Since our December, 2002 newsletter, much has been happening on the PACE front:

• Because of your prayers, calls and letters, it appears that many of our trustees and senior management staff are anxious to offer more programs of innovation. (However, some Superintendents and trustees are still not behind PACE because of its religious sensitivity, nor are they certain they should or do they want to provide values alternative /innovative programing in Hamilton.) Mr. Reid is optimistic and still speaks of a September, 2004 start-up.

• The Ministry of Education has provided a letter to our Board Superintendent Chuck Reid that reiterates the regulations that all such programs must abide, and that they are unaware of the similar type programs in Ontario being in contravention of any of these regulations. They recommend our Board visit the other Boards about their faith-based programs. Board Superintendent C. Reid has been in contact with someone from the Ministry who is well familiar with the Grand Erie District Mennonite School.

• President Phil Lees has researched in depth the Ontario College of Teachers Standards of Practice, as well as the issues of Secular Humanism and Secular Pluralism, and shared this information with Superintendent Reid.

• Supervisor Jim Murray has been brought up-to-date by both Board Staff and trustees;

• Our proposal has had a few little changes, but mostly in format only, and has reached a form that is agreeable to Superintendent Reid; however, we await full approval and confirmation from the Senior Management Committee;

• Two members of the PACE Committee met with C. Reid on February 27th to go over the Proposal one more time to discuss our next steps. He will let us know of the date that he plans to present to the Board so that we may get a large contingent out to that Board meeting. It may be at the April meeting.

• Mr. Reid hopes to have a PACE pilot progam going for September 2004 during Phase II of the Board's re-structuring program. Pray that he pilots it in at least a dozen schools. (Phase 1 includes changing school catchment areas and closing several schools.)

• We need a new name for PACE, as the Board would like something different. Please call us with your suggestions.

• Thank you to those who have prayed faithfully, and made a call or written a letter or two. If you haven't yet, it's still important that you do so. Their numbers are listed below.

• Trustee elections (and Councillors, Mayor) are scheduled for November 10th, 2003. Pray for godly men and women to step forward and run.

by Gloria Turner, PACE Director

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