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4 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2006 Happy 40th Anniversary Mom and Dad Ray and Marlene Graham Love your family Professional Health Coaching Nutrition, In-office lab. tests, Natural Medicine, Zen Shiatsu, Yoga & Meditation, Reflexology & Aromatherapy Cynthia Simmons, Homeopath & Professional Health Coach Glen Simmons, Zen Shiatsu Therapist 519.853.8950 www.heal-thyself.ca Distributors of USANA Nutritional products and skin care line HARDWOOD TRUCK LOAD SALE PREFINISHED HARDWOOD OAK 2 1/4 X 3/4 $2.99sqft 3 COLOURS GEORGETOWN FLOORING 128 Guelph St. Georgetown 905-702-1217 15MM LAMINATE $2.39 sqft NEW STOCK! By Rick Bonnette Mayors Corner How do you want to have fun in the future? is the question being asked by the Recreation and Parks De- partment as they update the 1994 Recreation Master Plan this year. The Strategic Action Plan will focus on specific strategies to provide cost efficient and quality services for recreation, parks and facilities for the Town. The plan will review why the Town provides the recre- ational programs, services and facilities that it does, and what more can be done to address the publics needs and still be financially sound. Public consultation will be a big part of the Recreation and Parks Strategic Action Plan, with focus groups, in- terviews and surveys being carried out in May and June. The final plan is targeted for February, 2007, after further public meetings and consultation. Be sure to talk with your local group or association or keep an eye out for public information as its released later this month. * * * * A Volunteer Appreciation Event was held on Thursday, June 8 at the Gellert Community Centre to give thanks and appreciation to all our volunteers. The Town of Halton Hills is very fortunate to have over 10,000 residents (according to Statistics Canada) who volunteer throughout our community. The dedi- cation and hard work of these outstanding citizens is seen every day, and reflected in the common good of our town. Volunteers are the glue that keeps our com- munity together. Volunteering creates bonds of trust, encourages coop- eration, promotes good health and emotional wellbeing, and most importantly, it increases social harmony. The gift of your time as a volunteer does make a difference to the quality of the lives of our residents that we have come to appreciate and enjoy. From the sports fields, to the hockey rinks, to the service clubs, hospitals, schools, churches and support groups, our volunteers go the extra mile to make our community special. Many organizations and agencies would simply not exist without our volunteers. It is not surprising that research has proven that one of the best things we can do to improve peoples lives, is to provide relevant op- portunities to volunteer. One recent study found that 69% of people who volunteer as adults reported one or both of their parents had set an example by volunteering when they were young. Volunteering is a spirit that can be inherited, and is a powerful gift that can be passed on to future generations. Thats a legacy of which we can be proud. I urge you to continue to build upon the wealth of our community through your outstanding work as a volunteer. * * * * Mark Francis, a grade 12 Georgetown District High School student, is showcasing his landscape and wildlife acrylics and soft pastels artwork on the Mayors Show- case. This talented young mans artwork is a pleasure to see! * * * * Keeping it real! I can be reached by telephone at 905- 873-2601, ext. 2342, or by e-mail at mayor@haltonhills. ca. Keep tab on teens internet activities - Police Halton Regional Police are reminding parents to be actively involved in their teenagers activities over the internet following the arrest of a 29-year-old Georgetown man over dis- turbing internet chats with two 13-year-old George- town girls. Computers should be lo- cated in high-traffic areas in the home and personal information should never be posted on the internet, police maintain. Caution should be exercised when arranging meetings with acquaintances met over the internet and should be conducted in a supervised setting only. The man, a resident of Seed House Lane has been charged with two counts of luring, two counts of invitation to sexual touch- ing, sexual interference and sexual assault. Police were notified by a parent and one of the 13-year-old victims as a result of dis- turbing internet chats from the suspect. A joint investigation con- ducted by members of the Halton Police Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Bureau, Forensic Computing Unit, Georgetown Street Crime officers and the OPP Child Pornography Unit Project P, revealed that two teenag- ers had been corresponding with the accused for several months via a popular instant messaging program which ultimately led to the com- mission of other sexual offences. Investigation led to the identity of the ac- cused who was arrested June 20 without incident at his workplace in Thorn- hill. Halton Regional Police Service is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information related to the matter is asked to contact the Child and Sexual Assault Investigative Bureau at (905) 825-4777 or (905) 634-1831 Ext 5237 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). SENIORS WEEK WIND-UP: The summer picnic B.B.Q. at the Acton Seniors Centre was well attended as you can see by the picture. Everyone enjoyed Banjo man Mel Collie, who had everyone tapping their toes, and in stitches with his jokes as well as a B.B.Q on Friday, June 23 as the final wind-up to the celebrations during Seniors Week at the Acton Seniors Centre. Eileen Dix photo Trunk Sale... would be best to not have the sale for a few weeks during the worst part of the reconstruction. We didnt really have a choice; however, were looking forward to our grand re-opening on Sat- urday, August 12. Were really hoping to make it a grand event to coincide with the Leathertown Fes- tival, said another Trunk Sale committee member Angela Ash. The Trunk Sale is now temporarily closed and will re-open August 12. For fur- ther information, vendors can call (519) 853-1550 or (519) 853-4299. Continued from page 1 Grade 10s improve their literacy skills over year By Frances Niblock The literacy skills of Acton area Grade 10 stu- dents top the provincial level in recently released results of the mandatory Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Eighty-six per cent of stu- dents at Acton High School passed the test the first time they wrote it, compared to 84 per cent Ontario-wide. The Halton District School Boards average is 90 per cent. The Halton Catholic Boards average is 92 per cent and at Christ The King, the high school for many Acton area Catholics, the average is 88 per cent. The Halton Boards Su- perintendent of Program Services, Gary Sadler said the continuing trend of improvement demon- strates their commitment to meeting the graduation requirement. After-school and lunch hour remediation programs were offered by schools and schools further prepared their students through their classroom-based coaching on how to write large scale tests, Sadler said, adding the success rate for students in the Academic English courses is 98 per cent. At Acton High School, Principal Bert OHearn said the results continue to improve and he is really pleased. Everyone of our kids in the Academic stream everyone that tried it for the first time passed it, and I think that is remarkable, OHearn said recently. Were still working away with our Applied students, but were right around where the Board is 66 or 67 per cent, so thats not disconcerting, he said, adding that 75 per cent of the students that were identified by their teachers as needing help with literacy remediation, were successful. At the Halton Catholic District School Board, the results show a five per cent increase in the number of Grade 10 students who passed the literacy test the first time they wrote it. Rick MacDonald, the Boards Superintendent of Eduction said a variety of factors explain the results. Students who do not pass the literacy test can register for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, a Grade 12 English credit.