Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

You won't achieve Equity by taking programs away. That's a lose/lose. But you might achieve it by adding more diverse specialized programs in more diverse areas.

Keep specialized programs as they are. They are vital to students. I've taught many who have benefited from them.

We are proud of TDSB for its specialized programs to accommodate talented kids or learning passionated kids needs to reach their excellences in academic and life. Now TDSB is going to take away the helpful programs??? Many places in north American have the special programs to meet kids needs to improve their learning level in Arts, Sports, and Academic. As one of the largest cities in the world, the School Board Is going to give up all there kids with special needs??? I understand and support of equity and well being. We should respect each kid. However some kids born with talence, or showing different advanced skills in very earlier ages. These kids and families Are crying For helps. Not all of them Are affordable private schools. It Is the shame if TDSB fails to support these kids who should be respected and welcomed as well. In a word, TDSB should keep supporting special programs to make Sure not wasting or hurting kids with special passion and needs.

Equity doesn't meant to making everyone same, just like we may only have one champion but can have many good players too. Please donot get rid of chances for those talented kids, they already lose some , hope not lose all.

It absolutely took so many years to create these enriched programs many students benefit from. If this is about the initiatives of equity, so should we also take these students into account, the equity for facilitating opportunity for them realize their full potential? Very upset if this happens.

These programs provide opportunities and encourage students of exceptional ability to further enrich their education, allowing them to reach their fullest potential, and thus, increasing that of our society. By removing these programs, you would only be holding back the potential of these students, and by forcing upon them the status quo, killing their desire for further education and enrichment.

Don't touch my IB

RUBÉN GAZTAMBIDE-FERNÁNDEZ is the main guy behind the idea of eliminating TDSB Arts schools. Why? Because he believes Eurocentric art is racist. This guy is an extremist, who sees children only by the colour of their skin. He also knows nothing about MUSIC at all. Also he wants to Decolonialize the education system. That is why he wants these schools closed or destroyed. http://utoronto.academia.edu/RubenGaztambideFernandez https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/10/24/tdsb-right-to-reconsider-specialty-programs-that-leave-too-many-behind.html

These programs allow students to not only express themselves, develop their skills and prepare themselves for their future careers but these programs also permit an outlet for struggles or issues they may be having in their non academic lives. These programs do not limit students, they enhance their lives and aid them in becoming better individuals.

should keep AP,IB etc.program. should encourage outperformed students instead of drag them down

The TDSB should have more specialty schools not less. The last time I checked there were kids denied entrance because the programs/ schools were filled rather than not enough interest. How did this even become a thing to consider in the first place?

Strongly oppose the new program

The beauty of the TDSB is that they DO offer specialized programs that encourage and enable our children to discover, blossom and grow.

Specialized programs allow students to excel at what they do best. Removing these programs eliminated the opportunities of these students. You're saying that these programs cause exclusion? Why should a student who wants to strive and pursue courses he/she has a passion for be held back because parents want everyone to be on the same playing field. Students should have all the opportunities to succeed as possible.

Disagreed cancelling the specialized program in Toronto school board

I spent most of my school years in Toronto, and I remember thinking at elementary school I had never heard another kid besides myself say they liked school. I liked learning, but there was also a lot I didn't like about school until I got into a specialized program, which I LOVED. And probably the best thing was there were other kids there on my wavelength. There is nothing wrong with setting up local special programs, but they should not be used as an excuse to get rid of longstanding successful programs. Kids who don't fit in in mainstream schools should not be deprived of the chance to be happy in the hope that forcing them to stay in a more local school will encourage more tolerance and integration. The shoe is on the other foot: if mainstream schools can be made into places where every child feels happy then nobody will choose to travel farther to a special program and they will close due to lack of demand but closing them when they are still in demand is ridiculous.

It is very disappointing to see how Toronto education is becoming more and more simplistic and less challenging for children. Instead of creating more specialized programs for both Arts and Science, promoting advancement for students the Board is CLOSING some of the great programs? It sounds to me like cutting off your expenses on behalf of our children! And even worse - the decision is being covered by some bias research and moral words about equity and inclusiveness. I also believe that by creating a special environment to refugees and newcomers the Board is diminishing our rights as hard-working settled immigrants AND also those who happen to be born here. Striving for equity you create disparity. Why do you think " the most marginalized" student should get more attention from the Board? Aren't children the same? We deserve to be consulted with and listen to before you come to any conclusion about CLOSING any programs! My Family lives in the immediate Ward for Earl Haig HS. We moved to this area because of this school. My older daughter has benefited from attending Claude Watson Arts program not because she is an Immigrant or Christian or White or Chinese, BUT BECAUSE SHE IS TALENTED IN THE ARTS. My younger daughter would benefit from this program as well. We have not been consulted about this program future. I also believe that "Eight Task Force Joint Ward Forums reaching 1,300 community members" is just a wee too small group for such an important decision to be discussed with. We pay pretty high property tax to this city and our children deserve their future not to be shadowed by money-thirsty bureaucrats' decision. Your job at TDBS should be to create additional opportunities and not to cancel existing ones!

As an attendee at an alternative school many years ago, that form of education LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE and gave me a future! Please guard this precious resource!

TDSB getting rid of specialized programs is basically them getting rid of many students' future opportunities. This is ridiculous.

Shame on you TDSB!!!