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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007 THE NEW TANNER 3 Homework clubs open at two Acton schools By Frances Niblock Homework clubs are now operating at McKenzie- Smith Bennett and Robert Little Schools, offering af- ter-school help to students who need it, thanks to OFIP (Ontario Focused Inter- vention Partnership: OFIP Investment in Tutoring) grants from the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat/ Ministry of Education. Ontario school boards will share $8-million in OFIP grants this year the Halton board received $189,000 to initiate and extend programs to help students, beyond the regular school day, with external support. A $15,000 OFIP grant allowed Grades three, four and five students and their parents at Robert Little School to attend a twice-weekly math-tutor- ing program that began last week. Problem solving is a big, big area of change in the way we used to be taught math, with rote learningwere looking at problem-solving strategies, and also helping parents learn the strategies, so they can help their chil- dren with homework, said Principal Leona Skanes, adding they targeted math because it has been a weaker area in provincial testing. There are 34 students reg- istered for the program that began yesterday (Wednes- day) at Robert Little, which operates with tutors, includ- ing high school students and adult volunteers. Were looking at incor- porating babysitting because some of our volunteers have little kids, so were thinking of using some of the (grant) money to hire a babysitter and putting a movie on, Skanes said, calling the grants an investment in the future. At McKenzie-Smith Ben- nett School, the focus for spending a $15,000 OFIP grant is on one-on-one tu- toring and support for a homework club. Principal Sharon French said the homework club, running for the past month, meets twice weekly with a snack from 3:30 to 4, and work from 4 to 5 p.m. Its open to everyone, but there were some chil- dren who were encouraged to participate, French said, adding the club meets in the MSB library with volun- teer tutors, including high school students and MSB teachers. MSB teacher/ librarian Wendy Webber said one- on-one tuoring is underway with a few students and letters have gone out to the parents of others who would benefit from extra help. Webber said theyd like to get the tutoring homework club set up and running and then have the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization step in and run it, like they do in other areas of Halton. French said a Halton Learning Foundation grant of $1,500 will help pay for a Recess Revival pro- gram training groups of kids in leadership roles to play outdoor games, and a $2,500 grant from Food For Thought will help MSB to start a breakfast program that opens on May 15. The Food For Thought people have been wonder- ful. In addition to the $2,500 grant, they are giving us a fridge and will train all of the people that will be preparing breakfast two mornings a week, French said. FREE LOCAL DELIVER Y FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED 264 MAIN ST. N ACTON 519-853-1970 We stock a full line of Paints, Hardware, Electrical & Plumbing supplies WE HAVE COMPETITIVE PRICES FOR ALL YOUR RENOVATION PROJECTS. HOURS Mon-Fri. 7:00am to 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 4:00pm FAX LINE: (519) 853-2542 TORONTO LINE: (416) 601-1259 You could WIN one of three Bruin 350 4x4 ATVs Drop in and fill out your ballot today! DOWNTOWN ACTON BIA CLEANUP BLITZ DAY NEXT SATURDAY! April 21st 9:00 a.m. To 12:00 p.m. Meet at Willow Street South parking lot (Leathertown Village parking lot) Coffee & Timbits compliments of Tim Hortons Bottled water compliments of Giant Tiger Work gloves supplied by Superior Glove Garbage bags supplied by Town of Halton Hills Bring rakes, brooms etc. Are you in high school & scrambling for community hours? Come on out for 3 hours & well sign your sheet & youll get a free pizza slice compliments of Godfathers Pizza Its time for everyone to pitch in! For more information contact 519-853-9555 or visit www.downtownacton.ca Chiropodist / Foot Specialist DEANNA WILSON B.Sc.,D.Ch. Thompson Wellness Centre 25 Main Street North Acton, Ontario L7J 1V9 519-853-3460 Foot/Nail Care Sports Injuries Pediatrics Diabetic /Arthritic Foot Conditioning Custom Orthotics and Footwear Home visits From the April 13, 2006 pages of The New Tanner. One year ago, The fire department hopes new fines and fees will stop illegal open air burning and reduce the number of preventable false alarms in Halton Hills. Town Council approved changes allowing the fire department to recover costs for responses to unauthorized burns, prevent- able false alarm activations and for issuing permits to sell fire works and to conduct open air burns. In other news: During the Acton Figure Skating Clubs awards cer- emony, skater Ashley Macpherson was chosen to skate in a special SkateCanadas 50th anniversary Past, Present and Future show featuring Donald Jackson, Brian Orser and Elvis Stojko. From the April 11, 2002 pages of The New Tanner. Five years ago: Money trouble put the future of Actons Off The Wall youth drop-in centre in jeopardy. Following a special meeting, the board of directors of Halton Hills Community Support and Information said the drop-in might close June 1. In other news: Acton volunteers called the glue that holds society together were honoured for donating their time and talents to Halton Hills Community Support and Information. HOMEWORK HELP: With help from volunteer tutors, including Acton High School students, the McKenzie-Smith Bennett School Homework Club offers after-school help to students to help them reach their potential. Submitted photo