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Page 20, Whitby Free Press, Weclnesday, Februai'y 16, 1994 Board approves new kindergartnshdl By Mark Reesor Public schocl kindergarten stu- dents wilI be in clans ail day, every other day beginning ini Asoexpected, Durhain Board cf Education trustees voted te approve the controversial plan at a board nmeeting Monrday night, scrapping the traditional haîlf- da 'program because cf budget Tbe change had earlier been pproved by the board finance ând transportation commnittee, Nvhich is aso looking at other ways of reducing spnding. Te bard estimates it will save $895,000 in noon-hour bus- ingcot with the move but will have toa pay more to supervise students over lunch. Local parents have fought the ail-day, every-oter-day pro- gramf, mainly beause cf con- cerna a fuIl iday wuld be too hard on young children. "I1 can assure you from experience that four-, five- and, yes, even six-year-olds have d&i- culty with attention span and fatigue in late morning and afternoon sessions," Whitby parent Bonnie Richards, a for- mer kindergarten teacher, told the board. "Most young children just do net possest he stamina, either physically, intellectually or emo- tionally, to do their best. &'In an education system that professes to be child-centered, why are we suddenly asked to ignore the nature of the child and compromise the quahity cf their educationr» In response, board chair Patti Bowxnan quoted trustee Colleen Jordan as saying the move will save the board money and not compromaise he quality of educa- tion . a win-win situation at a time when rnany of the decisions we are making are definite pro- gram cuts...» Trustees recently visited an aIl-day, every-other-day kinder- garten ini Barrie -- one of 45 school boards in Ontario who have adopted the seheme. Bow- man says they spoke to, parents formerly opposed to the idea who now speak highly of it. Trafalgar Castie School wil host the annual Independent Schools' Junior Science Olympics on Saturday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m. to 4 1>Tis year there are 12 schools'- participating in the event. Events iniclude the Science Bowl (Beach for the Top format), Mind Boggler Ice-breakers, obstacle course, Googoipede (a Centipede-type computer game where math, special dlesign and a time lmit are needed to rack up points), Laser Maze (angles cf Another Whitby parent, Karen Kennedy, said the issue came as a shock to most parents she talked to last week. Oshawa trustee Kathleen Hop- per agreed. "This was a decision made on the spur of the moment -- I think it was a bad decision.." Hopper says the motion ori- gially would have oniy affected children bused to kindergarten but was changed at iast Wednes- day's finance and transportaffo-n meeting to cover al children, bused or'not. incidence and reflection) and Round About (knowiedge cf bio- logy, astronomy, paleantoiogy and other science avenues needed). Other events are May the Phorce be With You (knowledgue cf différent types cf force), Tali Tower cf Cards (within a given time limit, a free-tanding struc- ture built from selected items te support a 200-gram mass) and A Liite Bit of Holland (a windmiii bufit to lift a given masna). Melannie Heinen ANDERSON C.V.I. A SLED DOG RACE was one of the activities as Immanuel Christian Sohool students competed in their own version of the Winter Olympics Iast Friday' Race participants each pulled a 1O-ilogram sack of flour (their mascot dressed in a hockey jersey) on their sleds, and had 10 go from one end of the field to the other without the mascot fatling off. Photo by Jeremy resar Whlby Fmo Pres PROM ANDMERSON CVI 2to attend foru Two students from Anderson CVI have been chosen te attend the Forum for Young Canadiens in Ottawa. Franoes Cameron and Darcy Parker will be axncng 500 stu- dents from ail parts cf Canada who will learn more about how government works. Students wiil sit in the House cf Gommons sud Senate, talk te parliamnentarians and senior public servants, visit Govern- ment House sud the Supreme Court. They will aise participate in a mock Cabinet discussion cf im- migration policy sud take part in debate on federai-provincial roIs- tiens. The Optimist Club cf Brooklin and Anderson's Staff Alumni Association help with program fees sud travel costs, but addi- tional assistance is needed te continue the prograin. For more information caîl M. Freeman at Anderson CVI, 668- 5809. F~h Now that everyone han recovered fromn sernester one final report carde, here is the latest Anderson news.1 Last Thuraday, Anderson presented its 1994 fashion show. Mark Rainey sud Cort Fowler, the hilarious hosts cf the evening, led the audience through an array cf quality Canadian ciothing, ranging from athletic te, formai evening wear. The level cf echool paricpatonwas fantastic as studnts from aIl grades worked together. Yet the entire show wouid not have been possible without the heip cf many people. Tammy îSnow, 8cro Camn bell, Olivia Burrel and r me=brsof Jazz hIc. displayed their musical talents for everyone's listening pleasure. The Anderson Prefect Society did an excellent job seliing tickets sud organizng the seating arrange- ments. Businesses, including Garbos, Motif, Tuxedo Town, Bezýamin- Barrttasd Calypso strongly suporedthe production by cotrbuig a wide selection cf their iatest fashions. Hair was styled by Valentine'. cf downtown Wlutby. Liz Desousa, a former Anderson student who runs hor own fashion business, provided a brilliant lino cf formai evening wear. As well, there was a multitude cf door prizes donated by local stores, as the co-operation cf the public was superb. Than ste Mr. Julien sud the AV Club for the lighting sud stage construction sud the art department for creating the propa, prograrn guides and posters. A speciai thank y ou to Mrs. Blake and Mrs. Gillespie for organizmng the reception. Most importantiy, thank you te Miss Boss, Mess Shin, Mis Koczulab and Miss Temple, teachers from the famnily studies department in charge cf the fashion show. Overail, the evening was a huge success as proceeds went tewards a scholarship fund for students choosing te pursue a poet-secondary education in fashion. Until next time, Anderson, have a great week. Academy dinner Monday PHeather Sturman jD URHAM ADULT LEARNING CENTRE Coing for a new career cen be risk business because, unies. you've experienced it, how can yo know if it isthe career for YOU? The queston is wel enswered ini the Durhamn Alternative Secondary Education's (DASE) - ~ ~ V c-ertveuctonprran qrative education tecer Rhonda Grovuin, who teaches at DAM, says that co-operative education is a career-enhancing waji te earn credits tewards a aih chool diploma. "Co-operative education gives students bauds-on exerence in a particuiar fleld cf coce. It lets students mee if it is the career choice for them," says Grovuin. E.A. Loveil Public School teacher Bon Barbe spoke cf the benefits cf having adult students doing a co-op placement at bis school. "I have peace cf mind knowing the job wil get done. This is my experience dealing with a co-operative education student who is an aduit" says Barbe. Heather Byers, a DAS co-op student, says that being invclved in the co-operative education p rograinheps yudecide in a huriy if this is the career choice "Thor sd experience go baudin aud-- you can>t have one without the other," says Byers. Durhami Christisu Academy, 900 King St. E., Oshawa will hoet the annuai commituient dinner on Monday, Feb. 21. Dr. Roy Lowrie, Jr. from Columbia, S.C. willb. keynote speaker. He is the authoe of many books deaiing with Christian education. Tickets (valued at $16) may be obtained free of charge by caling the school office at 436-6354. Computer course oflered 'WordPerfect for Windows In- troduction' will bo held Wednes- day nights, March 9 te 30 at Durham College's Whitby Sfils Training Centre. The course covers basic intro- ductory features and includes creating, editing sud printing documents, format changes, mev- iing toit, file management sud spe11 check. Cost is $225 for the course. Caîl 721-3000. Olympios at Trafal gar 1~ 1