HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-10-29, Page 3THE HURON EXPOSITOR, OCTOBER 29, 1986 — A3
Crossing guards provide good service
Seaforth residents pick up their own mail
making it unnecessary to have mail carriers in
town. But despite that fact there are still
working members of the community who
everyday face the elements of rain or shine,
sleet or hail, as they try to provide a service to
the community. They are +the crossing
guards.
Perhaps least recognized and often taken
for granted, the crossing guards provide an
essential service in Seaforth. Because the
town is divided in half by Highway 8 they
ensure students attending St. James Sepa-
rate School and Seaforth Public School get to
and from their destinations safely each day.
And despite the unpredictable and often
unpleasant weather it's a job both Terry
Cooper and Donna Costello errjoy doing,
"I like the kids. They're really easy to get
along with," said Miss Costello, who looks
after the crosswalk at St. James School.
"The weather occasionally is awful, but
you just put up with it and bring your
umbrella to work."
Mrs. Cooper, who looks after the public
school crosswalk, said she has enjoyed
getting to know the kids better.
"I'm really getting to know the kids and the
little ones are so cute. if I'm not there and
someone else is, they notice, and they ask
where i was. They like to show me what
they've done in school, 1 really like them,"
she said.
Mrs. Cooper, herself a mother of three
children, one attending high school and the
other two students at the public school, says
her love of children was the reason she first
decided to become a crossing guard.
"I saw the ad and thought why not. I like
kids, the hours are good and it's a good way to
get some extra money," she said.
"My kids like the idea and often come out
with me and sit in the car and have lunch. And
I'm getting to know more of their friends
too," she said.
TOOK OVER
Miss Costello took over the job as crossing
guard at St. James just three weeks ago after
the former guard vacated the position to take
on a full time job.
"At first i thought, me, a crossing guard,
but I'm glad I took the job," she said.
"It's nothing I ever pictured myself doing,
but I like it. My family thinks its great and say
if there is ever a time i can't do it, they'll fill
in."
'Po date both crossing guards ,report no
problems with the job and said most of the'
kids do' as they're' told.
"The boys will stop fighting when they see
me," said Mrs. Cooper.
"I don't know if they think I'm an authority
figure or what."
Most of the problems, if any, come from
the motorists who refuse to slow down or even
stop once the crossing guard steps onto the
pavement.
"I was really surprised one day when an 18
wheeler stopped to let me cross the kids,"
said Miss Costello.
"We're on a tnain highway and the traffic
is constant go, go go. Sometimes you have to
just wait for a gap in the traffic. But the
truckers are really good, Even though it takes
a lot for them to get going again, they'll stop
before we ask them to. I think that's great
considering a lot of cars don't want to do
that."
Mrs. Cooper noted that because the public
school crosswalk is located so close to the
west entrance to the town, cars and trucks are
often just starting to slow down and don't
take much notice of •the crosswalk.
"That's probably the biggest negative
factor," she said.
"A lot of these kids are just learning how to
cross the street and l like the idea that I can
show them how to do it properly. Some of
them otherwise would just dart across."
And while they are able to teach the kids
something, both guards admit the kids have
been teaching them something as well.
I do enjoy talking with the kids and 1 have
learned a little more patience," said Miss
Costello,
"it has given me a little more patience and
a better sense of humor," said Mrs. Cooper.
"1'm getting more relaxed with the kids.
They are really something, some of them. I '
was always so concerned with 'my own kids
and now i've found out mine are just like
everyone elses."
Both Mrs, Cooper and Miss Costello plan
to continue with the job and Mrs. Cooper is
already making plans for the winter.,
"I plan to buy a snowmobile suit. And I
always thought, one of those little hutches put
at the end of the faun lane for the kids waiting
for their bus • would he excellent."
Ministry invites management comments
serious problem.
Mike Malhiot, district biologist with the'
Ministry, stressed the importance of public
involvement, "input from the users of the
resource is critical to the development of a
final fisheries plan if managers are to provide
the public with the fisheries opportunities
and products that they desire," he said.
Anglers, commercial fishermen, landown-
ers and interested citizens are urged to come
out and share their ideas and concerns with
MNRstaff. An open house will he held at the
W ingham District Office from 12 noon until
8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23 and
Friday, October 24, 1986 Written submis-
sions will also be accepted until October 31,
1986.
The W ingham District of the Ministry of needed. M NR staff have compiled a summary
Natural Resources (MNR) is inviting public entitled "Background information and Op -
involvement in preparing their new fisheries tional Management Strategies" which out-
• management plan. lines objectives, issues and possible strate-
The fisheries resource provides important gies and tactics for managing fisheries to
recreational, environmental and economic optimum advantage to the year 2000.
benefits. In fact, the sport and commercial Some major issues have been identified. At
fisheries of the W Ingham District (which present. the •demand for the more popular
incorporates all of Huron and Perth, and species -- trout, salmon, yellow perch and
small portions of Bruce and Wellington bass - exceeds the supply. At the same time,
Counties) are a multi-million dollar industry - other species are being under-utilized. A
a significant economic benefit in what is user -conflict potentially exists between sport
mainly an agricultural area. and commercial fishermen. Many anglers are
Because the fisheries resources of south- disappointed at the lack of trophy -size bass in
western Ontario are limited, and there are local waters. Habitat deterioration and
many conflicting demands for what is destruction through pollution, erosion and
available. an effective management plan is certain agricultural practices remains a
Equal funding is sought for education
at elementary schools in province
BY SII ELLEY McPlI EE H A IST
The poster shows the photograph of a
young boy. A question above it read, "The
Underfunding of Elementary Education
W HY?" Below the picture another question
asks. "Why am 1 worth $879 Tess?"
Why is the elementary aged pupil worth
less than the high school student? Why do
financial inadequacies, exist in the govern-
ment funding structure for Ontario schools?
When is the provincial government going to
take steps to rectify the situation?
These are questions being posed by
members of the Ontario Public School
Teachers' Federation (OPSTF) and these are
the main issues being discussed by first vice
president Dave Kendall as he makes his
rounds throughout the province.
Mr. Kendall was in Huron County last
week to visit area schools, and to meet with
local members of the teaching federation. His
stop in Huron County was one of many visits
he makes through Ontario each year. visiting
more than 74 various districts in the province.
These tours offer Mr. Kendall the
opportunity to meet with teachers, to see
classrooms in operation and to discuss the
main issue of concern for his organization -
underfunding of elementary education
Underfunding is not a new issue. From
1970 to 1985 the gap between spending
ceilings for elementary and secondary pupils
has increased from $500 to $879. An OPSTF
brief suggests that if this current rate of
increase is allowed to continue, the gap
between the ceilings will reach more than
$1,000 by 1989.
Mr. Kendall explained that the cost
differences between elementary and second-
ary schools were established some years ago.
At that time larger salaries were paid to high
school teachers because they required higher
teaching qualifications. As well, operational
and program costs for secondary schools
were set at a higher rate than that of
elementary schools.
Since then the scenario has significantly
changed. Today not only secondary school
teaching qualifications demand university
education, but elementary teachers must also
have bachelor of arts degrees. Along with the
changes in qualifications for elementary
teachers, school buildings have developed
from small one room facilities to large,
modern, more complex institutions. Thus,
the funding differences that were established
in the 1970s are invalid in the 1980s.
A comprehensive brief put together by the
OPSTF explains, "The nature and average
size of elementary schools have also dramat-
ically changed over the last 10 to 15 years.
The consolidation and growth of elementary
schools, which began during the 1970s,
induded the building of libraries, gymna-
siums, music rooms, French as a Second
Language rooms, kindergarten rooms and
special education facilities. it is recognized
that the building of the physical facilities
came out of capital allocation, but the
maintenance support and administration
assts must be borne through the per pupil
grant. These larger school units also required
increased services, such as secretarial
assistance, custodial support and supplied to
carry out their programs. As well, with the
implementation of the &organization of
schools into county and designated city
hoards, school board burepucracies and
centralized services expanded, requiring
much reater expenditure at the elementary
level.'
UNDERFUNDING DISCUSSED — Dave Kendall, left, first vice president for the Ontario
Public School Teachers' Federation, OPSTF, visited Huron County recently 10 meet with
local teachers and to discuss the underfunding for elementary education. Mr. Kendall and
Goderich teacher Doug Yeo, right, studied the OPSTF brief that Is being presented to the
provincial government. MoPhoe-Halst photo
A survey of per pupil expenditures has
shown that. in 73 per cent of the cases, the
elementaryboard spent a larger amount of
money on instructional costs, than did
secondary boards.
In Huron County, for example, a costs survey shows that elementary perpupil
took up 90.8 per cent of the cost of operation,
while at the secondary level the figure
amounted tat 86.5 per cent. Operational and
maintenance costs amounted to 8.7 per cent
at the elementary level and 11.5 per cent at
the high school level fora difference of 2.8 per
cent.
l'learly. the OPSTF brief noted, "ele-
mentary boards have, in relative terms, as
great or greater costs than their secondary
counterparts. The problem is that elementary
hoards are struggling from a lower base for
expenditures."
in 1985 financial statistics from Huron
County saw the per pupil ceiling set at
$2,448.37 and the per pupil expenditure at
$2,599.75. like 97 percent of the other public
elementary boards in Ontario, the Huron
Board of Education operated over ceiling.
Mr. Kendall further noted that equipment
and program costs at elementary schools
have risen at such a rapid rate that many
schools are looking to raising additional
money by holding their own fund raising
drives.
"We surveyed 1,600 schools and 96 per
cent of them raised funds," Mr. Kendall
reported, "However, it is really the board o
education's responsibility to provide the
funds, to buy the equipment."
He said that costs for basic educational
tools and equipment has risen dramatically in
the 1980s.
"For library books, the cost increases over
the past few years have raised by hundreds
of percent. A primary textbook can eost up to
$30 and in most cases the libraries suffer
because there's not enough money to go
around."
In its plea to the government for additional
funding, the OPSTF has stressed that
elementary costs should not be dismissed as
less important than that of the secondary
counterpart.
Mr, Kendall said, "The elementary School
is where children receive their early
learning."
Laurier IaPietee in a 1977 report prepared
for OPSTF further reported, `1 am of the
opinion that the allocation for young children
should be equal to the subsidy provided for
LOVES KIDS — Terry Cooper said a love for children made her decide to apply for one of the
positions of crossing guards. Now despite the weather she's glad she did. Mcl (wraith phoir
Farmers tell Peterson
Low income critical issue
In a meeting with Premier David Peterson
and the full provincial cabinet, leaders of
Onlano's agricultural community demanded
increased financial support for the province's
beleaguered farmers
"11 tieing poor means earning less than
510,000. then we have 22 per cent more
commercial farmers below the poverty fine
than we did a decide ago." stated Hang
Pelissem. president of the Ontario Federa-
tion of Agriculture
"In fact." he said, "families who depend
on the farm for the majority of their income
are four limes more likely to be poor than
those who look off•farm for their means of
livelihood "
hl r Pvlissero headed the (DFA seven -per-
son Executive Committer who presented
their annual brief to Cabinet 'ilte farm
leaden argued government support for
()niacin's faun industry falls well below the
national average, and lags behind support
given by other provinces. Government
assistance per dollar of form production in
Ontario is 82 per oent of that provided in
Alberta, 72 per cent of that provided in
Saskatchewan, and less than half of that
provided in Quebec The four provinces.
together account for over 82 per cert of
agricultural production in Canada
The OFA asked the prhvincial government
to increase its financial support particularly
to commercial fanners, and to establish a new
provincial emphasis on rural development
Other major recommendations to Cabinet
included • •significant improvements to the
crop insurance program, calling for addition-
al provincial funds and negotiations to
change federal legislation, - modifications to
the stabilization program so that cost of
production can displace histone prices as the
key element in the pay -out formula: •
intensification of efforts to improve commod-
ity marketing: • a call for an extraordinary
deficiency pavinent to producers in 1986 to
maintain operator viability in the face of
collapsing commodity prices. implementa-
tion of the agri•mortgage concept. regardless
of federal participation: • maintenance of
Ontario's vigilant stance with respect to
high school students, I see no valid reason at
all why it would be tower. In fact, in many
instances it would be more. The young years
of a child's life are those which prepare him
for the fullness of his life. Our resources
should be placed there in a degree greater
than elsewhere."
Mr Kendall says the OPSTF has made this
issue a top priority item and the federation
has worked diligently to present its case to
the provincial government. The group has
drafted a 23 page brief, members have
lobbied at Queen's Park and district boards of
education have been asked to endorse the
OPSTF position.
Mr. Kendall said that the OPSTF has
received strong support from school districts
across the province and local boards are
moving to endorse the request for more
funding.
As well, a survey taken two years ago
showed that a large majority of the general
publje supported the need for better
elementary education and additonal money to
help fund the programs.
"I sense We're going to win," Mr. Kendall
enthused.
lie said that the government is well aware
ofthe situation and he believes that the
political wheels are slowly starting to turn.
"We're asking
the government to raise
funds for a period of over three years. it will
cost over $600 million."
Mr. Kendall admitted that coming up with
the additional money will be a tough chore,
but he emphasized, "the government must
decide where the priorities are."
in the meantime, the OPSTF will continue
its crusade. Mr. Kendall noted, "We're
going to spend more time with parent groups
and other organizations. We're going to
totally bombard the political systefn with
letters, telephone calls, resoluttons, meet-
ings. ICS a matter of building and maintain-
ing the pressure."
agi +•alture m t' S •('anada trade discus
hunts, - a province- wide mit nt e to improve
auste management, inducting • more and
hailer informal ion on current and alternative
waste management practices • revised
standards and regulations for the siting mid
operation of landfills • funding for research:
consideration of other initiatives to tmprcree
the financial situation of Ontario farmers.
including •mortgage insurance for rural
properties. negotiation with the federal
government and other provinces to remove
provisions in regional programs Bpi sitecy
farmers' compel0iveness within l'aneda.
further integration of financial assistance
pmgrnms for farmers. allowing pnvale
mortgages under the Beginning Farmers
-\vsctame Program
Open house et Centralia
something exciting is happening this tall
( 'eve rube College of Agricultural Tedtnulogv
is putting on its enteral Open House on
ednesday. November 5 from 1 to p m
llnn•t mists 11
This is a chance for Centra.lia's students to
stove what they have learned and made in
mach course taught al the College The
industries of Agriculture and Fecal an•
displayed at a level of importance and
significance to everyone
(Open (louse Is the opportunity for all 1.1
view displays in areas of interest. whether as
a future student. an employer in the field. an
interested parent. or a person who simply
feels a general curiosity for "Agri -fond, the
industry with a future ••
Correction
The Junior Boys team from St. James
School. Seaforth finished second in their
division at the Huron•Perth Roman Catholic
Separate School Board cross country running
competition last week. However. as reported
in the Huron Rxpositor 0 was Jason
Henderson and not Boyd Devereaux who
placed first in individual performance Boyd
finished third. Sony for this en-er.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Wednesday, October 29
1-3 p.m. Moms and Tots Skating
1:30-4 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard
4:30-5:30 p.m. Ringette
5:30-6:30 p.m. Atorn Practice
6:30-7 p.m. Minor Broomball
7-8 p.m. Centenaire Practice
8-9 p.m. Fitness is Fun
8-10 p.m. Volleyball at High School
8-9 p.m. Minor Broomball
9-11:30 p.m. Ladies Broomball
Thursday, October 30
9:30-10:30 a.m. Fitness is F ni
4:15-5:15 p.m. Midget Practice
5:15-6:15 p.m. Bantam Practice
6:30-7:30 p.m. Minor Broomball
7:30-12 Mens Broomball
7-9 p.m. Typing at High School
Friday, October 31
4-5 p.m. Senior Houseleague Practice
5-6 p.m. Junior Houseleague Practice
9 p.m. -1 a.m. Halloween Dance at Arena
"Bounty"
8 p.m. Clinton vs Centenaires
Saturday, November 1
1:30-8:30 a.m. Bruins vs Canadians
8:30-9:30 a.m. Oilers vs Mirth Stars
9:30-10:36 a m. Flyers vs Mantes
10:30,41 :30 a.m. Leafs vs Jets
,-12:30 a i, Whales vs Penguins
11130.re
...._ -. .
Saturday Cont'd
(
:3D-2:30 p. m. Story Hour at the Library
12:30-1:30 Mites
9 a.m. • 3 p.m. Community Recreation
Conference
2:30-4 p.m. Public Skating
4-5 p.m. Blyth vs Novice
5-6:15 p.m. Clinton vs Atom Il
6:15-8 p.m. FJma Logan vs Pee Wees
Sunday; November 2
2-4:30 p.m. Power Skating
5-6 p.m. Ringette
6-7 p.m. Ringette
7-8:30 p.m. Bruins vs Flyers
8:30-10 p.m. Canadians vs Rangers
Monday, November 3
4:30-8:30 p.m. Figure Skating
7:30-9:30 p.m. Wood Refinishing at the
High School
7:30-9:30 p.m. Calligraphy at the High
School
Tuesday, November 4
9:30-10:30 a.m. Fitness is Fbn
5:30-6:30 p.m. Pee Wees
6:30-8 p.m. Bantams
8-10 p.m. Arthur vs Midgets
1:30 p.m. Minor Hockey Meeting, Arena