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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-01-20, Page 88 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday. January 20. 1999 Opinion&Fonu!1 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 1 Kudos to Hensall snow crew Dear Editor: We would like to thank Derek Robinson and Jeff Ansems, along with the snow removal crew of C.E. Reid and Sons for the excellent snow removal job done in Hensall. The main street has had the banks removed from the downtown area as soon as the snow falls. The banks on the east end of King Street have also been removed, allowing the residents and visitors on the street parking for the church, laundromat and hair- y. The siaewalks are also in excellent con - as they are cleared very early in the ings. We all know how fast the snow fell on Saturday, January 9. However, by 11 p.m. the downtown was clear of snow and the streets were plowed. Other communities could take lessons from these guys. We had the opportunity over the past weekend to visit Monkton, Lucknow, Clinton and Wingham, and were amazed at the amount of snow on their streets and parking lots, not to, mention the terrible condition the roads were in. In one commercial plaza the banks in the park- ing lot and on the sidewalks were so high it was almost impossible to get to the door of the busi- ness. And at one arena the snow and slush was more than ankle deep, making it almost impossi- ble to park there. . We are very fortunate to have these two men living and working in Hensall. Thanks guys, your hard work is really appreci- ated. WAYNE AND KAREN DICKINS, Hensall Thank you for your generous donations Dear Editor The VON Palliative Care Volunteer Program in South Huron County would like to thank everyone who made a generous donation to the program in 1998. The program offers trained volunteer visits to people facing life-threatening or terminal ill- ness. Visits are also provided to bereaved per- sons. Two of our newer programs are bereave- ment support groups and a weekly hospital visit- ing program at South Huron Hospital. Donations from the public make these valuable services pos- sible. In early December we received a donation in the form of a postal money order, however, there was no indication whom it might have come from. The envelope was postmarked Crediton. We would very .much like to thank this individual or group, as weir as offer an income tax receipt to the donor. If you sent this donation, please call our office at (519) 262-3320, and if you intended to remain anonymous, then please accept our thanks for your generous donation. Sincerely, KAREN LEHNEN, PCVP Coordinator Hockey team disappointed with coverage Dear Editor We, as adults, understand the tough decisions that must be made when time, space, equality and fairness are factors in determining what is consid- ered "news" and should be included in the weekly edition of the Exeter Times Advocate. However, as proud parents of the Stephen Atom Super Sonics Hockey Team, we have become very discouraged with the non -coverage given to the Regional Silver Stick "C" Champs (December 31 - Alvinston Tournament) and the International Silver Stick "C" Finalists (January 10 - Forest Tournament). As explained to us after winning the Lucan Atom Tournament earlier this year, team pictures are to be published only once during the hockey season. However, neither a team picture or an informative article was included in the edition directly follow- ing the tournament (to provide current informa- tion) in which two local teams from the Local publi- cation area were included in a shoot-out to deter- mine the winner. Two weeks following the tourna- ment, the picture was found in the paper but not as a sports article, not with a write-up or any particu- lars. Basically, here is your picture. (1st Disappointment) During the week of December 28-31, this same group of individuals were involved in the Regional Silver Stick Tournament held in Alvinston. Again they were victorious. In full understanding of your policy, a picture was not to be expected, BUT, cer- tainly an article of recognition was deserving. Was it there? NO! The only mention of this team and tournament was included in the weekly Minor Hockey scores (submitted by the Coach on regular game summary sheets) in a font size most grand- parents and proud family members cannot read. (2nd Disappointment) As. Regional winners, the "Super Sonics" repre- sented Southwestern Ontario in the INTERNATION- AL SILVER STICK on January 8-10, where -they lost the final game in a 10 minute sudden -death over- time period, to. Oro Station by a score of 3-2. Hockey parents and players all know the prestige and honour associated with winning the Regional Silver Stick. To come that close to winning the International Silver Stick was both disheartening and overwhelming for a group of 10 and 11 year old boys & 1 girl from the "D" size centre known as the Stephen Township Minor Hockey Association. Has this incredible feat been covered in the local paper? Again, NO. This could be numbered 3rd Disappointment, but we believe disappointment doesn't describe the frustration and anger this omission has caused the many parents, grandpar- ents, family members and friends who were a part of the emotional roller coaster travelled by these children the past two weeks. The local paper is the media form we rely on to fill scrap books and collect memorabilia of the glory days when our children are young. That is difficult to do when the local paper doesn't include such milestones in theircoverage priorities Undoubtedly, we should wait until these children become Sherwoods or Hawks and then we will see their pictures and read play-by-play reports week- ly! Stephen Township Super Sonie Atom Parents MARTIN DUENK; LOUISE O'NEIL; GARY BAKER; KATHY CARRADINE; NINA KNEE; BEV THOMPSON; JIM HAYTER; CAROL WINDSOR; SHEONA BAKER; JERRY THOMPSON; KEVIN WINDSOR; MARK CRONYN; JUDY CRONYN; TRACY DUENK; KRIS THOMPSON; BRIAN AND JAYNE MCCANN; ALTON O'NEIL; GLEN NICHOLSON EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times Advocate did offer to do a more in-depth report of your Jan. 8-10 suc- cess but there seemed to be little interest in getting us more' details to have an expanded story. Principal's note A new year is a good time to have a look at goals and where we are with respect to what we hoped to accomplish this school year. Our School Action Plan was written last September with input from parents; through the School Council, from students through the Student's Council and from support staff. • Unfortunately, the teaching staff felt they were unable to become involved in the planning, at that time, due to job action. However we believe the School Action Plan is a good one and provides for direction, growth and optimism for this school year. Our goals fall into four broad' categories: Climate and Culture, People and Partnerships, Operations and Organization, and Programs and Planning. In the area of Climate and Culture, we hope to create an atmosphere where people, be they staff or students, be motivated to take healthy risks and to serve one another. We want our folks to see themselves a part of a team where people respect each other's work and where they are proud, enthusiastic and positive about their school. To that end, we have a few activities in the works. A Panther Pride Day will be held on February 25th. The day will involve special activities including a staff -student breakfast, snow events, a bas- ketball game and even a "swing" dance ses- sion. That evening we will hold an old fash- ioned open house where the school will dis- play wonderful student work. Secondly, an Alumni Committee is planning South Huron's fiftieth anniversary. Both events will help us build a positive climate and culture. In the area of People and Partnerships we wish to establish new relationships with our area businesses/industries and service clubs by visiting,them and having;iest speakers visit us. We hope the result will be mutuallybenefi- cial partnerships. Operations and Organizations is a &cos area with new initiativesas well. Studbnts` are presently completing questionnaires that allow them anonymously to provide their teachers with feedback on how we11 students thought courses were delivered. Opportunities are also being provided for par- ents, students and staff to provide input into the decision about whether or not we should continue to be a semestered school. Finally, in the area of Programs and Planning, we are conducting gap analyses between our present courses and the new secondary school reform initiatives. We need to prepare ourselves as well for the new Teacher -Advisor Programs and the Annual Education Plans for all students. As the halfway point of the school year approaches, I feel we are well on our way to achieving our goals. Constant improvement Is always the order of the day.. DEOB HMUTH PRINCIPAL'S NOTE its at SHDHS to help students Since exams are quickly approaching and students need valuable time to study, events taking place in the school are limited. Exams start Wed., Jan. 27 and continue until Tues., Feb. 2. Feb. 3 is a P.A. Day and stu- dents should not come to school. It is important that students know when and where their exams are, and remember to be on time for them. It is the stu- dent's, not the teacher's respon- sibility to know all the details concerning their exams. Throughout exam week it is also important students are consider- ate of those writing exams and keep the halls quiet. In the event of a snow day, any scheduled exams will be written the next day, delaying all exams by one day. As a result, the P.A. Day on the fourth wilt be lost and used as an extra exam day. Library books were due on Fri., Jan.. 15. Any overdue books must be returned and fines paid as soon as possible. Also, many students have not yet paid for the chocolates they were to sell in November. This money is well overdue and needed in order to avoid another big fund-raiser. To con- tinue to hold the events that make South Huron an excel- lent school we need your support - so please bring in your choco- late money. We want to know what you think about semesters. Do you like see them, or would you like to a change next year? Students are asked to weigh each possibility, because your opinion will be considered in the next few weeks. If you. have any thoughts, neg- ative or positive, on either system, talk to any student council, members in the halls and tell us your opinion. Good luck on your exams! ' Upcoming Events Mon., Jan. 25- Josten's is at school for graduation photo orders during lunch; • Wed., Jan. 27- First day of exams