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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 1999-12-29, Page 22 -The HURON RXPO$ITOR, pec(tmb•r 29, 1999 News De s eme stering will be stre s s "Teachers' Federation says changes will add to the already high stress level From Page 1 .Huzar asked how the hoard will he able t( afford new texts when twice as many students will he taking a course at thc same time. Robins told trustees 'of the high level of stress teachers arc already under because of. the reforms and predicted that the "enormous amount Of work" involved in changing thc timetabling will he "the straw that breaks the camel's hack." "Red flags arc already .. going'up. Over 50 per cent of the claims in long-term disability are for stress and nerves. Teachers arc getting stressed out." he said. Calling desemestering "hasty and premature," Huzar also warned the board that since surrounding boards arc not descmestering, students will be leaving the Avon Maitland system. "Measures need to be put in place to make. sure students won't transfer to other hoards where the semestcred system continues." he said. However. South Huron principal Deb Homuth said waiting to make the change will "sacrifice a group of students." She said that most of the 2K students'at her school who pilotted the new Grade 10 test shocked teachers by • doing very poorly. "This test has a high level of academic rigor and it's a strange experierfte fttr students. Lots of students will find this a very, very difficult•test and it's a.high stakes exercise. It's the real gatekeeper that will separate kids who do and don't get a diploma ." said Homuth. Northwestern principal Bart Brown told trustees students can write the test until they pass. it but added that. principals arc afraid students will get discouraged after failing it three or four times: He said he's hearing across the district and from the Ontario Principals' Council that secondary reform is creating a tremendous increase' in workload and content. . Be said that dc- semestering will help students by minimizing the amount` of time between courses, since under the semester .system. students can potentially `wait a whole Fire and Town Hall will be staffed New Year's as town gets ready for potential problems From Page 1 to he sure everyone has a plan in place and that they . arc able to coordinate help. Radio communications systems arc , in place to contact police. the hospital and fire departments in case telephones fail and a fuel supply for emergency vehicles is in place. While no trouble is anticipated, Emergency Measures Ontario is not offering a 100 per cent guarantee that there .won't be any surprises. Because there is still the potential for problems outside the town's control, McLachlan is recommending people have an extra supply of nonperishable food and medical supplies and in rural areas that depend on wells. extra water. In town. he said there is a hack -up power system for thc town's water supply. so if the power fails. water will still Clow. In the event an emergency situation like a power failure does occur as a result of Y2K. residents needing help are asked to contact orgo to the town hall. Messages will also he pouted there to keep people updated about whatever situation is occurring. But McLachlan said these . plans arc in place just in case there's a problem. As the New Year approaches, McLachlan said. "We don't want anyone to panic." Y2K causing people to think about emergencies From Page 1 that are on and stocking up on an extra couple cans of soup, too,"' she says. Jim Sills, owner of Sills Hardware. says customers are buying the "smaller items" like flashlights and candles but not as many have invested in the larger items like generators. He says Y2K - is causing people to. "finally think about" what' they would d( to prepare for any kind of disaster. "People should already be prepared year-round." he says. ' "Anyone with a finished rec room and electric • sump pump could have their carpets flooded in no time if the power goes out. They should protect their investment." says Sills. Sills recommends items such as a spare' barbecue ,tank. an extra gas tank for the car, battery-operated. wind- up or solar -powered radios and oil lamps as necessary equipment during any sort of emergency. "These thing! can always he used by campers.". he says. A year after snowmobile ban, situation has improved A year after council almost banned • snowmobiles from town. Seaforth Mayor Dave Scott said improvements being made by local cluhs.seem to have reduced the number of complaints about snowmobilers. Council initially decided to ban them late last year when members of the community expressed concerns about noise from.them late at night and other problems. • Snowmohilers rallied and pleaded with council to change their minds because of the . large number of snowmohilers who used the. town to access restaurants and gas along -the prosincial trail system that passes by the town. They were concerned it was a bad mistake to ban them based on•a few poor operators who don't follow proper trail rules or noise bylaws. Since. signage has been put up showing a proper route to services in town -that offer a minimal disruption to the public. Scott said the improvements have resulted in few complaints through the season last year and that the area club is impros'ing the signage for where to go in town which he expects will improve the situation even more. By Scan Hilgendorff 1 The location for the public Walton meeting concerning Walton Public School's future on Thursday, Jan. meetirnng at' 13 at 7, p.m. is buff's United purrs Church, not Walton Public School as previously reported. 56:9 +de l? Call Scot or Susan. 527.0240 year between crucial courses like math; science and English. "Students mature through the year and it's hcneticial to present programs over the entire year," he said. Homuth said textbooks wilt be dealt with school by school but added that all principals will "pay a great deal -of attention to the, issue and figure out how to get enough texts to their kids." 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