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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-10-29, Page 1414 Times -Advocate Wednesday, October 29, 2008 New director impressed Craft show in Kirkton with school board By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES—ADVOCATE SEAFORTH Not only has Chuck Reid been putting his mark on the Avon Maitland District School Board since being hired as director of education effective Aug. 1, but he makes it quite clear that the Avon Maitland District School Board has put its mark on him. I ve (worked) in two other dis- tricts (prior to being hired by the Avon Maitland board) and what I ve really been impressed with is how the communities here show their support for their schools, Reid said during an interview Oct. 14. I think it speaks to the value that people in these communi- ties place on a high quality public education, and it speaks to their desire to make schools an integral part of their communities. Before the interview, during a regular board meeting, the new education director delivered the first of what he says will be monthly Director s Updates to trustees. The first edition de- scribed observations gathered during initial visits to some of the board s 54 schools. Twenty-one visits have taken place to date, explains a written version of his report. The focus of these visits has been to increase the director s ex- posure to the system and to allow for him to become familiar with the staff and students. And, according to Reid, people in the schools are also eager to become familiar with him. It s not uncommon for staff to ask about my family, my background, where I m coming from, he said in the interview. Beyond that, Reid wasn t pre- pared for the number of non -staff, non -student greetings he has re- ceived. He recalled meeting two women assisting with a reading program, who he described as second -gen- eration classroom volunteers be- cause they had helped with their children s educations and now were helping with their grand- children s educations. We do have strong community and parent support across the dis- trict, Reid told trustees. He said he doesn t want to di- minish the involvement of par- ents and community members in the other districts in which he has worked. But the most impres- sive thing about Huron and Perth counties has been the willingness of everyone to contribute to what he labeled targeted projects. These include things like play- ground equipment, extracurricu- lar activities or classroom extras that aren t provided for through school board grants, and must be paid for through fundraising and / or implemented by volun- teers. Each school s community is very strong in terms of targeted projects ... even to the point that a number of our schools have their upkeep enhanced on a regular ba- sis by volunteers, he said. I think this is something that we, as a district, need to be very proud of. Knit pick Melva St. Denis of London knits an afghan during the Country Fall and Christmas Craft Show, held at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre on Oct. 25.The annual show typical- ly draws about 300 visitors and featured 25 vendors this year, according to co-organizer Bev McNaught. In addition to a wide array of fall and Christmas -themed crafts, visitors had the opportu- nity to purchase baked goods from the Motherwell Women s Institute. (Photo/Ben Forrest) More foster families needed in Huron County HURON -PERTH During Fos- ter Family Week, the Huron Perth Children's Aid Society recognizes families who give of their time and themselves by nurturing vulnerable children and youth as foster par- ents. Foster families provide a precious gift to children in care. They share their love, their home and their fam- ily with our most vulnerable chil- dren, said Huron Perth Children's Aid Society executive director Tom Knight. Foster Family Week is a good time to recognize those caring families who open their homes and their hearts to children who have suffered maltreatment and need a stable, lov- ing home. Last year, 59 per cent of children in the care of the Huron Perth Chil- dren's Aid Society were placed with a foster family while 12 per cent were placed in group homes, three per cent with adoptive families, nine per cent with kinship families and 17 per cent were living on their own through the extended care and maintenance program for older aged youth. With 157 foster families in Huron and Perth counties, there are still not enough homes available to provide temporary shelter to all the children coming into care who cannot remain with their families. More foster families who can pro- vide safe, loving, secure homes to the vulnerable children who come into the care of the Huron Perth Chil- dren's Aid Society are needed. There is a greater need for foster families for teenagers. There is still a need for foster families for younger children and sibling groups, as well as families from diverse backgrounds and ethno-cultural communities. Fostering brings caring and com- passionate people and the kids who need them together, said Knight. Last year, more than 600 families received ongoing service and parent- ing supports from the Huron Perth Children's Aid Society to cope with stress, poverty, addiction or mental health problems. When children cannot remain at home because of serious concerns about their safety and protec- tion, they come into the care of a child welfare agency that makes every effort to give a family and a home to every child in need of protection. Last year, the Huron Perth Children's Aid Society provided substitute care for over 400 children. Foster parents work with the Huron Perth Children's Aid Society as part of a team to develop a plan to care for each child, which includes reunification with their family, adoption or long- term foster care. They work closely with the Huron Perth Chil- dren's Aid Society to provide temporary care to children for a few days, a week, several months or possibly years. The Huron Perth Children's Aid So- ciety support foster families through assessment, training and education, ongoing assistance as well as finan- cial supports for the child s care, food and clothing. If you are considering foster- ing, contact Deanie Jardine in Hu- ron County at 1-800-265-5198 or 519-524-7356, ext. 3275, or Vy Waller in Perth County at 1-800-668-5094 or 519-271-5290, ext. 2256 for more in- formation. Patti henclrilcs welcomes you to... prim itiv r..ee... Christmas Open House Thurs. Nov. 6 to Sun. Nov. 9 Thurs and Fri 10 to 9pm; Sat and Sun 10 to 6pm Christmas decorating ideas for the early colonial home as well as gift giving ideas are what you will find this year at Primitive Creek. I have las of new items and gmbbie candles, primitive lighting, hand- woven textiles, pewter and redware mixed in with hard to find Christmas decorations. Check outer www.p 5 a sample of new itemsonline tivecreek.net 19-522-0454 • w H Come celebrate with us! It's Time! ...to get the tools you need to Find a job! Give yourself the advantage. Attend a FREE Workshop in... ,/ Resume Preparation Interview Techniques Job Search Strategies r,I 1.4 Call your local Centre for Employment and Le rltti1lg. Exeter 519-235-0471 Y. EMPLOYMENT Employment Ontario Programs ore funded ONTARIOin part by the Government of Canada 4151./ MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER EAYFIELD - HAY - HENSALL - STANLEY - ZURICH 2001 Planning Information Meeting Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:00 B.M. Stanley Complex, 38594B Mill Road, Varna. Proposed By-law to license, regulate and govern accessory guest rooms, bend and breakfast establishments and guest homes. Purpose: to hear from operators and the public regarding the proposed by-law. Final Committee consideration of Commercial Scale Wind Engery Facilities Hay & Stanley Zoning By-laws. Information is available at the Municipal Office in Zurich. 41401 Mill Rd., Brucefield �Ilnton Hwy E Soalath A ` i ii 1 E ce�neltl Ilh War 41 primitive eek Mill Rd --Ile i Check outer www.p 5 a sample of new itemsonline tivecreek.net 19-522-0454 • w H Come celebrate with us! It's Time! ...to get the tools you need to Find a job! Give yourself the advantage. Attend a FREE Workshop in... ,/ Resume Preparation Interview Techniques Job Search Strategies r,I 1.4 Call your local Centre for Employment and Le rltti1lg. Exeter 519-235-0471 Y. EMPLOYMENT Employment Ontario Programs ore funded ONTARIOin part by the Government of Canada 4151./ MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER EAYFIELD - HAY - HENSALL - STANLEY - ZURICH 2001 Planning Information Meeting Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:00 B.M. Stanley Complex, 38594B Mill Road, Varna. Proposed By-law to license, regulate and govern accessory guest rooms, bend and breakfast establishments and guest homes. Purpose: to hear from operators and the public regarding the proposed by-law. Final Committee consideration of Commercial Scale Wind Engery Facilities Hay & Stanley Zoning By-laws. Information is available at the Municipal Office in Zurich.