September 10, 2003 Youth Educational Assistance News e¢ the other press © Extended School Speed Zone Times Sara James News Editor An amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act has provided for the exten- sion of school speed zone times. According to Transportation Minister Judith Reid the amendment is a part of the provincial government's Funding Increase Sara James News Editor a Minister of Children and Family Development Minister Gordon Hogg and Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond announced an increase in post-secondary education funding for youth who grew up in government care. The Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) was given a $3-million increase. “In today’s knowledge-based society, parents have an obligation to make sure their children have a good education,” said Hogg. “[The provincial] govern- ment is the legal parent for about 700 youth who reach the age of majority each year. We are committed to increas- ing access to post-secondary education and providing the skilled professionals that our province needs.” The YEAF was created in 2002 with an initial $2-million fund. The aim of the trust is to assist youth between the age of 19 and 24 who are in the govern- ment’s custody or care. According to the Ministry of Advanced Education and the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the fund assisted 50 stu- dents in their post-secondary education. The trust provides eligible students with grants—the current yearly maxi- mum is $3,500—for up to four years. The ministries have expanded eligibility to include students who were in the government’ custody, but were adopted before reaching the age of majority. Eligible students can apply for a grant through the Ministry of Advanced Education’s student services branch, which administers the program. The Victoria Foundation, a community foundation that builds, manages, and distributes endowment funds, manages the trust. “The Victoria Foundation is dedicat- ed to improving people’s quality of life and building capacity within communi- ties,” said CEO and executive director Sandra Richardson. “We're very pleased to be a part of providing education bur- saries for youth formerly in government care and contributing to building stronger families and communities in BCS During its first year of operation, the trust assisted students attending col- leges, universities, designated institutes and private schools. Additional information available on the Ministry of Advanced Education's website . New Era commitment to make streets safer. School boards and districts, governments, can now extend the current time limit, between 8a.m. and 5p.m., to better reflect school activities and the use of school facilities. “This is about protecting ou vide extracurricular and community activities outside regular school hours, and may have playground or other recreational facilities that are used by students during summer daylight hours,” Reid said. “We are acting to ensure communities can establish school speed zone hours that reflect their needs to ensure safety always comes first.” Greater flexibility in determining school speed zones hours has been a request of BC school boards School Trustees Association president Gordon Comeau. BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils president Terri Watson is pleased with the amendment. Watson said, “Parents can now work more effectively with changes in their communities.” Extended school speed zone hours cannot begin later than 8a.m. or end earlier than 5p.m. Unless otherwise posted on a school speed zone sign, the current effective period of 8a.m. to 5p.m. remains in effect. Fines, for drivers caught exceeding the posted limited, begin at $173 and go as high $460. along with municipal and provincial r children. Many public schools pro- since the early 90s according to BC their local governments to implement Rn i i) P fh . i | ay Tee Photos by Kim Meier Print Futures E-zine Launched Barbara K. Adamski OP Contributor LooseLeaf, Douglas College’s latest “publication” of stu- dents’ work, was officially launched September 4. The e-zine’s kick-off occurred at a welcome party for first-year students in the Print Futures: Professional Writing Program. The tri-annual e-zine was created by seven students in the Print Futures Program: Colleen Smith, Larisa Saunders, Kelly New Passport Photo Regulations Sara James News Editor To comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) recom- mended specifications, the Canadian Passport Office announced new passport photo regulations. Photos must now show individuals with neutral expressions—no smiles, grins, or scowls—no expression at all. In May of this year, the ICAO developed a framework for the global incorporation of biometric identification information into passports and Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs). Biometric enhanced MRTDs can reduce the amount of time required to process passengers through airports, increase secu- rity, and reduce identity theft. Biometrics is the identification of a per- son through unique biological features. Computer recognition is used to quickly compare a traveller with their passport Parry, Norlinda Ghazali, http://www.otherpress.ca photo. A comparison of various biometrics, including the eyes and fingers, determined that facial recognition was the most viable option globally. Implementation would mean that a computer performs the facial comparisons now conducted by personnel at borders and airports. The ICAO plans to offer supplementary biometrics to its members. The newly adopted standards dictate that the subject must be expressively neu- tral with a closed mouth. Full facial fea- tures, including eyes must be completely visible. Hairpieces and cosmetic devices can be worn only if worn on a regular basis. Current, valid passports featuring an expressive face are still legal. All new and/or replaced Canadian passports must comply with the new photo specifications. Theresa Laviolette, Theresa Brodie, and Barb Adamski of The Other Press. Articles encompass the four focal points of the Print Futures Program—research, editing, writing, and design. Current and past program participants are encouraged to submit their work. LooseLeaf can be found at . Page 5 /