Youth Development
Who shows up?
BY KATHY MCDONALD
On February 26th a Trustee put forward a motion asking that all Peel District School Board (PDSB) schools close when school buses are canceled. I think such a motion if passed will have a huge negative impact on members of our community and as such, I am imploring parents and community members to come out on MONDAY (Note the usual meeting date of Tuesday has changed) March 25th, 2019. The board will be discussing this motion at the central board office located at 5650 Hurontario Street in Mississauga. Please note that the entrance to the property is off of Matheson Road and a government-issued ID is required to gain entrance to the building. It is imperative that the community come out and be present. This, in my opinion, is a very important issue that will ultimately affect most families in my ward including members of the African, Black and Caribbean communities.
First and foremost, it is the poorest and most marginalized members of the community that will suffer if six other trustees agree with this motion. Schools while serving as learning institutions also act, quite simply put, as a “safe” place for parents to leave their children. When schools are closed it sets into motion a slew of events that often can devastate the poorest of the poor. These repercussions hit the children at risk and most marginalized families the hardest. When a parent that is precariously employed has to take a day off of work to be at home with her children due to a school closure it usually means a pay cheque that is several dollars short at the end of the month. This parent who is already living pay cheque to pay cheque and in some cases payday loan to payday loan now is faced with the unenviable task of deciding what gets cut, feeding the children a nutritious meal or keeping the heat on.
To the privileged in society or to the families that have a network of support, snow days may be a mere inconvenience. It means heading out a few minutes earlier to drop children to grandma’s house. Many members of the African, Black and Caribbean communities do not have such luxuries for a myriad of reasons ranging from the effects of discriminatory laws that prevented Black and Caribbean families from migrating with extended family members from living with the harsh realities of choices made in our youth. The bottom line is that as a community we will be disproportionately affected by school closures.
When the weather is bad hospitals still need doctors, nurses, technicians, and the janitorial staff to show up. Banks still have to keep their tills open rain or shine. The jails and courthouses don’t close because of the snow. The restaurants need the cooks and servers to be present even when there is freezing rain outside. Members of the service industries and the staff of retail stores will still need to serve their customers even if the numbers are low. Employees still have to show up and work. Warehouses still have products which need to be moved ASAP. Hairdresser, barbers you name it, workers are expected to, they have to, show up for work. Why should the PDSB staff be any different?
When we think of the effect that this has on staff members that are not permanent employees of the board, a vast majority that are people of color, living paycheque to paycheque and are depending on schools staying open in order to feed their families, we cannot remain silent. We need to show up and let our voices be heard. Each and every day employees all across Ontario and Canada have to go to work despite inclement weather. Why should the PDSB employees have different attendance expectations?
If the board decides that the roads are too dangerous for school buses to transport the students to schools, then parents should have the option of getting their children to school if they are able. It may mean they have to leave a bit earlier to get to work. It may mean they have to reach work a little later. It may also mean that they have to find someone to drop off and pick up their child. In the end, it means that this parent can still maintain an ability to earn a living and feed their family. Most small business and private sector companies still require workers to come into work, at least show up. It often does not matter if you are late, but you must show up. So, by shackling our vulnerable families with school closures, we are not living up to our mission and vision as a board. Parents and community members come out and hold us accountable.
Parents, students, and community members come out and let your voices be heard. If need be ask us those tough questions at question period or delegate the board. As a community, you should not sit silently when such potential tragedies may happen, adversely affecting your community. This motion can realistically devastate members of our community in a disproportionate way. If this becomes our policy the negative repercussions on our children and their families will hit hard. So, journey with me as we endeavor to make sure that all children get the education they legally deserve. Walk Good! Belle Marché.