HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-02-26, Page 8fate ,+ Tinies-Advocate, February 26, 1997
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A day in the life of South Huron
EXETER - A day in the life of... Mrs. Jodie Baker teacher and Kathy
Oliver. grade 12 student
• The idea for "A day in thc life of..." initially evolved at a recent
meeting of the South Huron School Advisory Council (S.A.C.) where Mr.
Gerth. principal, Terri Hamather. student representative, Deb McCann,
support staff representative, five parent members, and I (S.A.C.
secretary and teacher) were discussing the government's
proposed cuts to education.
Of great concern was the notion that many parents and
community members arc uninformed about the great things that
happen at South Huron. and unaware of the many dedicated and
talented students and teachers we have. During a discussion of
current issues and events in my grade twelve English class, one
of my students, Anita Phillips, suggested that in order to gain a
true perspective. a student and teacher should switch roles for a
day. so. Kathy Oliver spent a day being me. and 1 spent a day
being one of the "kids".
"They have no respect, they party too much; they never
listen:. I would never have done that when I was their age..." '
Such are the phrases often used to describe the teenagers of the 90s, who
are repeatedly the targets of criticism and discriminated against because of
a few "bad apples".
Last Monday, I spent the day "shadowing' grade twelve
student. Kathy Oliver; one of many dedicated and active students
at South Huron: The day began with Communications class.
Kathy and I spent the class working on Kathy's independent
project. the school yearbook. Ian Becker and Kathy are co-
editors, Kim Covers is in charge of art work, and a handful of
additional senior students will contribute written articles. This is
no small project. Kathy's main responsibility is photography.
Thus. it is not uncommon to see Kathy shooting photos in the •
halls and at school events, usually on her own time.
• After first class. it was on to grade twelve English, where
students were assigned the task of writing about life as a teenager.
in the 90s as part of a unit examining their personal beliefs and
morals. Most citcd the importance of family. religion, and peers.
Many expressed frustration with the negative attention they receive, often
as a result of those few "bad (apple.". "Not all teens smash windows or
steal, but people generalize and blame all teens for the actions of a few,"
commented one student.
They referred to a recent article in The London Free Press "Below 20"
column where a young man suggested that the s gns in store windows'
which limit the number of teens in the store at any one given time are
discriminatory. particularly since many adults also steal. They believe the
signs should read: "No more than five persons at a time". Another student
added. "Older people tend to forget that they were young once too!"
What was evident from the student responses and cafeteria discussions
over lunch hour, was something I already knew, and much of the reason
why I enjoy my work: Teenagers arc great people! Sure, they push too
hard and they. want their independence, but isn't that what we've been
working towards? Qne student wrote,'"Teens know right from wrong;
they just choose to do wrong sometimes." When asked why they choose
to wrong, they answered, "for attention; torebel against parents who won't
let them grow up; and, to test authority". Ironically, they are the first to
admit that discipline is more lenient, and that the fear of discipline no
longer exists. Many students indicated they would be in favour of a return
to the strap or stricter, more consistent forms of discipline. They enjoy
the additional freedoms they have, but recognize that "there are more
opportunities for trouble".
After lunch, it was Kathy's spare. She worked on homework and we
attended a meeting she had organized with the Sexual Assault team, a
group of students dedicated to informing and protecting the student body
from unwanted sexual attention. The group is in the process of preparing a
student survey and a drama presentation.
Our final class of the day was another grade twelve English class, where
students were studying the classic play A Streetcar Named Desire and
independently reading thc novel, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.
The play had generated a debate about human behaviour -- realism versus
instinct.-- which concluded with reference to playwright Tennessee
William's implication that reason must prevail over instinct, or the human
race shall return to a state of chaos.
After classes came to an end, Kathy and I sat down to discuss the day.
She considered this time to be her own time because she did not have to -
work at her part time job, but would later have to sit down and begin a
Couple of hours of homework. Kathy remarked that what she misses most
as a result of her busy lifestyle, is family dinners. As a teacher, I am
amazed at thc number of hours students now spend working at part-time
jobs, anywhere from three to eight hour shifts, after a full day at school,
. and priori() beginning any hc..nework. One student remarked, "There are
more demands on our time these days -- part time jobs take time away
from school and friends. Then, you get in trouble because you don't have
your homework done, or you are falling asleep in class." Maybe. this is
why more teenagers are content with attaining average grades; as opposed
• to being high achievers.
As Kathy pointed out, "There are many responsible and .
independent teens. Nothing needs to be done about today's
teens, but about today's unreliable and irresponsible people."
After spending a day as one of many remarkable.teenagers, .
was reminded that at South Huron, "good" teenagers are the
majority, not the minority! Perhaps we, as a society, need to be
more tolerant of teenagers. At the very least, they should be
treated with respect, recognized for the many great things they
do, and encouraged to maximize their potential. That is not to
say that they should be allowedto be disrespectful or to act
inappropriately.
A Day in the Life of ... a Teacher — Kathy Oliver
I've always wondered what it would be like to be a teacher
at our school. Sometimes I've even thought that I could do a
better job than some. -After spending a day in the life of Ms. Baker,an -
English teacher at South Huron, my views on the latter have changed. •
My day as a teacher started at 6:30 when I got up in time to be at school
- . by 7:30am,.oneand a half hours earlier than I would be there
as a student. My first class -to teach was grade 12 English,
where the students were discussing teen morality and why ' -
teenagers get a 'bad rap'. -
Next came my preparation period. I had planned on getting
a lot more done than I actually did.
The time flew by so quickly - students came to talk with '
Mrs. Baker, there were announcements to write and two -
phonecalls (school related!). to make.
At lunch, I had just enough time to eat before I had cafeteria
supervision. Mrs. Baker didn't get time to sit'and eat lunch
because she had to go to RSD to arrange for the order of
volleyball team running suits. I also had to do some last
minute preparation for my next class.
My afternoon classes were special needs Phys. Ed, where I reviewed
what the students knew. about basketball, and finally, -grade 11 Parenting .
where students took up homework and took notes on how school aged •
children learn behaviour. •
To get a true sense of what it is like to be teacher, I talked to a few other
staff members about their experiences. Mrs. Becker, -an English and
Guidance teacher told me, " What Hike best about teaching is being -
excited when I see students get ideas and learn new things ". Mr. MacLeod
a Geography' teacher remarked, ". Despite all the negativity coming out of
Queens Park, I am proud of our school and proud to be a teacher because I
know that our profession makes a positive and lasting contribution to the
lives of our students". , ,
I also asked some teachers what they liked least about teaching. Ms.
Jantzi told me, "It's the Stress overall = it comcs from pushing yourself too
hard. There has also been an extra burden in the last year that is directly
related to the Harris government. I h!j'e a fear for the future of education
as well as my job. I believe that all Its wants is to save money. He has no
commitment to the students". Mrs. Becker also added, "I don't like to
discipline students".
I now realize that there is much more to teaching than just the classes
themselves. There is a lot of preparation, and on top of it all, coaching and
any extra things a teacher may be involved in. In Ms. Baker's case, she
has just finished coaching the midget girls volleyball team; she is a
member of the School Advisory Council, looks after co-ordinating school
fundraising (separate from Students Council), is responsible for the
organization of this page in the T.A., and our school newspaper, and has
agreed to be co-cordinator of CYCLONE '97, the cycling tour that will go
through Exeter in June.
I found from speaking with other teachers, that the day isn't close to
being over when the last bell rings. Mr. Shore, who•teaches Math, Frcnch,
and Phys. Ed, told me that most days he stays at school until 6:OOpm
- (when'J a isn't coaching one of his two teams) catching up on marking and
planning the next day's lessons. Many of the other teachers I spoke to had
at least two hours or more of marking ahead of thein, some of which
would not get done until the weekend, when there would be additional
marking to do.
Students need to realize just holy hard their teachers work for them.
Balancing classes, preparation, marking, coaching and all the extras.
doesn't leave much time for anything else. At one point Ms. Baker
remarked, "There's never cnough time in the day". After spending a day
in the life of one of the many very dedicated teachers at South Huron. I
now understand why there is never enough time.
South Huron choirs
bring home silver
EXETER - On Thursday, February 20th the South
'Huron DHS Concert Choir, accompanied by Julie
Darling, and the Chamber Choir, accompanied by
Marcy Swance, travelled to Lucas Secondary School
in London to participate in the Musicfest Canada
Regional Festival. Both choirs, conducted by Ruth
Ctacsscns, were awarded Silver Standard medals.
After cach performance, the choirs had a workshop
with one of the three adjudicator -clinicians. The
Concert Choir clinic was conducted by John
Chalmers who is the coordinator of the Regional Arts
Program at Mayfield Secondary School in Caledon
and who also teaches at the University of Toronto.
The Chamber Choir had their clinic with Victoria
Meredith who serves on the Faculty of Music at the
University of Western Ontario. Both clinicians
praised the choirs on the "very nice overall sound"
these groups produce. They also complimented the
groups on the quality of repertoire that they are
performing.
Brad Hartman and Becky Roushome were
acknowledged as members of the choirs that make
outstanding contributions to the choral groups at
South Huron DHS.
Other choirs in the choral part of the festival were
from Lucas SS, St. Thomas Aquinas SS, Holy Names
HS, and Leamington DSS. In the afternoon the choirs
attendcdra concert performed by the secondary school
vocal jazz ensemble, the Mayfield Magnetics. The
South Huron students had both an enjoyable and
educational day at the music festival.
Thc South Huron bands will participate in the
Musicfest instrumental classes on Friday, February
21, and Saturday. Fcbrary 22.
Athlete of the Month
Midget girls volleyball
player Tammy Cluett was
voted "athlete of the month"
for the month of January.'
The award. sponsored by
McDonalds, is given to a
team member who has made
a significant contribution.to
his/her sport during the
month. Coaches are asked to
nominate a player and then a
winner is drawn. His/hcr
photo is displayed on a school bulletin board with
the other nominees and he/she receives a free
McDonalds meal. January's nominees were Arlene
Inlakhana, Dave Robilliard, Gavin Poole, and Lisa
Campbell. Previous winners were Matt Simms
(December), Jamie Reaburn (November), Christian
Stuckless (October), and Cara Gardner (September).
Midgets suffer Toss
Krista Tuininga
The Midget Girls volleyball team played in the
wrap-up Huron - Perth tournament on February 19th
at Stratford Central. They beat Seaforth, rallying
from a score of 6 -13 and finishing 16 -14, and
Clinton's Central Huron two games straight, split
with Stratford Northwestern, and lost two to Stratford
Central. They came second in their pool and
advanced to the semi-finals where they lost to
Stratford St. Mike's by scores of 15-6 and 15-5.
The tcam finished in second place in the countyt
after an exciting season. All players improved a great
dcal since the first game they played. Coach Mrs.
Baker said, "It was a fun season with a great group of
girls.
Third at H -P
Principall's Message
by Rochelle Beauchamp
The South Huron Junior Girls
volleyball team went to thc Huron - Perth
finals on Thursday. February. 20th. Their
first match was against. Stratford Central's
Rams. The Panthers played very well, but
lost three games straight. This put the
girls'into their next, match against F.E.
Madill. The winner would have the
chance to go to WO.S.S.A. The Panthers
started with some very strong plays and
nded up winning the match, three games
to one. The Panthers now go on to
W.O.S.S.A. on February 27th.
The Junior Girls volleyball team also
had a very successful,regular season with
21 wins and 9 losses. In the league semi
finals, South Huron won three games
against Central Huron and that led them to
the Huron finals. They then faced F.E.
Madill and lost in a very exciting game at
South Huron. This put the team back into
second place with -a chance for Huron
Perth. Thc girls"played an extraordinary
season congratulations and good luck at
Teams show promise
Under the direction of Mr. Harry •
Jacobi, a retired teacher, and Ms. Janice
Walker, the South Huron curling teams
represented South Huron well this year.
The Junior Boys and Girls teams did not
win all of their games, but showed that
they will be in contention in the next few
years. The Senior Girls team lost two
hard fought games in both the A and B
final.
Mr. B. Gerth
The past few months have: been, to say the least,•int'eresting.
Education continues to expe rience a whirlwind of change as the
government moves forward with its•agenda of reform.
As you may recall, issues such ascompression•of high school,
curriculum, and compulsory courses -- all matters dealing with
Secondary School Reform - - were addressed by the government
during the fall, although final decisions have yet to be made. A
significant piece of recent legislation is Bill 104, The Fewer Schools
Boards Act. This act drastically cuts the number of school boards in
the province. In our case, the Huron County Board of Education is
to be joined with the Perth hoard to create the -Huron -Penh School
District. Negotiations between the two boards has already begun, •
since the new.District will formally come into being -on January 1,
1998.
This act, combined with 'the announcement that local property
taxes will not be used to 'mid education, Mean significant changes in-
the
nthe governance of schools. Another possible change is the intent of
the government to explore savings, throughcontracting out services
in those areas that are view ed as non -classroom items: There is '
much uncertainty what is meant by this although it is implied that
administration, library, school resource teachers, guidance and
support staff might fall into this category. Other government •
documents such as•the Pare)ian Report and the Crombie Report .
suggest -that further changers are possible. • -
Not surprisingly; there is a great deal of uncertainty in the school
community about the imprtctof these changes. ,Staff, and to a lesser.
extent, students and parent:s, are concerned about themselves, their
school,'and education in g eneral. Fortunately, despite the uncertainty "
and despite significant.cuts and reforms mandated by this and
previous governments, thi s school continues to runefTectively. This
is•a tribute to the staff who work here. 1 know they will always do
their best for the students. Still, for the first time, I sense from many
staff their belief that furth er reductions cannot_be absorbed without
consequence:
I present this information in an attempt to make you aware that
changek are occurring in education, that these changes will have a
very real impact on your local schools, and there is much uncertainty
about whether the impact will be positive or negative. Clearly, the
latter depends on many factors. Nevertheless, information and
knowledge is the foundati on of any reasonable opinion. With this' in
mind, I would recommend that all of us, students. parents, educators,- .
and members of the comn tunny at large, make every. effort to remain
informed about the changes that arc pending. For good or ill; these
changes will alter the form and substance of education in Ontario.
Please feel free to call the school if you wish to discuss' the proposed -
reforms, or if you require further information.
•
Close match eliminates seniors
Rebecca Miller
The Senior Girls volley,b•alt tcam finished their season on Tuesday,
February 10, losing against: Wingham's F.E. Madill in the Huron semi- .
finals. The team, coached by Mr. Bill Shore and senior student Steve Bell,
played very strong games : tgainst their opponents, but lost in three very
close games.
Big comebacks were parrt of the Seniors' routine throughout the season,
but not possible for this last game. "The girls had a good season, with
everyone putting forth exc ellent effort." commented one player.
Jr. boys basketball suffers loss
Ben Forrest
The Junior Boys baskertball team ended a successful. but disappointing
season last Friday with a first-round playoff loss to rival F.E. Madill. Thc
team posted a season record of 6 wins and 4 losses, and finished third in
their division. However. only two teams in flit league were able to
overcome them: the peren nially competitive Goderich, and the underrated
and undersized Madill.
Coach Brian O'Connell believes his team to be thc most gifted in the
county, despite a relative):y small talent base. They arc particularly strong
defensively, and rarely ga ve up more than 60 points a game to the
opposition.
A proud tradition of Panther. basketball tcams was continued with this
year's juniors, who posted the best round of any men's team this season.
All of the players have an appetite for winning that was not satisfied this
year. They will returnne:ct year, hungry as ever, and much more .
experienced, dreaming ho op dreams of WOSSA that may some day come •
true.
Sr. curling team wins , H -P title
Jeff DeBlock
After losing three weeks ago to both Listowel and Clinton at a
tournament, the Senior Bays beat both teams to give them an automatic byc
into the finals, played We dncsday, February 20 at Vanastra. With the
tournament being a doub!Ie knock -out elimination, this meant that St.
Mike's would have to be; it South Huron twice in order to go to WOSSA.
St. Mike's came out strong in the first game and won the, first of two gamcs
8 - 6; however, the boys .Jid not let this get them down. Tley came out and
beat St. Mike's 7 -3 to win the Huron Perth banner. The team consisted of
Steve Herri'(skip), Jeff C'eblock, Gerry Gucrts. Geoff Stasik and Jayden
Russell. The team will c:ompete at WOSSA in Ilderton on March 5th.
The senior boys c irling team won Huron Perth. Back, Ms.
Walker, Jeff DeBlo•ck, Geoff Stasik and Steve Hern. Front,
Jayden Russell and Gerry Geurts.
Mike Skinner
On Wednesday, Febt vary 19th, the midget boys basketball team, after a
bleak season, won when it counted, destroying Seaforth 51 - 49. Adam
Glavin lead the team w pith 14 points while Mikc Skinner added 9 points.
The whole team played) very well.
In thc semi-finals, II ley played the first place team, St. Anne's. Brad
Baker and the "big" B ob Hamilton controlled the boards. However, the
team came up short arid lost 53 - 48. The boys were pleased with their
improved play after finishing the season with a 0 -9 record.
O.S.A.I.D. focuses on needs
Sarah Mosurinjohn
O.S.A.I.D., Ontario) Students Against Impaired Driving, is a group of
approximately twent;t South Huron students who meet periodically to
plan activities focuse d on the prevention and awareness of drinking and
driving. O.S.A.I.D. h; formed by students, for students. It attempts to
make students aware of the consequences of drinking and driving. and
to hopefully, prevent even one person from taking the potentially fatal
risk. The group is gttided by Ms. Eddy, a guidance counsellor and
teacher, and lead by ,Alisha Jennison and myself.
•