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Whitby Free Pres, Wednesday, April14, 1993, Page 25 Durham students In national math contest By Mike Kowalski A group of Durham Region students will have their know- ledge of mathematies put to the test later this month. The students will be part of a national survey aimed at deter- mining Canadian teenagers' pro- ficiency in mathematies. But how many local students participate and where they attend school will be known only to the students themselves and the Durham Board of Education. Board officials feel that identi- fying the students and their schools may give the impression that the local results are indica- tive of that particular school, when that is not the case. The Durham students will be tested April 28-30. Board superintendent Dave Snoddon said the national survey is a joint endeavour of the federal government in conjune- tion with provincial education ministries. "The subject that crosses national, international boun- daries tends to be mathematics," he said. "The project will try to answer what students are capable of doing." Approximately 1,200 students from across Canada will be tes- ted, Snoddon said. Students from age 13 "through to graduation," will participate, he said. Age, rather than grade level, was the criteria used in deciding how to group the students, Snod- don explained. "You can have 13-year-olds in both elementary and secondary school," he said "You could conceivably have students in Grade 8 and 9 writ- ing the same test.» Grouping students by age will also give Canadian educators more valid results when compar- ing this country's students with those from abroad, Snoddon said. For example, the average age of Grade 9 studer.ts in Canada would tend to be lower than those students in many foreign countries, he said. "Other jurisdictions would have a wider range of ages. You could have 18, 19, 20-year-olds writing a test geared for 16- year-olds." Snoddon said the test will in- volve more than "filling in the blanks." A student's ability to solve problems will be stressed, he said. In fact, a 13-year-old and 16- year-old student may both be given the same problem to solve. "The project is trying to establ- ish a baseline of what kids are capable of doing at what ages," said Snoddon. "What is the range at 13? at 16?" Once the students have been chosen, through a random selec- tion process by national organi- zers, they will undergo prelimin- ary testing, Snoddon said. "So when the student comes to write the test, the student will be dealing with materials he has some chance of success at." Karen Allan, program facilita- tor for mathematics, science and technology, said a combination of, six elementary and secondary schools are involved in Durham. She would not identify the schools or students. "When the results come out we don't want people to make the assumption that the results are for that school," Allan said. "It's to protect the identity of the schools...when a sample is that'small it's not valid to iden- tify them." Lucie Rochette ST. CHARLES GARNIER Bonjour! I think the warm weather is finally here. I'm a little hesitant to say so, because I don't want tojinx it. Last week was mid-term week at Garnier (already!). I hope everyone studied hard and did well. Our hockey team participated in a tournament for francophone high schools in Ontario. The guys did very well, winning their first three games. Unfortunately, they were defeated in the fourth game. Good job anyway, guys. On Ash Wednesday, students and teachers participated in a mass at school. April 20 is parent-teacher night at Garnier. Mid-term report cards (gulp) will be handed out that evening. Our drama class will be presenting a play on April 22, 23 and 24. On April 30, there will be a fifties' and sixties' dance at school. Sounds like a blast! Remember, fellow Garnier students, the warm weather means that we will soon be able to wear our summer uniforms. May 10is the magic day. Well, gotta fly! A la prochaine. Anti-racism discussion Thursday at collegeàý The wrap-up session of a local initiative on anti-racism and eth- nocultural equity will be held on April 15 at Durham College. Round table discussions were held at three locations in the region during March for the com- munity-based program organized by the Durham separate school board, Durham College and York University Faculty oflEducation. The Stephen Lewis report was the impetus for the program from which recommendations will be made to the separate board, college, university and provincial minnstry of education of training. The wrap-up meeting will be held from 7:15 to 9p.n. Five Whitby high school stu- dents won gold medals at the recent Durham Skills Challenge. For the second year in a row Nelson Kwong of Anderson CVI was first in architectural draft- Jason McEwan, also of Ander- son, was first in CAD mechani- cal. Jeremy Dresar of Henry Street High School was first in commer- cial photography. Patti Poultan and Mark Solonious of Henry were first in graphiccommunication. Grant Cole of Anderson, second last year in architectural ANDERSON CVI students, including Lisa Covington, sold chocolate Easter bunnies last week to raise money for Easter Seals. The bunnies were $1.50 each -- for an extra $1.50, students could have the bunny and a message delivered to that special someone. Photoby Mark Reesor, Whitby Free Press Tentative agreement FROM PAGE1 payroll costs as one method of achieving its aims.) "It's fair to say it didn'treally have too much bearing, " seid Smith,taddingthat it's"pretty indefinite» as to what the govern- ment is seeking. "We're working in a climate of uncertainty," she said. 1rustees wýill vote on the set- tlement with the secondary tea- chers at their April 26 meeting. Meanwhile, elementary tea- chers were awaiting the outcome of last night's board discussion of their contract. But Durham Elementary Tea- chers Association official Jenni- fer Cormier would not disclose details of that contract. She said 1,464 tehchers endorsed the proposaI while 677 rejected it. rn an earlier interview, union representative Bill Butcher said class size, personal leave days, salaries, and integration of spe- cial education students, were the primary areas of concern heading into negotiations. Elementry teachers currently earn between $28,700 and $64,538. Gold for local students in challenge dfi drafting, was second in this year's challenge in mechanical drafting. Alexander Kish of Anderson was second in CAD architectural and Peter Jaruczik of Anderson was second in CAD mechanical. Ryan Peterson of Anderson was third in auto mechanics. Todd Forbes of Henry was third in precision machining. Ed Ranson of Anderson was third in welding. The competition is a showcase of the technical skills of stu- dents. Top finishers go on to the Ontario Skills Challange. LjA Jennifer Ayling FATHER LEO J. AUSTIN Hello, fellow Austinites! I hope everyone had an excellent Easter weekend, and now well rested. The grade 10 religion retreats take place this and next week at Camp Samac. Father Loza's Peer Ministry group is heading the retreats and have been planning différent ectivities for the day. one thing is for sure, with Father Loza and the multi-talented Peer Ministry group running the retreats, the days are sure to be eventful. On Thursday, April 8 Austin held a reflective liturgy to celebrate Easter. The OAC drama class performed a skit, portraying Vocal concert at Anderson Anderson CVIs first annual 'Vocal Cabaret' will be held on Friday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. The cabaret will include all of the Anderson vocal ensembles. A variety of music will be performed in classical, popular and jazz styles. The concert will feature the Concert Choir, Senior and Junior Chamber Choirs, Jazz Incorporated, Where's the Embassy, Sound Affect, Forte and several student soloists. The concert choir will be performing a medley from 'Les Miserables.' Tickets are $5 and are available from all choir members and at the door. Coffee and dessert are included in the ticket price. For further information, contact Vivienne Joyce at Anderson (668-5809) Jesus's persecuton. In addition, Toby Fennessy, Colleen McCabe, Mr. Coates and Mr. Dashney demonstrated their excellent voices, while singing throughout the liturgy. Finally, the choir, led by Mr. Caley, also impressed us with their glorious voices. Congratulations go out to Parn Ayling, who garnered third place in a speech contest held for other hearing impaired students in Durham Region. The contest was held April 6 at St. Bernard's Catholic elementary school. Austin's walk-a-thon is just around the corner, so get out there and collect those pledges. And remember - until we meet again -- keep smiling. Sylvan FilLearning Centre- *Boost your child s grades. *Build self-esteelm *Prograims mn readmg. math, algebra, writing, study skills.omeWork sup- port and timenanagement. 1 e Slvn Wàr""44""qe