The Creemore
Echo
Friday, March 4, 2011 Vol. 11 No. 9
Inside the Echo
Medal Winner
The Kids Are Alright
Page 6
PAGE 7
Success at Special Olympics.
News and views in and around Creemore
Meet Coloveration.
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
Photo Jim Campbell
FUNDRAISING FUN Highlands Nordic held a “Go the Distance” Ski-a-thon for the 120 youngsters in its Jackrabbit program last weekend, with each child aiming to ski as far as they could in one hour. Proceeds from the fundraiser were split between two causes: Highlands Nordic’s own Para Nordic program and the “Right to Play” organization, which promotes sport and play as a way of improving children’s lives all over the world. In total, more than $2,000 was raised.
ARC SAYS KEEP DUNTROON OPEN Echo up for three Recommendation will now go to Board on March 10 for decision by end of May
by Sara Hershoff The Accommodation Review Committee dealing with Duntroon Central Public School held its final public meeting on Thursday, February 24. Thom Paterson, Clearview Councillor for Ward 4 and committee member, received applause and cheering from the crowd when he announced the ARC’s recommendation to keep the school open. Paterson said the recommendation, which contravenes the Simcoe County District School Board planning staff option of closure at the end of this school year, is not a vote for “status quo” but aims to enhance every school in Clearview. For the past six months the parents and community members who make up the committee have met almost weekly to receive facility, demographic, programming and planning information from Board staff as well
as input from the public. The task now is to submit a report making their case to the Board by March 10. The report will emphasize the Committee’s strongly held position that local schools are an integral part of the community and will put forth what they call “creative solutions” to keep the school open. The ARC’s report will recommend that school closures be based on a long-term outlook and the projected pupil enrollment numbers should take into account Clearview’s projected growth. They will request that an attendance area review be done and that students currently going to out-of-area schools be repatriated. Another method proposed to attract and sustain appropriate enrollment is to present a view of area schools, and Duntroon in particular, as a more supportive alternative with demonstrated excellence in student outcome. The ARC will recommend the addition of programs such as extended French and feel that with some innovative thinking and flexibility on the part of the School Board, Duntroon could offer students significant advantages that are inherent to a small-school environment. (See “Difficult” on page 3)
provincial awards
Top-three finalists for the 2011 Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Awards were announced this week, and the Creemore Echo showed up in three categories. In the Best Editorial (circulation under 9,999) category, the Echo made the shortlist for an editorial that ran during the 2010 municipal election campaign, questioning some of the claims being made by a candidate for Deputy Mayor. In the Best Creative Advertisement category, the Echo is being considered for two ads that promoted events at the New Farm: the “Fred on the Farm” concert and the 2010 Harvest Festival. Both ads were designed in house by the Echo’s Sara Hershoff. In the Best In House Promotion category, the Echo made the list for the full-page ad that ran during last year’s subscription drive, which featured miniature representations of the previous year’s front pages. The awards will be handed out on May 13 at the OCNA’s Spring Convention in Niagara Falls.
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