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21 4-mhe Canadian Champion, Friday, March 7. 2003 SOTENOTRO SCNGHMET IEOKTI Puie fedrwom aWelabe in seveali Oak Kitche Cenfre Island different styles and tinishes. with tNe top. GreatseLection of' armoirs nÎght stands 10 lstan choices. and ladies and ments dressers. lbTp measres 56",x 40". SOUTHi 0F 401 AT GUELN UNE, CAMILVUL (go5)85E.. I0",,.NIHMD OID B.KFRNT \Uili( urO i100ý11 hmifE IYU hI1tITIUpaRWu icTI lU Uetionolf)ik BlfIkfiJ JK, SK programs to stay sanie for next fWve vears By TIM WHITNELL Special to The Champion The two methods of delivering junior and senior kindergarten programs will con- tinue to *be offered at the Halton District School Board for at least another five years. InternaI and extemnal reviews of JK and SK delivery models resulted in no clear cut determination about which is better for a young child's learning. On the recommendation of Education Superintendent Barry Finlay, school board trustees recently agreed to a five-year study of the effectivenets of the ail-day, altemate day delivery in relation to the half-day, every-day program. A survey of parenta who have had or cur- rently have young children in the program will be undertaken tis spring. T'he board will work with its own teach- mng staff and the Halton Region Health Department in the development of the sur- vey. Currently, the Halton public board has 58 elementary achools with kindergarten pro- grarna. Eight, representing 469 students, use the half-day, every day attendance model while the -other 50, representing 4,442 pupils, utilize the altemnate-day, aIl- day model. T'hose using the half-day model (momn- ing or aftemnoon) have the nptinn to do so because they have no children eligible for busing under board policy. In a presentation to the board last week, Mr. Finlay told trustees the Halton Catholic board offers only the half-day, every-day model and provides mid-day bus trans- portation for ail of ita eligible kindergarten pupils. There's a significant cost difference in administering the two JK/SK modela. Mr. Finlay noted a current figure for pro- viding mid-day busing at the public board isn't available, but projected costs in March 2001 for 100 per cent implementa- tion of the balf-day, every-day model were $605,1 19; projected costs at that time for busing under the ail-day, altemnate-day model were just $160,000, However, Mr. Finlay stressed that pro- gram effectiveneas should be the deternnn- ing factor if the board is to seule on one model or the other in the future. "Given the lack of research in this area and the conflicting resulta of studies con- ducted on the effecta of kindergarten deliv- ery modela on young children, it is extremely difficult to determnine which model, if any, holds the greatest benefit for young children," Mr. Finlay said in bis board presentation. 1 NWDNSA SEIR SAV 10,, ON THI OA HPIGBLL X aON PC Town of Mitton is now accepting aplcfosfor the... E- Ê' 1