NEWS
editionap.ca
“Who’s in charge?” demands UCDSB trustees
and school districts. The government’s ac- tion follows on earlier decisions made re- garding the operations of English catholic school boards. For now the UCDSB trustees and execu- tive have decided to limit their response to two letters, one each to Premier Dalton McGuinty and to the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA). The letters will explain the board’s own concerns about the new policy direction of the government, which has been in effect since 2003, but the letters also demand the premier take action
tle contract issues, is breaking down. A memorandum of understanding be- tween the province and the OECTA is for a two-year agreement that includes a sal- ary freeze for teachers at English catholic schools during the next two school years and a 1.5 per cent pay cut for teachers in the form of three unpaid professional develop- ment days. The agreement also includes approval of a plan to restructure the salaries and ben- efits grid to allow for “long-term sustain- able savings” and to eliminate the current retirement gratuity that covers payment of unused sick leave. The ministry, in a back- grounder on the OECTA agreement, states this gratuity helped create a $1.7 billion lia- bility for school boards. The province wants to replace the present sick leave plan with a short-term program that includes a maxi- mum of 10 sick days for teachers. The ministry plans to use the OECTA agreement “as a roadmap for local bargain- ing over the summer months and all other teacher and staff unions, and the trustee associations are encouraged to meet to dis- cuss this understanding so that additional agreements can be reached.” The UCDSB wants to make sure that trust- ees and school district management remain “equal partners” in any new deals discussed at the provincial level.
613 850-5744 LA MAISON DU STORE/BLINDS par Danny & Sandra Décor Blinds The UCDSB will also ask the OPSBA for an emergency meeting concerning the poten- tial effect of a recent agreement between the ministry and the Ontario English Catho- lic Teachers Association (OECTA) on English public school districts. The board’s concern is that the system of trilateral negotiations, which has been the usual method for the province, school boards, and unions to set- to involve parents and the rest of the public in deciding whether or not the government continues with its new centralization plan. “This (centralization) has happened with little or no public debate or any rationale on how this will improve student achieve- ment,” stated Greg Pietersma, UCDSB chair- man, in a press release. “It’s time to ask the question, ‘Who is in charge of the school house?’ Citizens of Ontario need to debate whether schools will continue to be run lo- cally or from Toronto.” UCDSB trustees gave unanimous ap- proval to a motion demanding the premier organize a public debate on both provin- cial government policies for centralizing decision-making on financial management, labour relations and other concerns affect- ing operations of local schools. The debate would also cover the roles of school boards, trustees, school district groups, and the Ontario Education Ministry in the 21st century.
VISION@EAP.ON.CA PRESCOTT-RUSSELL
BROCKVILLE| Ontario’s Education Minis- try may face some opposition from Eng- lish public school districts over a new pol- icy that the English catholic school boards have accepted. The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) held a special emergency commit- tee of the whole session to decide how it plans to respond to current ministry efforts to centralize its power over public schools
Rabies warning about bats VISION@EAP.ON.CA PRESCOTT-RUSSELL
or barn attic during the day if the creature can gain access through chinks or cracks in the roof or side of the building. Their nor- mal roosting sites are in caves, hollow trees, or abandoned buildings. Anyone who comes in close contact with a bat, whether through simple handling of the creature, or from a bite or scratch,
OTTAWA | Fromnow until the late fall, resi- dents are urged to avoid any close contact with bats, and not because of any vampire superstitions and folklore. Bats are one of the most common wild
animals prone to contracting and carrying the rabies virus. The disease may be trans- ferred to humans or other animals through bites and scratches. Bats in Canada are most active at night during the period between July and September before they go into their winter hibernation
should was the affected skin area with soap and water then call the near- est public health office to report the incident and re- ceive instructions. Also call a family doctor to check on rabies and tetanus vaccine treatment. If possible, leave the bat undisturbed and call ani-
Photo: www.billbatboy.ca
stage. Most of the time they avoid contact with humans while flying about in search of their insect prey. Bats infected with rabies may attack humans or other targets during the later stages of the disease when it af- fects the brain and central nervous system. Bats, both those infected and ones that are disease-free, may roost inside a house
mal control to report its presence. If the bat is found dead or is stunned, then use net- ting to contain it and avoid direct contact. Wear thick gloves and use some sort of tool to pick it up and bag it for handover to an animal control or health official for testing. For more information go to www.ottawa. ca/health or call the public health office.
HEURES D’OUVERTURE
Mardi-mercredi- jeudi
10 h 30 à 18 h 10 h 30 à 20 h 8 h 30 à 14 h
Vendredi
Samedi
3433, ch. Gendron, Hammond ON
Gift
Ceramic
Savou rez... d’u ne rive a l’a utre!
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online