Youth Development
Show Up, Stand Up, Speak Up
BY: KATHY MCDONALD
Parents wake up. Pay attention. You have power. The power that parents have often goes unused. Parents, students, and community we can no longer be apathetic. Even if we cannot vote in an election your voice still matters. Show up where it counts. Below, I have listed several opportunities to let your voices count. You may want to show up or sign a petition against having Judge McLeod removed from the bench, you may want to learn more and have input in regulations regarding the use and distribution of cannabis or you may want to make changes to special education funding. Whatever you do parents you need to let your voice be heard.
Cannabis is legal in Canada now. Now what. How does this affect the educational system? Can students now smoke ganja, weed or cannabis whenever wherever? Do you know that it is illegal for a 12-year-old to smoke and possess pot? There are a lot of underaged students that think it is ok for them to possess and smoke cannabis. IT IS NOT. Police can charge underaged students if they are caught smoking pot. Parents get the correct information. Contact your school board to find out about their policy regarding cannabis as well as make sure you speak to your children about the new law. Make sure you have the facts…. THE CORRECT INFORMATION. ResQ Youth International will be hosting an information session at the Gospel Cafe, 5120 Dixie Road, on Saturday, December 1 at 11 am. For more information call the executive director, Abigail Hamilton at 905-451-0953.
Parents and students do you understand what’s happening to Donald Mcleod. Do you even know who Justice McLeod is? Should you even care that a black Judge who speaks out about injustices in the black and Caribbean Community may be kicked off the Bench? Pinball Clemons is hosting a community gathering at Nelson Mandela Park Public School which is located at 440 Shuter Street Toronto, at 7 pm on November 29th. The hearing is scheduled for November 30th, at 9:30 am at 222 Bay Street, Suite 900 Toronto ON. I know I will be attending with my children in tow. If you can, I encourage each and every one to do the same. Show up. Parents we have power by just being present. As the flyer says. SHOW UP-STAND UP-STEP-UP.
Do you know what Bill 44 is and why it did not get Royal Assent? Bill 44 is an Act to amend the Education Act in relation to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It was a Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Ms.S. Kiwala. The1st reading was on April 11th, 2018. FASD, in my opinion, should be classified as a lifelong brain injury that is recognized as a neurodevelopmental disorder and as such students that have FASD should be able to get proper funding and supports afforded to children under the special education umbrella. The Boards across the province are varying stages in terms of their understanding and the support offered to students with FASD. All parents should be calling their MPPs to request support for this Bill as all students will benefit when FASD students get the support they need to deal with the effects of this disorder. These effects could include behavioural, physical, cognitive, memory and learning difficulties and invariably have lifelong implications.
Parents, did you know that under the Ontario Human Rights Code all school boards have a legal obligation to have accessible education for students with disabilities? This does not only include physical disabilities but also includes mental, learning and cognitive disabilities. “Disability” continues to be the ground most cited in Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) claims. If a student requires an extension due to a mental-health setback or requires extra time to write an exam because of anxiety issues; then by law the student must get the extra time. Parents pay attention to your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) if they have one. Make sure you read the document and understand all the accommodations or modifications that your child needs to be successful. Get help if necessary and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Parents and caregivers did you realize that while the Ministry of Education annually updates the labor costs, important benchmarks, for example, immigration, English language learners and income levels are not reviewed and updated. This results in sometimes data that is over ten years old being used to calculate funding for programs. The population in the Region of Peel is vastly different today than it was 10 years ago. I am sure this is true for most boards. So why isn’t the Ministry of Education updating the information being used to calculate, for example, funding for special education? Parents you need to have this conversation with your Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP). Such funding is critical to ensure that all students get an education that they are legally entitled to. Can you imagine if parents started calling their MPPs? If enough parents did this the government would take note and I dare say, they would listen. One thing this last election taught me that as a politician you cannot and should not take anything for granted. No seat is secure. The electorate has power. Parents you have power.
During the last few weeks, these issues and concerns have been brought to my attention. Watching a mother of a child with FASD struggle to navigate the system and get the best support for her son or helping a distraught dad who didn’t realize that a little 4 in a bracket meant that her son in grade 8 was working at a grade 4 level at school despite getting 4+s in his grade 6 EQAO test. I feel compelled to share these stories so that other parents can benefit. Please let your voice count as we continue to journey together as we endeavor to make all students the best that they can be. Walk Good! Belle Marché!