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CLASSIFIEDS PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1994 REAL ESTATE Network will help local families deal with challenges they face Surpass provincial average 'Scugog Grade 9's fare well on provincial test By Jeff Mitchell : Port Perry Star 'Extraordinary' families focus of project here Families dealing with the challenges of raising a dis- abled child or caring for a rel- ative with special needs can often feel isolated and frus- trated, says Donna Herold. And now, there's an orga- nization in north Durham to meet their need for consulta- tion and advice, from people who share their experiences. The Durham Family Network has arrived in Port Perry's Central Seven offices, and Mrs. Herold has under- compiling a registry of fami- lies in extraordinary circum- stances. Once the groundwork is laid, it will be her job to cross-match those on her list with families and individuals who call the Network looking for help, or just a sympathetic ear. "It's not associated directly with disabilities," Mrs. Herold said of the network, which has existed in south Durham for the past couple of years. "It can be anything. "One thing I enjoy about this is it's the community helping the community. It stays in the community." The way the network oper- ates is quite simple, said Mrs. Herold. Anyone dealing with an extraordinary family expe- rience, such as a child or another relative with a dis- ability, can contact the net- work, provide details on their situation. The family can offer to provide assistance, or receive it from another. Mrs. Herold will then cross- match the registered families, with an eye to similar experi- ence and circumstances. The relationships that are created can be an enormous help in coping with the chal- lenges these families face, she said. "You learn from your expe- riences, and that's the best thing we can pass on," she said. "A person who needs assistance in any way will taken the mammoth task of Donna Herold is creating a network In north Durham for families facing extraordinary situations, such as car- ing for kids with disabilites. benefit from others' experi- ence." And the benefits flow both ways, she added. "It's therapeutic," to talk about experiences and per- haps help others along the same path, she sajd. "It gives meaning to your trials. "Being able to share your experiences with someone in a positive way can only help," Mrs. Herold added. "I firmly believe that fami- lies are the best support for families... They just need some encouragement to know what they're doing is right." So far 27 families in the area -- the network serves Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock Townships -- have been signed up, and Ms Herold is hoping that many more will register. The way the program will work best is if there is a good resource base from which to draw, she explained. Mrs. Herold is working now out of office space donated by Central Seven, Scugog's association for community living on Reach St. "I couldn't do this without Central Seven," she said. To register with the Durham Family Network, or to obtain more information, call Mrs. Herold at 985-2462 or 985-8511. Meningitis cases level off No new cases of bacterial meningitis have occurred in Durham Region, but cases of vi- ral meningitis are still occur- ring. A 16-year-old Clarington youth was diagnosed with viral meningitis Oct. 19, but has been released from hospital and is successfully recuperating at home. To date, there have been two cases of meningococca disease and five cases of viral meningi- tis in Durham Region in the last three weeks according to the re- gional health department. Be- cause the symptoms of both are the same, the health depart- ment encourages those who have a fever, stiff neck, head- ache and/or a rash to see their doctor. Their doctor will order IR DVANTAGE CARE 085-4484 laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. For more information about bacterial and viral meningitis, please refer to the recent fact sheet "Meningitis - Viral or Bac- terial?" prepared by the health department. A copy of this fact sheet can be obtained by calling Linda Wahrer at 723-8521, ex- tension 2125. FALL SALES ~ Hi. Eff. Gas Furnaces ~ ~ Central Air Units - ~ Gas Fireplaces ~ Think Smart Think Natural Gas By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Grade 9 students in Scugog Township high schools met or exceeded the average scores for reading and writing in province- wide testing done last year. All of the students taking the standardized reading and writing test at Cartwright High School scored within the top four ranking categories, Durham Region Board of Education trustees meeting Monday night learned; at Port Perry High School, more than 90 per cent of the Grade 9 kids fell in the top levels, rated ade- quate to superior. The tests were part of a province-wide evaluation of basic reading a writing skills conducted by the ministry of education last school year. Two sets of tests occurred, in the fall and spring semesters. Performance by local kids is proof the high schools in Scugog are on the right track, public school board trustee Bobbie Drew said last week, after the results were released. "That tells me our teaching strategies and program is bang on, and it's to be commended," said Mrs. Drew. "I always knew good things ~gionbynextsummer. = bili . hired now, with the pos *: of one of the most violen: "Five people, including th Durham politicians vo well as four additions who retired or took b; 1995 budget talks began. mittee, before goingbefore "The new recruits will un which will see them on the st. 'would notbe onthe streets u . But, some regional counci ~ ficers. Mr. Witty says the re + adding new equipment next Even with the hirings Mr. ago ~~ Twentynew police officers willbe on the beatin Durham Re- "The decision, made October 26, will see 20 new October 20. Prior to that one man was kill "an Oshawa gun store and another at a gun ra Jim Witty, Ajax mayor, who hea sion, asked council to conside) the hi the hiring process is put off until the Oy eh r. Witty still 'have a smaller complement *Xpproximately 50 uniformed and civilian postions iy 700 people are employe been vacant since 1092. Curren theregion's eight divisions. were happening here in Durham, and now here is the" proof... I am really delighted at the results." At Cartwright High School, no students rated in the bottom two categories (dependent and limited) in reading and writing, while 19 per cent of the kids scored an adequate perfor- mance in reading, and 28 per cent in writing. Most of the stu- dents were at level four (com- petent) in reading and writing, with a good percentage at level five (proficient). Three per cent of the students at Cartwright scored a level six grade (superi- or) in the writing test. A Port Perry High School, where numbers were similar, 6 per cent got top ratings for writ- ing, and 2 per cent for reading. But 10 per cent of students were in the lower two levels for read- ing, and 6 per cent scored level two grades for writing. - A breakdown for the separate board shows Durham students roughly matching provincial averages. "We're hearing all the time that kids can't read and write," Mrs. Drew said last week. "well, they can. "I think the proof is here." . Authorized Dealer CONSUMERS GAS Coleman Evcon big \Z REARS SR FURNACE CLEANING SPECIAL "Coleman Is a registered trademark of The Canadian Coleman Ca. Inc. used under cence. A