PAGE 4, Monday, June 19, 1978. THE HERALD, BCTF on declining enrollment The B.C. Teachers’ Federation has rejected declining student enrollment as grounds for. teacher layoffs and will throw ite support behind any per- manent teacher fired for this reason, . ‘There ia no need for teacher layoffs in this province,’ BCTF president Pat Brady said today. ‘Attrition alone will open up 3,000 teaching positions for next September. Education Minister Pat McGeer himself said in the legislature June 2 that the attrition of teachers more . than compensates for the declining enrollment, and that teachers currently working can be reassured they will be needed. ‘Apart from the openings created by attrition, we are still 1,950 teachers short of meeting school-staffing criterla which, .in our collective professiona: judgment, are the minimum needed .to ensure the educational welfare of the children in our classrooms.’ These criteria, long promoted by the BCTF, are ‘cor not unreasistic,' Brady said. They call for no more than 30 pupils per claas in grades 4 to 12, 25 in grades 1 ta 3, 20 in kindergarten and 30 in special-education Many B.C. schools still have larger classes than these, he noted. The BCTF’s firm stand against teacher layoffs originated at the federation’s recent Representative Assembly, a gathering of 114 elected geographical representatives from all over B.C, The assembly approved interim measures to deal with layoffs resulting fromm enrollment. These will be submitted to the federation’s annual con- vention in 1979 for ratification. Layoffs of teachera con- sidered surplus to a schoo] district's needs are per- mitted under section 156 (3) af the Public Schools Act, , Aj), 75 Joa) teachers’... .:- A tions in B.C. are‘now~ : beihg informetl that’ the federation’s new policy permits them to file a formal grievance on behalf of any permanent teacher so laid off by a school district that does not meet the BCTF staffing criteria in all its schools If the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, the BCTF is pledged to support the laid-off teacher morally and financially until he or she regains his or her original position or a com- parable one, Declining enrollment has emerged in the last year aga . potential problem for B.C, schoola. However, no B.C. teacher has yet been laid off because of declining enrollment. The BCTF, said its president, Pat Brady, has taken the position that the reduction in the number of children in some schools offers an opportunity to improve the quality of education. ‘We cannot consider layofia with so many needs still unmet in our schools,’ he said. ‘For the first time we have the space, staff and resources to meet our basic staffing criteria and to offer needed courses .that have never before been possible.’ said substantial segments of today’s youth © are stlll not receiving the help they need from .the school system. These incude dropouts, students whose first language is not English, native students, the physically and emotionally handicapped, and others. ‘He pointed out that provincial centres for children with special needs, such as the Jericho Hill and Woodlands schools, are reducing their services, ‘Many physically and meatally handicapped children are heing in- tegrated into the public school system and we must be able to serve them,’ Brady sald. He said teachers in some districts will need retraining or upgrading of their skills and ‘we look forward to positive assistance from the school boards in this regard,’ TRAINING FOR TROUBLE _. BRIDGEMONT, England (CP) — A housewife In this Derbyshire town is being driven off the rails bec use her husband has turned thelr bedroom inte a railway junction: He has a detailed model layout in the room which he teats at all hours of the day and night. , hament on June 22nd which has become so Stranger things done neath the midnight Sun YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T.— The land which sponsored the Midnight Golf Tournament has come up with another couple of zanies which are not likely ‘to catch on in, the other parts of Canada, ‘either. . As a part of the Canada Week celebrations June 25th -‘July ist, the Northwest Territories are holding the first annual Septic Tank Race in Yellowknife and a Buffalo Ball Game in Fort Smith. A spinoff on the Bath Tub Races, the Septic Tank Race is not designed to speed -- there are no motors — but rather the crews mostly try to keep out of the frigid waters of Lake Frame, a cool spot near downtown Yellowknife. The four-man crews take off from shore and paddle their round craft ~ which are five feet in diameter and four feet deep -- through a figure eight course about 200 feet long. The crew which stays afloat and lands back on shore first wins the race. ; “It's a little like paddling a big teacup,” says Canada Week Chairman, Grant Hinchey of Yellowknife. “Oh yes, the ice is finally off the lake and by July ist, they hope it will be up to 50 degrees.” In the Buffalo Ball Game, the players use a stuffed ball about two feet in diameter and covered in Buffalo hidé and play a form of Volleyball, throwing the Buffalo Ball over a seven-foot high net. If it hits the floor at one time that's a point. . foe You can have as many players as you want on the floor at one time and the game is over when everyone gets tired. | ‘They will also hold the Midnight Golf Tour- popular that golfers come from all over Canada to play nine holes on a course which features sand greens, sand fairwaysand the biggest ball- stealing ravens in the world. But it is so light that you tee-off at midnight — or whenever you Truth will out Lennon on Friday failed in a legal attempt to prevent his former wife Cynthia from publishing details: of their private life in-a newspaper article. The former Beatle requested an injunction to prevent the mass circulation News of the World Sunday newspaper from publishing the articles, but a‘ judge turned him down, The decision was later upheld by an appeals court, His lawyer said the first article claimed Lennon introduced his wife to drugs against her will, which he said was libellous and a breach of confidence of the marriage. The marriage was dissolved in 1968. Lennon iater married his present wife Yoko Ono. rene ease LONDON ( Rueter) - John « + NAME OF FUNCTION. ‘Ottawa update ’ ‘THe latest Gallup Poll of national political party preferences (taken during the first week of May) shows the Liberals with a 4 point lead over the Conservatives, 43 percent - 39 percent N.D.P, strength is up one point at 15 percent. Prince Rupert will be the site of a Consumer and Corporate Affairs ‘‘Food Talk” project this summer. The project, which will employ 5 local youths is part of a national program of consumer awareness and education organized -by the Consumer and Corporate - Affairs Department as one of the federal government's 1978 student employment activities. . . or Call us we will bé happy to print your story. A grant of $106,269 has “been offered to JS, Me- Millan Fisheries Ltd, to expand its operations in Prince Rupert for the processing of ground-fish. The expanded facilities, if the offer is accepted, will mean the creation of up to 22 new jobs. The grant is from D.R.E.E. The Canadian government has donated an additional $200,000 this year to the U.N, Fund for Drug Abuse Con- tro], Since 1971 Canada has mw given $1,400,000 to this international effort aimed at combatting drug abuse...one example of the unpublicized side of Canadian foreign aid. The federal government is spending $130 million this FO TOI IOI IOI IIA A AA AIK Local Clubs or Organizations or simply Local News . is f .- share of the increase (41 lone in energy : yesearch nercent) is in projects on ch and. development programs This isan in- renewable energy resources. crease of $10 million from Pere rod last year, and the largest 3 “TICKETS” | KITIMAT LIONS CLUB . : First Prize - Trip to Amsterdam Second Prize - $250.00 PROCEEDS TO SOCCER ASSOCIATI. Available By Mailing Form To: ‘Kiimat & District Soccer Assac. Box 314, Kitimat, B.C. NAME... ———_—- —_—- —— $$$ ADDRESS—--——_—— NO. of TICKETS___-_____- % $1.00 + 25chandling Total Tickels may be purchased at the Bay Coffee Shop Lottery Ticket Lic. No, 26031 . * finish your drink. Ieeseancusnoteananaesoseteaeneaeiessbatietanstnaelecssssoneitvetratisieeeareneeeene a | "a ~~ 4 — vote to women in 1944, France extended the . Terrace/Kitimat Daily Herald 3212 Kalum Street; ek kk KK OK K nme __PLACE DATE : +X POINTS OF INTEREST. PICTURES WILL BESUBMITTED Yes] Nol FOTO I DITA A * x x «x *« *. * * x Terrace 635-6357 or Kitimat 632-2747 Especially when home is British Columbia. There’s no place like home. — Cook’s tour of What’s more, 1978's our Captain Cook Bicentennial year, so-Jou couldn’t pigks -better fimé to take areatss = «J our province. ole bane oe You'll discover Tall Ships, naval ships, and all kinds of championships. _ Rodeos, regattas, and rip- roaring races. os British Columbia. cr Not to mention umpteen Captain Cook did. TOURISM BRITISH COLUMBIA HON, GRACE McCARTHY, MINISTER. The fleet's in ‘ Tali Ships, small ships, and some of the world’s most modern nayal vessels will be sailing into British - - Columbia waters from: now till October. And our summer’s - just jam-packed with nifty nautical events. Everything's shipshape. _ Drop aline for more superduper details: _ Captain Cook Bicentennial Committee, 1117 Wharf Street, Victoria, V8W 222. British Columbia this year.