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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-12-11, Page 26'roam creates enthusiasm It is a rare thing for students at the elementary school level to express a great deal of enthusiasm when it comes to a particular subject or class. That is one of the things which makes Values, Influences and Peers (VIP), a pilot program sponsored jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Solicitor -General, so unique. The children love it. Students at Huron Centennial School, in Brucefield, one of three Huron County schools where the program is being tested have nothing but rave reviews for the fledgling course. " VIP is one of the keenest subjects there is. I have learned a lot of interesting things, like you don't always have to go along with your friends if they are doing something wrong. If they won't be your friend because of it, they are not very good friends. Are they?" said Sandra Steckle. "W a are learning both sides of everything, instead of just the good sides. W e learned about friends, and kind of how to get friends. Not by using put downs. We mainly learned how we make decisions and how to make them right," said Kraig Gingerich. The comments of these two Huron Centennial Grade 6 students are typical of the reaction most of the students are giving to the program. Huron Centennial teacher David Kemp said the program was introduced at the Grade 6 level because the students are reaching the age when they will soon have to begin making value judgements. At the same time, he said, students in this age group have usually not yet been confronted with decisions about such things as drugs and alcohol abuse, and so, can be frank about them. "These kids are open in their discussions. They're frank. As pre -adolescents, they are able to discuss these things without guilt, or feeling they have to cover something up," said Mr. Kemp. "W hat we try to do is establish what values they have in life at present and relate that to the standards that are present in society today," said Officer Marshall. At first glance, the topics covered might seem like weighty matters for 11 -year-old children to ponder. Values and standards, creating impressions. belittling others, peer • pressure, decision-making, authority and � authorityfigures, being truthful, the dangers of drugs, vandalism and destructive behav- ior,. shoplifting and stealing, youth and the law and friends and friendships, are topics listed in the•course outline for VIP: The idea of VIP however,. is not to frighten the children with overwhelming responsibilities, but to instill a sense of awareness about these matters. The course is currently offered in schools in Goderich and Exeter areas and the Huron County Board of Education plans to have it in all•their public schools by September, 1'986. It was first introduced in test schools in Ontario three years ago and has proven • highly successful in helping young children estab- lish their values and priorities, said John Marshall, an OPP officer who acts as course instructor, in conjunction with regular school teachers. "W a want to get kids thinking about these things before they get to the age where they have to deal with them," said Officer Marshall. "Developing interpersonal skills for good interpersonal relations, with a focus on decision making," is the basic aim of the program, said Mr. Kemp. "Until recently, there has been a gap (in the education system), or rather, a need has developed,". for education on these subjects, he added. The program does not infringe on moral education usually left up to parents because it is "presented in a non -judgmental situa- tion," said Mr. Kemp. "Children are encouraged to make their own decision on the rightness or wrongness of things and reason it out for themselves," he added. The course material is presented in a variety of ways, with the emphasis on disc�ussion and student involvement. 'I'A lot of it is participation by students. W e give them little skits and plays to emphasize most of these topics," said Officer Marshall. 1 VIP PROGRAM Constable John Marshall, of the Ontario Provincial Police Instructs a Grade 6 class at Huron Centennial School, Brucefleld, In a new program called Very Important People talking about Values, Influences and Peers. The program helps young children come to grips with the many value judgements they will be expected to make in society. Films, poster -making sessions and lots of open, honest dialogue are other elements of the program. Another novel feature of VIP, is a complete absence of any marking system and the instructors are careful not to discourage students by penalizing them for giving wrong answers. "We try to give them positive feedback for their initiatives," said Mr. Kemp. "In the group discussions, the students don't feel any authority pressure in this class. W e leave discussions open-ended.and we're willing to accept what they offer.''( Simulating real-life stressful situations is one method VIP instructors employ to get their message across. In one exercise, students learn to handle, peer pressure and teasing by hurling verbal barbs at the instructors. The instructors try to formulate effective replies to these comments, to. demonstrate methods of dealing with criti-. cisrh. In this way, "a person who's constantly being belittled by others can standup for himself and know how to answer to this problem," said Officer Marshall. VIP' is . a novel approach to teaching sensitive material and so 'far. it has been well -accepted by parents, students 'and teachers alike. " W e sent letters (explaining the program) at the first of the year and we've had good parent support," said .Mr. Kemp, The program will be expanded after Christmas to the Hensall Public School and may soon be broadened to include Grade 5 students as well. said Mr. Kemp. Still, the best gauge of the program's effectiveness are the ;comments ' of the students in Mr, Kemp's Grade 6 classes. , "In VIP I have learned a lot about myself and realize how other people feel. We have II Say.... MERRY CHRISTMAS: to your family and 'all' your friends with ease this year! Save the time and expense of sending Christmas cards by placing a "Merry" Christmas Greeting in the Clinton News -Record 1 yljL / •�•,�, iJ Yj I �..�, Your greeting with unlimited wording will appear grouped with other'greetings. in the Dec. 18 issue. '5.75One Week PLUS YOU CAN $AVE AN ADDITIONAL $1,00 BY PAYING FOR YOUR GREETING IN ADVANCE One W1ek Paid in Advance s4.75 SAMPLE... MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year to my wife. S. Claus Moil or bring in person to CHRISTMAS GREETING WORD ADS SAVE TIME & MONEY. CLINTON NEWS -RECORD P.O. BOX 39 Clinton. NOM 1L0 Raft is photo CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1985—Page 3A Retirement program to open career paths in the senior . r MONTREAL. - Treasury Board President Robert de Cotret announced that the second and final phase of the federal government's Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Pro- gram for senior public servants has at- tracted 205 additional applications. Assum- ing all 205 applications meet program re- quirements, this would bring to 535 the total number of retirements resulting from the program. Mr. de Cotret announced the program results in a presentation to a Montreal management forum attended by represen- tatives of business, accounting and legal professions from the Province of Quebec. The program results meet, and indeed ex- ceed, the objective of 400 - 500 retirements set by Treasury Board earlier this year. These retirements will help to resolve a serious problem resulting from reduced tur- nover among senior officials in recent years and to achieve, as well, significant payroll savings. Mr. de Cotret said, "The success of the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Pro- gram will open up the career paths of talented managers who would otherwise have seen their aspirations for promotion and greater responsibility thwarted by a lack of movement in the senior ranks. The program should help revitalize the public service, improve morale, promote move- ment between the private and public sec- tors, and enhance - in a businesslike way - the determination and capacity to tackle the important issues which the government faces today." Total cost of the program is expected to, remain within the $25.1 million original cost estimate. Of the 535 vacated positions, at least 200 will be eliminated. This will result in a recurring annual payroll saving of $15.6 million, permitting the program to pay for itself within two years. The remainingob vacancies will be filled with high calibre men and women from both within and out- side the public service. The average incentive allowance paid under the program to date is 28 weeks' pay exclusive of existing severance pay en- titlements, which are earned by the employee at a rate of one week's pay for each year of service up to a maximum of 28 weeks. Phase One of the program, which conclud- ed oncluded on July 5, 1985, was offered to senior managers, executives and deputy ministers who were already eligible to retire with full pension benefits, but who had not indicated their intention to do so. Phase Two was directed at officials of the same rank who were eligible to retire on a pension which will be reduced by actuarial penalties based on age and number of years of pensionable service short of that required for a full (unreduged) pension. This pension penalty will commonly range from five to 75 per cent. learned many interesting things, such as the dangers of drugs and peer pressure. I really enjoy VIP," said Leanne Charters. • "I believe this course should be taken to other schools in Ontario," said Erin Lobb. "I think that this class has taught everyone something important," adds Nancy, Lefaive. . Give Your Family ee THE ULTIMATE GIFT ECURITY AND PEACE OF MIND Complete Residential Security Systems 17 Yawn' . l aperlence/16013 Accounts Proulnce Wide AMAR ECURFT`Y VSTEMS 1-800-265-7562 546 Christina St., Sarnia, Ontario N7T SW6 Gifts that don't cost a lot Not all Christmas gifts cost money. Many of us feel a financial squeeze this time of year - we want to give special gifts to those special people, but often, we just don't have the money. But, there are many gifts which are sure to be appreciated for their uniqueness and personal touch, bid which cost little or nothing in monetary terms. Offer some cooking lessons and a notebool\o€your favorite recipes. If you know someone who keeps his checkbook in a state of precarious disorder, offer to balance it for him. Or, volunteer a few hours of typing to that student on your list. If you're handy around the house, offer your services as a carpenter. After all, everybody needs something done around the house or apartment. Youngsters could volunteer to do the dishes for a month or clean out the base- ment. Just remember, Christmas gifts should come from the heart - and hearts don't need wrappings. 30 DAYS 'SNORT TERM Thank -Yo The Clinton B.I.A. would like to thank the following service clubs for their generous assistance with the Gala Children's Christmas Party- •CLINTON KINETTES •HURON FISH & GAME •CLINTON LIONS CLUB •CLINTON LEGION •CLINTON OPTIMIST CLUB We would also like to extend a special thanks to the following businesses for their GIFTS - GIFT CER- TIFICATES - CASH for the Children's Christmas draw to be held on Saturday, December 21st at 3:30 p.m. - Clinton Town Hall. •Anstett Jewellers Ltd. *Mason Bailey Real Estate Ltd. *Ball & Mutch Home Furnishings •Beattie Furniture Ltd. •The Becker Milk Co. Ltd. •Burgess Department Store •Campbell's Men's Wear ®Clinton Commercial Printers Ltd. 'Clinton Electric ' Clinton Glass Mirror & Aluminum Products •Clinton News -Record ®Clinton Pharmacy *Clinton Pro -Hardware *Dixie Lee Fried Chicken and Seafood Take•Out & Catering ®John L. Duddy Real Estate Broker *The Dutch Store 'Everything Good •Groves T.V. & Appliance Centre • Heywood's Sports •Huron Business Machines •Lee's of Clinton Ltd. •McKerlie- Millen *Mac's Convenience Store *Beecher & Menzies •Bank of Montreal • Dr. D.R. NIsbett • Ray & Shirk Super Market •The Royal Bank •Star•Time Video •Shiral Department Stores Ltd. •Triangle Discount •Verbeek's Farm & Garden Centre •John Wise Insurance Brokers Ltd. • Wuerth Shoes HEY KIDS! DON'T FORGET. to enter the ('hildren's Christmas draw to he made on Saturday, December 21st at 3:30 p,m. - Town Hall. Entry forms available at "Everything Good and Dixie Lee. Sponsored by... CBI ACLINTON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA S�q