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~-O*wt W.ek~ 7Inims~ W.~nsuday~ Murah 2~ 14 The group of Peacemakers Some object to payment for sidewalk snow removal Peacemakers from- Melissa B., Mike, Angie. (3rd H., Nicholas F. (2ndrow) - Newtonvnklepublic Scbool (back row) - Jason, Ian, Casey, Tricia, Jackie, Pamela, Joanna, Crystal, row 1-r) - Shannon, Stephanie, Marisha, Nick, Thomas, Lyndsey Erin, Lindsay C., Andrea, Sarah, Melissa S., Marley, Liza, Bonnie, Adam T. (front row) - Devon, __________________________________C Jessica, Shawna. t appears that sorne council members have been taking some heat froni the issuance of bis for sidewalk snow removal. The snow removal had been undertaken by the municipality after complaints were registered from citizens of the community to the by-Iaw enforcement depart- ment. Clarington had established a new snow. removal by-law in 1993 with the intent of enforcing the by-law. An extensive advertising campaign was undertaken throughout the community. t was made known that the municipality would move in and remove snow froni sidewalks if the owners of property had flot dont so within 24 hours and providing a complaint had been registered with the by-law enforcement Office. A first billing of some 166 offences were made carlier in February with a final billing of over 190 going out late in February These billings bave resulted in some 22 complaints as to the billings. Council on Monday evening are asking another report from ic clerk's department and Public Works as to what other action may be taken. The report is to corne back to council for their consideration. Courtice Food bank needs donations The Courtice Food Bank is appealing to the community for aid i maintainmng a food supply at their centre. Last year about 75 to 100 famnilies went through the Helping Hand Food Bank doors each month now 100 families are going through Uic doors every two weeks. Preacemaker program at Newtonville School by Carol-Ann Oster Wbat is Peacemakers? It is a conflict resolution strategy being taught to children at Newtonville Public School. Safe schools are a goal shared b y the Northumberland- Clarington Board and Newtonvile Public School. The Peacemaker program is one stop toward this goal. The program is growing quickly at Uic school. Originally, only Uic grade 5 and 6 students were trained. For the role of peacemaker. After successfully playing Uic role of peacemaker in a mock conflict, principal Mrs. Gallagher, assigned Uic titie of peacemaker to 3 students. Froni here, these 3 students fonned a peacemaker panel. Their job was to choose future peacemakers. This involved making -a scenario and havig Uic potential peacemaker sec it through to its solution. If they arc successful, Uiey bave their names registered in the peacemaker book. The prograin bas grown frorn its original 3 students to a list of 31 peacemakers. t is a strictly voluntary venture. The peacemakers do flot replace school yard aduit supervision. Rather the peacemaker is a peer listening wo both sides of a story. If the peacemaker intervenes quickly, enough, it may help resolve what could bc a potential physical conflict. 1The program is one of many strategies to get kids to talk to each other and go through the decision making process. The problem is solved (hopefully) by words. 1There are 6 steps i wbat Mis. Gallagher calîs the "Ladder of Peacernaking". The peacemaker follows these steps with each conflict. The first step is to ask the opposing parties if they would like to speak witb cither a peacemaker or a teacher. Incidentally, most students choose the peacemaker. -The second step is get agreement on thc rufes which are: a) you have to pin down the problem; b) no intemiupting; c) no name calling. The next stcp is to allow each person to tell their side of the story. Next, get each person to tell the other person's side of the problems as stated by the other person. Then, cornes the brainstorming of solutions. The final step is to pick a solution and act on it. This program bas proven effective at Newtonville because, as Mrs. Gallaglier says, "young people don't always like Uic adult solution." The students also enjoy thc prograra. Bonnie, a Newtonville peacemaker, says that it "helps make people frien"". Andrea, a fellow peacemaker adds Uiat it is "funi". Aside from playing thc role of peacemakers, many of tbc students involved in Uic programi bave bad a peacemaker intervene i tdi disputes. This gives Uiem the 'opposite-side-of-the-coin view' and lcetUem understand just how beneficial the prograni can be. "There's more co-operation, more friendship now in the school," says Bonnie. The peacemakers say that they bave used Uis process away ftom scbool as well. t is just as effective on thc homte turf. And that is wbat peacemnakers is all about. "If we can use this beyond Uic school, that's the point," feels Mrs. Gallagher. "It is a new language and philosopby that we hope they will carry on out of scbool and beyond," FACTORY Warehouse Clearance Quaity Leather Furniture WALL UNITS - DESKS Plydesigns, Hwy. 115 at Tamblyn Road Orono, Ontario (GO TO THE REAR 0F THE BUILDING) CHANCE - FINAL WEEKEND ý.,.,,,,.Sât;ürday, March 5th & Sunday, M'rc P.M., 12 noon CASH AND CARRY ONLYý