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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004 THE NEW TANNER 3 New principals at three Acton schools By FRANCES NIBLOCK ae New Tanner Iti is too early for the new principals at Acton's three public schools to be making long-range goals and objec- tives for the school year; other than to carry on with what has made their respec- tive schools special. At Acton High School, it is not all new for in-coming prin- cipal Bert O'Hearn who was vice-principal at the school for four years a decade ago. O'Hearn, a Brampton resi- dent who was principal of a Burlington high school be- fore coming back to Acton, said he wants to "maintain the atmosphere of collegiality and support for students and will develop plans and goals collaboratively with people in the building." O'Hearn said one of his goals would be to catch up with the goals already devel- oped in the school effectiveness plan so he can get a handle on what is hap- pening at the school. "T tend not to want to make too many snap judgements about where we should go until I can see pretty clearly where we' ve been and where the people who are already here see us going," O'Hearn said on Friday, adding he's been really pleased with the welcome he's received from staff, students and parents who have been in to the school. O'Hearn said he had al- ready spoken with the incoming principal at McKenzie Smith Bennett School, Demetra Saldaris, and Leona Skanes, the new principal at Robert Little School. "T think that it is an inter- esting opportunity for us three new principals in Acton to get together to look at the Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum -- the continuum SCHOOL PREP: McKenzie-Smith Bennett School Senior Kindergarten student Sangjun Bak, 5, attended a meet-and- greet session with his teacher Barb Harris (left) on Tuesday while mom Migyoung Jang looked on. -- Frances Niblock photo of education that we will be providing that we want to be providing for students in Acton. I think that is an in- teresting opportunity for us." At Robert Little School, principal Leona Skanes, who relocated to Acton with her family from Sudbury where she was a principal for five years, said she has a "kids first" philosophy. "T can see by talking to staff and by looking at the hard work they' ve put in before the first day of school that they feel the same way -- they have a lot of compassion and car- ing," Skanes said on Friday. She said the school's priori- ties will continue to be safety and the Tribes behaviour pro- gram and literacy, along with a very collaborative team ap- proach to learning. "Tt's not my school -- it is our school -- and I've always focused on that, that we have a leadership team and all opinions are respected," Skanes said, adding she has a sense of humour and likes to laugh at herself a lot. While it is too soon to set school-life goals for the year -- she wants to meet with the teachers and find out what they feel the needs are -- Skanes has set some personal goals. "T want to maintain the sense of community and con- tinue to make the community proud of Robert Little School." It is all about the people -- the students, staff and com- munity -- for Demetra LOOK FOR YOUR HOME HARDWARE FLYER IN TODAY'S ISSUE! 519-853-1730 Acton Home Hardware Calired dushara Sunpay, Serremuse 121H, 2004 + NOON 'TL Evenine figgige! Akteenrig-Dgrin * Chey Borie + Arires feck + Corohn Beck | Jonn hemrom + George fowaning + Joe Buchac + Gifian Chan + Ying | Chen + tenje Dune + Mighes! Enright interciewing Pabick Watson] | Shain Pachmon « Leanne Hardy « Heven ideighton « Michoo! iésim | 'Deevil Helwhy - Sith: Hapekieee: - Jowtioe Kulyk Keele: - Karen evita | Jeon Ute > Ann-Morie MocKongid + Judith MoGormack « Sytia MonbGod + Gecige Muray + Dovid O Mead + dimon J. Or + Fanicia Feornon + feyon Fringe « Monique Fou: + Bey Sobertsor: + Pier ®obiraon + Leon feoke « ttoh fodu + Marilyn Simonds * Jospreet igh - Te BisuMer - Tus wan - Ande Bade - Geew Miyder | foviee « Lowes Glee Toyioe « Vern Thiemen * Miriam loo: « Phe TuiGGlle + Michiel Winke! - Werner Dinmermannh - taut Bix Hahand Featuring: The Children's Area with runic by fide Gouglor & Horie Crete: Young Adulf readings: The Aboriginal Area: The Fringe: ond runio by Juan Gertie. EW! Prorat longue eeeoliege ¢ 2:10 Gt the Cotlage Soturday. feplernber 11%), 108-2000) pum, Hew fee Writer, ania iaeds ot Comp bigewood, duien hilia Fae Gee INMQHMION Goel 31 9-B2aN& oe vial Saldaris, the new principal at McKenzie-Smith Bennett School. "One of the things that we talked about with staff on the last PA day (in June) was to work with the entire school -- they had a direction team in place -- to create really strong spirit. That's something that they've started and I want to continue working on that," Saldaris said on Tuesday as she took a break from going class to class to meet the stu- dents. She said she wants to con- tinue the good things already in place at MSB, including the Tribes social skills pro- gram that stresses learning and working together. Saldaris, who most re- cently was principal at an Oakville school, said it would take some time for her to get to know the school and com- munity, and for them to get to know her in terms of her style, which she describes as "outgoing." "T like to work with people BOYES PUMPS & WATER TREATMENT Formerly Boyes Plumbing Water Softener, Rentals Water Pump Service 855-4232 --I don't think anything hap- pens unless you're right in there working together, side by side," she said. "T'm a people first admin- istrator -- sometimes it's the students, sometimes it's the teacher because if you help LAST CHANCE the teacher then the teacher is right there for the kids. It's all about people and how I can be of service," Saldaris said, adding she is looking forward to working with the school council to determine what things can be made better. Time is runing out! Put your entery into the Fall Fair Parade. Deadline for entries - September 13 Enter a float in our annual ACTON FALL FAIR PARADE seplonaye 18, 2004 YOUR ALL CANADIAN FAMILY DISCOUNT STORE Proud Official Sponsor of the Acton Fall Fair Parade! Don't miss out... call today! 519-853-5087 or 519-853-0570 Terry Foster SCHHSHSCHSHOHSHOSESCHHSSHEHHEHHSHHCHHOHSHSHHSHOHOHEOHOHLEHOOECEOE Acton Fall Fair 2004 ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP September 17, 18 & 19 2004 Prospect Park - Acton ash 215 pm & 9:45 pe ows "Southbound" (country band) Bruce Herron" DPDERFORMING ALL WEEKEND LONG "Silver Elvis" a.k.a. Peter Jarvis A human robotic Elvis dancing to music www.silverelvis.com ADMISSION i Nei Adults $7.00 Youths $5.00 a.k.a. Michael Carl O'Neil Seniors $5.00 Children $3.00 | Look for him throughout Children under 5 FREE www.actonfair.ca for more infor "Charlie Chaplan" the Fairgrounds! www.michaelcarloneil.com SPHOSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHHHSHSHSHHSHSHSHSHHSHHSHHHHHSHHSHHSHEHHHHHCOHHOHOSEHOEHOOEHOECOEEEE ys ALL FREE WITH ADMISSION TO THE FAIR! "many more attractions for the whole family to see and do! Times and entertainers are subject to change. SCHOCHCHCHHEHCHEHCHEHOCEHCEEHOKTOCOHCEHEO HOH OH OOOO OEOCLOC®E