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

\ The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, May 13, 1987 §tl COME TO §e ©toe JlealtJ) â>tioppe LIVING HEALTHY MEANS EATING HEALTHY ALL OUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN NATURAL INGREDIENTS ASSORTED BULK FOODS UNBLEACHED FLOUR DRIED FRUIT/NUTS UNSWEETENED CANDY LOOKING HEALTHY COMES EASY AT "gt ©toe gealttj â>()oppe" TRY OUR NATURAL COSMETICS 116 King St. W., Bowmanville Telephone 623-6222 t i DRIVE TO THE MUSIC with yiLPINE 3210 GRAPHIC EQUALIZER with any purchase of a Alpine Cassette Deck, you receive a FREE cassette cassette and a head cleaner of your choice. 3505 POWER! AMPLIFIER 18 Watts per channel PRESTIGE S129Î 1 s 189?° 6x9 60 watts QUAU1Y Monday to Friday mJLylS^L/ 10:00A.M.to10:00 P.M. on V|!DC0io:ooa» ( 00 P.M. 60 watts with any purehaia of a compact compact disc player, you will receive receive a compact disc FREE of your choice. PERFORMANCE * tiiedi Cnno.linn /1LPINE tiviiui cui ijiveuwuy 1 BOWMANVILLE MALL 243 King St. E., Bowmanville 623-5555 LETTER TO THE EDITOR As concerned parents and taxpayers, we are deeply distressed by the recent recent decision of the North- umberland-Newcastle Board of Education to bus kindergarten students from Ontario Street Public School (OSPS) to Central Public School (CPS). We believe that the process process which was followed in arriving at this decision was flawed and totally inappropriate. inappropriate. The Board meeting meeting of Apr. 23, 1987 was called to discuss the transfer transfer of English grades 4,5 and 6 from OSPS to CPS. The parents affected by this proposal were given prior notice of this meeting and the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding it before the Board. After considerable considerable discussion this proposal was rejected. However, at this same meeting meeting a recommendation affecting affecting kindergarten children children was put forth and hastily hastily approved by the Board without notice, input or adequate discussion with the affected parents. Should our kindergarten children not be given the same consideration as our older children? We believe this action demonstrates poor planning on the part of the Board. On Apr. 3, 1987 when we registered our child for Junior Kindergarten classes this September at OSPS we were given no indication indication that such a drastic move was possible. The problems problems of overcrowding at OSPS have been evident and increasing for some time. In the interests of all children in the community and their educational needs there should be no action related to transferring transferring students until a permanent permanent solution to this matter is found. Our plans for our child's education have now been abruptly disrupted and thrown into uncertainty by this "stop gap" solution. We have no guarantee that our child will be able to return to OSPS next year to participate participate in the language program program of our choice. As well, if this "temporary" solution should still be in place two years fromjiow. it will mean that our two children will not be able to attend the same school. Such a situation situation would be very disrup- tivejto our close family unit. . Although we do not wish to enter any .debate which considers \ trading-off one grohp of children : ■ for' another, as all are.equal, we firmly believe young children children of 3,4 and 5 years of age should not have to endure the rigors of daily busing when there is a school within walking distance of their home. One of the main reasons we purchased our home three years ago was due to its proximity to OSPS. During our own education education we directly experienced experienced the negative impacts associated with transfers to several schools through busing. We do not want our children to miss out on the advantages of being in one school for all their elementary elementary years, such as the development development of a sense of be longing, community and school spirit, and life-long friendships. We are not convinced that all options to resolve the overcrowding at OSPS and declining enrolment at CPS have been analyzed and dis cussed with input from parents. For example, we arc aware of initiatives. being actively pursued by other Boards to lease out rooms in schools experiencing experiencing declining enrolment for alternative uses, such as day-care centres, nursery schools, senior citizens clubs, and other community facilities. We believe this decision requires a great deal more consideration. It is absolutely absolutely imperative that the Board hold a special meeting meeting to hear the concerns of the affected parents. We strongly urge any other parents affected by this decision to speak out and give their views Brad and Peggy James Our Prices Are Light... The Cars Aren't! MOTORS LTD Authorized Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Dealer Hwy. No. 2 at Courtice Telephone 728-6206 N $ERNETHp' v I Create a New Atmosphere If you have the ambition, We have the selection Abernethy's Paint and Wallpaper 55 King St. W. 623-5431 Bowmanville Authorized Dealer for Dependable and Benjamin-Mo ore Paints