The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The crosswalk signs at Flin Flon elementary schools are outdated and having newer, brighter signs in their place would be preferable, Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch told the school board Tuesday. Veitch referred the matter to Trustee Gordon Mitchell, who will bring this issue to the City's Traffic Commission, on which he represents the board. "I think all the signs around the schools are older and the traffic in those areas is heavy," said the superintendent. "So I thought that that would be a good idea to bring that to the Traffic Commission." Veitch said the new style of crosswalk signs are fluorescent green and "stand out quite a bit better." In another matter at the meeting, Veitch spoke of a new directive from the Department of Education to allow students with prior knowledge of a course to challenge for that credit without enrolling. "The purpose of the challenge is not for somebody who got 35 per cent and failed and wants to challenge it," he explained. "It's for someone who has got prior knowledge, somebody who has done special work in the area of a course." The superintendent said the directive would "probably more affect our adult students, but it could also impact people who might have done special work in music, perhaps; some of those more specialty areas." Chair Jim Wilson expressed concern that such a policy might lead to students taking most, but not all, of a course and then challenging for an undeserved credit. "There are guidelines to prevent that," assured Veitch. The issue was referred to the Policy Review Committee for further consideration. Also, the board adopted two new policies aimed at providing division employees with safer work environments. Policy 9:1 requires all staff who work alone, in secluded areas or on weekends to be in touch with a supervisor. See 'Recap' P.# Con't from P.# The policy also calls for evening custodians to be provided with radios for interpersonal and inter-school contact. Policy 9:2 reaffirms the division's commitment to "a safe and healthy work environment for all employees." It states that the division recognizes the rights, roles and responsibilities of all employees and that it is committed to establishing and maintaining a Workplace Safety and Health program to ensure this commitment. A recap of other matters: Veitch expressed his appreciation to Children Special Services for its donation of a $14,000 communication device to a handicapped junior high student in the division. The device will help the student speak. Veitch noted that the donation was arranged through the Community Living Program. Veitch congratulated Many Faces Education Centre principal Jane Dupre on receiving the International Women's Day Award. Veitch also commended students at McIsaac School - Ecole McIsaac for reading a total of 1,419 books in February.
