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OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 Recognized for Excellence by(905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571COntario CommunityCanadian Communitylassified Advertising: 632-4440 Newspapers AssociationNewspapers AssociationCirculation: 845-9742 Open 9-5 weekdays,ATHENASuburban NewspapersAward5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekendsof AmericaEditorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright.NEIL OLIVERVice President and Group ROD JERREDManaging EditorMARK DILLSDirector of ProductionUnauthorized use is prohibited.Publisher of Metroland WestDANIEL BAIRDAdvertising DirectorMANUEL GARCIAProduction ManagerThe Oakville Beaver is a division ofDAVID HARVEYRegional General ManagerRIZIERO VERTOLLIPhotography DirectorCHARLENE HALLDirector of DistributionJILL DAVISEditor in ChiefSANDY PAREBusiness ManagerSARAH MCSWEENEYCirc. ManagerLetter to the editorStudents meritEngaging votersReading inThe Oakville Beaverequal treatmentabout battle lines being drawnbetween parents of special needs andA recent staff report about wait times for psycho-gifted children I got very concernededucational assessments for children in the Haltonabout the philosophy of elitism thatDistrict School Board system is disturbing.has crept into the Halton board of According to the report presented by David Boag,education.superintendent of education, the average wait time toWhy is it that the Halton board of assess students, who are struggling in their class-education started special classes forrooms, is 15 months, but some students can wait asso-called gifted children to startlong as two years, depending on the priority level. Anwith?assessment recommendation can help identify learn-These children already have aing strategies for students, such as entry into specialgood head start in life and in theeducation classes.school system.This problem is compounded by a board decisionAn important part of an educationlast November to begin the gifted student program inI thought was to learn to share, inter-Grades 1 and 2. Prior to that, the earliest age group of act and get along with others: thesestudents entering the gifted program was in Grade 4.others need not be your equal.Board staff began working to assess 360 primaryThis principle and philosophystudents for the gifted program this year, plus it isseems to have gotten lost in ourassessing another 140 Grade 3s for the Grade 4 giftededucational system.program and another 45-50 primary language classDoes anyone realize that this isassessments.one way to getting private schoolingHowever, another roughly 700 students, as of theon the backs of the public system.middle of January, who are struggling in their class-Who at the Halton board broughtTheOakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations rooms, are left on the waiting list. At the current rate,this insidious idea forward and howLetters toand grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Boag said he expects about 250 of those students to become it slipped in very quietly with-Letters should be addressed toThe Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or viae-mail toeditor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.the editorassessed by the end of June.out any great discussion?Currently the board has 18 psych-ed consultantThis is certainly not the mandatepositions, who simply cannot keep up with the demandor the spirit of our education sys-Resident grateful to staff at Lighthousefor assessments.tem.This is a letter of thanks to The Salvationgood use of my time. I found it a humbleIn light of this staff report we have to wonderShame on everyone who cannotArmy Lighthouse staff.place to live close to my family. My injurieswhether trustees realized the full ramifications of theirrecognize whose needs should comeWhen I arrived at the Lighthouse, I hadare now healing and my mind is at ease.decision to accelerate the gifted program lastfirst, especially in a time of financiala fractured orbital bone and eye injury thatI am looking forward to returning toNovember.restraint.left me with limited vision. During my stay,work when I am fully recovered, throughWhile it is admirable to ensure that gifted studentsMrs. Margret Krysmanski, Oakvillewith the Lighthouse, I lost my Uncle Kevinthe help of Goodwill Career Centre.are not frustrated with curriculum that may not chal-to cancer. He will be missed.I was treated by all staff with dignity andlenge them, we question the fairness of accomplishingOne week later, unable to see a flight of respect. I was given the gift of hope whenthis at the expense of students who are struggling inHydro booklet failsstairs, I tripped and sprained my ankle.my life seemed hopeless. For this I will beschool.During this time the staff supported me inforever grateful and my prayers and supportAs it stands now, a student struggling in Grade 1to mention HSTa kind and caring manner.are with you.may have to wait until Grade 3 for an assessment.We received a copy of the newWhile staying at the Lighthouse, I made Keith Faraday, OakvilleThis is far too long. By that time many of the strug-Government of Ontario Electricitygling students may have become frustrated withPrices are Changingbooklet in theschool and developed low self-esteem.mail yesterday.Pud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.comPublic school trustees need to revisit this issue toIt attempts to explain why weensure they are not catering to one group of studentsshould expect to pay more for electric-at the expense of another group.ity going forward.All students gifted or not deserve equal treat-Perhaps Oakville MPP Kevin Flynnment.could tell me where I can find mentionof the introduction of the HST, whichThe Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80has had a direct impact on my electric-Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is acceptedon the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising spaceity bill, as I cannot seem to locate thatoccupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will notfact in the publication.be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate.Roger Cook, OakvilleThe publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 25, 2011 6