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2020 Back To School Tips

Been so much discussion about the merits of various reopening plans that I thought a change of topic was in order. I want to go back to March when everyone put politics aside and dug in to support one another. With that spirit in mind, I wanted to share my back to school tips for in class teachers.…

Social Media - The Rules

Like many people not shy to share their opinions I have been on social media  specifically twitter a lot more during this pandemic.  While it can be enlightening to gain perspective from different points of view, it is not without peril.  Social media like many indulgences is fine in mo…

When The School Bell Rings - We Must Be Ready For All

Been certainly enough speculation from concerned parties about what is going to happen in Ontario Schools this fall. Since I have more than a little skin in the game, I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter.  Knowing first hand as an educator and parent the vital role teachers play in the devel…

Unions - A Private Affair

So 2020 has been a bad year for a lot of people, including public sector unions. The one exception of course being nurses. Thank goodness for us that their allegiance to their professional oath trumps that of their union.  First it was the Ontario teachers' unions and their strike actions, coup…

Save Local News

The plight of Guelph's lack of news coverage was a  focus last week when local police did not publicize liberal MP's arrest.  Globe columnist @JohnIbbitson  even took to twitter to sound off on the dangers of disappearing local news.  Said much of the same and more when the axe fell on ou…

The Case Against French Immersion

Wrote this back in 2010 well before others, including Macleans  got into the act.  One of the tougher decisions my wife and I had to make as parents was to decide whether to send our kids into French Immersion (FI).  Our school board offers the program at the Junior Kindergarten level and therefore…

The Problem With Conservation Rebates

Originally published, in the Guelph Mercury Feb. 25, 2011 The water conservation rebate program here in Guelph represents just one more example where City Hall has extended itself beyond its mandate and spent beyond its means. Under normal circumstances when a business has less demand for its produ…

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