Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-10-04, Page 18Page 18 Times -Advocate, October 4, 1995 Practice makes perfect school bus evacuations Brenda Burke T -A staff CREDITON - Students at Ste- phen Central Public School re- ceixed lessons in emergency bus evacuation procedures Wednesday morning. In order to prepare for their prac- tice, organized by the Huron County Board of Ed- ucation, students gath- ered in the school gym- nasium to watch a 10 - minute instructional video called Bus Evac- uation: Practice Makes Perfect. The video illustrates three ways to evacuate a bus including' front, rear and split evacua- tion. which involves evacuating from both the front and rear of the bus. Three helpers are appointed in each video evacuation example. One helper sits near the driver while the other helpers are seated near the back emergency doors. A front door evacuation is used when there is little or no immediate danger and lots of time to react to a situation. It requires helper no. 1 to direct the children off the bus starting at the rear and alternating sides while helper no. 2 keeps these passengers in order. Meanwhile, atte eva ele s the third helper takes charge of the outdoor safe area. Drivers practice front evacuations with the children on a regular basis. When the front end of the bus is deemed a danger area, for example, following a front end collision, a rear door evacuation may be nec- essary. The video cau- tions helpers to evacuate "away from the danger." In this case, helper no. 1 evacuates passengers beginning at the front of the bus while the other helpers get passengers out through the rear emergency exit. The video instructs children how to crouch before being helped off the bus. This avoids getting hit on the head in the process and also places arms in a position so help- ers are able to easily lift students to the ground. During a split evacuation, which is the fastest and most complex, both front and back doors are used. Evacuation begins simultaneously at both ends of the bus and travels toward the middle. More helpers are needed in this type of evacua- tion - one for the front of the bus, two for the back, one . to organize the students and one for the outside "We're mpting to do bus acuation es at all of our mentary chools" Optimist club growing to serve the needs of the .community EXETER - The Optimist Club of Exeter inducted seven new mem- bers last Tuesday night during a dinner meeting at the fire hall. The club has been growing since its inception in 1984, and according to Optimist president Mark Heimrich, club growth is necessary to match the growing needs of the community. "We have a strong club but we would still like to increase our mem- bership because the needs of the community are increasing," said Heinrich. The club's mission is to foster an optimistic way of life for the im- provement of individuals and society, through local Optimist Clubs dedicated to expanding youth and community services. Every year the Optimist Club raises approximately $60,00 for youth programs such as substance abuse and street proofing programs, minor sports, Big Brothers and Sisters As- sociations, special needs cases, educational programs and youth scholarships. The Optimist, raise money from fundraising pro- jects such as the annual Home and Garden Show which generates approximately $28,000 for the club. Every dollar raised is returned to the community in the form of ser- vice projects. Heimrich said Optimist International, the governing body of all clubs, has many youth programs ready to be implemented, however, the Exeter club could use more members to get these projects rolling. "We don't demand anything from our members, we ask people to come out and participate whenever they can," said Heimrich, adding that all projects are organized and run by Optimists who volunteer their spare time. "Volunteering is the lifeblood to an organization such as this. Nothing is possible without them," he said. The Optimist Club will be presenting a technical scholarship at SHDHS commencement on Friday and on October 27, they will be working with the Recreation Centre, the South Huron Drama Club and the Exeter Business Association creating a Halloween Haunted House in the Agriculture building for area children. In December, the Op- timists will take part in the Santa Clause parade and have organized a Christmas party for the children afterwards in the South Huron Rec- reation Centre featuring magicians and face painting activities. • safe area. Following each evacua- tion the last person on the bus, usu- ally the driver, checks to make sure the entire bus has been vacated. "What would you do if the bus had to be evacuated?' the video asks in its conclusion. "Where are you sitting? Where are the helpers sitting?" Following the video, children were sent outdoors in turn to prac- tice back door and side window evacuations on the same buses they ride on a daily basis. The practices were done by an OPP community services officer until a few years ago when they were taken over by the school board. While the OPP procedures targeted the older grades, the board now includes all elementary school grades. "We're attempting to do bus evacuation practices at all of our elementary schools," said the board's Transportation Manager, Dennis Harris, adding the goal is Tong -term. Turnberry Public School near Wingham and East Wawanosh Pub- lic School near Belgrave are sched- uled to receive the practices in Oc- tober. "Because practice makes perfect, we like to do (the exercise) once a year," said Hams. Grade one student Emily Zlelman receives a hand from designated helpers as well as as the Huron County Board of Education transportation manager, Dennis Harris, at right, during an emergency bus evacuation exercise at Stephen Central Public School on Wednesday. • CWL to host Thanksgiving service Roberta Walker GRAND BEND - Members of the Catholic Women's League of Immaculate Heart of Mary Council met recently in the Grand Bend par- ish hall for their September meet- ing. President Gera Peters presided. Cathy Vrolyk read the correspon- dence. An invitation from Precious Blood CWL of Exeter to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the CWL in Canada, on October 12 at 7 p.m. Bishop Sherlock may be available to say the Mass. The Windsor -Essex County Stu- dents for Life and the Pines Pro - Life are organizing and hosting a weekend for Ontario Students for Life on October 20-22. Grand Bend -Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Council of the Catho- lic Women's League will be host- ing a Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service on Tuesday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. All local churches are in- vited to participate in the church service and social time following in the adjoining parish hall. Father Beck will be the guest speaker. The Grand Bend council will also be hosting the Regional Deanery Meeting on November 8 with Mass at 9 a.m. and registration at 9:30 a.m., lasting until 3:30 p.m. The Alhambra cash draw dance is scheduled for November 17, and everyone will be asked to bring sal- ads for the lunch. The White Rib- bon Against Pornography (W.R.A.P.) campaign is usually held in the month of October and Josey Britton will be organizing this event. Congratulations to CWL member Nelly Kelders, who was lucky enough to win the beautiful quilt, raffled earlier in August. It was voted to donate the sum of $750 toward the cost of the new dishwasher in the parish hall. Fa- ther Beck said he would waive the remaining amount originally pledged by the CWL for the dish- washer. Instead, he asked that eve- ryone work hard toward meeting the parish goal of the Bishop's Campaign fund, which hasn't been reached the past few years. The next meeting will be sched- uled early, October 2, to plan the Ecumenical service for October 10. Playhouse Guild Members of the Huron Country Playhouse Guild enjoyed a deli- cious buffet luncheon at Oakwood Inn on Wednesday, September 27. Guild president Shirley Platt wel- comed everyone, both members and a number of guests who attend- ed. She also informed the members that Peggy Holmes will be in hospi- tal in London for the next week, and that Betty Hoyles is slowly re- cuperating at home. Visits are wel- come, but call her first. Ruth Buller won the 50/50 draw for the after- noon. An interesting photo of the old 'B' line school, SS #10 has been donated to the Guild Historical dis- play for the Playhouse, from the family of John Mason. The photo, from 1937, shows Joy Desjardine and her class mates. Another photo, of the school's exterior, was donat- ed by Alex Desjardine. Shirley Platt spoke of the Guild's successful summer with its many fundraising projects, including the Farm House Gift Shop. A full re- port will be given at the October Crokinole club starts fall program 4 crokinole party is planned for October 24. Joan Beierling VARNA - An open crokinole party is planned for October 24 at 8 p.m. in the Varna church basement. Anyone interested in joining the club should come out that night or contact Ralph Stephenson or Ivan McClymont or any other member. Bring crokinole boards and card ta- bles and also finger foods for lunch. Craft and bake sale A craft and bake sale is planned for Saturday, October 21 at ARC Industries, Dashwood, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be served all day. Quilt draw tickets are available. Church services Sunday, October 8 will be Thanksgiving Sunday and both Varna and Goshen sanctuaries will be decorated with corn stalks and pumpkins. The congregation will finish the decorating with offerings for the Clinton Food Bank. They are in need of pasta, powdered milk, soup other than tomato, canned vegetables and fruit, canned meat and cereals. They will also accept fresh produce such as pota- toes, squash, apples, etc. Sunday, October 15 is Goshen Anniversary Service at 11 a.m. in Goshen. This will be a combined service with Rev. Gordon Duncan from Centennial United in Strat- ford preaching. UCW Thursday, October 5 will be the Varna U.C.W. meeting at 8 p.m. Country Charm Open House will be held at Country Charm October 4, 5, and 6 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be door prizes and refreshments. Personals Last Thursday evening a commu- nity bridal shower was held for Janet Coleman, daughter of Jack and Eleanor. Sandra Turner opened the shower with a warm welcome and then Cara and Leanne Stephen- son stepdanced. The Varna Par Line Players then gave a performance showing life at the Coleman's, preparing for the wedding and then 25 years later. Julio Consitt read the address and the bride-to-be opened many gifts. She thanked everyone and lunch was served. Janet Coleman will be marrying Brad Betties on October 14. Many friends and relatives from the area attended the wedding and reception of Kim Hayter and Kevin Armstrong on Saturday evening at the Complex. The couple will be residing in Clinton. Hilda Bell recently returned from a two-week stay in Belize, Central America. Belize is a small country, approximately the size of Wales. There, she visited with Anglican clergy and their families, and toured several towns. She says the highlights of her trip were the Bel- ize Zoo, and riding on a bus through the rain forest. Anyone in- tered in hearing more about Belize can call her. r TOWN OF EXETER /PIAkcyliblarzt Special Garbage and Holiday Pick-up LARGE PLCK-UP WEST SIDE - 1st Thursday of October and November EAST SIDS - 2nd Thursday of October and November HOLIDAY PICK -JP Normal Pickup - Pickup Changed to Thanksgiving, October 9 Tuesday, October 10 HOUSEHOLD HAZAR US WASTE DAY Saturday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. at thejnafilj, WORKS DEPT- -105 INa ST TO t ROE LDINQ. Acceptable - cleaners, propane tanks, batteries (household and car), oils, car fluids, paints, stains and pesticides. Wm* KM* Exeter Werke Superintendent a Annual meeting. Joyce King announced that L. Henrick of London won the quilt draw and Beth McLaughlin of El- gin won the Royal Doulton figu- rine. Frances Fletcher Jr. and her team were congratulated on the success of the Fashion Show, held September 21. Everyone had a wonderful time. Dolores Thurston reminded mem- bers that it was time to sign up for the winter bridge games. Pat Ven - ton thanked all the Guild members who sold tickets on a special quilt, made and donated by Margaret Middleton, which was displayed at the Quilt Show and Sale at the Lambton Museum. This quilt was won by Helen Ross of Toronto, and was a fund raiser for the H.C.P. Board of Directors. President Shirley Platt reminded all the officers and committee chairs that a written report will he required for the October AGM. The Nominating Committee is still looking for a few more volunteers for some committees, as well. Shirley McIntyre gave an update on the conditions of Simon and Gloria Day, and Richard McCloud, who were in a serious traffic acci- dent a few weeks ago. Simon Day is now in South Huron Hospital, where he will begin a lengthy term of intensive physical therapy, while Gloria and Richard are recovering at home. Guild members were asked to check in and make sure they had some home cooked meals and desserts, to help them through this difficult time. Mary Burdon suggested a Christ- mas. baking exchange for the No- vember meeting, for each member to bring a few dozen cookies or squares. Then everyone could pick out a selection of someone else's baking to freeze for Christmas. The annual General Meeting will he held at Oakwood Inn on October 25. ( t) HThe C L7 S `, c , c timember 0County. 1 C C, b` 1 l�l C) ``) `) t) `l Cl l Ch l) �l b 0 -•,'t^\-,c\ -,c\'ti-" \-c\'RC1'�'�CC�G`-1- '\'ti' -'t. Huron Perth District Health Council l 0 U, U 0, 0 (( 8) 0 p 0 tet n C ) Recruitment For New Council/Committee Members Huron Perth District Health Council (HPDHC) is recruiting new candidates to fill volunteer positions on the Council and its committees. The HPDHC is responsible for the planning and coordination of health care services in Huron and Perth. The HPDHC advises the Minister of Health regarding health needs and the allocation of health resources for effective and economic delivery of health services. The HPDHC serves the Counties of Huron and Perth and is currently seeking applicants for one position on the 20 Council. Candidates must work and/or lives in Huron The HPDHC also seeks applicants from across the Huron/Perth district to serve on planning committees. Through committee work we address issues in areas such as: acute care; chronic care; long term care; supportive housing, mental health; health promotion; addiction services; emergency services. Council and committee positions will provide individuals with an opportunity to learn about and work on issues affecting both the local and provincial health services system. Interested applicants should have a genuine interest in planning and co-ordinating health services; good communication and problem solving skills; and demonstrated sound judgment. You should be able to devote approximately 10-20 hours per month to the position, and must live and/or work in the Huron/Perth District. Appointment to the Council would begin on May 10, 1996 and is made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for an initial term of one to three years. Committee work could begin earlier as appointment by the Lieutenant Governor is not required and positions will be filled on an as -needed basis. The HPDHC is interested in individuals who provide a community perspective and reflect the diversity of the local population. Interested candidates are invited to submit an application or letter of interest and a brief summary of volunteer and work experience by Wednesday, October 18, 1995 to: Chair, Nominating Committee Huron Perth District Health Council 11 Victoria Street, OGeneral ntario Delivery NOK 1N0 For an application form or additional information, call the DHC office at (519) 348-4498. -,cc,ci:xyz/.rl✓././.l✓✓✓.. Scci /...0 1f,/./.l✓✓✓,.✓✓.r✓r/.