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The Citizen, 2010-12-23, Page 48PAGE 48. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010. Top Row (left to right): “Fergie” Ferguson, Mark Stone, Dave Miller, John Miller, David Miller Bottom Row (left to right): Tom Killby, Cathy Cudmore, Amanda Miller, Marg Miller Missing: Wayne Coombs, Jason Ship, John MacLennan All of us at D&D Glass & Mirror your authorized® Windows & Pato Door Dealer thank you for your business in the past year. We’re looking forward to serving you in 2011. CHR ISTM AS HOLIDAYS! We will be CLOSED starting Thursday, Dec. 23 at 12 noon, Re-Opening Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. Onward! The annual Ethel Family Christmas was held on Friday, featuring carolling, horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate and much more. Dozens of area children braved the snowfall and the cold to hop aboard for a ride. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Among the trustees of the Huron- Perth Catholic District School Board, there can be no question about who has education coursing most honestly through his veins: Ron Marcy, a retired Math teacher who followed in his father’s footsteps; and whose three children have also made their careers at the front of a classroom. And, now, the veteran Stratford trustee has been named by his colleagues to his eighth term as chair of the Dublin-based board. “It’s what we do for the students that excites me most,” explained Marcy, after being selected chair during the board’s 2011 inaugural meeting Friday, Dec. 17. “I think all the trustees are the same; they try to keep the students at the forefront of all their decisions.” Marcy, who has served a remarkable 36 years on the board, has two children who teach within Huron-Perth, and four grandchildren who attend school there. His other daughter – along with her husband – teaches in the Halton Catholic Board near Toronto. Goderich resident Jim McDade, who was recently acclaimed to his second four-year term on the board, was named 2011 vice- chair. Also at the Dec. 17 meeting, the board approved recommendations regarding two significant building additions: at Jeanne Sauve French Immersion school in Stratford and St. Marys elementary in Goderich. For Jeanne Sauve, trustees approved the tendering of the project for just under $1 million. The existing library and staff room will be converted to two new classrooms, an entirely new library will be built, and an existing mezzanine in the gymnasium will be converted into a staff room. In Goderich, meanwhile, an addition is planned to accommodate expanded all-day, every-day Kindergarten programming. “The goal of the government is to get an Early Learning program in every school, so when we can qualify for funding for additions like (the Goderich St. Marys project), we need to make sure we take advantage of it,” the newly- named chair said. He said declining enrolment in rural schools will continue to be a challenge for the board over the coming year, as it has been in many other boards. And the provincial election in October, 2011 could potentially precipitate considerable changes in the education funding environment. “You never know what might happen (if the provincial government changes),” Marcy said. “But you can’t really plan for that sort of thing.” By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen MarcyelectedCatholic board chair