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

10 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 28, 2000 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Trustee backs down on zero-tolerance motion By Rik Davie Special to the Star A motion to adopt a zero tolerance policy toward acts of violence by stu- dents in Durham public schools has been withdrawn by its chief proponent. Oshawa trustee Susan Shetler made the move at Monday night's meeting of ~ the Durham District School Board. Her action came after a two month cam- paign that has included calls by the trustee to consider locking school doors during the day, installing securi- ty cameras, and hiring guards for schools. Ms Shetler asked that the motion be tabled indefinitely - meaning that it cannot be brought up during the cur- rent trustees' mandate - after reading a report by board staff on current policy. "I realize that we already have a clear-cut policy in regards to school violence," said Ms Shetler Monday night. "After reviewing our current poli- cy thoroughly I now think that we have a good handle on this." Ms Shetler said during earlier dis- cussion of her motion that she has been contacted by parents expressing concerned over violent incidents in schools. She said she intended to ask Durham Regional Police for statistics on such occurrences. Board staff prepared two reports in response, showing that police and schools have been working together closely to deal with school violence, and that the numbers of such incidents have in fact decreased over past years. Ms Shetler has not brought forward any statistics from police to support her concerns about rising school vio- lence. Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew, who is also vice-chair of the board, said she had looked into the matter with both board staff and police, and is satisfied that the policies in Durham are strict and well thought-out. "Between the policies now in place, the review process of those policies and the new street crime and youth crime initiatives now being undertaken by the Durham Regional Police, | am more than pleased with the proactive stance this board is taking on this prob- lem when, and where, it arises," said Mrs. Drew. She said trustees should do their homework before bringing motions for- ward at board meetings. "As a trustee, | feel it is my responsi- bility to research the topic thoroughly before bringing a matter forward," she said. "It would have been in everyone's best interest that (Ms Shetler) had that research completed before the motion was brought forward at board." Mrs. Drew said that board staff are currently looking into all areas of board policy on student conduct in prepara- tion for new provincial student conduct policies, expected in time for the 2000/2001 school year. According to reports, the new guide- lines will set out" strict penalties for instances of violence and other offences in provincial schools. The code is also expected to make parents liable for costs of damage or injury caused by students in schools. Superintendent Laura Elliott and her staff are currently looking at bring- ing Durham board policies in this area up to date with current laws and police methods. A report on any changes deemed necessary changes is expect- ed soon. Directory of Coming Events Blackstock Women's Instituté Aerobics Gentle - Mondays - 1 p.m. - Blackstock United Church; Tuesdays - Low Impact - 7:30 p.m. - Blackstock United Church; Thursdays - Low Impact - 7:30 p.m. Nestleton Hall. Call 986-4280. basement. Gentle Aerobics March 30 & 31 Gentle Aerobics for Rummage Sdle - Port older adults, Mondays Perry United Church - and/or Thursdays - 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Masonic Hall, Port Perry. New members Every Second Wednesday Louise Patterson Craft Guild meets every second Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Presbyterian Church Bring your lunch. New members wel- come. Ruth 985-3422, Thursday, & Friday Thursday - 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. & Friday - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 There are a variety of electronic services avail- able for filing your income tax and benefit return. Not all of these ser- vices can be used for every kind of return, so it welcome. Mary 655-5917. Pine Ridge Garden 1S best to check the Weight Watchers Club meeting - 7:30 p.m. requirements before- Blackstock on Guest speaker: Andrea hand. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. For Clarke. NETFILE: This is the more information call April 6 third and newest elec- Sanice 9) $aa5108 Cartwright Sports & tronic filing option ai-Bo Classes Rec. Inc. public meeting - PR Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 p.m. - Nestieton offered to individuals by 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and 8-9 p.m. - Durham Gymnastics Academy. Call Kim 986- 0864. Every Thursday Heart to Heart - A spiri- tual & physical (Fae.Bo) workout for women - 10- 11:15 a.m. Victory Christian Centre, 593 Alma St., Port Perry. 985-1346 or 655-3407. Family Resource Centre Scugog Community Centre, 1655 Reach St., Port Perry - Mondays 9 am. - 1 pm & Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. - 1.p.m. Info. 985-3976. in Song" - Seagrave at 985-7778. Frmmmm---------- | pI FREE MOBILE SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT AUTOMOTIVE GLASS 985-8507 Community Centre. Sunday, April 9 One Voice, presents a spring concert "Come Alive St. Paul's Anglican Church - 3 p.m. Tickets - $8 at Quaker Pharmacy & Presents, Presents, Presents. Wednesday, April 12 Church roast beef dinner - 2 settings - 5:15 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Tickets available Wednesday, April 12 Amis Du Jazz - Lynn McDonald's birthday CD release - Sonya Church - 7 p.m. Info. 705-357-2468. the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA). It allows certain indi- viduals to file personal tax and benefit returns over the Internet. This United * Gain/losses from the sale of property * Business use of the home... * and more ] year, nearly four million age will Canadians are being Livivtreisd How about electronic filing year? You can :call the Tax Phone include your NETFILE invitation and Information If you own a business, it only makes sense to talk to us at H&R Block. Our tax associates can answer questions about: * Meal and entertainment expenses We have the experience and the tools to fight for every dollar...and every cent that's yours. Call or drop by: 174 Perry Street, Port Perry (905) 985-9803 invited to use NETFILE. personal web access Service (TIPS.) at 1-800- These people are those code. 267-6999 to find out the who used commercial TELEFILE: You can status of your refund and software to prepare their TELEFILE your return other important general own return last year. over the telephone. and personal tax informa- To use NETFILE, you will need to have one of the approved, commer- cially available tax prepa- ration software packages. After preparing your return, you will file through the CCRA Internet site-dedicated to NETFILE, using your unique identifier and other personal informa- tion. If you qualify, your personalized filing pack- About eight million tax fil- ers can use this automat- ed system. Refunds take about two weeks and confirma- tion is immediate. If you qualify, your per- sonalized filing package will have TELEFILE infor- mation. EFILE: To file your return by EFILE, you have to use the services of pro- fessional tax preparation firms or individuals. - T.LLP.S.: Remember that the CCRA offers an infor- mative and easy-to-use computerized telephone service. tion. When you call, you will be asked to provide your social insurance number, your month and year of birth, and the total income from line 150 of your 1998 return. You can contact our tax services offices for more information. Their addresses and telephone numbers are listed in the government section of your telephone book and on the "Contact Us' web page of our Internet site. Information is avail- able on the Internet at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca [_ SCUGOG FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. -------- IT'S WORTH THE DRIVE TO PORT PERRY! (CLO ARVANA = =I OR NAVASSSH NI =I NH ES MINIMUM AMOUNTS MAY APPLY e Annual Rates ° _QIC__ BRSP_ 5.650% 6.150% 6.250% 2 YEAR CASHABLE 5.600% 6.125% 6.250% 6.250% 6.350% 5.000% AFTER 120 DAYS MINIMUM $1,000. Rates Effective 03/27/00 - Subject to change without nobce 250 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-3832 (next to Shoppers Drug Mart) . ASSOCIATED WITH 1-888-595-4413 Serving Scugog for over 25 years www.hrblock.ca | 1575 Hwy. 7A= Port Perry mates H:R BLOCK B | SHEPHERD & POWELL ! Serving Port Perry, Ubridge and surrounding areas since 1981 ---- CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS -- - a ow we ow ow * wo uikethdh dd i EE IER dE EA EEE EE SE REE EE IE EE LO ER TEE EEE A IR a