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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, Ju ly 18 ,2 01 9 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA Halton experienced its first spell of extreme heat this month and with temperatures on the rise, warn- ings went out to ensure people tried to stay cool. It's hot out there. Real hot. And most adults know their limits when it comes to heat. As their bodies start to warm up, they'll seek out shade, get a cool drink or make their way to the nearest place with air conditioning. For pets, it's a different story. Often, they are at the whims of their human companions, especially when it comes to going for car rides. Running out to do er- rands? Leave Fido at home. Your poor pooch doesn't need to tag along, only to be left alone in the car. Taking a pet on a car ride, long or short, requires forethought and careful planning. The fact is, as hot as it gets outside, it can be even hotter inside a vehicle and cracking a window doesn't do much to help things. Leaving your pet inside a parked car puts it at risk. Even if you don't think it's that hot outside, the temper- ature inside a parked car is much higher and can quickly reach deadly temperatures. Unlike humans, dogs have a limited to ability to sweat. When heat reaches the 'extreme' temperatures it did last week and earlier in July, pets' body tempera- tures can spike quickly. Don't leave your pets in cars - it's a message that pops up every summer but for some, it hasn't managed to get through. A few years ago, pet owners were even encouraged to take the #NoHotPets pledge, signing an online pledge with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society promising not to leave their pets in a parked car. It can be costly to leave your pooch parked in your car. When notified, local authorities can break a win- dow to rescue the pet. Someone could also find them- selves heading to court, facing animal cruelty charges. More than that though, it can be deadly. SPCAs across Canada receive hundreds of reports of pets being left in cars every year. The worst part is, it's all so easily avoidable. All it takes is a little bit of forethought when leaving the house: if you can't take your pet with you when you leave your car, leave them at home where they are safe. REMEMBER YOUR PETS IN EXTREME HEAT SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA The students in Jacey Jones' learning disabilities class are justifiably proud of the budding business they've created, called LD Sticker Co. The business was an un- intended outcome that started with the arrival of the Cricut Maker, a device that allows the students to create custom stickers, greeting cards, posters and buttons. Purchased with a grant from the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF), the Cricut Maker has been a game-changer for the seven students, who are in grades 6 through 8 at Tecumseh Public School. Once they mastered the technology, the kids began offering their services to other students and teach- ers. The custom stickers proved so popular the class sought advice from entre- preneurs, established a budget, created a website, and began marketing their services outside the school community. Jones says the technology is helping pre- pare her students for real life. "The project incorpo- rates math, art and other subject skills, but they're also learning how to run a business," she says. It's "messy learning" - or learn- ing by trying, succeeding, or regrouping after failure - critical skills for kids who don't follow a linear learn- ing path. "We're so thankful for the HLF grant because this tool would not have been a budget priority for the school last year," says Jones. "Now that we've shown all the learning that comes with running a busi- ness, I wouldn't be sur- prised if it becomes a prior- ity for other schools." In the 2018-19 school year, HLF provided more than $128,000 in grants to schools across the Halton District School Board to help engage kids in learn- ing. "Most schools have a wish list of innovative learning tools and tech- niques they would like to offer, but don't always have the budget for," says Lesley Mansfield, executive direc- tor of HLF. "We partner with individuals, service clubs and corporations such as Aim Recycling, CN and RBC to help close this gap and ensure all HDSB students have equal oppor- tunities to develop essen- tial skills." Sherri Armstrong is the communications manager at the Halton Learning Foundation, whose mission is to eliminate financial barriers to learning for students of the Halton District School Board. For more information visit haltonlearningfounda- tion.ca or follow @Halton- LearnFDN on Twitter. GRANTS HELP LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR STUDENTS SCHOOL PROJECT HAS TAKEN OFF, WRITES SHERRI ARMSTRONG SHERRI ARMSTRONG Column EDITORIAL