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Youth Development

Gratitude, Perseverance & Resilience

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BY KATHY MCDONALD 

The graduation season is here so I would like to offer some thoughts on graduating and the next steps. As the parent of two young males that are graduating this year and facing significant transition stages; one from high school to university and the other from primary school to middle school, I often contemplate on the attributes that are essential to their success. There are the popular character traits of honestly, hard work, discipline and structure. In my opinion gratitude, perseverance and resiliency are quintessential.  I think of gratitude because grateful people tend to be happier people. I think they spend less time worrying about what other people have and tend to appreciate what they have however big or small. Perseverance in my opinion is the key to surviving and thriving. I think persevering people are more apt to embrace life with all its ebbs and flows. While the resilient person is not only tenacious, mentally sturdy and hardy but tend to recover quickly from adverse situations.

As I reflect over the activities and events that I have participated in the last two weeks I am filled with a renewed sense of hope. The highlight of the past fortnight has been attending the adult education graduating ceremony at the Central Board Office of the Peel District School Board as well as the graduation ceremony at Parkholme School (This is a school for students fourteen to twenty one years of age with developmental disabilities).  Both cohorts have overcome insurmountable obstacles to achieve this milestone. After attending the Parkholme graduation one of my colleagues, Trustee Cameron mentioned “how grateful he was to have a job that allows us to witness so much wonderful student success”.  As I reflect on their stories, their journeys, hurdles, hiccups and triumphs I can’t wait to share their stories of hope, dreams and possibilities.

One student shared her story and battle with mental health that temporarily sidelined her goal of getting her high school diploma.  After getting counselling and the appropriate therapy she was able to go back and focus on her education. It may have taken ten years but she did it. Several people spoke about the fact that the birth of their child was the impetus for change. The sudden realization that they were responsible for the welfare of another human being motivated them to go back to school and get their diploma. Several were on their way to college or university. At this graduation we see roles being reversed as invariably the children were in the audience witnessing their parents receive their diplomas. Many of the students with exceptionalities spoke about being ready to live independent and fulfilled lives. Most students have developed the appropriate communication and life skills to successfully integrate into the community. Several of the graduates get jobs, live independently and some even go off to college. To witness the sheer joy in each student as they received their award and be part of the celebration by the staff, their family and the community was awe-inspiring. To think that in many societies such students are invariably locked away, abused or simply forgotten; I was Peel Proud. I was proud to be part of such an inclusive educational organization.

I recently came across a motivational excerpt that resonated with me “When we are going down the wrong road it is never too late to turn around”. I thought that this simple fact is so powerful. Because that really sums up what so many graduates that I encountered have done. In an ever increasingly judgmental, harsh and wired world where it is so easy for people to anonymously berate and demean individuals it takes a persevering and resilient spirit to thrive. Though one’s path to achieving one’s goals may change or deviate from its original course you must never lose sight of your goals. The hurdles, deviations or railroading of one’s ultimate goal should be embraced as opportunity for growth and opportunities to learn. Sometimes as individuals we encounter negative people or “plain ole bad mind” people. I am often surprised at how some people get thrills of destroying other people or how many people actively participate in destroying people’s lives, their families and their future. I would encourage you graduates to not be deterred by such “grudgeful” negative people. Surround yourself with positive like-minded people and leave the negativity behind. Do not let other people define you. Do not live up to their low expectation of you. Believe in you. Believe in your dream. Believe in the possibilities.

Use this summer to plan for the future. Don’t aimlessly go through the motions. Write down your goals and post them in a visible place so you can be constantly reminded to stay the course. Make time to rejuvenate. The exams period was stressful for most. So take some time to refresh the body, mind and soul. Do something different and outside your comfort zone. Volunteer, work or play but do not just squander your precious time on social media. Read a book or two or the Toronto Caribbean.

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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