BREATHING A LITTLE EASIER
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JAPANESE APOLOGY A LONG TIME COMING
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CORRIGAN REJECTS TRANSLINK PLAN
FRIDAY
MAY 11 2012
www.burnabynewsleader.com
It’s BioBlitz at Burnaby Lake this weekend, a chance to help release ladybugs, go pond-dipping and watch as hummingbirds are trapped and banded. See Page A8
Road relief on its way Wanda Chow wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
Rain creates a misty shroud over Burnaby’s skyline as a walker strolls the boardwalk around Deer Lake. Environment Canada is predicting a good stretch of sun ahead.
Year-round schooling not on agenda: Hayes Wanda Chow wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
The idea of bringing year-round schooling to Burnaby school district is not even a topic of discussion among trustees, said school board chair Larry Hayes. The subject has been in the headlines since the provincial government introduced Bill 36, which was widely interpreted as paving the way for districts to implement such a schedule. “We, like any district, has had the ability to go to a balanced calendar
all along with permission from the learned over the two-month summer [education] ministry,” Hayes noted. break. “All Bill 36 is doing in this Hayes said any discussion of regard is cutting red tape and balanced calendar would have making it easier for districts.” to look at learning outcomes. A typical schedule for yearThe “jury is out” on the round schooling, or balanced bene¿ts although a balanced calendar, would involve longer calendar “probably does [work Christmas and spring breaks, better] for some students” HAYES and a shorter summer holiday such as those with learning period. challenges. Education Minister George Abbott And he agreed that the original has said that studies have shown reasons for the traditional school such a calendar can be bene¿cial as calendar no longer exist. students can often lose what they’ve “It certainly made sense when
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kids were working on the farm and helped with the harvest in the summer months.” But there are also obstacles for any consideration of a balanced calendar, such as parents’ vacation schedules, union contracts and the fact there is no air conditioning in Burnaby schools, he said. “It would be such a major change on a district-wide basis. Realistically, there’s been very little if any requests from schools or parents to go this route.” twitter.com/WandaChow
Join us for Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 13th, 2012 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm Wonderful food and live entertainment. Complementary to the first 20 guests who reserve a spot. Amica at Rideau Manor • A Wellness & Vitality™ Residence 1850 Rosser Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5C 5E1 604.291.1792 • www.amica.ca
The second and ¿nal phase of a road improvement project on Edmonds Street took a step closer recently with approval of $2.7 million in funding by Burnaby council. The ¿rst phase of the project, on Edmonds from Kingsway to Canada Way, included the replacement of water and sewer lines which was completed in late 2011. The second phase will include ¿nal drainage and road improvements to the street which is currently such a rough ride it has been the subject of complaints to city councillors. According to city hall, the project includes improving the road surface of Humphries Avenue to Elwell Street and a section of Vista Crescent. Sidewalks on Humphries will be improved and new bus shelters will be installed on Edmonds in front of the new Edmonds Pool and Community Centre. The intersection of Edmonds and Humphries will see a new traf¿c signal and a new pedestrian crossing signal will be added at Edmonds and Linden Street. All the work will be completed by year end.