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Students protest to ensure their voices are heard Continued from page 1 3 · Wednesday, December 12, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), representing Halton's public regular and occasional teachers and early childhood educators will be in a legal strike position Thursday. The provincial elementary union has said it will provide 72-hours notice of a walkout affecting Halton's public elementary schools, but no date has been set, according to a missive issued to parents late Monday by Director of Education David Euale. Last week, the ETFO announced work-torule actions including withdrawing participation in field trips and extracurricular activities between Thursday, Dec. 13 and Friday, Dec. 21. Activities are cancelled because of the lack of teacher supervision. Details will come from individual school principals. Grades 6-8 students at Montclair Public School also notified The Oakville Beaver Monday that they plan to rally against the loss of extracurriculars Thursday in front of their school. Students involved in Monday's Abbey Park protest said they are not happy they are being negatively impacted by the dispute between the Province and the teachers' union and are hopeful demonstrations will hasten resolution of issues between the two groups. "They (extracurricular activities) are a really big part of our lives and they really make school a lot more fun," said David Zilkey, 16. "I like to learn, but I also like to participate in student council, I'm president of the student council at our school. It's a really big loss for us. We're hoping that by this act today we bring awareness to the fact school is more than just taking down notes and writing tests. School is about the atmosphere of community it brings." Zilkey said students at the Glen Abbey Gate high school were particularly upset to learn their upcoming dance was cancelled. He said student council had already made arrangements, including booking a DJ, and had to provide refunds to more than 100 students. "It was out of our control. There wasn't anything we could do and it was really hard for us because we had all been looking forward to it so much," he said. Zilkey said students intend to wear their semi-formal attire to classes Thursday as part of another demonstration. Dennis Xu, 17, clad in a basketball jersey, said Monday's demonstration was, perhaps, the beginning of something much larger. He said students recently joined the Organization of Ontario Secondary Students (OOSS), which seeks to unite the voice of all students. The hope, said Xu, is this group would one day be able to represent Ontario's students and participate in negotiations between the government and Province. Xu said three days after the launch of the organization, two other Oakville secondary schools (White Oaks Secondary School and Iroquois Ridge High School) were already on board. Unlike some students involved in protests however, the Abbey Park students and OOSS said they do not intend to take sides. "Our end goal is to be able to affect the negotiations between the union and the government in some way or form. We understand every person has their own bias, but if we do take one side or the other that will discredit us with the other side," said Xu. "We are a neutral party in this." The group came out against the walkouts undertaken by numerous other schools Monday, stating that while they do raise awareness they are not the right way to do things. "What happens when you go back to school after the walkout? Nothing. There is no longterm solution," said Colin Nowers, 16, outfitted in his Link Crew T-shirt. "What we want to stress is that long-lasting connection of student voice that we can use in future negotiations between the government and the union." The Abbey Park students said they would continue to promote the creation of this collective voice even if the current dispute is resolved and extracurricular activities are restored -- as there is always the next time. Christmas Savings 10% OFF to 50% OFF until Dec. 24 416-628-7828 278 Kerr St., Oakville · · · · Tea Shop Teaware Tea Furniture Chinese Paintings OPEN TILL 8:00PM TO CHRISTMAS www.goldencoastteaclub.com Merry Christmas NOW TO TRAIN DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY TRAINING TO OAKVILLE FOR OVER 25 YEARS... ALL DOMINION DRIVER TRAINING AND TRAFFIC EDUCATION CENTRES LIMITED WE WANT Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Money YOU! ut December 22, 23, 27, 28, Sat, Sun, Thurs, Fri 9:30am to 3:30pm January 2, 3, 4, 5, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 9:30am to 3:30 pm DriveWise goes beyond basic driver training with our 3 step approach: 1. Dynamic & fun classroom teaching with hand held technology 2. Simulator drive training labs. 3. One-or-One in vehicle training sold o Peter Watson Richard Benn Danielle Lavigne Anita Provaznik 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100 get registered. get trained. get driving. 905.845.7200 www.drivewiseoakville.com