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Huron Expositor, 2002-08-14, Page 9t Anniversary Art Finlayson tournament Sixty teams of Iawnbowlers, representing 24 clubs, came to Seaforth Wednesday to play in the 23th annual Anniversary Art Finlayson tournament. First prize went to a team from Southampton. Scott Hilgendorff photo High school timetabling nightmare allows return of extra-curriculars By Susan Hundertmork Expositor Staff Ministry of Education changes this July that increase high school class 'sizes and decrease teacher workloads along with an August agreement that brings extracurricular activities back to local high schools, created a timetabling nightmare for Avon -Maitland principals this summer. "It's been just awful. There's no polite way to put it. We're still having a hard time making this work but we'll find a way," said Mitchell District High School principal Dave Hurley last week while still scrambling to find three teachers to hire for his school this September. Seaforth District High School is also still hiring three more teachers and asking students to come in to the school this week to resolve any timetabling conflicts, says principal Wayne Tessier. Tessier, who was originally slated to go to Bluewater Secondary School in Goderich, is filling in for Jim Moore, who was named earlier this year as the Seaforth District High School principal for this fall. Moore, who was principal in Seaforth two years ago, will remain at Bluewater, where he transferred last year. "It's (the timetabling has) been a bit rushed but it's coming together nicely," says Tessier during a phone NOTICE For the convenience of our clients SEAFORTH VETERINARY CLINIC will be open THURSDAY EVENINGS by appointment only Please call for appointments 519-527-1760 McMaster Siemon ♦' INSURANCE M BROKERS INC. BROKERS: Bill Siemon Vicki Siemon Anette McTaggart Ken Hutchison Paul wettlaufer Joanne Tyndall Ontario Rd. 348-9150 Mitchell 1-800-561-0183 Avoid Wet basements We now carry: SYSTEM PLATON FOUNDATION PROTECTOR •nay a basement that is: • Odour Free • Healthy • Dry 30 YEAR LEAKAGE WARRANTY «PARKER LM 1 T E [ice (519) 236-7390 R.R. 2 Zurich Ont. NOM 2T0 www.haXnst/--drakwws interview between teacher interviews. "We have seen quite a number of good candidates and will be meeting more tomorrow." While timetabling is usually completed by May with any conflicts resolved by early June, Hurley is asking high school students to drop into the school this week to resolve any conflicts they might still have in their timetables. "We've spent most of the day phoning homes asking students to come in. The guidance department will be here all week to help," he says Most of the timetable conflicts are fairly simple and only involve choosing between two courses being offered the same time but some involve three or four conflicts. The unusual circumstance that saw the education ministry increase high school class sizes across the province on July 16 from 21 to 22 students was an attempt to free up more teachers for extracurricular activities, says Avon -Maitland superintgndent Marjatta Longston. Disputes between the provincial government and teacher unions about teacher workload created a year without any extra -curricular activities in most schools across Ontario last year. Along with the increased class sizes, the ministry decreased teacher workload from 6.5 to 6.25 classes a year, allowing teachers of academic courses to teach only six classes each year, while teachers of special education, cooperative education, guidance and library courses teach eight classes a year. "It all hinged around teacher workload. The increased class size gives boards more flexibility to change workloads for the district without increasing the number of teachers we have to hire. It's good news for small boards like ours," she says. Longston says academic teachers should now be freed up to participate in extra- curricular activities, adding that because the board and Avon -Maitland teachers were able to reach an agreement in early August, all high schools should be up and running with timetables and extra- curricular activities by the beginning of the school year. "There are boards in the province that haven't reached an agreement yet so we're ahead of the game here by a couple of weeks. It's been a collective effort and it really speaks to the teachers' professionalism that we were able to reach an agreement so soon," she says. Tessier says Seaforth teachers will be invited to sign up for whatever extra- curricular activities they'd like to be involved with at the MAPLEWOOD MANOR Retirement Home 13 Church St., Seaforth At present we have Large Private, Private and Semi -Private accommodations available. Features include: • excellent dining and snacks • dietician approved menus • laundry • housekeeping • medication administered by our professional staff • transportation arranged for appointments • 24 hour friendly professional staff • beauty salon • barber services • daily activities • ORCA for more information contact Tracy Nash at 527-1440 Fax # 527-2977 Maplewood Manor "Your Invitation to Gracious Retirement Living" first staff meeting of the school year. "The staff is happy to have the opportunity again," he says. Longston also praises high school principals across the district for the extra work they've done this summer tackling the timetabling problems. "The principals are doing an amazing job. I'm really impressed by their diligence," she says. Longston says about half of the schools in the district are still hiring teachers but adds that the timetabling problem shouldn't cause too much difficulty for teachers trying to prepare their courses for the fall since most were told what subjects they would be teaching, even though specific timetables were not available. "Everyone should be ready to go Sept. 4. Let's hope there are no more ministry changes in the meantime," she says. Hurley says the increased class size will reduce the number of classes by nine in Mitchell. He adds he is, still looking for teachers to teach art, computers and business and says the rest of the teachers are eager to see their timetables. "It makes it tough to prepare. They want to know their classes," he says. THE HURON EXPOSITOR. August 20, 2001-7 giallo glint ..,was 10 Yaws Ago. The Second But Tone is Now! NURSERY STOCK 61. PERENNIALS CAN BE PLANTED NOV Loa 4 sekction and 5O% t an Selected Nursery Soak is spit in effect. P�. Fall Mums are atonable.• Field Tomatoes, Pick Your Own or Ready Picked by the pound or by the bushel and anywhere in between...Now Ready. � "r R.R.vl Bayfield, ON NOM IGO • . .4•""' !lois 482-3020 Oren Wed.•Mun. 9-6, anal Tresdoy Ea Ant Too Late To Classify C1into'aceway THE HEART OF HARNESS RACING GAMING CENTRE NOW HIRING • Bartender and Wait Staff Full and Part-time positions available. Applicants must be 19 years or older. Please forward your resume in confidence by Friday, Sept. 14, 2001 to: Lisa Telford Clinton Raceway Inc. P.O. Box 778 Clinton, Ontario, NOM 1L0 Fax: (519) 482-1679 No Phone Calls Please TENDER NOTICE to replace the SPACE HEATING/AIR HANDLING UNITS at the VANASTRA RECREATION CENTRE The Vanastra Recreation Centre Committee invites you to submit price quotes to supply and install the following equipment to replace and upgrade the present system. • Combination hot water and central air heating system with 200,000 B.T.U. output • 1 A.O. Smith water heater Model BT 251 YOON000000 with 84 U.S. gal. capacity with 251,000 BTUH Input and necessary plumbing to be twinned with the existing water heater • install ductwork to draw return air from change room hallway • T - existing ductwork together • Removal and disposal of the old furnaces • No fresh air make-up required for space heating system • Area must be left in same condition as found To set up a site meeting please contact the undersigned. All price quotes are to include the above noted equipment with manufacturers technical data, labour, taxes, and shipping. Lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted. Please send tenders to the following address or for further information please contact: Huron East Recreation Department c% Graham Nesbitt Director of Recreation and Facilities P.O. Box 939 Seaforth, Ontario NOK IWO Phone — 519-527-1272 Cell — 519-525-7668 Fax — 519-527-2770 All puce quotes can be faxed to Graham at the above number. Final Deadline for price quotes will be 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2001. We're closed Monday Sept. 2 for the Holiday Please note that all deadlines are at noon Friday August 31. We wish you a Safe & Happy Holiday! 1 •a 11 Main St. Seaforth 527-0240