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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-03-18, Page 3Survey looks at education needs, and strengths By Shelley' McPhee Hatst llURON ('OUN'I'Y - (.oft iiunication strengths an(I needs'in the public education system in the county have been identified. in a survey.' Parents, taxpayers and staff of the Huron County Board of Education. took part in the survey questionnaire that was conducted this fall. Presented 'by the Board of Education's communications committee, the survey was conducted to assist the corursittee in its mandate to improve communication within the school system. The survey results represented a cross section of views from throughout the county, including the 24 elementary and six sec•on- dar•, schools in the -,system. Some 186 parents took part in the survey, along with 613 staff members and a' small number of nun -pares taxpayers. More-tha 60.per cent of the parents and 69 per cent of the staff saw school newsletters as the best communication tool available within the system. • . Parents who answered the survey also gave high ratings to staff availability, open house events, teacher -parent interviews and telephone contact. Among the other strengths that they identified were weekly classroom newsletters, the volunteers, the emergency telephone system, school •hand- • books, teacher reports, newspaper -coverage, report cards, pre-school • story hour and special events. The list of strengths identified by the parents indicated areas where'parents are 'involved in the clay -to -day activitiesgin the school, either .directly through ..their children or through the teacher. Weekly c•lrissrootn newsletters, for instance, are,us- ed in many schools to keep parents up -to-• elate on the events and•curricul,uin that is be- ing stu(la,E:cl on a regular bases. Another strength, the adult. volunteer program, allows • parents to be directly involved liy' - .'working in the classroom, • Telephone contact was also noted as an important aspect of good cotnmuniation bet- ween home and school. As well, the emer- gency telephone , system .has been de- veloped in many schools with a safe home pro(;:anl-organized by local Block .Parent • groups. This emergency_ system has been Set up td ensure that all children not in atter- dance at school may be .accounted for.. ,As... well, many • schools, have a telephone pro- cedure to notify parentsof early •school•clos ings, late bus times or other changes to the regular schedule. Among the needs identified •, by the parents, one -quartet of those surveyed recognized the need for more regular mon tlTly—antl l�r=n]t�nthli ret�prting:--a5..,-1I, many saw;the need to have curriculum con- tent atailable for pairents. Other needs in - eluded immediate reporting•of concerns to parents, bus discipline,. :more frequent 'newsletters. • evening interviews, more newspaper coverage and more ir?formation from the school board. As well, some fo.rtn of .home and school association ) PTA! was identified as a major strength in the schools that' have 'such an" °association and a main need- in. those that don't have such a group. Likewise, while • emergency telephone systems and school handbook; were recognized as needs from some of the parents respondents, while others identified them a).i communication strengths in,their schools. Board Of education staff members noted that newsletters were 0 strength of the parent 'communication system. As well, the• need for more newletters was identified. Staff identified other strengths as open- door policy, the Volunteer program, year- books, telephone contact, and the emergen- cy telephone system. The staff survey results called for more media coverage. assurance that newsletters reach the home, more life skills •and sex education courses. more parent -teacher contact, development of a horse and school association, and workshops for parents on curriculum. Non -parent taxpayers saw newspaper aa•t'44e4es as the best communication strength. available to them. The major need identified by this group was 0 perception •that too much money was being spent on education. . The Huron County Board .of Education communications committee is currently studying the survey results. The cotnmitte is also actively involved in organizing 0 Professional Development day on May 4 for all staff members of the Huron County Board of Education. The ambitious event will highlight comnnihicaations in the education sy steal and the survey results will be,incorporated into planning workshops for this. GO[)ERICH SIGNAL -VAR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH '18, 1987 PAGE: 3 Humpty DuIpty ,Chips 200 g. Braun Voice Control Travel Clock Pierced Earrings ra�ener5 Ten Candy Winners of the Zone Cl Legion public speaking contest in the secondary school competi- tipn held in (.Tinton on March 7 are; .1hark. left), Angie Chisholm, second, Goderich and District Collegiate Institute; Karla King. first, Wingham and District Collegiate In- stitute; Julie Porter, third, Central Huron Secondary School; Kim Costello, fourth, Seaforth and District High School. In the Grade 9-10 division, Michelle" Turner' (front, left), -of Central Huron Secondary School' placed second and Shelli Nigh of Seaforth and Dist iHigh School took first place. l anne Narejko pholi) Study looks at heOth services before 3 p.m. ... Same day service NAKAMU'A PHARMACY SUNCOAST MALL, GODEMCH, 524-2195 N w Stre H urs Milia Frio 9 (Nano - 9 p.m. Scuturday. 9 ®o/e - daS arc kl A neva �� 5t', e- eS0ay' ov 44\1'0 ���o�0e DELSEY, 4 roll pack Bath roo Tissue Take advantage of this -Star Value! each se\ ARCTIC POWER 6 L. Box Laundry • Detergent ®. The cold water specialist that ets your whole wash clean! CLINTON, The Huron and Perth 1?mergenc•y'Health Services Study Commit- tee has been conducting a comprehensive review of emergency health services in Huron and Perth Counties for the past eight Months and now seeks public input. Some' of the areas studied were; hospital emergency department service; training of ' personnel who provide emergency services: the availability of ambulance services; emergency communication systems such as 911; and the need for an air ambulance service. inforrnation has been acquire} through questionnaires completed by physicians, hospital adm'nistrations, emergency room head nurses, ambulance services, police forces, fire departments and municipalities and townships. To complete the picture, the Huron and Perth Emergency Health Services Study Committee invites interested members of the public to submit commentary on any aspect of emergency health care in the Counties of Huron and Perth. T be con- sidered, the submissions must be written, signed and received by the Huron and Perth E;mergeney Health Services Study Commit- tee, 105 Shipley Street, Clinton, Ontario NOM 11,0 by 5 p.in„ Wednesday, April 15. SUPREME 213 g. Tin Salm For sandwiches or'in salads �o KENNEL KUDDLEE Dogs Cute plush dogs sure to please any mid reg. 4.99 KUDDLEE each Ugiles Adorable .monsters with soft expressive vinyl faces. reg. 6.99 WARM SPRING SWEATERS Assorted patterns, and str ,ie combinations. Jade, Royal, White or Navy. Sizes S.M.L. REG. 19.99 l_,/..J1 9 1 699each MENS each Polo Shirts. 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