Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, June 16, 1993, Page 23 RETIRING West Lynde Public School principal Phil Long (top) in the 'wildlife habitat garden' that's dedicated to him. Custodian Linda McCaIlum and 25 students trom grades 3 to 8 and two special education classes began working on the garden that was paid for b y the Canada T rust Environmental Fund in March. (Abve) Pringle Creek Public School principal Ron Coward enjoys the reminis- cences of teachers and staff at a rment retirement party. Coward has been principal at Pringle Creek for six years, and is leaving the education system after a 37-year career. (Below) E. A Fairman Public School teacher Clare Kidd and wife Elinor enjoy some gentle ribbing at a retirement gathering last week at the school. Kidd has taught for 39 years. Photos by Mark Reesor, Whltby Fr0. Press R.....e.m..... ByLucie Rochette Phil Cong principal at West Lynde Publi Schoof in Whitby, is-retiring after working 35 years in education, including 24 as Pr hje1 feels he has been «lucky" to have been part of the educational system for that num- ber of years. When Long began his career, there was a shortage of teachers. So he followed a six-week sum- mer course that enabled hlmn to teach for one year. He did that the second year as well, and then went to teacher's college la Peterborough. Long taught in a small, two- room sehool north of Orono. The first year, he taught grades 1, 2 and 3, and the second year, he taught grades 1 to 4. Since then, Long has taught at many other sehools, both in the area, and in Germany where he was responsible for the education of the children whose parents were in the armed forces. Long has been in Whitby for six years. Ci love it," says Long about teaching and being part of educa- tion. "I've found it to be a very, very rewarding career." The best part of being a tea- cher is «being part of something that is as dynamic as education,» says Long. Upon bis retirement, L-ong will be working with Donald Travel. * Lngsays that most fal el missth e great people of the staff and the schoo community, as well as the students.. "I've been so lucky to have worked with a dedicated bunch of professionals 7 he says. Retiring teachers to be honoured Retiring teachers and princi- pals from Whitby schools are among Durham Board of Educa- tion staff members who will be honoured during a social hour on TuesdayJune 15 at the Holiday Inn in O hawa. Albert Duffy and Jim Logeman of Anderson CVI, Hon Coward and Marg Barrie of Pringle Creek Pub lic school, William Fraser of Palmerston Public School and Jeanne Frolick of Bellwood Public School are staff members who retired during the 1992-93 achool year. Students wîn medals Pive Durham College skilled trades students won medals in the fourth annual Ontaro Skills Canada Competition at the Metro East Trade Centre in Pickering on May 7 and 8. More than 500 of Ontario's top technical students competed. Five Durham College students placed in the top three of their categories. Christopher Hedley fromn the automotive service technology program and Adam 11111 in carpentry won gold medals. Gregory Ward in the welding rogram won a slver medal and Mark Kozlowski, also in carpentry and William Andrew in automotive service technoIogy, won bronze medals. The two gold medal winners will join 33 other competitors from Alberta and Quebec to forn the Canadian team. The Canadian team now advances to the United States Skill Olympics in Louisville, Kentucky, taklng place June 20 to 26. Last year the Canadian team brought home 10 medals. Student wîns bursary Kimberly Dewey, a Durham College technology student, was selected as a winner of a $500 'Women in Technology' bursary sponsored by the Ontario Clleges of Applied Arts and Technology in memory of the women students siain in the tragedy at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique three years ago. -Dewey, a Cobourg resident, is a first-year student in the electronic engineering techniques programn with an A plus average. She studied psychology at the University of Toronto and holds a veterinary technology diloma fîrom St. Lawrence tCollege. 1i chose electronics because I like math," sh. says. "This award to women in technology is important te encourage women into technology programs. The more successful women we can get into the technology workforce, the casier it will be on others. "Having women in their field who are good at their work makes it more acceptable for other women. r7d like te get more involved with computers because I enjoy working with tbem, and the field bas great career potential and fairly high wages." Dewey is one of four students selected fromn the 23 colleges of Ontario for the bursary. The competition was based on academic excellence, professional promise and comniunity service. Increasîng marketabilityý Durham College post-secondary graduates can receive up to 30 hours of credit programmning through the Durham College continuous learning department for a nominal the of $5. The offer is designed to assist alumni te increase their job skills and marketability to employers and help themn compote ln an ever-changing workforce. "We feel that it is important to support our graduates in this tough economy," says Gary Polonsky, president of Durham College. The complimentary offer includes aIl credit programs and excludes courses offered through the management centre, productivity improvement centre or general intereat courses. For more information on the credit course offer, which expires August 1994, contact the. alumni office at Durham College, 721-2000, ext. 482. Sharîng perspec;à tives 'Meeting the Challenge of Diversity,' a programn developed by Durham College in partnership with the Durham Reglonal Labour Council, will be offering the next training session in June. Many individuals from organizations attend for personal and professional development. The session will be held on June 21, 22 and 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $66 (plus GST). For more information about the program, cal> Elizabeth McArthur, equity consultant. To register, caîl 416-721-2000, ext. 507. Bym Lucie Rochette Whty teacher Clare Kidd is retiring after 39 years in educa- tien. Kidd bas taught grades 5 6 and 7-8 rotary geograpby at Ë Fairmnan Public School for the past six years. Before that, Kidd tau ght in Ajax. He graduated from Toronto Teacher's college. Dees Kidd enjoy teacbing? "I wouldn't bave stayed at it this long if I didn't,' be remarks jokingly. According to Kidd, "the con- stant challenges" are what be likes the most about bis job, but that wben ha beaves, he'll-miss Most. Kidd jokes that ho "won't miss the hours of marking (students' papers)." It an essential part of it (teaching), but it does get te be a burden," he says. Kidd bas lived in the Whitby area ail ofhis teacbing carcer. When ho retires, he'll "do nothing for a wbile." H1e plans to do some work around the house, and around bis cottage. He'lI also spond more timne curling in the winter. "I've enjoyed teaching and tbat's why I'vc stayed with ît," says Kidd.