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Oreno Weekly Times, Wednesday, April 21, 1993 - 9 by Carol-Ann Oster The young scientists from Newtonville recently had a chance to show their scientific knowledge at the Newtonville Public School Science Share. Many projects were on display so students could share what they had learned with fellow students and parents. 'Me Science Share was held on Wednesday, April 14 at the school. One exampie of a display was, "How fruit is like a battery" by Danielle Smith and Isabell Pereira. "A Science Share is different from a Science Fair", says Newtonville Principal Mrs. Gallagher. It is Dot a competitive activity. Instead it gives the students a chance to work on an activity, and then "share" it with others. Newtonville card party resuits for April 161h: High scores Muriel Burtch with 87; Dorothy Stubbings with 84; Bernice Moffat and Ed Milîs each with 81; Margaret Peacock and Jessie Helyer each with 80. Draw winners Ron Gibson, Bill Graharn, John -Moffat, Marg Todd and Nettie Gordon. mo re by Helen MacDonald Last week was Citizenship Week. I was invited to attend a special Citizenship Court held at Monsignor John Pereyma High School in Oshawa where a group of people representing 10 countries swore to "bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IF'. These people chose Canada for their home. They came from China, the Philipines, India, Pakistan, Kuwait, Kenya, Italý, the former Yugoslavia, Poland and Ireland. In the reception room prior wo the ceremony, I could feel the nervous anticipation which filled the air. Many were Loo excited wo finish coffee served by members of the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire (IODE). At 10:00 we were ushered inwo the gymnasium which was officially sanctioned a Citizenship Court. Following a brief explanation of proceedings, the sehool band played "Crown Point March". Then, the presiding Judge was led into the Court by a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer ... a woman, I might add. First, the judge explained that the RCMT officer represented our nation's pride and heritage, and that law enforcers of this country were our friends . . . not 'enforcers'. I was reminded by his remarks of the freedoms we take for granted. His face heamed with friendliness as he welcomed the new Canadians. He asked that they cherish the package of privileges and duties offered to each Canadian. They were encouraged to take part in the development of the country and take an active interest in the affairs of the nation w- t play a role in their communities, and wo share in the struggles and achievemnents of the nation. The new Canadians swore allegiance in unison, following which each individual or family received their Citizenship papers. The rest of us were also given the opportunity to reaffirm our citizenship, in either English or French. Canada's new family members were asked to shake hands with their new fellow Canadians and neighbours. Hands of yeilow and white and black reached out to each other, and faces glowed! The audience broke into applause and cheers, and the school choir sang a beautiful rendition of "Canada Is": "Canada is . .. love for our neîghbours ... a community made for love .. faith in our future and in our chilrn ... peace in oui valleys and in our cities . .. CanadaIs ... boundaries that have no chains." Special guests gave a few words, and then we ail sang "0 Canada". The emotion of the ceremony finally caught up with me. Amnong the new Cantadians, I observed a mother with her two young children, aged about seven and ten. She was struggling with the words, and had turned to her children for guidance. They bellowed out the song with confidence, and she followed along. Then, as if on cue, a train, the link which brought the nation together, could be heard pass by the school .. . above the voices raised in song. We are ail (except First Nations People) children of immigrants. When, on the six o'clock news we sec the surife of men, women and children in other nations, we should remind ourselves how fortunate we are, and work even harder so that peace, good health, education and love know no boundaries. Welcome to Canada's family, Mick! And, don't forget -- buy Canadian, eh? CRIME STOPPER S 436-8477j Aroundi' the Board with Bob Willsher by Bob Willsher Trustee, Ward 3, N/N Board of Education 1993 budget discussions are continuing. The Board expects to be able wo approve the budget at the April 29 meeting. Building budgets are neyer easy, whether it is for your household, business, or in oui case, the school system. The current economic situation makes it even more difficuit for everyone. 1 have found this ~years process just as stressful as past years. The problem of meeting the needs of the students and keceping costs down becomnes more difficuit as the number of external and uncontrollable factors increases. These factors exist for everyone but just seem to be more numerous for the board. But in those areas where we can make a difference 1 believe we have been making progress. Our planned approach to maintenance, energy consumption and waste reduction are but a few areas. Although I know some taxpayers don't agree, the board does operate on an efficient level in termis of the use of human resources. How can we tell? Like ôther organizations and businesses the most reasonable comparison is to other similar organizations. In a recent report to the Operations & Finance committee we found that our board was operating at a cost per student level below the average of al boards in Ontario. Let's have a look at some of these comparisons. The following information shows the area of the board's operation followed by our cost per student and the average cost per student for ah hboards in Ontario in brackets. Business Administration $84 ($136); General Administration $39 ($64); Instruction $4,950 ($5,354); Plant Operation & Maintenance $687 ($798); Transportation $396 ($328); Capital $513 ($193); Debt Charges $42 ($86); Computer Services $68 ($42); Miscellaneous Expenses $87 ($167); in total it costs our board $6,866 per student and the average of ail boards is $7, 170. What does this information mean wo local taxpayers. 1 hope it gives some assurance that, on a comparative basis, the board is operating in a very cost effective mnanner. For example, in the area of administration, which often the most targeted group, our total administration costs are $123 per student compared wo the average of ail boards of $200. That's nearly 40% less. Although our capital costs are higher this is a reflection of the significant growth our board is experiencing. Similarly, our transportation cosis are higher as a result of the largely rural nature of our board. The computer costs are somewhat skewed because we charge ail of our computer services into one account while others charge them back to the individual function that uses the service. Does this mean we cannot do better? Absolutely not! There are many opportunities to reduce the cost of education. In. last month's column 1 mentioned a few suggestions from our provincial organization. I have also previously mentioned our efforts to combine services with the separate school board and the wown. But we will have to take serious look at the level of service we currently provide if wie are to make a significant reduction ini our costs. To achieve these changes will require the cooperation of our employee groups and parents. For many this will be difficuit but necessary. 1 would like to remind you that on May 4 Dick Malowney, Director of Education, will be speaking at the Pines Senior Public School. His topic will be "Excellent Schools". 1 know you will find this interesting and I encourage you wo attend. On May 10 at Newcastle Public School the school's PTA will be hosting an information night with the topic being "Future Directions". 1 will be there along with trustee Debbie Nowlan and Superintendent Trudy Lum to share with you some of the changes that will be occurring in education. Please mark your calendar for 7:30 p.ma. Regional councilors support severance package At the recent meeting of Durham Regional Counicil coun- cillors v.oted payment of severance pay for councillors who leave council or are defeated in an election. Councillors upon leaving office will be paid one month salary for each years service up wo a maximum of six months or service for six years. The maximum severance pay at the present time is the six months amounting to some $ 10,500.. Regional counicillors now have a years salary of some $2 1,000. 1The Region will levy some $20,000 annually we meet the cost of the severance pay plan which amounts to somne 1.7 cents per taicpayer each year, states a sub committee that was appointed to consider a benefit plan for counicihlors. Council aiso agreed wo the sub- committee recommendation that, the Region not buy into a pension plan offered by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retiremnent System. This plan wouldý have cost the Region $40000 annually. Regional council in the majority supported the severance pay proposal.