The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

FROM AROUND HOME by Ro Forrster A Cashless Society February 14th is, a date of considerable importance and is not to be forgotten. It is, of course, Valentine's Day. Seven days later in the month of February comes another important date, and as Valentne's Day, pops-up every single year. Of course February 21st this year was the date for the first payment of the first installment of our municipal and educational taxes. As usual it came down to the deadline. In fact it was almost mid afternoon when this all-important date clicked-in. I was pushing the panic button. I did not want to face a late payment charge. There was only two options left open - visit our friendly CIBC downtown or drive over to Bowmanville to the municipal offices. It wàs an easy choice. After all the CIBC is closer to hone and and most im- portantly I do enjoy the friendly welcome and -smiling faces at the bank. Of course the latter would not be lacking at Bowman-ville. So with tax bill in hand and credit card available I'm off to the bank. I want to be sure the roads continue to be ploughed and the kids next door get their education. Its right up to the tellers' counter for service. There was no waiting and we presented the tax bill and VISA. I chuckled to myself that using the VISA card was a smart move. I wont have to pay cash until next month and by that time l'Il have two Old Age pension cheques, hopefully with a surplus. With some laughter from the other side of the counter "Are you kidding me?" "No, Why?" "You can't pay this bill with your VISA". "This is your card issued by this bank and, as you know, I use it all over and have never had any trouble." "It's a good card and within its time limit". "I'm sorry but we don't accept VISA and not for this kind of payment". "Can I make payment of this tax bill, using this VISA, at the municipal office?" "Yes", came the reply, "but you will have to pay a service charge of $1.30 and further pay interest from the date of payment to the date of the monthly VISA billing". "What's happened to our cashless society? - I've lost all around and there is not one month reprieve" The fact is I'm far behind in this cashless society of Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Automatic Tellers and the study underway with the Mondex Computer Chip Card in Guelph. The Mondex, so I am told, is an experimental venture at the present time between Bell Telephone, the CIBC and the Royal Bank and is being undertaken in Guelph. The Mondex contains a Computer Chip which can be loaded with funds- 1 800 860-5499 through the telephone from your bank aceount. In Guelph commercial enterprises will be hocked into the Mondex Bell phone system which in turn is connected with the two banks. Relax in your Lazy Boy - your options are unlimited. It may be sometime before the Mondex arrives, if indeed it does, but it was surprising to me the growth and use of the Debit card in our Village. There is no need to-day to bankroll your pocket and it will be even less so in the future. I still like the jingle of a few coins in my pocket and the frequent friendly encounters at our bank whether it be with bank staff or other customers waiting in line. The lne is getting shorter. Do I want an Automatic Teller's Card? Would it ask _ me how I am? Would it tell me its raining today? Would it tell me the latest news scope? The ATM is metallic cold - it is all business. There is more to life than that. Got a penny? l'Il flip you for coffee. ViVIvI Wril March is going to be a very busy month! Grade 3 stu- dents will be participating in the provincial Reading, Writing and Mathematics review. The entire school will be building and problem solv- ing during 'Invention Convention'. Students inter- ested in story telling will be participating in Story Telling Club. Broomball tryouts con- tinue. Dance Club continues to learn the dances they will perform at Dance Fest. The Drama Club is working toward a May production. House league, Choir and Orff and continue. Students have many co-curricular activities to take part in. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who make such a wide variety of choices available to our students! The students in every classroom have been dis- cussing 'what makes good work good'. They have been working with their teachers to setcriteria against which the student, his or her peers and the teacher will evaluate work. Students, have also been engaged in goal setting when they come up with one way they can improve upon a piece of work they feel is a good piece of work. When par- ents receive work from school, we encourage you to look for the positive with your child and ask your child what one goal they have selected to work on for the next time. Together you can monitor progress and celebrate suc- cess! Catherine Montreuil, Principal INVENTION CONVENTION In the morhing of March 26th, our primary and junior students will be placed in Next meeting April 14, at teams of four. They will then 7:00 p.m. Tell them the facts of life and death. 3 Tell them the number one killer of teens in Canada is car crashes! Collisions! Bad drivingl Then tell them you're giving them the Young Drivers of Canada program the most demanding driving course in North America. They'll learn risk perception. Emergency braking.The secrets of collision avoidance. And so much more. Kids are always thrilled to get Young Drivers as a present. But as a parent, you know you could be giving them the gift of a 1ifetime! Young Drivers of Canada D That's what parents arefor. On Marco "The cure for Epilepsy is i your pocket." EPILEPSY CANADA or the nearest Epilepsy Association 98 King Street W., Bowmanville REGISTER NOW FOR MARCH BREAK Next Course Date: March 10th (Mon.-Thurs. - 4 Days) Cali 623-7017 for information. ichoolNews be presented with a secret technology challenge which they will work at solving using materials provided. The plan- ning team has devised a test for the designs built by each team. In order to prepare for this day, students have been working on design and tech- nology projects within each classroom. They have been given many opportunities to work in a group in order to develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge necessary to be successful during this spe- cial event. The afternoon prior to the event, students will be in their groups for discussion and. planning so that they may begin the project with some ideas. Students are free to discuss the challenge with their parents and other inter- ested people who may be good resources as they devel- op their plans. SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL The S.A.C. discussed the Grade 3 Provincial testing. An opportunity for a presenta- tion to all grade 3 parents will be provided. Navy blue and gold have been selected as our new school colours. The Council has agreed to purchase a set of T-Shirts and shorts for the school teams. A clothing offer will be made to the school community in the Spring. A 'Snappy' has been pur- chased from the money raised at Christmas by the school. It will be installed on the Library computer. Training will be provided to staff by the Board after which time, it will be another tool available to students for school projects. oüttee:-ns the fa... ts Of lifè 1