On stage: Shawnigan Lake students stage The Elephant Man Sports watch: Fast foursome breaking track records for Kelsey
page 16 page 27
For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Picking up after school
Bill 22 protest: Parents and principals keeping most extracurriculars going despite teachers’ withdrawal Krista Siefken
News Leader Pictorial
E
xtracurricular activities at Cowichan schools may look a little different now that teachers’ latest form of job action is in full-swing. But few are being outright cancelled thanks to some last-minute rescheduling plus tons of support from valley parents. “We’re feeling pretty lucky,” Cowichan Secondary School principal Charlie Coleman said. “We don’t feel like we’ve had the same kind of impact I’m hearing about in other parts of the province.” Public school teachers across the province have withdrawn from extracurricular activities in protest of Bill 22. In some districts it has meant major events outside of traditional school hours have been cancelled. Not so in Cowichan, though. At Chemainus Secondary School, for example, teachers may not have been present for prom festivities earlier this month, but b three administrators and ¿ve parents made sure the event went off without a hitch. All of teachers’ organizing prior to job action was invaluable, as well. “The one downside is that Charlie Coleman: I know from experience grad on track students love to see teachers at events, but at the same time the event still went down pretty smoothly,” said Ron Nunweiler, School District 79’s acting director of middle/secondary education. Nunweiler said that at the elementary school
Andrew Leong
Holly Arntzen leads Crofton Elementary School in singing I Am the Future during Voices of Nature, a school music program and concert on Thursday, May 11. Principals say most extracurricular programs are proceeding in the Cowichan Valley School District despite teachers job action. level, most, if not all activities that regularly occur during the instructional day are proceeding as normal. “The exceptions are overnight ¿eld/camping trips as well as evening spring concerns,” Nunweiler said. “In most instances, concerts that had been planned are proceeding during the day. Camping trips are, for the most part, now day trips with teacher supervision. The exception may be if administrators from other schools who are parents of students attending wish to assist.” Things get a little more complicated at the middle and secondary school levels, with a myriad of sports teams, concerts and grad events happening after school hours. “Sporting activities and team sports are in some instances proceeding, and in others not,” Nunweiler said. “Field trips in some instances are (proceeding), and others not. Graduation functions will be proceeding but may look slightly
PLUS, LEGENDARY HONDA FUEL ECONOMY.
DL#5963
G EVENT N I R P S O T IN
2012 CR-V LX 2WD
“In most in“I think the teachers and the union stances, concerts (Cowichan District that had been Teachers’ Association) have been planned are proworking as much ceeding during as possible to give less of a blow to the day.” students,” Nunweiler added. CDTA vice-president Naomi Nilsson agreed. “I have just been really proud of our teachers for making this transition easier, especially with regards to grad,” she said. “Here at the of¿ce we encouraged teachers involved with grad to encourage principals and parents at their schools to get involved as much as possible.” Still, Nilsson said it’s an unfortunate situation. more on page 4
different as volunteers from school and district administration as well as parents take on a role of assisting in supervision and organizing the functions.” Some evening performances are still going ahead, while others have been rescheduled for the daytime. Same with awards ceremonies. “Our grad is on track,” Coleman added. “It will look the same as usual, and if we suddenly ¿nd some surprises we’ve got parents on deck to help ¿ll the gaps. I think we had one drama production that had to get postponed just because of the uncertainty, but other than that we’ve got all our sports clubs and activities running as usual.” Coleman and Nunweiler agree few complaints have been lodged by parents about cancelled extracurriculars. “We’ve been pretty proactive in our communications and I think that’s helped,” Coleman said. “And I think we’re very lucky in that most of what we offer is continuing to be offered.”
OWN IT FOR
Nunweiler
187 5.99
ZERO $ DOWN OAC
%
¥
BI-WEEKLY FOR 84 MONTHS.
$27,630 MSRP** INCLUDES FREIGHT & PDI. TAXES AND LEVIES ARE EXTRA.
MODEL RM3H3CE(S)
¥5.99% APR purchase financing is available on a new 2012 Honda CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3CE(S). 84-month term available on 2012 Honda CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3CE(S). Based on a representative agreement using an offered pricing of $27,630 for the new 2012 Honda CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3CE(S) with a financed amount of $27,630 downpayment is $0, bi-weekly payment is $186.94, total finance obligation is $34,023.08. Offer includes freight & PDI. Taxes are extra. Using a finance price of $27,630 for a 2012 Honda CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3CE(S) at a rate of 5.99% APR, the cost of borrowing for an 84 month term is $6,258.08, bi-weekly payment is $186.94, total finance obligation is $34,023.08. Finance price includes freight & PDI. Taxes are extra and required at the time of purchase. Other terms available and vary by model. Finance term available only through Honda Canada Finance Inc. Finance on approved credit for qualified customers only. **MSRP is $27,630 including freight and PDI of $1,640. For all offers license, insurance, applicable taxes and registration are extra. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. #Limited time lease offer based on a new 2012 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3CE(S).*3.99% lease APR for 48 months O.A.C. Monthly payment, including freight and PDI, is $328. Down payment of $2,554.34, first monthly payment, environmental fees and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $18,298.34. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 96,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometer. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. / ¥/**/#/* Offers valid from May 1st, 2012 through May 31st, 2012 at participating Honda retailers. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.
Discovery Honda
6466 Bell McKinnon Road, Duncan
250-748-5814
www.discoveryhonda.com