Babysitting Course Is your baby sitter a graduate of a baby sitters' course? Thousands are throughout the Durham Region, thanks to Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association (former- ly Ontario County TB & RD Association) who started sponsoring the baby sitting courses in 1960. Where is the connection between tuberculosis and baby sitting and how and why did the TB Association become involved in baby sitting? These are questions often asked of TB Association members. It ail started fourteen years ago when two young people who had been lookirg after young children were found to have TB and had passed the disease on to several children they had cared for. Since that time several thou- sand young people, boys and girls, have graduated from baby sitting courses sponsored by the TB & RD Association. The course consists -of 7 lectures and one of the require- ments, before a graduation certificate can be obtained, is a tuberculin test. The baby sitting courses are held in co- operation with local 'Y's, schools, Girl Guides, Neighbour- hood Recreation Associations, C.G.I.T., etc. The Associa- tion supplies a Baby Sitters' Manual for course leaders, record books, health literature, examination papers, grad- uation certificates to the studentsýparticipating. Prizes are awarded by the Association for top examination papers and record books. The record book is intended to provide re- ference material to which the sitter can refer later, as well as to illustrate to the course leader that the student has understood the course content. Notes on ail lectures are kept in this baby sitting record book which is marked at the end of the course and a prize is awarded for the best. As well as the materials supplied, the students themselves assemble material on baby sitting, safety and health. The lectures are under the direction of the course leader and she may be assisted by a registered nurse, a doctor. minister, fireman, policeman or a St. John Ambulance representative. Parents take part in a discussion in the last session. KALNINS . ON .. Writing A Column Today is not MY day for writing a column. I am sitting at my Underwood typewriter, staring at the empty spaces around me, carefully examining a blank sheet of copy paper which hasn't been touched for days in this newsroom and. from time to time, l'm glancing out the window, occasionally lapsing into daydreams. My fingers (two which I use for the typing are numb as I'rn hitting the wrong keys constantly and my usually alert senses are at a standstill. The brightly-lit newsroom is empty - not a soul in sight - and I can let my thoughts wander with my empty head slumped over the typewriter. Suddenly, a crackling sound from the police radio jolts me with a terse news bulletin that four armed bandits have been recaptured by the Ontario Provincial Police. Gee whiz, I say to myself, looks like a good story. I ponder: I better check this one out. As I contemplate my next move, the time keeps ticking away. Fifteen minutes later, I'm still at my typewriter, mentally exhausted, and wondering what to write for this week's column "Kalins On". First, I think, I'm going to write about Pierre Trideau and Margaret, but much to my own dismay I discover that the Trudeaus haven't been in the news for the past three days, including Justin. So, I say, to heck with Trudeau and his wife. Thèn, I convince myself, I should write a column about Richard Nixon and the people who won't leave him alone. But, the idea does not seem to sit too well with my pre- sent state of mind. Oh well, let's find something else. But, where? And, how? Slowly, I start sifting through the papers. I search high and low for story material. As I dig deeper in the pile of newspapers, I come across some interesting pieces of infor- mation, but none seem to have the "bite" to qualify for this space. Suddenly, a phone rings. I perk up. l'm (almost) jubilant. This should bring some noteworthy news for my column. I reach out for the receiver and respond with my usual enthusiasm: "Editorial department, sir. Can I help you?" Instead, a sweet voice purrs into my ear: "Sorry, sir, I must have dialed the wrong number". She hangs up. l'm down again. I mutter something about those never- ending phone calls which keep interrupting my train of thoughts. But, I guess, l'm more upset that I cannot finish this column. The deadline is rapidly approaching and if I don't get this column done in the next couple of hours then, I know, I'l be in deep trouble. The big chie f(that's Free Press editor Mike Burgess) will jump on my weak back and demand an explanation about those wide open and em- pty spaces still gracing my sheet of copy paper. But now, that I have explained my dilemna, most likely I'l be let off with a friendly warning until next week. In the week's time I should get mad about something. When I'm mad - so I'm told by my closest friends - the art of KaInins' writing somewhat improves. Therefore, I keep my fingers crossed that I will be really, really mad about something. Meanwhile, my mind is still blank. But, as you can see, I have successfully managed to fill this space. Sorry, folks, but such is the life of a columnist. The nurse explains good health rules to the students and also shows them how to care for children. They are shown how to diaper, feed and bathe a baby; how to handle meal- tirne, bedtime and bathtime and even what to do should a child get sick while in their care. A lecture on emergency actions and first aid is given by either a St. John Ambulance representative or a fireman. The students are told what to do for cuts, burns, nose- bleeds, bumps, falls, choking and even the swallowing of poisons and medicines. Above all, they are told, is the need to remain caln in any emergency. As many as 25 pieces of literature are given out through- out the program and cover such topics as first aid, the Canadian Food Guide, a playtime book which outlines activities, songs and games to keep children happy, pamph- lets on lungs and their diseases and brochure, on the Christmas Seal Story, as this program (as well as all others sponsored by the TB & RD Association) is made possible through the Christmas Seal Campaign. To help develop a sense of responsibility towards baby sitting and to stress its importance as a position of trust in which the sitter is completely responsible for human life, punctuality, honesty, good manners and good health and appearance as well as a love of children is emphasized. Some groups giving the course make one of the require- ments for graduation the assembling of a kit that a sitter should take with her whenever she babysits. The kit should contain things to keep a child happy while under her care. Behaviour at specific ages is also one of the topics ex- plored. To give the student an understanding of the im- portance of play in child development, play activities are related to age levels. Students are at the saine time made aware of playtime hazards. At somne time during the 7 week course each student care for a child for six hours without pay. The mother of the child is required to coin- plete a forn telling how the sitter made out. The sitter is then asked to write a short essay about this event. The fin- al lecture is often one of the highlights Of the couîrse. Tlhis evening takes the form of a parent-sitter panel discussion. The aim of the discussion is to clarify the résponsibility of the sitter and also the responsibility of the parents who hire them. Among the topics discussed are using the telephone, helping theiselves to food, sleeping while babysitting and having friends over. Of course, tihe question of how much a babysitter should be paid. as well as extra pay for extra duties also came up for discussion too. One of the parent's responsibilities they talk about is the proper preparation of the sitter before the parents leave the house. Sit ters should be told about the child's habits, any dangers; they should be given emergency numbers, as well as a telephone number where they can be reached; they should be told the rate of pay and be provided with safe transportation home. Many mothers will appreciate this statement from an essay written by a prize wirnning student which reads, "A mother's job is a very difficult one." Any group or organization.interested in conducting a Baby Sitters' Course in co-operation with the Durham Re- gion Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association can receive further information by calling the office at 723- 3151. Good Citizenship deserves a medal Do you know anyone here in Ontario who-through seiflessness, humanity and kindness without expect- ing anything in return-has made this a better province in which to live? That's the kind of person for whom the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship was established. Recipients are selected by an independent Advisory Council of Ontario citizens whose honorary chairman is the Lieutenant-G overnor of the Province. Anyone may nominate a person for the Ontario Medal, and nomination forrms are available by writing: Executive Secretary Advisory Cou ncil Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario M7A 1P4 Making a nomination is itself an act of appre-- ciation for good citizenship. ~* ONTARIO MEDAL FOR GOOD CITIZENSHIP WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974, PAGE 5 TOWN OF WHITBY TENDER FOR JANITOR SERVICES CONTRACT 74-30 Sealed tenders will be received by the undersigned until 2:00 p.m.,sWednesday, November 6, 1974 for janitor ser- vices for Town of Whitby offices Iocated at 405 Dundas Street West, Whitby; 1380 Hopkins Street, Unit 2, Whitby; and 14 Church Street, Brooklin, Ontario. Specifications and tender forms are available at the Trea- surer's office, 405 Dundas Street West, Whitby. Telephone 668-5803. Lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. R. A. Claringbold, Deputy Treasurer, Town of Whitby. THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF WHITBY The Public Utilities Commission of the Town of Whitby has stopped accepting applications for rental water heaters and will progressively cease billing the monthly rental charge. No servicing or replacements will be carried out on any tanks once the monthly rental charge has been discontinued. You may make arrangements with your plumber for repairs or replacement. Dr. J. McKinney Chairman 128E H. C. Simpson Secretary-Manager Brock Street South Whitby OPENING SPECIAL MODEL KITS Assorted Car Hobby Kits Retail Value $5.00 For Only $2.88 Leisure World is the Complete Hobby Shop Specializing in Model Trains and Accessories LOOSE RUGS UPHOLSTERY OSHA WA RUG CLE ANERS WALL to WALL BROADLOOM Est. 1956 PLANT located at 133 TAUNTON RD. W. Telephone 725-9961 1