having trouble with such subjects as reading and math benefit the one-on-one involvement the successful volunteer helper programs bring, like the one at Seaforth Public School, according to Trustee Siemon, who adds SPS and the local high school have had a peer/mentor arrangement for years that matches students for a whole term and does much the same thing. "I think the teachers like them coming in," she adds. "Any extra bit of help they can get I think they are always grateful for." • Part two of an ongoing series. Future articles will explore curriculum changes, boards and their possible restructuring, teachers and their unions' points of view. Gord Murray and Olave Little High Rollers On a s ormy Feb. 3, 33 scn- iors turned out to bowl. Olave Little captured high single 230 and triple 513 for the women. Gord Murray took high single 229 and triple 546 for the men. Everyone seemed to be bowling very well. Over 200 were Campbell Wey 226; Charlie Perkins 202; Pauline Bennett 206; Eric Matzold 216; John Aubin 203 and Sandy Doig 200. Bowling over their averages were Betty Leonhard[, Olive Papple, Annie Malcolm, Don Wood, Betty Oldacre, Joyce Wallace and Dorothy McCluskie. Everyone sang Happy Birth- day to Hazel McNaughton who was celebrating her 88th birth- day. Immediately after she came up with a couple of strikes. Many more happy days Hazel. We wish a speedy recovery to Nancy Mitchell and Ken McDonald. Mark your calendar April 19, the date of the Senior Bowling banquet. Best Wishes to DR. ALEX HAINES The Doctors and Staff of Seaforth Medical Clinic wish to announce that Dr. Alex Haines will be leaving Seaforth Medical Clinic as of March 1, 1995. Dr. Ross Green and Dr. Janet Zettel will be covering his practice until our new physician arrives. 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Rule two: stop and wait if you don't see that sled; turn around and go back if you have to. With these two basic rules, there's no excuse for leaving anyone behind; for losing anyone at an intersection; or for anyone getting lost. Eventually everyone either catches up or turns around to assist. Confident of this, it's a much more enjoyable ride for all. Engineered For The Way You Ride. • SALES • SERVICE • ACCESSORIES ` ast time I explored trail riding and tour leadership. Now let's expand this discussion. ,J44.4 Scme a gse4 ?vim * .Snreu o Complete Line Of Accessories & Clothing Performance Modifications Qualified Technicians New & Used Sleds e Service PLAYERS 271-5888 THIS SPECIAL FEATURE WILL APPEAR THIS SEASON THANKS TO THESE PARTICIPATING s, RETAILERS BY: CRAIG NICHOLSON On larger tours where it's unlikely that the leader will be able to see the last sled easily if at all, it's wise to appoint another experienced rider to help out. This person could ride second and monitor those behind. By slowing, stopping or speeding up, the second sled can adjust the tour pace as needed and rein in the leader when necessary. Then, by keeping an eye on only one sled behind, the leader can concentrate on the trail ahead. Part of this focus is warning oncoming sleds of your group 's approach. Depending on trail conditions, getting both parties slowed down or one group pulled off to the side for passing is preferable. It's courteous to give the oncoming leader a count of your numbers to signal when the trail's clear again. Leaders of slower moving groups shouldn't hog the trail. Be prepared to pull over frequently to allow faster groups behind you to pass safely. The leader should be looking for safe places to stop with good sightlines and room for all sleds to pull off to the side so others can get by. If there's an emergency stop in a dangerous spot, the leader should position riders front and back down the trail to warn oncoming sleds. At major road crossings, the leader should cross first, then dismount and walk back to the road to act as crossing guard for the others. Depending on visibility, the second rider could dismount on the near side to help motion sleds across at the leader's signals.. Once across, snowmobilers should wait until the crossing is complete so the leader and second can resume position. This technique can also be adapted to lake and river crossings, potential avalanche sites or any other perilous crossings. While the lead is critical, designating a "drag" or "sweep" is also important to ensure no one is left behind. And if someone has a problem, there's always assistance. The sweep can also keep an eye out for parts and gear dropped from preceding sleds and signal oncoming sleds that this is the group's final sled. The group's other riders have responsibilities too. Rule one: each rider Is 'responsible for the rider ALWAYS REMEMBER: SAFETY FIRST! �l� But one person who forgets to look over their shoulder frequently can get the whole group in trouble. You know, the one who says, "But I saw him at the last turn!" So what. You obviously didn't look again or you would have noticed that he stopped to wait for the sled behind. This is why I strongly recommend machine -mounted or hand-held mirrors for all snowmobilers. In fact, I prefer not to follow a mirrorless rider. As leader, I even keep a supply of hand-helds to lend to these riders. 1!% Miles North of Seaforth 527-0120 One of the area's Best Selections of Snowmobile Clothing and Accessories Helmet -to -helmet communicators can also assist in keeping the group together. As leader, I keep mine "on" even if no one else has one. It picks up groomer warning beacons and static interruptions that presage oncoming sleds with communicators in use. It's convenient when your second and sweep are so equipped. Fox 40 whistles can also be the basis of a self -devised signalling system. Riders must give every hand signal, every time. And do it properly, not in some lazy mutation of the original. Don't assume that the sled behind can see the signal ahead of you. Always repeat the ge ture from the sled in front for the sled behind. Thei there can be no confusion. In a group you can't ride as if you're alone. Don't tailgate. Leave a stopping cushion between sleds. This allows reaction time, reduces tension levels and prevents fender benders. Ride consistently and predictably, so the rider behind you can relax and enjoy the ride. If trail permits are required, support local clubs by refusing to ride with anyone who doesn't have one. Touring can be safe and fun if everyone cooperates responsibly. I hope some of these Ideas work for you. Until next time, happy trails and remember: Sled Smart - Ride Safe, Ride Sober. For information on local snowmobiling, Snowaramas and clubs, contact the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) at 705/739-7669. To plan your Ontario tour, call 1 -800.238 -SLED. KIMPEX PRICED RIGHT! WARD'S EOU PMENT Hwy 123 North of Mitchell PH 348-8702 THIS SPECIAL FEATURE WILL APPEAR THIS SEASON THANKS TO THESE PARTICIPATING RETAILERS ALWAYS REMEMBER: \ AFETY,FIRST )