 By Staff
October 27th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
They are out in force this week – the fraud artists are just flooding the internet with what at first glance looks like a message from your banker – always look at the email address the message came from – and even then – give the bank a call – they always want to hear from you about any effort to scam your money from you.
 The scam artists want to learn as much as they can about you – so they can become you and drain every dollar you have out of your account. Pay attention to the email you get. One of our people got two requests to check on their account – first one went like this:
It came from: CIBC Online <no-reply@cibonl.com>- that is not a CIBC email address
Because we have received multiple failed authentication attempts, your online access has been temporarily locked.
To restore your access, click: Sign On to CIBC Online and proceed with the verification process.
The second one came from:
Customer Contact Centre! <supervisor@hdt.es>
And used the first name of the person it was sent to: Good afternoon (name)
Your Bank of Montreal account has just been used to connect Internet Explorer on Windows 10/26/2015 12:27:39 Uganda
Could not this browser if you have used this device or with your account.
This can happen when you first connect to another computer, phone or browser when you use the browser incognito or private browsing or deleting cookies or when accessing your account else.
If this was you, please sign in from your regularly used device.
If you haven’t recently signed in from an unrecognized device and believe someone may have accessed your account, please visit this link to change your password and update your account recovery information.
Thanks for taking these additional steps to keep your account safe.
The grammatical errors were a dead giveaway with this one.
 The identity thieves are very good at what they do. They are out there – looking for someone who may not pay close attention. It is your money –make sure someone doesn’t steal it from you.
Stay vigilant.
 By Walter Byj
October 27th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a trying five weeks for Director of Education Stuart Miller.
As if managing the ongoing teacher dispute was not enough to give him sleepless nights, he now is the lead figure in presenting to the public the impact of the French Immersion program on Halton schools.
 Director of Eduction Stuart Miller – less than three months into his job is leading the public discussion on the handling of a trend toward higher enrollment in French immersion classes. Monday night’s Burlington presentation at Nelson High School was the first of four presentations over the next two weeks. With a number of Halton Superintendents present along with all of the Burlington trustees (Collard, Reynolds, Pappin and Grebenc) and one Oakville trustee (J. Oliver) Miller took to the stage promptly at 7:00 pm.
Prior to the slide show presentation Miller stressed that this was an information session and that he was not looking for answers or solutions tonight.
“We want to share our information with the public”, he said “so that you can later provide input on facts that you have before you.” Speaking with a booming voice and the confidence of one who knows the topic well, he presented what could be a very complicated scenario with a straight “here are the facts “method.
Assisted for part of the presentation by Dom Renzella (Manager of Planning) the presentation covered how the huge uptake in French Immersion was negatively affecting English classroom sizes and potentially the quality of education the board could deliver.
His mandate and that of the board is to offer the highest quality of education to both the English and French students; the current trend was affecting the English program negatively.
He noted that getting qualified French teachers was another huge issue facing the board. He explained the current situation would be bleaker in upcoming years and that now was the time to act.
The initial step was to form a committee (the Program Viability Committee) that enlisted the aid of staff, principals and trustees that studied the collective information before them and then whittled down 14 recommendations to the current four.
RECOMMENDATION
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board present the following options for the delivery of French Immersion to the public in the Fall of 2015 for the purpose of receiving feedback, considerations and comments. Feedback will be brought to the Board for consideration in the delivery of French Immersion programming:
1. Option 1: Grade 1 (early) French immersion remains a 50% French 50% English delivery model, but entry to FI will be capped. The method of capping would be determined at a later date.
2. Option 2: Grade 1 (early) French Immersion remains at 50% French and 50% English, however all FI programs will be delivered in single track FI schools. French Immersion will be phased out of dual track schools and no new dual track schools will be considered. The location of the single track schools will be determined at a later date.
3. Option 3: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI will occur in dual track schools only.
4. Option 4: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI will occur in single track FI schools on
 In presenting the four current recommendations Miller was emphatic in saying they were not etched in stone but are merely a starting point on which the public can tweak or reject outright and offer something completely different.
Miller wants public input would get to the board between November, 2015 to March 2016 and that a decision could be reached by June 2016. Implementation would not occur until September 2017.
Completing the presentation in a very quick forty-five minutes, a lot quicker than the planned hour and half, Miller offered to take some questions from the half packed theatre stressing that now was not the time for solutions.
He was asked if more drill down data would be available. Yes he replied.
What is the retention rate of FI students? 5% of students leave the program annually.
What is the definition of viability? The ideal classroom size is 20 students and many of our English classrooms have less than 10 students he said.
Will the original 14 scenarios be released? Yes he replied.
Why do parents enrol their children in FI? No definitive answer from Miller. Is the Halton busing policy too liberal and is it increasing the uptake in FI? Too difficult to measure Miller replied as buses carry a variety of students.
In conclusion, Miller said that each of his presentations are being taped and will be available on the HDSB site
It was a solid first presentation for Miller and no doubt he will feel more at ease with upcoming presentations. But will the solution be easy?
Although the audience did come for the information presented, some came in with a filter as to how to interpret the facts. Those who feel that French is essential will no doubt be building a case for why the FI program must not change dramatically from its current form.
Others, from past experience, felt that English programming would take a back seat to French and that the final result is pre-determined.
That is quite a divergence of opinion and it will take all the skill of Director Miller along with the HDSB trustees to execute a plan that will probably not gain many friends but will find an equitable solution.
 By Staff
October 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Shucks – they aren’t advertising the seed catalog offerings yet are they?
The city however is ready to accept applications to secure a garden plot in 2016 at one of the city’s three community gardens starting November 2 through to the 22nd, 2015.
 Rob Peachey says he is excited. Rob Peachey, the city’s manager of parks and open spaces, who doesn’t get excited very often said today that the city is entering the “fifth growing season with the community gardens program,” and he is “excited”.
Peachey overseas the Windows on the Lake program for the city. It isn’t a part of his job that brings smiles to his face.
The city is accepting the applications a bit earlier than in past years, to give gardeners more time over the winter months to plan and prepare their gardens for the spring.”
 This lady knows what a difference a community garden can make. Michelle Bennett was one of the people who taught city hall ho yo go after provincial money and get community gardens in place. she started with one – there are now three. Located at Amherst Park, Central Park and Francis Road Bikeway, the community gardens are open for planting from May 1 to Oct. 23, 2016. There are a total of 80 plots available, plus six raised, accessible plots suitable for persons with disabilities. Applicants may indicate a preferred garden location and plot style on the application.
The cost to rent a plot for the season is $50. Water, soil and compost are supplied and all plots have full sun. Plots will be allocated by lottery at the close of the application period, and all applicants will be notified of their lottery result by early December 2015.
Community garden application forms will be available online beginning November 2 at community centres, the Seniors’ Centre, or City Hall, 426 Brant St., at the Service Burlington counter. Completed applications must be received by the city no later than Nov. 22, 2015.
For more information about Burlington community gardens, visit www.burlington.ca/communitygardens.
 By Pepper Parr (43164-H)
October 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There are these things we call unintended consequences or we say “I didn’t see that coming.”
The Legion sent us a note yesterday asking if we would publish a letter on their behalf.
Let’s let them make their point before commenting on it:
As noted in recent news, Ontario’s public elementary school teachers are preparing to ramp up their work-to-rule campaign and could begin rotating, one-day strikes this month.
 Heroic – most of those who fought volunteered. The Royal Canadian Legion Zone B6 incorporating Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Dundas and part of Ancaster is concerned that this may impact student’s awareness of our annual Remembrance Poster and Literary Contests. It is through school contact that the appropriate information is circulated for teachers to implement this worthy program. The Royal Canadian Legion encourages the continuation of the tradition of honouring and remembering our military heritage through this annual contest.
These contests are popular with our students and we have had contestants go on from competing at the Branch level to compete at the Zone, District, Provincial and National (Dominion) levels. Contestants are challenged to exercise their initiative and create posters, essays and poems that honour the theme of REMEMBRANCE.
 War time experience is life time experience – the price these men and women paid is far greater than you can even imagine. We want to ensure parents and students that the contests are scheduled as usual. If children do not receive information from their school, we ask that you please visit www.legion.ca/contest for a registration form, rules and regulations. (Click here to get to the web site) All entries can be submitted to the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local branch.
We look forward to another successful year with our Remembrance contests.
Jackie Ralston, Youth and Education Chair, Royal Canadian Legion, Zone B6
The whole purpose of the educational system is to teach and educate our youth for the work they will do in their future and pass on some of our core values and to enrich the lives of the young people who will lead at some point.
The teachers, I am sure, have genuine concerns but I’m not quite sure what those concerns are. As publishes we get flooded with material from the provincial government – we loved the one about the province passing on millions to the teachers’ association to cover their costs while they negotiated with the province. Receipts weren’t needed eh!
We have yet to see as much as a word from the various teachers’ associations on just what it is they are unhappy about. As publishers we know how hard most teaches work – they deserve to be fairly paid. The public also deserves to hear the teacher’s side of the story.
The Legion has given us theirs.
What is that number after my name – those who served will know.
 By Staff
October 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
November is Woman Abuse Awareness Month
Violence against woman is not a women’s issue – it is a men’s issue – they have to change their behaviour and find other ways to resolve their differences with the women in their life. It is really that simple.
Regional Chair Gary Carr and Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner and community leaders will join members of Halton Violence Prevention Council to mark the beginning of Woman Abuse Awareness Month.
Our language gas to change – “slapping someone around” is not acceptable language.
The Halton Violence Prevention Council will be hanging “Act Against Violence” banners throughout the Region for the month of November.
 The Council’s mission is to end violence against women and their children in our community. It is a coordinating committee working to improve services for women and children experiencing abuse, in order to achieve a healthy, safe and inclusive community.
HVPC members consist of more than 20 agencies in the Halton community, including representatives from legal and police services; counselling and sexual assault agencies; women’s shelters; child protection; addictions, housing and mental health sectors; health-based services and survivor-informed agencies.
The Council has been busy with many initiatives this year, including developing and facilitating training aimed at strengthening service provider responses to victims of violence who are also experiencing co-occurring issues, such as addiction and/or active mental health; supporting collaborative practices between the Violence Against Women sector and our Children’s Aid Society; and fostering survivor-informed initiatives, including our Speakers’ Bureau.
The launch this year will feature a member of our Speakers’ Bureau, who’s keynote address, “Life in the Shadows”, will focus on her experience of being stalked by her ex-partner.
In addition to these newer initiatives, the council continues to be engaged in the Neighbours. Friends and Families Campaign – a provincial strategy to raise awareness of the signs of woman abuse, so people who are close to an at-risk woman or a man who uses abusive behaviours can provide information, support and resources.
 The Council will use the launch to invite community members, businesses and organizations to engage in the “Purple Thursdays” campaign – a movement to draw attention to the issue of woman abuse and gendered violence throughout the month of November by wearing purple every Thursday as a way to start conversations, raise awareness and support.
Are you currently involved in an abusive relationship? You and your family can get help! Call the 24-hour crisis line of Halton Women’s Place (south 905-332-7892, north 905-878-8555) or the Assaulted Women’s Helpline (toll free: 1-866-863-0511).
 By Staff
October 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Region Health Department has started the influenza (flu) immunization clinics for the 2015-2016 flu season with community influenza clinics for all residents aged six months and older beginning this week. Flu immunizations are also available at many pharmacies (for those aged five years and older), as well as in doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics and at some workplaces.
Getting the flu vaccine every year is the most important way to protect against the flu. It also helps to prevent the spread of the virus to those who are vulnerable to complications of the flu. The flu immunization is recommended for all those six months of age and older.
Most healthy people recover from the flu within a few days; however, influenza infection can lead to pneumonia and hospitalization, and can even be fatal, especially in the elderly, those under five years of age and those with certain chronic health conditions.
 Washing your hands frequently when you are not well prevents the communication of viruses. In addition to getting vaccinated, you can take everyday precautions against influenza by washing your hands with soap frequently, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (when soap and water is not available) and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
If you are sick, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading your illness to others and see your doctor if your illness worsens or doesn’t begin to improve after a few days.
Clinic dates for Burlington are:
| Tuesday, October 13, 2015 |
Burlington Seniors’ Centre |
2285 New Street |
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Monday, October 26, 2015 |
L.B. Pearson High School |
1433 Headon Road |
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 3, 2015 |
Robert Bateman High School |
5151 New Street |
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
By Walter Byj and Pepper Parr
October 21, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The October 21 st Halton District School Board meeting was quick indeed. It started after the Blue Jays came ended and finished just before the Mets/Cubs came started. There were a number of housecleaning items that were passed unanimously.
The Community Partnership Policy had been posted on the Board’s website for the required 25 days and had just two comments from the public. Upon questioning from trustee Harrison (Oakville), Director Miller stated that the policy is usually reviewed every four years but will now be updated on a yearly basis.
 Joey Edwardh runs Community |development Halton, the organization working the community side of the Jump Play Run Healthy Community initiative funded by the province. Direction of Education for the Public school board watches a group of students with Ms Edwardh In a similar vein, the Trustees Expense Policy also resided on the website for the required 25 days and (with no comments posted from the public) was also passed unanimously. Perhaps this would be an ideal place to recap the remuneration that is available for the trustees.
Each trustee receives honoraria of $15,327.73 annually. There is a $4000 bump for the vice-chair to $19,309.23 while the chair receives $23,290.73. In addition, they have use of one of a number of different computer devices along with reimbursement of $59.85 for high speed internet service. They also have the use of either a monthly Blackberry or I phone plan that includes voice plan, data plan and long distance. The monthly reimbursement is $75.71 for the Blackberry plan and $107.35 for the I phone plan. All reimbursements are tax included. In addition, each trustee will have access to a $5,000 travel, personal professional development and office supplies amount.
With the hiring of a new Director of Education, Stuart Miller, the Director’s Performance Review Policy is now under review. This policy was last reviewed 5 years ago. The policy will be posted on the board website for the mandatory 25 days with the board to review any public comments in December. As of this writing, the policy has not yet been posted.
The board appears to rely quite heavily on the web site to convey information – and at the same time readily admits that the web site does not function all that well. Director of Education Stuart Miller tends to give people copies of information they need rather than send them to the web site
If the web site doesn’t work internally for the board there is little likelihood that it will work very well for the public.
Miller admits that the board is going to need every penny of the $100,000 allocated for the upgrade – probably a total re-build. And he adds that it will take six to nine months to get the job done.
Which suggests the flow of information is going to be limited – might be helpful if the board looked fore some kind of a work around to cover the major bases while the re-build gets done
Andrea Grebenc (Burlington) chair of the transportation committee noted that the board had applications totally more than 2400 for courtesy seats for the various bus routes. A courtesy seat is defined as a request for a seat on a school bus where the student who is not entitled to transportation based on distance they live from the school.
One would hope that the administrators would clamp down on this one – the board is involved in the Jump Play Run – Healthy Community initiative being funded by the province. Trustee Grebenc is all fired up on walking or biking to school – her vision should be shared with those parents who want their kid on the bus.
As the meeting neared conclusion, Director Miller reminded everyone of the upcoming public meetings of the Program Viability Committee that start on Monday October 26th at Nelson High School.
The Public School Board meetings to discuss English and French Immersion elementary programming begin next week. The increasing interest in French Immersion and the impact on the core English program has the board administration considering how these changes are going to impact the delivery of program. The board’s ability to recruit a sufficient number of qualified and fluent elementary French teachers is also part of the mix.
Parents/guardians are invited to attend to learn about the key issues, as well as the process and timelines to gather public input. Halton District School Board staff will present information concerning English and French Immersion program enrollment, as well as the preliminary recommendations of the Program Viability Committee.
All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.:
BURLINGTON Monday, October 26 Nelson High School (4181 New St.)
Director Miller told the Gazette that he doesn’t intend to do a lot of talking about the program initiative and the thinking that has taken place. “We want to know what people think and hope they will take the document away with then and get back to us with their thoughts”.
Miller points out that the uptake for French Immersion classes has created some difficult management problems. “It is very difficult to find really qualified French teachers” he said. And he added “ we have some English classes with as little as eight students in them” which is very inefficient from a teaching model aspect and not all that good for the socializing of students that takes place in a school setting.
The working up of the report and its recommendations was a file that Miller handled before he was appointed Director of Education so he has a really solid understanding of how large an issue the school board faces
 By Pepper Parr
October 22, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
The photograph shown in an earlier version of this story was the wrong building. The photograph shown now is of the Aldershot branch of the Public Library. Our apologies and thank you to the reader who pointed out the error to us.
While he might be a little on the brittle side and a sense of humour is not the dominant part of his personality – ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven usually finds the facts that makes the point and drives it home.
 Rick Craven: Best committee chair the city has; not big on the warm fuzzy stuff through. Needs a hug badly.  The library works for the public; the library parking lot doesn’t work all that well – which doesn’t bother the ward council member – he wants people to get out of their cars and walk as much as they can. Parking and transit at times dominate discussion in this city – usually in the form of complaints.
Getting people out of their cars and walking the short distances to services they use has been a consistent thread through all the Strategic Plan debates. Councillor Craven explained how it has been made to work in his ward.
The new city library in Aldershot is part of a mixed use structure that works quite well. Parking is at the rear of the building, there is retail and services on the ground levels and the library.
People will complain about the lack of parking said Councillor Craven adding that the library is a very short walk for thousands of residents. Complaints about the lack of parking – there are 24 parking spaces at the rear of the building at Plans Road and Waterdown.
Craven makes a very solid point when he said that library registration is up by more than 400%.
It is a new library – so all it could do was grow – and if Craven’s numbers are right – the lack of parking space has not hurt library usage – and it has gotten people out of their cars.
A candidate in the municipal election didn’t see it quite the same way – he complained loudly that there wasn’t nearly enough parking and that it was difficult for his wife to get to the library pushing a three year old in a stroller.
It is going to take the city some time to break the “use the car” habit.
 By Staff
October 20th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
SeeClickFix service disruption – Oct. 20 to 22, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The SeeClickFix will experience service disruptions during system maintenance:
Oct. 20, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Oct. 21, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Oct. 22, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
What is SeeClickFix?
Currently pothole, traffic sign, traffic signal, street light, graffiti, and coyote sighting requests are being accepted.
City of Burlington staff will be alerted and will respond within a reasonable time to address the request.
If you lose your hub cap in that pothole – SeeClickFix is the city’s interactive map where you can report thee things.
 By Staff
October 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Union Gas handed over 500 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to the Burlington Fire department at a meeting at the Seniors Centre on the weekend. It is part of Project Zero, a public education campaign that provides combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to residents with the goal of reducing the number of residential fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.
The alarms were handed out at the seniors event, they were “won” through answering fire safety trivia questions.
 Fire Chief Tony Bavota. The few remaining alarms will be given to seniors registered in the fire department alarm assistance program, which helps those who are isolated and/or have disabilities or mobility challenges, which make it difficult to install and maintain their home smoke and co alarms.
Union Gas utility services manager, Marc Hoewing visited the Burlington Seniors’ Centre yesterday to present Burlington fire chief, Tony Bavota with the alarms.
“At Union Gas, the safety of our employees and our communities is our most important core company value,” said Hoewing. “And we share that commitment by supporting much-needed programs like Project Zero that helps us all stay safer.”
 They work – but only if they have fresh batteries. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless toxic gas that is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, without the elevated temperature associated with the flu. In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO. Over 80 per cent of carbon monoxide-related deaths and injuries in Ontario occur in the home.
Fire Chief Tony Bavota said at the meeting that “Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives,” said Bavota, “Offering them to some of the seniors in our community will help to keep them safe in their homes.”
By Walter Byj
October 20, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Let me begin with the following two paragraphs from a June article I wrote:
“For some it is a grand success story while others view it as an experiment that has created a mess. Either way, it has created a logistics nightmare for boards across the province as educators try to run both a successful English program along with a strong French Immersion program. School busing, disruption of community schools, huge uptake in French Immersion and a shortage on competent French teachers in Ontario is forcing many boards to review their current implementation of French Immersion.
 Burlington school board trustee Richelle Papin was a member of the Program Viability Committee “In Halton, the board recently created the Program Viability Committee (PVC) whose goal was to do a thorough review of the challenges that French Immersion has placed on the English program and to then propose a number of solutions that could alleviate any current problems. The committee, which consists of 22 members, includes the Director of Education, board superintendents, schools principals and three trustees. The trustees are J. Oliver (Oakville, K. Graves (Milton) and R. Papin (Burlington). “
After a number of committee meetings, committee chair and Director of Education, Stuart Miller gave the board his report with his recommendations on September 16th
RECOMMENDATION 1:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board present the following options for the delivery of French Immersion to the public in the Fall of 2015 for the purpose of receiving feedback, considerations and comments. Feedback will be brought to the Board for consideration in the delivery of French Immersion programming:
1. Option 1: Grade 1 (early) French immersion remains a 50% French 50% English delivery model, but entry to French Immersion will be capped. The method of capping would be determined at a later date.
2. Option 2: Grade 1 (early) French Immersion remains at 50% French and 50% English, however all French Immersion programs will be delivered in single track FI schools. French Immersion will be phased out of dual track schools and no new dual track schools will be considered. The location of the single track schools will be determined at a later date.
3. Option 3: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of French Immersion moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of French Immersion will occur in dual track schools only.
4. Option 4: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of French Immersion moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of French Immersion will occur in single track French Immersion schools only.
Director of Education Stuart Miller moves forward with the first initiative that has his fingerprints all over it – the public will get to see what he means by public engagement and how well he listens. After a thorough discussion, these recommendations were accepted unanimously by the trustees at the October 7th meeting with the understanding that the board would do everything they could to ensure the public thoroughly understand the current situation and be highly involved in any future solution.
Fully understanding the scope of this project, along with the potential ramifications on the public, Director Miller, with the encouragement of the trustees, emphasized that intensive input and ideas from the public would be required before any changes could be made.
He said the options presented are just a starting point and other alternatives would be studied. All information that the staff has would be shared with the public so that they would have a solid understanding of the challenges that the board currently faces.
There will be no pre-determined decisions as input from the public will play a major role in the final decision. Much time was spent discussing the different ways the public could be included in the process. Director Miller mentioned the use of social media and focus groups as some of the methods.
However, the first step will be face to face public meetings on the following dates:
All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.:
BURLINGTON: Monday, October 26 Nelson High School (4181 New St.)
OAKVILLE: Tuesday, October 27 White Oaks Secondary School (South Campus 1330 Montclair Dr.)
MILTON: Monday, November 2 Milton District High School ( 396 Williams Ave)
HALTON HILLS: Tuesday, November 3 Georgetown District High School (70 Guelph St)
After some prodding from the trustees, Director Miller said he would be open to have a fifth meeting if necessary.
Parents can attend any or all of the above meetings; they are not restricted by the city/town they live in.
The first major test will be the crowd at the Burlington meeting; it could be a barometer as to how well the board is reaching the public.
 Walter Byj has been the Gazette reporter on education for more than a year. He is a long-time resident of the city and as a parent has in the past delegated to the school board.
By Pepper Parr
October 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Denise Beard is pumped.
 Denise Beard, Manager of xxx for the city heads up a provincially funded project to get the under 1q2 set outdoors running, jumping and playing every day. She has her hands on a project that is going to keep her busy for the next three years and she believes the project is going to make a difference.
During a press briefing Beard told media that the city has been given a grant of $1.1 million to get the fat off the bodies of young people who spend more time in front of a screen of some sort rather than on their bikes.
There is an obesity problem in the city – and Beard who was a life guard when she was a teenager, wants to see younger people enjoying better health – and she thinks the program she is going to run for the next three years can go a long way to making that happen.
Beard tends to put everything she has into her projects – it’s just who she is.
So what is the program all about?
It is billed as a Community Challenge – an event that uses provincial money to drive a program that will result in younger people getting more exercise.
For reason’s it only understands the province decided to work with communities rather than schools or the medical community to get young people off the couch and away from the screens and exercise more.
The idea was first used in France where significant results were claimed to have taken place. The Ontario government chose Burlington as the only community in Halton to get funding. Hamilton and 45 other communities in the province were given funds.
 Expect to see a lot of chalking going on at least until there is snow on the side walks of the city – all part of a healthier youth initiative. Beard talked about “chalking” the community – getting young people to take to the streets and make their mark telling what they are doing to live healthier lifestyles.
The initiative came out of the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term care that will be putting forward a new theme every nine months.
In order to get the funding communities had to come up with an Action Plan; Burlington apparently had the best one – so we will now see the Mayor pumping and promoting healthy living.
The city wants to see the grade 5 level students Running, Jumping and Playing every day. Data will be collected with the focus on individual Body Mass Index (BMI) – some additional focusing will be done on students at the grade 8 level.
There are five neighbourhoods in the city that that are expected to get special attention. The program will collaborate with the YMCA, parent groups and schools taking a “street to street” and “parent to parent approach” to getting young people – mostly those under 12 out onto the streets and the playgrounds and getting more exercise.
Great initiative – that has to compete with computer games.
 By Pepper Parr
October 19th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When Teresa Seaton opened her Stained Glass studio on Spring Garden Road a couple of years ago, a stones toss from the Royal Botanical Gardens – some thought there was the promise of a small cluster of art locations developing. The Seaton Gallery was right beside the EdRoy gallery which and the opportunity for some growth looked as if it was going to fade.
 Anne More’s piece is on the right. Yesterday Cheryl Miles Goldring and Anne More opened Gallery 2 and displayed a very nice collection of the both their own work and that of other artists.
The flow of visitors was consistent during the afternoon – what to make of this newest arrival to the art scene in the city?
Cheryl, who was chair of the Art Auction Committee for the Art Gallery of Burlington last year, is coming into her own rather nicely. The exhibition of her work from a Newfoundland tour was well received – now we are watching her develop the commercial side.
 Work by Anne More on the left and a piece by Cheryl Miles Golding, second from the right, is appreciated by a viewer during their opening event on Sunday. Anne More, who brings her own experience to the venture, studied under Gordon Harrison with Cheryl – a Harrison piece was shown at the opening exhibit. Just under a year ago Anne and Cheryl talked about renting the space that EdRoy had vacated; after working out some of the wrinkles they dove in and held their opening event on Sunday.
 Cheryl Miles Goldring listening to Catherine Brady. Anne wants people to understand what real art is: “I am constantly amazed at how little people know about how art is made.” Tough words from a woman who taught art with a Board of Education for a number of years.
Art is a business as well as a passion – and business means selling something to someone. There is a perception that original art is very expensive – and it can but doesn’t have to be. Anne has been involved in a number of sales that had payment for the art being made over a period of time. “If you like some of my art” Anne will say “make me an offer.” Her work has been shown at Art231 in Hamilton
 Anne More on a field trip. Cheryl sees the Gallery 2 as a place where they can focus attention on local artists who don’t get much of an opportunity to show what they have in a setting that was designed for the public and not done as an afterthought in a restaurant.
The Gallery 2 opening included work by Donna Fratesi, Pierre A. J. Sabourin, A. J. Van Die and Wayne Moore and Don Greaves.
The Gallery 2 intention is to mount new art every month – something this city has not seen in some time. Now the challenge of promoting the location begins
By Staff
October 19th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is just one per person and the price paid to make this available to you was measured in lives – so use it wisely – and be sure to use it.
Today is Election Day across the country. The polls open at 9:30 am and close at 9:00 pm
If you don’t know where to vote and need some help you can call any of the political party election offices or the Burlington Returning Office.
By Staff
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Better late than never – I suppose.
The Halton District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) announced that they are hosting the 8th Annual Conference for Parents on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville. The theme of the conference, held from 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., will be Building Healthy Relationships.
 The keynote speaker is Dr. Jean Clinton, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, division of Child Psychiatry. She will share how parent involvement is critical for student success through the power of relationships, as children and young people learn best in an environment where they feel respected and connected. She will attempt to answer the question, what role do we play as parents in this? Clinton will discuss how parents, in a busy wired-up world, can maintain a focus on relationships.
Parents can also choose to attend an afternoon presentation by Paul Davis, who will address the topic of social networking safety.
The Building Healthy Relationships conference theme will provide a variety of new workshops and will also include some that have been well received by parents in years past. Workshops will address numeracy, literacy, teaching kids about money management, promoting positive mental health for teens, community resources availability, helping students craft an academic and career pathway for success, high school course selections, managing behaviour and discipline, violence prevention and cyberbullying, and gifted learning.
The Halton District School Board Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) recognizes parents play a vital role in the development and education of their children and in the success of schools and therefore provides a regular opportunity for School Council members to network, share ideas, offer input and enjoy informative presentations on a number of education related topics throughout the school year.
For more information, visit www.hdsb.ca and click on the PIC logo on the right side of the homepage.
By Staff
October, 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Councillor Blair Lancaster and grade 6 students from Trinity Christian School along with Retired Sgt. Jim Warford, 35 Composite Company, Royal Canadian Service Corp, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and members of the City of Burlington Mundialization Committee will be planting 700 tulip bulbs from the Canadian Garden Council to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and to celebrate the culture and heritage of the two nations.
The event is to take place on Thursday, October 15, 2015, between 11 to 11:20 a.m. at the Dutch-Canadian Friendship Garden, Apeldoorn Park on Elgin Street
 As a token of their gratitude for creating a home for the Dutch Royal Family the government of Holland has given Canada 100,000 tulips every year. 7000f those tulips will be sent to Burlington. The City of Burlington was selected as one of 140 recipients of tulips as part of the 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden. Overall, 100,000 tulip bulbs were distributed across Canada by the Canadian Gardens Council.
The 100,000 bulbs replicate the original gift given to the people of Canada as an act of appreciation for hosting the Royal Family during Princess Margriet’s birth and the role of Canadian Armed Forces in the Liberation of Holland.
 Mayor Goldring and Councillor Blair Lancaster being greeted by a member of the Dutch Royal Family. Councillor Lancaster, Mayor Goldring and a number of city hall staff spent several days in Holland during the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by Canadian troops.
By Staff
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board has created a program to ease children into the school system.
 Mohawk Public school will host an OPEN House for those starting school next year. Bit of a drive for those who live in Alton and Aldershot isn’t it? They will be holding five Kindergarten Open Houses for the three year old set to to learn more about starting school.
In Burlington the big day is December 3rd with Mohawk Gardens Public school (5280 Spruce Ave) serving as hosts. The event will take place between 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Students and parents will:
• Explore a Kindergarten classroom
• Learn about play-based learning
• Pick up information and resource material in a free backpack
• Access information about community agencies and resources in Halton
• Get information about before and after school care
• Ask questions about special education
There are apparently no “loot bags” unless a back pack falls into that category.
Children born in 2012 can start Kindergarten in September 2016. Registration for Kindergarten begins in January 2016 and takes place at the school your child will attend.
Walter Byj
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Presiding as the newly installed Director of Education, Stuart Miller passed his initial test with flying colours. Although there were not many actionable items on Wednesday’s agenda, it was nevertheless full.
 The Program Viability Committee is struggling with the impact that French immersion is having on the English program. Parents in the Region clearly want their children in French immersion classes – planning for and managing that process is easier said than done.
The public school board has given this issue a lot of time and attention and has now moved to the point where the public consultation process can begin. Getting a stronger fix on just what the public wants and then finding the teachers needed to deliver a French program is proving to be a bit of a challenge.
The Gazette will pass along more information including times, dates and location of public meetings.
There is a review of how the board creates its policies and how they are reviewed on a going forward basis taking place. Background material will be posted on the board’s web site – the Gazette will watch for the document and keep you informed.
The governing principles of the Board are thought to be in need of some clarification. The unfortunate part of this review process is that once the background documents are placed on the board web site they will remain there “for a minimum of 25 days”, which in this busy world is not a lot of time. And given the mess that the board calls a web site – finding the document might be a challenge.
Now that Miller is the Director of Education he was given unanimous approval by the board to advertise internally and externally for the position of Associate Director.
Director Miller reported that the Community Partnership Policy will be getting a closer look – this is the policy that looks at the optimal use of the Board’s space and how they make that space available to the public. When the policy was posted for public feed back there were just two responses.
The request for feed back on the Trustee Expense Policy Feedback did even worse – there wasn’t even one comment.
Jeff Blackwell (Interim Executive Officer- Human Resources) presented the latest Halton enrollment numbers with elementary schools up 127 students to 44,134 while the secondary population grew to 17,632 showing an increase of 134 students.
Gary Cullen (Superintendent of Facility Services) presented the Annual Testing Report, the Closing the Gap Update Report and the Elementary School Design Guidelines report . The discussion points and comments on each of these reports will be reported shortly.
For those parents that have children that will be attending kindergarten next year, be on the lookout for a flyer that will be welcoming new students with special nights beginning in November. Scott Podrebarac (Superintendent of Schools) said the theme of the flyer and nights will be “Calling All Three Year Olds” and will reflect the board’s efforts to reach out to Halton parents before their children attend school by having four special nights where the parents and their children can visit their future school and learn of the benefits being offered. This should make the first day in September much easier for the student.
 By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is something about former Toronto mayors and the city of Burlington – we keep inviting them out to talk to us.
A couple of years ago Toronto’s Tiny Perfect Mayor, David Crombie visited the city to talk to the then Waterfront Advisory Committee. Mayor Goldring, then in his first term, did not make a practice of attending those meetings but with Crombie speaking the Mayor chose to sit beside him at the table.
 The last Toronto Mayor who came to Burlington was well received but not really listened to – what will we do with David Miller when he speaks? Crombie got the Waterfront Advisory Committee all excited with what was possible – but before any of the ideas got off the ground the city sunset the committee – they did manage to get two things done – a solid look at the way Windows on the Lake were created and they did get something into the Pump House in the Beachway.
 You wouldn’t know it – but this is public property and anyone can walk out to the end and look over the lake. City will now put signage indicating that the land is public. Great views. The disappointing part about the Windows on the Lake was the loss of a significant piece of land between the two Windows the city is going to gain. A piece of the city’s heritage was lost forever.
Former Mayor of Toronto David Miller is going to be in town November 3rd to speak at free community event called Take Action Burlington. The event is a joint initiative between Mayor Goldring’s Inspire Burlington Series and the City of Burlington and will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The focus is reported to be on what individuals, businesses and community leaders can do to continue to work towards fostering a healthy, green community. Miller who is now the CEO and president of World Wildlife Fund Canada, will be the keynote speaker.
Mayor Goldring will give a presentation on environmentally sustainable projects and initiatives in the City of Burlington.
Interactive exhibits from green-minded community groups will be on display before and after the presentations.
One of the stronger traits behind what Mayor Goldring does is his consistent commitment to the environment – he did slip up when he let the turbine get taken out of the pier design, but he has been an admirable advocate for the environment. While he was not in Burlington when the micro WORDS was unveiled at Burlington Hydro recently that initiative was very much in the Goldring view of the world.
Current Green Party candidate Vince Fiorito points out that Goldring was a federal Green candidate who pulled in 3500 votes when he ran – which in Burlington is a number that has yet to be exceeded – Fiorito doesn’t expect to do that well.
 A piece of our heritage lost forever. When David Crombie was in town he pointed out that there was a time when Burlington was the leader in the development of a waterfront trail through the city. Crombie probably lost weight when he learned that Goldring went along with the sale of public land that bordered the lake – even though city staff recommended the property be either kept by the city or leased.
We shall all wait to hear what David Miller has to say to us – and then wait a little longer to see if the Mayor heeds any of his advice.
 Are there panda bears in our future? With Miller being the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund and the Mayor returning from a trip to China – is there perhaps a pair of pandas in Burlington’s future – with maybe a zoo somewhere in the Escarpment? This city could certainly use some good news – any news would be nice.
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Beginning October 13, construction will begin in Millcroft Park to install free Cogeco Wi-Fi.
The construction and installation of equipment is expected to take four to five weeks.
The free Wi-Fi is a pilot test with Cogeco Cable to provide free internet access within certain areas of the park. Most of the city’s arenas, city hall and recreation and community centres already have free Wi-Fi access.
The park will remain open during construction.
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