Change Author says public system dropped ball dan-Christian Sorensen Contributing Writer WHEN parents push their kids too far and too fast the results can be devastating, warns a noted cultural anthro- pologist. Jennifer James, an author and lecturer trom Washington State, addressed 3 capacity crowd at the West Vancouver Secondary School Theatre Tuesday. The session was part of a community forum on the future of learning in West Vancouver’s public school sys- tem. James, author of Thinking in the Future Tense, comends that parents who pressure their children to be the best in all areas and reprimand them when they fail are espousing outdated thinking that equates superiority with suc- cess. “The thing that most wor- ries me is this 1980s view that kids have got to be number one all the time,” said James. “Ie’s an ethic that’s done a huge amount of damage. “We have to understand thar this is 2 different group of kids living ina much more complex era and driving them in that same way can be extremely destructive,” she said. The five-hour forum was organized by the West Vancouver School District to bring parents, trustees and’ teachers together to garner feedback and direction on education initiatives and poli- cies within the community. Geoff Jopson, director of curriculum and staff develop- ment for the district, said that the session — the first of its kind to be held in West Vancouver — repre- sented an invaluable opportunity for the board to form a checkup of its education system. Over 6,800 students attend school in West Vancouver. “It’s a chance for the community to consider the _ future of education in this area,” Jopson said. “We're “talking about knowledge, skills and attitudes that we hope our children will have when they complete their schooling in West Vancouver.” In a wide-ranging, often tongue-in-cheek lecture, James identified many issues which she saw as vital to the success of the pubiic school svstem. For one, it is essential for teachers to adhere to NEWS photo Julle iverson JENNIFER James, a cultural anthropologist from Washington State, spoke Tuesday during a forum on learning in West Vancouver's public schoo! system. the same standard they expect of their students. In that regard, said James, teachers should not only be well-educated and prepared when they set foot in the classroom, but also constantly be striving to re-edu- cate themselves on a regular basis. If teachers are to remain competent in their jobs, she said, they have to expel old notions of teaching and embrace new ideas. “There’s nothing scarter to a child than an adult who doesn’t seem to know what they're doing,” she said. She also attributed the growing carolment of stu- dents in private and charter schools and larger num- bers of home-schooled students to problems in pub- lic school systems. get home. cies. Friday, Apri 7, 2009 - North Shore News - 3 ols “Public schools have dropped the ball,” she said. The home schooling, and private instite- tions serve to wake us up and remind us that we've got to staVv on Our Loc: Part of that wake-up call must involve the realization of par- ents and educators that this is a different world than the once in which they were raised and schooled. She talked briefly about Columbine High School in Litdeton, Co., where Jast year two students went on a shoot- ing rampage, killing 12 class- mates and one teacher before taking their own lives. She said that the atmosphere within Columbine was one of a “1950s sports-oriented school” that fostered the growth of a student bady high on testosterone and sut- fering from cognitive disso- nance, or a blurred distinction between the real world and their high school environ- ment. “The culture within the school has got to match the reality, or the world in which these kids are actually going to have to live and work in,” she said. James also ralked about the vital role technology will con- tinue to play in schools and society in general in the future. She told the audience that new technologies haven’t negatively affected human relationships, as was the initial fear when the Information Age began to gather steam. Despite the introduction of e- mail and fax machines, she said, people have a greater desire for intimacy and con- nections with others. “f was raised in an age when you could grunt your way through 40 years of mar- riage,” she joked. “You didn’t have to talk. But you just try that now. Your significant other, right now, is planning, to ask you questions (about this meeting) when you “Your friends are going to 12-step meetings to find out who they are so they can tell you what you don’t want to know.” Following James’ lecture, participants broke up into groups to discuss and debate emerging educa- tional trends and issues and make suggestions to the board as to how it should proceed with future poli- Jopson said the board 2H publish the partici- pants’ recommendations when all the information has been compiled. Another forum, this one on assessment standards and testing, is set for October. Fish bound for Lynn Creek Auto dealerships From page 1 the Seymour River hatchery. North Vancouver RCMP and federal fisheries officer Ken Green where at the hatchery trailer on Wednesday. Const. Heidi Hoffman said police viewed the incident as miischief and an attempted break and enter. The solid door to the salmon hatchery had pry marks on it. The door knob was broken, but the would-be burglars or burglar could not get in. They tampered with the creek water supply going into the hatchery trailer. The fisheries officer was viewing the situation as an offence of destroying fish in contravention of the Federal Fisheries Act. The maximum fine for a first offence is $100,000. Morten said she came to the hatchery and knew something was wrong when she couldn’t hear the sound of rushing water. Rushing water supplies the fish with oxygen. When Morten unlocked the door, she was upset to see a trough with what appeared to be a silver sheen on top. The dead fish were on their sides. Morten estimates the oxygen sup- ply was cut off for about 12 hours. -: "-" Morten said the chum were supposed to have been released "into Lynn Creek at Bridgeman Park on Thursday with the help of Girl Guides, Brownies, Rockridge middle school and Saint Thomas Aquinas students. A release of the surviving, and likely stressed, chum was still planned to go ahead yesterday. . Anyone with information about the fish kill is asked to con- tact the North Vancouver RCMP at 985-1311 or Crime Stoppers. Callers are asked to refer tc case 2000-10300. Michael Becker News Editor mbecker@nsnews.com AUTO dealers are rolling into the new Harbourside business park in North Vancouver City. Concert Properties Ltd. confirmed on Wednesday seven of 12 potential tenants miov- ing in to the 68-acre (27.8-hectare) site later this year. The North Shore auto mall will take 24 acres (9.7 hectares) of the site. Auto mail ten- ants confirmed to date: Jim Pattison Toyota, Jim Pattison Lexus, Volvo of North Vancouver, Pacific Honda, Morrey Saturn Saab Isuzu of the North Shore, Park Shore BMW, and North Shore Jaguar. The Harbourside project will be officially Jaunched on Saturday when David Podmore, president and CEO of Concert Properties Ltd., Avenue. Fr mall and West Vancouver tycoon Jim Pattison drive across a new overpass at the foot of Fell The auto mail itself has been bought by the Jim Pattison Group, which is re-selling service lots to individual auto dealers. According to Peter Martin, industrial and commercial properties manager at Concert, the dealership sites range in size from 0.65 acres (0.264 hectares) to 2.9 acres (1.17 hectares.) Building plans have yet to go before the city, but Martin envisions a construction start by late spring and an opening of the auto mall later in the fall. A high tech park will come to fruition by 2001 at the site. The entire Harbourside pro- ject will be built over a five-year period and will include 3 6.5 acre (2.63 hectares) park and waterfront walkway, restaurants and possibly a hotel-marina complex. The business park will include about one million square feet (92,900 sq. m) of building floor space when finished. MLA Dalton out of caucus 8ob Mackin News Reporter bmackin@nusnews.com JEKEMY Dalton has been lassoed again. The West Vancouver- Capilano Liberal MLA will spend up to three months out of caucus after being suspend- ed Wednesday. For the second time he has complained to the government on his MLA let- terhead on behalf of his father- in-law, rancher Neil Macdonald. A portion of Macdonald's property near Williams Lake is in limbo because it contains an aboriginal burial ground. Liberal leader Gordon Campbell fired Dalron from his labour critic post in 1997 when he phoned and faxed bureaucrats regarding the matter. ~ The latest letter was dated Feb. 10 and sent to NDP MLA David Zirnhelt’s riding office in Williams Lake. Macdonald’s farm is in Zimhelt’s riding and Dalton said Macdonald has been in frequent telephone contact with the MLA’s staff. Dalton said the matter has been a 34-year ordeal for Macdonald. “It’s calving time, they're right up to their armpits in cows and calves, trying to get ready for the hay- ing season,” Dalton said. “This thing drags on, and on, 3% years. [ would like to think if 1] was the MLA dealing with this, not for my family but for a constituent, this __ file would’ve been closed a long time ago.” Last year Dalton lost his post as deputy whip and critic for education and the environ- ment when he sent a note on MLA stationery to then- North Vancouver — school board chairman Doug MacKay-Dunn. Dalton complained about a personnel matter at Handsworth secondary w his two children were pupils. Dalton said he is disap- poi:..c t to be out of caucus, but looks forward to return- ing in three months or less. “J still have my job to do as an MLA. Pl be speaking today on a reply to the throne speech, presenting my views as to what’s wrong with the gov- emment which is what all of us in the opposition will continue to do.”- Riding association spokesman John Aisenstat said the executive has been satisfied with Dalton, bur it’s up to caucus to decide his fate. Dalton said he plans to run as a Liberal in the next provin- cial election. . “It begs the question, if I hadn’t used the MLA sta- tionery and I contacted Dave Zirnhelt, would I be in the jue? “Thave his home phone number, ve driven by his house in the Beaver Valley, we were up there at spring break. If Thad stopped at his house and knocked on his door, and said ‘Dave could you please attend to this matter?’, would there be a blow back? “I think not.”