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Times Advocate, 1999-12-01, Page 26Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 1. 1999 Children's author visits Usborne Central students Wow Children's author Wilma E.Alexander visited Usborne Central school on Nov 22, telling them about the five books she has published, including her latest,`Run For Your Life.' Alexander, who lives between Trenton and Belleville, visits schools often. By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF USBORNE TWP. — Students at Usborne Central School listened to a mixture of history and entertain- ment on Nov. 22 when Canadian children's author Wilma E. Alexander paid a visit. Alexander, who lives between Trenton and Belleville, has written five books but didn't take up the occupa- tion until 1985 after she retired from teaching. Alexander explained the background to each of her five books and brought in `personal items that appear in the books. She also answered questions from the students. Alexander is pushing her latest book, 'Run For Your Life', a story of a 1918 munitions plant explosion in Trenton. Other books deal with topics ranging from serious issues such as a Mohawk band's arrival in Canada during the American Revolution to lighter sto- ries of a mischievous raccoon. While she likes to teach children about Canada's his- tory, Alexander said she always puts a mystery in her books to make it entertaining. A frequent visitor to. schools, Alexander said children are enthusiastic about reading and think of the charac- ters in her books as real people. The best complimentsir can get about one of her books, Alexander said, is when:sorneone•tella her they wish the book never ended. She adds that when she started publishing books nearly 15 years ago, children's books written by Canadians about Canadian issues were scarce. Catholic board. wants alterations to report cards - By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE HURON/PERTH — A standardized provincial report card for all secondary school students leaves no place for compulsory religious education courses, trustees learned at last week's meeting of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board. "While we are pleased that the Provincial Report Card for elementary students contains an appropriate space for reporting Religious and Family Life Education, a similar place is needed on the secondary school report card form," states a letter sent out by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA). Superintendent of education Ray Contois told trustees the Huron -Perth board will follow OCSTA's advice .and make an alteration to the report card if the government doesn't fix the problem. A line now read- ing "Optional Credits" will be changed to read "Other Credits including Religious Education." "We're taking (OCSTA's) suggestions and we're mak- ing modifications and using them until such time as the ministry provides a change to the form," director of education Gaetan Blanchette said. After the meeting, Contois explained the lack of recognition for religious studies is not a factor in the just -released mid-term report cards, which offer only an indication of success for parents but the problem will be more severe if the omission isn't fixed by the time final reports are released at the end of the HolidayGiftsGaloiel MANZ DNOVNT STOR!S M Prices in diedfrom November 29''to December 12",1999 Taste Delight Cookies - 25o gr. .99 $399 Gilette Shave Gel with Free Body Wash & Stick Deodorant Soft & Dri Twin Pads Deodorant with $ gg Free Ladies Sensor Excel Razor Pepcid AC Regular & Chewable 6 Tablets $2" Webber Natural Echinacea ' 50oaN 60 Tablets with Free Vitamin C " 540mg .90 Tablets • $611 25% o, All Carlton Boxed Christmas Cads1 Christmas Gift Wrap 1 Men's& Ladies Wallets and Nlifokis semester.' He also said school boards had several chances for input into the elementary report cards, but the sec- ondary forms never came under such scrutiny. As a result, Catholic boards are still waiting for a' response from the ministry about thein secondary report card complaints. In another letter to Catholic school boards, the OCSTA registered its objection to the inclusion on the new report cards of the name of the chair of the school council. The letter calls the practice "inappropriate." Volunteers are_ needed LONDON Victim Services of Middlesex County needs you. The organization is looking for caring individuals to volunteer and assist the police in rural, Middlesex County to provide crisis intervention to victims of crime and tragic circumstance. Volunteers provide crisis intervention in the form of support, practical assistance, information and refer- rals. Volunteers will be provided with training, begin- ning in January. Call 643-8750 for more information. Snowmobilespermitted on streets HENSALL -- A hea a in last week's T -A incorrect- ly stated snowmobiles are prohibited from travelling on Htnsall streets. Snowmobiles are prohibited from public sidewalks, shoulders and boulevards and private property. Snowmobiles are required to use direct routes into and out of the village. The T -A apologizes for any confusion this error may have caused. The situation has improved and there are now many Canadian children's books, Alexander said. VILLAGE OF DASHWOOD To facilitate Snow Removal Operations NO PARKING ON VILLAGE STREETS WILL BE PERMITTED between the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. The village will not be liable for any damages that may occur. • small TiLK Com' Huron Perth Pre-school j Speech/Language Initiative Because their first words are so important! you're concerned about the way your child talks, please call - small TALK is a free service provided by local health agencies. 273-2222 or 1-800-269-3083 for information or a speech assessment The staff, administration, students and school council of Central Huron Secondary School wish to express their sincere appreciation to the Hensall Co-op and r ulhlander Industries Ltd. On November 16th these two businesses opened ...sic doors to the Grade 10 students as part of a "Career Day". The plant tours and presentations exposed the students to many different jobs in these two businesses. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT • Don't Hove Time To Go To New. 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