Page 24, Whitby Free Péèss. Wednesday, May 26. 1993 Meciator appointed in board/teacher taIks By Mike Kowalski The school year will likely be over before Durham Rogion Catholic secondary teachers have a new contract. Mediator Elaine Newman has been appointed by the province to intervene in stalled contract negotiations betweea the Dur- ham separate school board and its 320 secondary teachers. Yet unless her schedule opens up, the earliest Newman can meet with the two sides is June 18. "We're disappointed it's that late, but that s the earliest the mediator can caîl us together,» said Blair Morris, president of the Durham branch of the Ontario English Catholic Tea- chers' Association. "In alI fairriess, she did say she would be prepared to meet before then if she can. We hope she can because it's been an awfully long time," he said. Teachers have been without a contract since their previous one- yearý agreement expired last Agst. The union applied for media- tion in early March, but since the board refused to participate, the poicial Education Relations Cmission turned down the rjuest, Morris explained. Following Iast month's rejec- tion of the board's contract offer by the teachers, coupled with a positive strike vote, the commis- sion agreedl to appoint a media- tor, he said. Teachers, however,. have no immediate plans for job action, Morris stressed. "W've been reluctant to take sanctions at this point, but obvi- ously we can't go on forever,» hie said. Items under dispute involve the size of provincially mandated 'destreamed' Grade 9 classes beginning next September, and the need to preserve services for special education students. Salary is a "non-.issue", Morris said in an earlier interview. «We've been negotiating for 17 months, but of course we're liv- ing in exceptional times,» said Morris, in reference te Ontario government decisions which have indirectly affected bargaining, such as its planned 'social con- tract' with public sector workers. "We're keen to get it settled and would like tWo to three years (contract length) to stop this annual activity," he said. Although Morris doubts trus- tees would agree to more than a one-year deal, he feels a multi- ear contract UwouId be in the bst interests of the systexn.» In fact, a multi-year agree- ment was one of the recommen- dations- made by fact finder Calum MacLeod earlier this year. MacLeod's report, aimed at helping the parties reach a set- tiement was not binding. 14 Schoo;ýl board chair Tom ll man could not be reached for comment. About 5,700 students attend the six secondary schools opera- ted by the Durham board. Meranda Waters HENRY ST, H.S. Everyday around the same Uirne, a quiet voice whispers in my ear, "OnIy two more weeks,' "Only one more week,' and today I heard that samne voice say, "Only two more days!" And of course, this excited individual, (we won't mention any names), is talking about one of the most exciting evenings for any cf Henry's senior students -- Prom Night. Ites amazing how much fuss one can make, and how many things most of us fear might go wrong so here is a Eist of things that most likely will not happen te ycu at the Prom ... maybe now ycu can breathe a littie easier. Unlikely scenario #1 When your hairdresser was our age, his/her prom night was a complete disaster. And now, because cf it, he/she is out te get anyone who looks like they will enjoy themselves more than he/she did; namely you.. Venting his/her frustrations of many years gone by, they tease, mousse, and slick your hair to death, making you look way toc much like Cousin ItL Impossible seenarlo #2 On the daty you purchased your dress or tuxedo, you lost al cf your fashion sense. You helplessly succumbed to the suitor's ploy that, yes, purpie and browvn are the colours of the season and everyone is wearing them to the prom. The shoe clerk said that the nine-inch heels were yeu, and the guy in men's fashions assured you butterfly collars are still in style, and yeu believed them. And even worse, when modelling for aIl your fiends they smiled and said 'Tou look smashing!" Doubtful seenario 13 Your date arrives at the door, right on Urne, and say's he or she wMl be right back, they "left your cersage/boutonniere in the trunk." To your shock and horror, there was a reason your corsage/boutonniere was in the trunk ... it couldn't fit in the back seat. Your date, sweating, hands you the flower and feeling like you should, you put it on. For the rest of the night, your friends comment on how lovely your flewer is, but secretly wonder if you're wearing anything under it. Ain't gonna happen, seenario 14 You luckily redeemed your previously lost (see Impossible scenario #2) fashion sense in Urne te buy the pertect outtt ... only te discover that 12 others also found the identical, perfect outflit. The YMCA Youth Employment service cf Durham Region will again hold the 'Summer Start' prcgram for Wihi tby youth. 'Summer Start' is a YMCA program designed te provide a positive summer experience cf personal developrnent and Student representatives from the Canada Empîcymnent Centre for Students wvill hold two meetings at the Wihitby Public Library te, help students find a job and keep it. Students can register for one or both meetings. On Wednesday, May 26, 7 te empicyment for youth aged 14 te 16. Funded through Canada Empîcyment and Immigration Commission, qualified youth can earn up to $890. For more information, call Gerr Walton or Kelly Hobbs at (416) 427-7670. 8:30 p.m., the topic will be resumé writing and job search SUIlS. On Wednesday, June 2, 7 te, 8:30 p.m., Uips vwill be gven on interviews and employers' expectations. Students should bring a resumé. STUDENTS FROM a Grade 1 and 2 class at R.A. Sannett Public School raised $61 for Sick Childrens' Hospital through a bake sale. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whilby Free Press Whitby leetayschools Vice-principal changes There will be new vice princi- pals at some Whitby elementary schools in the next school year. Alan Sawtcll now vice princi- pal at Beau Valley Public School, will move te Ormiston Public School, while Ormiîston vice prin- caiDoug Taylor will take Saw- tells position at Beau Valley. Thie switch is effective July 1, 1993. F.M. Heard vice principal John Redman will move te E.B. Phin. He will be replaced by Gudrun Helmenstein, now a teacher at Valley Farm, also effective July 1. Marlene Pike, now at Joseph Gould Public School, will be th e new vice principal at Glen Dhu, and Ted Hmton, now nt Sun- set Heigits, will be the new vice principal at Leslie McFarlane, both effective July 1, 1993. Joan Patterson, now a teacher at Lincoln Alexander Public School, will be vice principal at E.A Fairman, effective July 1, 1993. Nancy McLeod, currently vice prncipal at Roland Michener Public School, will m ove to Dr. Robert Thornton Public School. Thornten vice principal Enid Baird will move te, Duflîn's Bay. Both changes are effective Jan. 1, 1994. IJ7e transfers were a g preved at a recent meeting cf the Dur- ham Board cf Education. I.......Music p.i.ýarentsto*me The Anderson Music Parents' Society will hold their spring general meeting on Monday, May 31. The evening will feature reports from executive members, a discussion cf plans fer the next year, as well as elections for some cf the executive positions. The meeting will Lake place in the library at Anderson CVI. The meeting is scheduled te begin at 7:30 p.m. Ail parents cf students involved in the extra-curricular music program at Anderson are asked te attend. IW~4 I Students can get start on summer Student job centre to hold meetings . Q14C