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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, O ct ob er 11 ,2 01 8 | 34 Indoor house league is available for recreational players U5 (born in 2014) to U18 (born in 2001). This fun, affordable league runs from the beginning of November to the end of February 2019 at the Dufferin Centre in Acton. Visit georgetownsoccerclub.com for details and to register today! Centr REGISTER NOW FOR INDOOR SOCCER! Enriching the lives of Children Since 1985. www.georgetowndaycare.ca LOCATIONS 479 Guelph St., Norval 905-877-4376 • 483 Guelph St., Norval 905-877-4375 Ages 2-5 yrs. Call for space. Nursery School Program Transportation To/From Local Schools A loving and calm environment for newborns to 18 months. Infant Care • Beautiful parkland setting at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Park • Nutritious Lunches & Snacks made on site Full time Daycare by the people opposing it. Key words were taken out of context and used to make a point that was en- tirely false in nature. The HDSB released a statement earlier this year which included; "The Halton District School Board remains committed to inclusion and will continue to dem- onstrate respect and un- derstanding for all stu- dents, staff and members of our school communi- ties. We have an obliga- tion under the Human Rights Code, the Educa- tion Act and our own Board policies and proce- dures to ensure students feel safe and see their identities reflected in our classroom activities and throughout our schools. Therefore, it is expected that schools will continue to actively create and pro- vide inclusive and wel- coming learning environ- ments. This includes learning resources that reflect equity, diversity and representation of our families, as well as sup- port for inclusive student clubs and activities." Our teachers will still be able to present the cur- riculum from the ministry and make sure our stu- dents have access to nec- essary information that is supported by the board. There is no reason for any teacher to feel they would face repercussions, as they would be doing the job they have been hired to do. HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD DANIEL DRAGICEVIC What do you see as the top issue affecting educa- tion in Halton and what steps would you take to ad- dress it? I feel the top issue af- fecting education in Hal- ton is population growth. As one of the fastest grow- ing regions in Ontario, with more housing still to be built, we as a board need to ensure we have the facilities, resources, teachers and staff in place to accommodate the pros- pected enrolment in our board, especially here in Halton Hills. I will be proactive and ensure the areas expected to see the most growth are prepared and ready to handle it, as well as ad- dressing areas where less enrolment is expected. We need to ensure our re- sources are utilized effi- ciently and effectively throughout our school board. I do not want us to take a reactive approach by building portables in- stead of new facilities. We know the growth is com- ing and we should be lob- bying our government to ensure the funds are available to coincide with enrolment. If we are not properly prepared, many aspects of our education will suffer. This is not something we can sit back on and deal with as it hap- pens. Being proactive is the only way we should proceed and this is one of the many strengths I offer. Grade 6 math scores, ac- cording to EQAO data, are down in Halton and across the province. Why do you think that is and how should it be addressed? From my research and consultations, I think de- clining math scores are an indication of the failure of our current "discovery" math curriculum. I think we need to revert to teach- ing fundamental math, us- ing formulas, memoriza- tion techniques, written long division, multiplica- tion tables, et cetera. I am curious to see what our new government will be implementing in terms of the math curriculum, as it was something they cam- paigned on. In terms of how to ad- dress the current issues, we should look at other provinces/countries whose students excel in math and see if we can take ideas from them that can be applied here. I would like to see a review of the EQAO testing, tak- ing into account the cost of administering these tests, and other opportu- nities to fund better re- sources, smaller class siz- es, new/repaired schools, more training for teachers etc. Overall this is some- thing that needs to be ad- dressed provincially, but I am more than willing to lobby our government with ideas and sugges- tions from our stakehold- ers. Do you support rein- stating the sanctity of life motion? Please explain your position. I do not support the sanctity of life motion as public consultations re- sulted in an overwhelm- ing opposition to it. The fact that no other ideas have been brought forth has created polar- ized views on this motion. To me, this is a strong in- dication of a lack of lead- ership and compromise by our current board. I would like to consider the opportunities of reinvest- ing our fundraising dol- lars directly into our com- munity. It is noble and righteous to raise funds for other organizations, but there are students in our own community who would benefit significant- ly by allocating these funds into programs spe- cific to our unique com- munity needs. Whether or not the board votes to reinstate the sanctity of life motion will not impact an individ- ual's ability to donate to the charities of their choice. I have always been a strong supporter of charity fundraising and have organized many events that have raised significant funds for many different charities. I co-organize an annual curling fundraiser with proceeds going to Make- A-Wish Foundation. When I donate to our school, my hope is that it addresses needs in our school and community. JANET O'HEARN-CZARNOTA What do you see as the top issue affecting educa- tion in Halton and what steps would you take to ad- dress it? The top issue affecting education in Halton is funding. School boards have a certain amount of funding at their disposal and trustees need to make careful, responsible, and informed decisions to en- sure these funds are ap- propriately allocated. These monies need to ben- efit the largest group of students while at the same time recognizing the di- verse learning needs and styles of all the students. Grade 6 math scores, ac- cording to EQAO data, are down in Halton and across the province. Why do you think that is and how should it be addressed? School boards must continue to support and encourage their teachers to upgrade their math skills to enable students success within the curric- ulum as it is written. We must stay the course to reap the benefits. School boards do not design cur- riculum. Do you support rein- stating the sanctity of life motion? Please explain your position. Seventy-four per cent of the respondents when surveyed regarding the sanctity of life motion used their voice to indi- cate they did not want it to MUNICIPAL ELECTION Continued from page 13 CANDIDATES IDENTIFY TOP ISSUES AFFECTING HALTON HILLS SCHOOL AHEAD OF OCT. 22 VOTE See page 35