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

1 i Page 10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, September 2, 1998 Coming Soon: The electricity market MOVING DAY - They're working hard at St. Stephen's Secondary School, in an effort to have everything in place by the time students return next Tuesday. Finishing Touches Completion Of New Cgihgjic High School Goes Down To the Wire by Jennifer Stone Staff Wriler They're scrambling to put the finishing touches on Clarington's new Catholic high school. St. Stephen's Principal Mary Catherine Kelly says construction is running "pretty much on schedule" at the new school, in spite of some minor setbacks along the way. Some approvals for construction were difficult to get, causing causing a minor delay last summer. summer. And hardwood floors in the gym and fitness room had to be torn up and replaced after the sprinkler system went off on the long weekend in early August. Having a new school is cause for much excitement for Kelly. t . "We've had 15 years of waiting for a facility," says Kelly, adding, although the new school got funding four years ago, a freeze on capital projects in by the province delayed construction construction until now. The school spent between 10 and 12 years housed at the former Boys' Training School near Concession Street and Lamb's Road, after starting starting in the upper level of St. Stephen's Elementary School. And while Kelly describes the old facility as "a nice site," she's pleased all of her students will be housed under one roof this fall. Of the new school, Kelly says, "we can offer technology we just couldn't couldn't offer before." Students will benefit from "science labs as high-calibre as a work environment or university university setting," says Kelly. The building is also wired for computers and networked with top-end fibre optics. As well, students students will be able to take courses in fields like manufacturing, manufacturing, transportation, and construction technology. technology. The school also boasts new arts facilities, including including a new cafctorium, which will act as both cafeteria and auditorium, complete with a brand new stage. "The drama teacher thinks he's died and gone to heaven," says Vice- Principal Sharon Rush- Jeancs. St. Stephen's is now equipped with a large new resource centre. And exceptional students will have brand new classrooms classrooms furnished with a special needs washroom. Kelly says the school has already garnered interest interest from organizations like • the Ontario Summer Games, thanks to its brand new athletic facilities. The school boasts a double gym, a fitness centre, outdoor outdoor fields and an international-calibre international-calibre track and field location. "The track could be used for national championships. championships. International records could be set here," says Kelly. The principal says her favorite part of the new facility is the schopl's chapel. "We wanted to make the chapel very accessible for students," says Kelly. Located on the second floor of the building, the chapel has a glass front. "As you drive up Middle Road, that glass curve hits you. We wanted ii to be bright, spectacular," spectacular," says Kelly. She's especially proud of the way the chapel was funded. "The Ministry (of Education) doesn't fund chapels. The board (of education) added money and the community is doing fund-raising to furnish furnish it ... it's a room I'm particularly proud of because of the community spirit attached to it," she beams. In spite of the brand new facility, the school is already too small. A porta- pack of portable classrooms classrooms has been set up to house the math department. department. Although the Separate School Board did allot additional funds for classrooms, over and above what the Ministry of Education allowed for the construction of the school, Kelly says they "knew from the beginning we would be slightly undersized." undersized." "The Ministry only provides provides grants based on current current population," says Kelly, adding enrollment, as of this week, sits at 765 students, up from just 550 last year. "We've made a big jump. We used to only get 75 percent of feeder school students. Now we're at close to 100 percent," remarks Kelly. The increase in enrollment enrollment has meant the hiring of 15 new teachers for the school. "We've got dynamic young teachers coming in. They're the cream of the crop," remarks Kelly. With less than a week until school starts for Clarington's Catholic students, students, Kelly says they'll be working long hours to put all of the finishing touches on the school and get furniture furniture and equipment moved in. "It'll be excitement all the way to the end. But I'm pleased ... I didn't want the kids coming in with construction hats on," she laughs. The school boosts a double gym, a fitness centre, outdoor fields and an international- calibre track and field location. Power Shopping Competition is coming in the supply of electricity. Soon you'll be able to pick and choose among suppliers. Energy brokers may also solicit your business. It's your choice whether to reveal your account number and billing information. Ask questions. Take your time. It's a big decision. What won't change? We'll still be your local distribution source for electricity. And we'll compete to supply you with electricity. We're here to stay and we're eager to keep your business. There's no hurry. The market won't open until 2000. For now, the best course of action is to gather information, then wait and see. Take the time to get your best offer. Here's an Electricity Shopper's Guide for checking companies that want your business: □ What's the name of the supplying company? □ Who owns the company? □ Where are they based? Are they Canadian owned and operated? □ How long have they been In business? □ How many customers do they have today? □ Where does the energy come from? □ When does the service start? □ Exactly how much will electricity cost? $ kW/hr. □ How much less than today's rate? $ kW/hr. □ How are savings calculated? □ Are savings paid out? When? How? □ Is there a contract? When does it start? How long does It run? □ How is the contract cancelled? When you're going shopping, It pays to be prepared. For more Information, call us. THE PEOPLE AT YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICITY UTILITY Clarington Hydro-Electric Commission 2849 Hwy. 2 at Lambs Road, P.0. Box 130, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9, Telephone: (905) 623-4625 LENDING A HAND • Staff and construction workers at St. Stephen's Secondary School arc working feverishly to put the finishing touches on the new facility. Vice- Principal Sharon Rush-Jeanes (left) and Principal Mary Catherine Kelly arc shown above, in the midst of moving in, DON'T MISS OUT - DEADLINE FOR RECIPE SUBMISSIONS IS SEPT. 25TH We invite you to submit your favourite family recipes to be included in our 3rd Annual "Clarington Country Cookbook" coming to your home this fall. Exciting Prizes to be Won. Watch for details. Mail or drop off your recipes to: James Publishing, 62 King St. W., P.O. Box 190, Bowmanville L1C 3K9 13c sure to include your name and address to be eligible for exciting gifts.