Docs on Ice needs helpTime to eliminate gifted and special labels from studentsDocs on Ice is coming to Oakville and when it Continued from page 6leaves, it will hand over the money it makes to the secured a private psycho-educational assess-Education, then it should be lobbied for Adjustments are currently being made in ment to help their child receive appropriateAlzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton.change. The wait list/time is not a new issue; it the classroom for struggling students who are Every year, doctors from all over Ontario and timely support, or free up some fundinghas existed for a number of years.on the waiting list. Often these adjustments do completely. Wgather for the Docs on Ice hockey tournament.e have carved out a group of children at not change dramatically after identification The local Alzheimer Society is in turn recruit-In addition, the focus would be that theeach end of the skills and abilities spectrum has taken place. ing volunteer support for the three-day tourna-child is receiving timely support versus theand labelled them as challenged or gifted. The Board has stated an assessment would ment to be held April 7-9. Volunteers are needed child is on the waiting list. Perhaps the bar that establishes the bound-cost approximately $1,300 for contractedfor transportation, timekeeping, registration and Existing HDSB statistics should be able toaries for these two groups should be re-evalu-work. special services.provide insight in this regard. Although thisated and we should simply proceed with edu-The waiting list of 700 children represents For more information about the event, visit approach may not be the ultimate solution,cating our children. an assessment expense of $910,000. Granted www.docsonice.ca. working through the logistics of this alterna-After all,The Halton District School Board outsourced work can be more costly and the The event will be held at Sixteen Mile Creek tive may lead to other viable, effective andis committed to every student and is commit-need for many of these assessments may not Arena and Joshuas Creek Arena. Interested volun-long-term solutions. ted to developing innovative practices to go away however some may, which would teers should contact Meaghan Plomp at mplomp@If the current psycho-educational assess-develop convergent learning needs."make room for those families who have ment aalzhh.ca or 289-837-3787, ext. 24.pproach is mandated by the Ministry of Debbie Renkema, OakvilleIMPRESSIONSWe have been providing exceptional, full-day, early education programs for decades. Come experience our child-friendly, student-centred environment.JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN AND MONTESSORI TO GRADE 12www.hsc.on.ca | 905-389-1367 | 299 Fennell Ave. West, Hamilton13 Friday, March 11, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com