The Times Advocate, 2008-05-14, Page 66
Times–Advocate
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Opinion Forum News
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Alzheimer Society
needs volunteers
In Huron County almost 10 per cent of the population
over 65 has Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
With that number expected to quadruple over the next
20 years, it is vital to maintain and grow programs for
families and individuals of people afflicted with this dis-
ease. The Alzheimer Society of Huron County currently
runs five support groups for caregivers. We also deliver
education in Long Term Care homes, hospitals, day cen-
tres, clubs and organizations throughout the county.
To keep our programs free of charge we depend on
our fundraising events. It is impossible for the Society to
run these events without the generosity of the people of
Huron County. We are in the process of scheduling our
annual tag days and are in need of volunteers for
Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth, Wingham, Brussels, Blyth,
Bayfield and Grand Bend.
If you would like to join our list of wonderful volun-
teers and be part of the team that is bringing "Help for
Today and Hope for Tomorrow," please call 519-482-
1482 or 1-800-561-5012 and ask us how you can help
out so that the Society can continue the work that is des-
perately needed.
KARLA CROCKER , Office manager/volunteer co-ordinator
Alzheimer Society of Huron County
VON Canada marks
National NursingWeek
Every day, nurses across Canada improve lives by pro-
viding care, leading research, applying technological
innovation, and much more. Over the years, RNs, LPNs
and RPNs have taken the initiative to advocate on behalf
of Canadians to fill in many gaps in our health care sys-
tem. They have assumed critical leadership roles in their
communities, professional associations, schools and
agencies, all with the goal of making a difference. In
recognition of their dedication and contribution to
Canada's health care system, VON Canada acknowl-
edges and celebrates all nurses each day, and particu-
larly during National Nursing Week, May 12 –18.
In an ever-changing health care system with compet-
ing demands on time and resources, VON continues to
position itself as a leading not-for-profit health care
provider through innovative, holistic health care and
continued growth. For 111 years, VON has provided
competent, safe and ethical care to people in communi-
ties across the country and across Ontario. Our growth
and contributions to the health care system of Ontario
are only possible with the support of our VON team of
health care providers and our 30 nurses who are inte-
gral members of the health care team.
VON's nurses provide a kaleidoscope of services in
Update from the South Huron mayor
SOUTH HURON — Who read the
two-page article in the Times -
Advocate last week about emer-
gency preparedness? How many
people have an emergency plan and
an emergency kit? How many peo-
ple feel this is overkill and an emer-
gency such as the article tells you to
prepare for will likely not happen?
The people in Eastern Ontario in
the big ice storm probably felt the
same way before that disaster hap-
pened. I experienced a week with no
hydro in February 1976. Some peo-
ple in the north part of Huron
County lost their hydro for a week or
more just last winter. Life tends to
be a hardship without the utilities
we take for granted.
Your level of comfort is not high in
times like this, but that comfort level
you will have will depend on the
time you took to prepare for these
events.
You should be prepared to look
after yourself for the first 72 hours.
This doesn't seem like a lot of time,
but when you are in the dark with
utilities cut off, it will feel like days
and weeks. With a little preparation,
you can minimize some of the trau-
ma.
In the case of an emergency:
• Follow your emergency plan.
• Get your emergency kit out.
• Make sure you are safe before
assisting others.
Ken Oke
• Listen to
radio and TV for
information from
authorities. Local
officials may
advise you where
to go or to stay
where you are.
Follow their
instructions.
In the case of an
evacuation order:
Authorities
will not ask you to leave your home
unless they have a reason to believe
you are in danger.
If you are ordered to evacuate,
take your emergency kit, essential
medication, copies of prescriptions
and a cellular phone if you have one.
An air mattress and a sleeping bag
would come in handy for your com-
fort.
If you have time and if you can,
call or e-mail your out of town con-
tact. Tell them where you are going
and when you are expected to
arrive. Once you are safe, let them
know. Tell them if any family mem-
bers have been separated.
If you have time leave a note to tell
others when you left and where you
are going.
Shut off the water and the electric-
ity if officials tell you to do so.
Take pets with you and lock your
house.
For more information contact:
www.getprepared.gc.ca. Let's be
prepared with the hopes we never
have to use it.
Principal's message
EXETER — Last Thursday I attended the school production of "Our Town" by
Thornton Wilder, and I came away from the play thoroughly impressed.
It was a truly engaging and entertaining production, and I would like to congratulate
and commend the director, Beth Jantzi, and the entire cast and crew of the show. The
performances, which took place over four evenings, were the culmination of months of
hard work and preparation by the actors and by everyone else who worked offstage
and behind the scenes to make this event happen. A large number of staff, students
and parent volunteers contributed their time and energy to make the shows a
resounding success and I would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to
this production.
In a time when we continue to hear complaints and concerns about the
behaviour of our young people, it is important that we recognize and appreci-
ate their achievements and positive contributions as well. So, congratulations
once again to everyone involved, and thank you for staging such a wonderful
production.
Now that we have hit mid-May, we are into the home stretch of the school
year. That means that all kinds of final assessments will soon be under way in
classrooms throughout the school and it is important that students give these
assessments the energy and attention needed to ensure success. Under the
provincial assessment and evaluation policy, each course must have a final
assessment worth 30 per cent of the final grade for the course. In a few
cases, this 30 per cent will be assigned to a final exam at the end of the year.
In most cases, however, it will be split into two or three assessment activities
that will take place over the next few weeks. For example, there may be a
final exam worth 20 per cent of the year's mark, and a major project worth 10 per
cent. Or there could be three assessment tasks, each worth 10 per cent.
Teachers will have advised their students by now how the final assessment mark
will be determined, and it is important that students be ready to complete these
assessment tasks and meet the deadlines that are assigned. Unlike other summative
assessments, students may be assigned a zero, rather than an incomplete, for failing
to complete a final assessment task. Unfortunately we do have a few students who
don't seem to realize the importance of the final assessment and seem willing to sacri-
fice this portion of their mark. This can, of course, jeopardize a passing grade and
could lead to students failing to achieve credits.
many areas of practice including primary care, occupa-
tional health, mental health, pediatrics, and more.
They make it possible for clients to live independently
in the comfort of their own home. To many people, VON
nurses provide something much more than hands on
care — they also provide compassion and emotional
support.
On behalf of VON Canada, I extend our sincere thanks
to our nurses for their dedication, commitment and
compassion. We encourage you to take a moment this
week to say thank you to the nurses you know for all
they do in our communities, schools, institutions, hospi-
tals and homes across the health care system.
Sincerely, LYNN HINDS, Executive Director
VON Perth -Huron
Fire safety tips
This Victoria Day weekend, while you restock the cot-
tage shelves and open the windows to the coming sum-
mer, firefighters across cottage country urge you to do a
fire safety check-up as well.
Remember these four tips:
change all smoke alarm bat-
teries and install one alarm 2/ to
on each level and outside the
sleeping areas; if your
alarms are more than 10
years old, replace them; if your
cottage has a fireplace or gas or
propane appliances, install at least one carbon monox-
ide alarm; choose fire extinguishers for kitchen areas
and garages and conform to watercraft regulations.
Enjoy a fire -safe summer 2008.
Editor
DON WARDEN
Executive director
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs
Communities
in Bloom
Kids' Gardening
Vegetables
Children are fascinated with
things that grow.You can nur-
ture this interest in the veg-
`0mf=• 'm" etable garden by giving them
their own space and plants.
Kids likeof
to see fast
BePcrrt,Of Itto f
results, here is a list
plants that will grow quickly.•
Beans • Carrots • Lettuce • Ornamental
Gourds • Peas • Pumpkins • Sunflowers
Enjoy blooming and growing together!
Parents can play a crucial role in assisting us in this matter by ensuring that their
kids take these assessments seriously and by encouraging them to give the tasks their
best effort. We encourage parents to find out from their kids when these assessments
are and to make sure the students are present for in -class tasks and are working dili-
gently on the projects that are assigned to be completed at home. We will be posting
on our website later this month a listing of in -class exams as well as the final exam
schedule: we encourage parents to check it out at www.shdhs.ca
Unfortunately May is also one of the busiest months of the year for school activities,
and we have students participating in a number of sports — soccer, rugby, track and
field — as well as other activities, field trips, etc., that may cause students to miss
classes at times in the next few weeks. Our expectation is that students notify teachers
in advance if an activity is going to cause them to miss a test, presentation or some
other in -class assessment task.
Similarly, if they know they are going to be away from school on the day
something is due, we expect them to hand it in earlier unless they have made
alternate arrangements with the teacher. These same expectations apply for
absences for medical or dental appointments. If a student misses school due to
illness or some other unplanned reason, our expectation is that the student see
the teacher immediately upon his/her return to school to make arrangements
for the missed class.
Again, parents can be of tremendous assistance by ensuring that their kids
attend school regularly and are aware of the dates and deadlines for their tests
and assignments. If parents are having trouble getting this information, which
I understand happens on occasion, teachers can be reached by e-mail or by
phone. There is a link to staff e-mail addresses on our website, but I would ask
that parents use this as a last resort, as I wouldn't want our teachers inundat-
ed by e-mail requests of this nature.
Finally, please don't excuse your kids from attendance unless they are legitimately ill
or have something that must be attended to during school time. It is very frustrating
when parents excuse their kids to work on school projects or study for tests, to get
haircuts, to go camping or shopping, etc. Such absences are not recognized as legiti-
mate school absences in The Education Act, and we consider them to be truancies.
Being excused by a parent for such reasons gives students the wrong message about
the importance of school and the value of school work. Parental support and assis-
tance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. If parents have questions or con-
cerns about this, I would encourage them to give me a call.
JEFF
REABURN
PRINCIPAL'S
MESSAGE