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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975, PAGE 13 Communi cation streesed by Godfrey "The lines of communica- tion between students, teach- ers and parents must be open- ed". -Durham West MPP Dr. Charles Godfrey told those attending the officiai. open- ing of the West Lynde Public School Thursday. "The school must take the first step', he said, pointing out that parents evaluate schdols according to what schools were like when they were students. "How many were skeptical when they entered this school for the first time?" he asked. "4Many say the new methods are not working. They are, but the schools are not ietting parents know, what's going on to explain these changes to the parents. "The parent should be made welcome in schools at ail times", said Dr. Godfrey suggesting that the schools-- should invite the parents to visit. He also suggested that the new methods should be taught to the parents. It shouhi have been donewith the new niath and should be dont with the mnetric system", he said. Parents should also be in- volved in the classrooms as volunteers to see. how the new methods work, said Dr. Godfrev. for "Parental sup- port for the school is veîy important. Once the parents are welcoîne, the doors should be open to the rest of the community ". Dr. Godfrey suggested that people fromn various business- es and occupations should be invited to the schools and the students should go out into the community and meet them. Turning to the subject of a child's human needs, Dr. God- frey held up a sheet of paper with the letters IALAC on it, which stood for "I arn loving and capable". "I arn a lO-year-old kid" he said, and proceeded to re- late the events of a child's day. Every time somnething happened to hurt the child's ego, he tore a piece from the paper, until at the end of the day there was nothing left. "A 1-year-old is loving and capable but we tend to turn hirn off by putting him down several tirnes each day", said Dr. Godfrey. "We should emphasize the more positive things presented to us". Report cards are not enough, for teachers should make the child feel important for his accomplishments, he said. Dr. Godfrey also asked if the parents were respondiniz to notes from the teachers, and keeping the teachers in- formed of the child's experiences. "This is two-way com- munication", he said. "Let the child know you have no- ticed an'd you are pleased. Parents need to know what a child's strengths are. We do flot like to be put down but like a pat on the back. Dr. Godfrey said the build- ing, staff and students of West Lynde Public School are one unit and are chailenged by the needs for competence, integrity and joy. "This challenge cannot be met by teachers alone", he said. "Education must there- fore be the responsibiity of of the whole communlty. West'Lynde must be a com- munity school reflecting the needs and concems of the community". Dr. Dave Disney, principal of West Lynde Public Scho o, ddresseshgattîiering of students and teachers assembled in the gynasiurn for the officiai opcning cerernonies, Thursday. Among those on tX-e platfornn beliind Dr. Disney are Mrs. Yvonne Christie, vice-chairman of the Duirham Board of Education, wvho opened the school, and Durham West MPP Dr. Charles Godfrey. guest speaker for the everŽ.i., L ISTEN WEDe NOV. 26 THE 1350 OSHAWA 1350 STATION presents the Issues &cand'idates in the upcomning WHITBY MA YORALTY RACE A% one hour CKLB D)avid Swadling (rigl t) directs the West Lynde girls' choir, wliich provided a portion of the musical progr.m for the schooi's officiai opening. The Anderson Collegiate Band unider the directioni of George Quick was a!co in attendance. A tour of the sehool followed the officiai opening cerenonies. ELECT JIM GARTSHORE. *Council Experience *Budgetary & Finance Experience *in favour of Decentralized Recreation Faciities *Responsive to the Needs of People *Exponent of Phased Development *A straighforward Responsible Council Represen tative ............ *In favour of Planning Adaptable to Economic & Social Changes *A strong, concerned Voice for Whitby on Regional Council FOR MAYOR OF WH ITBY. Story and photos by Brian Winter j. w- i