Elementary Teachers

Ontario’s elementary school teachers are stepping up the pressure on the province to return to contract talks.    The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says teacher will be withdrawing from all voluntary extracurricular activities as of next Wednesday.  The government has reached deals with the other major teachers’ unions and Education Minister Liz Sandals says it’s been available to bargain and is ready to go back to the table.

But the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario says the government and the school board association have “ignored all attempts” to get them to return to bargaining, including an offer to refer one issue to binding arbitration.

Students Protest

Students have been protesting over the state of their schools in Kingston and the protest spread to Napanee yesterday.

The students say hallways haven’t been cleaned and garbage has piled up since custodial staff started job action to back their contract dispute.

Students who skipped class and held a protest outside Napanee District Secondary School yesterday saying the school isn’t safe.

Students in Kingston say they’ve faced the same problems.

Arkells – Queens Street Party

A Juno award winning band will be performing at Queen’s tomorrow night.

Arkells say they’ll be the entertainment.

Queens is holding a Homecoming street festival…but hasn’t said what the entertainment will be for the party on Union Street between University and Division.

The popular band from Hamilton spilled the beans on Twitter yesterday.

Marathon Swim

A marathon swim is taking place at the YMCA on Wright Crescent starting today.

Members of the Kingston Y Penguins Aquatic Club are participating in their 14th annual 24 hour relay.

Team members swim in relay fashion for an entire 24 hour period.

Participants learn how to focus on their abilities while developing strength, independence, and confidence.

United Way

The United Way Campaign in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington has hit 45% of its 3.4 million dollar goal.

The campaign thermometer crept to just above $1.537 million yesterday.

The campaign wraps up on November 30th.

Volunteers with the United Way and the Correctional Service will greet alumni heading to the Homecoming Football Game tomorrow at the corner of Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard and Union Street.

They’ll be serving up coffee from the Tim Hortons Truck as a way to promote the campaign.

Motorcycle Driver – Update

Frontenac OPP has updated the condition of the motorcycle driver injured when his bike crashed on the 401 westbound onramp at Montreal Street Wednesday morning.

The driver is reported to be in stable condition at Kingston General Hospital.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the Frontenac OPP.

Crystal Ball

The Crystal Ball Gala takes over the Rogers K-Rock Centre on Saturday.

The event is a fund raiser for the Limestone Learning Foundation….and the culmination of a mentorship program that paired students with professionals in the community.

The artwork produced by students in the Visual Arts section of the program is being auctioned off on Maxsold.  Proceeds from the auction will also go to the foundation.

The black tie Gala takes place tomorrow night.

http://maxsold.com/CrystalBall/

Communications Museum

The opening ceremonies for the newly constructed expansion of the Military Communications and Electronics Museum will take place tomorrow at 1:00pm.

The existing museum ran out of space and the Defense Headquarters Directorate of History and Heritage provided funding for the expansion.