LETTE TRE mare oS BLADEN TTS One FO mets atm tt carn he eg ne nee tne mange By JIM McDOWELL At its last regular meeting of the school year the West Vancotver School Board approved a parent volunteer program that could help Special Education teachers work with slow learners in every ‘school at a maximum cost of about $17,000. A Parent Volunteer Pilot Project was tried out for ' about 2% months this spring in two schools - Ridgeview and Irwin Park. “The general response was positive,” reported Special Education Coordinator Agnes Vaughan, “and all the involved volunteers, parents, and principals recommended its con- ‘inuance.” She claimed it “has merit as a model for other schools.” The year-long scheme could involve cight parent volunteers at cach school starting in September. The volunteers would help students with learning problems under the direction of learning assistance teachers, cach giving about two hours a week. But it will cost about $1,000 to train cach gro cight volunteers. “Pre learning assistance teachera will select parents; district staff will train them. “If every school wants the program,” said Director of Instruction Ron Fenwick, “start-up costs wil be about $17,000.” “The way I see it,” said Superintendent Ed Carlin, “we could end up with 136 trained aides for free; that would be a big advantage.” When trustee Katherine Newman was asked if the volunteers would actually be teaching, Carlin was quick to answer, “They'll just be doing rote work with students. The learning assistance teachers will do all the ‘prescription and diagnosis.” The Irwin Park report of the pilot project states, “teachers had responsibility for teaching the skills in- volved; the parent volun- teers were responsible only for reinforcing these skills.” B.C. Teacher's Federation President Al Blakey sces some contradiction between a district like West Van- couver cutting back on teachers yet spending the equivalent of (a full-time tea. 28 salary to train voluntcers. “Our position,” says Blakey, “ia that any direct interaction with students is teaching unless it is general ' supervision of work assigned by the teacher. It’s a fine line, and we try to watch it closely.” W.V.T.A. President Jim Cook was not available for comment. West Vancouver schools will be canvassed to see how many want the volunteer program. Then the Board will look for funds. For those interested in other aspects of rote lear- ning -- using memory without thought of meaning - - trustees Newman briefly reviewed a film called, “Reading, Writing, and Reefers” about children under 12. It’s available from Peter Cotton at the West Vancouver Community Services Advisory Com- mission. The. hazards of rote learning were also revealed ‘by Board Chairwoman Audrey Sojonky’ .musing mistake when she described a young friend’s sports day victory last week in the “25 millimeter dash.” No regular Board meetings will be held during ‘* > summer. 2 94 Ce 2 G20 - \ \ 100 ft. roll “Perforated or Unperforated Perimeter Drain Pipe " The modem, easy, quick way. No more heavy weeping tiles. individually placed. » This is the way to ensure efficient perimeter drainage. Corrugated, completely flexible. 4 inch diameter. Screen Blocks ° 12”? x12” x 4’? 74 ex. + tpoes Jimmy-Proof Lock Set q& For wood or metal doors 1-3/8" to 2%" thick. A new, modern design offering the positive security your home needs now! | $7 0° SET SEAFORLC OPEN Men. -Fri. 8:00-5:30 Sat. 8:00-5:00 Sun. 10:00-4:00 Closed Monday Juty 2 (4x8°x112””) 7 Economical wallpanels for - @very room. Easy to aot & finish with texture pain & wallpaper. oe Cash 7 carry ry only! Building Supplies Ltd. 1422 Main St. North Vancouver” 987-9301 se We deliver on Saturday!!! Prices in effect til July 4/79 White quantities last! Concrete Mix! - Mortar Mix 5 Asmall price for p peace. 2of mind. _For a life-saver in your home or recreational vehicle. Irly Bird helps you protect your family and home -with savings on this: amazing early warning fire/smoke detector. - it “buys” time for sensing smoke in. early stages of fire, BEFORE it. reaches a dangerous concentration... Your family deserves more than fire. GALVANIZED CHAIN LINK FENCING - 50 FT. ROLL | On guard for years protecting your family and privacy. Galvanized to be rust-proof. 36”. 27% SZ a St. hisse a