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KW and Area United Way organ- izers are only 822.0(1) short of their 1984 fundraising target of 31.5 mil Campaign chairman Bryan Stew- art announced Thursday that, at the end of the annual seven-week drive, community donations and pledges totalled $1,478,000. or 98.5 per cent of target. With late canvasses of sev- eral employee groups still to be completed, he was confident the shortfall could be overcome. "if we get better-than-estimated Parents' concerns prevail in decision at Sandowne crossing Melodee Martinuk Chronicle Staff Rejecting the advice of city engi- neers, Waterloo aldermen Monday responded to the concerns of parents whose children walk to Sandowne school by placing an adult crossing guard in front of the school. The adult guard will guide school children across the busy Sandowne Drive at Boxbury until the end of the 1984 school year. when council will examine whether the guard has resolved traffic problems. now oc- curing in the area. United Way nears $1.5 million target Two weeks ago, Boxbury Drive parent Christine Ziegler asked council for the crossing guard, arguing that motorists dropping off or picking up children were creating a hazard for the youngsters walking to school. Often, she said, the children had to wait up to 15 minutes before crossing Sandowne, because they couldn't be certain when the cars would be pulling away. The city's engineers were against Ziegler's request because they felt vehicular and student traffic in the area didn't meet guidelines for installing an adult guard. Instead, the engineers proposed to prohibit stopping on both sides of the street in front of the school and create drop-off zones where motor- ists could stop their cars without creating problems for youngsters walking. Council referred the matter back to the engineers, who were instruct- ed to meet with Sandowne parents, school officials and the police to come up with an acceptable sohr tion. ‘ In his report to council Monday evening, deputy city engineer Gord Lemon again rejected placing an adult guard on Sandowne, maintain- ing the key to solving traffic prob- lems in the school areas is education of the parents. He 'noted that crossing guard warrants were developed jointly by Pat Arbuckle Chronicle Staff BCI semester system approval goes before Board of Ed trustees A proposal to implement the semester system at Bluevale collegiate in Waterloo will be presented to trustees of the Waterloo County Board of Education Thursday. in the wake of discussions held this [all with parents. staff and students. Letters were sent out to parents of Bluevale students inviting them to attend a parent information meeting and parents night Sept. 19 and 26 for a presentation on the semester system and possible changes being considered for Bluevale. Pgrént questions were dealt with in a subsequent discussion and those who had lingering doubts, were urged to contact the school for more information. -niiGeGi/ere parents who had some concerns." BCI principal Earl Widmeyer said. "The concerns voiced were not ones we hadn't anticipated _ there are some results on campaigns still in pm gress and/or with the help of the citizens of K-W and Area, who perhaps have not yet given, i'm sure we can do it," he said, "We consider the $1.5 million a minimum goal to meet the needs of the agencies and the people they help and we will not be satisfied until we achieve at least that goal.“ BP United Way's 1984 $1.5 million goal is 9.1 per cent greater than last year's target of $1.375 million. the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo together, with the region, "after much study" and have been used "successfully" since 1979. Lemon recommended that addi- tional no-stopping and no-parking zones be implemented on Sandowne in the school area, and three drop- off areas be clearly marked. As well, he suggested that police be asked to enforce the traffic regula- tions and the city forward to all parents. of children attending San- downe school. a letter explaining the new traffic rules, and the dangers motorists are causing. Should these measures not work. then a guard could be installed, he said. Ziegler responded that Lemon's regulations would only increase traffic "congestion" on Boxbury Drive, at the Sandowne intersection as parents try to get around the new rules. She maintained that educa- tion of the motorists has been tried repeatedly in the past and the proposed measures "just won't work." "Because we live there. we know the children will be waiting more than one minute. Why go through the signs and police enforcement? Isn't it just as simple to put a crossing guard there?" she asked. “I dun't see why we have to wail." It was Mayor Marjorie Carroll who suggested that the adult guard be posted and the regulation change suggested by Lemon be enacted. While agreeing that public educa- tion is the key. she said, the engineers were approaching the problem "backwards." "Having an adult crossing guard there with a sign in hand will help to bring an awareness to parents." she said. "We have to put a guard in place at the beginning - that's when the education will take place. A better approach is to have a guard on for a couple of months, see if there's a change in traffic patterns, then try taking the guard off." Since the September meetings, the Bluevale principal has received no further comments from parents with regard to the proposed changes. Those concerns previously voiced by parents. will be included in the presentation to the board, he said. advantages and disadvantages to anything yoy try." Bluevale's administrative staff began discussing the possibility of adopting the semester system last winter following announced changes to the secondary school system that would require students to complete 30 credits, many of them in compulsory subjects. The provincial govemmenCs back-to-basics reform program which was implemented in September. also allows students to complete their high school diploma in four or five years. The semester system divides the year into two halves and allows a student to complete four credits each term, Earlier this year, Widmeyer said that the new system Chris Ellis, co-owner of Central Ontario Cycle, and Kathy Wheeler arrange a few at the many toys that have already been donated at motorcycle shops in Kitchener-Waterloo. Members of the Biker's Rights Association are hoping to make the Christmas seasOn a little merrier for needy children this year by launching a toy drive in the Waterloo Region. Donations can be made at any of the 12 participating motorcycle shops. Pal Aloud“. photo ll D . e Bik h . ht idea Chronicle Staff Prof. Thomas Brzus, towski has been ap- pointed vice-president. academic, for a third term at University of Waterloo. Motorcyclists in the Kitchen'itwaterloo area have caught the Christmas spirit. Members of the local chapter of the Biker's Rights Associa- tion have organized a Christmas toy drive for needy families. “We thought this would be an opportunity for those who ride motorcycles in the region. to show that we are the same as everyone. that we care about children," explained Kathy Wheeler. an organizer of the toy drive. Motorcycle shops idthe Waterloo region. 12 in all. are now accepting donations of new or good used toys, Wheeler said. W UW prof re-named to post The appointment. from July l, 1985, to June 30. 1988. was rec- ommended by UW Sen- ate and has been ap- proved by the board of governors. WATERLOO CHRQNiE, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28I ttMM - PAGE 3 would provide students with a "better and more manageable program." School officials were concerned, that with the new system. those planning to complete their high school education in four years and then enter university. might find themselves overburdened with the greater number of compulsory courses. W'V‘We‘re looking at thir learning situation for kids and think this will be better for them," he said. In the past two weeks, besides visiting homerooms throughout the school. Widmeyer has asked Bluevale teachers to discuss the semester system with students. Although there are still some questions to be answered, student response has been "very positive." he said. Eighty-MBe per cent of Bluevilé staff favor the change to the semester system. - - _ " "Eiiairiitrt,dGGpprove the Bluevale proposal. the semester system could be implemented as early as September, I985. Members of the biker's organization will pick up the toys Friday. Dec. 14 and taktthem to the Salvation Army where they will be distributed to needy children throughout the Waterloo region, prior to Christmas Day. The local chapter of the Biker's Rights Association was formed approximately two years ago to improve community understanding and awareness of motorcyclists. Wheeler ex- plained. . "We find a lot of people who drive cars do not understand how vulnerable motorcyclists are." she said. The organization's 80 members plan to provide information on motorcycle safety to local riders. Eventually, they hope to make presentations to driver's education classes so that students learning to drive will see things from a cyclist's point of View. becoming aware of the hazards of driving a motorcycle. Waterloo dealers participating in the current toy drive include California Cycle, Central Ontario Cycle and Cycle Improvement. Besides public education, the Biker's Rights Association is involved in a number of fund raising projects, including the National Ride for Sight. which last year, raised $200,000 for the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation.