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OronQ W~ekIy Times, Wednesday, October 7, 1998 - Local lumînaries ing. Our goal of sm-aller class sizes is not going ta be easy. Boards mnust demionstrate ta the mninister in their budgets, an average of 25 students in their elemnentary sehools and 22 in their secondary sehoals. However, how this is devel- oped in each sehool and classroom is stili a board decision. 1 have spoken ta our Minister on Special Education and the funding of the Intensive Support Amount (ISA) grant. This grant for students with spe- cial needs is currently being discussed and I amn hopeful of a solution). I remain confidenit that our changes to our edu- cational system wIlI require our goverrnent ta remain open ta input and where nec- essary responsible changes wiIl be made. The system of education has changed by putting the needs of students first. The Education Improvement Commission was in Durham last week.- Out'of interest, 1 attended the Meeting to hear what parents were saying. The tapic was the raie of the School Community Council. There- were a number of interesting points of view but it was clear that parents are interest- ed and that your child's school wants your input. Lt is my hope meetings will be open to everyone and that every parent wiIl have an opportunity to paricipate. UT PAYS TO ADVERTISE INTHE ORONO W E E K-lYJ TIMES 983-5301 Clarke Museum held a great luminary event Saturday night. Participants decorated tin canis and glass jars to be used as lanternis. When the lanterns were completed, the group gathered outside for a lumninary parade complete with noisemakers. Museum curator Mark Jackman said they recreated an event that happened ail over Ontario pre I1930'S. Pictured with their Iuminary creations are: front row - Shannon and Kaitlin Mclnnes. Back Row: Bret MacEwan, ShelIy -Mayne, Dana and Joey Keast. Octo ber 1lst is the International Day of Older Persans. The Honourable Cam Jackso 1n, Minister of Long Termn Care with Responsibility for Seniors, is enthusiastic about this com- ing year. As you know, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. Our Minister lias encouraged mnembers ta set up committees in their rid- ings ta help organize and cet- ebrate throughout 1999. I have submitted the names of persans Who lare Willing ta get involved and I wilI be arganizing a meeting in mid November. Any individual or group wishing ta get involved or ta be included in activities should cal aur constituency office andleave your name, address and phonhe number. Please cali me at 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. This past weekend, I wvas pleased ta be invited ta attend the official opening of the Clarington Centre. This com- mercial shoppingý centre is an important development for Bowmanville and indeed al of Claringtan and beyond. I must thank Mayor Hamre and Bill Daniell of the Kaitlin Group Ltd. for organizing such an upbeat day. Not only has the Kaitlin Group created a -convenient shopping area but they have also created- over 200 man-years of empfloyment. Together with Cambridge Shopping Centers Ltd, they, along with many small and medium sized empl oyers, wilI create some 1500 jobs whien the develop- ment is camplete. Clearly, al levels of government must work together ta create oppartunities for smail busi- ness. 1 arn very proud of My riding and was pIeased ta invite the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Labour and Bill Sanderson, Chair of the Ontario International Trade Corporation ta attend. The Ontario Government has declared the week prior ta Thanksgiving as "Ontario Agricultural Week". t is timeIy that this, week we thank God, as well as aur farm community, for the food we eat, along w-ith autr boun- tiful harvest. 11 SEveryonte.that calîs ur constituency office is happy that aur children are back in school. There are many important discussions taking place between the teachers' union representatives, and aur schaol boards. I ,arn hopeful thtagreements can be reached ta avoid any further Ioss in educationai time- for aur students. Our Minster of Education has announced additionai f unding for transportation. Last week, he also confirmed t he funding for additional stu- dent space. ln Durham, as a growth area, we wiIl see more money for new schools. 1 believe in the long termi. This is an important change in the way new schools are funded. Throughout recent times, new schools were alla- cated on more of a political basis. Boards Iobbied their MPP and the Minister, while décisions were timed for electioneering more thani gen- uine student needs. We can ail see the growth in portables in Durham over the past ten years. Now as part of the stu- dent based funding formula, space is simply a calculation of how many students and how mucli space a board cur- rently has. Last week's announcement was for $80 million this year and growing ta $140 million ta provide for new permanent spaces for 120,000 Ontarîo,-students. ,Last week, the Minister.of Education also announced expanded provincial wide testing. Last year the grade three tests were- administered and this year grade six will be included. Testing will include mathemnatics, reading and writing. Ontarioalhas initiate-d a new prov incial wide cur- riculum, new textbooks and science equipment. Our changes start by putting the resources in the classroorn. Our goal is ta have the high- est quaiity educationai sys- terr, not oniy in Canada but indeed, the world. It could be argued that every individual has speciai needs when it cornes ta iearn- à*" 1Now OpENUIN VORONO Buy& Seli We 100,soi, tand almsaytlig! IV's - VCR's - Ste reos - Guitars - CD's * Movies - Tapes -Games'(sega, saturn, playstation) - & much more For fast cash cail Sandi 983-1121 -LOCATED AT 5351 MAIN STREET, ORONO RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE RATEIS Owner Occupîed 6 mo. 6.40% 1 year 6.50% 2 years 6.60% 3 years 6'75% À4years 6. <75% 5 years 6. 7 5%/ RATES SUBJEO T TO CHANGE WVITHOUTNOTICE Cati1 us for other deposit rates and services' including FREE PERSONAL CHEQUING. Rates subject to change without notice. PAUL MULLER, Branch Manager: 15 Charles St., Oshawa 728-4658 Office Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9:30 - 5:00 Thursday 9:30 - 7:00 - Friday 9:30 - 6:00 Staying in Touch by John O'Toole, MPP