The Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-05-18, Page 7Exeter principal writes
Books chosen carefully
Dear Editor:
I cannot allow your motion
concerning books used in the
Huron County ,Educational
System to go by without
comment. The suggestion
that pornography and ob-
scenity form part of the
English curriculum in Huron
County is simply beyond the
imagination of any
reasonable person. The
suggestion that pornography
forms part of the curriculum
demonstrates a complete
absence of trust in the school
system and demonstrates a
serious lack of knowledge off
what goes on in the
classrooms of Huron County.
Most of you I'm sure are fair
minded people and would not
act unfairly. My only con-
clusion is that you have been
grossly misdirected by
methods that are fun-
damentally dishonest.
The method used by certain
groups to persuade people
that particular books are
unacceptable lifts phrases,
words, and descritpions from
the context of the work in
question. Having done this
the conclusion is then offered
that such works are immoral
or obscene. This approach is,
to say the -least, -grossly un-
fair in critical terms. It is
dishonest since it distorts the
work in question and is totally
meaningless in educational
terms. [Jsing the same ap-
proach I have provided some
quotations from well known
books. The quotations are
lifted from context and could
be used to argue that the work
in question is too sensuous for
use in schools. The quotations
are shown below:
"He shall lie all night
between my breasts"
"thy two breasts are like
two young roses that are
twins"
"my beloved put in - his
hand...and my bowels were
moved for him"
"I opened to my beloved;
but my beloved had with-
drawn himself"
"The joints of thy thighs
are like jewells"
"thy navel is like a round
goblet"
"my breasts are like
towers"
"and his concubine played
the whore against him"
"give me a wife that I may
go in unto her"
"they have committed
adultery with their neighbors
wives"
"flay yesternight with my
father, let us make him drink
wine this night also and you
go in and lie with him"
To say the least these are
quite sensuous comments.
Some people might be of-
fended. I am enclosing a
letter from a colleague which
does the same thing with
Shakespeare. In other words
it should be clear that by
removing material from
context warps and distorts
any work beyond meaning
and common sense.
It ought to be axiomatic
that books, essays, poems or
any literary work be con-
sidered as total creations.
Each piece of work on an
English course is chosen for
specific reasons. The work
may be an example of a type
of literature; it may be
chosen to illustrate a period
in the history of literature; or
it may be selected because it
represents some aspect of
American, Canadian, or
British literature. More and
more a piece of literature is
chosen because of the social,
religious, or philosophical
isslltes raised. Some English
courses may be developed
around certain themes or a
course may be totally devoted
to Canadian, Victorian or
modern writing. Some
courses may be totally
classical and the works
therein studied because they
represent, the lasting
literature of our culture.
In addition to these kinds of
criteria the teachers are
looking for works that are
.appropriate for the grade
level and the intellectual level
of the students involved.
Books are chosen very
carefully considering all of
the concerns and factors
involved. Teachers consider
the intellectual, moral,
emotional, and aesthetic
stages of the students'
development. Obviously
works chosen for non-
academic grade 9 level
students. will be quite dif-
ferent from works studied by
academically capable young
adults in grade 13. At South
Huron the English
programme includes twenty-
four different courses as well
as three courses in theatre
arts or drama. These courses
provide over 1200 student
credits for pupils whose
ability levels range from the
intellectually handicapped to
very superior levels of
ability. To put this in other
terms the English
programme provides for
pupils with reading skills
which range from grade three
Turn to page 11 •
DENIM
BY DAVID SAINT JEAN
Spring is here! Spring is here!
Life is skittles, life is -beer
I think the loveliest time of the year
is spring, I do!
don't you, Course ya' do!
Tom Leher
Well wasn't that a -mind broadening event. No? Well
tune in next week and maybe I can find something
better. But this is this week and things are happening!!!
What you ask, your little ears eager for the sound of
refreshing news. Well read on and find out.
At G.D.C.I:
First of all, all you kids who are wanting to write final
exams in June, perhaps tfraise your marks (hp,ha) or
just to have a fulfilling experience (even more ha,ha),
you have to get applications down at themain office. The
board, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that students
must make a firm commitment to write or not to write
(that is the question) in the relatively near future. What
„pops to mind show are we supposed to know whetheror
not to write before we know our marks? Ah!1ife s un-
fathomable mysteries!!
Next, I understand that the sale of tickets for the
graduation banquet went very well indeed! I did,
however, hear that some of the teachers were
somewhat less than speedy in forking over the mere
pittance in order to participatejn..,,the gala event. Oh
well, I guess you can't force an enjoyable evening onto
some people.
The last little tid-bit I have to offer"this week is the fact
that auditions for positions in the "Summerhouse I"
project are being held. Perhaps you saw our own cheery
Mr. McMillan and lovely Leslie Hogan beaming at you
from last week's edition of the Signal -Star. Response has
been good to the program and auditions were held last
week and on Monday. A little note to all whose who have
applied for positions: The marathon audition has been
moved from Sunday to tonight (Thursday) so don't forget
your talent and your musical instruments.
That's all 'again for another week. Now that you've
read all the news that is news in G.D.C.I., you can get
back to your homework. See ya next week.
GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1978—PAGE 7
nanricinacrion
The Canadian movement for personal fitness
Fitness. In your heart you know it's right.
Certificates for county honors were received by six girls on Saturday, May 6 in Blyth at
the 4-H Achievement Day exercises. Back left to right, are Vickie Rodger of Auburn,
Audrey Scott of Belgrave, Debbie Foxton of Belgrave, and Debbie Hull of Blyth. Front,
left to right are, Anita Hamm of Blyth and Connie McCool of Belgrave. All received
certificates for the competition of six clubs. The Achievement Day was held in the Blyth
Public School and hosted clubs from Auburn and Belgrave as well as Blyth area. (Blyth
Standard photo.)
Subscription
drive in full
swing _now
Bert Albertson, Chairman
of the Huron Country
Playhouse 1978 subscription
drive, report's thatthe season
ticket subscription.campaign
is now in full swing. A central
feature of the drive will be a
special Blitz campaign to be
held in downtown Grand Bend
on the May 24 weekend.
A kiosk will be set up in
Grand Bend where people can
pick up a subscription ticket
and a special bonus. Those
picking up a season's ticket
during the long weekend will
also get a free pass to the
Playhouse opening
production, The Odd Couple.
The subscription drive goal
for the year is 1,500, and that
mark is nearly half way
already. The great advantage
of being a subscriber, besides
$6 savings, is getting first
choice on seats before they go
on sale to the 'general public
on June 1.
Barbara Murphy, Director
of Operations at the
Playhouse, already reports a
strong response to two of the
seasons highlights, The Odd
Couple and Oklahoma! It is
predicted that Oklahoma! the
rousing Rodgers and Ham-
merstein, may sell out before
the show opens.
Reserve seat tickets go on
sale on Monday, May 22.
Subscription tickets are also
available at various shops
and stores throughout the
region.
rr
DON'T MISS OUR
1
ilk_
SUNCOAST MALL
GoderichNANIMON
SALE ENDS MAY 27th
HUGH SAVINGS ON ALL CHILDREN'S WEAR
THE MOST UP TO DATE CASUAL AND DRESS WEAR
FASHIONS FOR
GIRLS BOYS
SIZES
2-14 YEARS
SIZES
2-12 YEARS
SEE OUR EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF LAYETTES
All
SPRING ..o
SUMMER
CLOTHING
IS REDUCED BY
VISA
"THE STORE WHERE QUALITY COMES FIRST" 524-1221'
Dr. M. M. Cauchi
wishes to announce the
Moving of his practice
TO
BRUCE ST. BETWEEN
WATERLOO ST. AND NORTH ST.
Effective Tuesday, May 23, 1978
524-4121
Skop tice ,pzio"d,o
STORES
COAST TO COAST CANADIAN OWNED
WEEK-
E1► D
X111.iPRiCES
3 DAYS ONLY
THURSDAY -FRIDAY -SATURDAY
MAY 18, 19, 20
WINN
TSRTHCOLU.
.U.
PON$1•5
Towards the purchase of...
5 WEB x 6 WEB
LAWN $
CHAIR
REG. '7.99
.44
WITH THIS COUPON
"LIMIT 1 COUPON PER ITEM"
VALID TIL SATURDAY -..
rvim
1
1
1
WOR
Towards
COUPON$
5
TH... - •
the purchase of...
1
DOUBLE. s
HIBACHI
1
.44
WITH THIS COUPON
REG. '5.99
"LIMIT 1 COUPON PER ITEM"
VALID TIL SATURDAY
1
1
1
1
1
- THIS COUPON
N'WORTH...
444
1
SMILES, CHUCKLES 4.41 OZ.
MINT
PATTIES
REG. 69' EACH,
F
0
R
94
1
WITH THIS COUPON
1
"LIMIT 1 COUPON PER ITEM"
VALID TIL SATURDAY
1
•
Sawn 40,p,one9
l
IN THE SUNCOAST MALL, HIGHWAY 21 SOUTH
i