Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

Specialized programs offer incredible opportunities to the students who attend them. The equitable solution is to expand offerings to more students.

please do not take away the programs that make me who I am

Going to an specialized art school helped shape my entire life! It gave me drive I didn't realize I was capable of and allowed me to express myself in a way that felt so natural. I would hate for anyone else to lose out on this!

Specialized schools address a population of students at risk of not thriving in traditional settings. TDSB must consider their stated commitments to addressing students mental health needs...have they considered the anxiety many kids feel associated with overwhelming traditional schools? I suggest the mental health needs of such students currently addressed in specialized settings, is equally deserving of "equity"

The performing arts not only allowed me to pursure my passion in music, but also allowed provided me with the proper tools to overcome stress, perform public speaking, and act in a professional environment.

I do not support closing of specialty school. Eliminating the specialty schools will make the TDBS stronger or a better place for students overall. Helping to foster and engage special talents of stubents is important. It makes our community stronger overall.

There is no guarantee that once these programs have closed, that the arts will be offered on an equitable basis to all students. It's time to bring back arts to all students with specialist teachers independent of these specialist schools which are renowned for graduating students into the professional arts world.

It would be travesty for these programs, which were developed and honed, over several years, even decades, to be dismantled. These programs are pivotal in keeping our students relevant and competitive in the world at large. ALL students are open to apply to these programs, presently. They are all accessible. To say that all schools should have these programs in place would be naive. Resources are finite. The proposal would present diluted programs, at best, but most likely, never see them get off the ground. It takes dedication and expertise to develop these programs. Why destroy what you already have, to start from scratch all over again?

TDSB Please stop this bad trend of destroying the unity of our great country.

Closing specialized programs is probably the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. Future generations will suffer from this dearly. Canadian students should not be deprived from a quality education, and lowering the standard does not create equality but deprives capable and promising students from the opportunity to succeed.

I strongly disagree

A strong focus on creativity has implications for both teaching and learning. Schools like Etobicoke School of the Arts (both my children attended), offer a unique environment that suits the needs of certain students and some excellent teachers as well. Please keep these schools off the chopping block. I find it hard to believe that redistributing the arts to all schools would actually turn out to be an equitable solution when all is said and done.

Taking out specialized programs is just stupid its not effecting anyone

My daughter attends Rosedale school of the arts which is an amazing school and helping her best the best perdon she can be. My son is on the autism spectrum and attends a special needs class at General Mercer and feels good about himself.

I would not be where I am today without the help, mentorship and creativity fostered at the Claude Watson program at Earl Haig Secondary School. Keep the arts alive! And allow specialized programs to be accessible in a public system to students who absolutely could not afford private schools or programs. An investment in programs like this is an investment in the future.

These programs are vital AND have proven to be successful. Please keep them running. In fact, consider expanding!

As someone who works in the STEM field, these programs are essential to fostering talents in these students. I also have friends and family who attended specialised arts schools, and without those programs they would not have been able to combine their passion for the arts with their academics. Each student is different and we should be encouraging those differences.

Programs like Claude Watson have immense value to the students and to our city's culture!

These programs are incredibly important to students. It would be a mistake to phase them out.

Keep all these perfect programs!