Wednesday, October 28, 1992 @ Celgar worker claims dyslexia Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER A suspended Celgar em- ployee who claimed dyslexia caused him to fill out a form backwards has returned to work. Mill manager Jim Browne said Tuesday the worker and his supervisor had a heated exchange over equipment op- erating forms that were filled out incorrectly. That’s when the dyslexia issue surfaced. Browne said when the em- ployee claimed he had the reading disorder, he was sent for a diagnosis. “We’re not able to confirm or deny that with the doctor,” Browne said. “It’s the first time the issue of dyslexia came up. The issue is a non- starter. “We're not the kind of com- pany that suspends someone for an impairment.” Even still, Browne con- firmed that the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada Local 1 have filed a complaint with the Labor Relations Board. Aunion spokesperson, who asked to remain unidentified, said the company wants a scapegoat. “They were looking for a scapegoat because the guys in the yard stood up and said they wouldn't sign (the forms), the spokesperson said. The representative said the forms were implemented about two months ago and re- . quires workers to fill out an in- spection report on machinery to be used at the beginning of each shift. The spokesperson said, “the worker did fill it in. In fact the shop steward filled it in for him. “They want a form filled out saying you've done (the check). If anything goes wrong with it later in the day you can be held liable for it.” Browne said he thinks the worker, who was sent home for: the balance of the shift, came up with the dyslexia idea after realizing he was in trouble. “The guy has filled out every other form properly and then for some reason that night he was writing things backwards... I think if any- thing it shows a skill for some- one to be able to sign things backward like that,” Browne said. The spokesperson said the only things backwards on the form was the date and the name of the machinery. “As far as we’re concerned (the form was filled out prop- erly),” the spokesperson said. “If you hold the paper up to the light you can read it per- fectly.” NEWS REPORTER to join the current 4.75 staff members. 3 “Our mandates will overlap, but this per- Help could not have come at a better time. The provincial government is expected to hand over $50, 000 by Nov: 1 to the Castlegar and District Community Services Centre for helping victims of abuse, Patricia Lakes said. According to the centre’s administrator, the money came at a perfect time. “The fall is particularly a bad time for coun- selling, traditionally speaking there is an ac- celerated rate of requests. “This would be very timely to get a staff person as soon as we could,” Lakes said. According to Lakes, the money will help | Pay for a new three-quarter time staff person son will be dealing with clients already com- ing here. “It will help (other staff members) do a bit more of preventative work and help avoid waiting lists,” she said. Lakes said that until now, staff has been working with “upwards of 600 clients” per year and has had to turn people away. If someone has been assaulted the centre will look after the victim, but Lakes said if vi- olence has not occurred they cannot always assist. “If the case load gets too high you have to start distinguishing between (needs).” Seniors survey needs support @ Housing concerns addressed through extensive survey Corinne Jackson NEWS REPORTER Misinformation is making its way into seniors’ homes. “Seniors have a way of spreading misinformation, and more quickly than infor- mation,” Elma Maund said With 100 Castlegar seniors facing the housing crunch, the Seniors Housing Needs Sur- vey project manager says those in need aren’t getting the proper information. Maund said a recent public fo- rum tried to address the hous- about what is available be- More local news, page 19 cause they don’t understand,” she said. The survey, being funded by the federal agencies New Horizons and Seniors Inde- pendence Program, is greatly needed, Maund said. “There’s an understanding that we won’t leave you shel- terless if you (need funding as- sistance). But for those who don’t qualify for (assistance) they figure you stay in your home, or apartment, or Castle- view Care Centre. “People are _ struggling tremendously and_ they needn't,” Maund said. The survey is being deliv- ered by door-to-door can- vassers to anyone 40 years of age or older. Maund said at 40, many people are beginning to “expe- rience housing difficulties.” It is a time when one’s par- ents are in their 60s and grandparents are in their 80s, she said. Only one week into the sur- vey — which ends Nov. 15 — people are sending completed forms back, Maund said. “In some areas we've had as high as a 50 per cent return.” However, Maund said the 30 volunteers they have deliv- ering the survey is not enough. She said the questionnaires should cover Shoreacres to Fairview adding that a volun- teer in the Southridge area is needed. Seniors housing needs must be assessed as exten- sively as possible, Maund said, explaining that seniors cannot be expected “to look after se- niors housing. “It is important that we deal with this now, because we have an expanding elderly population and a shrinking work force.” RUSSIAN NIGHT BUFFET OCTOBER 28 Borscht « Kitoshnic (Baked Potato Cake) e Stuffed Peppers (V egetarian) » Perogies * Cabbage Rolls (Vegetarian) « Nalesnika (Cottage Cheese Crepes) « Plove (Rice & Raisins) The Heartland Restaurant Located in The Sandman Inn 365-8444 NOW STRIPPING 1983 BUICK SKYLARK 2 door 1982 BUICK SKYLARK 2 door 1980 BUICK SKYLARK 2 door 1980 OLDS OMEGA 2 door Western Auto Wreckers Granite Road, Nelson Ph. 354-4802 eh bg, WS Reg. $11.99 Be ad SAVE &) $2.00 eae \( Tues., Wed., & Halloween "SLOW DOWN THIS HALLOWEEN AND PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR THE KIDS" ZS Don't forget all the trimmings. Phone 365-5304 + 2816 Columbia Ave. "Anytime is Chicken Time!" Celaar and Cominco meal tickets accepted CALL AND COMPARE Homeowners Insurance Rates If you live in town, in Rural Castlegar or Blueberry Creek, we have excellent rates that can save you $. CASTLEGAR SAVINGS INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. 601-18th St. Castlegar, B.C. 365-3368 226-7212 @ Wednesd ay, October 28, 1992 AroundTOWN OPEN TO ALL St. David's Thrift Shop in Castlegar is having an open house on Oct. 30 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The event coincides with their celebrating 20 years of community service. Coffee and cookies will be available to everyone. IMPORTANT FREE SEMINAR Selkirk College’s Nelson campus is hosting a free seminar on Elder Abuse on Nov. 2. The lecture is being presented by the People’s Law School. Pre- registration is required. Call 352-6601 for more information, or to register. POETRY READING North Vancouver poet Bill Bissett will be visiting Selkirk College’s Castlegar campus Nov. 12. Bissett, known for his phonetic poetry and his work for literacy publications, will be reading some of his works from noon until 2 p.m. in the Sentinel lecture theatre. OurPEOPLE Three of a Kinnaird Elementary School is more than what it appears. This large school provides educational programs from -| Primary 1 to Primary 4 and Grade 4 to Grade 6 and involves three } school buildings. Kinnaird Elementary, Valley Vista Elementary and Blueberry Creek Elementary Schools,although separate buildings, function under a common philosophy and set of goals, as well as being linked administratively. The 360 elementary students from the south end of Castlegar and from Blueberry participate in a positive and productive school life under this “three in one” educational framework. Kinnaird Elementary The largest of the three schools. The 1992-93 school year saw a registration of 246 students from P-2 to Grade 6. There are 13.8 full-time equivalent teachers as well as a support staff made up of two teachers’ assistants one child care worker, one secretary, one library clerk, two noon hour supervisors, and two custodians. Valley Vista Valley Vista is a friendly, progressive primary school tucked onto a lower bench of land in Castlegar’s south end. A view overlooking the Columbia River and Ootischenia is just a few steps away. The school provides quality education for Primary 1 to Primary 4 students. There are four divisions in the school: a morning and afternoon Primary 1 class; a Primary 2-3 class; and a Primary 3-4 class. Blueberry Creek Last year the school re-opened with 32 students, two classroom teachers and one part-time teacher, who came in twice a week to provide learning assistance, library and music instruction. This year, the enrollment has grown to 40 students with the addition of another class of half-day students. The re-opening of the school coincided with the implementation of the mandated Primary program. The school program reflects the goals of News photo by Corinne Jackson i Valley Vista Primary 2-3 students record the stories of their lives Wednesday, jotting their daily | activities in a journal. Valley Vista is just one of the many schools serving Castiegar’s children. Staff and students alike are committed to the creation of a happy and productive educational climate. Regular classroom efforts and expectations are supported through a variety of extra curricular activities where students are able to develop further intellectual, social-emotional, and physical skills. An actively involved Parents’ Advisory Council, that also represents Valley Vista School, provides enthusiastic support for staff and students. The 74 students are actively engaged in fun learning activities that help form the foundations of a student’s life. Valley Vista is closely tied to Kinnaird Elementary School. Our students travel up to the larger school once a week for library and physical education. The 35-minute bus ride provides our students with the use of a full size gymnasium and a well stocked library. In addition, our students benefit from the specialized teachers that service and that program including an emphasis on building a positive self-esteem in all students, learning that is active and relevant, an integrated approach to curriculum, and ongoing assessment and evaluation strategies that support and guide instruction. Newly purchased learning resources help support a diversity of learning styles and rates. An activity-based math program, two sciénce programs that are built around real-life experiences, and language arts materials that include sets of new basal Parents are an important factor in the education of your children and we are pleased to have such a positive group of parents supporting us in the development of an effective and productive school climate. At Kinnaird Elementary School, staff, students, and parents work co-operatively at stressing the need to: work to the best of one’s ability, think and play safely, and to be happy. We all are looking forward to a great year. facilitate the programs offered in the gym and library. The best feature of Valley Vista School is its size. The staff is very close and have worked hard to create a family atmosphere. The students are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills with others. Working together is a big part of the classroom and school activities. Recycling, an anti-litter campaign and re- forestation are some of the successes of this team-work approach. Valley Vista is a great place to be. reading series as well as good literature and non-fiction books compliment the curriculum. Situated in the small community of Blueberry Creek, the school hosts many community activities including a nursery school program. Supporters of the school include the families of the children attending the school as well as grandparents and interested community members. _An active Parent Advisory Committee supports the school by helping out at special events and raising funds for special purchases.