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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-06-15, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, June 15, 1983 1 SNDHS staff and studonts honor departing principal While recip eical words of to and from the guest of ho edr for SHDH* principal Joe everyone involved would appreciation were expressed at F'riday's banquet staged Wooden, it became cleat that have preferred to not have to LL• WOODEN HONORED SHDHS principal Joe Wooden, who leaves for a similar position in Clinton, was feted at an appreciation night at the rec centre, Friday. Dave Cox," left, chaired the committee which organized the event and he chats with newly -appointed Huron education director Bob Allan, while Wooden shares a moment with Mqyor Bruce Shaw, w),o will replace Wooden, but who attended the event in his other capacity as Mayor to present a, town plaque to the guest of honor who served on town council, the planning board and authored d book on .the history of the community.• Response to parental concern School In response to parental con- cerns for a film Shown at South Huron District High School. the Iluron County films to get guidelines Board of Education will be developing guidelines'for the family life section of the secondary health' education i THE BOOK SHOP WE ARE ORDERING NEW STOCK - MEANWHILE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BOOK BARGAINS SPACE by Jams A. Mkbeaer. Pub. 1983 =33.95. NOW $14.95. FATHER'S DAY 15 JUNE 19 — BRIGHT WATERS, BRIGHT FISH by Roderick Haig-Brown.Pub. 1980 was $19.95 now f12.9S 13 Wellington St.N. St.Marys, Ont. NOM 2V0 (519)284-3171 9:30a.m. - 6p.m. Monday - Saturday Golf skirts' by Bronsports 420 Main St. Exeter Lombton Mall Sarnia Byron Village Plato London curriculum: The board's education com- mittee recommended the ac- tion after it had viewed -and discussed the film, Sharing a,nd Caring. Parents from the Exeter area had criticized the board at its May meeting for allow- ing the film to be shown to a Grade 12 family studies class at South Huron District High School. In the education commit- tee's report it was noted that the family studies course is optional and within that framework alternative assignments are available. The guidelines, to be prepared by a committee of parents, trustees and ad- ministration, will address stu- dent needs and "be sensitive to the values of groups represented in our school system" states the education committee report. Dennis Rau, the trustee who had initially asked the board to investigate the show- ing of the film was pleased with the action taken by the education committee even though it hasn't banned tile film. , "1'm glad to see the educe - 1 Police have busy time Exeter OPP were kept busy over the weekend with minor thefts and a rash of speeding and liquor charges, but report no accidents during the past week. A total of 25 charges were laid over the weekend. There were three charges for im- paired driving, four liquor of- fences and the remainder 'were for speeding and failing to obey stop signs. There were three thefts and one attempted theft. The Dashwood residence of Charles Ifaneock was broken into while the family was away on Friday and about $20 worth of food was reported missing. Thieves made off with S24 in cash during a breakin at the Zurich Veterinary Clinic, but were unsuccessful in their at- tempted theft from coin- operated' machines at the Zurich Car Wash. A flag was also reported stolen from. the Zurich post office. Summer Time is... PATIO TIME Everything. for your summertime fun Contra Mall 420 Main StrNt. Exeter 335-1252 • uon committee is recommen- ding new guidelines be established. I hope you get a lot of people involved. The board is moving in the right direction," stated Rau. There was one trustee who vocalized his dissatisfaction with the action taken by the board. "My name is recorded as being opposed. My reasons are that we're not dealing with the issue at hand," said Frank Falconer who sug- gested a yes or no answer on allowing the film to be shown in the schools should have been brought to the hoard. "The film is a disgrace to society," added Falconer who as a member of the education committee, had viewed the film. Education.committee chairman Jon Van den Broeck said "a great deal of sensitivity" is required in dealing with the topic and that parents should be made aware bf the alternatives available to students taking the family life studies.. She noted that she had received a letter from Rev. Bernard Dr b Inge of.Exeter. In the letter, Mr. DeJonge said :the , South. Huron Ministerial Association had viewed the film and while the precise nature of the parents' concerns were unknown, "the majority of pastors, male and female, who saw the film agreed that it was a good teaching aid. 1Vone felt that it was pornographic or suggestive." "However....my concern is the context in which the film is used. The film works well as an aid, but it needs a teacher and other materials to bring out the details the students need to know.. With the right kind of teacher, and good discussion materials. the film will serve its purposes well," states De- Jonge's letter. gather for such an event. Wooden made it clear he was certainly having second thoughts about leaving the local high school to transfer to Clinton, while spokesman for staff and students indicated they too were sorry to see him leaving. "My second thoughts (about leaving) are too late, and I'll miss it incredibly," Wooden said of the school, while teacher Ken Ottewell and student council president Jamie Chaffe noted that his presence would be sorely missed. Ottewell, who joined the staff 27 years ago at the same time as the guest of honor, said Wooden's impact on the school was immeasurable and that he had influenced the lives ofthe thousands who had paraded through the halls during his tenure. The principal was extolled as a man who had allowed teachers to be innovative and to reach their potential and at the same time had allowed students to be responsible for their own behaviour, correc- ting it only when necessary. Ottewell said that many changes had taken place at the schoolssinee he arrived, one of the more noticeable be- ing that students and teachers treat each other as people and this creates a much friendlier atmosphere. Noting that Wooden had taken over as principal at a most difficult time, Ottewell said he had seen the students and staff through this difficul- ty "and brought us to the stable school of today." "It's hard to find something that hasn't changed," Ot- tewell said of the years. Wooden has been on staff, but noted that the principal's blood runs a little cooler than it did at the outset of his career when he was known to leap over a desk to pounce on a misbehaving student. Ottewell also noted that the income of teachers had changed drastically from the early days when they had to supplement their funds with $1.00 per hour work at the Canadian Canners plant and get credit from local grocers to see themthrough the tough summer months with no pay cheque. He ndted that had reversed now. "The school board is broke and the teachers have all the money," he exclaimed. Huron's newly appointed director of education Bob Allan was on hand to bring greeting from the board of education. Allan noted that as a shiny new superintendent he had arrived in Huron to change the course of educa- tion, but his first visit to South Huron convinced him that Joe Wooden is in charge there and was not going to be affected SOLVE PROBLEM --'Students at SHDHS who were given the assignment of trying to fix principal Joe Wooden's lown mower took the easy way out. They decided to give him a new mower as they honored him prior to his departure for Clinton in the fall. Student council president Jamie Chaffe made the presentation, Friday, at the appreciation night. by a shiny new superintendent. Allan noted the moving principal was respected by staff and students because he was fair, thoughtful, speaks his mind, has a sense of humor and adventure and sets an example for others to follow. The latter attribute was one DI the reasons Wooden ac- cepted the transfer to Clinton, the board official explained. In his tribute, student coun- cil president Chaffe said Wooden defied the rule that principals are to be disliked. "His record speaks for itself," he continued, "South Huron is better than most schools around here." Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw, noting the rather unusual position he was in (he'll replace Wooden as principal at SHDHS) presented an award on behalf of the town for the guest of honor's eight years on council, aswell as his writing of the local history book and the influence he has exerted on the young people of the community. Debi Wooden replied on behalf of her brother and two sisters, saying it wasn't often one was given the opportuni- ty to speak on behalf of the family to tell a father they were awfully proud of him and "we love you very much." She delighted the audience with some humorous stories to tell ' of the assets and liabilities of being the prin- cipal's daughter, from being mortified when her father jumped to the high school stage to sing Folsom Prison. Blues to learning more about her teachers at the periodic poker parties staged within earshot of her bedroom. Wooden, in his response, said it would be impossible to name the people to whom he wished to extend his thanks for helping him in his career. Reiterating some of the points mentioned in a recent interview with this newspaper, Wooden added that education in Ontario "is pretty good, pretty sound." However, he suggested that rural areas no longer have the impact they once did in policy-making on the educa- tional system or as directors of where the province , is going. He lamented the faet the gap appears to be widening between those invol'ed in classroom teaching and those involved ineducational policy-making. He concluded by saying that it was important for peo- ple to know that things have never been better, from an education standpoint at the classroom level, in Ontario. He added that teachers ha re the best working conditions and wages in the world. "I can't say how much I ap- preciate it," he concluded in reference to the event staged in his honor. • Ron Bogart was master of ceremonies for the program which had been arranged by Dave Cox and his committee. Several former teachers were on hand. LADEN WITH GIFTS — SHDHS principal Joe Wooden received an armload of gifts from members of his teaching staff, Friday. Ken Ottewell, left, mode the presentation at an appreciation night banquet. Both men joined the staff at the same time 27 years ago. We're glad you asked ! With Bob Fletcher and Iry Armstrong of WHEN SHOULD FUNERALS BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE? , The most direct answer l can give would be "as soon as you're ready and able to do so," but of course this "readiness" and "able-ness" is primarily a matter of ones state of mind, not just physical being. The following poem (author unknown), makes a worthy statement. Tarry not, make haste to put your life in order. Set aright, make amends before you cross life's border. Since no one can say with certainty when the time of death is to come, the knowledge of be- ing prepared is comforting. y With your comfort and peace of mind, and that of your loved ones uppermost in our planning, we suggest preparedness in your daily affairs.' We also encourge you to demonstrate your foresight in pre -planning your funeral, 'sparing your family this task. By doing so, you are assured that your wishes will be made known and followed; that the services will be no Tess and the costs no more than you wont them to be. ONTARIO FUNERAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION (Incorporated) IRM, ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME moon 235-1220 c.ra BagFLETCHER Exterior Grade Red Cedar Door $89.101 p" It yourself with Esclad Vinyl Siding White, Only Yellow Green $69 95 Sand • per square Skil Power Tools j 110 A.: , 7 1/4" Circular Saw 3/8" Variable Speed Drill Jig Saw $69.50 $61.50 $67.50 "A Perfect Father's Day Gift" Citadel 10 Standard Weight . Asphah Shingles Reg. '4.69 CHI MICAIS Chace of 5 colours Now Only Stanley Berry One Piece Garage Door 9' X 7' $183.55 complete with hardware Prices In effect 'till closing Sat. June 25, 1983 6 Yards To Sere You GODERICH, EXETER, MITCHELL,' LONDON, STRATHROY, WATFOR4.1 Ideal for planters and patio garden Half Barrel • $11.95 Whole Barrel - $19.95