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Junior kindergarten program termed ludicrous by trustee ByLISARUTI the Herald Halton schools can expect to meet the needs of more than new junior kindergartens in 1993 when the region is struggling to serve the needs of its existing students says a Halton Hills school Halton Board of Education trustee Bruce said the pro vince demand to implement a junior kindergarten program by 1994 is ludicrous We should do right and take care of the kids who are already in the schools she said The cost is abominable and the reality is that people will just have to reach down into their pockets again Mrs Bruce argued We can afford to put services in place to serve the needs of those children she said Although junior kindergarten may be beneficial to some three and four year olds Halton won t receive adequate support from the province she said If the addition of halfday junior kindergarten in 1993 is approved as recommended by the Supennten den i of Instructional Services Garry the region will pay approximately 1 million an nually to operate Provincial grants are estimated at million every year Adequate accomodation to junior kindergartens would require the modification of regular classrooms and the ad ditton of 58 portable or permanent classrooms according to the report Adding permanent classrooms would cost the board an estimated 5 million Adding portables and converting classes could cost 3 million However the report indicates if the province offered to pay 50 per cent of the cost of adding permanent classrooms the board would pay million Mrs Bruce said she can t understand how schools especially in south Halton could accomodate additional classrooms when the funds for school renovations to serve basic student needs are scarce According to a junior kindergarten research report presented to the Board of Educa the Ministry of Treasury and Economics announced the govern ment has allocated million to support the halfday kindergarten program The parents who want to see junior kindergarten added can t af ford regular day care centres because their incomes are too high to qualify for government subsidiz If You Havent HobNobbed With The Bob YOU SHOULD SUNDAY NoonM GTR TAPES CD IMI5 Georgetown Ontario AFTER FIVE THINGS TO DO PLACES TO GO FOR YOUR LISTENING AND DANCING PLEASURE 79 MAIN ST 8 I Brute ed care centres explained Mrs Bruce For them junior kindergarten would be a great asset because they would not have to pay as much for it she said Although many children will benefit from the social interaction and exposure to books junior kindergarten is an expensive way to go about it said Mrs Bruce She suggests more home daycare cen tres be provided because there are plenty of great mums in homes that could be persuaded to provide care for community children Does the board really have to pay teachers salaries to send threeyearold children to school Mrs Bruce questioned Moving into the school structure is an ex pensive way to go We should keep day care separate from the school system she argued These children are too young to send off on a bus with high school students said Mrs Bruce Parents in other regions have the option to make alternative arrangements ac cording to the report Mrs Bruce said the board won have the power to stand up against the province s decree to add junior ten Trustees can talk and shout as loud as we like but unless people out there in the com voice their concerns no one will ever listen she said North Halton school trustee OVER 30000 BOOKS IN STOCK ALL COMPUTER CATALOGUED We Buy Sell New Used Records Tapes CDs and Books KING PIZZA SUBMARINE 1 0 RD GEORGETOWN IN TOWN ONLY FREE POP WITH PIZZA SLICE PICK UP ONLY Choose from our wide variety of food Pzza Slices Submarines Baked Hal an Chcken shea and Grilled Foods all or your favoured taste Ill SAVE 200 Dick Howitt Dick said the Board of Education should hold back the implementation of junior kindergarten as long as possible because the region has no need for the program Mr Howitt is annoyed the pro is forcing all boards to add junior kindergarten even if a board doesn believe the program is necessary Some areas will benefit from having junior kindergarten but most residents are opposing the pro gram he said He has received more calls from people opposing junior kindergarten because people would rather have their three and four year olds at home Mr Howitt said those who would like to see the new program in Halton schools believe their children are ready to begin their education or see it as an opportunity to solve babysitting problems Junior kindergarten won t save parents money because they will pay higher taxes and will still have to find care half aday Mr Howitt maintains Bouncing children back and forthe between school and home for halfdays is not great for the little ones he said O N 8771234 AIRPORT SERVICE I DELIVERY COUNTRY LANE SUMMER SPECIAL Try Our New Batting Cages Softball Slowpitch Hardball Country Lane Line River octom from THE HERALD 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