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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-05-05, Page 68 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 5, 2004 c.1111efunie. presents a very special Spring Open House ¥ay 8-8only ShowtoOtrt open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 4176 Line 135 Sebringville Just inline for Mother's Day. Values front 50-8O% off 'The most beautiful silk flower arrangements you've ever b4:e11 at unbelievable prices. An extensive selection is available. for indoor and outdoor use, weddings and cemetery tributes. The showroom also features no maintenance plants for your home or office and unique home decor aocents. Don't miss this Incredible sale. Melanie B Floral Design located in Sebringville just north of OPP Station 519-393-5690 2 0 0 4 SPRANG LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE Spring is the time when lawns turn green, flowers bloom and beautiful landscapes begin to take shape.` In the May 12 edition of the Huron Expositor you'll find tips & ideas for your outdoor oasis as well as advertising from local suppliers. Landscapers to Lawnmowers and Flowers to Fertilizer Lind the people who can make your yard shine. 16 advertise .on the Lawn & Garden pages contact Bernie or Tom at 527-0240. The Deadline is Friday, May 7 at 4pm Susan Hundertmark photos Treasure Island Above left, Jim Hawkins (Alex Cardno) is manhandled by pirates Alan (Ben Shepherd) and O'Brien (Kelly Coleman) while above right, Long John Silver (Keiryn Jacobs) schemes to steal the treasure map. At right, Pigaloo chief (Justin Kruse) is translated by Ben Gunn (Tylor Marion) while Abraham (Caleb Ringgenberg) looks on during Seaforth Public School's performance of the operetta Treasure Island. Provincial plan to reduce class size will be expensive, says school board By Stew Slater Special to The Expositor Any directive from the provincial government to reduce average class size from 23 to 20 students, between Kindergarten to Grade 3. "will he very expensive," says Avon Maitland District School Board director of education Geoff Williams. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, under questioning from the opposition last week, expressed renewed commitment to the proposed change, which first surfaced as a Liberal Party promise during last fall's election campaign. Following a regular meeting of the Avon Maitland hoard Tuesday. April 27. Williams said he has heard indications the McGuinty government will require school hoards to implement the change for September. 2004. "It's great as long as they give us the money to do it," the We have it all for Great Casua ■ Garden Areas • 0001.5 • Outdoors • Sunrooins P.V.C. TUBULAR RESIN FURNITUR -the ultimate in Elegant Outdoor Living • hit II II Iili 'r ti 4701100. Ekt OP Aluminum Sling Inc. ACTvesits.D47110U70A8 uqd/1.,kiders U,,,.,-r,,b tm,.r Bar & Counter STOOLS also Hammocks, Benches, Shade Houses & a cessories GRAND BEND 238-2110 Hwy 83 E. (2 miles from the water plant) • 35,000 SQ FT. • SO SETS ON DISPLAY www • ' ual.ca WE ALSO MANUFACTURE UMBRELLAS, REPLACEMENT CUSHIONS & FURNITURE COVERS LET TE -EM FARM HELP CREATE YOUR -herg r ek Come and visit the area's largest selection of plants in one acre greenhouse space! Plants from Te -Em Farm have been beautifying Huron County since 1981. 1000s of multistem geraniums, all In one greenhouse...a sight to behold. Potted containers in all shapes and sizes. 1000s of hanging baskets In all colours,and combinations. Perennials and Nursery Stock. All Mother's Shopping at Te -Em Farm on Saturday and Sunday will receive a FREE 3.5" WAVE PETUNIA PLANT and will have the opportunity to Win a Large Shrub Tub. Teat Fenn 3 2(ere erjue/flees & Parik 6initt/l ?lomat t j 7 en Termly 76in4foes 77688 Orchard Line, R.R.#1 Bayfeid, ON NOM 160 482-3020 OPEN,,,MOnday - Friday 8.8, Saturday & Sunday 8 - 6 director of education said, adding a "quick study" conducted by Avon Maitland officials during last fall's provincial campaign revealed such a change would require the utilization of 40 additional classrooms, compared to the number currently in use. Williams said that would include the addition of several portable classrooms. Phil McCotter, the board's facilities administrator, said that, "in some (schools), it wouldn't make much difference facility -wise." For example, he explained, a school may have three Kindergarten classes, which occupy a room only half of the time. That means one classroom probably sits empty for half the time, and a change to four Kindergarten classes would silnply fill that classroom full-time. However, McCotter noted, "there will be schools where .. obviously, we're going to need more classrooms." Provincial technical funding not enough to put tech programs back in classrooms By Stew Slater Special to The Expositor Almost 5113.000 in provincial government funding, announced a year ago to enhance existing support for the Avon Maitland District School Board's technical education programs, has been what education superintendent Marjatta Longston describes as "consumed by the consumables." And though Longston admits thc government might not he happy to find out the money was spent for such things as replacing saw blades and refilling welding tanks -- instead of creating new technical programs or turning existing classrooms school boards in developing partnerships with employers, and provide teachers with focussed training," states a report, provided by Longston to trustees. However, Longston said, much of the money was taken up by efforts to replace, fix, or maintain existing equipment. "What it speaks to is the lack of stable funding for technical programs," she Qu oted 'What it speaks to is the lack of stable funding for technical programs,' -- Education superintendent Marjatta LongstOA into specialized technical learning spaces - she says that's just an indication of how financially stretched thc hoard's technical programs arc. Speaking to trustees at a regular meeting Tuesday, April 27, Longston outlined what happened to the board's share of the 2003 instalment of the government's $90 million, four-year Technical Education Renewal Initiative (TERI) funding. "I think, at the time, we all got excited about the $90 million hut, in reality, this was just the first year, and we are just one school board in Ontario," the superintendent said. Under TERI, $112,788 was divided among the board's nine secondary schools, based on the number of technical credits being taken in each school. That translated into as much as $18,114 for Stratford Northwestern Secondary School, and as little as $7,615 for Stratford Central Secondary School. "The intent of the initiative is to refurbish and update equipment, support said, in an interview following the meeting. In response to Longston's report, North Huron trustee Colleen Schenk proposed sending a letter to the government, requesting a commitment to continue the TERI program and also extend its support for technical education. "We need a lot of money to get technical programs hack into the classrooms," said Schenk, who received support for the letter. Longston wasn't entirely negative about the TERI program. In the Avon Maitland hoard, she explained, it has spurred the creation of a technical education steering committee, which met a couple of times earlier this year to facilitate the creation of five-year plans for each secondary school's technical programs. This has assisted in getting each school community thinking about what types of courses are best suited for each facility, and what improvements could be made. "With the five-year plans, maybe a school will look at what potential partnerships there are with businesses in the community, and what types of courses those partners might benefit from," Longston explained. "It's something we're going to have to grapple with very carefully over the next little while," added director of education Geoff Williams.