The Times Advocate, 2006-09-06, Page 3Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Exeter Times–Advocate
3
Innovative Catholic school board program used as a model
By Stew Slater
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE
CLINTON — While students were enjoying a summer
outside classes, administrators of an innovative co-
operative education program rim by the
Huron -Perth Catholic District School
Board were hunkered down at their
desks, "writing and re -writing" the pro-
gram so it could be transformed into
what the provincial Education Ministry
hopes will become a better way for lead-
ing young people into careers in agricul-
ture.
At a regular meeting Aug. 28, Huron -
Perth trustees learned the agriculture -
based "pre -apprentice program" at St.
Anne's Catholic Secondary School in
Clinton — which had been developed in
partnership with Fanshawe College in
London — had been chosen as a model
for one of 27 pilot projects for the province's
"Specialist High -Skills Major."
The SHSM was part of an announcement in
December 2005, aimed at broadening the types of
training activities which could be used towards the
achievement of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
"It recognizes that, for students who might be pro-
ceeding into the world of work, some of the best strate-
gies for setting them on their way will be by allowing
them to try out different career paths," explained
Huron -Perth education superintendent Dan Parr in the
preamble to his report about the St. Anne's program.
Not long after that announcement — in March 2006
— the awarding of a "Rural High Schools Lighthouse"
grant showed the Education Ministry had become
aware of the relatively new pre -apprentice program at
Huron -Perth Catholic's two secondary
schools, which the board's Ontario Youth
Apprenticeship Program director Tim
Martens dubbed "Direct Connect Your
Future." The program offered career -spe-
cific, on-site training through partner-
ships with various area employers, as
well as preferred entry into Fanshawe's
technology departments.
According to Parr's report, "the Ministry
has since asked our board to continue to
develop this innovative program into a
provincial pilot. It is their intent, and
ours, that we will be able to provide an
operating, successful example of SHSM in
the area of Agricultural Technology."
"We're learning, slowly, that individual courses aren't
really what students and parents are looking for as a
way to prepare themselves. They don't offer enough of
a glimpse of the future," Parr said in a subsequent
interview. "But if it's something that's wrapped around
an ongoing program that leads into post -secondary
activities, then it's something they can grab hold of."
Parr provided a breakdown of requirements for all
students hoping to earn the new agriculture -based
SHSM high school diploma. Students will need a similar
number of credits as any other successful graduate,
"It recognizes that, for
students who might be
proceeding into the
world of work, some of
the best strategies for
setting them on their
way will be by allowing
them to try out
different career paths,"
HURON -PERTH EDUCATION
SUPERINTENDENT DAN PARR
new
Three more crows found with West Nile Virus
HURON — The Huron County
Health Unit has found three more
crows carrying the West Nile Virus.
The tested birds were found in
Crediton, Exeter and Goderich.
So far, four crows in the county
have tested positive for the virus.
All four were picked up by the
Health Unit's West Nile Virus sur-
veillance program.
Positive birds have been found in
Huron County in previous years.
"We encourage residents and visi-
tors to keep reporting dead blue
jays and crows to the Health Unit,"
says public health inspector Paul
Dawson.
"However, we will no longer be
collecting birds for testing this year,
as we're now sure West Nile Virus
is established in our county," says
Dawson.
It is normal to see a sudden
increase in birds carrying West Nile
in late summer. All areas of the
province are seeing a similar trend,
reports the Health Unit. This is also
the time of year when people are
most at risk of infection.
"We really encourage you to pro-
tect yourself and your family from
mosquito bites," says Dawson.
"Wear insect repellent containing
DEET, and clean up standing water
around your home or cottage.
Mosquitoes can breed in this
water."
The Health Unit's mosquito trap-
ping and testing will continue. This
monitoring will be stepped up in
the areas where the four positive
birds were found.
New president for Huron -Perth Lakers
CLINTON — Todd Goetz
of Clinton has been
named the new president
of the Huron -Perth
Lakers AAA Minor
Hockey Association.
Goetz takes over from
Dave Partridge who
stepped aside recently
after serving in the posi-
tion for three years.
Board member Hugo
Maaskant of the Clinton
area is stepping in as the new vice-
president of the Lakers.
Goetz brings a diverse and sea-
soned sporting background to the
role having coached and played sev-
eral sports throughout his youth.
He was a three -sport varsity play-
er while attending university and
has 15 years coaching experience.
For the past three seasons he was
head coach of the Lakers 1994
team. Goetz has also coached and
operated a minor basketball pro-
gram in Clinton for the past four
years.
Goetz sees himself as a lifetime
Todd G
oetz
athlete and continues to play
hockey and basketball at
every opportunity. Goetz and
wife Petra, a vice-principal at
South Huron District High
School are parents of two
Lakers players who are mem-
bers of the 1994 and 1996
teams.
In taking over as president
Goetz says, "My main interest
is in facili-
tating a
strong organiza-
tion focused on
the complete
development of
the high perfor-
mance athlete.
This stems not
only from the
involvement of
my children, but
as an avenue to
provide the same
opportunities
afforded me in
my youth."
FREE INVESTMENT REVIEWS
MARK HARTMAN
436 Main St., Exeter
519-235-3881
Fax: 519-235-1505
1-866-264-3011
www.edwardjones.com
Member CIFP
Edward Jones
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
To date, there have been no mos-
quitoes found in Huron County car-
rying the West Nile Virus, but the
Health Unit recommends residents
protect themselves from insect
bites.
with the first two years of their studies looking quite
similar to their counterparts. But there are required
credits in nine areas of study over the final two years of
high school.
Required credits include Transportation Technology
and Agricultural Technology, as well as English and
Math. And some participation in co-operative education
(workplace study) is required.
Parr's report included a long list of possible career or
post -secondary education paths which might be open
for graduates of the agriculture -based SHSM program.
They include such things as apprenticeships on farms
or machinery dealerships, studies in commerce or
engineering, or work in various fields related to agri-
culture.
Major employer partners in the program include
Huron Tractor and Vincent Farm Equipment, among
others.
POLICE BRIEFS
Caught at 146 km/h
BLUEWATER — On Sept. 2 at about 4:30 p.m.
Huron OPP were conducting radar patrol on
Dashwood Road when officers observed a 2006
Pontiac Grand Prix traveling at 146 km/h in a posted
90 km/h zone.
A 21 -year-old male will attend Goderich Provincial
court Nov. 16.
Marina broken into
BAYFIELD — Sometime during the night of Aug.
31, thieves broke into the Bayfield Marina office on
Longhill Drive.
Parties entered the business and stole the cash
register and fled the scene. An undetermined
amount of money was stolen
OPENING SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
RENEW
DAYSPA & REG'D MASSAGE
Anne Cooper (R.M.T.)
Lynn Mardlin (Esthetician)
(CIDESCO Certified)
519-227-0978
• Facials • Manicures • Pedicures
• Therapeutic Massage • Stone Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Haircuts, Hair Styling, Highlights,
Men, Women & Children
Come in and check out the other services we offer!
HAIR
STUDIO
Lisa Tindall
519-227-4693
169 Main St., Lucan
CELEBRATE THE Je'Tzffort AND
CELEBRATE THE fumyriy
SAVE 20%
from now until Oct. 16, 2006 on
Silhouette, Nantucket,
Duette, Applause, Vignette,
Luminette & Alouette
Luminette® Privacy Sheers soften light to set the perfect mood.
Contact us today for special limited -time savings!
DISCOVER EVENING STAR® FOR ENHANCED PRIVACY!
Pinto
HunterDouglas
LIGHT CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING -
DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
SAVE $100*
when you purchase any 2 units of
Luminette Privacy Sheers
or Park Lane Privacy Sheers
SAVE $100*
when you purchase any 4 units of
Silhouette Window Shadings
or Nantucket Window Shadings
With mail -in rebate.
Offer valid from September 1" - December 31", 2006.
Limitations and restrictions apply.
519-235-2444 • 1-866-835-2444
• 415 Main St., Exeter, ON
customcoversforhomeoffice@bellnet. c a
FOR HOME & OFFICE