in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 28 ,2 01 9 | 32 Parents of students in the Halton Catholic Dis- trict School Board say they're worried about in- creasing class sizes - a con- cern board staff believe could be linked to the pro- vincial government's edu- cation reforms. Of 954 people who filled out the board's budget con- sultation survey, 80 said maintaining manageable class sizes should be a pri- ority in this year's budget. Themes of focusing on aca- demic achievement, invest- ing in special education and improving classroom technology all received more support. However, acting chief research offi- cer Laura Keating said many of the issues are in- terrelated, and that class size was the only consistent theme that was new this year. "It was probably a re- sponse to rumours about the government," Keating told board trustees at their meeting on Tuesday. The Progressive Conser- vative provincial govern- ment launched public con- sultations last year about Ontario's education sys- tem, and rumours have been swirling since then that class sizes could be up for review. On March 15,for review. On March 15,f Education Minister Lisa Thompson announced that an average of one student will be added to Grade 4 to 8 classes and the average high school class size will increase from 22 to 28 stu- dents. HCDSB PARENTS WORRIED ABOUT CLASS SIZE SAIRA PEESKER The Halton Catholic District School Board's head office is located at Drury Lane and Fairview Street in Burlington. Saira Peesker/Metroland NEWS See - page 33 At Kerr Street Mission we aim to provide help for the present and hope for the future to every person who walks through our door. A single mother was recently referred to our Neighbour Care Network (NCN) through the Halton School Board. She is pregnant and due any day, so we have been able to connect her to a NCN Care Support Volunteer. Her greatest need is simply community. She is estranged from her mother and her only other family is an aging grandmother. Understandably, she is lonely and scared about heading into the delivery room by herself. The NCN care support volunteer has committed to being in the delivery room with this expectant mother and providing ongoing community for her and her daughter. Our "Mom to be" received the help she immediately needed but also now has hope for a future with community and support she didn't have before. NCN operates on the basis of "Hands up" by assisting support volunteers to uncover and address root causes of the situation, and work with clients to create a viable plan which provides direction, accountability and hope. To learn more about KSM and the Neighbour Care Network, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you. KSM. 485 Kerr Street, Oakville. 905.845-7485. Charitable Reg. No. 897106845RR0001 Rainor shine,bring the family for a reallygoodtime! A DIVISION OF In Partnershipwith MILTONSPORTSCENTRE 605 Santa Maria Blvd., Milton YOU'RE INVITED! Sat.April6, 2019 from10AM to3PM AFUN FILLEDDAY FAMILY SHOW FREE Lootbags (first 500visitors) &Parking EXHIBITORS-For informationor tobookyourspaceor inserts, contact: Karenat289-293-0706 kschwarzkopf@starmetrolandmedia.com Kathleenat289-293-0707 kmedwyk@starmetrolandmedia.com witheverythingfor families Education •Attractions •Camps •Marketplace Learnhow to recycle car andbooster seats Bouncy Castle & Popcorn courtesyof LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Entertainer ScottDietrich Pockets The Clown Face Painting by: Student presentation from: OnsiteSponsor: