Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Weather forecast for Thursday, May 3, 2018
Today – Showers at times heavy ending this afternoon then cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Risk of thunderstorms. Local amount 10 to 20 mm. Wind becoming southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 this morning. High 28. Humidex 35. UV index 3 or moderate.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy. 60 percent chance of showers this evening. Showers at times heavy with a few thunderstorms beginning near midnight. Risk of a thunderstorm this evening. Fog patches overnight. Local amount 5 to 10 mm. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low 18.
Campbell Toyota provides $15,000 toward ‘The Final Push’
Dave Depencier and Dan Van Moorsel, organizers of The Final Push bike ride, are thrilled to announce $15,000 in support from Campbell Toyota towards their event.
Depencier and Van Moorsel are riding 1,000 km across Southwestern Ontario to raise funds for the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance‟s $6.9 million Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.
“The support from the dedicated team at Campbell Toyota has been overwhelming – there was no hesitation when I presented the Final Push concept to them,” said Dave Depencier, The Final Push organizer and Co-Chair of the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance‟s $6.9 million Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.
“Campbell Toyota believes in giving back to the community, and 100% of this donation is supporting a new CT Scan that is going to save lives throughout the entire community.”
The Final Push will take place over 6 days, starting May 23 from CKHA’s Wallaceburg hospital site, heading to Toronto and back to Chatham-Kent on May 28.
All proceeds from the event will support the CKHA $6.9 million Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.
“It is wonderful to see the community coming together to support Dave, Dan and the Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign,” said Mary Lou Crowley, Executive Director, Foundation of CKHA.
“This generous boost from Campbell Toyota really showcases how Chatham-Kent rallies together to support each other and the needs of the community, including our local hospital.”
Individuals are encouraged to pledge Dave and Dan by donating online at: thefinalpush.ca or through corporate sponsorship by contacting Dave Depencier directly. The Final Push target fundraising goal is $100,000.
Everyone is invited to the event taking place May 23rd at 7:00 a.m. at CKHA‟s Wallacbeurg hospital site, and are encouraged to ride along with Dave and Dan as they return into Chatham-Kent on May 28th.
More details regarding the kickoff and campaign celebration are available at the Final Push website.
The community can follow along with Dave and Dan‟s ride through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Search ‘The Final Push 2018’ for more details.
Make it at Your Library – Folded Book Art
Back by popular demand.
Learn how to transform a simple book into an incredible piece of art.
If you missed the last one we would love to have you join us for this free program Thursday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Chatham Branch.
All supplies will be provided.
Registration is required as space is limited.
Please register online, by phone or in person at your local branch.
To find out more about this fun evening out and other programs and events at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.
Ontario is doubling the number of guidance counsellors for Grade 7 and 8 students
Ontario is making a significant investment to nearly double the number of guidance teachers for Grade 7 and 8 students, and help better prepare kids for the transition to high school and the fast-changing world beyond.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was with Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, MPP Ottawa-Orléans at École secondaire publique Louis-Riel, in Ottawa recently, to announce an investment of more than $120 million over the next three years that will add more than 450 new guidance teachers across the province.
For Grade 7 and 8 students, this means additional support as they prepare to transition to high school, as well as early exposure to positive role models and diverse career options, as they explore continuing their education through apprenticeships, college, university and in the workplace.
“We’ve heard from students, parents and educators that Grades 7 and 8 are crucial years, where more support would go a long way,” Wynne said in a media release.
“We’ve listened. We’re doubling the number of guidance councellors available in our elementary schools to help prepare students for success in high school and expose them to role models and positive examples of a diversity of careers. All of the 2,000 new education workers we’re hiring in our schools are about giving our students the support they need to succeed in school and get onto a path to a happy and healthy life.”
In total, Ontario will add 2,000 new education workers with Budget 2018, which include:
– Educational assistants (EAs) to support students with exceptionally high needs
– Specialists, including social workers, psychologists, behavioural specialists and speech language pathologists to support boards in expanding special education programs and services — ultimately benefitting all students
– Up to 400 new mental health workers at Ontario’s secondary schools, to ensure every high school student will have access to mental health supports at school.
“This major investment in our publicly funded education system ensures that every student in Ontario has the support they need to succeed in the classroom and in the world,” stated Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care.
“These funds will help to build an education system that is inclusive, fair and promotes well-being. These investments will support vital programs and services for students so that they can reach their full potential.”
More details:
– Ontario’s high school graduation rate is at an all-time high of 86.5%, up from just 68% in 2004 — an increase of nearly 20 percentage points.
– Since 2003, the province has added over 40,000 additional teachers and education workers to support student success despite stable enrolment.
– Since 2003, the province has provided nearly $18.3 billion in school infrastructure, building or rebuilding one in six schools in Ontario.
– 100 per cent of primary classes have 23 or fewer students, compared to 64 per cent in 2003-04. 90 per cent of primary classes have 20 or fewer students, compared to just 31 per cent in 2003-04.
– Class-size caps have been added to full-day kindergarten, which will be further reduced in the 2018-19 school year.
– Beginning in 2017–18, average class size for Grades 4 to 8 is being reduced from 26 to 24.5.
National news
Conservative MP Gord Brown has died
No one knows why this mysterious car was dangling off a bridge 🤔
World news
Las Vegas Police Department releases body camera footage from October mass shooting
At least 70 dead as dust storm and severe rain hits Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
Protesters clash with police in Puerto Rico
The majority of US Muslims now support same-sex marriage, new poll finds
House Republicans nominate Trump for Nobel Prize
104-year-old scientist travels to Switzerland to end his life
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
