Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!
2,353 Comments
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Susana Cabral
8 years ago
As parents to 4 kids attending 3 different TDSB schools in Scarborough, we see the effects specialized programs play in the lives of our children. It keeps them involved and passionate about arts, sports and so many other aspects in life. Please don’t take away these opportunities. They find pride and connection in their activities
J
Jeremy Watson
8 years ago
Don’t let the TSDB ruin our youth!
S
Stephanie Hennaoui
8 years ago
Totally support this petition!
My son is in a SMR program and is learning amazing things that is supporting him into becoming not only a good student but a hard working, socially aware adult
V
Vittoria Addesi
8 years ago
Specialized schools are extremely important! They help all kinds of students do what they love to do! I went to an arts school in highschool and it helped do what I love and it helped me succeed!
D
Deanna Y
8 years ago
As an American student who currently attends a charter art school for high school, i can personally attest to the impact and importance of this variety of school
B
Brian Le
8 years ago
I don't like the removal of such programs for youth
M
Mary Zelenova
8 years ago
I would not have been in university now if I didn't do an AP program in high school. It is frankly ridiculous that this is even on the table.
L
Lucas Huntsman Merkur
8 years ago
If I had not been able to attend Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, my high school years would have been miserable. The community of artists fostered by the school's faculty kept me alive. My younger brother is currently enrolled in John Polanyi's Science, Math, and Robotics program. He is able to explore what he loves and is thriving in the program. Removing specialty programs is a disservice to Toronto's youth.
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
I wouldn't be who I am today, pursuing a career in theatre and comedy, if I hadn't been a graduate of the ESA drama program. Students deserve specialized arts programs!
L
Lisa
8 years ago
I am a graduate of ESA. If it wasn't for their specialized art program and majoring in theatre I wouldn't be who I am today. ESA is such a special school and if anything more high schools should have specialized programs to meet the needs of individual students. Every student is different and the more programs offered the better we can cater to their differences and passions!
K
Kali Williams
8 years ago
Is the school board forgetting that specialized programs lead to careers? School is supposed to educate and prepare you for your future, which won't consist of just history and science. Limiting programs like art and athletics will limit our goals for the future.
V
Victoria Ellingham
8 years ago
Keep Arts electives alive, it is important to keep these schools, especially the art schools, running otherwise thousands of students and teachers will be effective.
C
Catherine Abreu
8 years ago
Going to ESA and finding the space and equipment to grow so much of the badassery that I take with me into the world everyday really profoundly shaped my life for the better. ESA is special and worth preserving, along with all of the other specialized programs throughout the Toronto District School Board that have offered safety and inspiration to thousands of kids.
M
Maddie
8 years ago
I think this is a horrible idea. The gifted program gives me the oppurtunity to flourish in an environment where i feel comfortable that offers higher level acedemics. Shutting specialized programs down would not just ruin this not just for me but for specialized students all over the city
A
Afifa
8 years ago
Specialized programs are ways for students to express their love for something. These programs are here for us to be able to be ourselves and feel like we are capable of doing something. Not everyone is good in the basic classes like math, english, geo etc.. these programs are made for us so we can enjoy school and learn deeply into what we are interested in. If tdsb thinks this is unfair, they should rethink their decision. What is unfair is taking away the one thing in school students enjoy and feel confident about. If you get rid of specialized programs.. watch as their will be less interest in school and more high school drop outs. We should all have the chance to do what we love with a good surrounding environment and programs like this provide that for us. I along with the rest of the tdsb students would appreciate if you take our opinions into consideration as these programs are really all we have. Your decision is one that myself and everyone else is highly against. If this is what unfair is to you, you need to realize how unfair your decision is.
S
Shehla iram
8 years ago
Such specialised programs are the first stop of direction to tge students to set their carrer path give them oppurtunites to enhacr thier abilty and intrest at the same time give them the confidence in many diffrent ways of exploring the field they think could be thier dream job so i encouraged strongly to be keep such great programms yes the mandatory changes according to tecnology updrades and standRs of life is an option to look in .
K
karmen
8 years ago
specialized schools and programms r sick
X
Xin Law-Gallagher
8 years ago
Yes
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Ryan Soth
8 years ago
As a recent high school graduate of one year, I can say that specialized programs contributed in a huge way to my high school education. In high school I was in the IB (international baccalaureate) program and from it I got the push I needed to succeed in school. I understand the TDSB is trying to place all students on equal footing. This is a real systematic problem in the school system, however I cannot stand by the notion that the only way to fix this problem is to take away specialized programs that students have grown to love and depend on. Kids need to pursue their interests and I find it disgusting that the TDSB is telling them that they can’t pursue their talents and dreams on the bases of equality.
As parents to 4 kids attending 3 different TDSB schools in Scarborough, we see the effects specialized programs play in the lives of our children. It keeps them involved and passionate about arts, sports and so many other aspects in life. Please don’t take away these opportunities. They find pride and connection in their activities
Don’t let the TSDB ruin our youth!
Totally support this petition! My son is in a SMR program and is learning amazing things that is supporting him into becoming not only a good student but a hard working, socially aware adult
Specialized schools are extremely important! They help all kinds of students do what they love to do! I went to an arts school in highschool and it helped do what I love and it helped me succeed!
As an American student who currently attends a charter art school for high school, i can personally attest to the impact and importance of this variety of school
I don't like the removal of such programs for youth
I would not have been in university now if I didn't do an AP program in high school. It is frankly ridiculous that this is even on the table.
If I had not been able to attend Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, my high school years would have been miserable. The community of artists fostered by the school's faculty kept me alive. My younger brother is currently enrolled in John Polanyi's Science, Math, and Robotics program. He is able to explore what he loves and is thriving in the program. Removing specialty programs is a disservice to Toronto's youth.
I wouldn't be who I am today, pursuing a career in theatre and comedy, if I hadn't been a graduate of the ESA drama program. Students deserve specialized arts programs!
I am a graduate of ESA. If it wasn't for their specialized art program and majoring in theatre I wouldn't be who I am today. ESA is such a special school and if anything more high schools should have specialized programs to meet the needs of individual students. Every student is different and the more programs offered the better we can cater to their differences and passions!
Is the school board forgetting that specialized programs lead to careers? School is supposed to educate and prepare you for your future, which won't consist of just history and science. Limiting programs like art and athletics will limit our goals for the future.
Keep Arts electives alive, it is important to keep these schools, especially the art schools, running otherwise thousands of students and teachers will be effective.
Going to ESA and finding the space and equipment to grow so much of the badassery that I take with me into the world everyday really profoundly shaped my life for the better. ESA is special and worth preserving, along with all of the other specialized programs throughout the Toronto District School Board that have offered safety and inspiration to thousands of kids.
I think this is a horrible idea. The gifted program gives me the oppurtunity to flourish in an environment where i feel comfortable that offers higher level acedemics. Shutting specialized programs down would not just ruin this not just for me but for specialized students all over the city
Specialized programs are ways for students to express their love for something. These programs are here for us to be able to be ourselves and feel like we are capable of doing something. Not everyone is good in the basic classes like math, english, geo etc.. these programs are made for us so we can enjoy school and learn deeply into what we are interested in. If tdsb thinks this is unfair, they should rethink their decision. What is unfair is taking away the one thing in school students enjoy and feel confident about. If you get rid of specialized programs.. watch as their will be less interest in school and more high school drop outs. We should all have the chance to do what we love with a good surrounding environment and programs like this provide that for us. I along with the rest of the tdsb students would appreciate if you take our opinions into consideration as these programs are really all we have. Your decision is one that myself and everyone else is highly against. If this is what unfair is to you, you need to realize how unfair your decision is.
Such specialised programs are the first stop of direction to tge students to set their carrer path give them oppurtunites to enhacr thier abilty and intrest at the same time give them the confidence in many diffrent ways of exploring the field they think could be thier dream job so i encouraged strongly to be keep such great programms yes the mandatory changes according to tecnology updrades and standRs of life is an option to look in .
specialized schools and programms r sick
Yes
As a recent high school graduate of one year, I can say that specialized programs contributed in a huge way to my high school education. In high school I was in the IB (international baccalaureate) program and from it I got the push I needed to succeed in school. I understand the TDSB is trying to place all students on equal footing. This is a real systematic problem in the school system, however I cannot stand by the notion that the only way to fix this problem is to take away specialized programs that students have grown to love and depend on. Kids need to pursue their interests and I find it disgusting that the TDSB is telling them that they can’t pursue their talents and dreams on the bases of equality.
Keep the artistic flow alive!