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.
Hapnot Collegiate plans to keep grade 11 science compulsory, but students won't have the option of taking the more basic versions of the course that have been available in years past. At the end of this school year, the Manitoba Department of Education will phase out the general third-year science courses Ð Biology 30G and Science 30G Ð traditionally taken by less academically-inclined students. That presents a dilemma for Hapnot, one of a number of high schools across the province that requires a grade 11 science credit for graduation even though the provincial government does not. "It has not been an easy task to decide how to handle the situation," said principal John Clark during a presentation at Tuesday's Flin Flon School Board meeting. After meeting with a group of nearly 40 parents earlier this month, Clark told the trustees that there was no support for removing the grade 11 science requirement, as it was seen as an important part of a quality education. Beginning this September, Hapnot plans to offer up to six courses to allow students to fulfill their third-year science requirement, including chemistry, physics, two levels of biology Ð 30S and 30S enriched Ð and a possible science topics course for science-oriented pupils. The sixth offering would be a school-initiated credit, developed by the school's science department, aimed at students who may be inclined to enter a trade. Clark told the trustees that Hapnot wants to provide students with courses they may need for post-secondary studies and ensure "that they're taking the sciences that are a benefit to them in terms of their own personal development." The principal said he does not know why the province is eliminating the general offerings but suggested it might see them as "dead-end courses" no longer used as prerequisites by post-secondary institutions. Trustee Jim Wilson commented that he doesn't see the point in eliminating the general courses, adding that the Department of Education has "been on some kind of track for a number of years now that isn't particularly healthy for high schools, in my opinion." Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch said the trustees will provide their feedback and decision on Hapnot's plan at the next board meeting on Feb. 8. Safety Restraints In another matter at Tuesday's meeting, the board voted to send a letter to the federal government outlining concerns about a proposal to make safety restraints for some smaller students mandatory on all new school buses. A proposed amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations would require all new school buses to be equipped with seat restraints for passengers who weigh 40 lbs. or less. Trustee Wilson said other school divisions have concerns about the proposal, specifically the cost and potential safety risks Ð if a child is restrained and there's an emergency, would he or she have difficulty vacating the bus? "I was thinking that probably this isn't something that would impact us, but I guess it would because our school buses that we charter... would have to be so equipped as well," said Trustee Wilson. "And I can guess who's going to be paying for the (safety restraints). It would be us." See 'Recap' P.# Con't from P.# Trustee Wilson referenced a letter from the Lakeshore School Division in Eriksdale, Man., that estimated the cost of installing the restraints at more than $2,000 per bus. "So it's a fairly costly proposition," he said. Here is a recap of other matters from Tuesday's meeting: Superintendent Veitch noted that Hapnot Collegiate has been holding student discussion forums known as "Hapnot Town Hall." The January topics including tsunami disaster aid and school improvement projects. It was noted that Hapnot students have been busy rehearsing for their upcoming Dinner Theatre production. This year's play, "Hankerin' Hillbillies," will be performed on Feb. 25 and 26. Tickets are now on sale at the school. Chairperson Murray Skeavington wished all students writing exams this week the best of luck. Superintendent Veitch congratulated Ruth Betts Student Council and Mrs. Mott's grade 5 class on raising nearly $1,000 for the tsunami relief efforts. Superintendent Veitch congratulated Ruth Betts teacher Doug Mack on being selected to the committee that will review and advise the Manitoba Department of Education on the assessment system that will replace the current grade 6 and grade 9 standards tests. Chairperson Skeavington announced that this year's public budget meeting will be held on Thursday, March 3, at the Flin Flon City Council Chambers. Superintendent Veitch noted that children from the Aboriginal Headstart program have been visiting the Ruth Betts library once a week to take part in a literacy program.
