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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-06-22, Page 22 - THE HURON EXPOSITOR, June 22, 2005 FatherI's Day Draw WNNER Congratulations Ross Chisholm Thanks to all of our customers for entering! See us for a great selection of shirts, shorts & more in all of the latest styles. Drop in today! When Accldents happen... Call Mark at COLLISION REPAIR • GLASS INSTALLATION INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME • RENTAL CARS AVAILABLE We use quality performance coatings 120 Harpurhey Rd., Seaforth 522-2222 G'uuut Opeuistg pot vt14 Satavday June 25tk 10auc - 2p1K Drop into Clinton's first Grooming Salon. Bring your social dog along for a visit and learn what we can do for your favourite pooch. Balloons for the kids, Door Prizes and treats for your dog. Plus receive a 15% discount on appointments booked during the Grand Opening Opex N(eit-hi, 8 mg - 5 pot appeistmat6 auaitabte 11 Atbmtt St., Ctiutex (Next Is Jesuit. Pilafs Ige) Mat 'Blake, Plitimaismat Guam. 482-3817 Brain cancer survivor working hard to raise money for cure From Page 1 seeing her own name or those of others she'd known, was a tremendous experience for Tracy. "It's magical, it's breathtaking and it's absolutely amazing," she says. Tracy's bout with cancer came suddenly and unexpectedly in 2002, beginning with headaches and resulting in a biopsy and a period of radiation treatment that lasted about a month. She is now cancer -free. Tracy says she has a "very supportive husband," Brett, who along with the love, support and help of the community, aided in getting her through the ordeal. "That's why people are so generous (when I go out to get pledges)," she says "They know what I went through and how young I was." In addition to her fundraising, Lee seeks to help cancer patients simply by lending a few encouraging words. Every three to six months or so she goes in for checkups and at one such appointment met an elderly gentleman who seemed to need to talk about his illness. "I could just tell something was wrong with him; and I just had to talk to him and let him know it's okay, you just need to realize what you have and that you can get past this," she says. She and a friend have also designed a yellow ribbon which can be attached to cars, and Lee plans to sell them to raise funds for the Cancer Society. The relay itself, of course, remains a worthwhile venture in her mind, and she plans to take part in it as long as she lives. "I would advise everyone, if they're able to, either to put in a team or actually support the people that are out there with their generous donations," she says. Tracy is appreciative of her team and supporters. "We had a great year, and we hope to have many more," she says. Quoted `That's my goal each year, just to get as many pledges as I can and just help find a cure ,'— Tracy Lee, of Egmondville Local history fascinates visitors to Doors Open event in Brussels From Page 1 climb inside those pictures and look around," she says. "And, I heard a lot from the locals, explaining all the pictures to me." Laviolette says local people were fascinated by the history of their area and remarked, "we never knew this stuff," when learning about the architecture and past of their village. Laviolette says researchers have "checked every piece of paper at the Brussels library" when creating' the brochure for Doors Open. "Everything's been well researched and we're hoping the brochure becomes a good story of the heritage of Huron East," he says. Sunday's event helped Laviolette see that more volunteers will be needed in July and August. "We're hoping some Seaforth folks ventured up to Brussels to find out how little time and trouble it takes," he Susan Hundertmark photo Ally Anderson, of CKNX, consults with Lois Lee, of Brussels about the historic buildings featured in Brussels during Doors Open on Sunday. says. He says the Doors Open event could be held every two years to promote the area. "There's no reason why we shouldn't be celebrating our Main Streets.Very few small towns have streetscapes like Seaforth and Brussels and this program makes people aware we exist," he says. Math stumps parents: school survey By Stew Slater Special to the Expositor Parents need help if they hope to help their elementary school -aged PAINT SALE • Celebrate Canada Day with a colourful new look for your home! Choose from our top-of-the-line Vitra', affordable 'Premium' or finest 'Ceiling' paints. But hurry, Pares 'Oh Canada!' Paint Sale ends soon. PER 3.78 LITRE CAN SIN dealer for details Ercelent performonce Our Onto interior and evertor point PARA p2ra.com Our Pat ooryk tang tiolW 1. O 1 1 I r ( A r i A I) I A IN I r, . On Bluewater Interiors Inc. Juneale 27. 53 Main St. S., Seaforth 527-1728 July 9 children succeed in math, according to an online survey conducted recently by the Avon Maitland District School Board. "We'll be looking at doing some support groups with parents ... and doing some work with principals in getting some help for parents in math," said education director Geoff Williams, during a presentation of survey results on Tuesday, June 14. The recommendation is based on findings from 811 parent surveys submitted electronically between May 2-13. According to Williams' report to trustees, "while few (elementary school) parents reported difficulties helping their children with reading or writing, 23 per cent have difficulty with mathematics." He said this is one of three main areas of concern which could be addressed through parent forums — along with strategies for providing more input for school-based decisions and school fundraising issues. The education director was encouraged, however, by other findings in the survey's "Teaching and Learning" section. Contrary to the impression he says - is sometimes portrayed in the popular media, a relatively small percentage — 20 per cent — of parents "feel overwhelmed by the amount of homework their child brings home." And 91 per cent "reported being satisfied with the overall quality of education their child was receiving." "That's a high percentage and expresses a high level of confidence in our board," Williams commented. An even higher percentage of parents — 94 per cent — "report their child feels safe at school. B u t Williams was quick to add that's no reason to ease up entirely on safety concerns. "You can't ignore that there are s o m e students who don't feel safe on the playground." Results from another area which receives considerable media attention were surprising. Just 54 per cent of parents "indicated they knew how well the students in their child's school did on the provincial (standardized) assessments." "I found that low, particularly given the publicity that those results get," Williams said. For trustees Tina Traschel and Doug Pratley, however, it was results from the "Board Information" section which raised concern. The Perth East and Stratford representatives questioned Williams about the finding that just 69 per cent of respondents "believe the board uses its money wisely." During his presentation to trustees, Williams spent little time on this section, saying only that the result is in line with "widely -held results in similar surveys in other locations." Pressed by the trustees, he said the public tends to place a higher level of confidence in institutions which they perceive to be close at hand, such as the local school. A much lower level of confidence is placed on something they perceive to be far - removed from them, such as the provincial government. The school board, he suggested, lies somewhere in between and shouldn't expect to achieve an exceptionally high rating. He added, however, that "I don't want to sweep (the 69 per cent approval rating) under the rug." Following the meeting, Williams told reporters, "we may not be giving out enough information about how the money is spent." He added there may be particular areas on which the public doesn't want education grants used, and parent forums may provide a way for the board to determine what those areas are. Response rates to the survey varied considerably from school to school — from as few as five to as many as 49. The survey was initiated at just 12 sites last year as a pilot project, then expanded this year to include the entire board. Results from a similar survey of secondary school parents will be made available at the board's next meeting, June 28. 'We' ll be looking at doing sortie support groups...in getting some help for parents in math,'— Education director Geoff Williams