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Youth Development

Reflections: A Call to Action.

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As I reflect on the academic year that was I am reminded of the numerous examples of the magnificent initiatives that the PDSB as well as other Boards in the province of Ontario are engaged in. However, I also think of the “unpleasantries” and am inspired not discouraged. I think it is these setbacks, negative experiences and colossal screw ups that are often the impetus that moves us forward. Sometimes we don’t move forward unless a circumstance forces us to move forward. Even the recent senseless execution of two black males at the hands of US law enforcement resonated with me and has strengthened my resolve to make a difference before such acts become common place in Canadian law enforcement.

As 2016 is unfolding and more than half way through it is appearing that Ontario is moving towards another year /summer of the gun. I would like to urge all members of the Caribbean and black community to come together and advocated for change. I think the vehicle that we need to fully explore to thwart this cancer in our society is education. We need to rise up and get educated and as Bob Marley said” Emancipate ourselves from mental slavery”. We need to make the change from within. Ontario is poised to do this. We have a Black Minister of Education. We have several Black and Caribbean nationals on School Boards across the province, not to mention teachers, senior administration and community leaders. We need to engage these individuals and let our voices be heard.

Parents, educate yourself about your rights as parents, educate yourself and learn about the myriad of programs and resources available to help your children succeed. Learn how to navigate the educational system.  AVOCATE, ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE for your children and demand that the Boards are being inclusive and equitable. If your child, a bright Canadian born descendant of Guyanese nationals is “accidentally “placed in ESL you have options. You do not have to accept this. If a teacher tells your child they “are dumb because they are black” you have recourse. If you have a special needs child this is not a source of embarrassment. Accept it and get access to all the help available. Accessing the plethora of support for your child is not a shameful act, it’s not an admission of weakness. It does not reflect on you as a parent. Access these programs and resources in place to help your child to succeed. I know many successful people with learning disabilities who have gone on to amazing and satisfying careers. Do not be defined by a label. You may have to make accommodations or work twice as hard but do it any way.

If you don’t know to access the appropriate resources, ask your Principal or Trustee for guidance. Find an ally in the education system, reach out to neighbors, friends, community services and network. It is not okay for anyone to bully your child. IT IS NEVER OKAY. If a teacher pushes your child into her locker this is not okay because the teacher will soon retire.  Go into the schools and advocate for your child. Guidance counselors do not have the final say you do; you know your child, you were their first teacher. Do not accept any limits on your child if you know they are capable. Be honest with your child and encourage them to work to the best of their ability. Do not settle for second best.  NEVER SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST.

I have approached previous Ministers of Education about the status of children from the Caribbean and Black community and I was rebuffed by a “They are on the radar”. Well it’s time to get our community off the radar and onto the agenda. But it won’t happen by hoping and wishing. We need to act. Stop talking in the kitchen or at the hairdresser, move these conversations mainstream. Come together, organize and let our community have a voice. Who will take up my challenge? There is power in numbers. I urge several community groups to come together, unite and demand accountability and change for our children. Various other ethnic groups, and marginalized groups are doing this. We need to start yesterday as we have a crisis looming that is seeing an unprecedented number of our children being marginalized. Email me your ideas and thoughts, call me, let us work together for change.

I attended the funeral of a PDSB student that was tragically killed one day after his high school graduation. It was one of the saddest events I attended during my tenure as a Trustee. It is not easy watching a family say farewell to someone so young, so full of promise.

In my role it is disheartening to see bright and vibrant members of my community underachieving. Did you know that there is a Sci-Tech program in the PDSB? Currently, one of the schools I represent host this program and there are classes with not one individual Black student in this program? Are Black parents applying to these programs? Are Black parents aware of these programs? Are Black students being screened out?

These are difficult conversations we need to have unless you believe that Black students cannot excel in a Sci-Tech Program. When was the last have you explored your school board’s website? Parents, this is a journey I would encourage you to take this summer. So Walk Good. Belle Marché

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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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