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Page 6 ~ Halton hills This Week, Salarday’'Apil'17'YOos Editorial ce No education ‘Rae’ of sunshine Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Hal Jackman read the Ontario NDP government’s third Speech from the Throne ‘in Queen’s Park on Tuesday and the diagnosis rendered by no better quali- fied person than Premier Bob Rae, was that we have a sick Province. Thanks, Dr. Bob. You should know, you are the political sur- geon who carved a swath through Ontario’s economy. So what do we have to look forward to? - more taxes and more spending cuts on programs yet to be determined. Mr. Rae wants Ontario to be lean and mean. We Lean, because people are hungry People are out of work. . He wants an education system that will “prepare our kids to be citizens of the 21st century” but there is no mention in the throne speech of extra funding for our education system so this goal can be met. Instead, we are offered the panacea of yet another commis- sion which will study Ontario’s education system and report back to the premier sometime in 1994, Give us a break. If these guys want to find schools, let them ask a crossing guard. This will be the fifth government commission since 1986 (and the third since 1988) to look into Ontario’s school system. What more can our supposedly educated elected Tepresentatives at Queen’s Park learn about the school system that they don’t already ‘know. (Here’s a hint Bob that might save the taxpayers some money. It’s not working because governmental interference in the learn- ing system has turned classrooms into little more than day care centres where little Sam or little Sue can do what they want and go home happy and secure in the knowledge - pardon the pun - that nobody rapped their knuckles for Spelling cat with two t’s). Whatever this commission learns will be tossed by the way- side, of course, because the NDP has to call an election in 1995 and the prime concern will be attempting to save a sinking political barge awash with broken promises and the flotsam and jetsam. by. the disi of apolitical philoso- phy. Hey pa “Tn the ie Speech, it was also mentioned that province- wide standardized testing will be instituted for Grade.9 stu- dents, to make sure they can read and write. Laudable as this initiative might sound at first byte, in reality it’s implementation at the Grade 9 level is a little too far along the education process to do much good - especially since this same NDP government is adamant about it’s de-streaming pro- gram which will lump all students together at the high school level, regardless of their intellectual capacity. The standardized testing should be done before the student enters Grade 8. Then, if he/she is lacking in basic math or eng- lish skills, a remedial program could be set in place which would allow the. student to upgrade these skills prior to going on to high school. High school represents a totally different environment - socially and educationally - for young People. It is an integral Part of the learning experience of life. What happens to those Grade 9 students who don’t pass muster under the i i Are they going to be humiliated by being sent back to ele- mentary school? Or are they just going to be allowed to wander aimlessly through the high school system until they decide it’s time to check out, because they weren’t learning much anyway - much like what happens today. Here’s a short true or false math quiz that Mr. Rae and his caucus members can attempt during quiet periods when they sneak away for what is questionably termed weekend brain ses- sions - tutors are allowed. Two-and-a-half plus two-and-a-half = five = 1995 = bye-bye! are already. and mean because too many To the Editor: I was disappointed to read Steve Dawkins’ letter in your March 31 Paper regarding support for P.O.W.E.R. As I read his letter I did not become angry. After all, this is not the first such letter he has written condemning “the actions of P.O.W.E.R.” However, I did feel saddened because while yes, all three persons identified in his letter are members of P.O.W.E.R., two of them were speaking on their own as concerned citizens of our community. Surely they do retain this right! I feel certain, conversely, Blooms crushed To the Editor: : My wife and I moved to Georgetown a few years ago. After having attended school and started our professional lives in major urban centres, life in Georgetown seemed idyllic. We purchased our first home in an area where pride of ownership is Teflected in the neat yards and col- orful gardens of ourselves and our neighbors. Our enjoyment of the area seems to be echoed by the large number of pedestrians who pass by on their way downtown or to the library/cultural centre. However, not everyone stops to enjoy our flowers. So, to all of you who appreciated and commented on our first blooms | of spring,-it’s too. bad our enjoy- “mént was cut short by the youths who destroyed them. I suspect, many of you want, as we do, for Georgetown to remain the type of place where all can stop to smell the flowers. Name:and address withheld by request Hockey Moms say thanks To the Editor, Hockey Moms would like to thank all those who helped make our first season a success. Special thanks goes to M.V.P. Sports, J.V. Clothing’s John Vieira for all his valuable help with our souvenirs; M&M Pro Sports for a wonderful job producing our new hockey jackets; Belamy for donat- ing discount cards; Dr.’s Markham and Hurst, Dr.’s'Beauchesne and Grinn for donating stocking stuffers at Christmas. ‘Thanks to all our volunteers who helped sell our souvenirs. Have a great summer. Alison Findley, on behalf of Georgetown Minor Hockey Moms Steve’s letter is not to be confused with the opinions of Blue Springs Developments and the Olde Hide Hou: While not unlike political Parties in this country, groups of all sorts often contain dissenting views. Only through discussion can things be worked out. Over six years ago a guest speaker at our general meet- ing warned members that others will try to divide and conquer for their won purposes. We must all remember that name calling and public assaults only tend to serve those who would see the Acton quarry filled with garbage, from who knows where! President Barbara Halsall, recent- ly one of the 26 members of our community honored for “their sig- nificant contributions to Canada, their community or their fellow Canadians”, maintains the same standards set-down by the Frenchs ssw Committed to the environment and Kirkwoods (who are still active members of the executive). Her tireless hours of work on behalf of our community need no defense. The concerns of P.O.W.E.R. mem- bers are welcome and their views Tespected. As Steve points out, we must stand together to protect our com- munity and in order to do this, we need public support for groups such ER. In closing, I would like to say that P.O.W.E.R. is an environmen- tal group. Myself, I was not drown to the group because of a burning desire to prevent a dump. Rather, my major concern was and still is, our natural environment. In an effort to make a contribution to my community, I commit my time and energy to P.O.W.E.R. C. Rumley Acton Support is appreciated To the Editor: We are writing this letter on behalf of our Student Attiletic Association and all Rebel athletes at Georgetown District High School. We would like to take this Opportunity to thank you very much for your generous donation to our Silent Auction and Spaghetti Dinner evening on Thursday, April 1, 4 . woThe evening was a great success with over 300 people from the com- munity joining us for dinner and bidding on the 80 items donated. We also were fortunate to have 20 items as door prizes. The event was certainly successful from a mone- tary point of view. As well, the Christian school lauded To the Editor: I’m writing this letter a very relieved and happy mother after putting my first child into kinder- garten this past year at Georgetown District Christian School. Upon entering the school that first day for an assembly, I was greeted with a warm, family Christian atmosphere. The school encourages involvement from the parents and staff, who really try to get to know one another, which is evident in their genuine concern for every hild. It’s so reassuring to feel the strong . Christian influence at the school. The staff nurtures a good Christian foundation in each child. I was so impressed at how the older students look after and care for the liitle ones. Even though my daughter is only in kindergarten, through memory vers- For Pete's Sake 1T Whs WRONG, STUPID, AND 70 Ak) hee On , fo “donation and/or time i Georgetown community certainly benefited from the social get: together and our student members of the Athletic Association enjoyed | the worthwhile experience of host+ ing families from our community, Our athletic rogram a Georgetown Rebel tradition) will _ Teap the benefits of your generosity and the community support. - ain, thank you foi endeavor. You are much appreciat ed and hopefully the 3rd annual will bé as si Physical Education Department, es, songs and bible learning, she has a new awareness in her faith and how it can work in her life every y. I was very pleased with the high academic standing of the school. Each child is challenged as an indi- vidual to reach his/her personal best. My husband and I were over- whelmed this year after attending functions and fund-raisers for the school. The numbers that participat- ed and the commitment of staff and extended families was staggering. God’s giftsof giving was so evident that it can’t help but be a witness to our main concern, our children. | Through example, dedication, prayer and the grace of God, we can hope to raise up happy, healthy, Christian offspring. ; Mary Lou Vetro Brampton eC [HIS WEEK Halton Hills This Week, Weekend Edition, is Published every Saturday at 232 Guelph St, town, Ont. L7G 4B1, and is printed in Oalville at Q.E. Web Printing. 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