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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-09-30, Page 20Page 20 Time -Advocate, September 30, 1998 YOUR VIEWS... LE1"TSfjR Candlelight vigil in meh or. -.y of loved ones who have been killed or injured due to impaired driving.-" - Lear Editor: ' On Sunday. October 25. 1998. MAIM) Waterloo •Ftegion•will he holding a special candlelight vigil to ctlttntt:ntgrale Ilfeir:10th mini%ersar., rhe set t r will bike plaice at St. (i.eorge'sFutest Hill Anglican Church. 321 Fischer-Hallnt:m Road. Knchenerat 7:.() p.m. CancI cs,will be lit by family members in memory. of lived ones who have leen killed or injured due W unpaired driving. Candles for unknown victims will:. he lit by guests. The service will be attended by various police officers in the regions uf•Waterloo,•Wcllinglun. Huron and Bruce as well as Wardens of some areas. Each participating family has poen asked to hring a. 5" x 7" framed photo of their loved °nets) - MAiL) Fluron/Hruce has been asked.ui extend an --invltatiun.tn anyone 10 Il►Is area wlta V. a VIe0111 til drunk driving. Please call Sharon Lee Wideman at (519) 8144-6285 for more inhumation and to he a . pari of This special evening. • • . , Lynne Magee. President MADD Hirrun/Bruce'Chapier ' Ontario Why our school? "Explain :to us why.you want to dis- place in excess.of 300 students into four other schools." • Dear Editor . This letter a to Intthe e Avon M utland District School -Board :Intl this government of our concern and outrage that the thought ever entered your minds - to consider closing South Perth Centennial Scbtiol- tur.child'*•schtul,•hought and paid for by local tax ' ' dollars! 11 we wanted our chilli to attend any other school wc.wuuld live in that school arca: We strong- ly -encourage thus_ government w -change the funding `forniula to nrikeexceptions lire rural schnnis. This sellin. is a community school with unique family dynamics. It is an excellent learning environ- merit with excellcnl.teaclters, excellent administra- tion and eXeellent support tuff. The huilding.itself has, a fabulous layout. The property is perfect and could acconinn►date•sehodol needs and.growth in•the future. The atmosphere and appearance when you arriv"e-at this sclti nl are second to.none. A Irenien- dous>amoutu of stoney in recent years (approximate= ly S100.000,001has been primped Into this school over and.ahove hoard funding by the parents. tier uur• children. But most of all what snakes this school fah- - ulous is the togetherness of the familie f Families. by • the way. that will not tolerate nor accept this "tip on the chopping shuck". "slated for closure". or your "puhitit al dollar and cents" -attitude. • .Maybe. sitting in your offices you don't realize what South Perth has to offer - hitt believe us_ when _ -we tell you that you lutve never'nict stronger pei►plc- »lir have you heard louder voices than the ones from South Perth Centennial School parents. At present eur schoi►i is,at full capacity. It is • -wheelchair accessible. It has beautiful grounds with • four baseball diamonds -and soccer fields used by 'students and•conununity groups. As -well. it also has -a lavish and breathtaking arboretum. Included on the school -grounds is a new playground centre. Many of the above assets have been largely supported by the . (Parents: ' Mure.thun 30 years ago local residents; trustees and township Officials saw a need to establish a school in Ibis cuntmunity. huagitte their sorrow. imagine .what they are thinking today. it wasn't lolig ago - the summer of 1%7 that many a faultily took those historical and Memorable Sunday drives to witness the creation of South .Perth Ceihennial School: Children were excite(. i'arents.s:it back and, S`aicf ui themselves "Loitk what Is in store far. our - childreri's future!—These menlcrries art;.still very. vivid and treasured in the minds' of parents and • grandparents today . This school has exceeded the hopes and dreams of thuse who conceived hand thirse who huilt n. it's uric to end can't he clow! People have told us that lhis.1 ight IS not worth the time and energy They..ire wrong. This -is far Irani air dorie.deal. 11 so'-utne will (elf lit the meantime. our child will he attending •tite school her father attended ` as ;I child.• What made you choose South Perth Centennial • School as one til rite possible. schools slated Jur clu- suru'' Certainty not because it is a rural school. Explain to us`wliv vuu ,}vault to displace in excess of 300 students into lour other schools..Explain how this wilt not then create over -crowded schools. This guvcrnment cgntunially takes -the stand that every - thing.being dimer fur the benefit and betterment of - our children:.How rs thr:.sci! How will our child • receive more recognur.m (or things such as sports. public speaking. science fairs: etc'' These arc Memo- rable events in a child's schotiI•career.-fur both( the parents and the child. How will targe. more crowded sehuols.be better'' We invite you lis visit uur school to rice for your- self'what_this comnuurit% establishment has to oiler our children. We stand_ tall with great prick. that we belong 0) this unique fatuity of South Perth • Centennial School. We wilt be heard! • With open hearts; creative ntitlds and clear cunt. nnuiication many 1110n -e children will graduate .rum South. Perth Centennial School. Years front now. for- mer slutlents will tell their children and grandchil- dren rand ch*1dren the tale Of htciw the hoard and the government thought they could. Awaiting your response, Patrick and Shirleyi'1ills MPP writes to trustees ...school closures should be a .last consideration, rather than the first." Editorial Lettern% the Trustees: •it was with grelit sadness that I read the document prepared hyemployees (lithe Avon Maitland Schuoi Board. that was forwarded to me: by constituents. • There is no question that we must address the issue of declining enrollment in the Counties of Huron and Perth and trustees of the past have only studidd the issue. hut school closures should be a last considera- tion. rather than ihe.first. Declining enrollment pre- , scnts real problems that affect real people. This is . not about politics - it is about your kids and mine. The. least we can do is provide clear. honest data td everyone involved. - Evetyone in the county is aware that the student population has declined by over 500 students in the last ten years. and•in fact we have snore than 2010 student spaces empty in the two counties. Having talked to previous trustees this.week, they advised me that for years hoth.Boards have had discussions about how to rectify this issue. So. what has hap-. petted this year. til alter the Board's inaction? - The employees of the Board would have us - believe that ifdecisions are not glade by December - 31. 1998. serious consequences bcfall,thc Board: The truth is that -if the Board at December 31. 1998 has excess capacity they will not be eligible for funds to build new schools. 1 believe That this is • good. public policy. Gone are the days when Boards could build a new school when a neighbouring school .had excess space. -in our Board (here are two schools that arc substantially overcrowded and they arc in Listowel and Stratford. It seems to me that the Trustees should consider alternatives to new schools: For example. adjacent schools might be used to han- dle thc overflow in Stratford. sincc there arc number of schools within a small'geographic distance and in Listowel. the high school and the two elementary • schools could be utilized in a more optimal manner. The question trustees. parents, students and taxpay- ers must ask themselves is:. is there a -problem if we cannot build a school next year? i do not believe so. The employees of the Board, further state that the Board has received reduced funds from the govern- . • mcnt and is therefore unable to fund school opera- tions as they have previously. From thc Board's•fdI- ings with the Ministry of Education: in 1997 the Avon -Maitland Board received $126,100,000 from thc Ministry of Education with approximately $1 million going towards one time computer costs. in 1198. the Board has agreed with the Ministry of Education thattheywill reecive $126.7(}0,((X);ai*d negotiations are ongoing. for .example additional dol- , tars for rural transportation costs, plus they received $1.1 million. for the sale -of properties. Nut only does, the Board have the same dollars as last year. they have noire dollars available to educate • our children than in 1997.1 suggesk'd in a letter tit . May I I. I99A that the previous director juin me at the Ministry to verify the financial -issues. however. he did not accept the invitation. i now suggest that the Board members entertain city invitation because I believe that is is imperative. to understand the issue prior to milking decisions that will affect our cont- lnmtity,.. • It is true that the Guv_ernntcnt of Ontario is con- cerned with the quality of education and has" 'entrenched in legislation dollaralloe ations to the classroom -that- cannot.haltered. however the gov- ernment has stated that min -classroom spending can be reallocated. In the example of the Avon Maitland School Board dollars could he allocated front adlntin- istratuon to school operations. The government is concerned with streamlining systems and.it seems to nuc that having duplicated responsibilities with both a Director and Associate Director. and the Superintendent of Finance and the Superintendent of Business Operation is repetitive and unnecessary for less than 20,0(8) students. i am sure as a trustee you 4 would like to consider the administrative require- ments prior to considering closing schools. With respect to the school operations budget that was submitted to the Ministry of'Education has agreed to pay the hoard $1•I,700,(88). The Avon Maitland Board has budgeted. $ 13,800.000 for - school operations is this year. Trustees would want to consider why the budgci increased by 23 percent. In thc budget, presented to mc. there is $3.200.000 for repairs -and leasehold improvements. 1 am sure that thc trustees-woiuld Iikc to analyze this specific. expenditure to ensure that those dollars arc neces- sary, when thc expenditure resultsin school closures. i know that there arc schools where the trustees have concerns. about health -and safety and the quali- ty of education that is delivered And,' believe par- ents, students, teachers, and taxpayers also share these concerns. {respectfully request that the trustees consider all options to school closures. As parents yourselves and as.taxpayers, you expect every other means of squeezing inefficiencies out of the system will be analyzed prior to suggesting clo- sures: ' Yours truly, Helen Johns, MPP Huron Exeter Fall Fair an exciting event The final tally of entries, including school written work was 3278! (fear Editor. Thr school division of the Exeter Fall Fair would` like if) report! This lias been a most exciting fair! Firstly, there has been an increase of 1475 entries over 1997. The final tally o1 entries, including school written •work.,was :1278! Wow' This roust bring ciinunendation to all 1hc.,p;uticipattng sou-. dents, to the teachers who• promoted fair involve- ment and to the parents who motivated anti provid- ed supplies for fair work. A fair of this magnitude . has only cone ahuut with hard work and much time • spent. Secondly. this 11)98 fair was a community ef- fort. Many local indi% duals. businesses and service grnups s nnisired returning and new specials. In do - mg this we could offer a wider selection of entrs possihfllties. larger -prize money. anti ai vcry,.heauti- - Iul. display Of community at work together! Thank you to our many sponsors; you made .something special happen this year and- we look forward to great Rungs to the years ahead! The actual set up irl the fair takes great Culitltlllmly effort as well There were aloud of It) volunteers helping with setup and • recording. tallying. class tours. et: Al . ' 35 fudges - were involved in the Judging of .,, urus school • exhibits That is at lot tit people dirt•, sty involved in - such an c•v hit►iiitn Ihank you to each and CS er one- of you. Thirdly, the lair offered a wide diversity, with progranitlung. There wer5 Int. of 'things hale pining front pet show. electrical .alcty show. do` show. mutton busting alai sheep umii•cur ting. 'Thi - Magic Guy'. and lots of local muni talent slaws surging, dancing. acting etc Than( you -to all whi• participated in one way; of another . ' At this now I Would hkr;lu ,kyr soccial re.-ugnt lion to ot* grand champion. w inners. entrants who undoubtedly put mach cItirrt, nine ami oturtrtnrenl , 11; entering many things! Girl ('hanijlion went to Be- thany Waglei. Runncrup_ (tui Chafripunt wcnl to Justine Clarke. Boy C'hantpuin went Io 1)an;eu Gla- -yin and Runt erup 13ov ('hanrtiton to ki_charJ Johns.. C'ongralulauans to each"cote of you on a big lob well dime" . In closing 1 would like ui drank our 19,911 Exeter Fair president. Bev !'rout. Inc her enthtisiasni and • wonderful support and lor';_reat p1 't i ani ideas. and nn vice president Pat Glavui. ss hs, spend many hours alongside- me' planttnrip. typing up sign` etc'. running• errands and heiug support,sc My •Ianuls- deserves al- special thank •you tot then help and ulp- purl' -_ - Wc thank you, our ct.mn►unity, tot nuking the • selinol fair an'exciting place to he septi•nrher 25..24 and 27th! _ • . Bespe.1tullsuhnutted. - ()ehhc \Vaglcr. Exeter Fall Jaw i99a: School Pur President Volunteer tutors needed "All you need is about one hour per week to spend with Some- one... • Lear Editor:' - " We'Iisn to riiasik. Sw•inun Iesin is most ovr. Rodlys cottttn.tomt)i1s These worts were written -in a iournal hy.a little girl in grade 4: Can you read whey they mean! • "We listen to mi.rsr. Swimming lessons is almost _over. Robbie is cunning tomorrow.- -These omo row.—•These are the words she'waas trying to say. ' \Ve have another daughter. one year younger. who .was at a lower level than this. She has been m anitied with a tutor from the "Literacy and Numeracy. • - Protcct". through the Avon 1vlatland District School Board: Phis letter is being composed, for two reasons: One is d desperate -plea fur more volunteers. and the -olheris a thank you for the tutor we presently have for our youngest datlgltter. Her tutor wishes to remain anonymous, i wish_ I could hold up a picture - and let von know_ who she is. and thank her (or the wonderful job.she is dining. Our daughter has _ unproved so much. not just academically. but her self esteem' has risen toa point where she actually has some.conlidence•in what she is doing.. 1 -ler tutor. is just 'a 'tumult woman who works Lull time every day. but has some spare titre on her hands. as her children are getting a little older. She read: about_the Literacv/Nunteracy Protect. and thought that it was something she was inter ested lir. -as she liked reading in her spare -time. All you need is alum( one hour per week to spend wall sirnegne, . • either a child in adult. who is having difficulty with reading. writing or rnathemattes. You don't have to be a scholar or a teacher. but just sinneone.w.hti would) like to help someone else. ' "They give you materials. and they offer training ses- sions. You are one tit% one throng tutoring. but you are nut mune. They are always there to support ans. help you. Presently they have over 60 children s'urk ing with tutors, and about 30 adults as Well. 'Hwy have a very k -*ng waiting list ( with Our second daughter being one of them) of people who turd .. • help. Trained tutors who are not volunteers are • expensive. and most people. un: hiding us. eauuniit afford the luxury. (fur daughters tutor is wondcrtul She sometimes-. spends time playing educati iia l eames frith het -There arc.also baking nights. where out daughtei reads the directions. and helps -w ith the whole' process. including the taste -testing! She give!. small anuauits of work totakc Norte. nothing overwhelm- ing. and our daughter semis more ansiuuS to coin: plctc t than her homework from sehoo1 She lust w.nns to please the person who ease so n►uch about seeing her succeed. : - -•-To our daughter. this is son)conc who wants to help. not .someone who- is expected to help; like .teachers and parents 11 uur daughter in grade 4 does not Linda until- soon. we don't know what gill hap: porn. Education is like a house II the 1oundauon is not strung enough. the house will ncser hold up. and will curve tumbling down Math, and English are a person's lututdation. and most Ise secured as soon as : Is possible in a•child's life. As for adults. sometimes it makes -the dtltcrencc wheeler they can secure a -rob or instil the% don't have the skills to Iill out some oaf the paperwork necessary. If you. have ever been helped by a volunteer. rust remember hose it feltto have sgneone2lu something sur you because they wanted to help. A ha 01 people - want to help charities. but cannot afford the financial outlay. This is something you can do. that wont "cos' t_.• you a cent.. It is a caring and compassionate gesture. On those cold winter nights. just imagine the warm 1eelnng of ',pending an hour car nitre per week With someone who can use your help.: ` 1f y ou can help with this prop am. please comae( Ann Heenes or Heather Roh_ntct at 519:482-7948 Even if this letter doesn't result in a tutor ha our daughter.1 hope thus w til help tinct soritcone else a tutor It can make allthe difference in this world to . someone in nerd. ' 'Hails tt'tlte Literacy- and Numeracy Protect. to all the new Mums. -and especially to the i'ties we have - alrcady ! Hcnsall. Ontario Notice to Advertisers Beginning with our issue of October 7, all advertising MUST be in our office by Friday at 4 p.m. 424 Main St. Exeter 235-1331 .14