JohnWinchester
270170 
Most Orillia schools get failing grade from Fraser Institute
OrilliaMatters
21Once again, comparing schools/students/teachers across the province on a standardized test, which ignores a myriad of factors including demographics, is nothing more than a huge waste of time, money, and a cause of stress for all involved. It has been proven repeatedly that standardized testing is not an accurate measurement of intelligence or learning that goes on within schools. However, it is a very effective tool for the government to convince people with no experience in education (including current and future commenters on this 'report') that privatization of education is needed. John Winchester SCDSB 1986-2016, OSSTF/SCDSB Excellence in Education Co-Recipient 2004
16- JohnWinchester
BREAKING NEWS: Jill Dunlop appointed new education minister
OrilliaMatters 20JDR55 - Never made any such claim. However, I likely have a lot more experience regarding education than you, by virtue of my 30 years as a teacher. Of course, I say 'probably' because no one knows who you are and therefore what experience you have in the field of education. 🤷♂️ I also find it hard to believe that you would claim that 'teachers....enrich themselves and their friends', while ignoring backroom deals Ford & company have made with developers and deep-pocketed donors. Calling those who expect their MPP to respond to concerns and reply to messages 'greedy'. Wow. Contrary to what you claim, no one wants to see Dunlop fail in her duties as our MPP. What we want is to be listened to, and have our concerns addressed---and not by merely sending out a form letter or by saying 'Thank you for your question' and then proceeding to not answer it---for 15 minutes, at media briefings. Let's hope that this promotion will see Jill become a better MPP---and not just for her supporters.
5- JohnWinchester
BREAKING NEWS: Jill Dunlop appointed new education minister
OrilliaMatters 22Duncan McDonald- You're right: 'It is called public service for a reason': and a big part of the job is responding to the public, not just your supporters.
3- JohnWinchester
All Simcoe County school buses cancelled today
OrilliaMatters 6This is #12 already in the north zone. Might set a record this winter. Safety comes first. If only the school board didn't require its employees to travel on those same roads to school or face consequences.
18- JohnWinchester
Most Orillia schools get failing grade from Fraser Institute
OrilliaMatters 10RR - Your question 'Why are Orillia schools failing so badly?' entirely misses the point. This is a test that is meaningless in terms of understanding how a student learns or thinks. Therefore, no school has failed. Drawing conclusions like yours underscores how little you understand what true learning involves. As noted in my earlier post, demographics also play a key role in any test of this nature. An equally invalid comparison could be drawn between standards of living in Orillia and upscale neighbourhoods in Toronto, such as Rosedale or The Bridle Path. This will be my final comment on the issue. Before jumping to conclusions about the state of education in Orillia, or anywhere else for that matter, do some reading on how useful standardized tests are in assessing learning. For those interested in learning more, I recommend 'The case against standardized testing: raising the scores, ruining the schools', by Alfie Kohn as well as 'What's Wrong With Standardized Tests?' by FairTest.
12- JohnWinchester
COLUMN: A heartfelt ode to Brewery Bay, an Orillia treasure
OrilliaMatters 15Seriously, WW? As David Hawke recently commented, in another thread, why are your comments always negative? I suppose that this explains why you choose to remain anonymous.
6- JohnWinchester
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BREAKING NEWS: Jill Dunlop appointed new education minister
OrilliaMatters 12NoMore - I am also curious. Are you assuming that I vote Liberal federally? If so, you would be incorrect. That said, given the choice between Trudeau and PP, it's an easy one for me to make. More to the point, this story features Dunlop, not Trudeau. Please stick to the topic. If you want to post about about how 'Trudeau has done much worse', go right ahead. Don't forget to provide examples. Because I can provide plenty about how Dunlop has not listened/responded to her constituents since 2018. And, from reading the comments in this thread, I'm not the only one who knows that to be true. 😉
4- JohnWinchester
What's in a name? Have your say on new Oro-Medonte elementary school
OrilliaMatters 8With that in mind, I just recommended Oro-Medonte Public School on the submission form. 😉
7- JohnWinchester
COLUMN: Ford's rebate cheques 'unnerving display of political cynicism'
OrilliaMatters 12Great column, Mark. Our family donated ours too. It's sad that both the provincial Conservatives and federal Liberals thought that these pre-election bribes would work to buy votes, instead of investing the money in much-needed programs at both levels. Even more sad, these bribes might work.
3- JohnWinchester
All Simcoe County school buses cancelled today
OrilliaMatters 4R Rufus and Grouchy - You are missing the point of my comment. If the school board deems it unsafe to travel the roads for its students, why doesn't that apply to its employees? Some school boards allow employees to work from home on 'snow days', as was done extensively during the pandemic. And, yes, the roads are equally unsafe for all drivers. I get that. Perhaps you should ask your employers why your own safety isn't being considered. For once, try not to let your anti-teacher views cloud your judgment.
11- JohnWinchester
COLUMN: Americans electing Trump like turkeys voting for Thanksgiving
OrilliaMatters 9If you do agree to meet with 'no laughing matter', I would be more than intetested is sitting in on that discussion. Maybe even Mocking Bird would attend. I am truly fascinated about how anyone could support such a vile, incompetent person to hold the highest elected office in the world---unless they admire those qualities.
5- JohnWinchester
Your Ontario health care experiences: ‘Huge wait times. Poor quality care’
OrilliaMatters 8But, two years ago, a plurality of Ontario voters didn't seem too concerned about re-electing these clowns, despite: their abysmal record on healthcare, so many LTC deaths during the pandemic, reducing per capita education spending, at least a dozen failed court challenges, and utter disregard for the environment---among many other concerns. And, unless something changes before 2026, we'll be stuck with them again. How to explain this? Far too many voters don't know (or care) much about politics. Our electoral system is in need of major reform, because whenever any party can attain 100% of the power with far less than 50% of voter support, it is broken. And the ones denying this are self-serving liars (and even sometimes lawyers).
6- JohnWinchester
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Municipalities facing 'unmet need' amid 'growing social and economic consequences'
OrilliaMatters 10After almost three decades of government under the Conservatives and Liberals, when I hear people say 'We can't trust the NDP to fix things', my response is 😳. I then ask 'What has improved for you, in the past six years? Fifteen years? Twenty five years?'. Their response: 😳.
3- JohnWinchester
COLUMN: Americans electing Trump like turkeys voting for Thanksgiving
OrilliaMatters 10Precisely, what misinformation is he spreading?
3- JohnWinchester
Tories teased for calling Sudbury Holiday Inn ‘lavish’
OrilliaMatters 7Nope. Just another dumb thing PP said, without doing much research.
6- JohnWinchester
Ford in the doghouse for joking people can get MRIs at the vet
OrilliaMatters 6The point is so many Ontarions have died waiting for medical procedures, under his watch. That's hardly a laughing matter. If Trudeau had made a similar remark, people would be all over him for it---probably bringing up his poor decision of wearing black face many years ago and recirculating other untrue rumours about his past.
6- JohnWinchester
Cops in controversial middle-finger video 'did nothing wrong': Ford
OrilliaMatters 3Typical Ford response: appealing to the lowest common demoninator. That said, our police officers deserve our support and respect for what they do to protect all of us. It's unfortunate that these two have lost my respect by virtue of their actions.
9- JohnWinchester
City of Orillia has 87 employees on 2024 Sunshine List
OrilliaMatters 5They aren't flaunting their salaries. The Sunshine List was established 30 years ago, by Mike Harris, in an attempt to 'shame' them, under the guise of transparency in his 'Common Sense Revolution'. If adjusted for inflation, this arbitrary $100,000 salary line would be much higher. Rather than focus on nonsense like this, how about something being done about affordable housing? Improving our healthcare system? Protecting the environment?
6- JohnWinchester
Tories teased for calling Sudbury Holiday Inn ‘lavish’
OrilliaMatters 5WW? - Brace for PP's supporters 'leaping to his defence'. Happens a lot locally when that party gets criticized, federally or provincially. 😉
6- JohnWinchester
Nurses ‘dread’ going to work amid 'crisis' in Ontario hospitals
OrilliaMatters 6And yet, Ford leads by a rather wide margin in most polls. Far too many Ontarians are willfully ignorant on how bad the situation is for our healthcare workers or don't care. Neither explanation is acceptable.
5- JohnWinchester
