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Q 6 - Orono Weekly limes, Wednesday, March 17, 11999 Sfon hands,fII o6 ms? Students need actiývity, not just academios Oddfellows (i to r) Steven Graham, Gary Hancock and Gord Atkins do the supper dishles at the Orono Oddfeilows and Rebekahis Centre. l'he Lodge had a Turkey Supper, Card Party on March il to boost the Lodge's funds. Bargalnlng teams for Ontario goverriment employ- ees have cut their wage demands in haif in a bld to move talks forward to a set- lement before their strike deadinre tomnorrow night. Wage demands at the six Category bargainIng teams now range from 8 per cent to 9.5 per cent over a proposed two-year agreement. "This new position is almed at restoring public service wages to their 1993 level by the year 2001," sald OPSEU president Leahi Casselmani. "It's modest, lt's reasonabie, and lt's already been paîd for from wage savings over the last five years. " Inflation has cut union wages in the public service by Wok begn 1999/0 00 s Deliberations for the Kawartha Pine Rdge District School Board's 1999/2000 budget officlally began Monday, March 8 with the frst meeting of the Board's Budget Commlttee. Trustees are quick off the mark preparlng for the next school year's budget, follow- ing final approval of the $249,885,000 budget for this current school year just over two months ago. In fact, there has been no break in budget work for admnistration since then. "As soont as one budget is approved, we complete the paperwork required by the Mnistry of Edlucation and 6.9 per cent since January 1, 1994. At the rate, inflation MEi cut another 2.8 per cent from wages over the next two years. Casselmnan said the wage move was almed at spurring, further progress on key Central Table Issues like "Factor 80" early retîrement, protec tion of seniorlty, job security, and the rights of contract workers. "Our members are on red alert in workplaces across the province. If we can't get a deal, we wili be on strike at midnight toniglit," he said. "But if we don't get a deal, it won't be for lack of serious and reasonable negotiating on Our part." on budge^t hool year Training and start work on the next year's figures," explains, Gord Savage, Assistant Superintendent of Business. "We expect the 1999/2000 budget process to progress more smoothly, as the Miniistry has stated lb will provide us wth the data we need earier." For the 1998/99 budget, the Board did niot receive the final, requlred details until October. The Ministry has stated, however, that the funding information for 1999/2000 will be released by the end of this week. Schooi boards xiii be expect- ed to approve their budgets for the next school year by June 15, 1999. 'Thiis year's budget process will be different i other ways as well," says Savage. "One of our major goals wlll be enhanced communication with staff, students, parents and the public regarding ftmding ita areas such as spe- cial education, program. facil- ities services, new sehools, and the human resources aspects of the organization. March 8th meeting gave trustees the opportunity to identlfy what kind of infor- mation they are seeking, and how it should be communi- cated to everyone." The Budget Committee also ldentified the following dates f'or coming Commlittee meetings: April 12 - Broad view of revenue coming from province April 19, 26, May 3, 10 - Speclal presentations on spe- cial education, program, facil- Mtes services, human resources May 25 OR 31 - Presentation of final figures for Committee approval June 17 - Final Board approval Additional meetings -may be called, if required. Budget figures will not be presented until April, s50 that 1admilnis- tration ca n analyze and report on the Ministry's funding information. The Ministry now provides virtually all of school board's funding. Boards no longer have the option of ralslng morues through municipal taxes. 'TIhis budget will be based on several important factors," notes Ron Sudds, Superintendent of Business. "Athougli we are already directlng more of our budget to the classroom than requlred by the province,, we will continue to look for even more ways to achieve effi- ciencies. In addition, we will move further towards banna- With ail -the media attention and public debate surroundinig the release ofI Ontari&'s new high school curriculum, the absence of dialogue relaing to the curriculumi's Health and Physicat Education (HPE) coin- ponent highlights a disturbing trend in our society -- a worri- somne tendency to view school- based physical activity as a non-essential "perk" of the edu- cation system. in fact, helping students developa commitment and pos- itive attitude toward heaithy, active living should be as inte- gral a part of the school experi- ence as mathematics or science. Consider what we now know about the short and long-term benefits of physical activity for young people. Regular exercise -- in whatever form it takes -- reduces overali feelings of depression and anxiety; pro- motes psychological well- being; fosters a greater attention span and improves memor y; enhances prob[em-solving and decision-making skilts; and improves attitudes, discipline, behaviour and creativity. Taking into account these powerfut benefits, HPE should hold equal importance when compared with other traditional subject areas. Schoots atone, however, do *not bear sole responsibility for providing our children with viable opportunities to build healthy, active lives. In an era of budget and program cuts, the broader school community -- including parents, health-care agencies, business, and govem- nlzing the programs offered by our two predecessor Boards. Il is our overall goal' that, each year, we buiid on our efforts bo ensure equity of programns for ail students throughout Kawartha Pine Ridge." The Committee also approved a recommendation that the building of a gymna- sium at Castleton Public Schooi, Castieton, be taclud- ed for consideration during the 1999 budget delibera- tions. ment -- must step in as partniers to help develop and implement opportunities for students. Somre steps are already being taken. Active Schools, for exampte, is a newly-developed, goverinment-funded initiative -- poised f'or province-wideý. release this spring - the sole purpose of which is to support Ontario school communities in adopting, implementing, and maintaining school-based phys- icai activity programs. One tried and tested examnple of such a program is Activ8, launched Ontario-wide in 1997 by The Foundation for Active Healthy Kids. Activ8 is a schoot and community-centred physi- cal activity recognition program designed to meet the needs of every student from junior kindergarten to Grade 12. By the year 2000, this program,-, with critical support from the Royal Bank and other business partners, is expected to involve 500,000 students from 1,400 Ontario schools - proof that schools and their community partners can be powerful allies in motivating students to achieve their potential to lead healthy lives. While encouragin 1g, these examples have not yet reached their potential thiroughout our society. As members of the broader school community, we must work together 10 reverse the thinking that has spawned an Ontario secondary-school curriculum that demands only a single physical education requirement over four years. Not every student has to be on the basketball or swim team. What every student does need is diverse, exciting, and engaging options to paricipate in regular physical activity. In that, we al have a rote to play. Readers interested in finding out more about how the Active Schools initiative, or ActivS&ý1 can help students in your com- munity become more active, contact:vvAlan McFarlane, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Ontario Physical and Health Education Association. The Foundation for Active Healthy Kids (416) 426-7375 phonie (416) 426- 7373 fax alanCtophea.org Union teamns cut wage demands in hait Durham Central Agrilcultural Society ami Kenial Recreation are hosting a FUND RAISER DANCE with "DL Jery Archer"y SaturdIay, Mardi 27TH1 at Newvcastle Town liaýit 8 p.m. to 1 a.mi. -$lO/person FOR TICKETS Bob Poster 786-2268 Gord Robinson 786-2970 . . . . . . . . . . .