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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2000 - 17 | Durham board offers a chance to be 'principal for a day' Principals from:Durham District School: Board schools are looking for local business and com- munity leaders who will participate in a province- wide education initiative, by spending a day in local schools to get a first hand look at both the strengths and the needs of the edu- cation system in this area. On Wednesday, April 12 community across Ontario, from the worlds of business, labour, non-profit organizations, government and even the media, are being invited to become a Principal For A Day, working alongside a principal or vice-princi- pal in a local school. In turn, each participat- ing school administrator will visit the community leader's workplace on a mutually agreeable day before the-end of June.- The project is being organized by The Learning Partnership, a not-for-profit group: that is managed and funded by its members, .and - which also organizes. "the highly regarded national pro- gram, -Take Our Kids to: Work™, every October. The organization's sole purpose is to. strengthen publicly funded educa- tion, and partners include 11 Greater Toronto Area school boards, more than 100 businesses and corpo- rations, several ;post-sec- ondary numerous groups, and all three lev- els of government. School Board, Sgducation officials are hoping to find a community leader to participate in this program at each one of the 117 ele- mentary and secondary schools in the district, and they, are inviting interest- of ople to contact their or school or the board office if they: can get involved. The Principal For A Day project, which has run annually in the Greater Toronto Area since 1997 and started as province- wide program last year, is a significant initiative aimed at gaining a realis- tic understanding of what schools and the communi- o share, as well as how they are differént. leaders - institutions, community: n District" hu In both large urban centres and smaller rural areas, the response has been similar. Increasing numbers of high-profile community leaders have taken the challenge to get involved, and have had nothing but good things to say about their experi- ences at the end of their day in school. "This program has been designed to provide part- nership-building opportu- nities between the com- munity and the public education system," said Veronica Laccy, the C.E.O. and President of The Learning Partnership, "and this kind of collabo- ration will enrich learning opportunities for our chil- dren." "It also aims to height- en community awareness of the diversity of talents inthe -schools,--and - to share ideas on organiza- tional leadership and management techniques," she said. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has been a past participant in "this project, and now pro- vides financial support to The Learning Partnership to help defray the organi- zational expenses associ-. ated with the program. "Spending a day in a school principal is an eye-open- er," said John Hunkin, the President 'and C.E.O. of the CIBC. "- "Understanding what goes. £2 'on-inside the school walls ~ hélps the business com- * , 'munity identify where we can do the most good in terms of supporting edu- "cators." Participation in the Principal For A Day pro-' ject can be initiated by either side, community - leaders are invited to directly contact the princi- pal or vice-principal in a local school and offer to g | get involved. At the same time school administra- tors will be looking for participants from the com- munity to whom they can extend an invitation. shadowing the Students Travel Schools is looking for volunteer fam- ilies to host students from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The students, ages 15 to 18, will be sharing their lives with Canadian families while - attending local high schools five or 10 months beginning ~ this September. "Hosting a student is a great experience for the entire family, and it's a great way for a community to learn more about a country's culture," says Julia Lubczynski, who heads up the STS program. Being a host family means opening up your home and way of life to a teenager from another country just wait- ing for the chance to live and learn with a Canadian fam- ily. Host families provide meals, accommodation, super- vision and care during a student's visit to Canada. Most of the students participating in the program Hosts for exchange students sought have intermediate levels of English, and chose Canada for its friendly people and beautiful natural areas. All of the students are fully insured and are responsible for their own spending money and clothing allowance. The students will be arriving in Canada in late August and returning home after completing their high school year. STS is a non-profit organization that started 40 years ago in Sweden. The organization's goals are to build understanding between people of different countries and cultures. Today, STS has offices in 10 European countries, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada. The Canadian headquarters of STS is located in Waterloo, Ontario, Anyone interested in becoming a host family or studying abroad can contact Julia Lubczynski at 1-800- 265-5316. » WHITBY 110) 4027: I Lease based on 48 months walkaway lease with 24,000 kms per year, taxes plus -~ £3 5 rE For more information "| about the Principal ForA BB Day project, please con~ tact the principal of your local elementary or sec- ondary school. "¥ ap JR ' LH AENEAN WHITBY < oxamp ie $10,000 at 2.8% the monthly payment is $221 180 for 48 months. COB is $584.80. Total obligation is $10,584.80 ZL 0) (0): sen aati Es oy kh. LE. --------,--,---------- AAA dg 3 5 : 3 i 3 y }