HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-05-14, Page 3eWS
Junior Kin i er .hart n is most
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c®ntentl ins issue in education
E.......__ ...,.._M.MAX AY14, 19811- - PAGE 3
GODERICH SIGNAI,-STAR. i�
WFNFSnAV. 14
There were some opposing voices to the
proposal for the early primary education
project which was discussed at
Schoolurn
Perth Roman Catholic Seppnte
Board meeting in Dublin Monday night.
John McCauley, Superintendent of Educa-
tion, introduced the report and outlined the
response of the board's six -member com-
mittee named to study the project proposed
by the ministry of education.
McCauley said there are some real gaps
in primary education and the ministry's
task force came up with some suggestions to
eliminate them.
Trustee Gerald Groothuis of Seaforth sug-
gested the project was "stupid at least
while Trustee John Devlin of Stratford aid
he would "oppose soundly a junior
Kindergarten".
Trustee Ernest Vanderschot of St. Marys
asked that the report be held over for a deci-
sion to be made at the next board meeting.
Board chairman Ronald Marcy said the
contentious issue was the junior
Kindergarten concept.
Groothuis said he was co c e have trou-
bleincreased costs, stating '
getting enough money now for things we
need."
Marcy said, "I feel parents would con-
sider the junior kindergarten a substitute
for a day care centre, which it is not"
Devlin questioned whether there was
tangible proof of benefits for students who
have had early education and McCauley in-
dicated the researchers are divided on this.
However, he said there are those resear-
chers who claim for this period from three
to eight years of age with parents working,
it is helpful and hence there is a greater
need for early childhood education.
William Eckert, Director of Education,
suggested the decision be held over for the
next meeting to give the trustees more time
to study the lengthy report.
In other business, the board accepted the
contract for renovations at St. Michael's
School annex in Stratford from the Nith
Valley Construction at the tendered price of
$110,988, including a 400 amp. electrical ser-
vice. This was the lowest of five tenders
received.
The board accepted ' the resignation of
Doreen Nogalo, kindergarten teacher at St.
Joseph's School in Clinton. She is retiring at
the end of the school term in June.
Mediation service aims to help children
of separated o
BY ANNE NAREJKO
CLINTON - Messy custody battles aren't
good for anyone, least of all the children. To
help avoid such damaging separations and
divorces, the Huron -Perth Centres For
Children and Youth is offering a closed
mediation service, a program aimed at
helping divorcing or separated parents with
children.
"We deal with the custody and access of
the children," explained program co-
ordinator Shirley Hackman who will be
handling the mediation service with Nancy
McLeod and Sandy Stuart, all employees at
the Centre. "We don't deal with money or
give any legal advice."
The program has been running on a trial
basis for the past year and a half, but with
the recent change in legislation, the Centre
now wants to make the, service known to the
public.
As of January of this year, the provincial
family law reform act recommends that two
forms of mediation for custody and access
be available. The two types are full report
(or open mediation) and closed mediation.
As of February of 1986, the Federal
Divorce Act requires lawyers to inform
their clients of the rnediation available.
Confidentiality
Full report mediation consists of a full
report and assessment but the Huron -Perth
Centre does not offer this type of mediation,
they offer the closed mediation which
stresses confidentiality.
"The written agreement is in the parents'
own words, they still make the decisions,
but it is specific so the parents don't have to
talk to each other much if they don't want
to," explained Ms. Hackman.
She feels that closed mediation can allow
the parents to be more honest and up front
about their feelings and about events which
have led up to the separation or divorce.
'1P -7
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Great NI aloes �
jt�C,r V',at lacy.
iroro Medi(
CLOVER LEAF
SOCKEYE
SALMON
RED PACIFIC
r divorced parents
In Ms. Hackman's opinion, another point the basic care issues, school and so on," ex -
that will bring out honesty is the fact that plained Ms. Hackman.
the parents are not assessed as they are in parents got he has of the good k nden heardildren of divorcsae their
the
full report.
"We're not willing to take sides. We act as kind where I get to keep both of them" when
a neutral third party in the best interest of joint custody has been arranged.
the children," she said, explaining that at Benefits
times a third person is needed to have a Thereatest blenefits of the closed media -
business like relationship where the Comed. First tion program are the protective environ
Children
children are concerned.-
oncernment which the process is carried out in and
The first step taken in the closed media- the
ed that the children's 'interests are
tion is to "get in touch with the lawyers in- "In closed mediation, they won't have to
volved and ask them to let the issue of the
children go first," said Ms. Hackman. "The worry about what is said ending up in
parents may never be the best of friends but crt' std other
MsHackman allows that to hap -
there's no reason why the children should pouHowever, in some cases, full report is the
lose either parte of mediation that will work. In the
One assumption the Duron -Perth Centre typeonlcase child mediation
family violence he
mates is that the parents are still the most cubsoancl abuse, mediation is
competent people to raise the children. ro riate.
"There are few parents who are bad. for ' inappe crn't be sure the children's needs
their ingdre initial said 1sta. Hackman. will be met because they can't speak openly
During the stages of a break-up,
Ms. Hackman says it is not uncommon for b Ica use of Peion as "sand Ms. Hr the nhildren
the parents to use the children as
"weapons." Iii mediation, the neutral third bbendcause
se tisneutheir
ralr ird needspwhich
rtyh therpyarents
ts
party points this out and tries to help them meet.
re-evaluate the situation. "We let them know that we act clearly in
Ms. Hackman also says it is common for a
parent who has not been active with the the best interest of the •children .- we make no
children to become more involved with bones aabeut t it," sanid. H
ackman. will be
them during or after the separation or A made at the Huron County Community Ser -
divorce.
Joint Custody vices Council meeting in the basement of the
The worst possible situation a child could Ministry of Agricutlure and Food building in
be in is to have their parents separated but Clinton on May 15 at 10 a.m. The public is
still fighting with one another, according to weleomee to attend, i provides an alter
Ms. Hackman. The second worst situation y
iaji
would •be to have the parents living together -native to the traditibn`al system which does
and still fighting, and the best situation . not children thatle tlosehesitsays Ms. Hackman: well - it's the
would be joint custody. the couple shharree the legal respon- program
wishing to know more about the
when th
"Jointcustody, ed ; parenting, is ram can attend the meeting or contact
sibilities of raising the children. That means Shirley Hackman at 482-3931.
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Location: Goderich Memorial Community Centre
Performance Times: 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
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Senior Citizens and
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565-2126
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