Help stop the DCDSB from moving our grade 7-8 Students to High School

If this change goes through I will withdraw my children from the Catholic school system

I do not want my child in grade 7 and 8 going to high school. . I see too many problems arising from bullying due to their age, drugs, lack of experience dealing with the older community and at that age their just learning about themselves. Throwing high school at them would be difficult for them to process.

Completely opposed and I will place both children in the public school system if this follows through. I will prefer to leave them in the Catholic system but my kids come first before what benefits you!

I do not support this change and if it happens, I am moving both kids to the public board along with allotted taxes.

The Lakehead District School Board initiated the 7 to 12 schools in order to address the declining enrollment in the secondary schools, in spite of the opposition to the project by the parents of the elementary, 7&8 students. The decline in enrollment in secondary continued and in spite of the 7&8 programme within the secondary, high schools still closed. The 7&8 students did not demonstrate any difference in their learning. No real evidence of any kind, either academically or socially, that students in any way benefited from their placement in a secondary school. Rather, there was more pressure on the 7&8 students to become more mature and they dressed and tried to act more like high school students. The elementary teachers expressed concerns for the elementary students in this secondary setting. The project has been stopped and the 7&8's are staying in the elementary schools. The benefits of 7&8 students remaining in the elementary schools provides leadership and opportunities as role models for the younger students. The senior elementary students are able to be mentors to the younger students. The risks are too great for exposure to elements and situations, like drugs and sex, that could easily influence younger minds. Children should be in a learning environment that is safe, that nurtures young adolescents and that maintains a family aspect for these young impressionable minds. Intermediate students appear more happy in the elementary school settings and appear to thrive more positively, academically and socially. Intermediate students should not be used to save the closure of a secondary building. Presently, the Lakehead District School Board has voted to close the 7&8 programme within the secondary school, and all 7&8 students will remain in K to 8 elementary schools. Secondary schools have closed due to declining enrollment in the Lakehead Board. Christina Lofts, Past President of ETFO Lakehead and Gary Lofts

I do not agree with this change!

If faved with this situation, I will be pulling my children from the Catholic school board as I do not feel this is in THEIR best interest

I need more information, including a review of literature and related case studies, to be able to make an informed decision. This is information that should be made easily and publicly available to all parents. I am very disappointed in the lack of transparency demonstrated by the DDCSB. I recognize that enrolment is an issue and that the proposed solution would indeed solve capacity and enrolment issues, however, I am not satisfied that other oppprtunities have been fully explored. I would be in support of a middle school. I would remove my two children and our tax dollars from the DDCSB and place them in DDSB if the decision to move grades 7 and 8 does ahead.

I do not support this decision.

I disagree with this whole thing and do NOT want my kids to go All Saints in grade 7-8 and will move them to public school if I have to.

My daughter who is 12 and has complex special needs requiring a full time EA should not be put in a high school at this point in time!

If this does happen, we will move our kids to the public system and switch our taxes over

As someone moving into the Brooklin area I will not be putting my child in the catholic program just because of this

My children will be moved to the public board if this goes through.

Integrating grade 7 & 8 into high school would be a big mistake. This age children are not developmentally ready for the high school environment or to socialize with older students which would inevitably occur. I highly recommend re-considering this idea.

Absolutely against this decision and extremely disappointed that parents and the community were not consulted!

I am against this for my granddaughter.

We will definitely look into moving our daughter into the public school system if they do this. She & her friends are veryupset at the idea that she wouldn't be graduating from the school that she's gone to for 8.5 years & definitely doesn't want to have to take a bus. She is also autistic & doesn't deal well with change & this would be a very hard transition for her!!!

Not in favour- keep Gr. 7-8 in elementary.

Not in favour of this