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THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2000 DONATION ACCEPTED: Acton IGA staffer Charlie Auger and son Greg (left) of Cones look on as L'il Gaffers owner Lori Cunningham turns over proceeds from refreshment sales at her store opening Saturday to Don Lindsay (right) for the Susan Lindsay benefit. The IGA donated food and beverages and Cones donated ice cream to store staff and entertainers. - Maggie Petrushevsky photo Big turnout needed for MSB land debate Dear Trustee, For over thirty years the Halton Board of Education (now the Halton District School Board) has been a shin- ing example of what a school board should be - an institu- tion whose primary goal is to facilitate the development of our most precious resource, our.children....This.is.so.that they can reach their full po- tential and become valuable members of society - our fu- ture. Children need to de- velop physically and socially as well as intellectually. This development begins at home, and continues at school (the public extension of the home, and a major contributor to the socializing process). Devel- opment takes place over a period of time in the class- room and on the schoolyard. We all realize how important the classroom is; now I would like to focus on the schoolyard. The physical and mental well-being of a child is en- hanced with physical activity, especially when that activity es place in the fresh air. Why else would we spend so much time on outdoor Phys Ed classes when the weather permits? We teach children team sports, we train them in track and field activities, and we encourage and help them to become physically fit. As well as the obvious physical health benefits, these activi- ties also teach our children co- operation and team-work, im- portant life skills that they will need for a productive, suc- cessful future. Perseverance which results in pecoresehs ing a goal gives a child a won- derful sense of success and self-worth, so important to an individual's mental health. Our MSB students make ex- tensive use of their ay during Phys Ed periods, their recess and lunch times, and for extra-cur- ticular activities. Students from Acton High School also make considerable use of this schoolyard because their school has less property than it is entitled to have. Because you are an impor- tant influence in the educa- tion of children, you already know these things. Schools (and school boards) are in business for the sake of the children - our country's fu- ture. When I was a teacher, I was proud to say I was a part of the Halton Board, mainly because it seemed to consider the benefit to the children as the determining factor in its decision-making. In fact, I recall one Area Superintend- ent who was known to say on many occasions, "The name of the game is 'kids'." The ill-conceived plot to sell MSB schoolyard out from under the feet of our children flies in the face of this phi- losophy. It is short-sighted, foolhardy and, in my opinion, unethical. Look at all the long-term benefits that would be thrown away for the sake of a few dollars in short- term gain for the Board. Now look at the cost to replace this asset in the not-too-distant future when Acton's growth means we need more school places to accommodate the children who live in the sub- divisions now being built. As well as being fiscally irre- sponsible, it would be unethi- cal to waste money in such a way. I'm sure the Board has surplus assets in other loca- tions that would produce much higher financial rewards at far less social and educa- tional cost. I realize that finances are of major concern in these days of provincial funding cutbacks. I also realize that you have an enormous re- sponsibility in making deci- sions that affect children throughout the Region, and I do not envy you that task. However, I'm sure the Board can find better solutions to these financial challenges, rather than taking away such an important part of the MSB children's educational expe- rience. A short-term gain for the Board would indeed pro- duce long-term pain for the children of Acton. I trust that when decision- time comes, you will uphold the long-standing tradition of the Halton Board, and put the needs of our MSB children first. Please don't make them (and the ones to come after them) suffer for the sake of a few dollars; our children are far too important. Sincerely, Kathy Sanford IODE enjoys Chinese dinner By Dot Norton The Lakeside Chapter of the IODE held their Chinese dinner on May 2 with 13 mem- bers present. The Roll Call was answered by reading the con- tents of each person's fortune cookie. A special cake was brought in to celebrate the retirement of our Regent, Helen Jocque, after many years. I am sure she will be missed by a lot of folks. A short meeting followed with reports read and ap- proved. Suggestions for the BIA in connection with the High School reunion may be given to Helen. Our raffle tick- ets for the November bazaar will be on sale that day. Our bake sale will be held May 12 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Sweet Dreams Café. Members are asked to drop off three items of baking at the café by 9 a.m. The crew will be there to get things set BO Joyce Sprowl reminded members she needs the knit- ting and sewing items turned in this month because it's time to pack the bale again. Work on the November bazaar is forging ahead since the required licence has been obtained. Raffle tickets are ready and crafty members are preparing their offerings for the event. Others will donate money or material things. The chapter's last meeting will be a picnic at Helen Jocque's home on June 6 at 6 p.m. Vendors -- $5 8 a.m. -- 1 p.m. Buyers -- FREE 8:30 a.m. -- 12:30 p.m. Town parking lot beside the olde Hide House CITIZENS BAND WILL PERFORM 10am -- 11am PWS a