NV trustees reject teen survey bid Questions deemed Suggestive Robert Galster News Reporter robert@ssncws,com GLEANING the atti- tudes of North Vancouver secondary school students has been deemed dangerous to their well-being. Last Tuesday, 9 North Vancouver School — Board trustees voted 4-3 to deny a Burnaby research tirm permis- NORTH Van School Board chair Pat Heal favors fet- ting survey go ahead. sion to survey students in the district. The province-wide survey in question is being conducted by the McCreary Centre Society, a non- profit organiza- tion whese aim is to improve the health of B.C. hs The board's decision was based on a fear shared by the majority of the trustees that the survey questions are sugge: were phrased we didn’t teel was very f “said trustee Deborah Kitson. “(There was an) assumption made thar vou had done some things ... to do A similar survey was con- ducted by the same group in 1992 with North Vancouver school district also choosing to opt out of joining 27 of 75 school districts to do so q 1998 version has so far re permission to go ahead from 16 of 22 districts responding. West Vancouver’s school district will be discussing the issue at its Feb. 10 meeting. MeCreary’s Aileen Murphy, the survey's project coordina- tor, disagreed with the board’s reasoning. “Asking behavior does not cause them (the students) to engage in risky behavior,” said Murphy. She said that partici- pating students have the free- dom to skip questions they are uncomf fortable with. “Our nee in "92 was that young people liked the oppor- tunity to express their views and find the survey (made them not nervous).” School board chair Pat Heal cast one of the three votes in NEWS photos Terry Peters CARSON Granam and the rest of North Van’s secondary schools will not participate in a survey of youth views. favor of letting the survey go ahead saying she felt comtort- able allowing parents to make the decision on an individual basis. But, she added the board is unlikely to reverse its deci- sion. “I don’: think we Y be look- ing at it agai AS tor the dividuals at the heart of the issue, some stu- FACTORY FUTON Entrance in sear fane Mon.- Sat. H-8pm Sunday 12-5 pm dents said they had no prob- lems answering question: about sex or drugs. “Maybe the Grade 8 and 9s shouldn’t, but Grade 10s and up definiteh,” said 18-year-old Nicole Statham, a Grade 12 Carson Grahams don’t mind answe tions like that and ps other people or even helps me OTON BLOWOUT! not 2 Wigs fee coe fata SColch-garted fatna caves. plows and pidoas cavers Wasie quaanites last 267 E. Ist. W.Van 904-4504 become more aware | think it’s a good thing.” Grade 8 Carson Graham student Jessi.a Cousens, 13 and friend Christina Briggs, also 13, likewise saw no prob- lems with answering the ques- tions. “If youre not mature enougn don’t do it,” said SQyit LITIGATION | ¢ Civil Litigation - matrimonial - commercial & estate litigation - wrongful dismissal - personal injury “Panay LAW Cousens as her friend nodded in agreement. “Use a condom,” they both added as an afterthought. North Vancouver school district includes 32 elementary schools and eight secondary schools with about 18,000 stu- dents enrolled. RIS & stairs “CONVEYARCUNG ° Family Law ¢ Wills & Estates ¢ Conveyancing MIRRAPIDLUBE ORIVE-THRU Oil CHANGE PROFESSIONALS No appointment necessary ICBC Claim? If you have been injured i in an auto accident Law Office Stephen ‘Anderson LYNN VALLEY CENTRE.985-8000 - 922-8881 SAGER ANDERSON LAWRENCE Barristers & Solicitors 235-15th Street, West Vancouver a Most cars & pick ups, plus taxes & enviro levy includes 21 point salely inspection With your. retirement,” a savings under the ,"ambrella”: ‘of our SELF’ DIRECTED. RRSP.. yo You're singing, in the raiy! Open 8:00am - 6:00pin | Mon.-Sat. e@vpwas February 1398 ‘Save $6 on ; zadiator flush Sf Engine antitreaze © Windshield washer tiuid ¢ Power Steering fluid « Transmission tuid © Brake tieid pLONSDALE & 13TH 9% Consolidate your RRSP assets under the “umbrella” of Midland Walwyn's Self Directed RRSP. \GAS! “FIREPLACES : yates: - WR ae oe Professional Financials dyice ‘ ee ; s 2 Top Ranked: ‘Restarth FRecopnmendatigns ? a ‘ 8” unbaked Pepperoni Pizza ae Comprehensive Retirdpentroy a Financial Just Bake & Serve! Westiynn Bakery 1199 LYNN VALLEY RD., LYNN VALLEY CENTRE 985-1622 Valid Jan 29 - Feb 4/98 De a ee ae ee ee ee ee ee we Oe ee ee ee ‘CLOSING our oe a Planning ie For more information on our Self Directed RRSP Plans Call: 925-5569 G ane ~ are of . : a inside: > dnd. out was MIDLAND WALWYN_ wb Care te Kathy Sager Vice President Financial Advisor West Vancouver Branch Sponsored in part Mon - Sat 10:30 - 5:00 Sunday 12:00 - 4:00 385-5337 PELAGO IMPORTS Home decor & Accessories 103 E. 2nd St., N.Van. (Steps off Lonsdale) Lm + PRODUCTS LTD s ERTO VEL ON, VAN ew 234 | S08? Sundey & Monday | ™BLUE CHIP THINKING is a trademark of Midland Watwyn Capital Inc. Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fuad.