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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1995-03-01, Page 8Page 8 Times -Advocate, March 1, 1995 M i JNT T Y Zurich girl to debate in Halifax Stephanie Erb will participate in national competition By Heather Vincent T -A staff ZURICH - Grade 7 Zurich Public School student, Stephanie Erb will be representing Huron County this May in Halifax in a national de- bating competition. Erb placed fourth in the provincials in Cambridge on Feb- ruary 18, debating the affirmative and negative of year-round school- ing. chooling. The impromptu topic which she and her part • - ner argued was the logic of eating the red smar- ties last. "You've got to be really witty," said Erb. Participants are not permitted to laugh or even crack a smile during the debate, a difficult task when the topic is can- dy -covered chocolate. For the May competition, Erb will likely be teamed with a partner from either Ottawa or Scarborough. They will plan their strategy and re- search over the phone. The key to presenting a good argument is re- search. "I read Tots of ar- ticles and make lots of notes," said Erb. She became inter- ested in debating when students in Huron County were invited to attend a debating workshop. Ten stu- dents went on to participate in the provincials. Erb said she never ex- pected to win the junior high divi- sion and go on to the nationals. "This was the last thing I expected to happen." Stephanie Erb will be participating in a national debating com- petition to be held in Halifax this May. Erb, from Zurich, placed fourth in the provincial competition on February 18. School testing to start this fall Province -wide testing starting for grades three, six, nine and 11 TORONTO - It was announced by the ministry of education and training on February 17 that all stu- dents in grades three, six, nine and I I will be tested every year in read- ing, writing and mathematics. Education Minister Dave Cooke will also establish a new in- dependent office to create and ad- minister the systematical test and report on the results to the public. The new office, called the Educa- tion Quality and Accountability Of- fice will work with teachers and school boards to establish new ways to carry out and mark tests. In regards to implementing the testing, Keith Allen, vice-principal of South Huron District High School in Exeter said, "At this point, we have no plans, we don't have anything specific yet." Cooke's announcement is based on the recommendations of the roy- al commission on learning which released its report, For the Love of Learning, on January 26. Cooke said in a press release, "province -wide testing will give everyone a clear sense of how the education system is performing and how to make it better." The testing, which is slated to be- gin in September 1996, will help to determine how well the current ed- ucation system is working. Data collected from the testing will be used to make recommendations to the government and educators to imptou tie system at all levels. Ar nal test under the school ac liiM'indicatora program is schelible4jt.bg carried out in 1996 and 1999 in science, 1997 in math- ematics and 1998 in reading and writing. An international test will be conducted in the spring of this year. it will he the third inter- national mathematics and science test. Parents who are interested in re- ceiving more information on issues which have come out of the royal commission are invited to attend parents night, March 30 in the SHDH small gymnasium at 7:30pm. The meeting discussion will in- clude semestering of timetables and parent councils. "This was the last thing 1 ex- pected to happen,". she said. Erb found she was more nervous at the workshop, dealing with the unknow than she was at the actual competition. She has enjoyed her experience so far although it has meant a lot of extra work. "I like getting up in front of peo- ple... it's a good opportunity to meet new friends," said Erb. Many of the students who com- pete in debating are from private schools and are well funded for the expenses incurred. Funding for travel expenses to Halifax must be raised and the Huron County Board of Education is looking for or- ganizations who would interested in being a sponsor. Students will be billeted at homes of students who attend the private school where the competition will be held The president of the Ontario Stu- dent Debating Union, Jim Barnes, is an English teacher at Central Hu- ron Secondary School in Clinton. Barnes is also the Huron County debating coach and can be con- tacted for further information re- garding sponsorship. Debating is not the only extra- curricular activity Erb is involved with. She also studies dance and music and has acted in five plays at the playhouse. She and her sister Ashley both won their categories last week in the Hensall Legion Public Speaking competition. Phil and Laurie Erb have much to proud of with the recent success both of their daughters have achieved. Drug program helps with costs People with high prescription costs will benefit from new drug program TORONTO - Effective April 1, 1995, the Trillium Drug Program will be implemented in Ontario to financially help individuals and families who are faced with unmanageable drug expenses. Those people who require very expensive drugs or who have high drug costs relative to their income will qualify for the program. Tril- lium will not take the place of private or work-related drug in- surance. Rather, it is designed to take over where insurance leaves off. Beginning April I, families who have high drug expenses should begin saving their receipts. Once a specified portion of the taxable family income has been spent on drugs, a family or individuals be- come eligible for the Trillium program. By using the Ontario health card at the pharmacy, those who qualify can receive prescription drugs approved by the Ontario Drug Benefit plan, without charge. This effort will help people with a serious illness, maintain health without enduring serious financial hardships. Health Minister Ruth Grier hopes this plan will keep people from risking their health or resorting to quitting their jobs to go on social assistance. They will remain productive members of society while getting the prescription medications they require. Further information regarding the program will be available April 1 at local pharmacies. Granton WI 'Fun Day' By Muriel Lewis GRANTON - Winter seems to be unfolding as it should and it is nice to have the days gradually length- ening both in the morning and the evening. It is to be hoped that the clear and frosty air will eliminate some of the flu viruses that have been floating around which have been so preva- lent in some areas. Granton W.I. Nora Wissel was the hostess for the Granton Women's Institute af- ternoon meeting February 21. The roll call was answered with a blues chaser and the motto was 'Who will pull the wagon if we all get in to ride'. The fun day program was con- vened by Alma Nicholson and host- ess Nora Wissel when euchre was enjoyed. Prizes were won for high score by Elsie Dann, for second high by Olive Hodgins and for low score by Margaret Oakley. Muriel Lewis opened the meeting with a short reading 'A little thing worth knowing' and led the busi- ness discussion. A report of the dis- trict executive meeting was also given. Friendly conversation and Nora's great hospitality brought the Fun Day program to a close. Cuing ewe Wants to Save You Some GREEN! For the whole month of March You can get a perm for just $35. 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