Page 28, Whitby Free Press, Wednosdlay, Juno 29, 1994 By Nancy Cotter, head ibrary resource SINCLAIR SECONDARY SCHOOL We have flot rnoved in. The school wor't be ready for September. There are no teachers. Sinclair bas no textbooks. Sinclair has a sw im- ming pool ... rumours ..rumours... ruTnours. Around every anticipated event abound certain untruths that create hype and genuine cuiosity. WeIl, the truth to the matter ia we have moved in, we will be ready for September.. .with your help, of course. We have the greatest teaching staff, with exciting curriculum and lots of resources both in print and electronic media. But regarding the swimming pool.. not! On Thursday the school passed safety inspection and with Kaye Egan principal, now viaibly in the main office, planning continues for what promises to be the most exciting event in your education path. Many of the 54 teaching staff saw for the first tiine the facility that will house the many programa and opportunities for Sinclair students. The phones are ringing constantly as students gl an to register at Sinclair, aving recently moved into the new housing complexes north of Roséland. We will be ready and available throughout- the summer to respond to questions or concerna. Cali the Sinclair achool office at 668-5400. HENRY STREET High School Cgraduate Brandon Nussey is tetop f irst-year business stu- dent in the history of Wilfrid Laurier University. Nussey got a perfeCt 12 grade average (A+) in ail his courses. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whitby Fre Press Grade 1 French immersion off ere d As of Sept. 1, 1994 the Durhamn Board of Education will offer a F'rench immersion program for students entering Grade 1. The class, located at F.M. Heard Public School, a French immersion achool in Whidtby, is designated for stu dents who are beginning the study cf French as a second language. Parents do not need to have a backgrou!nd in French. Al communication wth the home is m 'English. Students who live more than 1.6 kilomnetres from the scheol are entitled te transportation. For more information or ta, regiater, contact Wayn le principal cf F.M . fIard, a 668-3251, 668-9827 or 668-6048 «r C. Daleman, suiperintendent of education, at 666-2500, ext. 325. On a program note, the integrated arts team -- teachers of music, art, drama and dance -- are on the lookout for people in the community who wish to share their Asian heritage with our students. Sinclair Secondary Schoël is committed to community involvement and to this end one of the educational experiences we have planned for our Grade 9 students is based on an 'Arts Upon a Tyme' theme set in the Orient. Nf you have any traditional dresa or cultural articles, if you can effer programs or denionstrations, share your expertise with us. If you would like te contribute te our planning teani, contact us at the school. Leave your name and number and we will be in touch. Any and aIl experiences are welcome and will become a valuable cultural learning experience te atudents in the arts program. Bus orientation planned The Durham Board of Education and the Durham separate school board will hold a school bus orientation day on Saturday, Aug. 27, for al kcindergarten students. The aim is te introduce children and their fainilies te school buses in a informal setting prier te the first day of school. Parents are invited te bring their kindergarten children and other children in the family te a one-hour prograrn beginning at 1Oami. Bus rides and a Winnie the Pooh safety videow*11lbe part of the informative fun. Itwilea good opportunitv for parents te catch their child's first bus ride on video or in pictures. Parents are asked te register with the bus company below that serves their child'a school: Stock (357-3187), Laidlaw (1-800-263- 7987), Scugog Transit (985-2323), First Tran (655-3381) or Charterways (683-3320). At the time of registratio parents will be advised of the location of the school bus orientation day in their area. For further information, contact Durham board manager of transportation Carol Johnston at 434-5122 or separate board superviser of transportation Kathleen Pezzarelo at 576-6150. AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR Barbara Reid read two of her stories, 'The New Baby Caif' and 'Effie,' on the television show Teddy Bear Time for which t apin was held recently at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School and Whitby Montessori Sohool. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whltby Free Press Board, teachers reach agreement The Durhamn Board of Education, the Ontario Public School Teachers' Federation - Durhami District, and the Durhami Women Teachers' Association have reached an agreement on the implernentatien of the second year of the social contract. The revised sub-target for this group will require elementary teachers in Durhamn who earn more that $30,000 per year te Awards for sepa rate teua c h erso students Whitby separate school tea- chers and students were among those who received special recog- nition on Monday nighýt, June 20. The Ontario Separate School Trustees Association Youth Award went te Michael Brannon of St. John the Evangelist Catho- lic School. Youth awards were also pre- sented te, Kelly Rignaîl of Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, Sarah Tunney of St. Leo Catholic School and Lesly Joseph of St. Mark the Evangehist C=th olic School. Awards are given to students who have strong Catholic leader- ship qualities, who are involved in school affaira and activities and who demonstrate a commit- ment te, a difficult situation, task or probleni. Twenty-five-year service awards were presented te tea- chers Ida Edgecombe of St. Ber- nard Catholic School Marilyn Caldwell of St. Pau1 Catholic Sehool, Nicole Huneault Aud- rone LeBreton and g!d;ard Shannon, aIl of St. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic School. take four unpaid leave <laya during the period April 1, 1994 te March 31, 1995. These days will be taken before the scheduled winter break resulting in achools being cloeed for 10 weekdays frem March 6 te 17, 1995. To ensure the full number of instructional <ays for students, professional activity days previously scheduled for Sept. 16 and Nov. 7, 1994 and F'eb. 10 and June 8, 1995 will become regular school days when both teachers and students will attend. The payroll deduction for the four unpaid leave <laya will be spread equally ever the peried September 1994 te June 1995. Employees in this bargaining unit who earn less than $30,000 per year will not be adversely affected by the agreement. Although they will net rport te work on the four un paid leave days prior te the winter break, this time will be rescheduled by their school principal and no ls of pay will result. Staff reduttions mandated by the Social Côntract Act will be reached, as much as possible, through attrition. It is expected that reductions of Durham board elementary teachers will reach 53.5 positions in each of the second and third years of the social contract. The agreement for the second year of the social contract, ratified by the teachers on June 9 and by the board on June 13, will mean ne change in the Durham board'à annual budget. -n R.A. SENNETT Public School students who are members of the 'breakfast club' extend a hand of thanks to David Soni- chetti (left) of Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise and Tom Murphy (right) of the Kiwanis. The two service clubs su pport the program, which provides a breakfast for around 30 students each morning during the school year. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whitby Free Press