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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-04-15, Page 2GIFT SHOPPE r)2.1-) 188 PAGE • 2 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1987 UR THANKS The management and staff of Discoveries wish to thank Goderich and community for their support during our open- ing celebrations, on April 10th. We look forward to serving you in the future. Thank You. Congratulations to Leslie Evans, Goderich, winner of the solid pine "Rocking Elephant, - .1 1Vest Street, (,ocierich For exciting Furniture Values, don't miss our EA S TER WE EK END UPHOLSTERY SALE! All Chesterfields, Chairs, [ n'eseuts and Occasional Chairs 13ed'uc 13ath Shop 1' ine Furnishings, Lighting Decorative Consultant Decorative SA•I,l ENDS . EA STER MONDAY A PIS I L .20. 1987. Ar "'Ivo Levels Of• Extraordinary Treasure's" Accessories 8 The Square Goderich Phone: 524-4400 Citizens fret over traffic near schools I Goderich Town Council has received let- ters from two Goderich citizens, concern- ed about separate traffic situations 'in areas near local schools. One letter, received by council at their April 13 meeting -expressed a desire to see the intersection of South Street and Ben- nett Street East made into a four-way stop. "For the safety of our children and to provide a more consistent control of the speed limit in this area, I am proposing that stop signs be positioned at South and Bennett Street East to provide a four-way stop. This would afford the residents in this sector the proper and necessary protec- tion, which other citizens are currently en- joying," said the letter from T, G. Ewer, of Bennett St. East. "I have been a resident at 6 Bennett St. East since September, 1986 and' can verify • the high intensity of pedestrian traffic at this intersection on a daily basis. There is continual lingering of students from the high school in and around this intersection in addition to several children from the neighbourhood simply playing about the area," Ewer continued, pointing out that senior citizens from the Maitland Manor nursing home also often. walk in this area. "I cannot understand why" there is not a • stop sign at this critical corner. to slow the flow of east -west traffic which in my opi- nion is frequently travelling at 'excessive speeds." Council referred the letter to the traffic committee for futher study. ' Another letter, this one from Audrey J. Barlow, principal .,of Victoria Public School, suggested the traffic Islands at the Britannia Road, Bayfield Road corner be modified to accomadate wheelchair bound students of the school. "We have found this crossing difficult and dangerous for the childen in wheelchairs. The teacher aides in charge of these children have had to take the children' out around the islands and into the highway. Needless to say, all traffic • does not stop, which creates another hazard. We also have a child in a stroller,, so I am sure many mothers with babies in strollers must' also experience the same frustrations as we do," said Barlow's letter. ' "Is it feasible to make cut-outs in these islands so that the wheelchairs could cross • into them and remain there until it is same" to continue crossing? 'The cut-outs would also help children crossing . on 'tricycles, and those pushing bicycles across." Council agreed to consider Barlow's sug- gestion, and will address the, matter as soon as street reconstruction in the area is completed. OPEN DAILY gam-6p^m FRIDAYS TILL 9 PM We honour VISA • and MASTERCARD IJtJOIJIJP SPALDUJ1i, MIZUNO Choose from the area's finest , Selection! We've got a mitt to fit every member of your family! SALES & SERVICE I I If ,Ol' \RF GODERICH P1 ION( 524-2822 t:neryl Turnbull, 8, of Robertson school gets instruction from Howard Carrol of the Goderich Lions Club. The students were being video taped to provide a record if they become miss- ing. District C Lions payed for the equipment and the tape remains the property of the school for easy reference. The cost of the project is $45,000 which works out to about 60 cents. per child, said Carrol. The Lions have already been to many area schools and plan to visit more. The children stand in front of a height chart and say their name, their teacher, their age and how they get to school and the video captures their profile and manerisms.i photo by Ted Spooner) ort on dropouts CLINTON - An interesting new report from the Huron County Board of Education "I HCBE) could provide the foundations for future recommendations regarding high school drop outs. HCBE trustee Joan Van Den Broeck call- ed the Secondary School Studer` Drop Out Survey "excellent statistical data". Bob Allan, the director of education, sold that the survey would continue as an ongoing process, with further reports made back to the board trustees. The 35 page document has been long awaited by Huron board trustees. Data in the survey examines.. drop out trends in the five Huron County high schools. During . 1985-86, some 170' students left school. This figure reflected 4:5 per cent of the September 1985 secondary school • population. By individual schools the survey results . showed: Central' Huron Secondary School, Clinton - 44 drop outs for 5.5 per cent of -the student population; Goderich District Collegiate Institute - 35 drop outs,'4.5 per cent; South Huron District High School, Ex- eter - 39 drop outs, 4.4 per cent; Seaforth District High School - 15 drop outs, 4.3 per' cent; F.E. Madill Secondary 'School, Wingham - 39 drop cfuts, 4`.4 per cent of the student population. The survey further indicates that of the 170 total number of .drop outs, 99 were boys and 71 students were girls. Of the total, 47 of the drop outs were 17 years of age, 43 of the students were 18 years old, 38 ' students were 16 years old, 19 students were 19 years old, 12 of them were.. 15 and 11 of the students were 20 and over. The month of October proved to have the highest dropout rate. Eighty-eight of the. drop outs had less than 14 credits when they quit school, 51 of the drop outs had between 14 and 25 credits, 23 of the students `had more than 26 credits. The survey went on to document why these 170 students dropped out of school before graduation. The identified reasons included: employment, 75 students; no definite plans, 73 students; behavior, 12 students, private schools, 9 students; death, 1 student. A summary of the statistical included 11 observations. ' • Approximately one third of the drop out population was age 16 or lower. • While three-quarters of 'the respondents claim to be working, fully one half identify an intention to seek further schooling. • The level of satisfaction expressed with school courses offered dropped to less than 60 per cent from over 80 per cent in the tran- sition from elementary to secondary school. • Less than five per of the respondents identified problems' with their academic' work.' • Over 40 per cent identified attendance at school as a probem. • A high degree of importance was placed on life skill courses, work placements, and practical experience subjects as helping student:; remain in school. • Seventy percent of early school-leavers have other family members who left school early. • Fifty per cent of early school-leavers in- dicate involvement with a social agency. • Fifty per cent attended two or more elementary schools; 35 per cent attended three or more schools. • Thirty-three per cent, attended two or more secondary schools. • Close to one, half of the respondents iden- tify a special education background. ' The survey observations identified that student drop outs had feelings of failure, poor self concepts, health problems, family instability., substance abuse, problems with behavior and attendance, school conflict and lack of -part-time work. It was further noted that one third of the respondents believe that ;'if I get a diploma, I still won't be able to get a job." When asked what changes in the school they would recommend the respondents suggested: more .courses dealing with pro- blems of maintaining a family and home; a grade just for those who dont want to go to school with kids half their' age; more com- munication between teacher and pupil; free meals .t for those below the poverty line I ; More courses in Grade 13; on-theajob ex- periences; revised` I contemporary I tex- tbooks; something we will be able to use in the future; alternate day scheduling;, ha If - tithe work placements: 'skill or job-related training; courses related to agricultural oc- cupations; more "real -to -life" learning; open'access to classes; fresh, new ideas for the young from the. young; more activities in physical education, Respondents were also asked to:identify what changes they would like to see in the community to help students who leave school early.. They noted. education pro- grams outside of the school system; more :training programs; more counsellors "to give you confidence to car, y on;, job search assistance; a home in the community for unwed mothers; more people who would ac- cept apprentices; financial aid for those who leave school because of poverty or family problems; opportunities based on personal qualities, not just qualifications; students should not be hallowed to quit school until they are 18 years old. Approximately' one-third of the, respondents provided comments suggesting some form of alienation with the school system. Negative comments were directed against teachers, vice principals„and prin- cipals. Elements of conflict appeared to ex- ist in many of these situations as a factor immediately preceding the decision to leave school. Further to the 1985-86 school year, survey, preliminary observations for the current school year seem to indicate that the drop out rate may be lower in 1986-87'. From September to December of 1986, 71 students had left school 20 from Central Huron; 15 from GDCI.; 12 from F.E. Madill; 17 from South Huron; and seven from Seaforth High School. Survey data will continue. to be compiled. In conclusion, the current survey docu- ment makes several suggestions. It recom- mends that a profile of potential drop outs tie established and that specific intervention strategies be employed to help reduce early school leaving, both at the elementary and secondary school levels. Further recom- mendations are procedures t9 facilitate the reentry of drop out students, as well as the, need to establish alternative programs or school settings as a drop out prevention measure. Champion launches plan • from page 1 , larger share of an existing.market. "The Champion product is well accepted all over the world ,and the government is pleased to work with the company for the benefit of the area;' he said. ” We recognize the defence industry is a major purchaser of graders and it is a market you should share." Champion is the town and county's largest employer with over 800 employees. Claiming that most industrial develop- ment comes from existing industries, Mayor Eileen Palmer said that Cham- pion's initiative was -excellent news" and that "only time will dictate the spinoff ef- fects of this project." • The investment in engineering, deign and manufacturing capabilities will im- pact on the company's ability to cut pro- duction costs while offering a superior product. While the labour force will increase at a gradual pace, Champion recently increas- ed its staff by 30 employees. The next three years will be spent developing the new grader, developing new manufacturing techniques and a market strategy. Huron' County Social Services Commit- tee will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, in the Court House council chambers, Goderich. Huron County Planning and Develop- ment Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, in the Court House council chambers, Goderich. Huron County Agriculture and Property Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tues- day, April 21, in the Court House council chambers, Goderich. fiuronview Committee of Management, will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednescray, April , CIVIC CORNER at Hur•onview. Huron County Executive Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 27 in the Court House council chambers, Goderich. The Goderich Police Commission will meet on Wednesday, April 22 at. 10 a.m, at the Candlelight Restaurant.