December 6, 1996 IA 131 lobe-reportDecember 6, 1996 Vol. 24 No. 11 Local school sparks province-wide protest to education cuts A demonstration at a local school tivists1' was a clear message to the "We won't be educating children, Lady Evelyn parent Marjorie sparked a province-wide protest provincial government. The day of we'll be warehousing them," Lady George told the demonstration she against the huge cuts to education the protests, Education Minister Evelyn parent Jan Fraser told fears the devastation of public edu- spending threatened by the John Snobelen faced questions demonstrators. cation will lead to a two-tier school provincial government. about the parent uprisings in the The OBE administration is al- system, "Those parents who can Parents at Lady Evelyn Alterna- legislature and from the media. ready studying how it might con- possibly afford to do so will send tive School began in late October The central demonstration was at tend with funding cuts that their children to private schools, planning a protest at their school Lady Evelyn, the Ottawa Board of threaten to eliminate up to one- while the remaining 80 or 90 per- for the morning of Wednesday, Education Primary alternative fifth of its budget. The drastic ac- cent will remain behind in a November 27th. As word of the school serving the Glebe and other tions it is considering are indica- severely depleted public education demonstration spread, it touched a communities. Parents had been tive of what other boards will face. system that cannot hope to meet nerve with parents across the Ot- asked to keep their children out of The OBE would most likely elimi- students' needs." and elsewhere classes for the first half of the nate junior kindergarten and the tawa region around The parents the province. Protests at other morning and protest on the street Adult High School. It likely would behind the November 27th day of protest say that schools and MLAs offices were in front of the school. close the McArthur technical high event is but the first step in a scheduled for the same date. At the protest, the Lady Evelyn school, and eliminate or severely campaign of to The result of all this effort by parents were not alone on the reduce special education, choice in opposition the provincial gov- side- ernment's what one television news report walk. They were joined by contin- French immersion entry points, the impoverishment of pub- lic termed "a new breed of parent ac- gents of parents and students from gifted programs, extra help for education. There will be a series of events more than a dozen city schools. children slow at learning to read, and activities aiming to politicize There were about 300 demonstra- and the breakfast program for dis- parents and voters, and Helping tors. advantaged pupils. Librarians, pressure the government To become involved, contact Block Parents As well, there were smaller mental health workers, psycholo- Jack Hanna at protests in Ottawa at the McNabb gists, and speech therapists would 739-3470 or Marjorie George at and Elgin Street Schools, and out- be cut. 233-4680. side the constituency office of local Tory MLA Garry Guzzo. Up the Ot- Snowflake Special December 7 tawa Valley, parents from Paken- ham, Almonte, Carleton Place, and Don't miss tomorrow's Snowflake Special at the Perth demonstrated at a local Glebe Community Centre. This annual holiday cel- MLA's office. In Toronto, parents ebration begins at 7:00 PM. Bring the family and occupied an MLA's office, and there enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, carolling, were demonstrations in Windsor, performances by the Ottawa Dance Academy and Hamilton, Sudbury, and Thunder Angel Che's dancers. There will be a Taekwon Do Bay. demonstration, and magic show put on by Magical The central protest at Lady Eve- Alliance. Councillor Jim Watson will emcee and lyn School had a festive mood. Glebe C.C. Renovation Fund t-shirts will be on There was hot chocolate and dough- sale. See p. 5. Cider, hot chocolate, cookies and nuts, balloons for the children, other goodies will be served. See you there! reggae music, and placards and banners. Speakers told parents the implications of the cuts the Tories Do you feel like some have promised. After having chopped $400 mil- holiday music? lion in the past year, the govern- The Glebe Singers, an Ottawa - ment has said it will cut another $1 community choir conducted by billion from the total of $13.8 bil- Janice Gray, will perform a program lion spent on education in Ontario. of varied music on Saturday, That means, first of all, much 7 at 8 p.m. Next Deadline larger December The concert Alyssa Iswolsky, age 9, enthusi- classes. Class sizes have al- will be in the Church of the January 6, 1997 ready grown Blessed astically took part in The Help dramatically in the Sacrament in Ottawa at the corner past two Santa Toy Parade on November 16. yearsa Grade 5 class at of Percy and Fourth Avenue. This was Alyssa's second year Lady Evelyn has 36 students. With helping Blocky Bear and the rest of the planned provincial cuts, class INSIDE The evening will feature the Block Parents gang hand out sizes could grow another 15 or 20 GNAG 5 traditional carols and con- candy and toys to happy kids percent, said Albert Chambers, along temporary Christmas songs from Business News 16 the route. chair of Joint Council, the main many countries. Fantasia Ottawa Block are parent advisory group of the on Arts 18,19 Parents looking Ottawa Christmas Carols, by Ralph for volunteers in your Board of Education. Vaughn neighbour- Williams, and Rejoice in Sports 21,22 hood As well, the Lamb, to join this worthwhile pro- children who have diffi- by Benjamin gram culties or fall Britten, will be per- Church which helps keep our street behind will be left to formed. 32,33 safe for children. You don't have to flounder, as school boards are GCC courses. insert be a stay-at-home parent to volun- forced to cut special education and Admission to this holiday concert teerthere are many ways working other support programs. Thus, is free. Refreshments will be served Quote of the month people can help out too! For more teachers will have to contend with after the concert. Donations will be To perceive Christmas through its information, please call Ottawa bigger classes and, at the same accepted to contribute to the wrapping becomes more difficult Block Parents at 521-0619 or Cathy time, with children whose problems concert costs and a local charity. with every year. Simons at 237-7652. go unaddressed. All are welcome. Elwyn Brooks White NEWS Art in the Park moves indoors GLEBE REPORT DEADLINES 1997 MONTH DEADLINE PAPER OUT Photos: Ellen Showalter (above) Glebe artist and teacher Susanne Clark January January 6 January 17 (above right) Lisgar Collegiate jazz ensemble February January 27 February 7 March February 24 March 7 BY ELLEN SCHOWALTER Paul O'Connor. Sunday afternoon the a cappella group Strange Pearls April April 1 April 11 A community space, a place to May April 21 May 2 meet friends and neighbours, performed sweet ballads. June May 26 June 6 benches for a little rest, in fact, a Glebe architect, artist and author NO JULY PAPER park without the treesthe Glebe John Leaning read from his new August August 5 August 15 Community Centre became the per- children's book to an eager audi- September September 2 September 12 fect setting for Art in the Hall. Or- ence. children of ail ages enjoyed October September 22 October 3 ganizers of Art in the Park, the an- the roving antics of J.J. The Jug- November October 27 November 7 nual outdoor community arts festi- gling Fool, while a kids' activity December November 24 December 5 all inside November centre offered the opportunity to val, brought it ADVERTISING RATES 9 and 10. Over 60 painters, sculp- make goodies for winter bird feed- ers. Delicious lunch and snack tors, potters and crafts people Advertising rates listed below are for camera-ready material. filled the main hall with an excit- breaks for humans were available Typesetting and/or graphic and photographic services are extra. ing display of their work. Glebe from the Centre's vegetarian tea artist Bhat Boy and Eric Smith co- room, The Pantry, and Halpin A 10% discount is available after the fourth time of advertising ordinated the event with the help of Foods. (extra graphic work is not included). We are required to charge the a large group of enthusiastic volun- T-shirts featuring a drawing of federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). The total price (including teers. Many thanks to all who lent a the Community Centre by Bhat Boy GST) is listed below. The Glebe Report GST# is R124180472. or or hammer, especially were for sale. There are still a few hand van $347.75 super-helpful, patient and left (Holiday gift idea). If inter- Full Page (10" x 13 1/2") the Half Page x 6 1/2") or (5" x 12 1/2") $187.25 Centre Staff. ested, please call Susanne at 237- (10" cheerful Community Quarter Page (5" x 6 1/4") $123.05 the Lis- 4711 Ellen at 233-8284. Student musicians from or 5" x 3 3/4" $ 96.30 gar Collegiate Jazz and Chamber Thank you to all the artists, mu- 4" x 3" $ 64.20 Music Ensembles filled the hall sicians, volunteers and visitors who Business card (3 1/4" x 2 1/4") $ 42.80 with a beautiful shimmering made Art in the Hall such a suc- tapestry of sound under the direc- cess! Watch for this moveable feast tion of Lisgar's Head of Music, of the arts coming to Central Park Mrs.