8-The Canadian Champion, Friday, February 11, 2005 ]FÀMILY CHIROPRÀCTJC CARl We 7under my roof beiee..Talk of grade 7-12 amalgamation .4 I Marin Si ee, MitonNo position taken by board, says director modl'e snlirsîakiflg Although the tongue weighs very littlefew people are able ta hold it. By KIM ARNOiT Specti ta The Champion alns Cathotîc seboot board adminis- trators came under lire recently, as trustees qnestioned Iheir deciston iii publîcly muse about the possibility of cornbtning studenîs troru graîdes seven to 12 itt one school. tncluded in the board's agenda as an information item was a report billed as 'a preliminary review oi' the research" mbt grade seven to 12 scboot configurations. That same report, which outlînes some general informnation about the configura- tion, as well as listing some "advantages" and 'cinccrns" with the model, was recently presenicd Io scbool council chairs, along with a request for feedback on the concept. Public conccm about the idea is already escalating. "In a generation when the concerus of growîng up too fast are wîdespread, would this mode! not only exacerbate thîs," read one letter from a school council. "At some point, if the current funding formula stili prevails, some tough decisions wiII have to be made." Lou PUVEAN The report presented by board staff says ihat tîte 7-12 model would allow better use of' available space in cxisting scbools, would provide an easier transition to high school for grade seven and eight students, and might facilitate greater opportunity for co-curricular activities, staff planning and peer mentoring. Howcver, it notes as a concern the fact that some people believe younger students might be bullied by older unes, or drawn Director ul EdLîCation Lou Piovesan bold trustees thai the basic research gaihered for tîte report is simply a siarting point. -We haven't taken a position on this." he said. Hossever, Mr. Piovesan noted the board will scion lace a funding cruncli as ut aitempts to finance tlie building ot nev. schoots. 'At some point, if the curreni liunding formula still presails, some tough deci- sions will have iii be made," he added, sug gesting the board witl have tii look at such options as changing boundaries. closing schools and cbanging grade configurations. "This is not a new concept," he said. "It cxists in hundreds ut high schoots across Canada." Following the comments by trustees, Mr. Piovesan said staff wouldn't attempt to sur- vey parents on the issue until further infor- mation is collected and considered by trustees. BAR STOOLS Over 150 différent styls to chioose from Highland Internor Woodworking Ltd. 4060 Fairview Street, Burlington, (at Walkers Line) 905-637-1195 ~whghandchair.ca e Tuesday - Friday 9-5 & Saturday 10-3 Looking for a way to make a difference? Habitat For Humanity Halton is looking for people in Milton and Halton HuIs interested in serving on its board of directors. An înterest in housing issues is a must, and prcvîous board expe- rience is beneficial. An enjoyment of fundraising and relationship- building in the community is required. Meetings take place the third Tuesday of each month. 1 The position requires a three-year commitment hegtnning thîs month, with six t0 10 hours required monthly. Habitat For Humanity is an international non-profit organization that gathers volunteers and partners them with families-in-need to build homes. Selected famities work alongside volunteers to build their homes. and must contribute 500 hours of volunteer lime. For more information, caîl Susan Goetz ai (905) 637-4446 or visit www.habitathalton.ca. You'd give up your lfe for them. Is that why you're stili smoking? Every year, thitosands of Ontarisats stop smtoking. For themselves. For their faavilies. For Life. You can too. So sel your quit date. And for help, call Smokers' Heipline: 1-877-513-5333. SOntario Habitat For Humanity needs dire ctors , ý1-888-321-111433