44 — Sunday, May 4, 1997 — North Shore News = joking back at school days gone by vintage year EVERY once in a while I get to mus- ing about my years as a school-teacher in the bush, about how tough it was with 12 kids and eight grades amongst them and with no relief. All this because after school I had to sweep the floor and work for at least two hours by lantern light, getting lessons organized for the next day. There was no chance to shuck the mantle of the school marm and just be me. Then I think of today’s Seachers, with rooms full ~ of computers, with the “freedom that a car gives --and evenings to them- . Selves, Meanwhile, there is ‘a classroom-aid to deal . With the children who have no English and I _ think how hard I was -done by. Poor me. Then reality strikes and I realize how lucky I was to have done my service in the ancient past. --Children in those days “came to school wearing clean clothes and carrying a mother-made lunch, and they were prepared to sit quietly waiting their turn, inthe meantime hciping SELECTACARE can help in hospita! and home with aursing, , driving and home management We visit for as Sale ss an hour 8 . yo our clients control the cost. We help companies too. Staff are more effective when family problems are under conizol. 925-0080 A Comachtins ceanipenny eaten cand cgveneted reyretnred anurves vince 1979 Torun (htawa Wernpey Vercouves one another with the numbers and words they knew they must master. Ninety percent of them were children of immi- grants, but every member of the family was making preat efforts to speak English, their children helping them. They had accepted thar their beloved mother tongue must now be reserved for family use. ic must be very difficult for teachers who have numbers of oriental stu- dents, probably from diverse areas of China and Hong Kong, with differ- ent inflections and dialects maki.g it hard for them to help each other. Add to that a recent decision to include in the classroom the physically and mentally challenged, who may or may not speak English, and you have a school- teacher at her/his wits’ end. My job, in thuse long- ago days, though, granted, it lacked almost every amenity you can think of, was quite straight forward cempared to today’s situa- tions. I was prodded into these recollections a dav or ! The allergy season is here. What is the best antihista- mine to take for this annoy- ing problem? There are to choose from. Som« work faster than others. Some act longer than oth- ers, Some huve serious dru inceractions. If one doesn't } otk For you, another one |} will. Our pharmacists will be happy to consult with you § on the proper choice and } use of antihistamine med- ications. Drop in soon. Free Parkin Free Delivery for Pharmacy Prescriptions DAVIES PHARMACY 1401 Sc, Georges 985-8771 Ready to Make Your Will... I'li Make a House Calli CLARK, WILSON BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS CANDICE ESBIN 643-3147 \ SENIORS so ago when a woman on Lonsdale stopped to tell me that I had been her first-grade teacher. That has to be 40 years ago. Do you remember your first-grade teacher? Grades 5 through 8 were in one recom in the hands of the man who was also Principal, and I was assigned to the first four grades in the other room. What a cinch. As well, I could live at home and bike back and forth to my job. I had never had a bicycle and got a very obvious gravel burn on my chin before I finally actually drove the dog- gone thing, The day I pitched head first over the handlebars and down a slope, ending in a most un-teachetish sprawl, was a day for the kids to remember. I, at fast, came to terms with the vehicle, but I could never say I had mas- tered it. Probably never mastered the art of teach- ing school cither, though I had two merce years of it. This tirnc in the Prince Gcorge Elementary school where I had learned my own Ps and Qs, and under today’s classrooms. Thus one becomes an the same man who had been Principal in my child- hood. I wouldn’t know what to do in one of DR. BART McROBERTS* DR. DEBRA ROVINELLI* DR. CORINNE KNIGHT DR. NANCY HARDIN 4 Sentewaneve wp vitides cane 103-1365 Pemberton Ave Squainish © 892-5055 Toll Free 1-888-393-4897 memories. “De Warten McRoberts and Drona Renacth Opeasetrs Carperatnen 114-2419 Bellevue Ave West Vancouver 925-2525 Sure! The People Get Seat ba. but whet about US! Please be a responsible pet owner and provide your dog ~~ with a protective kennel fastened to the centre of Assistance for Seniors {f you are a senior ona _tow-income, or a landlord with a senior occupant, yeu may qualify for financial assistance of up to $2509. T&is financial assistance applies tu renovatians- from installing lever door handles and grab bar iv your bathroom te lowering cupboards and counter tops -all designed to make day-to-day living gesier for you in your home, whether vou rent i? or own it. Sut hurry. funds are limited and applications for the HAS! Program must be received and approved by December 31, 1997. 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