TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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FAIR DAY IN LIGHTHOUSE
ERRINGTON HALL IS GETTING MOODY
Large crowds turned up for the 43rd annual fair in Bowser
Member of the popular Wailin’ Jennys band embarks on solo career
A5
A13
FEDERAL RIDING BOUNDARIES
MP unhappy with change
Powell River and Comox now part of Parksville-Qualicum riding NEIL HORNER news@pqbnews.com
James Lunney fully intends to have his name on the ballot when voters go to the polls in the next federal election. The big question mark though is where. Lunney, the Nanaimo-Alberni MP, said the decision by the Federal Boundaries Commission to re-jig existing central Island ridings didn’t go the way he had hoped. “We have enough population on Vancouver Island to support seven ridings with the target of 105,000 people per riding,” he said. “We have 750,000-plus on the Island and we didn’t think it was necessary to add (the) 25,000 people (of) Powell River, which created a big distortion on the mid-Island.” Lunney and three other Island MPs lobbied against the proposed new regimen, which has a new Courtenay-Alberni riding which will incorporate Courtenay, Baynes Sound, Denman and Hornby Islands, Cumberland, Port Alberni, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Tofino and Ucluelet. The new North Comox-Powell River riding will include Comox, Powell River, Black Creek, the Pentledge Indian Reserve, the Comox Indian Reserve and Port Hardy. As well, a new riding is going to be created to the south, to be known as Lantzville-Ladysmith. “Courtenay-Comox didn’t want to be split and Powell River didn’t want to be attached to the Island,” Lunney said. “We made a recommendation we felt was more reasonable to solve the issue. However, the commission has the authority to make the decision and they decided to stick with their plan.” Lunney said hasn’t made up his mind where he plans to run, but suggested he will make a decision relatively soon.
LISSA ALEXANDER PHOTO
From left, Grade 1 teacher Janessa Vega helps Grade 5 teacher Petra Knight break a skeleton out of the box for an upcoming lesson on the human body at Winchelsea Elementary.
IT’S THE UNOFFICIAL END OF SUMMER
Youngsters head back to school LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Students won’t be the only thing growing at Winchelsea Elementary School this year. The technology at the school is getting a boost in the form of webpages and digital portfolios. Grade 5 teacher Petra Knight has been busy attending technology courses at the University of British Columbia this summer and that has resulted in the creation of a webpage for her class this year, and she will assist other teachers to do the same. Knight will also soon develop digital portfo-
lios for the students, so friends and family can celebrate student’s achievements, she said. “We’re improving the technology piece and connecting parents with the classroom,” she said, adding that grandparents and other family will also be able to look online and see what the children are up to at school. Last year was the first time a teacher created a webpage for a class at the school but that teacher has transferred schools. Buddy Reading is another fairly new initiative where older students at the school will team up with younger
students and read together. Knight said they are really going to kick that program into gear this school year. Another school-wide reading initiative will involve adults working with small groups of children to read the same book together and develop skills and reading strategies. All three initiatives are part of Winchelsea’s School Growth Plan, which all schools in the district possess. Today is the first day of school for most children in the district. Grades 10-12 start tomorrow, September 4. Drivers are urged to remember school-zone speed limits are in effect.
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