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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 29, 2015 | 8 Trustee prefers not to rush into changes until review is thorough continued from p.1 it, why is the government providing the institute with tens of thousands of dollars in additional funding to undertake a re-write of this program? "As a Catholic trustee, within the Ontario Catholic school system, I have to ask, how can we protect some children, but not all children, from something harmful? If this curriculum isn't suitable for Catholics, why is it deemed suitable for other children?" asked Danko. The curriculum content never mentions love, thereby separating sexual activity from any notion of love, commitment and marriage, he said. "I believe, if it's bad for Catholic children then it's bad for all children. Why would we only think of protecting Catholic children from this harmful idea, namely that sexual activity is fine for its own sake, unrelated to love?" The trustee believes a one-year delay in implementation of the curriculum would allow more parental concerns to be heard, and compromises to be proposed and discussed. HCDSB trustee Anthony Quinn of Oakville said he will support Danko's motion. Although the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario is presently working with ICE to modify the revised curriculum to ensure it is implemented in a way that is consistent with Catholic teaching, the board has learned only a portion of the resources appropriate for Catholic schools will be available by the start of the school year in September, said Quinn. "In the absence of any documentation from the Institute for Catholic Education, as we fast approach the end of the school year, I believe it is best to delay implementation of any revisions to our Halton Catholic schools' physical and health education curriculum until information can be shared with and reviewed by parents and other stakeholders in our Catholic school community." Quinn said he felt the work of ICE should continue without the pressure of a fall deadline and Catholics in Halton should be given time to review and respond to the resources provided by ICE. The board continues to receive many letters, from parents and the community expressing concern about the revised curriculum content, with particular emphasis on the changes to the sex education components, added Quinn. "This motion seeks to address the concerns of those parents and community members," he said. Parental rights have been denied because of the lack of consultation on what is to be taught to their children on important issues of sexual behaviour, argued Oakville Catholic trustee Helena Karabela. "The program undermines the innocence of children and leaves parents out of the picture," Karabela charged. Trustees have yet to receive any examples of how controversial topics will be presented or if they will be edited, she said. "A one-year delay will respect parental rights and authority, will allow parents and others to see the materials and have meaningful input," said Karabela. Having additional time to properly scrutinize and respond to the 2015 sex-ed curriculum is respectful to parent concerns and makes sense, said Burlington Catholic trustee Susan Trites. Eleanor McMahon, MPP for Burlington, where the HCDSB offices are headquartered, said she has great appreciation for parents who have concerns about the new curriculum. "I have heard a few concerns from constituents in my community and what I've said to them is this: the curriculum was developed with a significant consultation process; approximately 4,000 parents across the province were given the opportunity to provide input. "Parents, educators and students told us that the increased use of social media and the increased need for awareness about Internet safety was at the forefront of their concerns." Children today are a click away from images "that none of us want our children to see and be exposed to and yet they are. "As a consequence, parents and teachers have been telling us for some time now, these things are coming up in classrooms, children are naturally curious, children are raising these things in the classroom," said McMahon. It is the government's obligation to provide educators the tools they need to have those conversations with students in a safe and appropriate way, she said. It doesn't replace conversations children need to have with their parents, nor is the curriculum meant to take the place of a parent; it is a guide only, she said. ICE will bring a Catholic lens to the curriculum so there will be flexibility in teaching it to keep within the values of the Catholic Church, said McMahon. www.oakville.ca What is the future of employment and commercial land in Oakville? Learn more. June 4 6­8 p.m. Open Houses June 16 . 6­8 p.m Plan Oakville Queen Elizabet h Park Community an d Cultural Centre , Multi-purpose Room 2 2302 Bridge Rd . rts Mile Spo Sixteen , 1 Complex ity Room . n u m d Com lv B yagawa 3070 Ne As part of the town's official plan review, we want wa nt you your inp input ut ab abou out lan lands ds that provide for local job s, shopping and services! Employment and Commercial Review For mo re inform ation visit oak vil email us le.ca or at plan@oa kville.ca . Girls Hockey and Activity Camp Enjoy the best of fun and fitness in this girls only camp, offered weekly through the month of July at Joshua's Creek Arenas (9th Line and North Service Rd). Great for those new to hockey through to intermediate skill levels. A hot, nutritious meal is provided daily. Visit oakville.ca to register today! Let's talk Culture! Public meeting - Cultural Plan update Tuesday, June 2, 2015 7-9 p.m. Black Box Theatre Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre 2302 Bridge Road Oakville's cultural landscape has changed dramatically since the many forms of culture that exist within the community. Now we're asking for your help to build on that progress so that culture continues to inspire, engage and thrive well into Oakville's future. To RSVP email Sarah Douglas-Murray, senior manager, Cultural Services at sarah.douglas-murray@oakville.ca. Can't attend the meeting? Share your input by completing a short online survey at oakville.ca.