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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-12-30, Page 3There are 24.01 students in average Catholic classroom BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff The current average elementary class size in the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board is 24.01, according to the board's recent submission to Ontario's education ministry. The average secondary class size in the system is 21.39, The average class size at St James School is 24.8 studel ts, at St. Columban it is 27.83, and 20.55 at St. Patrick's School in Dublin . The board is required to compile and file this information with Ontario's education ministry. The province has mandated an elementary maximum class size of 25 students, system -wide, and a maximum secondary class size of 22 students. St. Columban's figure (Grades 4 to 8) appears above this average, but its should be properly read with the Dublin school's (Kindergarten to Grade 3) figure, and then it falls within guidelines, director of education Gaetan Blanchette told trustees at their Dec. 14 meeting Acting vice-principal appointed At its Dec. 14 meeting in Dublin, the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board approved hiring John McCarroll as acting vice-principal of St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School at Clinton, effective Jan. 1 until June. He currently teaches at the school. McCauley attends final meeting After 20 years service, superintendent of education John McCauley's final meeting with the Huron -Perth Catholic District Board of Education was Dec. 14. "We owe him a tremendous debt," Louise Martin, chair of the board said. "We owe much of our success to John's initiative and leadership both within the hoard and province." McCauley said he leaves with the board "in tremendous hands." He announced his retirement, effective Aug. 1, Iasi spring but agreed to help out until the start of the new year while the board filled vacant leadership positions. Ray Contois has since been appointed superintendent. He has been sitting in on some board meetings recently too, but officially takes over from McCauley the start of next month. Video confrencing technology approved Trustees approved $145,000 business plan for video conferencing technology at the Dec. 14 meeting of the Huron -Perth Catholic District' School Board, as required for submission to Ontario's Ministry of Education and Training by Dec. 31. At present the board does not have the technology for videoconferencing. The project involves hardware, software and in-service. Its purpose, according to the business plan, is to: improve administration communication; provide a vehicle for the acquisition of credits in secondary schools; allow for the expansion of educational opportunities for other board programs (ie. gifted and special ed); provide a venue for the professional development of teachers and board staff; and, provide communication opportunities for ongoing support of educational dialogue, for instance involving the increasing role of school councils. Director of education Gaetan Blanchette told trustees the board is "still waiting for the equipment." TIPP 2 disc created by students Trustees were guided through a compact disc created by Grade 11 students at St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School by Fran Craig of Egmondville, curriculum and program coordinator,'at the Dec. 14 meeting of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board. The computer journey is called The Way Ahead - TIPP 2 and was also recently presented at Symposium '98 in London. It focuses on language and math at the primary level. The CD deals with the first year and prospects for the technology incentive leadership program, in which the board matched a $1.2 -million grant from the provincial education ministry to put five computers with internet access and a teaching cart with television, scanner, digital camera and printer in Grade 1 to Grade 3 classes. A recent report by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education concluded the program fostered impressive gains in reading and writing skills. Craig stressed there is a link between technology and learning, and that TIPP 2 is as much of a challenge for teachers as it is for young students, particularly integrating the new technology with curriculum. "The challenge of the second year will be to sustain these results and support teachers," Craig said. Trustees said when they visit classrooms they are impressed to see Grades 1 and 2 students e -mailing each other. Bernard Murray, the board's education chair, said TIPP 2 has been a valuable opportunity for pupils, with its hands on experience. "Through this project, we have sown seeds which are Well on their way to development and will reap many benefits," Murray said. Swinging Seniors perform°_... The Swinging, Seniors Band provided , excellent entertainment at the December birthday party, Christmas Eve afternoon' Everyone was definitely in the holiday spirit enjoying the music and the company at our party. Birthday greetings go to Ethel Forrest, Dorothy Wildfong, Shirley Stone, Eva Tinkler, Gladys Simpson, Mary Catnjihell, Mildred Klopp, ueensway Cecealia Edgar, Bernice Gregson and Walter Smith. Strawberry shortcake and eggnog were served to complete the aftemoon. Margaret Finkbeiner celebrated Christmas over a family potluck dinner in the activity room Wednesday afternoon with her entire family in attendance. In the evening, the St. Boniface choir visited their friend Father Morris in the retirement home and sang for residents in the lounge. Coming Events: December 31st, 2 p.m. New Years Eve Party with entertainment by Gary Boyle. singer, guitarist. Christmas celebrations in St. Columban Christmas is a time of eelcbration. family and visiting. Approximately 150 people filled the Knights of Columbus Hall for Christmas Eve Mass. Father Paul Mooney presided. Much visiting was done in groups after Mass as people "caught up" with each other after a busy time of preparation for the season. Visiting with Cinth and Maria Vogels over the holidays were Chris and Jen Vogels, Mitchell; Mark and Maridale Vogels, Atwood; Leanne Vogels, Guelph; Julie Vogels. Peterborough; and her friend, Scott Gerardi, Kitchener: Ricki and Gilbert Vansteelandt. and Karen Vansteelandt who is home from Windsor. A Christmas celebration was held at the home of Ken and Mary Coyne, and Cathy. Home from university were Mary Jane Coyne„ St. Catharines; and Pat Coyne, Guelph. The celebration included Ken's mother, Mrs. Mary Coyne, Seaforth, and all his brothers and sisters, and Sister Rita Coyne, Windsor. Kenneth and Jennifer Ryan, Katie and Matt, hosted a Christmas Eve celebration. Attending were Ken and Carol Ryan, and David; Neil Ryan; Wayne and Tina Ryan and Sarah, London; Anne and Christmas passes in Dublin with many get-togethers Christmas 1998 has passed We are very happy to see Alanah Delaney who with happy get-togethers, two special Dublin men celebrates on lan. 8. gifts and beautiful cards home from the hospital and Happy Birthday to Mary from special "old time" recovering. Happy New Year Dantzer who celebrates on friends we hear from only to Lou Rowland and Pat lan. 7. once a year. And with 1999 Ryan, back with families, THOUGHT FOR TODAY approaching, our hopes and relatives and friends. May every happiness be dreams are great. Happy 6th birthday to yours in the coming year. St. Columban By Mary Ryan � I Kevin Stinson, Alexandra and Daniel, Nashville, North Carolina; Jean and Bill Ryan, Delaney and Abby, Stratford. Also visiting were Jennifer's parents, Bill and Dianne Thomas, Peterborough. Tom and Joanne Melady, Lisa and Danielle, visited with Joanne's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Roks, Delaware. Pat and Maryann Feeney, Matt, Mark, Andy and Erin, spent Christmas with Rosa Van Bergen, Seaforth, and Ferg and Teresa Feeney, Seaforth. The Ferg and Teresa Feeney family celebrated Christmas at the home of their grandson, Scott and Niki Saunders, Dublin. Dan and Rhonda Nolan and family hosted a Christmas celebration for the Joe and Helen Nolan family. Also attending was Jerry Murray, Dublin. Celebrating Christmas with Gerry and Nancy O'Reilly, Meaghan, Gerard, Owen, Colleen and Bridget, were Debbie Melady and Ken Wilcox, Ottawa; Sean Melady and Renee Jekl, London; Brian and Sandra Melady and Liam, Seaforth. Visiting with Frances Melady were Brian Melady, Mitchell; Don Melady, Toronto; Ann Chapin, William and Vanessa, Orleans (near Ottawa). Jane Crowley is home from Brock University, St. Catharines, visiting with her' parents Frank and Patsy Crowley, Jim, Julianne, Jeanette and John. The Crowleys celebrated Christmas with a Crowley family gathering in Dublin and a Murray family gathering in St. Columban. We welcome home for the holidays all the college and university students, including Amy Elston (McMaster, Hamilton); Christa Murray (Lambton, Sarnia); Julianne Ryan (Lambton, Sarnia); and Bill Ryan (Newmarket Business College, Newmarket). Visiting with Claire Murray were Suanne Murray and Bill Heater; and Lisa Murray. Celebrating Christmas with Agnes Murray were Larry and Lina Murray, Adrian, Marissa and Lydia; Bob and Shirley Murray; and Paul and Raven. 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