The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Until then, we’re better off calling it the Unsafe Schools Act. What’s clear is that our schools need to do more to protect and provide legiti- mate assistance to victims of bullies. The act needs to ensure that focus. The pendulum has swung too far to the other side, with administrators apparently reluctant not only to take action against bullies, but to even help their victims. Once again, Ms Wynne said her min- istry will review the act this fall. Were Daniel’s tormenters simply being mean? Justice for Children and Youth stated, “Not all unkind speeches or actions are bullying. Nor do social preferences indi- cate bullying. We must, and legislation must distinguish between bullying and expression which may be rude, mean or disrespectful ...” lETTERS POLICY Bullying became a part of the debate, with youth justice advocates argmng students should not be disciplined for conduct that “does not constitute genu- ine bullying". Following consultation with the public, the province took to heart rec- ommendations for change focusing on prevention, progressive discipline, par- ent and community involvement and programs for suspended and expelled students in Bill 212. than 400 words and must include a daytime telephone number. name and address. The Sun-Tribune reserves the right to pubhlh or not publish andlto amt hr clarity and w. Luna to .0 allot. m Sin-M 8200 M It. The Sun-Tribune welcomes you: letters. All submissions must be less Education Minister Kathleen Wynne readily admitted to us the legislation doesn’t address the needs of victims. On one hand, the board put the onus on him to avoid the bullies, while on the other hand, it urged Daniel to confront them in a “restorative meeting". Hewasvictimizedalloveragainby the very people who are supposed to ensure he is safe at school. When his family finally learned of the repeated attacks, they turned to the York Region Distn'ct School Board for help. He turned on himself, cutting his skin and abusing drugs in a desper- ate attempt to release the pain bottled up inside since the bullying began in elementary school. Years of verbal and attack had taken their toll. Just ask Daniel Sebben, who dropped out of his Newmarket high school rather than face another day of being threat- ened and called derogatory names. And recent amendments to the act appear to do more to protect bullies, rather than their victims. Despite the McGuinty government’s good intentions to make our schools safe with its Safe Schools Act, some remain places of harassment, terror and trauma for students who are bullied. 6 WM-mlmmam Bullies rule with Unsafe Schools Act MA :07 )muonIyrml.com and one physical 1mm MEDIA Mariam; 8: Advertising Dam Andmvs dandruwsOyV-mg.wm EDITORIAL Editor Iim Mason Imamnt mm Stouffville has had enough tragedy over the years in the loss of young lives. Do we really need to start adding guns into the equation? It seems that a number of the convenience stores are not there for those ‘quick’ pick-up items, they’re stocked with knock-offs. For your information, I am a hon-smoker. I am neither advocating for the right of smokers nor am I necessarin against guns. I am against the ability for anyone to walk in and purchase these items. Do we not have enough problerfis 6n our streets with gun violence? I knowthese guns cannot be authentic and that’s even scarier. I can see the headlines now: “teenager shotAby police ... fake gun!” Stores selling cigarettes to individuals who make their own choice to smoke now have to keep them hidden from the public eye, yet anyone of any age can walk in and see these guns for sale, sitting on a shelf, in plain view. I was chilled to think these guns would end up in sgmeone’s hands and end in tragedy. I questioned why the guns were there and was it really necessary for a local convenience store to be selling them. I was promptly told it was not illegal and I was the only one who didn't like it. Upon approaching the counter, I noticed two guns were for sale behind the counter. They were in a box and each clearty marked 18-andâ€"over. After stopping in quickly to make a purchase in one of our Stoufl‘ville variety stores, I felt compelled to write to you. Knock-off guns could lead to tragedy Bonnie Rondmu brondeauOyrmg. com Anvmmsmc Stacey Allen sallenOynng.mm SW-Tribune PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot VICTORIA CORRIGAN STO UFFVILLE Letters to the Editor 6290 Mah St. sum, 0N.t4A 167 wuyumnmm PRODUCTION Team Leader Sherry Day The show would be no less extravagant, and our local firework artist’s style will not be cramped. Being ethical about our purchases is one more rea- son to beproud of our local culture. In 1995, Free The Children convinced the City of Toronto to pass a resolution not to purchase fire- works for its events made by children. If the Town of Whitchurch-Stouflyille has not yet done the same, I’m sure it is possible to do the research and follow the example of our influential neighbour. These children are at great risk from the moment they are sold by their financially desperate families to these companies for a promise of monetary return that is often never shown. These children, aged as young as four, are at a daily risk of explo- sion and many are killed. These are very important factors in firework purchasing because, as has been brought to my awareness recently, there are many firework fac- tories in developing countries that employ very young children. 1 show. Where in the world? Who is producing them? I read in Alyshia story we had a proud collection from_ around tug world for our July But with my years, so have complex issues an'sen and I must speak to this one: Where do the fireworks come fmm? Re: Fireworks are in sky artistfs blood, June 243 The Stoufl’ville Canada Day fireworks are always a grand and enthralling display. I attended them many times in my childhood and was lucky to be back for this year’s show. . Where do our fireworks come from? - Ans!!! Robert Lazurko john Pathey annoan DeboraKaUy m WMG You Ramon humus Inn-mun Mum I: Dunno-non Gm Manama a Ban-y Black Bob Dean (:Imificd: 1-800â€"743-3353 Fax Fax DISTRIBUTION 905-640-2612 ADVERTISING 905-640-26 l 2 905-640-261 2 x: 905-640-8778 EDITORIAL 905-640-8778 J ymbuaoc 1115' en. If the Town yet done the re research and a neighbour. Iravagant, and ot be cramped. ; one more rea- HELEN DREW S 'IDUFFVILLE And we haven’t even touched on the people who subjected man’s best fn’end to the torture treatment Canada Day fireâ€" works must be in the canine kingdom. Hey, has the death of Courtney Trem- pe by a dog here 10 years ago been forgotten? Sadly, yes, by many. Get in the dog house, Stouffville. Iim Mason is editor of The Sun- Tribune. A York Region Media Group community newspaper ihe Sun-Tribune, published everyThursday and Saturday. is a division of the Metroiand Media Group Ltd.. a whollyowned subsidiary ofTorstar Corporation. Metroiand is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontario. The York Region Newspaper Group inciudesThe Uberai. sewing Richmond Hill and Thomhiil, Vaughan Citizen. The Era-Banner (Newmarket/Aurora). Markham Economist Sun. Georgina Advocate, York Region Business Times. North of the City, yorkregioncom and York Region Printing. Duncan. Cncuumou Thanks to Town of Whitchurch- Stbufiville bylaw control officers for step- ping in on some occasions. TWO years ago, York Regional Police was involved in at least one dog fight. Dogs went at each other, teeth bared. Some yelped wildly. Small children, especially those in strollers at eye level to the canines, reeled back. Bottom line? If your dog can be aggressive, don’t take him or her into situations that are rife with potential conflict Like a street wall to wall with humans, golf carts, skateboards and other canines under the late-lune sun. And, for the most part, they were obe- dience-school behaved, but, like kids in claes, there are always a few bad actors. Big, little. Pulling their masters or being pulled themselves. Chihuahuas and daschunds, to sheep dogs and Ger- man shepherds. The United Nations of the canine world, if you will. When I wasn't observing just how creative we humans can be with the placement of our tattoos (there’s another column in there, trust me), I was check- ing out the dogs. People look forward to this day all year. They told me so last Saturday, while I volunteered at a booth in the middle of all the action. The main drag is closed to vehicles. It's a great place to meet and mingle, to run into folks you won’t see anywhere else all year. Sorry, Fido, Rover and Lassie. I like dogs like you, trust me. When you are in your place. And, in most cases, that means not on Main Street during the Saturday of the Strawberry Fest. Get in the dog house, where you belong, Stoujfixille Lynn Pashlco 'Suhfi-Tribune with Jim Mason Off The Top