The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Making the student voice heard: `This is our fight, too' By Chelsea Liu Grade 12, Abbey Park H.S. 13 · Friday, January 25, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com O n a sunny October afternoon during cross-country season, a group of us jogged to the nearby trails to do interval training in preparation for an upcoming meet. What was unusual about this practice was that our coach was not present due to a one-day protest against a bill that the Ontario government had recently passed into law. At the time, I assumed it was a minor conflict between the teachers' union and the government that would probably blow over soon. How wrong I was. I have devoted a great amount of time and effort to my co-curricular activities in the past three years of high school, including competing on the swim team and writing for the school magazine. Through co-curriculars, I met new, interesting people from whom I learned how to stay calm before a race and layout an article without messing up the margins. Now, I am among the 400,000 Ontario students who have lost all of this. I can no longer spend time with friends who I only used to see at swim practices, nor can I continue doing what I love the most: writing. The part of students' lives that have been so integral to their high school experience has been stripped away and in its place is a vacuum of time that no one knows how to fill. It has figuratively ripped a hole in our lives. Bill 115 was originally passed for the purpose of cutting the government's $15 billion deficit. The government has targeted the salaries and benefits of teachers -- teachers, who play arguably one of the most significant roles in shaping future leaders and scientists and scholars. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) has refused the very same deal that other teachers' unions in Ontario have agreed to. How could they possibly expect the government to offer a better deal than the one offered to other unions? As had been expected, people began taking sides as soon as the announcement to terminate all co-curriculars was made. Regardless of who is more responsible, it is clear the conflict surrounding Bill 115 hits students the hardest. We are stuck in the middle of an ugly sandwich that no one wants to eat and yet can't bring themselves to throw out. Upon the termination of our co-curriculars, students from Abbey Park High School founded the Organization of Ontario Secondary Students (OOSS). This organization strives to provide unbiased, accurate information to the student body concerning Bill 115 as well as ensure the student voice is heard amidst the `gunfire' between the government and the union. However, some say, "This is simply not our fight." And I disagree. This is our fight in every way imaginable -- this is our fight for not only our co-curriculars but also for future generations of students who may need to once again assert the student voice in times of crisis. We can refuse to settle for the current situation, and we can stand together. We can make the student voice heard. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in an upcoming Kids Speak Out - School News column featured in the Beaver, please e-mail Tom Dykes at ellergreen58@gmail.com. SENIORS IN OAKVILLE NEED YOUR HELP Over 120 Volunteers Urgently Needed · Walk to a coffee shop with a senior to help them maintain their mobility · Play cards with a senior experiencing memory loss to strengthen cognitive abilities All it takes is 1-2 hours a week! To volunteer for our visiting programs, call 905-827-8800 or email volunteering@acclaimhealth.ca [www.acclaimhealth.ca] Volunteer campaign generously funded by the A.W.B. Foundation, through the support of the: Funded in part by the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and the Government of Ontario. The views expressed in this publication are the views of Acclaim Health and do not necessarily reflect those of the LHIN or the Government of Ontario. Charitable Registration #: 11928 4602 RR0001 NEW OWNERSHIP! WE PAY THE HST! On any paint service and bodywork purchase. Stop in for details. Must present ad at time of estimate. Expires February 16, 2013! UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT! 2416 Wyecroft Road, Unit 16 F r e e E s t i m a t es NO TAX! 905-847-1113 Vans, trucks, SUVs and commercial vehicles by estimate. Bodywork, d k rust repair & stripping of f old ld paint extra. Not valid l d with h any other h offer. ff Maaco Collision ll Repair & Auto Painting centres are independent franchises of MAACO Systems Canada, Inc. Prices, hours & services may vary. ©2013 MAACO Systems Canada, Inc. Custom Inground Swimming Pools One Company. One Responsibility. 416-410-2066 · 905-319-7502 Serving the Halton-Peel Region