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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-12-21, Page 2020 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 21, 2005 Year-long classes could end atAMDSB By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Year-long, non-semestered program- ming could cease to exist in Avon Maitland District School Board secondary facilities next fall, but only if teachers and principals are able to convince administra- tive staff that Grade 9 and 10 math results won't be neg- atively affected. Early this decade, acting on the argument that too much time passes between courses in the same disci- pline under what was then the increasingly -popular semestered systems, trustees decided the board's high schools should revert to year-long programming in all subject areas. That decision was partially reversed in 2003, in response to concerns about the decreased class length under year-long timetabling, and the desire of some almost -graduated students to complete one or two credits in three months then spend the rest of the year earning tuition fees for college or university. At the time, however, principals were directed to retain year-long Grade 9 and 10 classes in two key disci- plines: math and English. Now, according to a report delivered to trustees Dec. 13, administration will allow principals to revert to semesters in those areas as well. "In 2003, the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office, an arms -length government agency which administers standardized tests to Ontario students) reported no statistically significant differences in achievement between schools with year-long pro- grams and those with semestered programs," states a report provided at a Dec. 13 board meeting. Avon Maitland administration has not given up entire- ly on year-long programming, however. Education director Geoff Williams says the board is reluctant to tamper with a formula under which Avon Maitland stu- dents have consistently recorded well above provincial average success rates in the EQAO's Grade 9 math tests. If principals wish to convert Grade 9 and 10 math to semesters, they "will be asked to submit a proposal," including "address(ing) how they will continue to ensure very high levels of success for their students, and how they will monitor and assess the impact of the changes on student achievement." The conversion of Grade 9 and 10 English to semes- ters will be allowed without any strings attached. The catch is that, if Grade 9 and 10 math are not con- verted to semesters, then other Grade 9 and 10 courses will also have to remain in a year-long format. That's because one day's session in a year-long course takes only half the time of one day's session in a semestered format; to prevent most of the school's Grade 9 and 10 students from having an unnecessary "spare" period every day, another year-long course must be offered to fill that time slot. Williams agreed that may force the retention of a year-long format for Grade 9 and 10 English, but added some principals have suggested other courses — such as physical education — may be a better fit. Avon Maitland School Board chairperson retains role By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Stratford trustee Meg Westley walked uncon- tested into her fourth term as chairperson of the Avon Maitland District School Board Dec. 13, at the board's 2005-06 inaugural meet- ing. "I think people are pleased with what she's doing. Meg's done a wonder- ful job," outgo- ing vice -chair- person Randy Wagler told reporters after the meeting. Wagler was nominated to replace Westley — along with Huron East/Central Huron trustee Shelley Kaastra and Stratford's Doug Pratley — but joined his colleagues in declining to allow his name to stand. In her accep- tance speech, Westley returned the favour, praising Wagler as "someone who has tremendous integrity, dedi- cation and thoughtfulness." The Exeter trustee was again nominated for vice -chair- person, but again declined to accept the nomination and allowed North Perth represen- tative Jenny Versteeg to take that post by acclamation. "I would still enjoy the posi- tion," Wagler explained. "But I really think we need to give leadership posi- tions to other members of the board to spread the experience around." Westley, one of three trustees on the nine - member board (along with Wagler and one- time chairper- son Colleen Schenk) who were elected before the 2003 municipal elec- tion was largely upbeat in her post -appoint- ment comments. The freedom to be upbeat, she suggested, comes from a level of financial certainty provid- ed by the cur- rent provincial government — a certainly that has allowed the board to do things like sign long-term labour agree- ments and work on philosophical "big picture" ini- tiatives like the so-called "char- acter education" community forums and poli- cy regarding the role of trustees. "I recall, last year, expressing apprehension that, because they seemed to get along so well, that trustees would rest on their lau- rels and not challenge them- selves to do bet- ter," the return- ing chairperson said. "I don't think that has happened, and I'm really pleased with the way we've taken on this task of trying to define what we do as trustees." Otherwise, she Lucan council hoping for skate park grant By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — On Monday night Lucan coun- cil discussed a possible grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to rebuild the skate park formerly located in Lucan beside the arena. Deputy Mayor Perry Caskanette and arena manager Ken Needham took mem- bers of the Ontario Trillium Foundation on a tour around the arena recently, showing the members the former skate park site. About four different locations were dis- cussed on where to build the future skate park if the funding came through. Caskanette says he would like the skate park to stay where it was before. He added that was the only area it would be visible from the road which is impor- tant to attracting people to the location. Caskanette is hoping for a large grant, around $50,000 to $75,000 to properly rebuild the skate park, but normally the Ontario Trillium Foundation only gives about $25,000 for a skate park. Lucan council will fmd out if a grant will be offered around the end of February or beginning of March. Caskanette says he was pleased with the tour. Take time to celebrate Hockey Day in Canada Whether you live in a small rural town or a big city neigh- bourhood, there is nothing that brings Canadians closer together than the game of hockey. The familiar sound of skates scraping over the ice or a puck cracking off a stick can be heard from Newfoundland clear through to British Columbia, par- ticularly at this time of the year. Those living beyond our bor- ders may think they can find the heart and soul of Canada's sport at a National Hockey League game. But Canadians. esne- cially CBC's Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean, know different. "Hockey's heart and soul lies right in the mid- dle of our com- munities," said MacLean. "From backyard rinks to local arenas that is where you will find Canada's true passion for hockey." CBC's Hockey Day in Canada has been paying tribute to our great frozen game since 2000. The cele- bration includes a 13.5 hour long broadcast on CBC where indi- viduals and communities share their hockey stories on a national stage, along with coverage of Canadian NHL and amateur hockey games. There are also special commu- nity events and contests which can be found online at cbc.ca/hockey- day. This year's cel- ebration takes place on January 7, 2006 and MacLean is challenging all Canadians to participate: "Hockey Day in Canada has become an unof- ficial holiday for Canadian hock- ey fans every- where. It is important that we take one day to gather our friends and fam- ily together to pay tribute to our wonderful game." So, the next time someone asks, "What are you doing for Hockey Day?", MacLean has provided the fol- lowing 10 tips on how to celebrate on Jan. 7, 2006: 1. Organize a game of shinny at your backyard rink, neighbour- hood street or community arena. 2. Work on your shot with your mother, father, son, daughter, sister or brother. 3. Give Mom and/or Dad the day off and tie your own skates! 4. Watch a minor hockey league game at your local arena. 5. Make a donation to your local minor hockey associa- tion. 6. Volunteer at a community hockey tourna- ment. 7. Teach a friend how to skate. 8. Organize a community Hockey Day in Canada party. 9. Participate in an online chat with Don Cherry and Kelly Hrudey or share your plans for Hockey Day with everyone across the country at cbc.ca/hockey- day 10. Gather your friends and family together to watch CBC's Hockey Day in Canada. Hockey fans can catch Ron MacLean hosting CBC's Hockey Day in Canada on CBC Television on January 7, 2006 beginning at 12 p.m. ET. made only brief mentions of the struggles — such as school closures and severe funding limitations — faced by the board in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 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