Doug Reycraft builds alliance to stop school closings.

Goal: To have municipalities become partners with school boards in making decisions about where new schools are built and where schools are closed.  Go to http://www.communityschoolsalliance.ca/

The Community Schools Alliance is asking Minister Wynne to support a “smart moratorium” on all school closings disputed by municipalities. The goal of the smart moratorium is for the Ministry, schools boards and municipalities to work together and develop policies addressing such issues as planning for declining enrolments, a mutually agreed upon ARC process, a review of funding to rural and small community schools, and defining the working relationship, transparency and accountability between municipalities and school boards.

Dave McLean and Ruth McLean Harland

Glencoe natives Dave McLean and Ruth Harland, children of Bill McLean of Glencoe, have been chosen to carry the Olympic torch when it travels through sw Ontario at Christmastime.  They independently submitted applications to the lottery process and both applications were chosen from the millions submitted on-line.  

Source: Transcript & Free Press

Jennara Field

Glencoe Fair’s 2008/09 ambassador Jennara Field claimed the title of firs runner-up at the Canadian National Exhibition this year.  She is studying bio-chemistry at the University of Guelph.  She is the daughter of Tom and Julie Field.

Community Schools Alliance forms

Doug Reycraft has helped form the Community Schools Alliance, a group of municipal elected officials whose communities are threatened with school closures.  They are dialoguing with the Minister of Education about the damaging policies that harm rural communities.

http://www.communityschoolsalliance.ca

Becky Reycraft

GDHS graduate, Becky Reycraft, received a laptop through the Sydenham Community Credit Union’s Laptop for Learners Scholarship.  One student is awarded with a new laptop as they continue into post-secondary education provided they go to university and keep up their marks.  Reycraft has entered the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program through the collaboration of Fanshawe and UWO.

Relay for Life raises $22,500

The dedication of GDHS students helped raise $$22,500 for the Canadian Cancer Society.  This is the fifth time the relay has been held at the high school.  Organized by co-chairs Taylar Carnegie and Brandie Ellis, the event drew a variety of teams and over 100 spectators. 

Ellis welcomed participants and the survivors.  Carnegie described the 12 hour event, beginning at dusk, as being symbolic of the journey of a cancer patient as they move from diagnosis to the end of their treatment.  ”There is no finish line until we find a cure.”

Judy Gillies of the Canadian Cancer Society thanked and congratulated GDHS for their efforts and presented a plaque to Ellis and Carnegie. A touching ceremony at dusk saw the lighting of luminary bags.  Throughout the cool evening, entertainment and movies kep the teams busy until breakfast after which most headed home for some sleep.

Source: Transcript & Free Press, June 11, 2009.

Larry Willis

Larry Willis made Wardsville a stop last week on his return to Canada from Algeria.  He visited with his brothers and their families and advanced his plans on some business interests.  Lid Tyschenko of Brampton joined Larry in some of the family gatherings.

Source: Wardsville News, Transcript & Free Press, June 11, 2009

Taylor McLean, Citizen!

Taylor McLean was the representative of Glencoe District High School selected to receive the OSSTF sponsored grade 10 citizen ship award.  One grade 10 student is selected from each secondary school in the Thames Valley District to receive this award.  On  June 3, she attended a dinner honouring all of the winners at Thames Secondary School.  Congrats, Taylor!

Source: Transcript & Free Press, June 11, 2009

Tara Towers

Stan and Dawnna Tower are very proud to announce the graduation of their daughter Tara from Queen’s University on June 2 with her Bachelor or Applied Science – Chemical Engineering.  Tara graduated with first class honours.

Source: Transcript & Free Press, June 11, 2009

Alumni Support Extra Curricular Activities

This year (2009), the Alumni & Friends are contributing to the following:

1. Yearbook $100
2. Cheer leading $100
3. Family studies / foods and nutrition department  $100
4. Guitar for Music department  $300
5. Archery  $300
6. Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving Committee $300.  

Last year, $1000 was raised for:

• The GDHS Cheerleading Team
• Annual overnight trip to Stratford
• The 2008 GDHS Prom, and
• Supplies for 2008 Soccer Teams and Physical Education.