PAGE 8 WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBE23' 1988 whintby business Latest in learning techniques at the Smith centre By Feroneh Neil With both tutoring and counselling, the Smith Learning Centre, on Dundas St. E. across from the Whitby post office, gives new meaning to the concept of learning. Owner Donna Smith is taking a break, "hopefully a permanent one," from the regular school system in which she taught for more than 13 years. "I was getting people coming to me after hours for help," says Smith. "I had to make a decision." So she began her own service not long after the end of the last school year to, provide help that was needed, and, about a month ago, opened the Dundas St. E. location. DONNA SMITH The centre offers assistance to students who may have learning disabilities, motivational prob- lems, attention deficit disorders or difficulties in problem-solving and organizing. "Some students don't know how to learn, how to study," Smith says. 'We will first go through an acedemic assessment and find the strengths and weaknesses. Then a program is designed for the student. We teach so that they can use the skills in their regular classes." Sessions, carried out on a one-on-one basis on any subject, are made by appointment. "They can work at their own pace," says Smith. "I have people who work in different areas that help out. The counselling helps to improve their self - esteem and self-image. Actual conferencing with our consultant psychologist would occur upon request." The learning centre doesn't just help high school students, but also preschoolers, elementary students and university students. "With preschoolers, a parent might want to bring them in to improve their listening skills, or something along those lines. Like the other students, they would be worked with on a one-to-one basis." Smith herself works with students between the ages of four and 12. She attended university in Guelph and Windsor and obtained degrees in education and psychology. She specialized in special education. Smith attends seminars to keep up to date with teaching trends. "They present new methods of teaching, ideas, new research and new material," says Smith. "Here, they also show the new books, games and software that aid in education." "To the age group that * I usually teach, the use of the computer is like a reward. The games at the same time are reinforcing what the children have learned." The Smith Learning Centre also extends help to bright and gifted students who may just want to explore their knowledge. "It has proven to be rather successful so far," Smith com- mented about the centre. Crombie discusses vote of commission in waterfront study By Debbie Luchuk He said the waterfront Speaking about Toronto with access and movement waterfront development, former commission's findings may be of Toronto mayor and former xnterest te Durham Region Secretary of State David Crombie communities with a waterfront addressed the Oshawa Chamber on Lake Ontario. of Commerce on Wednesday last "The most important tbing is week. te find out where we'e going on Crombie has been chairman of the waterfront," Crombie said, the Royal Commission on the mentioning part of the com- Toronto waterfront since June of missions work is to find out each this year, examining the water- organizations rationale to deter- front, its role and the role of the mine how they can work tegether. various bodies and organizations The commissions first step involved with the waterfront. was te establish five study groups "I was brought up near the composed of members of the waterfront, in Rosedale," Crombie more than 30 groups. said. "The five work h oups deal Local consultant will donate gifts to needy Anna Russell of Whitby, frommorders piaced during fer consultant for Discovery Toys, open bouse Nov. 26 to Dec. 10. will donate ber sales commission Cal 668-3568 for more to buy gifts for needy children, information. (transportation); the neighbor- hoods and housing; the parks, pleasures and public areas; the environment and health; and jobs, economic growth. We want to look at things that have changed, and the economic bases of the waterfront. Crombie noted that most employment is now provided by the Toronto Island airport and not the harbor itself. "We will finish the job by the end of December. We will identify conflicts and look at opportun- ities." Hearings on the Island airport future, the mandate, role and function of Harborfront, the role and future of the Toronto Harbor Commission, environmental issues and the waterfront's function and future for Toronto, will begin in May of 1989. Crombie said an international "think tank" will be held in June "to see if we can take the reports of the groups, public hearings for imagings of the waterfront." Crombie said, "It seems when I talk to people in Toronto I think of three words: It is historic. "If we think the waterfront isn't important, we have to attach it to a historic event. "It is part of a global trend, when railways came to cities they transformed them. When they left, and are leaving city cores, they will leave cities grappling with the new image of the waterfront." Crombie's final moment of levity came with a altered" biblical story. "slightly "Moses was lying under a tree when the messenger of the Lord said to him, 'I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that God will make plagues, locusts to come to Egypt and kill the first born of every household. 'The bad news is that you, Moses, will have to write up the environmental assessment.'" ANGELO Labropoulos of Blue Sea Fish and Chips in Whitby donates $500 to Jim Gartshore, repre- senting Whitby General Hospital. Labropoulos made the donation from store sales of Oct. 26, the first anniversary of his business on Brock St. N. The hospital also recently received a $15,000 donation from the Order of the Eastern Star. Free Pres photo EAST WA.RD RESIDENTS ITHANK I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all those people who worked so hard over the course of this campaign, and to give a special thanks to the residents of the East Ward for their support. Sincerely, Dennis Fox East Ward Councillor