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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-02-21, Page 18Tirr-Adaot»te, At6r f McGillivray Central Public School students enjoy Medieval Day on Feb. 7. Above, they show their musical abil- ities. At right, Lynsay Corby displays her frilly hat while Angela Ritchie straightens her tall medieval head -piece. Grade 3 students have been studying the Med- ieval times for about a month. They've learned about the era's food, music and made their own costumes and dec- orations for the event. junior Kindergarten fiscally sound "A government that is looking at maxi- mizing aximizing potential and making maximum use of education should realize that JK programs will fulfill these mandates".. Dear Editor. I wish to extend my belated public congratula- tions, on behalf of my Federation, to the Huron County Board of Education for demonstrating Its foresight and progressive spirit by continuing Jun- ior Kindergarten for the years 1996-971 Countless studies throughout the world have shown that the determinants for success or failure in life are set in the first four years of human develop- ment. As early as the 1940s and 50s government documenis have advocated the advantages of early years education. More recently, follow-up studies have provided clear evidence that early education had a positive impact on disadvantaged children in both the long and short term. Junior Kindergarten teachers know that early schooling has tremendous benefits for children in terms of future success in literacy and numeracy as well as in socialization skills. In our largely rural board Junior Kindergarten may be the only means through which some children receive experiences for early socializing. Social skills and behavioral patterns are often set in a child by the age of 5 years. It is a sad truth that some of our students do not learn appropriate behavioral and social skills before attending school. Also, some homes or pri- vate child-care providers do not provide the neces- sary stimulation in terms of challenging and rein- forcing learning through play and hands-on activities. This lack of training eventually makes a tremendous drain on the system over the years in terms of teacher time, discipline, special education intervention, classroom interruptions and student learning. Children at risk need early intervention to suc- ceed in school. According to the Ontario Child Health Study - Children at Risk, one child in four shows signs of developmental failure. The 1985 All -Day Kindergarten Study by the Toronto Board, of Education showed that,four year-olds have a tre- mendous capacity to learn and to make up lost ground, particularly in language skills: By interven- ing at an early age when children are still amenable to behavioral and social changes, and when oppor- tunities, for physical and intellectual growth can be provided sooner, great academic and social strides can be made within the child, within the clas§room and school sstem, and within society as a whole. Because of this, we can state that Junior Kinder- garten tsal&c� ftccaiy`erutdr 4l tgitudinal stu�y i e; the system at 4 years of age in 1962. discovered that by the time these students were 27 years old. every dollar spent on their program at 4 years of ago had saved seven dollars in education. health, social ser- vices and the justice system when compared with their peers who had not had the early start. Children who attend JK stay in school longer; have improved reading, math and language skills; a greater chance of future employment; lower rates of teenage preg- nancy and delinquency and higher enrollment in post -secondary education. Though not immediate, these results nevertheless make an impact on the whole of society. The Huron County Board of Education, despite the smaller population which it serves and the re- duced revenue sources with which it must work, has shown itself to be a progressive board which offers its students an excellent, competitive base through its education system. Huron County parents have shown unexpected support for the Junior Kindergart- en program over the past two years, with approxi- mately 370 JK students enrolled. In smaller schools, JK has helped to supplement SK class sizes and to make them more cost-effective in terms of staffing. Because of this only 5.5 JK teaching positions were actually in jeopardy in Huron. By running all -day every -other day programs the Board hang also been able to offer JK at a much lower transportation cost than other boards. JK/SK teachers within the system have related that students moving on to Grade one classes will be much more ready to cope with litera- cy, numeracy and social behavioral expectations - and this will cost the system less over time. The education systems Premier Harris' govern- ment holds up for Ontario to emulate, such as Japan and Germany, all have strong early childhood pro- grams. A government that is looking at maximizing potential and making maximum use of education dollars should realize that Junior Kindergarten pro- grams will fulfill both of these mandates. Cutting these programs would only result in short term gains and long term losses. According to John Snobelen, further government study to revisit the concept of early years education is on-going. Cutting JK within Ontario public school boards would send an unfortu- nate message to this government. Our board, by waiting for the results of the Eckert study on Junior Kindergarten, is sending a different message. To date, only two Boards of Education have elect- ed to commit to Junior Kindergarten. Nine boards have -withdrawn it ,and the others are on stand-by. Congratulations again to the Huron County, Board for demonstrating their leadership in the province ' and their commitment to the young children of Hu- ron County! 4.4141,t, e 1 W YI ,1 n Trac Tai Chi demonstrated to CWL members Blyth Festival Singers to host Scottish Ceilidh Roberta Walker GRAND BEND - Members of the Catholic Women's League of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council met on February 12 in the parish hall after Mass, celebrated in the church. President Gera Peters chaired the meeting. It was agreed that the C.W.L. pay the costs of maintaining the new Sunday School project, offered during 11 a.m. Mass. Peters thanks C.W.L. member Yvonne Vandenberk for organizing a Sunday School pro- gram, and thanked all her helpers. The money will go toward books, crafts and other supplies. Margrit Breuer reported that nearly 65 out of 80 members have paid their membership fees for 1996. Congratulations go to Lia Vandenberk and to Kathy Vrolyk for perfect attendance at the meet- ings of 1995. Ideas for recruiting new members included mailing in- vitations to all the women in the parish, asking if they would consid- er membership on an inactive basis, if they felt unable to participate ac- tively at the present time. Father Beck will provide a mailing list for the membership convener. Peters also thanked all those members who participated in or at- tended the Christmas Ecumenical service; to Toni Vandenberk for or- ganizing the Pa 'sh Christmas bas- kets; to Josy Britton for collecting the parish White Gifts for the Lion- ess Christmas baskets for the local community; and to Dina Kelders for counting up the grocery tapes from the IGA and Tenderspot which netted about $800 for the C.W.L. Josy Britton reported on the Re- gional meeting. Six C.W.L. mem- bers attended the annual C.W.L. Fun Night in Mitchell, where sev- eral hundred women enjoyed great entertainment provided by several councils, lots of door prizes, and a r potluck feast. The executive decided to an- nounce special dates for members at the monthly meetings. Congratu- lations to Dina Kelders, who cele- brates her birthday in February and to Annie and Case V gprt, who will be celebrating dost 40th wedding anniversary this month. The World Day of Prayer will be commemorated on March 1, Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Church of God, Grand Bend. Peters will at- tend the Planning meeting, and Ro- berta Walker volunteered to supply music, if needed. The annual parish pancake break- fast will be scheduled for Sunday, March 24 after the 9 a.m. Masses. Volunteers will be needed to orga- nize and serve. The next C.W.L. Diocesan Con- vention will be held April 22-24 at the Holiday Inn Select in Windsor. Members are encouraged to attend. Father Beck reminded everyone about the upcoming Lenten season, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 21. A new series of pro- grams will be broadcast on Vision TV, each Friday at 7:30 p.m. from February 23 to March 29, with Bishop Terrence Prendergast. About 20 young people are regis- tered for confirmation on Pentecost Sunday in May, from the grade 7/8 classes in Forest and Mount Car- mel, who attend this parish. Father Beck also discussed the idea of par- ish clustering for local areas, which would include Grand Bend, Bay- field, Zurich and St. Joseph Catho- lic churches. This would involve some additional cooperation and sharing of facilities, resources and volunteers. The next C.W.L. meeting will be March 5, a Tuesday, with guest speaker Ruth Rock a family coun- sellor from a local Women's Shel- ter. The April meeting will be Tuesday, April 16 but from then on all C.W.L. meetings will be changed to the first Tuesday of the month. After the meeting, the members enjoyed a demonstration of Tai Chi by a local club, with Bill Metcalfe, Gord and Bernice Hill, Gord Brit- ton, Gina Fisher and Jill Pickney. The practice of Tai Chi originated with Tavist Monks over 1,000 years ago, with 108 separate move- ments and exercises. Tai Chi induc- es stress, builds like � derma balance, improves pulmonary ac - Bon and stretches the spine. It can leasee the .barge of so senior elastic* are offered at thri Thedford seniors home. Beginner classes will start on February 21, from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. If you are interested call Bill Metcalfe at 238-5987 or Ber- nice Hill, 238-5958. The C.W.L. enjoyed their presentation and pre- sented them with a cheque in a thank you note. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church news Congratulations to Jarrett Wil- liam Bastiaansen, infant son of Wil- liam Bastiaansen and Melinda Rombouts, who was baptized into the Catholic Community on Sun- day. Wednesday, February 21 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, with Masses at 9:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Confessions during Lent will be on Saturday evenings from 6:40 until 7 p.m. and Lenten Devotions - Stations of the Cross and Benedic- tion will be held on Thursday even- ings at 7:15 p.m. Bishop Sherlock of London Diocese will be featured on Life and Faith, Sunday, Febru- ary 25 at 9:30 a.m. on CFPL Lon- don, on London Community 13, at 1:30 p.m. and repeated Sunday, 'March 3, same times. A series of programs will be presented on Vi- sion TV from Friday, February 23 to Friday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m., called POn the Road to Jerusalem" with Bishop Terrance Prendergast. • First Communions will be cele- brated in this parish on the follow- ing Sunday, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5. Please choose a date and a Mass time, and contact Father Beck. Students attending Public School are also asked to contact Fa- ther Beck if they wish to be con- firmed on Pentecost Sunday, May 26 at 11 a.m. Mass, regarding in- structions for the sacrament. Don't forget World Day of Prayer on March 1, Friday, at the Church of God in Grand Bend at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to at- tend. Capsule Comments with Ernie Miatello Amniocentesis, a method of examining the genetic heritage and health status of the fe- tus while it's still in the womb, was devel- oped in 1952 by a British doctor, Douglas Bevis. The toothbrush as we know it was invented by the Chinese in 1490. It was made from pig bristles. By the way, have you changed your toothbrush lately? Dental hygienists recommend getting a new one every 8-12 weeks. A Dutch neurologist suggests that Picasso's paintings show that the artist suffered from migraines. He concluded this from the faces in his paintings with distorted or missing features. This is similar to what some migraine -sufferers experience dur- ing the aura before their headache. • There Is a Zink between high body fat and prostate cancer. This is borne out by the fact that vegetarians, who have a )ow dietary fat intake, have a lower incidence of prostate cancer than men with high fat intake. You may not want to go to total vegetarian- ism, but cutting your fat intake Is beneficial. ON APOTHECARY Phone 236-1982 440 Main 8t., Exeter "Your Health Care Phan aoy' GODERICH - A wee bit of danc- ing, a wee bit of singing and a grand meal are on the agenda when the Blyth Festival Singers host their traditional Scottish Ceilidh. The evening of music, dancing and good food will take place at the ,Goderich Township Hall in Holmesville on Saturday, February 24. The sound of the pipes will begin the evening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. A hot, buffet meal will be served at 7 p.m., complete with the traditional address to the Haggis de- livered by Doug Coventry of Clin- ton. The event is licensed under the LLBO. One of the Ceilidh's most re- quested items is Scottish Country Dancing. Bob Shepherd of Luck - now will again lead novices and old hands through the steps of the strathspeys, jigs and few reels. , , This is a fund raising event of the Blyth Festival Singers, a 40 -voice community' choir, led by Wade Whittaker of Seaforth. , For ticket information, call the Blyth Festival ' Box Office 523- 9300. Campbell's . Photography 524-7532; Bluewater Office Equip- ment 357-1554; Carol's 'Candies, 523-4700; Crossroads Gifts 482- 5855; The Dutch Store, 482-7302; Something Special 235-1252. alikAMLIE SOCK • Benjamin Moore Paints • Wall Coverings • Fabric • Stencils • Sundries SALE STARTS WED. FEB. 21 glie Decorator Patch 21.3 Main St. Liman 227-1595 Everything Must Go!