Support given to group By CasNews Staff The Kootenay Columbia Child Care Society has re- ceived municipal support in its quest for additional fund- ing for its infant development program. In a letter to Castlegar council, society coordinator Katrine Conroy states that the society is unable to assist those who need its services while operating under the present crippling budget. Conroy writes that “the first three years of life (for a “delayed” child) contain many critical periods’ for learning, not only in the in- tellectual area but also in the sensory-motor areas of de- velopment.” She said that the Infant Development Program helps families with the everyday care of the infant, helping the child become “as independent as his/her potential allows.” The program also helps families obtain financial as- sistance. “Services provided by the West Kootenay Infant De- velopment Program mean that parents of infants who require extra help need not face their fears, uncertainties and ‘practical problems alone,” she states. “Early intervention gives these babies the best possible start towards developing their full potential.” Since 1982, the centre's budget has increased just 1.6 per cent, whereas inflation has risen over 27 per cent in the last four years, The program serves most of the West Kootenay com- munities including Trail, Castlegar and. Nelson and many of the areas from Montrose\ to Salmo, the Slocan Valley and the north end of Kootenay Lake, an area of appox- poi A Sv angus The caseload is presently 86 children, served by the equivalent of only 1.5 consul- tants, The resulting waiting list is between nine and 11 children. “We feel the Ministry of Social Services and Housing must be made aware of these children's critical needs,” Small schools the best By MIKE KALESNIKO Staff Writer A local report meant to examine the issues and impact of “Small school task force on small school funding, points to both the student and neigh- borhood benefits of small schools. “For the community, the elementary closures has come out over r in support of the small school/educa- tion, j Joyce Adams, chairman/of the five-member Small Sch; mmittee, told the Castlegar 1 board at its regular monthly “meeting Monday night, “We fegf small schools are superior ‘in some ways.” ‘The report, which will be sent to the Ministry of Education and the prop- osed education commission with a letter from the board recommending a school rep the single most important feature in the area,” the report states. “The closure of a school seriously disrupts the texture of the neighborhood life.” (In Castlegar, four small elementary schools have been closed since June, 1986 and more than 175 schools have been closed across B.C. ‘since Septem- ber, 1982. The ad hoc committee in Castlegar, created to study the small school situation in the province, was formed last June.) GAZEBO continued from front page should be enlarged, washroom facilities be provided at Inland Gas Park and a new field be developed adjacent to Kinnaird Junior secondary school. Maloff and Bos pointed out that more than 1,300 residents play some form of ball in Castlegar, with more than 500 players in slow pitch leagues. They said local teams and organ- izations want to host major tourna- ments but are limited by the fields. They noted that Trail has “excellent” fields and has scheduled 22 tourna- ments this year, with each tournament attracting about 500 players and friends and families. Bos also pointed out that the B.C. Bantam Girls Championship will be ‘held in Castlegar July 3-5. The committee agreed that the pri orities for 1987 will be: e shale all infields; e extend the outfield at the pony field; repair the bleachers at the pony field; e raise dugout roofs; ¢ install a pay telephone at Kinnaird Park; einvestigate the relocation of lawn bowling greens. The report goes on to say that both pupils and teachers benefit by the small school. atmosphere. “The sense of belonging which char- acterizes small schools fosters higher motivation, better attitudes and more positive behavior,” the report states. “Students’ needs, both academic and social, are more likely to be identified and attended to.” The report also says that small school teachers are more likely to util- ize innovative and individual teaching methods and teachers are often more knowledgeable about the “special needs, talents and problems of stu- dents.” The report also states that small schools decrease the distance a child must travel to and from school which would “greatly lessen the physical dangers to pupils.” Despite agreeing with the report, trustee Ed Conroy also defended larger schools. “People live in certain neighbor- hoods for certain reasons,” he said. “If a rural school doesn't have a band program, then people are willing to forgo that. “But larger schools (that offer such programs) are good also,” said,Conroy. “It's a matter of choice.” The letter will ask for provincial financial advisers to examine the cost importance of applying funding to small schools. The report will also be sent to trustees throughout the province. requires an additional $9,026.99 to cover the deficit, According to Cofiroy, this year the society must raise at least $4,046 over and above the United Way's expected contribution of $4,980. The society recommends that early intervention be ized as cost effective by the various government agencies concerned, that the program funding for fixed and operating expenses by increased to meet the rise in cost each year and that the staff be increased to two full- time employees. Couneil agreed to support the request. "1 FOR THE RECORD Ina March 15 edition of the Castlegar News, it was re- ported that a Chevrolet Bla- zer driven by Judith Evan- enko, 37, of Castlegar, rear- ended a 1981 Honda, driven by Sherri Comba, 22, of Trail. In_fact, it was Comba’s Honda which struck Evanen- ko’s Blazer. RCMP say char- ges will be laid. Postnikoff names. not the same In the March 22 Castlegar News, it was reported in the court news that a Johnny Postnikoff was sentenced to three days in jail for posses- sion of a narcotic. For the record, this indi- vidual is not the same John P. Postnikoff of Shoreacres nor the John Postnikoff of 126 Blueberry Creek. Castlegar courthouse does not supply the addresses of ALL COLUMN PADS 2 Col. to 16 Col. KRAFT EXPANDABLE FILES A-Z stan 9 198 INCOME TAX FILE -. 3988 Ri $12.99 Sale 9 ..... Sale $799 tionary You Cannot Afford to Miss... DESK CADDY PAPER REFILL $419 HEAVY DUTY 2-HOLE Reg $12.95 4 PUNCHES $995 Sale Store away last years files in our cardboard transfer file drawer. OXFORD REVERSE FLEX HANGING FILE FOLDER 21 “In the Heart of Downtown Castlegar OPEN THIS SUNDAY, SELF-STACKING DESK TRAYS Letter Reg. $10.45 365-7813 those 2 Blouses, Elite; Plaza Hotel and West's Travel. @ e Gigantic Thurs., March 26-Sat., April 4 ENTER FOR DRAWS EACH DAY TO WIN TH