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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
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