Huron Expositor, 2009-09-09, Page 7The Huron Expositor • September 9, 2009 Page
News
Kindergarten program has decreased in scope
Stew Slater
A once all-encompassing provin-
cial government goal to initiate
all -day, every -day programming for
Kindergarten -aged children has,
since its announcement over a year
ago, decreased in scope.
But, there is still a level of enthu-
siasm about the project at the Min-
istry of. Education, and efforts are
continuing to bring that enthusiasm
to the local level.
At the first 2009-10 regular meet-
ing of the Huron -Perth Catholic
District School Board, Monday, Aug.
24 in Dublin, literacy coordinator
Dawne Boersen explained recent
developments to trustees.
She, along with education super-
intendent Joanne MacGregor, at-
tended a workshop in London on
Aug. 19 featuring University of To-
ronto professor and former deputy
minister Dr. Charles Pascale, who
was commissioned by the govern-
ment to research and write a report
about the full-day plan.
"This whole project around early
learning has got to be one of the
most exciting things that's hap-
pening in education now," Boersen
said.
On the surface, the implementa-
tion of Pascale's vision looks like
it could lead to what Boersen de-
scribed as"a lot of activity ... I do
get the sense that the pace of this is
going to be very quick over the next
year."
That vision, she explained, in-
cludes more than simply creating
programming (and classroom space)
for twice as much instructional and
"focused play" time for Junior and
" Senior Kindergarten students.
It also includes a heightened fo-
cus on learning between the ages of
6-8, and the provision of before and
Horseback Riding
at
itr
Grace
FARMS
FALL SESSION STARTS
SEPTEMBER 14th
Facility includes:
Indoor riding arena,
Safe quiet horses,
Certified coach.
For More information
call Jeanette Meyer
at 233-3165. or website
www.gracefarms.ca
after-school programming for kids
aged 9-12.
MacGregor says Pascale's report,
entitled "With our Best Future in
Mind," "covers all the important
building blocks necessary to achieve
a whole new family and children
service sector in Ontario."•
A major key to the report is creat-
ing an infrastructure for communi-
cation between the different profes-
sionals involved with a child's early
development, and ensuring children
in the early . age groups have ac-
cess to various services within the
same facility — preferably within a
school
Early versions of the initiative
hinted at a start date of September,
2010. It has become clear, however,
that if that date remains intact it
will only take effect in a small pro-
portion of Ontario's schools.
According to ° Huron -Perth educa-
tion director Martha Dutrizac, the
Education Ministry investment that
was initially suggested was in the
billions of dollars, but now school
board administrators are hearing
hints of a much more conservative
$300 million.
"That tells you right away that
(ministry officials) are going to be
pretty limited in the number of
schools that they will be in for the
initial implementation," Dutrizac
told trustees.
Still, the possibility exists that
school boards in Huron and Perth
Counties will be among what
MacGregor referred to as the "Phase
1" schools: those. expected to imple-
ment the program in the first year.
If so, the Kindergarten -aged kids
will be affected in the first year, fol-
lowed by possible expansion into
'after-school
programming
in successive
years.
Indications are
that after-school
programming
would be pro-
vided on a cost-
recovery basis
by the school
board, and will
only be initiated
if a minimum of
15 families in a
community com-
mit to paying for
it. The program-
ming will not be
mandatory.
Boerson is con-
fident that, as
details gradu-
ally roll out, the
ministry will ad-
dress concerns
that are specific
to rural areas,
such as the ex-
tra transporta-
Plan to attend EquinE�
REACH's A►gr<.E�clt,xr
NTRI. ()F UURq)41
GRAND OPENING
Saturday, September 12, 2009
169 Beech Street, just north of Clinton Raceway
Ribbon cutting ceremony:.9:30 a.m. at the tower
With thanks our exhibitors:
Agribrands Purina • Arabian Horse • Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Authority • Bartliff's Bakery • Brussels AgriServices
Ltd • Buckeye Feeds & Gill Feed Depot • Canadian Bio Cube •
• CanAm E.qume .Marketing • Canadian. Pony Club, Western Ontario
Region • Central Canada Paso Fino Horse Association • CKNX
Radio • Clinton Raceway • Coldwell-Banker • CowboyLoft -
Drive Ontario • iMania!! • Equine Choice • Equi py •
Euro Equestrian •itheringham Farms • Friends of Hullett • Glen
Meadows Equestrian • Hand on Horses • Healthy Happy Horse •
Home on the Ran • Horsejobs.ca • Huron County -Health Unit
• Huron County Milk Producers • Huron County Pork Producers
• Huron Jr. Farmers • Huron Tourism • Huron Tractor • ITS!
Equine • KenpaVDryStart • King -Lyn Stables • Lasting Memories
• Lindsay trice •Lony rn Leather • MacGougan Manor & B
• Maple the Cow •. Masst.B
terfeeds • McMaster Equine Massage •
Melespro CNC • MJProsser Photography • National Barrel Horse
Association • OMAFRA • ON Farrier's Association • ON Friesian
Horse Association • ON High School Rodeo • ON Percheron Horse
Association • ON Pet & Equine Cremation • ON Reining Horse
Association .ON Trail Riders Association • Ontario Lottery &
Gaming • Ontario Pork Producers • Ontario Sires Stakes Program
• Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph • SARI Therapeutic
•
Ridin Stonecreek Friesians • System Fencing • The Rural Horse.
corn • The Sign Guys • Upper Canada District Canadian Horse • Via
Trailers • Wilson's Tack & Saddle Repair
Activities are scheduled throughout the day.
Programs are available at www.reachhuron.ca
tion needed if some kids stay after
school.
"The spirit of this is not to make
things more difficult for parents,"
she said. "I'm encouraged because
the whole process has been very
open to input from across the prov-
ince."
2009 FALL SCHEDULE
�
H
TE
;COUNTY CLUB
Squash and Fitness Centre
1
1
1 1. FITNESS - WORKOUT GYM
1
1
1
2,SQUikH
A great racquet sport, proven to be immediately rewarding for
I beginners right to experts. Fabulously fun, and the best cardio -
1 fitness fix time can allow. Clears the mind, refreshes and
1 rejuvenates the body. Start to play squash today! Introductory
1 squash instruction available.
1 • Junior Squash beginning in October
1
3. STEP AND SCULPT AEROBICS
All the requirements for Cardio and Resistance Training are
available for a complete effective Workout. Individual Personal
Programming is available upon request.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
i4.Y0GA
Highly recommended exercise program -safe and exciting for
beginners yet challenging enough for pros. Invigorating warm-up,
strong cardio -step segment, body sculpting weight resistance,
targeting all the major muscle groups. And, a superb stretch
finish.
Monday -Wednesday -12 noon
Tuesday- Thursday - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday -Friday - `Early Bird' - 630 a.m.
1 The ancient practise of Yoga moves through a series of physical
1 postures, stretches and breathing techniques to create harmony
and balance for individual health and well being.
Monday 5:30 p.m. - Traditional Yoga
� 5. NIA
1
1
i
i
i
i
1
i
1
154 BEECH STREET, CLINTON
"Nia is movement - medicine for the body and soul." Dynamic
Ease. Preacticed barefoot to music. Adaptable and safe for any
fitness level.
Call Ruth Percy, 519-5242252.
Beginning the week of September 14th
For information Call
519-482-7064/519.482-9791
trNIS --- NMI NEI --- .----i,s•i, NMI ---III