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G o u r m e t F r o z e n F o o d s SENIORS 10% OFF EVERY WEDNESDAY (REG. PRICED MERCHANDISE) CAMPBELLVILLE MILTON HW Y 2 5OLDE HIDEHOUSE DU BL IN LI NE GU EL PH LI NE GUELPH GEORGETOWN 7 7 ITS WORTH THE DRIVE TO ACTON SERVING ACTON & AREA FOR OVER 20 YEARS! SPECIALS FROM: Feb. 4th to Feb. 24th OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 6 PM HWY. 7, 1 MILE WEST OF ACTON 519-853-0311 (800)-387-4039 www.macmillans.ca SHRIMP SALE LARGE COOKED SHRIMP DEVEINED & READY TO EAT OUR CATCH OF THE DAY WILD PACIFIC SALMON LOINS 4 portions $6.99 (Reg. $8.99) STOCK YOUR FREEZER FOR VALENTINES & EASTER! 2 LBS. $11.99 4 LBS. $21.99 FOR SMOOTHIES AND PIES ASSORTED FRUIT MIX & MATCH SALE - 3x 1 kg Bags $15.99 BLUEBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES OR FRUIT SALAD BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND VALENTINES DINNER FOR 2!! *Large Cooked Shrimp or Lobstertails *Bacon Wrapped Beef or Chicken *Medley of Mixed Vegetables *Gourmet Stuffed Potatoes *Chocolate Volcano Cake ONLY $19.99 (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST) LEADBETTERS LEAN GROUND BEEF 5 x 1 lb.$11.99 STEAKS ALSO AVAILABLE Acton/Georgetown, Friday, February 8, 2008 7 This column is supposed to be submitted by noon on Thursdays. But today, I think Ill do it later maybe Ill hold off finishing it until Friday, or even next week. Im figuring Ill just do it when I feel like it. You know, just so long as its finished sometime soon. Im sure the editor wont mind after all, why worry about having it done on time? The news- paper is supposed to go to press at a designated time but what the heck, they can wait until we get it there. No problem, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, it simply doesnt work that way in the real world. But according to the newest Ontario Ministry of Educations mandate to not penalize students who hand in their work late, thats the way stu- dents can now operate. Apparently, the powers that be feel todays stu- dents are simply too busy, and teachers should cut them some slack and let them hand in assign- ments when they feel like it, so long as they get em in before the end of the semester. Oh yeah, and with no late penalties. Now how idiotic is that? First of all, are the ministry people giving any thought at all to the teachers trying to instill some wisdom into our students? Geez, I can just see it, some poor teacher wad- ing through marking a zillion essays the last week of the semester, simply because they all came in late. I could see teachers NOT assigning essays, simply because of the mayhem that will arise from marking them all in the 11th hour. And I couldnt blame them if they did. How about those conscientious students who do actually strive to get their work in on time? What incentive do they have to give that added effort to excel in that subject and achieve better marks? When its time to apply to university, competi- tive admissions to post secondary education are based on marks. A couple of marks can make dif- ference between being accepted or not. With this new mandate, a conscientious stu- dent is given no reward for striving to be better. If this is the way of the future, why not allow teachers to submit their report card marks when they get around to it too? Hey, if the students can do it, why not the teachers? I truly believe students need a line drawn in the sand a deadline they must meet. How else are they going develop responsibility and accountability? Students need to learn that their actions, or lack of, have ramifications. They need to learn how to adopt time management skills and the essentials of productivity. If not, they will have a major reality slap when they enter that real work world, where most pro- jects were due yesterday and the boss doesnt wanna hear excuses. Its a scary thought that people at the top of the ministry are actually holding the strings that will shape our youth in the coming generations and this late assignment mandate is another bruise to their already battered credibility. By the way, the editor wasnt amused when I said Id turn this in Friday, or whenever. As he walked away, Im sure I heard him mumbling something about my paycheque might be a week or two late... Like, whenever payroll gets around to it. (Ted Brown can be reached at tbrown@independentfreepress.com) Ted Brown A late column? No problem