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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571ClassiOntario CommunityCanadian Communityfied Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of ProductionUnauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorLogical stepSpecial Ed. needsMore youngsters in the Halton public and Catholic special thinkingschool boards will be starting school on a full-time I have the unique perspective of basis in the coming years.having been identified as intellectu-The provincial government's announcement this ally gifted as a young child, while asweek that an additional 900 Ontario public and an adult, having a child who has beenCatholic schools across Ontario will see the intro-identified with the opposite label:duction of all-day kindergarten sets the stage for intellectually challenged. lifelong learning.Sometimes I wonder is thereAnd schools in local boards that already have the really a difference? In my experience,full-day program in place are reporting progress as it is not easy, being at either end of thespectrum. Although the presentationyoung students continue to adapt to a full day of may be quite different, the nature of learning.the challenge is actually not as differ-Despite some early bumps many of the so-ent as one might assume called wraparound programs that included before- because our perceptions of our worldand after-school programs lacked parental support and our styles of learning are the the next phase of the program should further products of, for whatever reason, ourestablish all-day kindergarten in schools across the different neurology. province.The publicly funded school systemBut this is something more than dressed-up day is oriented towards the statisticalcare, as some opponents of all-day kindergarten have norm. For people sitting at two stan-suggested. Students are exposed to vital early learn-dard deviations above or below thating opportunities, introduced to "pre-reading" and methodology does not work so well. numeracy and are encouraged to develop important I was fortunate as a student thatsocial skills.my teachers/school/principal/board,Furthfirst of all identified me, and subse-ermore, it's notable that the equivalent of a quently took action to help me. Atfull additional year of education is provided under TheOakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, Lettersthat long ago time, there was nothe provisions of the program before the children length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must containgifted program there was onlythe name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed toenter Grade 1. In that context, they enter the to theThe Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4,or via e-maico-op a program that seemed tol toremainder of their primary grades fully adapted to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.be aimed at providing life skills to theeditorschedules, aware of expectations and cognizant of slower learners. rules and routines. With the basics of education With some thinking outside the boxoffered in full-day kindergarten programs, these the co-operative education programUrge MPs to pass Bill C-393young students will be more capable of developing was adapted to my needs. It was thatcritical thinking skills taught in successive grades Today (March 9), Members of Parliament the developing world die before reaching their very creative thinking that gave meand which they'll require throughout life.will vote at Third Readingsome awesome creative learning. on Bill C-393. Bill second birthday because they dont have access As the Province rolls out the additional programs How I wish my intellectually chal-C-393, a private members bill, is designed to to the medicines needed to save their lives.in schools across Ontario, we encourage govern-lenged son had the same. My son sitsfix CAMR (Canadas Access to Medicines Bill C-393 is designed to fix CAMR. A ment officials to more effectively support and pro-in an age equivalent classroom (withRegimes) which was passed, unanimously, in national poll found that more than 80 per cent mote the wraparound proga teachers assistant to keep him fromrams, include parents in Parliament in 2004. of Canadians support reforming CAMR to being too disturbing to the teacher orthe process and more clearly outline the benefits and The purpose of the CAMR legislation was to make it workable and to ensure that generic his peers) completely unable to par-any associated costs.enable the production of affordable, life-saving drugs can quickly and affordably be sent to ticipate in the activities therein. All-day kindergarten is the next logical step in generic medicines in Canada for limited export those most in need, and Bill C-393 will not Some delayed children are able topublic education in Ontario. If today and in the to developing countries, especially those fac-cost Canadian taxpayers a cent.process their environment efficientlyfuture we are required to compete in a global con-ing millions of deaths due to HIV/AIDS, tuber-So why is our government opposed to pass-enough that they benefit from antext, knowledge and learning must provide the foun-culosis and malaria. Unfortunately CAMR ing Bill C-393? Is a life in the developing integrated classroom. My severelydation for success. Today's four and five year olds, didnt work as planned. In seven years, only countries worth less than one in Canada? autistic son is not one of them, yet theintroduced to education early so as to develop a life-one order of one drug has been sent to one There is an urgent moral imperative to integration policy is still driving hislong commitment, will shape that future.country.pass Bill C-393. This is an important humane program. In my opinion, special edu-An investment today will pay greater dividends Canadas largest generic pharmaceuticalcation needs creative thinking and issue that transcends partisan political differ-tomorrow.not blanket one size fits all policies. manufacturer has made the commitment ences. I strongly urge all members of parlia-All of us stand to benefit from thethat, if CAMR is simplified, it will produce a ment to unite and do the right thing pass The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., effort to help unique people developlower-cost childrens version of a key AIDS Bill C-393.Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, their special talents to be the best theyin the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, drug for export to developing countries. Lorraine Greentogether with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the can be.Children in the developing world cant wait (2010 ATHENA recipient advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize J. Opar, Oakvilleadvertisements or decline.any longer. One in two children with HIV in and member of Oomama)www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 9, 2011 6