Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-06-22, Page 5( )pinion I think the world could do with a little less intellectual elitism Prom Page 1 tumbles out. Neither Adams nor Trudeau would think much of me, I imagine. But it's more than a little ironic, I think, that Adams would write at least four Hitchhiker books with exploring the human condition as one of his aims. (That's a heck of a lot of words, intended for beings who happen to be humans, and are quite aware of what being human entails.) I don't want you to get the wrong idea here - Adams was an excellent writer, and Trudeau more than competent as a politician. But the world could do with a little less of their elitism. 1 write as a member of the Seinfeld generation, you realize, and it may very well be that in the years before I arrived everyone on the planet liked to sit around discussing Plato and Aristotle over wine and cheese. But somehow I don't think so. The success of that television show is proof enough: humans may be dumb, but one of our great needs - or at least one of our higher pleasures - is to sit around and talk, uncensored, about nothing in particular. Letter Alzheimer Society thanks Seaforth To the Editor, The Alzheirher Society of Huron County would like to sincerely thank the many dedicated volunteers and the generous support of the Seaforth residents during our 12th annual Tag Days held June 10 and 11. Seaforth volunteers collected an amazing $442.66. County -wide $6,864.81 was raised to help support local programs and to provide "Help for Today and Hope for Tomorrow" for those affected by Alzheimer Disease or related dementia. Thanks for your support, Cathy Ritsema, executive director Alzheimer Society of Huron County News Jean Buchanan, of Seaforth, is 100 While she turned 100 on the weekend, Jean Buchanan, of Seaforth, is still living in her own home and makes frequent trips to the post office, grocery store and bank. "I'm lucky," is her response when people comment on her longevity. Born in Grey Township on June 18, 1905, Buchanan attended the University of Western Ontario and earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1926. S h e taught high school for close to 10 years near Ottawa and i n Kincardine a n d married Donald Buchanan when she was 30, moving back to Grey Jean Buchanan Township where the two farmed for 30 years. They had three daughters Clara Day, of Ottawa, Catherine McCowan, of Guelph and Mary Helen McLachlan, of Kippen. The two retired to Goderich in the 1960s and Donald died in 1986. Buchanan moved to Seaforth in 1988 where she has enjoyed gardening, quilting and reading about history. At a birthday party at Egmondville United Church on Sunday, family and friends gathered for lunch and an afternoon of visiting and reminiscing. She has eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Undifferentiated Seaforth students being bussed to Hensall or Mitchell By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Next year, the parents of students who are currently enrolled in the self-contained undifferentiated class will have to make a decision - integrate their child into a regular classroom at Seaforth Public School or send them to undifferentiated classes in Hensall or Mitchell. For the past two years, Superintendent Marie Parsons, of the Avon Maitland District School Board, has been monitoring the undifferentiated program at Seaforth Public School because of its low enrollment numbers. "When enrollment drops we usually watch for a couple years to see if it's only a blip or are we going to have more applications come forward," said Parsons, adding that they were expecting only five or six students to enroll in the program next year. Parsons explained that the She explained that students who do not wish to be bussed to another school can be integrated into a class at Seaforth Public School. According to Parsons, the goal of the undifferentiated class is for the students to be able to be integrated into a regular class room. She said a couple of parents have already told her that they are planning to reintroduce their child into a regular classroom. Seaforth Public School principal Kim Black said that she has heard some concerns Quoted `I always like having our kids close to home if we could ,'- SPS Principal Kim Black undifferentiated class leaving does not affect the Seaforth school because it is a board -run classroom. In the AMDSB there are two types of classes for students with special needs - one for students who arc developmentally delayed and another for students who are undifferentiated. Parsons said that students in the undifferentiated program are students with various types of learning disabilities or are a mildly intellectual which means that they are a slower learner. from parents regarding the relocation of the class, but said she forwarded those parents onto the board. Black said that she understands why the class was taken out of her school because the board has to be efficient. "We do have to look at a more global response as a board to be efficient, but yes I am going to miss my babies from my school," Black said. "I always like having our kids close to home if we could," Black said, adding that the children will still be pretty close to home. In the area around Seaforth, there are three undifferentiated classes at both Upper Thames Elementary School in Mitchell and Hensall Public School in Hensall, while Clinton Public School has one classroom. "This location (Seaforth) would never have been chosen in the new amalgamated board because it's too close to the other schools," said Parsons. "So it's no wonder our numbers are dropping off. We've got overkill in this area." Avon Maitland community forums will promote positive citizenship in students By Stew Slater Special to the Expositor Three community forums will be held in Mitchell next fall, as part of the Avon Maitland District School Board's attempt to follow through on its goal '"to promote the development of positive citizenship qualities in our students." At a regular meeting Tuesday. June 14. hoard chair Meg Westley said she has often questioned senior administration "about what we're going to do about this 'citizenship' goal." But, after members of the board's Citizenship Working Group informed trustees about th4 strategy it has created, the Stratford trustee expressed satisfaction the goal is being pursued. The working group was represented at the meeting by vice principals Carol Rauser, from Arthur Meighen Public School in St. Marys, and Jerry Selk. from F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. Senior administrators Janet Baird -Jackson and Barry Wagner also serve on the 19 -member group, as do trustees Shelley Kaastra and Doug Pratley. Rauser said the promotion of good citizenship is achieved through "character education," with such instruction coming both within the established academic curriculum and through the overall "culture" of the school and wider community. "There are a lot of good things that already happen that promote positive character attributes," the Arthur Meighen vice principal said. "We're not looking to replace those things. But we feel there are more ways to achieve the goal." Through input gathered at the forums -- on Sept. 29. Oct. 20 and Nov. 24 at the Mitchell arena — the working group hopes to establish a "list of character attributes" which the wider community expects to see in its students. About 700 people from a range of community sectors will be approached to attend, with the aim of securing an eventual attendance of about 250 for the three events. Different speakers and topics will he presented at each meeting, so the plan is to have the same 250 people attend all three meetings. Also next year, the working group hopes to gather "baseline data" about such things as behaviour - related suspensions, truancy and academic achievement. In the years following the implementation of the citizenship program, such data will continually be collected and, ideally, provide insight into the effectiveness of the working group's efforts,. The following year — 2006-07 — implementation of the citizenship program will take place, with teachers hearing from special speakers during their professional development sessions. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 22. 2005-5 LAWN QUESTIONS? Organic Programsilia) Available AfCR}UI 1 It 1) Iroect7vcia, 524-2424 -Trust the Professionals - r y 1 JULY 29-31. 2005 www.townofseaforth.ca s St. Thomas Anglican Church, Seaforth 150th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration unday, luxe 26 at 11 am We welcome The Rt. Rev. Bruce Howe, Bishop of Huron Diocese, as our Guest Celebrant & Preacher. Worship service will be followed by a time of refreshment and fellowship. - Everyone Welcome ori '4,10 SEAFORTH INSURANCE Ai• BROKER LTD. 527-1610 ir • Home • Commercial •Auto • Farm • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Main St. S. Seaford' Ken Cardno, Joanne Williamson, Christa 0 Nell and Barb Watt 1j(1I1j i111il1 OIODI'(' Partners Paint Paper il. qtr hire Decorating or Renovating? We provide in-home consultation by a certified professional at No Cost or Obligation!* CaII today to set up your appointment. 19 Main Street, Seaforth (519)527-1880 or 1-866-707-7670 *Addresses within 1/2 hour of our store! "I would like to thank all the staff, residents, families and volunteers who participated in our successful "Open Doors" celebration. We have been delivering quality services to our residents for over fifteen years, and will continue to serve the community of Seaforth for years to come. Ed Ozimek, President Seaforth Manor Sertmg the community of Seaforth for Over 15 years. c�9c/% awe 100 James St. Sea orth 527-0030 Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church Co19egaton d ne Pare d The Hoh Sora Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Pansh Office 527-1522 Sunday, June 26'" Worship at 11 a.m. 150 ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING Celebrant A Preacher The RI Rev Bruce Howe Bishop of Huron Service followed by potluck luncheon EVERYONE WELCOME Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Sunday School 9:45 a.m. NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W Sun., June 28, 2005 Sunday School AduN & Youth 9.30 a m Junior 11.00 a.m Worship 11:00 a m Sermon: -With Eyes Wide Open' Rev. John Gould Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church FINAL MASS Sunday, June 26 - Mass 1 p.m Father Lance Magdziak Egmondville United Church Sunday, June 26 11 a.m. Worship Steve Hildebrand • Lay Pastoral Minister in Training No Sunday School until September EVERYONE WELCOME First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, June 26 Service at 11:15 al.m.