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Youth Development

Changes and Optimism

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BY: KATHY MCDONALD

As we enter into the last month of the school year we are faced with the usual end of the year activities: exams, retirements, and graduations. However, at Peel District School Board (PDSB), we are embarking on a new journey. After weeks of consultations, screening and interviewing we finally announced to the Peel community the Board’s new Director of Education, Peter Joshua. Mr. Joshua hails from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB). The fifty-three-year-old married father of two grown children is a graduate of the PDSB. Mr. Joshua understands the difference between equality and equity. He is a leader that has a full grasp of the priorities of the Board; parent engagement, modern learning, equity and inclusion, numeracy, special education and mental health. With a significant number of retirements from the senior administration team and a new Director of Education at the helm, the PDSB will be undergoing some exciting changes.

I am particularly enthusiastic about working to find effective strategies to effectively utilize our teaching assistants as we strive to make sure that all kids with special needs are appropriately served. At the PDSB we are transforming learning everywhere. The way we teach and the way we learn is changing at a rapid pace. We as a board are no longer focused on only the digital space. Developing our student’s critical thinking skills as well as their creative problem-solving abilities is non-negotiable. Learning for all is a philosophy that the PDSB trustees are committed to. Students, regardless of their abilities or learning styles, must be provided with the necessary tools and resources to equip them to learn. As trite as this may sound, the PDSB recognizes its moral imperative to make sure each student in our care reaches their full potential. Teachers have a duty to care. Collectively we have a duty to motivate and have high expectations for all students regardless of abilities, socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity or race.

Mr. Joshua is a leader who will model for his colleagues a learning and collaborative stance. He possesses an enthusiasm which is refreshing and is committed to developing strong relationships with all stakeholders especially the community. He values parent engagement and understands the importance of having you, the parent, and the community working alongside the PDSB to achieve the ultimate; student success for all and I do mean all.

On May 28th, 2017, I attended the unveiling of a memorial at Brampton Centennial Secondary School (BCSS). Forty-two years ago, the first mass shooting at a high school in North America happened right here in the PDSB. While I am not proud of this distinction I am extremely proud of how much we as a board have grown and transformed the way we deal with grief, trauma and mental health. As a member of the PDSB Mental Health Advisory Committee, I am proud of the extensive work that the PDSB is undertaking to ensure that the mental health of our student and staff is being addressed. The climate for learning and working is a very important priority for the Board.

As I wandered around the event and spoke Mr. Springle, the then principal when the shooting occurred, listened to the sister of Margaret Wright, the teacher that lost her life that fateful day as well as the sister of the shooter, Michael Slobodian; it hits you. Whether you were a family member of one of the deceased, or the injured, a family member who waited anxiously for news about a loved one inside, a member of staff that was on the “hit list” or not on the list, or whether or not you attended BCSS during that tumultuous time, you were affected by the incident. All the aforementioned individuals were victimized in some form or another.

Imagine that the students went back into the schools around three days later. The bullet holes on the wall from the shooting rampage were hidden by bulletin boards and the students would walk past them every day knowing the bulletin boards were obscuring the gaping holes in the walls. The bullet holes on the bathroom were not concealed in any way. It was not until recently that most of the victims of this tragic event began to talk about and deal with the trauma of May 28th, 1975. It was an emotional time as I watched the magnificent sculpture being revealed. It is truly a healing place. That is what artist Mary Ellen Farrow and the BCSS Memorial Committee wanted to accomplish. And that they did. It was serendipitous that the morning was cloudy there was a gentle breeze, it was serene. One of the benches has an inscription that reads “On May 28th, 1975 all of us learned to love one another just a little bit more.”

Armed with a sense of sanguinity I look forward to working with Peter Joshua as he transitions into the role. I recall when Mr. Joshua said that he always felt that he belonged, he always felt able and he always felt that the differences of the few racialized students were celebrated. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each and every student in the province could confidently affirm this? Mental health is beginning to be at the forefront and the courageous conversations around this taboo topic is making its way into discussions and classrooms throughout Ontario. So, journey with us. Walk good. Belle Marché.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Simone Jennifer Smith

    June 10, 2017 at 9:52 am

    Sharing your article sis. Thank you for the updates

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Youth Development

Understanding the multiple layers involved in navigating education spaces Parents of Black Children launch Navigating the Education System

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BY PAUL JUNOR

The work of the advocacy group Parents of Black Children (PoBC) has made a significant and revolutionary difference by bringing issues to the forefront that help Black families at all levels.

For over two years now, it has organized events, workshops and initiatives that have provided important information to the Black community to bring empowerment, knowledge and deep understanding of the multiple layers of the complex dynamics involved in navigating education spaces.

There are five core principles that underlie PoBC understanding of racism:

  1. Racialization
  2. Racism is about power
  3. Critical racial theory
  4. Our stories matter
  5. Racism is founded on White supremacy

On Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021, they launched the document Navigating the Education System,” which was a very empowering, enriching and inspiring tool for diverse Black families. Kearie Daniels, one of the cofounders of PoBC and author of the document, moderated the launch. Furthermore, Claudette Rutherford, one of the cofounders of PoBC and author gave an extensive presentation of the details of the document, sharing useful insights, practical knowledge and interesting information.

PoBC shared a pdf document subsequent to the launch, which provided additional details in a fifty-three-page package. It contained relevant, contextual and vital resources. PoBC’s Advocacy Team supported the document, which includes Charline Grant and Xavier McLaughin.

In the introduction to the document the mission of PoBC is to “Provide support to parents of Black children across Canada and the United States. We advocate and work towards change and concrete action in our education system and adjacent systems such child welfare and the justice system.”

The launch of this vital document is a culmination of all the advocacy and activist work that PoBC has been extensively involved in. It serves to remind members of the Black community that there are resources, tools and supports available to ensure that Black children are able to thrive academically, excel mentally and flourish intellectually in spaces that may not be welcoming to their presence.

The document states that the navigate guide is “Geared towards families in Ontario, but the information can be applied to any jurisdiction where there are Black children and families.”

The document “Table of Contents” is useful and helpful. There is vital information on:

  • School board terms you need to know
  • Education organization you need to know in Ontario
  • Black families and the Child Welfare System
  • Black families and the education system
  • Black students and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
  • Black students in High School.
  • Developmental delays in learning exceptionalities
  • Supporting students with learning exceptionalities
  • Selecting a school system
  • System abuse

PoBC presented a webinar on “System Abuse”. The document states,

“The system is not neutral. These systems were designed as part of a colonial framework that must be dismantled.” Furthermore, the document “Serves as a means to demystify the pitfalls within the education system and light a path towards a decolonized education system.”

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Youth Development

Toronto prepares families for COVID-19 vaccination of children

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Photo by Charles Deluvio Library on Unsplash

BY PAUL JUNOR

There have been concerns, fears and anxieties as parents, caregivers and guardians anticipate the possibility of having their children under twelve vaccinated.

The Boston Globe reported on Friday, October 29th, 2021, that the FDA approved the administration of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of five to eleven. These children will receive one-third of the dose administered to teens and adults.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention met on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, in order to finalize details with respect to which children should be vaccinated first. In anticipation of these developments, Team Toronto has initiated a series of outreach and education sessions, as well as town halls in order to inform the Toronto community.

Parents of children between the ages of five to eleven who attend public schools will be receiving an email and an invitation to respond to a survey to “Support vaccine planning.”  This invitation will also be extended to parents whose children attend private independent schools as well. The survey will be administered by Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the City of Toronto VaxTO in order to “Better understand parents’ intent to vaccinate their children, how they would prefer to have their children receive their COVID-19 vaccine, and to obtain critical information on socio-demographic factors such as race and income.”

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto, is optimistic and positive about this development. He states in the press release, “While our work to get 90% of eligible residents vaccinated is continuing, we are also readying for when the vaccine will be available to protect kids five to eleven. We want to hear from parents, so we made sure we designed a vaccination program that works for kids and their families. This is just one more example of the outreach we are doing to prepare for this effort. This work is so important and will help us get kids vaccinated so they have the best protection against COVID-19 and so our schools can be as safe and as open as possible.”

Councillor Joe Cressy, Chair of Toronto’s Board of Health who has been at the forefront of advocating for the vaccination of margnizalied and at-risk communities is supportive of this campaign. He states, “At every stage of our immunization campaign, connecting with people on the ground has been critical to our success. Now, as we prepare for the rollout of vaccines to children aged five to eleven, we’re committed to engaging directly with parents, families, and community leaders to have active conversations about vaccinations for kids.”

In addition, Dr Eileen De Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health is a strong proponent of this campaign. She states,” When vaccines are approved for use and when we have supply we will ensure that we bring every resource to bear on this critical component of the vaccination campaign.”

The survey will be available as of Sunday, November 7th, 2021. It consists of fifteen questions that will be available online at s.tphsurvey.chkmkt.com in multiple languages. Parents and guardians will receive them from their children’s public school boards. In addition, there will be town halls for specified multilingual communities as well as neighbourhood-based telephone halls to ensure that the public has access to timely, necessary and relevant information for informed decision-making.

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Youth Development

Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES

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BY SABRINA S. – 12 YEARS OLD

The school year is coming to an end, I’m sure that this year was hectic for everyone. Last year, we had a pandemic strike in the middle of the year and the world was sent into lockdown.

We didn’t get to go to school for the rest of the year.

Many students got to choose if they wanted to do school in-person or online, I chose online since I didn’t feel safe.

First day of school was very weird, most people don’t turn their cameras on, don’t even get me started on the wifi issues. I would lag out of the google meet many times and miss most of the instructions on the assignment. That is when friends come in handy, though I don’t get to see my friends that often, we still connect with some online games and phone calls through snap chat.

I don’t know where the time went, it just flew by. Last month was September and suddenly, I feel like we skipped eight months. I only have a week of school left! Because it is the last week of school, I have a lot of homework and final assignments to do but I know I’ll get through them and finish the school year.

I haven’t had time to go outside as well, I’ve been too busy with my assignments.

If my school year was this hectic, imagine the teacher’s year. I’m very grateful for everything my teachers have done for me and my classmates this year, they definitely deserve the three-month summer break. I’m sure my teachers doubted teaching online, but everything went okay and I learned lots.

“No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets. I’m going to make it!”

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