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The Times Advocate, 2005-11-02, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, November 2 2005 Possible changes for ATinkerTot Halloween Avon Maitland board By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE T -A SEAFORTH — September 2008 could be a time of sig- nificant change on various fronts in the Avon Maitland District School Board, according to this year's version of an annual "Preliminary Accommodation Analysis." Possible scenarios mentioned in the report include relocating Grades 7 and 8 students into high school facilities in Exeter, Goderich, Clinton, Wingham and Mitchell, and a decrease in the number of elementary schools in the triangle cornered by Goderich, Wingham and Clinton. Construction of a new school in Listowel, to replace existing facilities, is also mentioned. "Staff are making no recommendations regarding changes in accommodation at this time, but anticipate that recommendations will be made in the coming years," states the 2005-06 accommodation report. "We have more space than we need and that's going to continue to increase," explained business superin- tendent Janet Baird -Jackson, delivering the report to trustees at a regular meeting Oct. 25. This September, the board welcomed students from Stratford's aging Avon Public School into a nearby building formerly occupied by an elementary school which had closed two years earlier. The most recent high-profile accommodation changes in the board, however, occurred in 2002 and 2003, with the closure of Seaforth District High School and the relocation of all Grades 7 and 8 students within Stratford into that city's two secondary schools. Replicating that Grades 7 and 8 scenario in other locations may be the first item up for examination by the board, and it receives considerable discussion in the 2005-06 accommodation report. According to Baird - Jackson, an independent consultant will be hired this year to review Avon Maitland enrolment projections over the next 15 years. "Analysis is anticipated to take place in the spring and See BOARD page 3 REGIONALWRAP UP Adopt a Pet needs help CLINTON — Adopt a Pet, a non-profit animal res- cue organization is urging area cat and dog people to consider adopting, according to the Clinton News -Record. Co-ordinator Kathi Newell -Nicholson says the group's various foster homes are bursting at the seams with animals abandoned, dropped off or turned in by owners unable to care for them. "We're looking at our vet bills doubling," says Newell -Nicholson. All animals under the Adopt a Pet umbrella receive parasite treatment, vaccina- tions and are spayed or neutered. If interested in adopting a pet contact Newell - Nicholson at 528-3045 after 6 p.m. or visit www. adoptapet. lucknow. on. ca EWMPS officially peaceful PARKHILL — East Williams Memorial Public School in Nairn is officially a peaceful school, according to The Parkhill Gazette. A special assembly and parade were a part of the celebration recently. Students, staff and parents commemorated East Williams Memorial's member- ship in to Peaceful Schools International. It is a Canadian charitable organization recognizing schools that declare a commitment to creating a culture of peace. Principal Vivienne Bell-McKaig says, "In the last two months I have seen more car- ing and respect than in my 22 years as an educa- tor." Everyone at Tinker Tots Nursery School in Hensall got in the spirit Monday as the nursery school celebrated with a Halloween party. Pictured from left are Krista Richardson, Mady Brown, Lisa Brown, Kaden Klaver,Aislin Trocchi, Evan Gibson (in the back), Holly Groot, Darby -Ann Elder and Linda Martens. (photo/Scott Nixon) French Immersion gets another chance By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE T -A SEAFORTH — As expected, the Avon Maitland District School Board will go ahead with a pre- liminary "registration" for possi- ble expansions to French Immersion outside the existing single -site program at Bedford Public School in Stratford. Participating parents will be cautioned, however, about a cou- ple of factors during the Dec. 5-9 initiative. At a regular meeting Oct. 25, trustees approved a plan to gauge interest in the expansion of French Immersion to Exeter, St. Marys, Goderich, Clinton, Wingham, Mitchell and Listowel. Prospective registrants will be sought for entry into the program in September 2006, at the Grade 1 and Grade 2 levels. According to a report delivered to trustees, "should 21 or more registrations (across the two grade levels) be received for a (community), staff will complete an analysis of the impact of imple- mentation of a French Immersion program." The report cautions, however, that "a registration of 21 students will not guarantee that a program will run." Any recommendations for French Immersion expansion will be brought to trustees Feb. 14, 2006. An accompanying report will identify staffing costs, space issues, the impact on schools from which prospective students would transfer, the predicted viability of the program and possible trans- portation issues. Trustees were informed about staff's intent to bring forward the registration recommendation at their previous meeting Oct. 11. According to education director Geoff Williams, comments and questions raised at that meeting were incorporated in the Oct. 25 recommendation. Specifically, trustees raised con- cerns Oct. 11 about creating the perception that a French Immersion program would move forward without any hurdles if sufficient preliminary registration is achieved. That concern was addressed in the Oct. 25 motion, which recommended moving ahead "on the understanding that registration does not guarantee that a program will be offered." Williams would not say exactly where possible programs will be located, but the projected site of each program will be identified on the Dec. 5-9 registration form. "Staff preference will be for Kindergarten -to -Grade 8 schools," states the Oct. 25 report, "and also for schools that are in towns that have high schools, in order to take advantage of natural transportation routes." Nearby rural schools are also a possibility, however, where a range of criteria cant be met within a town. The registration form will also "indicate that parents should con- sult their child's current teacher regarding the suitability of a French Immersion program for their child." According to Williams, Avon Maitland Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers have not been coached about how to respond to such inquiries. However, he told reporters, "what they'll be able to do is flag, for example, a child who's having difficulty in the English language program. Because if a child is not meeting the requirements in their primary language, they'll quite likely have even more difficulty in a second language program." ( Business Directory 2 REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 DON'T LET WINTER STOP YOU!! LET US PUT YOUR VEHICLE IN TOP SHAPE FOR THE COLD OF WINTER!! I ty-0)$ v$1, CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT!! 235-0160 EXT#1 ‘)cl 100 Thames Rd. E. 235-0160 Ian A. MacKenzie Ltd. PROUDLY CANADIAN OWNED AND OPERATED Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sat 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. -5 p.m. EXETER F-1 AUTO SERVICE AMERICAN EXPRESS