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Clinton News-Record, 1985-1-23, Page 3Mews and fecitdrQs CLINTON NE 1IS-RECORD, WHONKSDAY, JANTJA1,Y23,1985—%,18e3 The only thing moving along Clinton streets on Monday were the MTC trucks, the county road crews and the town public works and PUC workers. Even they found travel slow going as high winds and blowing snow forced the area to shut down for the day. (Shelley McPhee photo) Grades 7-8 may get French Immersion BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE French Immersion for Grade .7 and 8 students may be available in Huron County schools. After months of study the Huron County Board of Education's ad hoc committee on French Immersion made its recommenda- tions at the school board's January meeting. No decision on the recommendations will be made until the board's Feb. 4 meeting. Committee chairman Tony McQuail of R.R. 1, Lucknow, said the committee is pro- posing the board establish criteria for a late (Grade 7 and 8) French Immersion pro- gram. The recommendation was one of six op- tions considered by the committee. Mr. McQuail admitted that while the recommendations would not satisfy everyone, 70 percent of the committee sup- ported them. Trustees, as well as five members of the community, are on the com- mittee. The option calls for setting up a late French Immersion program in Goderich, Exeter, Clinton and Wingham. Estimated costs include $12,000 for tex- tbooks, $4,800 for library material and $80,000 for two teaching positions. No con- sideration was given for the amount of pro- vincial grant available which would offset these costs. Mr. McQuail said French Immersion in Grade 7 and 8 builds on the skills already be- ing used by Huron County students in grade 3 to 6 in Core French. "It builds in what the system has already invested," he said. The trustee also said that while costs have been identified, late immersion could pro- vide access to the French Immersion con- cept in the most cost-effective manner. Another issue considered by the commit- tee is "universal accessibility" across the county. Instead of just having a French Im- mersion class in Goderich, where the re- quest for such a project originated, classes could be in other Huron towns. Goderich trustee Dorothy Wallace poked holes in the committee report noting that the board's gross cost only was included with no consideration of what the board's real cost —would be after grant money. "It looks like the worst possible picture was presented," said Mrs. Wallace. Mr. McQuail agreed that the report oes make French Immersion, in any option, look like an "add-on subject. It is an- ticipated though, he said that late immer- sion will not have net costs to the board. Mrs. Wallace also criticized the report for making universal availability a prime con- cern. "Education across the province is not equal," she said. The trustee said there is interest for an early French Immersion program in Goderich and just because that interest isn't in other towns doesn't mean Goderich shouldn't have the program. While Mrs. Wallace did say that French Immersion in Grade 7 and 8 is better than no French Immersion, she wondered aloud if students at that age would take such a pro- gram. "I wonder if the committee took into con- sideration that at that age students are sub- ject to peer pressure," she said anticipating that "anti -French" sentiment might lead to low enrolment. Mr.McQuail said , that would put the debate in the home instead of having the school board deciding. The other options considered by the .com- mittee include earlyFr;' tell Immersion as a three -yea?' -pi1or i9ije with the"iTufr i- Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board, a "Goderich only" Kindergarten im- mersion program and a Kindergarten to -Grade 2 program in the county towns. The school board will --debate and decide the issue on Mondayj'eb. 4. Town hall agreement.. • from page 1 • established to help purchase additional equipment for the auditorium, such as lighting and a sound system. However, Roy Wheelers urged comittee members, "We need equipment to enhance the auditorium." e, Councillor Gerrits agreed but suggested that the recreation arts committee could stage special events; like a spring concert, to help raise money for the equipment reserve fund. Recreation vice chairman Linda Reid reminded committee members, "There's. been so much money spent, we need some money coming in." Further discussion at the meeting reveal- ed that there are other areas of concern between recreation and council. Recreation committee members are concerned that council has opposed use of the to '» H' BI auditorium for afternoon Trim -A -Size pro- grams, because municipal officeworkers have complained about the noise factor. Ree committee member Bonnie Jewitt noted that the town hall rental agreement "is based on the assumption that we have control of the upstairs." As well, committee members voiced their opposition to rental charges of $15, imposed on recreation by general government for use of the committee rooms at the town hall. Mrs. Reid asked, "Why does our commit- tee pay and others don't have to?" Councillor Hunter said that he would discuss this at council's next meeting. Town council meets again on January 28. Stratford Hospital requests funding Huron County Council has been asked to contribute $335,000 to the Stratford General Hospital Building Fund. The county received a letter from the building fund, headed by Rev. Jim Williams of Stratford, at its January session. The request has been referred to the county's executive committee. Both) Perth County Council and Oxford County Council have had similar requests made of them. The financial requests represents what the Stratford General Hospital Building Fund considers Huron's share of the $17 million project at the hospital. The hospital plans to replace its RECU (Rehabilitated ,and Extended Care Unit) which is the original Stratford General Hospital. Huron's share represents 6.8 per cent of the total. Credit Wise Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using credit whenever you are faced with a major financial decision, says Home and Family Management Specialist Jean Rid- dell of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's rural organizations and services branch. Credit allows you to meet tem- porary emergencies and make large pur- chases to use now and pay for later. But us- ing credit means you tie up future income. Buying on credit also costs more than pay- ing in cash and you may be tempted to make spur-of-the-moment decisions. 0 :Xi VERY SPECIALLY PRICED All diamond or diamond & rubies, sapphires & emeralds pendants & earrings 14 K Gold - Ring 10/14K Gold. Chain not included. FROM 129. ANSTETT JEWELLERS 8 Albert -St. CLINTON 284Main St. EXETER -26 Main St. South • SEAFORTH 135 Queen St. East ST: MARYS 203 Durham St. E. WALKERTON Mayor Chester Archibald speaks to students at Clinton Public School as part of both the school's program to increase awareness ,of local government and its operations and as part of Local Government Week. Clinton's mayor answered questions posed by .the students. (James Friel photo) SPECIAL NOTICE RE: CLINTON BY-LAWS By -Law No.'25-1979 Please take note -that Owners or Occupiers of all com- mercial or business buildings in the Zone 3 or Downtown area are required to keep all sidewalks ad)oining their buildings clear of snow and ice. You must also remove snow and Ice from the roof overhang so that pedestrians will not be endangered. By -Law No. 2-1981 Citizens are forbidden to deposit snow or ice on the travelled or plowed portion of any Clinton street or in any manner that would obstruct normal visibility for the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. By -Law No. 3-1972 and 5-1974 Operotors of snowmobiles are forbidden to operate their machines: 1) On private property without the permission of the owes 2) On any sidewalk or boulevard In Clinton 3) Within the Community Park without the permission of the Clinton Recro 1f Ion Committee • 4) On No. 4 or No. It highways 5) Or from midnight to 7 a.m. except to return to your residence. Further Infermatlora on any Town by-law may be obtain. ed tram the Clerk's office. C.C. PROCTOR Clerk•Trectsurer, BOOTS FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY DOOR CRASHER SPECIAL!! Men's and Boys' (Boys' sizes 1-4) Men's sizes 7, 8 & 9 (Only 40 pairs to choose from) $ 9 5 SNOWMOBILE BOOTS ALL • NO REFUNDS ON SALE ITEMS WurtL)'s SHOES -�-+ Quality & Service Since 1938 V Exeter and Clinton 235-0611 482-9692