Five months after receiving the final report from a Program and Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) into the future of the Sharbot Lake Family of Schools, the senior staff of the Limestone District School Board have released their response.

Both reports call for the building of a new Kindergarten to grade 12 school and the closure of Sharbot Lake Public and High Schools as well as Hinchinbrooke Public School in Parham, but under the PARC report Land O'Lakes Public School would remain open. Under the recommended option of the senior staff report, Land O'Lakes would be closing as well. Of the current schools in the family, only Clarendon Central Public School in Plevna would remain open.

As well, while the PARC report left open the possibility of an alternate location for the new school, the senior staff report recommends that the school be built in Sharbot Lake, on the site of the current Sharbot Lake High School.

During the PARC process, a compelling case for locating the new school in Parham was made by a parent member of the committee, Lesley Pickard, and the report left open the possibility of locating the school there.

The PARC report and the senior staff report will both be presented at a public meeting on March 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Sharbot Lake High School. Subsequently, a final decision will be made by the Limestone School Board's trustees.

“I'm certainly disappointed with the senior staff report,” said Jaime Riddell, one of the co-chairs of the Parent Council at Land O'Lakes. “I think that after going through the whole process it's quite evident that from the get go they were in favour of closing schools, and building one mega school. Their proposal does not guarantee that a new school will offer more programs, so I see no reason to support it.”

The senior staff report recommends that “the Limestone District School Board consider the new school as a possible site for a Choices at Seven program or an extended French program”.

The PARC recommendation calls for a school with a capacity of 488, while the senior staff recommendation calls for a school with a capacity of 652 students.

Each project foresees a funding shortfall for the board, as they will cost more than the province has committed towards the project. The board is hopeful that the province will provide $1.6 million in additional funding to fully cover the demolition of the current Sharbot Lake High School, but even so, if they follow the PARC recommendation the board will need to find $2.47 million for the project, and if they follow the senior staff recommendation it will cost them $2.36 million.

Operating costs are also comparable under the two models.

One advantage to the senior staff proposal would be that the cost of upgrading the older schools to current standards, which is on the school board’s ledger with the province, would be greatly diminished because the schools would be closed.

But these monies, which are called RECAPP costs in the educational jargon, have no effect on the annual budget of the school board.

The senior staff report has been posted on the board website, Limestone.on.ca, under the Accommodation banner.

The report will be considered by the Parent Council at Land O'Lakes Public School, and Jamie Riddell said he is hoping council will encourage community members in Mountain Grove and the surrounding region to attend the March 1 meeting. 

Central Frontenac Council stands up for LOLPS

On the eve of the final public meeting before trustees from the Limestone District School Board will decide the fate of all of the schools in Central Frontenac, Central Frontenac Council has taken a stand in favour of keeping Land O’Lakes Public School (LOLPS) in Mountain Grove open.

In a letter to the trustees, which was drafted by township CAO John Duchene, endorsed by council at their meeting on Tuesday night, February 23, and signed by Mayor Janet Gutowski, the township took a stand in favour of the option that was proposed by the publicly constituted Program and Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) last August, and against the option that was proposed by senior school board staff on January 27, 2010.

Under the PARC option, Hinchinbrooke Public School in Parham, and Sharbot Lake Public and High Schools would close, to be replaced by a comprehensive school in Sharbot Lake or another location. LOLPS and Clarendon Central Public School in Plevna would remain open.

Under the senior staff option, LOLPS would close as well, in addition to the others, and the new school would be built at the site of the current Sharbot Lake High School. Clarendon Central would still remain open.

Both options require some added support from the province in addition to the monies that have already been committed for a new school in the area.

In their letter, Council says “ ... We must disagree with the notion that the school consolidation approach is cheaper and will result in a better teaching and learning model.”

The letter goes on to challenge some of the numbers used in the senior staff report, including the construction cost for the school that is recommended in the PARC option, which the township’s calculations, based on figures supplied by school board staff, show to be $213,000 less than the senior staff report claims they would be.

But the crux of the township’s argument is summed up in a bullet at the bottom of the first page of the letter: “It may also be noted that Land O’Lakes has the largest enrolment of all public schools in Central/North Frontenac, sits on the largest property of any school, is the newest and is in the best condition …. Why closure?”

The letter also talks of the investments the township has made in the vicinity of Land O’Lakes Public School, including bringing in high speed internet in conjunction with the City of Kingston, upgrading lighting and change rooms at the outdoor rink that is located near the entrance to the school, and making major repairs to the road that joins the school with major roadways to the north and southeast.

Also, a project is in the planning stages to establish a new recreation facility, including a ball field, a playground and extensive trail development, on lands that abut the school.

In discussing the letter around the township table, Councilor Gary Smith, who is the township representative to the Program Accommodation Review Process and worked on the letter, said, “It is important that we make our position known at this time. We now have a Minister of Education, Leona Dombrowsky, who knows Sharbot Lake High School, and there have been a lot of questions raised about the school closing process”.

Councilor Frances Smith said, “I agree we should send the letter but I’m afraid it is too late. I think the decision has already been made and the meeting is really all about telling the public what has been decided by the school board staff.”

“It is the trustees, who are elected officials, who will make the decision in the end,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski. “I strongly support this letter.”

The only objection to the letter came from Philip Smith from Hinchinbrooke District, with support from the other Hinchinbrooke representative, Bill Snyder.

“You all are suddenly jumping up and supporting Mountain Grove, but why was it to hell with Parham? It seems to me this is a constant theme that runs through everything right now.”

Gary Smith said, “When we made our initial letter last June we defended all the schools, but the situation has moved. While we can’t save two schools there is a possibility we can save one.”

The mayor and three councilors, (Smith, Smith, and Purdon) supported sending the letter, while Bill Snyder and Philip Smith did not support it. Councilor Norm Guntensperger, who teaches at LOLPS, had declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in the debate or the vote. Councilors Harvey and Matson were absent.

The mayor will attend the meeting, which will be held on Tuesday March 3, 7pm at Sharbot Lake High School, and she is expected to read out the letter at that time.

Parents and community members from Mountain Grove and Arden are expected to attend as well. 

Fire Master Plan – Fire Chief Mark MacDonald, along with Deputies Art Cowdy and Bill Young, brought the long-awaited Fire Master Plan to council on Tuesday, February 23. “The good news,” said MacDonald “is that we are on the right track. We’ve put ourselves in good shape in terms of equipment, training and buildings.”

The fire plan includes maps and charts showing the 8km and 13km radii from the fire halls, which are important in terms of meeting standards, and talks of the department’s plans for “superior water shuttle accreditation” which could bring insurance savings to those residents who live where the fire crews can deliver lots of water quickly.

The plan also talks about the fire halls. MacDonald said that three of the four stations are good, but the Hinchinbrooke station is “at the end of life” and should be replaced over the next few years. In order to alleviate the problems that can be caused by the train tracks in Parham and Tichborne if trains are blocking the intersection when crews are on a call, MacDonald said that a new station should be built on the other side of the tracks.

The Henderson station, which is now out of commission, could be bought back if fire fighters could be found in the vicinity.

Council received the plan for information, and will consider its implications and get back to the fire chiefs.

The 2010 proposed fire budget was discussed as well. It is up over 2009 because of the inclusion of a new pumper for $240,000+. Council will consider that purchase when they work through the budget later this month and into April.

Marine storage building rejected – An application by John Keen for a zoning amendment to permit a marine storage building on an undersized lot on Big Clear Lake was rejected, based on the opinion of the planner and the conservation authority.

Sydenham Eagles won the final KASSAA senior girls volleyball match against KCVI at Queen’s on Feb. 21. Photo courtesy of Rob Kendrick.

Sydenham High School’s senior girls’ volleyball team gave it more than their all on Feb. 21 at the Queen’s University ARC court in Kingston.

A supportive crowd from Sydenham attended the game, and after having a pre-game moment of silence to remember Gavin Davis-Young the Sydenham High School student who passed away tragically in a car accident last week, the girls focused on the challenge that lay immediately ahead: meeting KCVI in the final match of the KASSAA (Kingston and Area Secondary School Athletic Association) playoffs.

The Sydenham team stands tall, with three players over six feet, and plays a totally different style than KCVI. “KCVI is a team that goes for the corners and likes to keep digging at the ball, which is not the kind of game that we play. We are a power team and our strength is in playing transition offence and what it all comes down to for us is communication between the players,” said Sydenham coach Brian Rombough.

Undefeated, the Sydenham Eagles Senior Girls Volley ball team take the KASSAA trophy at their final game against KCVI at Queen's

Though the two teams’ styles are different, both fought hard in a match that seemed to get closer set by set.

The Eagles came out strong in the first set taking an early lead and holding it for a 25-14 win.

In the second set KCVI battled back, returning some tough shots and leading for the first half of the set. But the Eagles clawed their way back, eventually tying it up and then taking the set 25-23.

In the third set the Eagles dove, rolled and skidded, trying to return some tough balls from KCVI. This seemed to frustrate the Sydenham squad, causing them to lose some of their focus. KCVI played hard, making some incredible returns and gaining points in the corners to capture the third set 25-21, forcing a fourth.

The fourth set was very close but in the end the Eagles came back bigger and harder than ever, regaining their focus and concentration. They clinched the last few points in some spectacular blocks, making hard returns and amazing volleys to win the match 3-1 and claim the KASSAA trophy.

Following the medals and trophy presentations I spoke to coach Rombough about the game.

“KCVI played a great game and is really well coached. They played great defense. We started losing focus after the first set and gave KCVI hope, which is a dangerous thing to give to an emotional team. I strongly believe that you have to take hope away from the opposing team somewhere between the 9 and 15 point mark. That’s a crucial part of the game.”

Jennie McNichols, the Eagles’ setter, said, “It definitely wasn’t my best game; I tend to get really nervous but the team fixed that. I’m very excited for the win and can’t wait to play at EOSSA.”

The Sydenham Eagles will play next at the EOSSAA (Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association) tournament in Pembroke on Feb. 23, where they will face Fellows High School in their first match.

Coach Rombough sounds confident.

“We have a big blocking team and are a power team that likes to play big. We play a lot better against hard-hitting power teams. We like matching power with power, which is what we will be coming up against at EOSSA. Our team just has to stay focused,” he said.

In other volleyball news: Before losing out to the Sydenham Eagles, KCVI ended the KASSAA season for the Sharbot Lake Panthers on February 18.

The Panthers took the first set of that match 25-19. In set 2 the Panthers ran into trouble serving and passing the ball and KCVI took it 25-20. According to Sharbot Lake coach Bryan English the team “seemed to lose their urgency in the third” and lost 13-25.

In the fourth the Panthers rallied together and tied it up 18-18 but ended up losing the match 3 sets to one. Nonetheless Sharbot Lake had an impressive season and will be heading into EOSSA, where they will compete in the small school division. They are confident that they will be able to advance to the provincial playdowns.

Thanks to an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, LOLCS, along with other community partners, is developing a Child and Youth Transportation program.

The goal of the program is: “To improve the quality of life and provide community inclusion for children and youth (up to age 21 and still in school) in Addington Highlands Township and part of North Frontenac Township by providing transportation to those who otherwise would not have access to medical appointments, community and school events.”

Some examples of the community and school events that more youth will be able to participate in are: the Teen Zone, in Kaladar; After School program at North Addington Education Centre; the CO-OP Education program at North Addington Education Centre; Lennox & Addington Resources for Children – day programs, just to name a few.

The community partners who make up the transportation committee are: North Addington Education Centre, The Teen Zone, Healthy Initiatives (after school program), as well as Pathways for Children and Youth, Lennox & Addington Family and Children’s Services, Prince Edward, Lennox & Addington Social Services, Land O’ Lakes Community Services and members from the community.

The committee has hired two part-time, program co-ordinators, Natalie Tryon and Cheryl Hartwick, to develop policies and procedures, fundraise, recruit, and train volunteer drivers. We have almost completed the policies and procedures and have begun some fund-raising efforts – we will be running a volleyball tournament on March 5 from 3pm to 11pm (if interested in putting a team in call Natalie at 613-336-1520).

If you have some spare time, or you already drive your own children to some of these community programs, maybe you would be interested in volunteering to drive other children. Helping others to participate more in the community, helping to build better and brighter futures and building better community programs are just a few of the many rewards you can gain from volunteering.

We have received our first donation to the program (to help fund the drives). Hayley Lamont, a student from North Addington Education Centre, raised some money as part of her Civics class and chose to donate it to the Child and Youth Transportation Program. Youth helping youth – there is nothing better than that.

If you are interested in becoming a driver or donating to the program please contact Natalie or Cheryl at Land O’ Lakes Community Services – 613-336-8934.

The senior girl Panthers at Sharbot Lake High School battled hard in what was a historic game even before it began. In fact it was the first ever KASSAA match to be held at the school since 1999 and the first time a Sharbot Lake team has seeded third in regular season play.

With a record of 9 wins and 3 losses the Panthers knew this match against the Bayridge Blazers, who seeded sixth in season play, would be a tough one.

Both teams have a similar style of play, with great passing and defence.

Panthers Coach Bryan English said pre-game, “We are definitely preparing for a battle and the team that wins today will be the team that swings at more balls and takes more risks.”

Though the Panthers took a quick 10-1 lead in the first set Bayridge turned it on and tied it up but lost the set in the end 27-25

The second was a nail biter and Bayridge came back winning 25-22.

In the third Bayridge came out strong with a 7 point lead early on but the Panthers kept their composure and fought hard, eventually tying it up and winning 25-21.

The fourth was tense from the get go but the Panthers came out winners in the end, taking 3 sets to 1. They will be heading to the semi-finals on Thursday.

I spoke to power hitter Rachel Neadow after the game and she said, “The win was the result of the team not getting down when things were not going our way. Our goal was to stay positive throughout and I think we did a pretty good job of that.”

The goals for Coach English? “We want to go as deep as we can into KASSAA. And we’ll see what happens after that. We’re not looking past that at this point.” That being said he later admitted, “This is a really special team.”

The girls are definitely hoping to make into EOSSAA in Deep River on Feb. 25 and then on to OFSSAA in Kenora, which will cost the team close to $10,000.

Two upcoming fundraisers are being held at Sharbot Lake High School. On Feb. 19, a roast beef dinner with all the fixings, musical entertainment and a live auction and the second, a volleyball-a-thon on Feb. 23 where supporters can make pledges. To purchase a ticket or make a pledge you can call the school at 613-279-2131. Go Panthers!

Editorial by Jeff Green

On March 2 in Sharbot Lake, the final death knell for schools in two communities might be rung.

The meeting at Sharbot Lake High School will be the last opportunity for public expression before the Board of Trustees of the Limestone District School Board meet to decide the fate of Land O'Lakes Public School.

After enduring a long, drawn out Program and Accommodation Review (PARC) process, a committee of parents and staff agreed to see the communities of Parham and Sharbot Lake lose their schools in a trade off for a new high school. The PARC committee was split over the location of that new high school, which will be twinned with an elementary school, but it was clear throughout the process that the school board senior staff, who oversaw the PARC process, were leaning heavily towards Sharbot Lake for the new school.

So, it was no surprise that the senior staff's own independent report, which was released in late January, recommended Sharbot Lake as the location.

It was also not a really big surprise that the senior staff report called for Land O'Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove to close as well. That option had been before the PARC committee, and had been rejected, but the funding formula for new school construction favours a school with a large projected enrolment. Only by closing all the other schools in the region does the projected enrolment come up to a high enough number to make the new construction viable, in the view of the board’s staff.

Clarendon Central in Plevna, which is very small and receives extra funding because of its more remote location, is the only school that would remain as it is under the scenario proposed by school board staff.

On March 2, the staff report, and the PARC report, will be presented to the public, and if supporters of Land O'Lakes Public School have any hope of saving their school, they would be advised to consider how supporters of Clarendon Central reacted to the entire school accommodation process: they came out in numbers to every possible public meeting and spoke in one voice. They all said they wanted their school to stay as is, in their community.

Presumably, a number of school board trustees, the people who will ultimately decide the fate of Land O'Lakes Public School, will be on hand to hear from the public.

For that reason, as well as the fact that the senior staff report does not show that it would be substantially cheaper, either in terms of construction or operating costs, to close Land O'Lakes, there is every reason for a strong contingent from the school and the local community to come out and make themselves heard.

The impact of a $15 million construction project and of a gleaming new school on a region that certainly needs a shot in the arm is something that would be welcomed by many, and there may be a reason to be concerned that a public outcry could put the entire project into doubt.

But at this point the school board trustees have two proposals in front of them. Both call for a construction project, and both proposals require extra support from the province.

Those people who would like them to choose the proposal that keeps a school in Mountain Grove should make themselves heard.

If a strong argument is not made to the contrary, the board of trustees will undoubtedly act as any other public board would, and follow the advice of their senior staff. 

Kristen Watkins, Brenda Bonner of the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team and NIna Jenkins of the Trilium Foundation“.

Kingston Literacy & Skills, along with their collaborating community partners, marked Family Literacy Day by opening its first Let’s Read! book nook in the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team clinic last Wednesday January 27.

Made possible with a two-year $94,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), the book nook is a quiet corner of the clinic that has comfortable couches and baskets full of some of the classic books and board books for young and very young children.

“The grant money is primarily used to purchase books. Books for babies and children up to age 6 for the book nooks in clinic waiting rooms, board books for toddlers at their 18-month check up and for inclusion in our Newborn Literacy Kits,” said Let’s Read! Project Coordinator, Kristen Watkins. “The primary message we want to deliver is ‘read to your baby every day from birth.’”

The Let’s Read! initiative will be launched in a total of 8 clinics in the KFL&A area over the next 2 years. As well as establishing book nooks and literacy promotion in medical clinic waiting rooms, Let’s Read! hopes to distribute over 500 board books each year to doctors and nurse practitioners to give to patients at their child’s 18-month well baby check-up. The book includes a sticker for the toddler with an invitation to go to their local library for a free toddler tote bag with literacy activities inside, as well as a library card application.

“Research has shown that strategies to prevent reading problems need to be in place long before children start grade one. Let’s Read! is a six-step early literacy strategy that supports parents in helping their children learn to read,” said Kristen Watkins. “Key elements of the strategy include health professionals talking about the importance of family reading and providing resources for parents that promote family literacy.”

Along with an 18-month book give away, Let’s Read! also puts together and distributes Newborn Literacy Kits to roughly 2000 babies born each year in Kingston and surrounding area. The kits include a board book for baby, a CD of rhymes and songs developed by the Kingston and the Islands Ontario Early Years Centre and early literacy information for parents. A pre-natal public awareness campaign promoting the importance of reading from birth, and school readiness kits (which will be available for loan at participating public libraries this spring) are also part of the Let’s Read! strategy.

“It’s an exciting and worthwhile project based on research illustrating the connection between reading daily with your child and the acquisition of enhanced language skills and literacy development,” says Watkins, who adds that, “Kingston Literacy and all of our partnering agencies are very grateful to Trillium Foundation for its commitment to literacy programs in our community.”

For more information about Let’s Read, please contact: Kristen Watkins 613.546.2580

For further information about the Trillium Foundation, go to www.trilliumfoundation.org.

Shelley Brooks and her Organizing Committee, Front Row, L to R: Laura Gabriel, Emma Peters, Kelsey Ross, Shelley Brooks, Shelby Vicker, Samantha Perry. Back Row, L to R: Rebecca Mills, Kylie Holden, Megan Ross, Melody Patterson, Jessica Warmington, Raquel Pauls, Victoria Hill, Emily HOle, Laura Sands, Elwin van Alst.

For 40 years, Sydenham High's annual fashion show has been a popular sold-out spring event. This year's show will feature fashion from 20 local stores, with music from four decades and the local band Rock Bottom. The audience will compete for real prizes in interactive game shows from the past 40 years and there'll be a retro peek at fashions from the 70's.

To celebrate the show's 40th anniversary, there will be a special evening just for alumni. Everyone who has ever participated in the show, whether as tech, backstage, model, or musician, is invited to come to an anniversary gala. Please get in touch with show coordinater, Shelley Brooks, at SHS, 613-376-3027; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All profits go to the Haiti Fund run by two fashion show alumni, and to sponsor students in need at SHS.

Public show will be Friday, March 5, 7pm: alumni only evening is Saturday March 6, beginning with social hour at 6:00 pm. Tickets available at SHS and Sydenham One-Stop.

Local community learning centres in Sydenham, Hartington, Sharbot Lake and Northbrook are solving some of the problems people have when trying to improve their skills and education. One solution is a partnership with Ontario colleges for E-learning (electronic, online or Web-based learning) satellite services.

“It’s a hidden gem,” says Patricia Ramirez, speaking of the E-learning lab at Northern Connections in Sharbot Lake, “If I had known there was a local E-lab I would have gone back to school sooner.”

E-labs provide a learning environment that is friendly, supportive and close to home. High-speed Internet is available and the computers have all the software and hardware needed to complete courses for the Academic and Career Entrance Program (ACE) and some college certificate and diploma courses.

The ACE certificate is a Grade 12 equivalency for people who want to move on to college or apprenticeship. Learners may take any or all of the courses as needed for entrance to their post-secondary education. Available courses include Communications, Math, Computers, Self-Direction, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Best of all, the ACE program is FREE and travel and childcare subsidies may be available. ACE courses are available thanks to PALS (Partnering to Achieve Learning Success), a partnership between St. Lawrence College, the Limestone District School Board, Kingston Literacy and Northern Connections Adult Learning, with funding from Employment Ontario.

A partnership with another college, Loyalist in Bancroft, has allowed people to take college courses online through the E-lab. “Any course that is shown on the OntarioLearn website is available to students, but we register them through Loyalist College,” says Laurie Watson, who coordinates the college E-lab courses for Northern Connections in Sharbot Lake and Northbrook.

“E-lab learning is less intimidating than a classroom, for me,” says Ramirez, who is taking a Medical Transcriptionist college course, “You don’t have all the noise and peer pressure. You also don’t have all that travel to Kingston or dealing with traffic and parking.”

Anyone can take these programs, but they are particularly useful for people who are getting their training or living allowance paid by Employment Ontario’s Second Career, WSIB, etc. They are only approved to do training at an acknowledged site, such as the E-lab, where their attendance can be monitored and they can get support from local staff.

E-labs are available for ACE upgrading in Sydenham at Frontenac Employment Resource Centre (613) 376-6592 and in Hartington at the Community Learning Centre South Frontenac (613) 372-2111. The E-labs at Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres offer both ACE upgrading and college courses in Sharbot Lake (613) 279-2499 and in Northbrook at Northern Connections (613) 336-0691.

Back Row: Domynick McKenzie, Darian Flieler, Jordon Freeburn Front Row: 3rd Place, Brandon Lloyd (Hunting safety) ,  2nd Place: Courtney Johnson (History of Barbie) , 1st place: Emma Benn (Allergies) Photo: Darlene Dacuk

North Addington Education Centre spent the week of February 25-29 showcasing its fabulous public speakers again this year. After the students all presented their speeches at the classroom level, a few were chosen from each grade to continue on to the division level competition in the library at the school. Our new Vice Principal Mr. John Mooney was very impressed with the quality of the speeches and the ability of the students to memorize their material. The following students represented their grades in the library: Riley Kay, Rowan Lemke, Amanda Clancy, Darian Tryon, Rachel Cumming, Kaden Snider, Madi Lessard, Mackenzie Wilson, Kaitlyn Wilson, Madison Lloyd, Max Bumstead, BreTryon, Tim Shire, Madi Lemke, Brittany Wood, Andre Tryon, Emma Benn, Courtney Johnson, Jordon Freeburn, Brandon Lloyd, Darian Flieler and Domenyk McKenzie. The following students received third place medals: Rachel Cumming, Bre Tryon and Brandon Lloyd. The following students received second place medals: Rowan Lemke, Andre Tryon and Courtney Johnson. The following students received first place medals: Riley Kay, Max Bumstead and Emma Benn. Congratulations to all the speakers on a job well done!