-pePAGE"28;WHnW- 1989 By Debbie Luchuk The Durhanm Board of Educa- tion bas heard once again from parents concerned about the lack cf a junior kindergarten pro-' gra alhuh the board pre- viousiy shelved implementation ofhris ndesen, Colleen Jor- dan and Elizabeth Wiseman of Ajax and Wendy Latour cf Osh- awa presented their arguments for implementation cf a junior kindergarten programn at the board's meeting last week. Andersen focused on* the cost cf implementation cf junior kmn- dergarten and 'suggested that the boarcf debenture to finance the prograîn. Hre contended that the board's financial situation was strong enough te bandle going inte debt. «(Or) you could consider run- ning junior kindergarten out cf church halls and elsewhere " he added, suggesting that this is' the practice within et her boards. He said 1984 figures showed that, at that time, additional taxes te implement and run the junior kindergarten would have cost the taxpayer an additional $17 per year, which «Andersen considered to be inexpensive. "lIt (the cost) does not have te be borne by the taxpayer,"» he said, recommendinq de enture. "The board wouid do very well te ciTer this prora, and it is long since overdue in Durham Region. » le said many paren ts were considering a s~ of their tax dollars te the separate schooli systen- in erder te, send their children te the Durbamn Region Reoman Catholic Separate School Board's junior kindergarten pro- grams. "Young children can benefit frein the experience junior kmn- dergarten can provide. Children need te explore larger environ- ments and experiences,» Latour said in hier presentation te the board. She noted the effects cf junior kindergarten on the child's deve- lopinent. Junior kindergarten provides for a "wide range of abilities, and builds a solid base for successful learning in later. years," Lateur said. "Learning experiences in junior kindergarten aid in build- .îng expressive language abilities, the social and inteilectual areas of deveiopment,» she said, adding junior kindergarten children show improved writing, languiage skills, social akilîs, self-con- fidence and improvement in gross motor skills. Latour presented a petition signed by 160 families from Osh- awa. "Let's net have the children cf Durham be the forgotten chul- dren, " said Wiseman. She and Jordan presented a petition with 200 signatures from Ajax resi- dents. Cathy 0O'F1ynn, Oshawa trus- tee, wonderedwhy the board was hearing from the deputation wben the board had previously decided net; te impiement junior kindergarten. "4'm just net convinced (cf a region-wide desire for, the pro- gram). The big majority cf people 1 talk te are not in favor of it, OTIlnn said. Oshawa trustee Lloyd Clarke defended the board's spending, and the effort te rid Durbamn schools cf portables. He did net support Andersen's suggestion that the board debenture te, finance the Program.' "In 1975 we worked bard* te get out cf debt, and I den't think young people, Fin talking (those) with a heavy mortgage, can afford an increase in taxes," Clarke said. * iver the years this is an item. we cant afford. We can sympath- ize with the problems of~ the parents ceming te the board. It is my personal opinion that educa- tien starts at home." Oshawa trustee Gary Kitchen said "I remind the board that we debated this issue at length, and I question the appropriateness cf furtber deb ate." Whitby trust;ee John Buchanan said,. "I would dearly like te, see this (junior kindergar- ten) implemented. (But) Toronto boards have been in declining enrelment fer soeUtie. We are in the opposite situation. We're having a heck cf a time trying te keep up with growtb,» answering the parents' question as te wby Toronto boards can ciTer junior kindergarten and net Durham. "The issue will be worked out at one point in time, but will net 1 -be won easily » Ajax trustee Dun- can Read said. The junior kindergarten pro- gram at the Durbamn separate schoel board offers a program designed te introduce the cbild te scbool and te interaction with other cbildren. The goals fer junior kindergar- SEE PAGE 27 Separivate sehool JK enrohent icra se s By Debbie Luchuk Are public school supporters "defecting" te the separate board to enrol their cbildren in junior kindergarten? According te Mary Scott cf the Durham separate board office, enrolment in junio kindergarten 'increased significeantly" from .987 te, 1988, and the separate board expects the numbers enrol- led for 1989-90 te increase even rurther. On Sept. 30, 1987, there were 1,432 cbildren enrolled in the t inior kindergarten prcgram. 988's enrolment figure cf 1,589 eflected an increase cf 157 stu- c ents.a These figures cannot be used i Ls a measure cf the numbor cf t on-Catholhlren enrolled i-n Prents ,urge ýJK Sean Whitehead Itback te, the bocks and homework time aan I hope that everybedy had an enjoyable and fun-fllled E =se n March break. F'rom the number of well-tanned people walking the halls, r mn safie to say that they. indeed, had a great break. It's that timée again!! Md-terms!! Though these mid-termns corne once a semester and twice ayear-, they're stil dreaded. If you haven't started studying yet then I strongly suggest that yeu start soon. 'lbey vill start on Friday, April 7 and finish on Monday, April 10. For hase unfortunate people who have an early morning class, the nid-termns will end on Tuesday. April Il. The guidance offlce docrs are opien te anyone who needs help or tips for preparing and studying for nud-terms. wenr-AStreetigh chocl was host-te the regional science fair last veek. Iwnt down te take a look at Borne cf t he exhibits and, .te sy the least, I was ver impressed. A lot cf the Participants bave a lot cf taient whx'ch theysoe at this science fair/ On April 19 Hienry's music band will billet a band from Alberta. Both banda wih play in a concert here at Henry. The music band is R19o working very bard for Kiwanis. Henry's athelets are in training and are gearing up for the many eports which will ha starting soon. Henry bas had t#-ut o asablirugY, girls rugby. handball, girls' secer, middle and long fitance.track and badmninton. Dianne Randali There is only one week ieft before the ACVI 'Spring/Summer Fashion Show.'Ail the models invoived have been 'working bard andi we ai iook forward to seeing the final resuits on Thursday, April 13, 8 p.m., at the school. Tickets are only $5 and ail preceeds support the Canadian National Institute f'or the Blind (CNIB). Be sure to' attend this affair and see what's new for 89. Also coming up is ACVI's environmient week, the week of April 17. On the broad, interesting itinerary are the foilowing: lecture on 'Toxic Wastes and the Enironent' with H. Miettinen of the Ontario Waste Management Cor A ii17;lcue it Grew Elis of Pollution Probe on TWhat You Can Do to Save the Environrnent' (April 18); student debate (April 19); senior assembly with professor Andrews of the University of Toronto on- 'Global Atmospheric Related Problems' (April 20). Be sure to keep up to date on these events. Sohool jackets have cornein and can be picked up-from Mrs. Grant in the upper girls' changeroomi if you stii don't have yours. Anyone interested in becoming apeer tutor shoulI see Miss Coleman-i' great experience! On April 4, 5 and 6, at noon in room 142, this semester's study skills workshop wrill take place. Anyone wanting to brush up on their skills should definitely be sure to attend. Ail sports for this season are well underway. On March 28, the senior boys' soccer team competed in the York University indoor soccer tournament. They played exceptionally weil, oniy to' be defeated in the final gamne by defending champion Henry Carr. Keep it u , guys! Other spring events are. also in their initial stages - trac .1 ç.-osse and rugby. Nicole Lambert So what exactly is student council planning for us during April? K Well since Apnil seemes se iong- the have ýdecided te extend what is usuaâ1y knewn as "Spirit Week' te "Spirit Month." Now, I know what you're thinking "The schooi gets a xnonth off." Not exactiy. Itrneans that every week will have a speciai day in which the student bd will participate in fun and excitrng c vte planned by the student council. These activities will probably include a talent show, and lip sync contest, since they have proven te, be veiy entertaining in the past. The second last dance of the year was held on March 31. It was a great turnout. There will be only one more dance, in May, a seini-formal event. DO'O is proud to announoe that it will be holding another fundraiser. Not the DO'C-A-THON, but "Fast For Lie." AIl students are invited to participate. The fundraiser is a 24-hour fast during wbicb students will be entertained, as well informned about world issues. Don't get me wrong, the students won't starve. They will be provided with juice and bread. It will be a great experience, and a fun way te raise meney. The funds raised will be donated te charitable organizations, such as Covenant House. Mr. Smith, head of the religion department, and Mrs. Fox are organizing the event. It will be takingjlace on April 7 and 8. The Denis Connor English and art departinents are pieased te be putting together "Reflections from the DO'C Side'" This is a -bock which contains the creative and artistc aide of talented young people here at DOYC. This was made poseible by Mrs. Byron wbo is aise head cf the English department. Mrs. Byron introduced the idea last year, and xnany students were tbrilled te see their work and naine in print.- Wont Scrub Amwayr MZC=W- -- - 7 =%-Z-Mý MTIMM 1 Il 1 ,ý%fiùÊýmh