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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, June 28, 2012 · 6 The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5566 Classified Advertising: 905-632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Guest Column The role of schools in daily life his week marks the end of the school year for tens of thousands of students across Halton. For students, summer is a time to enjoy carefree days. For parents, the less-structured routine afforded by the break from school schedules, provides an opportunity to slow down the hectic pace, and enjoy more leisure time as a family. For those of us who work directly in education, it is a time Michael Pautler to take stock of our accomplishments, review our progress, and begin to plan for the emerging priorities for the school year that will commence in September. The residents of Halton Region are well-served by the educational opportunities available to students in all schools, both independent, and those affiliated with the four publicly-funded school systems. Catholic education is just one of the essential pillars in Ontario's publicly-funded educational system -- a system which is recognized and admired around the world. Each of the partners, while offering distinctive strengths to Ontario's education system, work co-operatively, creating a stronger whole. Staff in all of our schools work hard throughout the year, to ensure that students benefit from programs that provide excellent instruction, and encourage high levels of student achievement. EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) scores, simply one indication of student achievement and system efficacy, consistently demonstrate that students attending schools across Halton continue to meet and surpass provincial standards. All schools within the region not only provide students with the skills for achieving academic success, but they also instill in students a life-long commitment to their community. Specifically within the context of Catholic schools, faith development is integral, as students are called to respect the dignity of all human persons in a caring community. Schools serve a critical role in shaping the attitudes that in turn contribute to communities that respect diversity, celebrate multiculturalism, value individual rights, and embrace the social values of collective responsibility and the common good. The prosperity of our region, today and in the future, is closely linked to the quality of the educational opportunities provided for students. Excellent schools contribute to the quality of life in Halton, making the region an attractive place for people to live and work. The skills, values and attitudes that students acquire in our schools today become the foundation upon which future opportunities rest, for them as individuals, and for us as a community. On behalf of the Halton Catholic District School Board, I would like to extend best wishes to all those in our community for a safe and restful summer. Neil Oliver Vice-President and Group Publisher, Metroland West David harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE BY: Ontario Community Newspapers Association MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution KIM MOSSMAN Circ. Manager Website www.oakvillebeaver.com The OakvilleBeaver is a division of T Michael Pautler, HCDSB Director of Education Canadian Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: United Way of Oakville ATHENA Award CYCLING FORWARD: Oakville Cycling Club President David Bosiljevac recently presented a cheque for $500 to Eleanor McMahon, CEO and founder of the Share the Road Coalition, and the 2012 Share the Road Campaign at the Halton Regional Police station in Oakville. The coalition is a provincial, cycling-advocacy organization created to unite cycling organizations from across Ontario and work with, and on behalf of, municipalities to enhance its ability to make communities more bicycle-friendly. SUbmitted photo Advice to grads of 2012: stop and smell the hay, literally D ear grads: It was that eminent and sage 1970s philosopher Alice Cooper who said, "School's out forever, school's out for summer, school's out with fever, school's out completely." I have no idea what this actually means, but I'm sure it's pertinent, so pay proper heed to old Uncle Alice. Yes, kids, in the swinging '70s, even an Alice could be a boy. Sue, too. But I digress. The point is, you've graduated. Now, I hear old folks complaining that everything's over-celebrated these days. Halloween, the commercial side of Christmas, Valentine's Day, and graduations. So, unless you skipped graduation, you inevitably sat through an 18-hour ceremony, replete with funny caps and gowns, speeches, and a marching band. And that's just for those graduating from daycare. For those graduating from big-kid schools, the event was probably even more expansive. Oddly, when you graduate you're sent into the `real world' with a profusion of pomp, but an insufficiency of advice. That's where I come in. And while my advice is nothing you would not eventually figure out on your own, it may expedite the process. For starters, Class of 2012, stay curious. Never stop asking ques- tions and seeking answers. While curiosity killed the cat, it's widely documented that curious humans are happier and healthier. Stay social. In school, the social side of life often comes to you via activities where you can meet others of like interests. As an adult, you have to seek the social -- and... it ain't easy. It takes energy and effort and Andy Juniper willingness that many adults lack. And while you're busy staying social, accumulate interests. The most well-rounded people are those willing to dive into the deep end of assorted activities. Speaking of diving: stay active. Back in the day, activity was second-nature. If you were bored, you ran outside and made yourself un-bored. And for those disinclined toward fitness, schools ensured that you participated in gym classes every day over the entire course of your high school career -- not one measly semester, as is the current reality. `Bill' Shakespeare wrote, "If music be the food of love, play on." Or, "eat on," or whatever. Suffice to say, there will be times in life when you will need a potent anodyne. Many adults turn to drugs or alcohol. May I suggest, you turn to the aforementioned fitness, and to music -- and may I suggest, you approach music with the aforementioned (healthy) curiosity. All genres, all artists: give 'em an honest shot. Finally, as you go through life, people will be forever advising you to "smell the roses." You can take that saying figuratively (meaning, take time to enjoy life). But I suggest you take it literally. My wife has two horses in our backyard and I'm charged with their day-to-day care. That's right, in the midst of the nuttiness of my life, I have to run out each day and tend to them. Just this morning, as I shouldered a square bale, I stopped for a moment and smelled -- truly smelled -- that hay: one of most distinct and fragrant odors imaginable. And in that instant I realized that if I were to ever lose my (unpaid) job as my wife's (unstable) stable boy, I would not only miss those beautiful horses, but also the earthy (and heavenly) smell of hay. Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook at www.facebook.com, or followed at www.twitter. com/thesportjesters.