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Waterloo school board trustee named president of provincial association Wa!erluo Catholic disâ€" trict _ school _ board trustee Louise Ervin was named the new president of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees‘ Association last week, with a promise to conâ€" tinue the fight to protect the constitutional rights of a separate school system in Ontario. __"We have to continue to promote it as a viable pubâ€" liclyâ€"funded system," said Ervin, also president of the Canadian Catholic School Trustees‘ Association. "We have to keep everyone informed. If and when required, we have to mobiâ€" lize them into some form of action." Every few years the exisâ€" tence of the four different education _ systems _ in Ontario â€" English Catholic, French â€" Catholic, French public and English public â€" comes under scrutiny by the prevince. And that‘s where organization‘s like OCSTA come into play. Ervin takes on the duties of the chief spokesperson of the organization, keeping her members informed of any potential changes. It‘s a challenge, but she said she tries to balance the responâ€" sibilities of the different organization she represents, including the local separate school board. Part of her duties include working with the Ministry of Education to implement changes in curriculum that are in accordance with what‘s accepted by the wider Catholic community, including the Council of Bishops. And in the past few years By Bos VRrBanac Chronicle Staff with funding cuts to educaâ€" tion, the big battle has been to ensure the continued equal â€" funding of the Catholic system. "We have to continue to advocate and monitor the funding system," said Ervin. "Especially when it comes to special education. "We have to make sure that everybody is continualâ€" ly informed of what‘s hapâ€" pening in some communiâ€" ties because it is a big province. It can have reperâ€" cussions in another commuâ€" nity at the other end of the province." Most of that advocacy is done behind the scenes, as the association works with key members of the governâ€" ment and its ministries to "We have to continue to advocate and monitor the funding system, especially when it comes to special education." Louise Ervin OCSTA president implement changes. "It‘s just to remind them that there are four publicly funded â€" systems in . this province, and they each have their unique needs," said Ervin. "Sometimes peoâ€" ple have to be reminded of that. "It‘s not lobbying, it‘s just constant _ communication and â€" developing â€" relationâ€" ships within different minâ€" istries so that you can talk to them with some comfort about the issues that are of concern." The association‘s relaâ€" tionship with the province varies depending on the issue, but remains very good %Memll Lynch The Jeans ‘n Classics Band is back again this year with the Kitchenerâ€" Waterloo Symphony and vocalists Jean Meilleur and Michael Shotton. The first concert in this series will feature songs from 1967 and the bands that made the music memorable. A musical evening not to be missed! Pizza will be The Beatlesâ€"1967 at 7 pm Supplied by \ Jor sale With Vocalist Jean Meilleur Peter Brennan, arranger January 18 8 pm $29 Subscribers Choice & Groups of 20+ SAVE $4 said _ Ervin "Whenever there‘s an issue we‘re workâ€" ing with the government to make sure our needs and our concerns are heard, and that we won‘t let our constiâ€" tutional rights be affected in any way," she said. And the ultimate goal is something Ervin is sure anyâ€" one can relate to, from parâ€" ent to premier "We just hope that when our students graduate with all the values that we have taught, they carry that on in their lives," she saig" * O Eptin‘s terms as president of both the national and provincial bodies end in 2002. MUSIC FROM CENTRE 578â€"1570 1 soo 265â€"8977 Tor queEN $7 N kTceNe® Monâ€"Fri _ 10 am â€" 8 pm Saturday: 10 am â€" 6 pm semwtentre squareâ€"com With Vocalist Jean Meilleur and special guest Denise Pelley Peter Brennan, arranger March 1 8 pm $29 Subscribert Choice & Groups of 28« SAVE $4 License #R990057 Blood Sweat & Chicago! 92 Lodge St., Waterloo 884â€"3415 THE RECORD As of Jan.1st â€" 3 pm is Fri.,Sat. & Sun. only Subscribers Choice & Groups of 20+ SAVE $4 With vocalist Michael Shotton Peter Bremnan, arranger Sessions daily: 12:00 pm, 6:45 pm & 10 pm Please Join Us! May 17 8 pm $29 Prize Board CKCO Queen THE MUSIC OF