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The M.J. Hobbs P.A. Com- mittee met in the Home Economic Room on January 19, 1978. Those present were: Edith Beavis, Sandra Poyde, Louise Canfield, Joan Coverly, Joy Cowie, Jean Cunningham, Betty ? Milton Dakin, Ruby & Don Heard, Helen Herron, Lamoine Hodge, Eileen Maxwell, Betty Ormiston, Evelyn Purdy, Shirley Robson, Camille & Walter Rohrer, Pat Simpson, Helen Thompson, Marie Turney, Rusty & Paul Zurba. Staff-Mr. Taylor, Mr. Chriso- malis. Chairperson Milton Dakin welcomed those who were present. He then introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Parthun from the Psycholo- gical Services for the North- umberland and Newcastle Board of Education. Dr. Parthun gave an in- formal but informative talk on the purpose and the function of his department. He explained that his department is con- cerned about (1) children with learning disabilities, (2) the proper placement of these children and (3) the kinds of learning programs for these children. He stressed the importance of parent involve- ment in helping recognize and accept their childrens' problems early enough so they can be assessed and given help at the earliest possible time. The procedure for assessment was explained (1) Teacher-parent interviews to discuss the problems, (2) Referral by the classroom teacher and the principal, (3) Assessment to determine the type of problem, (4) Special programs set up for the child. (5) Re-assessment to deter- mine the child's success in that program. Even with three other trained personnel Dr. Parthun said there is a waiting list but eventually each child will receive help. Since September 1975 Psy- chological Services has made 1291 assessments; 1100 teacher conferences; 906 parent conferences. The policy of the department is to prevent problems rather than treat them nlater if at all possible. The focus of preven- tion is on the early grades (K-5) where 60 per cent of the work is done. A discussion followed with suggestions as to how the teacher can approach parents. It was suggested (1) that the parents be invited into the classroom to observe their child, (2) ýthat parents should not feel guilty or ashamed of their child's problems. There was also a discussion on the value of integrating trainable retarded children and children from training schools into our school systems. Dr. Parthun also informed the group of the emphasis on gifted and talented students. A program is being set up by three committees in the board. Each committee is looking at a different group - primary, junior and intermed- iate. Milton Dakin thanked Dr. Parthun for his thought-pro- voking talk. Items on the Agenda (1) February 17, 1978-is a Parent-Teacher Professional Activity Day. Mr. Rekker, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Coverly and Mrs. Herron agreed to attend the workshops. (2) Mr. Chrisomalis report- ed the buses are under control. He will contact the bus company regarding stormy weather procedures. Since the meeting Mr. Chrisomalis has contacted Charterways and was told that the decision to cancel buses in bad weather The preservation of Ontario's rich cultural heri- tage rests on the willingness of its inhabitants to co-operate and recognize the value of a multi-cultural society, a pro- vincial government repre- sentative told the Durham East Canadian Club recently. Maurice Dyakowski, a con- sultant with Ontario's Minis- try of Culture and Recreation told the club that only if the province's citizens recognize cultural and linguistie divers- ity will a balance be maintain- ed. "Ethnicity should not be regarded as a stumbling block in our society," Mr. Dyakow- ski said. Differences existing be- tween ethnie groups offer an opportunity for people to P.. OU. e. e. ~ ' e. was made by Mr. Groth and Mr. Youngman at the office in Bowmanville. The decision in most cases is made by 7:15 a.m. (3) With declining enrol- ments and the closing of classrooms, we are parents and taxpayers should be giving some thought to the future community use of our schools. (4) Nutrition: The week of January 23 is Nutrition Week at M.J. Hobbs. It is to make the students more aware of nutritional foods and the value of a proper diet. Much emphasis is being placed on "Breakfast." Start your child's day - the healthy way. Get him-her in the "Breakfast Habit." Your child cannot work to his-her potential if he-she is hungry. A letter is being sent to the Board of Education to have the soft drinks replaced with fruit and nutritional snacks. Mr. Taylor is going to demonstrate the "Health Hustle" at the next meeting. Milton Dakin thanked those present for attending and announced the next meeting is scheduled for March 9 at 7:30 p.m. participate in a'wide range of traditions, he said. Citing a census from pro- vincial history records, he indicated that a significant percentage of the original population of Ontario was neither French nor English. Since 1971, immigration to Ontario has also reflected an expansion in its cultural dimensions. Statistics show that Toronto's immigration, cover- ing just under half of the total for Canada, is divided into 60 per cent British, nine per cent French and 31 per cent of other ethnic backgrounds. In Toronto, however, the reality of multi-culturalisms is more evident than in any other part of the'province, he pointed out. But the city bas no monopoly on ethnie diversity which bas spread throughout the whole province, including Durham region, he added. GovernmentProgram The role of the government in the cultural and recreation- al activities of the province is structured around informal policies directed at three goals, ensuring equality within the social framework, accessibility to various government sponsored pro- grams and commitment to preserving ethnie diversity. Noting that Canadian culture has often been defined as a mosaic, Mr. Dyakowski supported the view, asserting that the country bas come to accept the variety of national- iTwo The Canadian Statesman, Bowmainville, Februarv 8 1q78 5 The Tax Man Cometh SPLASH'S Fund Raising Project Attracts TV Coverage On Saturday morning, a camera crew from Global TV visited the SPLASH tree cutting project at the west end of Bowmanville to report how this unique effort was raising money for the proposal. Here, they are talking to and photographing Merrill Brown of the SPLASH committee, with piles of cut lumber in the background. There are still many apple trees to be cut and sawed into fireplace lengths, so drop over on Saturday and replace your supply, ready for next winter. -Photo by Rick James ities that live within its borders. Handed down from one generation to the next, the trend was continued since the beginning of the country's history, he said. Immigration statistics of 1867 show that eight per cent of its first citizens were neither English nor French, with the doors open to immigrants from around the world. While Canada was wel- coming immigrants to stimu- late growth in the west where acres of wheat needed harvesting, the nationalities who did come maintained their customs without fearing the loss of their status as Canadians. Young people from first generation immi- grant families are showing more fervency in preserving their customs than their parents, he said. Schools Schools in Toronto, the centre of immigration since the late 1940's, illustrate the wide ranging nature of Canadian culture with 50 per cent of the students coming from homes where the mother tongue is other than English. Only a sensitivity towards other cultures will allow their traditions to continue existing, however, he said. Competitive attitudes are the worst possi- ble threat to their survival. The lesson taught by multi- culturalism is that only through co-operation and by working together with Ontario's diverse heritage remain strong enough to carry on in the future, he stressed. Council Wants Meeting On Hampton Plans The Central Lake Ontario master plan for Hampton at a Conservation Authority is publie meeting. being asked to present its At a council session last French Immersion For the past three years French Immersion classes have been operating succes- sfully at Ontario Street School in Bowmanville. In September there will be Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 classes. The Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Edu- cation has resolved to continue the program to Grade 8 if there are sufficient students. There are no additional fees for these classes but parents are required to provide trans- portation. Presently a private bus successfully services the Bowmanville, Orono, Ennis- killen and surrounding areas. These buses are available on a user pay bases. Immersion classes are con- ducted entirely in French in Kindergarten and Grade 1. English instruction is intro- duced gradually starting in Grade 2, until by Grade 5 half of the daily instruction is in French and half in English. Immersion students learn to speak, read and understand French, in addition to all the usual primary school sub- jects. French Immersion enables children to learn an additional skill, while at the same time not causing a dificiency in other areas. Registration for Kinder- garten are now taking place at all area schools. For further information the public is invited to a meeting to be held Wednesday, February 22 in Ontario Street School, Bowmanville. Speaker will be Dr. Ian Wilson, member of Northumberland, Newcastle School Board. Dr. Wilson has spent considerable time studying the results of French Immersion programme. week, town officials asked that a date be set for a meeting in Hampton where the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority can explain its plan for a 186 acre conservation area in the community. Questions and comments from the public would be invited at that time. Newcastle council request- ed that the Hampton meeting be held in the evening at a date and time to be arranged by CLOCA and town staff. The decision follows a council session Monday,. January 30, when Hampton residents presented a petition to Newcastle council strongly opposing any expansion of the Central Lake Ontario Conse- rvation Authority in the village. M. J. Hobbs P.A. Committee Meeting The tax man, as the saying goes, must love poor people - he's creating so many of them. This is one frightening - and true - example of how provin- cial tax collectors can cripple a small business. A few years ago, a modest commercial printing company was audited by a provincial tax inspector who decided that he wasn't happy with the way the firm had collected sales taxes on its work. The firm had collected. the right amount but not in the way the inspector liked so the in- spector fined the company $5,000. The printing company called in its lawvers and accountants who agreed the ruling was unfair, and could be overturned in court. But the legal bill would be $10,000 and the provincial government won't pay the expenses in- volved in appeals of tax rulings, even if the appeals are successful. The firm gave in and paid the fine. But it also asked for - and received - written in- structions outlining how the taxes should be collected. Since then, the firm has followed those instructions. Recently, another tax in- spector audited the firm's books and fined it for improper collection of provincial sales taxes. The inspector wanted the firm to collect taxes in the same way that it had been collecting taxes before it was forced to change! Being naive in the ways of A: Yes. Most homeowners policies include Damage To Property Of Others coverage of $250 which can cover these types of occurances whenever the homeowner feels morally obligated to pay the loss. A SAFECO Homeowners Policy does guarantee replacement costs at today's prices up to your policy limits. So you'll get dollar-for-dollar reimbursement. If you have any questions about your insurance, call me anytime. l'Il give you good, professional advice. On the house. SAFEC- OSBORNE &SHANK INSURANCE AGENCY LTD. 108 Liberty St. N., Bowmanville, P.O. Box 277 623-2527 the tax departmenit, the owner pulled out his written instructions from the first tax inspector. "That doesn't mean a thing," the new inspector said, flatly. "He's gone." Obviously, it isn't easy being a Canadian taxpayer (though it is easier in Alberta where there is no provincial sales tax). The tax statutes have become so complicated that most people - from tax collectors to accountants - who deal with them don't really understand what they are all about. And Lord help the rest of us with no official training in tax matters. The federal government has set up an appeal board which hears petitions from tax- payers who feel that they have been improperly assessed. But for the most part, the provinces have not followed suit. A taxpayer who feels his provincial taxes are unfair must resort to the courts. And even if he wins the case, the taxpayer is not able to recoup any of his expenses. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business believes that every taxpayer should have ready access to a tax appeal board. And, if the appeal is successful the, taxpayer should be reim- bursed by the provinces for the legal and accounting expenses incurred. As it stands right now, when your ship finally does come in, there's no assurance that it won't be docked by the. provincial government. Ethnic Diversity Offers Ontario Unique Heritage PADDY'S MARKET New and Used Furniture end Appiances Trade-Ins Accepted on Appliances - Easy Credit Terms Available - Telephone 263-2241 Hampton 'M FR11 Your Child's Portrait In vivid color NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Just drop into our store during the days and hours listed below. Your lovely gift picture will be taken FREE by a professional children's photographer. One gift portrait to a family which may include groups. It's our way of saying "Thank you" to our regu hir customers mand "Welcome" to everyone eise. THURS. FRI. SAT. FEB. 9 FEB. 10 FEB. 11 11 - 7 p.m. 10 - 7 p.m. 10-5p.m. GIFT TO YOU FROM Bowmanville Mal BOWMANVILLE