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"A Family Tradition for 125 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Real Estate Section - Tuesday, February 25, 1992-9 Most of the major news stories of recent months have been filled with doom and gloom about our economy, the recession and the future of this province and country. The announcement of transfer payments from the province to education recently was no surprise, but I can assure you this board will be working very hard over our budget process to achieve that balance of providing quality programing and keeping costs down. It may very well mean that some of the things we have all taken for granted in education will have to be cut, and although everyone is in favor of this it is sometimes hard to accept when those cuts affect you or your student. We have repeatedly asked the provincial government to stop legislating high cost items and programs ie: Freedom of Information- Protection of Privacy, pay equity, asbestos removal, Jr. Kindergarten, reduced class sizes, child care, drug and AIDS education, occupational health and safety, English as a second language, computer technology, without the dollars that go with it. Most of these are great ideas and would no doubt be implemented over a period of time, but gradually and as we, as taxpayers, can afford it. In these times we cannot afford it, period. We, along with some other large growth boards have even made a proposal as an alternative method of providing a program for four and five-year-olds. We were promised a response before Christmas - the province is still considering. Having said all that, I think it's high time we had some positive news in these bleak winter days. Something that will make us look forward to the future with optimism. I firmly believe unless people start thinking and acting positively things are not going to get any better. There has been some concern about the future of the Art/Music Camp that Durham. students, in the past, have been able to attend. Tuition fees were set at $475 per student, making the program self-sufficient. A five-year agreement with the camp was signed on the understanding that it would undergo extensive renovations to meet the reducing, recycling and re-using commitments undertaken by the board. So this worthwhile opportunity for Durham students will continue. A Durham initiated project - The Integrated Apprenticeship Program was developed two years ago with the approval of the Ministries of Education and Skills Development. Teachers, agencies worked together as a team to implement the program, which In Education attracts young people into the skilled trades area and provides graduates with marketable skills. For the first time in Canadian history students graduated last June with both. the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and as registered first year apprentices. And it happened in Durham. In 1987 the Radwanski Report stated that the provincial drop-out rate was approximately one in three students. We have refined our data collection methods and have determined that Durham's rate is much less. Many initiatives of our board over the last few years has had significant impact on our at-risk students and our latest findings show that indeed the vast majority of Durham's students, almost 91 per cent stay in school to complete their diploma. Our board made a decision to have an external comprehensive audit of student transportation, to streamline and make our system more cost efficient. As a result of implementing the recommendations of the audit we were able to eliminate a number of vehicles, and the cost savings are estimated to be about $3,600 per day. The transportation policy has not been changed but is being monitored and implemented consistently throughout the system. Our transportation department is continuing to work on tightening up the system and we are looking for further reductions next Sept. in spite of the expected growth in our region. We are also continuing to seek co- operation with the Separate School System to avoid duplication of service. Trustees believe that our educational institutions must provide leadership in developing values and practices which recognize the fragile nature of our environment. To that end we have developed an environmental policy, highlights of which: continuing to develop ecologically sound business practices; reduction of use of toxic substances; use of curricula to create awareness; continue to develop and implement energy, waste and water reduction techniques; and retention of natural landscaping and wildlife habitats on our properties. Locally, Mr. Rob Ferguson of R.H. Cornish Public School has undertaken a very ambitious project to provide a habitat on the school site. This is a great learning opportunity for students as they will be taking part in planting and maintenance and will be able to take advantage of the habitat for years to come. Rob will be taking advantage of the "Trees for All" program from the Durham Board where trees may be removed from the site of the new Whitby Secondary School of Education Centre, and is also seeking grant money hoping for donations of trees, shrubs, rocks and stones from the community. Congratulations to Rob and those who helped him, we'll be watching the development this spring. Our board has changed existing lighting to more efficient types in areas of 24 of our schools. Through co- operative efforts with Ontario Hydro, this has resulted in an annual cost savings of over $11,000. Based on the energy cost savings, the board will recover its investment in just under three years. The Durham Board of Education continues to be the most energy efficient board in the province of Ontario. On a more local level, "Chinook" from Port Perry High School, a clarinet ensemble of five, performed for the Board of Trustees at the Dec.. 9 public board meeting. The young ladies were there with their teacher Peter Chellew, and principal Ted Morrison, and did an outstanding job. Joyce Kelly and myself were two very proud trustees. You may be aware that prior to winter break, meetings with staffs and parent's association executives were held at Prince Albert P.S., R.H.. Cornish P.S., and S.A. Cawker PS. regarding the modified school year. These schools had some of the criteria that was required for a successful pilot project. However, also part of the criteria was that there be a two-thirds majority in favor, on the part of the staff and parents executive, to seek more information and in-depth consultation with the community. Although there was a great deal of interest overall, there was not the required majority to proceed at this time. Six schools in the region have indicated an interest in going to the next step of receiving further and more in-depth information so that the staff and parents can make an educated vote on whether to request to be one of the pilot projects. There are three schools in Oshawa -- Coronation P.S,, Athabasca P.S. and Grove School, two schools from Whitby, R.A. Hutchison P.S. and West Lynde P.S. a) one Pickering school -- Highbush At the beginning of the new year and effective Feb. 1 there are a number of administrative changes within Scugog. The community may.view this as an unusual time of year to be making changes of this nature. The reasons for this are that Dec. 31 is a time that a number of people choose to-retire and replacements must be found, and also that new schools scheduled to open in Sept. 1992 have their principals in place Feb. 1 to facilitate planning. The changes affecting Scugog are: Peter Fawcett has been transferred from principal of Cartwright H.S. to Durham Alternate Secondary Education {D.A.S.E.} to replace the retiring principal. Mrs. Mickie Petursson is the new principal effective Jan. 1. Ellen Correll, principal of Prince Albert PS. is being transferred to the new Hermitage P.S. and Margaret Hildenbrand from Cartwright Central P.S. will be taking her place. These changes will take place Feb. 1. Rick DeJong V.P. of R.H. Cornish will be moving to Cartwright as V.P. filling Margaret's vacancy. Effective Feb. 1. Linda Fockler from Epsom P.S. was successful in making the vice-principals short list and will be replacing Rick at R.H. Cornish. We wish those who are leaving us well, we will miss you a great deal, you have played a very important part in our children's lives. We are pleased that the shuffle has kept many of our valued people within our family of schools and we wish happiness and success in your new environment. A great big Scugog welcome to Mickie Petursson who comes from Harwood Secondary School. In closing may I remind you that Joyce Kelly and myself are here to serve you. If you have any questions or concerns please call either of us: Joyce (986-4257) or myself Bobbie Drew (985- 7183). i} Cr II-- 280. & Invoices © News Releases © o letters © e Real Estate Transactions e Any kind of important documents e ANYWHERE WORLDWIDE - PORT PERRY STAR - OFFICE CENTRE PORT PERRY, ONT. r. PHONE 985-7383 FAX (416) 985-3708 3 188 MARY STREET - ALL DAY/NIGHT SERVICE 3 ENTRE PORT PERRY STAR A Family Tradition in y Port Perry and area for 145 Yoars OFFICE C SN NR BUSINESS CARDS e ADVERTISING PROMOTIONS e FAXING e LETTERHEADS BUSINESS FORMS e PHOTO COPIES e RUBBER STAMPS e CALCULATORS oe WEDDING INVITATIONS e BUSINESS MACHINES e SCHOOL SUPPLIES e BRISTOL BOARD e COMPUTER SUPPLIES e AVERY LABELS 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY - 38- 1383 FAX 985-3708