An open letter to TLDSB staff, students, and parents,
Over the past several weeks, there has been widespread speculation and opinion in mainstream and social media about recent decisions by the newly elected government. This includes information about changes regarding the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum, mathematics instruction and the cancellation of the Indigenous Education curriculum writing that was to occur in July. We want to clarify our position with each of these issues since many are wondering what September and the upcoming school year holds for us all.
With regard to the HPE curriculum, and more specifically, concerns about the so called “sex ed” component, we understand an additional review will be undertaken by the government. Reports suggest 4000 respondents took part in the previous review, which essentially equates to less than one respondent from every elementary and secondary school in the province. We will certainly participate in that review if given an opportunity, and we encourage you to personally engage in any way you are able. All voices need to be heard on this issue and it is our hope that the views of TLDSB, our staff, students, and parents will be given consideration as part of the upcoming review. In the meantime, our shared responsibility to our students must not be ignored. Teaching about gender identity, acceptance, and understanding for our LGBTQ community members, sexual health issues including consent, making appropriate personal choices, and internet safety must continue at home and at school. We will continue to seek ways to teach our students these very important lessons through the various curriculum guidelines we follow. We will of course respect the direction the government has chosen to take, always remembering that the curriculum guidelines in any subject are viewed as a starting point for teaching, learning, and assessment and that there are always additional avenues we can follow.
In mathematics we, like many other boards, continue to struggle on standardized assessments. It is important to remember that external assessments are intended to be a snapshot of student achievement. We will continue to place our confidence in daily and ongoing assessments in our classrooms by our teachers who know our students best. We will continue to seek greater balance in our instruction. This may mean additional practice opportunities for students, balanced with appropriate amounts of group and independent problem solving. To suggest one size or strategy will solve our math challenges would be irresponsible and is not something we have historically done in TLDSB. Our curriculum services teams will continue to build on our work in mathematics, and continue participation in professional learning opportunities that come our way.
In TLDSB we have made enormously positive strides with regard to Indigenous education. This is something we are very proud of, and will not retreat from. From our curriculum development, to restorative practice, to Feed All Four, we seek opportunities every day to learn from and enhance our program offerings alongside our Indigenous partners. We believe we have a moral responsibility to teach truth and provide opportunities for reconciliation in our schools. Our staff and students alike have embraced these activities and we will continue the outstanding work we have so steadfastly begun. While we often rely on central direction for our work and priorities, we have always taken great pride in “Trilliumizing” the initiatives that come our way, and we will continue to do so, with the
dedicated staff and hard-working students in our schools.
We often say that when we hear a story or learn of a concern that we should “panic slowly.” This is particularly true when it comes to information shared in the media and via social media. We hope before any members of the TLDSB community make assumptions about our direction on these and other matters, they will seek to learn about our positions and direction on contentious issues. We have always made decisions with the best interests of our students in mind, and we will continue to do so as we move forward into the new school year.
In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful summer we’ve been having!
Sincerely,
Larry Hope, Director of Education
Louise Clodd, Chairperson
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I wish to commend Larry Hope, Director,and Louise Hope, Chairperson of TLDSB for the stance they and the Staff and Board are taking on these two important issues.
The position which they have described is based upon the principle of, “what is the right thing to do?” That position supports open communication and discussion and takes into consideration action at the local level which reflects the best possible balance in addressing the needs and concerns of students, parents and the consensus of our local communities.
The Tories were elected on an obvious Grit backlash, and a great deal of fear-mongering with respect to life under an NDP government. Their platform was basically non-existent: To somehow extrapolate from this that they have carte blanche to govern as they please could not be more wrong. Unfortunately, the Liberals were decimated to the extent that they are now a non-party. It is up to the NDP, as it has been historically in the Federal House, to hold their feet to the fire. Perhaps, after a reasonable time (when the Tory MPP’s stop drinking the Kool Aid), enough of them will cross the floor to enable a vote of non-confidence.
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The only item, which was elucidated during the campaign, was the reduction of the deficit and the debt. In starting to tinker with important educational prerogatives (best left to the experts), they have only made it more difficult to bring us into line with belt-tightening initiatives.
I am ashamed to say that I have not been keeping up with the changes that our new provincial government has been proposing. Its like ripping off the bandage, I am delaying as long as possible because I know it will be painful. So I don’t know what the changes are that the board is responding to. But after reading this response I am confident that our board will not be bullied into policies which go against this country’s core values, respect for the individual regardless of their colour, creed, religion, gender or sexual orientation. And the only way towards that lofty goal is through education, illumination and inclusion.