pene lage = - oO ee ee a, a ee ee Fae em a ge ead ape ae ne ae ee ee “school. September will see and hear ~ a COLETTE ST. AMOUR TERRACE — Somebody peek- ing into a Terrace primary ‘classroom Some revolutionary things, ~The neat rows of desks willbe : ; gone, replaced by small group- ings of chairs and tables... “in local this .-. _ Things will be differen schools this fall Classes will have children of dif-’ |. ferent ages and teachers. will be... | science - and 7 teaching © math, English at the same time. ‘The changes are part of the’: province's Year 2000 master plan on education: which calls for. sweeping changes to the: public school systent. “Terrace primary schools will offer’ a more individualized » -|° method of teaching where | children ‘progress at their own rate automatically going into in- | termediate’ school after four years,” ‘says Helen McAskill who is helping co-ordinate the. . primary changeover. The physical. appearance of the classes are changing to ac- commodate the new learning _concepts. Groups of same and mixed-age children will travel around the classrooms studying - subjects at “learning centers’? iristead of sitting in the same desk all day. “At each of the learning centers the students studying — one theme will learn all of their academic subjects through their work. A study of animals, for instance, will involve math, science and reading. The old progressive English readers will be gone, replaced by children’s literature from which the themes will be taught. Bécause some of the themes will be taught in mixed-age groups McAskill says that ‘within each theme there will be exercises or activities for each level of children.”' ‘Teachers with a special in- terest. or knowledge in certain themes will work in those areas instead of teaching all subjects. “This allows the school to take a better advantage of teachers’ Strengths,”” said McAskill.: i pit Massive changes occurring TERRACE — Sweeping and radical changes are coming to B.C.'s public school system. The focus of the new system, coming this fall to local primary schools and by 1992 for all other schools, is on a more in- divjdually tailored education. School district director of in- struction Harold Cox said the philosophy behind the changes is that ‘children learn at dif- ferent rates, and they should be allowed to progress individually at those rates — in their own direction.” ; Letter grades will be eliminated for all but grade 11 and 12 students, and the em- phasis will be taken off universi- ty entrance in the latter stages of school. ©. Primary students will be lear- ning their subjects through themes — seasons, space, animals — rather than in- dividually. If studying seasons, for example, they would count the ‘seasons, read books about the “seasons and study science through the themes. - Even some of the grade designations are changing. The current division of students into kindergarten, elementary and high school categories will be THESE SCHOOLDESKS are being replaced by large tables and chairs in Terrace primary schools this year as part of the province's sweeping changes to the education system. Schoolteacher Helen McAskill, who is helping co-ordinate the switchover to the new system, says instead of sitting in the one, same desk every day, children will move around to different tables learning seperate subjects at each The students will have. three formal written: reports a year and two informal reports which will be either a parent-teacher meeting, a phone cail or a note. McAskill says children will feel more responsible, and in- terested, in what they’re learn- ing under the new system. “They! ll also, ‘be assessed ona changed to a-four-year primary program, a. seven-year in- termediate program and a two- year graduation program. Never before tried in North America, the $1.5-billion, 10-year plan wili replace. the current program with a con- tinuous learning system, All stu- dent, except graduate program, can only be failed under extreme cir- cumstances . and will automatically graduate into the next grade in the intermediate and primary programs, Required to do 100 hours of work experience, graduate students will have three options on how: they want to be educated — a college/university preparation program, an ap- prenticeship and career prepara~ tion program and a third option called the exploration program. The exploration program ‘will allow kids with special in- - terests to create their own pro- grams,” says Cox. ‘Before everyone -had to fit into little squares and you were in trouble if you didn’t,'” - It is problems such as ‘this, and .a failure rate of approx- imately 30 per cent that has_ ‘brought about the upcoming those ‘in the’ more personal and ongoing basis than in the past,”’ she says. First-time students will be let into school at two separate dates, September and January, rather than just once a year. The dual-entry date is now be- ing allowed because the con-° tinuous learning concept of the Year 2000 changes: will allow changes in the current education system. Helen McAskill, co- ordinator of the primary school switchover says, ‘‘The school system somewhere down the line; these changes are needed.” In 1987 and 1988 aroyal com- mission on education looked in- to the problems and found the existing system worked well for students intending to go to col- lege or university but not for the majority who didn’t, The recommendations of the Sullivan report formed the base for the Year 2000 paper, but the proposed changes haven't stop- ped the criticism of the educa- tion system merely changed its direction because the Year 2000 report has. raised.. many ques- tions for both: teachers and parents. : * Teachers and parents: are afraid children are guinea pigs ~ in a massive education. experi- ment and will suffer if the pro- ject-is scrapped as a failure or cut back after a‘few years because of a change in govern- ment or government priorities. ® Parents at a: January forum on the Year 2000 changes in Terrace expressed concern that teachers aren’t prepared for the changes. McAskill says teachers Let's give ita chance By VESTA DOUGLAS Terrace resident Vesta Douglas is a former school prin- cipal and teacher whose worked ' in education for more than 40 | years.’ She was Terrace's. Sirst.. Citizen of the Year in 1971 and__ - ~ is also a Freeman of the city. Education is living and learn- ing, and I see that happening in’ “many. ‘classrooms’ ['ve- ‘been | privileged to visit. system. seem to be. keeping the best of the old along with the — new ideas. They seem worth. try- ing. “Gondemnation - “without ‘ex: amjnation isnot a good idea, "The ‘Year 2000 approrch of. continuous:, progress: Is’ ;much :- Bs _Delleve. they. will allow. for. like. our former. levels, system, laa ces sen inn Se ene ome ta Bere aaa Lal or ace all arate eet eee an, We had groups — now called (work stations — work on _dif- ferent projects ard record their should be considered as part of the whole language approach. situation where people have to Primary’ schools will longer have rows of desks -but' tables will be used to allow for more freedom of movement and : more discussion. results, I believe this approach - This group idea is now dubb-: - ed co-operative learning, and it... is just that., It calls for. co- operation, individual attention, and; yes, it will be competitive. 5, It’ will ,be more like a family _ _ The upcoming Year 2000 ; - changes in the primary school: work ‘together;. it will be. a.*. challenge to self discipline. «: +: no: dividual progress and individual anecdotal reports, Another. upcoming . change this year.is ‘the dual date for en- ‘try inta® kindergarten. This is nota really new idea. When: ‘I’ ‘taught. we had a ‘period where ‘grade one students had to. be, six years old before - December 31 before being let in- to school | it’ caused a lot of disagreement Ca The past methods of teaching are substantial in many facets of earning, but they are not etched “in'stone, and maybe we should “try a'néw approach. There has certainly. been considerable - Criticism ‘of. our. past efforts, » It is my opinion that teaching ‘The group reports that will be sris'a fewarding, difficult profes- given: ‘out are. important. Sion; andthe majority of teachers me: it-our support. . is failing children. children to come into school half-way through the year without slowing down others in the class. “It’s a pretty big change for teachers — and students,” McAskill says, but she’s confi- dent the changes are needed and will work provided teachers get enough support from govern. ment and’ pare are ‘overwhelmed’ by the changes, but she feels they’re up to it. * One of the main complaints about the report is its vagueness about the timetable and nature of the changes. One Terrace parent at the forum said it, **must have been written in silly putty.’”* * McAskill says teachers are afraid they won’t get the sup- port they need from govern- ment and parents to ‘‘allow them the security to see this through,’” Smatler class sizes, more money for special needs student and new equipment for the schools are needed, she says. e Parents at the forum also questioned the elimination of letter grades, saying student in- centive and initiative to excel will be taken away. Some said the absence of letter grades would make it difficult to guage how their children are doing. ® The heads of the University of British Columbia’s science department: said the less university-oriented graduate program will make B.C. students less prepared for university ‘‘undermining the province’s economic gowth in scientific and technological fields,’’ Vestz Douglas We should give the Year 2000 Rpt det tat hy ers a ea sae project an opportunity to try its | published. Requests for shorter letters: likely" “be wings in the hope that our | names to be withheld may be | published soonest... Ag _ children will be the benefactors. _ \ oe os Oia tw eet Sane tor 9 Ren A A bree Sin gaia Ra ek Ng esi Rei et a Dn Aa RE BT _ Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 22, 1900,— PageAS LETTERS | TO THE TERRACE STANDARD | “Dear Sir In response to Mary _ Holland's letter (August 15), ‘[ too am native and have no trouble whatsoever living in peace and harmony with non-natives, while keeping my natural heritage and up- bringing close at heart. I do not for one minute believe that our forefathers were “‘ordered” to give up any practices, only that they adapted and grew with changing times as we all do and have done. And yes, I and others have noticed how many natives have graduated, but wouldn't so many other non- native youth graduate. if given special support and financing? It’s a shame when some natives insist on seperating us from. non-natives and make us all look like special needs cases, and to see that the government has supported this ridiculous thought by giving us special privileges is extreme to begin with, I think. the land claims An open letter to: The Hon. Tom Siddon, Minister of Indian Affairs, Ottawa Mr Minister, we would like to bring to your attention a small problem we have up here in Northwestern B.C. with the Gitksan tribal coun- cil. We are aware of the four point some million we as tax- payers have donated to the Indian cause so they could present their land claim case in court. , We,can also liye with the. aed million taxpayer’s dollars‘ you came and brought them in Hawilget this spring, so . that they can better run their affairs. Water and sewer projects have been carried out on reserve lands with tax dollars, and new subdivisions and houses are springing up like mushrooms after the fall rains, all with generous fun- ding from Ottawa. With all the improvements and all that self government money from you and Brian, we had hoped for some im- aginative new initiatives from Indian leaders to bring more of their people into the work force, and to help their communities to become more part of mainstream Canada. Instead we see power struggles among Indian leaders of various kinds and an emerging chaos in our area that, if unchecked, could make Lebanon look - Like a holiday resort com- pared to our region. ‘In ‘retrospect that is not very difficult to understand when you throw large amounts of tax dollars into a community, with little or no - control or direction over how it is spent or who spends it. There is an unbelievable mix hereditary chiefs, elected chiefs and elected councils all with their own agendas and a whole bunch of Indians be- ing pulled in 16 different directions at once. Dear Sir: I have read a lot of what people say about native land claims and find a lot of what people say is racism. Sure. some natives haven't of tribal council bigwigs, . e A few people care speaking uf issue is being used by some native groups as a pawn_to harbor criminals and to bring into effect more racist policies such as native ~self government, ~ I fear greatly for living i ina. country where criminals (like the Mohawks hiding behind. illegal blockades with illegal, weapons) will be allowed by our government to decide how, when or even if they. will be punished, solely on . the basis of their race. I would like to know that all criminals and lawbreakers’ will be punished alike, regardless of their race, col- our or creed. In closing I am pleased to see that there are a few other good people willing to voice and stand up for their rights and opinions toward the disruptive blockades that are not accomplishing. anything except. more hard feelings toward natives as a whole. ~ Sincerely, T.F. Franzmann Terrace, B.C, Send us some money please One tribal council heavyweight publicly called for anarchy and destruction of the local economy as his contributuion to his people and to his non-native friends and neighbours. He appears to be succeeding, as there are now in excess of 100 hard- working productive tax- payers sitting at home because of road blocks and deviltry instigated by these people, Dear Mr. Siddon, Canada seems to_. inflict, economic sanctions On a whole raft of | countries when we do not like their approach to human rights. Those very same human rights we are so con- cerned over in other coun- tries are being trampled in your very own jurisdiction. We see power strug- gles amoung Indian leaders of various kinds and an emerging chaos in our. area that, if un- checked, could make Lebanon look like a holi- day resort compared to our region. Could you please slip a note in with your next cheque to the Gitksan tribal council saying that they should try to do something constructive with the cash and not destroy the economy? You might even hint that the next che- que could be smaller if the money continues to be used to make war on Canadian taxpayers. If you cannot see your way clear to attach such outrageous conditions to your grants to our indian neighbours, please send us the appropriate forms to fill out, so that we can get our 72 million, We can then have our own self government and we won’t care if we ever work again.! Pete Weeber, New. Hazelton, B.C. Creating a rift finished school but are work- ing on improving their lives. What some people out there, must do is open their eyes to cont'd A6 The Terrace. 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