BA LOG; vtartess yen re
Ad Terrace Review — Wednesday, February 6, 1991

Snow a cool new experience |

English and Afrikaans, but the
dialects and expressions afc
different, so they’ve had some
amusing misunderstandings.
Marilyn says, "It’s a real learning
experience for all of us, too."

_ Steven describes South Africa as
a magnificent country and an ideal
place for a holiday. Politically, he
describes it as a first and third
world country together. The sanc-
tions are affecting the blacks the
most. "I’ve lived in Johannesburg
for 16 years and I’ve never seen a
racial fight. I’m not saying we
don’t have our problems. It’s only
through international understanding
like DeKlerc is promoting now,
that is changing the situation

by Betty Barton

Steven Kietzmann (pronounced
Kitsman) is a newcomer to Ter-
race, and a very enthusiastic one at
that. Steven arrived in Terrace
from Johannesburg, South Africa a
week ago Tuesday after a two and
a half day journey by air.

Seventeen-ycar-old Steven is in
Terrace for a year on Rotary Inter-
national’s youth exchange prog-
ram. He explains that he'd always
wanted to be a Rotary exchange
student because he’d had friends
join the program. From’80 appli-

cants, he was one of six chosen to
go through the lengthy interview

genomes

emotions and we're just beginning
to respect that."

Steven graduated from Hyde
Park High School in Johannesburg
where all the students wear uni-
forms, the schools are a more open
plan. a ,
He feels, though, that courses
here are better matched to career
goals. Steven plans to become a _
lawyer, so. he’s, registered for a
Grade 12 law class at Caledonia.
He's also taking physical educa-
tion, calculus and drama "to pre-
vent vegetation of the brain”, he

explains. Steven says a lot of his

age group activities revolve around
school, extracurricular school acti-
vities, social activities with friends |

and orientation processes. The six
have gone to different parts of the
‘world, Steven’s first choice was
Canada; second, the USA and
‘third, Belgium. Steven was born in
Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). His
family was living in Botswana at
the time in a town without a hos-
pital. He is well-traveled in South
Africa, but had never been off the
continent until now. Steven leaves
behind in South Africa two
younger brothers, his mother who
is a nursing sister at an old age
home, his father, a bank manager,
and cousins and friends. He’s
spoken with his parents once since
his arrival and spends a lot of time
writing letters telling of his many
new experiences.
He began his first semester of

Grade 12 at Caledonia Senior .

Secondary on Monday, although in
South Africa, he graduated from
high school (senior matriculation)
in November 1990. There are two

million people in Johannesburg,

explains Steven, so he’s looking
forward to getting to know more
people "in a small place like Ter-
race."

Steven says, "It’s been quite a
change, too, to go from 32 degrees
celsius to -10 degrees celsius, but
it’s exciting. I want to mect as
many people, see as much of the
country, play as many sports and
work as hard as possible during
my stay in Canada."

Steven has already met a lot of
people, gone ice skating at the
Terrace Arena and skied twice on
Shames Mountain. Steven’s best
friend in Johannesburg goes to

Switzerland to ski, so Steven had ~

heard a lot about the sport before
he ever saw it. He had never even
touched snow before he arrived in
Terrace. He’s anxiously awaiting
the first snowfall. He says there is
snow in the high mountains 600
kilometres from Johannesburg, but
it’s inaccessible. Steven is thrilled
with skiing and his billeting
brother, Mike Christensen, is a
good instructor.

During his one-year exchange,
Steven will live with three diffe-
rent Terrace Rotary families. For
the first four months of his stay in
Terrace, Steven is billeted with the
Christensen family. He is already
calling Stew and Marilyn "mum
and dad" and says, "Mike has been
great!” Steven has been. enjoying
tasting new things, but he misses
‘his favourite food, "biliong’, some-
thing he describes as similar to

beef. jerhy:: Steven is fluent in

dramatically for the better. We're
being educated that the black
people have rights, feelings and

and parties at each others homes.
He is interested in finding out how
it all happens here.

experience for all

‘Marilyn Christeneen, Steven Kietzmann: It's a real leaming

of us.

How are we preparing B.C’s
children for th

THE SECOND OF TWO EDUCATION SYSTEM REPORTS:

a

Why are the schools changing?

Because B.C. is changing — economically,
socially, and very rapidly. Through public
consultation in the 1988 Royal Commission
on Education, you made one thing clear. You
wanted changes in our school system to
match the changes in our world.

We listened, and responded with a new
approach to learning that will prepare our
children for the Year 2000 and beyond. We're
reinforcing the old basics — and moving
ahead to new basics that will satisfy indi-
vidual needs while giving all students a
lifelong interest in learning.

. Today's Changes.
The Primary Program was successfully intro-
duced in many school districts in the 1989-90
school year and will become system-wide by
the fall of 1991. In the new program, children
learn reading, writing, mathematics, science,
social studies, art, music, drama and physi-
cal education. No surprises there.

But they also learn to feel successful, to see
themselves as thinkers, to regard learning

| By creating a school system
for the 21st century.

as an enjoyable experience. And more, they
learn to make decisions, solve problems,
communicate effectively and care for each ©
other, as well as the world around them.

Dual entry, a key part of the new Primary
Program, demonstrates how public consen-
gus contributes to our new school system.

st centu ry?

September or January, reducing the waiting
time to a maximum of four months. This

table clarifies the options:

your childwas —_Firsteligible Mayalso Ormay
born between: to start: start: delay until:
May'85-Oct.'85 Sept.’90 Jan.'91 Sept.'91
Nov.'85-April'86 Jan."01 — Sept.’91 Jan."92
May’86-Oct.'86 Sept.'91  Jan.92 Sept, "92
Nov.'86-April’87 Jan.'92 Sept.'92 Jan.’93
May'87-Oct.'87 Sept.’92 Jan.'93. Sept.'93
Nov.'87-April'88 Jan.'93  Sept.'93 Jan."94

With its flexibility, dual entry typifies a
school system that is based on the individual
needs and abilities of the child.

Tomorrow's changes..
The Intermediate and Graduation Programs.
As part of the consultative process, drafts
of these proposed programs were circulated
in September 1990 to parent groups,
teachers and other members of the public
with interests in the education system. In
response to their comments, the Inter-
mediate Program will be phased in begin-
ning optionally in the 1991-92 school year;
the new Graduation Program will begin
in 1995-96.

If you would like additional information
on B.C.’s new school system, mail the
coupon below.

The Royal Commission leamed that parents
wanted more choices about when to enrol OF EDUCATION
their children in school. Why should young- Fon, Stanley @. agen,
sters bom in January or February have to . .
wait eight months before starting? Dual Committed To Developing
entry allows them to begin schoo! in either B.C.s Greatest Resource
a Communications Branch, an *
Ministry of Education
| Province of ni ana oe send me a copy of |
Parliament Buildi GES IN EDUCATION -. -
| Victoria, B.C. V8V 2M4 A Guide To Parents. |
Ew |
| ADDRESS |
| | CITY POSTAL CODE | |

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