Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

Huge incredible mistake. Review past alumni and all their success stories!

Please keep theses programs!

Claude Watson is an amazing school.

Specialized programs allow for students to achieve a different education based upon their specific needs or wants. To cultivate their strengths through out high school is a very important thing and something that isn't achievable if there were no specialized programs. I am currently attending Etobicoke School of the Arts and I have talked to some of the graduates about their experience and how ESA had helped them further their career, many of them explained that without the arts programs from ESA they wouldn't have been able to be so successful in their career without these programs. Please keep these specialized programs.

Specialized schools give kids who have a specific skill a place to improve at their preferred subject, at their level. Meanwhile at normal schools, they only learn the basics (things us art students have already learned many times), that’s not enough for us.

Save ESA.

I went to Etobicoke School of the Arts and had the most amazing experience preforming my art every day.

It would be BARBARIC to eliminate the specialized merit-based programs as in addition to proving better educational options to those who are interested and capable, it DOES PROMOTE EQUITY by allowing qualified students across various socio-economic backgrounds (and neighborhoods!) to access the educational programs they don't have in their home schools . Middle and elementary school IB programs based solely on the residence in the "lucky" catchment area are a totally different issue and should not be confused with merit -based programs such Macs, TOPS, Claude Watson, etc.

I recently graduated from a specialized school in the TDSB (Etobicoke School of the Arts), and can honestly say that attending that school changed my life in a dramatically positive way. I would not be thriving in a university program with the skills and confidence that I have without having attended ESA. I know that the entire student body at ESA, as well as graduates like myself would be devastated if this proposal was implemented!

I feel that if the TDSB dose this, it will ruin the fun and excitement that kids get from art schools, I'm at ESA and am loving my stay at this school, I know this sounds really cheesey but this would ruin mine and other kids dreams and friendships at art schools.

As a graduate of Cawthra Park Secondary School, and currently still performing and working in the music field, I would not be where I am today without this specialized program. My local school's music program (and support for the program) was laughable at best. Please reconsider this action.

Specialized schools give children with individual skills that cannot be developed in other circumstances. By allowing their talent to shine they can perform better in all classes.

This is totally ridiculous. We need specialized schools!!! I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't attended an arts highschool. It was the most amazing experience and that opportunity cannot be taken away from future generations!

THE CLAUDE WATSON PROGRAM IS WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO BE WHO I AM TODAY

my sons have all graduated from the wonderful specialized program and has became famous movie people in new yORK AND la!

I strongly disagree with phasing out the specialized programs and schools. Acceptance is based on the tests, auditions, etc. therefore "discrimination" (territorial, racial, cultural, etc) as the main reason is untrue, unacceptable and unjustifiable. If anything, TDSB shall look into opening more specialized programs! Needless to say that changes and improvements are actually inevitable in regular programs where teachers are already, sadly and unfairly, expected to teach materials which they are not educated for. It is time for TDSB to realize that music graduate with teachers college degree is simply not qualified to teach grade 5 - 8 math and vice versa, a math major graduate cannot and shall not teach grade 5-8 music. TDSB's plan to expect teachers to cover all groups in regular classes is absurd.

Etobicoke School for the Arts, changed my life and made me who I am today. It is a haven for special people seeking a different perspective, and a fresh experience. It is vital to keep ESA alive, and running.

To phase out these programs would be a step backwards. It is well known that such programs enhance learning and enrich lives. This is an unacceptable decision based on ignorance. Shame on any school board that would espouse such a move.

Since this story first came out, I have been researching what is really going on. Just came across this CBC interview from earlier this year, where Ruben Gaztambide Fernandez, an associate professor at OISE, comes right out and says these "Eurocentric" arts programs need to be eliminated due to white privilege. He comes right out and says he "sees" mainly white faces at these schools. Is that what it is really all about? Race and culture? This is utterly absurd. First off, stop focusing only on race when it come to kids, its outrageous. Kids are kids, they are all just people. Next to open up more demographics for those schools, its not that difficult. More advertising about the program, offer some FREE WORKSHOPS for kids and their parents to come in, and get tips on how to prepare for the admissions process. Also music programs MUST audition, as that is point, to collect students with skills and higher level musical talents. Also, if they built a new Arts Highschool in a different location, it would be made up by the local demographic. So make MORE excellence in Arts programming, don't destroy these fantastic schools due to an extremist ideological agenda. TDSB Art Schools Metro Morning, CBC Radio, April 24, 2017 http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/tdsb-art-schools-1.4082584

Future artists are at risk with this phase out. Artists come in all races, nationalities and backgrounds. Such a move would erase diverse voices!