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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-09-22, Page 6e -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, fiat. 22, 2004 News SPS girls star in commercial promoting bus safety Shauna Gagnier and Emily Beuermann, both 7, ask TV viewers to `please stop for my school bus' By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff "Please stop for my school bus," is a new slogan being featured in a public service announcement which reminds drivers about the importance of being aware of buses and their passengers. Seaforth Public School students and seven-year-old friends, Shauna Gagnier, of RR 4 Walton, and Emily Beuennann, of RR 1 Dublin, both star in the commercial and are being recognized by their fans. Both Beuermann and Gagnier have been recognized by some people from Seaforth Public School and their parents` friends have even asked them for their autographs. Although both girls said they liked being in the commercial, Gagnier said that she's glad that she can help promote bus safety. The commercial, "gives lots of safety (messages) and saves people's lives." During the filming of the commercial, which happened one day in April, the girls had to walk up and down the steps of the bus 30 to 40 times. "lt was kind of getting a bit tiring because my leg started hurting after. I only have to do it four times a day, but not 30 times," said Gagnier. Each of the three public service announcements feature children on a bus each time featuring a 'different main character. Two of the commercials feature bus drivers played by Steve Howe manager of communications for the Avon Maitland District School Board and a female bus driver talking about what kind of obstacles they have to deal with on the road. The other commercial features the sounds of children on a bus and has an ending similar to the other commercials where Gagnier walks off the bus, tries to cross the road and almost gets hit by a car. During filming, Gagnier was never placed in danger but Howe said they tried to make it realistic by pushing a parked car toward her and having her use her scared face. "These two ladies did an excellent job. We're certainly very pleased that we could have a Couple of Seaforth Public School students be part of it," said Howe. He hopes that these commercials help drivers realize there's a lot to pay attention to while driving. Shauna Gagnier is shown in a scene from a recent television commercial being showm locally to promote bus safety. "Don't be •a distracted driver, especially at those hours of the morning and after school when the buses are on the roads," Howe said. "If you're not paying attention, situations like we try and portray could actually come true." "We didn't want a message with a police officer saying 'If you pass a school bus when its lights are flashing and stop arm extended you'll get a ticket,— said Howe. "We wanted to create a visual message so we came up with the idea of the kids on the school bus and getting off the bus." Partnered with seven other Southwestern and Midwestern Ontario school boards, three local television stations and the Ministry of Transportation, the commercial tried to make people realize the importance of paying attention to buses. - The commercials are being shown on three local television stations and Howe said that Gagnier and Beuermann represent 250,0(X) students in Southwestern and Midwestern Ontario. "It's a significant role to play," said Howe.• In the winter and spring, Howe hopes to produce some more commercials to help drivers with seasonal messages like braking earlier for the school bus in the snow and slowing down in the spring. "The TV people have been very impressed in how this came together. They have committed to make this an on going event," said Howe. Catholic board to make test results more available By Stew w Slater Special to The Expositor School -by -school results from provincially - standardized tests will now be made more readily available by the Huron - Perth Catholic District School Board. Meanwhile, the system's principals are being asked to implement more stringent guidelines outlining each school's potential response to emergencies. These were among the most significant changes approved by trustees on Monday, Aug. 30, following administrative staff's full- scale review of the board's policy manual. According to director of education Larry Langan, the review was undertaken to ensure no outdated or unworkable policies remain in force; that different policies don't overlap or contradict each other; and that the language in the policies is clear and unambiguous. Most of the 17 recommended changes, which were approved unanimously by the board, were minor. Examples include altering the phrase "Statement of Direction" to "Guiding Principles" to reflect a change made when the hoard revamped it Strategic Plan last year, and allowing for the use of new forms for the screening for criminal records among NEWS RELEASE On Tuesday, September 14, Huron County Cquncil agreed to support Zurich's Blue Water Rest Home with redevelopment of their Long Term Care (LTC) beds by acting as guarantor for the mortgage that the Home for the Aged would have to undertake to meet its project requirements. Blue Water is a charitable, non-profit, community -operated Long Term Care facility that opened- in Wilt Its 41114“ operation was designated by the Ministry of Health and Long Thrm Care in 2000 u a split 'D" and "C" facility, one of a very small number of Homes in Ontario to receive such a designation. Under Ministry guidelines the Home is required to redevelop the 'D" beds in order to meet current standards for LTC facilities. However, since only 34 of the beds were designated "D", the Ministry funding available for the Home was inadequate for the scale of the project. Although Blue Water has never operated with a defdt, the Board and Administration was challenged to produce a firumeially viable capital plan. Much of the existing amenity and service space dates back to the original building, and the Home is challenged with redeveloping much of its infrastructure with little equity and inadequate capital funding. Blue Water presented a number of redevelopment scenarios to Huron County Council. They agreed that Blue Water's continued presence in Zurich is fundamental to maintain the necessary number of LTC beds for Huron, and for the Home to continue to be a strong employment and economic force in the southern part of the County. As well, the County, through downloading of social housing responsibilities, also oversees the operation of 34 seniors apartments that September 17, 2004 are part of the Blue Water corporation, and already carries a contingent responsibility for those units. There are still a number of approvals to come from the Province before Blue Water can proceed to redevelop, and the County's support for the Home is conditional on those approvals being received along with other conditions being met. For example, Blue Water is asking that the provincial capital funding that would normally flow after project completion be provided up front to provide necessary equity for lenders. Blue Water is also requesting access to a mortgage at the lowest possible interest rate. Huron County Warden, Bill Dowson, said: "1'he County's support for the Home hinges on a number of conditions being met to our satisfaction, and the County acknowledges that there are numerous hurdles yet to come for Blue Water before the province will allow the project to go ahead. However, we're confident that they can successfully meet the challenges, and Queen's Park will view our support as an important contribution. Ws important that all residents of Huron have equal access to quality Long Term Care across the large area we have to cover." Blue Water Rest Home Board Chair, Brian McHugh, said: "One of the conditions that we will be fulfilling quickly is to ask our membership to approve the addition of two County representatives to our Board. We welcome their experience and wisdom as we proceed with the next steps in this large and complex undertaking, and we are extremely grateful to County Council and the County Administrative staff fore all their support," For further informades as tide raw" pion sentaets Bill Dowson, Wardee, The' CCMosty dHate* 1 Court Howe Ilipere, Qoderich, ON N7A 1M2 Tel: (619) 594-8494 Martha Craig, Administrator, Bhie Water Reel House, HR/3 Zurich, ON NOM 2TO Tri: (519) 236-4373 potential employees and volunteers. Langan, however, drew particular attention to Policy 3B:3, which has been used for several years to justify the board's somewhat unique practice of withholding school -by - school data about performance in standardized tests administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). "I can understand why the board has been reluctant to release school -by -school results. There was obviously a concern that the information would he used in the wrong way, or a way that might have negative effects." Langan said. The problem is, according to Langan's report to trustees. "school data is public information and cannot be withheld." The director described the hoard's past practice as "a kind of a game" played with 6 NOW OPEN JIIACDOivALD 527.0967 Dripless Oil Undercoating Available Call now for appointments. Mon. 8-5 Tues. 8-5 Full Automotive Wed. 8-5 Mechanical Repairs Thurs 8-9 Fri. 8-5 50 Railway St. Seaforth, ON NOK 1 WO representatives of the media, some of whom would request school -by -school information. He noted most interested media outlets eventually found the pertinent information on the board's wehte, ' but ministry guidelines state the school - by -school results must be. released under the same timetable as hoard -wide results, and that procedure will now he implemented by the Huron -Perth system. The Seaforth Medical Clinic would like to announce that the WALK-IN CLINIC on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd HAS BEEN CANCELLED Regular Clinics Resume Next Week 5th Annual 2004 Seaforth Calf Club Show and Sale Results Congratulations to all of our participants and a special thanks to all of the businesses for their overwhelming support. Despite the fluctuating market prices our supporters have never been more supportive, overlooking the current BSE: situation and to make a show -person's day through the sponsorship of a Class and or the purchase of a Calf at our 5th Annual Show and Sale on Saturday, September the I I th. A special thanks to all whom participated. Placing Show Person Calf Bayer Grand Champion Jr. Market Steer Adam Bracckcr Top Meadow Farms Reserve Champion 1r. Market Steer Fraiscr Falkncr Parrish & Heimheckcr 3rd Mike McClure Corsctti Meats 4th Craig Nigh Kissncr Group/Forrestcrs 5th Brian Haney Dashwood Meats 6th Rachel Haney Brussels Livestock 7th David Haney Rosseler Trucking 8th Adam Ilancy Metzger Meats Grand Champion Sr. Market Steer Les Falkncr McGavin Farm Equipment Reserve Champion Sr. Market Steer John Bracckcr Alpenwiss Farms 3rd John Bennett Norwich Packers 4th Brent Rihcy Metzger Meats 5th Glen Haney Norval Meats 6th Lisa Bennett !lolly Park 7th Ross Rihcy Beuennann Electric A Special Thanks to: Our Guest Auctioneer: Hugh Filson Our Judge: Dr. David Hawkins Our Weigh -In Facilities: Hensall Cattle Co. Grand Champion Finish: Milton J. Dietz Ltd. Class Sponsor: Purina Agra -Brands Grand Champion Showman: Thompson Feed & Supply, Ripley Class Sponsor Reserve Champion Showman: Whitney-Rihcy Funeral Home Class Sponsor Top Gain Sponsor: Thompson Feed & Supply. Ripley Reserve Top Gain Sponsor: Whitney Ribey Funeral Home Trucking by: McCarthy Transport Veterinary Services by: Maitland Mobile Veterinary Services, Gcert Jongcrt Calves averaged a sdlling weight of 1311 lbs. and sold for an average price of $1.20. Thanks Again, The Seaforth Calf Club