HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-11-24, Page 1y S ttHboon
TABS -ADVOCATE STAFF
lN PARK — Wldlo it dodged
a bullet last year Ithiin it was
placed on a potential doom*,
ist,
McCurdy Public School agitheatees
the threat of being shut down. •
The Avon Maitland District
School' Board released its list of
schools which will be further
reviewed for potential closure on
May and were to. present the
report at the board meeting last
night after the T -A wet to press.
Noiv that the report has been
released, study committees will be
formed at the local level with final
recommendations for closures
being made to the board on Feb.
22. •
Also facing potential closure are
Downie Central Public School,
Falstaff Public School, Vanastra
Community School and one or two
of Settforth District High School,
Seaforth Public School and Walton
Public School.
According to the board, schools
in Avon Maitland have too much
space and not enough students.
The province now funds school
boards based on enrolment and
the board has seen enrolment
decline. .
As a result, there are enough
empty spaces in the cluster includ-
ing Exeter, Hensall, Huron
Centennial, McCurdy, Stephen,
Usborne and Zurieh public schools
to dose one school: Curdy has a
capacity of 298 students and a
population of only 156. The
board's report states McCurdy has
the lowest occupancy rate in the
district, at 46 - per cent. Principal
Niall Straw said including 'the
sehool's three special education
classes, McCurdy is close to 50 per
cent capacity. Given the numbers,
Straw said he isn't -surprised
McCurdy is facing possible closure.
The report also states the school
has high renewal, operating and
maintenance costs per student.
Straw said that while the build-
ing, originally part of the air force
base in Huron Park is old and
large, it is in relatively good shape.
Karen Windsor, McCurdy's advi-
sory council chairperson, said the
possibllity of a closure "is a sad
day for McCurdy and l think it's a
sad day for education." •
While atm tried are .hei-
self for the °ot McCurdy
being closed, Wtidsor said she
was still 3 when she
learned the one .of the
schools being considered for clo-
sure.
In defense of the school, she said
the school's structure has many
assets, including the large gym,
large hallways, newly revamped
library and renovated junior
kindergarten room. The school is
also completely wheelchair acces-
sible.
Windsor has two - children
attending McCurdy and she said
she's "very pleased" with the edu-
cation they get at the school. She
also said the staff is "tremendous"
and said the school has a cultural
diversity and uniqueness. Its spe-
cial needs program is second to
none, she added.
If McCurdy closes, its students
could potentially be scattered to
five schools: Exeter. Stephen,
Usborne, Zurich' and Hensall.
Windsor admitted splitting up the
McCurdy population is one of her
prime concerns about the school's
See McCURDY page 2
•
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Marty Party
Sat., Nov. 27
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TIMES ADVOCATE
Exeter, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, November 24, IM
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Students banned
from Rec Centre
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Swearing, fighting, vandalism, intimidat-
ing youngsters and smoking dope — all these activities
have led to South Huron District High School students
being banned from the South Huron Recreation Centre
property.
The ban, put in place by South Huron principal Deb
Homuth, Exeter Public School principal Ric Graham
and Rec Centre manager Cam Stewardson, comes from
the result of poor student behaviour at the Rec Centre.
Graham said the behaviour has been happening
throughout the school year, particularly during good
weather days and lunch hours. Most of the activity has
been taking place by a group of cedar trees near the
baseball diamonds.
Homuth and Graham stress they're not blaming all of
the South Huron students for the activity but Graham
said action was necessary. Homuth adds that many
South Huron students have never acted poorly at the
Rec Centre.
Graham said he's received complaints from staff,
See STUDENTS page 2
Santa's coming to
Exeter Sat. Nov 27
NORTH POLE — A press release delivered to the T -A
this morning is a reminder that Santa Claus will make
his annual visit to Exeter Sat. Nov. 27.
As usual, he will be the featured guest at the parade
in his honour sponsored by the Lions Club and the
Exeter Business Association.
Lions Club member Jon Dinney said the parade' will
begin at 12 noon. Floats are asked to line up at 11:00
a.m. on Andrew St. behind the vacant Canadian Tire
and Huron St.
The parade route will begin along Huron St. E., along
Main St. to Victoria St. and conclude at the South
Huron Rec Centre.
Dinney has issued an invitation to all local businesses
and organizations to participate. No registration is
required. Prizes will be awarded. He can be contacted
at 235-0173.
Special Christmas events
Some extra special events to celebrate the Christmas
season begin on November 2'6. The lighting of
MacNaughton Park, Exeter will be held from 6:45 to
8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the free
refreshments and the carolling.
Another special Christmas event takes place after the
Santa Oaus Parade. On Saturday, November 27 at the
South Huron Rec Centre, the Lions are again hosting
their Children's Christmas Party.
The party begins at 1:30 p.m., when children have a
chance to meet with Santa Claus. Combined with this
attraction is free skating from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m.
* on all regular priced merchandise
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AND P.S.T.
Nov.
24-29