Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

Teachers in a standard classroom situation already have enough to do. These programs, with specialized, dedicated instructors, make a real difference for children. We should be expanding specialized programs and working to increase access across various socio-economic groups. Cancelling such programs would be a twisted way to "enhance equity".

This is not the way to create a sense of equality throughout the Toronto's Schools. Closing special schools and programs seems extremely backward. I attended one of these schools and it was one of the best things to happen to me. Taking these opportunities away from our future generations will not help, but hinder the diverse nature of education and learning.

These programs are so beneficial for students! Don't withdraw funding. Everyone learns differently and deserves the chance to thrive.

I strongly believe in this

The programing at ESA helped shape me as a person, and I'd never have given it up. Our school board should be encouraging different schools for different specialities, with more access to them from all regions of the province! We have Too few, not Too many!

Art schools are the best thing to happen to the school board!!! Don’t end them

I went to rosedale heights school of the arts!! I believe these special programs are beneficial for learning and therapeutic reasons!

I went to an art school, and I have friends who are currently at art schools. They are amazing places where people can be comfortable with creating beautiful art work and it would be horrible if they ceased to exist.

I know that if I had gone to my home school, I wouldn't have been nearly as accepted as I was at ESA. Such a warm and welcoming environment, where students felt safe and comfortable to identify as whoever they pleased. Their art-based programs allowed me to get into the school I am now, and I couldn't be more grateful. If there are improvements to be made, the answer does not come in eliminating such schools in general. I know for a lot of people, ESA was the only place they truly felt accepted.

Wow...and destreaming as well! What a boon for private education in Ontario........

I'm an alum of ESA and it is a beautiful, formative place for so many young artists. Don't let this incredible hub of talent and such a strong community diminish.

These programs really change students' lives and shape who they are early on. I was certain that I wanted to go into the Arts because I took art courses at Earl Haig and I think younger students should also have that opportunities to experience those specialized courses.

These programs really change students' lives and shape who they are early on. I was certain that I wanted to go into the Arts because I took art courses at Earl Haig and I think younger students should also have that opportunities to experience those specialized courses.

In order to nurture individuals, we must nurture individualism. Specialized programs do this. In many cases, it's not hyperbolic to say that arts schools have saved lives in that previously marginalized children have found a safe place where they have a voice. Shame on the TDSB for even entertaining this idea. Fire all trustees and start fresh with people who care about children.

I attended ESA and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Being immersed with people like me, who valued the arts, and having the arts integrated into the rest of my academic life allowed me to succeed. I describe it to others as: where in a regular school the jocks might get an extension if the big game was coming up, we would get an extension when we were putting in long hours before the big showcase performance. It was the value placed on the arts that meant so much. It was the murals above the lockers, the violin practice in the hallways, and the poetry in the staircases that created a home for a nerdy music theatre lover that allowed me to excel. I remember a time before I attended ESA where I hated school, wouldn't read for pleasure, was bored by math, but ESA fostered in me a love of learning that has carried me through to my PhD. I don't think I would have gotten so far without ESA and the incredible teachers there, and, importantly, the supportive and creatively nurturing environment that it provided, which I would not have gotten in any other school. I urge you not to phase out these essential schools or decrease their funding.

The specialized visual arts program at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts has been a godsend to our family. My daughters are exceptionally bright artists who felt like purple giraffes at our local TDSB. Now they feel accepted for who they are, are challenged academically, and can pursue their passion every day. It has saved us from spending their university money on private school. It is short sighted of the TDSB to even consider cancelling these programs, let alone to actually do it. There is no benefit to the children or the parents or the community.

I was a claude watson student and claude helped me so much in terms of even future life plans. You shouldn't take that away from talented kids in the future.

Short sighted and not benefit for children, parents or society.

As someone who attended Claude Watson School for the Arts, and then continued the Claude Watson program at Earl Haig, I can safely admit that I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the following program. It allowed me to explore my creative side, and gave me the means to do so, in a safe and accepting environment. I'm all for providing equity across the board, but cutting out specialized programs is not the answer. You need to provide creative minds with an environment in which they can foster their need for creative output and let their explorative processes be nurtured and cherished. Taking away specialized programs will likely only lead to lesser quality programs popping up in a greater number of schools, where the proper resources are not in place for the programs to be appropriately executed. I think this is a big mistake and I, along with countless graduates of the Claude Watson program, can attest to the importance of specialized programs within the TDSB. Think twice before pulling the trigger on this as a means of having a greater pool of resources, and think about all the potential future generations of artists you are preventing from flourishing.

I’m an alumni and Etobicoke school of the arts changed my life !