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I AR 4 SN ---- _4 - PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2000 THE NU (HOLOLTIER Downtown Port Perry on Queen St. Sunday, April 23 & Rain or Shine ¢ Prizes for all © Between the ages of 3 and 7 COME EARLY TO MEET All children residents of Scugog Township are invited to Teachers, students given time to adjust By Rik Davie Special to the Star The first round of mandatory Grade 10 literacy tests for the provinces secondary students will take place next October, but students needn't worry: They don't count. Bev Freedman, Superintendent for Programs with the Durham District School Board, said that the province has decided to use this years results to gauge the difficulty and effectiveness of the test ques- tions. "This will give us time to prepare students and the first year results will provide a (yardstick) by which we can gauge the test's difficulty, and the students' response to it," said Ms. Freedman at Monday's board Literacy tests won't count this year A passing grade in the test will eventually be mandatory for students to graduate from high school. Students who do not pass the test will be given opportunities throughout their secondary school years to take the test again. Ms Freedman said she is pleased to see the provincial education ministry tak- ing into account needs of some students for extra help to pass. "The ministry is providing us with funding to be used for tutors and extra help for students particularly challenged by the tests," she said. Several thousand students across the province have already taken the test, but their results are not being released. They will be used to fine-tune the test for imple- meeting. mentation next fall across the province. Art in the Park returns to Oshawa this year Art in the Park will be returning to Memorial Park in downtown Oshawa on July 15 and 16. The Downtown Action Committee (DAC), organiz- ers of the event, are now recruiting artists, artisans, craft vendors, exhibitors and local bands and enter- tainment to participate in the event. Art in the Park returns after a successful two year run in 1996 and 1997. The event, being held in Memorial Park, will promise fun for the entire family. "I am delighted that DAC is again presenting this unique event to cele- brate the millennium," said Louise Parkes, volunteer Chair of the Downtown Action Committee. "Admission to the event will be absolutely free," she said, "this will help to boost vendor sales and increase attendance." ~ There are plenty of other activities being planned including a musi- cal program at the band- shell, refreshment conces- sions, a midway from World's Finest Shows, a children's village and activ- ities, plus other community displays. Maryanne Sholdra, who signed on to DAC as a vol- unteer to help with Art in the Park in 1996, recalls the first Art in the Park as "pure magic." "I am looking for- ward to this event with the same enthusiasm," she said. Vendors can save 50 per cent off the price of regis- tration if they book and pay early. Space is limited. If you are interested in book- ing space or being an exhibitor/entertainer at the event please call Louise Parkes at (905) 404-2081 ext. 514. : a April > SPECIAL 10.0ff selected wines 159 Casimir St., Port Perry 985, 4352 nttp://beer.portperry.com * email:beer @portperry.com PORT PERRY DENTAL OFFICE PERIOD | NTIST ® INSURANCE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED ® EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE (WE COLLECT FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES) = DENTISTRY WHILE YOU SLEEP ® PAYMENT PLANS ARRANGED ® GENERAL ANAESTHESIA AVAILABLE ® SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT NEW PATIENTS WELCOME SEE YEDH [GY FURNITURE & APPLIANCES HARDWOOD & LAMINATE FLOORING ¢ RATTAN FURNITURE