ALL right, we know. Our question this week was phrased in such a way that only one answer was likely. ig form, ch. But what on carth is going on at North Vancouver’s schools this year? The collective bargaining agreement signed in August 1998 by the Ministry of Bad poll inguiring reporter Education and the B.C. ‘Teachers Federation committed all school districts in B.C. to reduce primary class size (kindergarten to Grade 3) from 28 to 23 children per class. The NDP govern- ment was then able to proclaim its “commitment” to education while, not uncoincidentally, creating ali sorts of new jobs for its militant teacher buddies. Still, smaller class size seernis like it ought to be a good thing — more individual attention and all that. Then the other shoe dropped. North Vancouver should have been allotted funds for 17 additional teachers but was instead toid to cut its teaching positions back to halfa teacher fess than 1998. North Vancouver school superintendent Robin Brayne was told last Friday by the province there would be no additional funding “at this time.” Meanwhile, 19 of 32 elemen- tary schools have been affected, either re-routing students or rearranging class sizes. Kindergarten children at Plymouth clementary still do not have a permanent class teacher. Doesn’t seem like the NDP is really “committed” to education, does it! NORTH SHORE DEMOGRAPHICS Horseshoe Bay __Dundarave/Ambleside British Properties Norgate/Pemberton Heights NO DON’T YES NO oPpINION KNOW 10% 78% 9% “71% 1% 75% 14% ORE Capilano/Deibrook Highlands 18% 62% Lower Lonsdale Centyal and Upper Lonsdale ~ Lynn Valley ‘COMBINED AVERAGE DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR TH 6% 75% 71% 70% sorcerererers 10% 70% 0% So 0% 0% 1% 9% 12% 11% 18% 18% 13% 10% Dave Guidi Camphell River For clementary-aged chil- dren I say no. Young children should be close to home for safety and in case of problems. For older children it’s not so important. People are generally pre- pared to pay the taxes for proper education if it’s a ques- tion of a bigger school or Shirley Sagansky North Vanceuver I think we are being ripped off (by the province) for more teachers. Children should net be forced to go ia school out- side their neighbourhood. T just get so upset. I don’t know where our lottery money and sales tax moncy is going. Lyle Barrette North Vancouver There should be more teachers. But what’s wrong witha degree of home tnaining. Schools should teach how to raise children and how to learn. The system ‘does rot.” give people thinking ability, . it’s aimed at'.keeping- pcople: . passive and stupid. a 3% 16% 6% e 7% 13% more teachers. NQUIRING REPORTER? E-mail your comments or question ideas to: mariin@nsnews.com Walks, tours, talks and displays focus on heritage’ From page 8 Advisory Commission (925- 7236) and Museum and Archives (925-7295). noon- 4 p.m.: Generations: _ 5 Decades of Artin’ West ' "Vancouver. 1912-1962 Froma series of. interviews with. -artists, their. families and . friends, some fascinating, sto- “ties and a. remarkable collec- tion of art works have been gathered for. presentation at - the West Vancouver Museum and : Archives. Info: 925- 7295, 7 ~ Saturday, Sept. 18 B noon-5 p.m.: Indian Arm Guided ; Boat -Tour., Enjoy breathtaking ‘scenery from . the comfort of the -Seaguest Explorer a 62°. boat. Tours depart from Waterfront Park. Tickets are $35 each includ- ‘ing appetizers and tea/coffee and: are .available from the District of North Vancouver, 355 Queens Road. Sponsored by the District of North Vancouver Heritage Advisory Commission. B noon- 5 p.m.: North Shore Heritage Home Tour. A limit- ed number of $15 tickets will be sold at the’ West Vancouver Municipal Hall, Third Floor, 750-17th Street (925-7236) and North Vancouver City Hall, 141 14th Street (987-7351). @ 1-4 p.m.: Memories of Deep Cove. © Meet Heritage Association membcrs and view an exhibition of historic photographs of the Deep Cove area. There will also be a slide presentation in the Cultural Centre theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 small reception. Admission is: by donation. Event sponsored by the Deep Cove and Area Heritage Association. Call 929-5744 @ 1:30 p.m.: Heritage Homes of the Craftsmen. Join Roy Pallant, MA, president of the North Shore Historical Society to view houses built around = Stoker’s Farm, Wagga-Wagga and the site of the 1874 Skid Road. Meet at the North Vancouver District Municipal Hall, 355 Queens Road. Pre-register by calling . 986-8969. Sponsored by the North Shore Historical Society, © Sunday, Sept. 19 B19 am.: Lighthouse Park Nature Walking Tour. Elaine Graham, resident expert on the flora and fauna’ of Lighthouse Park, returns this year. Free, but pre-registra- tion required as space is tim- ited. Call 925-7295. @ 10 am.: Point Atkinson Lighthouse Tour. Join’ Don Graham for a look at the Point Atkinson Light Station. Free, but space is limited so pre-register by calling 925-7295. Sponsored by the West Vancouver Museum and Archives and the North Shore Heritage Committec. @ 10 am.-4 p.m.: Heritage in the Headwaters — Open. House and Hikes. Discover . the rich natural and cultural heritage of Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Pre-registra- tion for guided walks and hikes will begin at 9 a.m. at the B.C. Mills House. Sponsored by GVRD Parks, North Vancouver Outdoor Pursuits, Capilano College, B.C. Mills House Volunteers and the North Shore Hikers. Info: 224-5739. - . &@ noon-4:30 p.m.: North Vancouver Herttage Displa Booth. A heritage display will be set up at Waterfront Park. Sponsored by the Heritage . Advisory Committee of the City of North Vancouver (988-7384) and the District of North Vancouver (990- 2369). @ noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.: Heritage Harbour Boat Tours. View North Vancouver's his- toric waterfront from the deck of the Pride of Vancouver. This opportunity is frec. Departure from Waterfront Park. A limited number .of tickets will be available ac the departure site 45 minutes before the sailing. For. more information call 987-5618. @ noon-4 o.m.: Fell Armoury Open House. Join Major’ Vincent Larogue, 6th Field Engineers Squadron Unit: Historian and ©. former Commanding Officer, . fora tour and history’ of the Lieutenant Colone] J.P. Fell : Armoury, 1555 Forbes Ave.,: North Vancouver. Call. 983- 7359 for more information. | @ 1 p.m: West Vancouver Heritage Tree. Walking Tour. Join Heinz: Berger, former Municipal « Parks “ Manager and Fellow, Canadian Society of Landiicape “Architects, for this walking tour of the lower.. : Ambleside»: and Dundarave area. Space is lim ited. Call. 92. -7236 ‘to :pre- register. 7