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IN NATE TRE Bo J 7 NY IY I PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" Tate tdhiaw vaadd THON FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2000 - 3 Durham board striving for better test results By Rik Davie Special to the Star The Durham District School Board is looking at ways to improve its students' scores in provincial testing. Superintendent for Programs Bev Freedman told trustees Monday night that she wants to better scores by Durham students in provincial reading, writing and mathematics tests. Durham students scored slightly above provincial averages in the 1998- 99 tests, a marked improvement from 1997-98 scores that set them slightly below the average across Ontario. Ms Freedman said that a compre- hensive study seeking ideas from teachers, parents and students is being conducted in the region to find ways to improve weak areas. Oshawa trustee Jane Weist asked if anything could be done about the tradi- tionally low scores by young males in reading skills. "Is there not some little book we could send home with them so that their parents don't have to decide what would be appropriate reading for them?" she asked. Ms Freedman explained that there are already several work books avail- able and that "we are continuing to study the problem to find ways to improve. "We have found that learning by example is a key,! said Ms Freedman. "If students see [their parental role models reading on a regular basis, they are much more likely to read more themselves." Pickering trustee Paul Crawford asked if board staff are satisfied with the current level of student scores in Durham. "1 am never satisfied, trustee Crawford," Ms Freedman quipped. "That is why you gave me this job. I am happier over all, but | am never satis- fied that we cannot do better." Mr. Crawford asked if the test could possibly be too hard for some students. Dr. Anne Lloyd, the board's assess- ment and accountability officer, said that while the tests are set by the province, not the board, they are stud- ied for their content. "1 don't think the tests are too easy, nor are they beyond our students," she said. Ms Freedman said the board will continue to welcome input on testing from all areas of the school community, and welcomes parental questions on the annual Grade 3 and 6 tests. 3) pr Trustee's call for smoking ban butted out By Rik Davie Special to the Star A Durham District School Board trustee's call to have possession of tobacco products by minors made illegal was finally put to rest Monday night. Pickering trustee Paul Crawford first sought approval in September of 1998 for a motion calling on the province to tough- en laws regarding the use of tobacco by youngsters under 19. The letter was addressed to the health minister, the Attorney General, the minister of education and Premier Mike Harris. Mr. Crawford wanted all trustees to sign the letter and send it out on board letterhead. Mr. Crawford has sought approval for the initiative on several occasions and the letter has been con- sidered by staff and trustees. Monday night Oshawa trustee Kathy Hopper, who sat on a committee that produced a watered- down version of the letter, put forth a motion that the matter be tabled indefi- nitely. Such a move would mean the matter could not be brought up at board again for one year, putting it over until a new board is elected in November's municipal vote. Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew backed the motion to table the letter. "We are continuing with programs to educate our students on the hazards of smoking, but this is out- side the mandate of this board," she said. "Our job is to educate our students. 1 don't see how our staff, who are already working at their maximum to achieve this, could take on the policing of tobacco possession." After the motion was defeated, Mr. Crawford asked that staff put together a report on "where smoking enclaves are at each school." Ms Drew told Mr Crawford that she had "answered his question in an e-mail earlier. "If you had read the e- mail you would have seen that we do not have smok- ing areas on any school grounds for students," said Mrs. Drew. "That would violate provincial law." "| read the e-mail," Mr. Crawford said, "but | would still like a study done on it and I would like a list of where students smoke in the surrounding areas at each school." Pickering trustee Ruth Anne Schedlich told Mr. Crawford that the matter has been dealt with. "I can not see asking staff to waste any more time on this," she said Board chair Doug Ross told Mr. Crawford that any study by board staff would require a motion passed by a majority of the board. He warmed Mr. Crawford about using valuable staff time. "We don't (ask for staff studies) simply by one trustee making a request. We have allowed that in the recent past and it is a bad precedent for us to set," said Mr. Ross. Mr. Crawford insisted, putting his request for a review on where kids are' smoking in the form of a motion. The motion failed by a vote of 6-4. AD WV L 4 ME ERE Le a of DR 20 8 2) > 20d Fall/Winter Clearance EERE | nr -- a A a et March 12, 2000 NPCS anes a Our fall and winter inventory of selected women, men' and kids' fashions and footwear. Krickels Guess' AEROSOLES --_---- PLEASE NOTE: WE WILLNOTBE HOLDING AN UPSTAIRS SALE THIS SEASON. ALL MERCHANDISE IS BEING CLEARED ON THE MAIN FLOOR pURING THIS SALE. | (SRIILL Don't forget to use your Brock's Gold Card to save on most Spring arrivals! RISC 1G 1 ¢ 4 Po . | or Kids ALL SALES FINAL RR@CK'S prec | Fon foot 168 - 178 Queen Street, Port Pern VRE REPAPS