Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

I am a former student of Claude Watson and I understand people want equity, but specialization makes these schools special.

The real equality is every child get the education they need not every child get the same education. Specialized program provide the children opportunities to thrive.

Please keep the special programs.

Specialized programs are what make my school amazing and help me learn better. Please don’t take them away from everyone who benefits from them! :)

As a law student, I cannot say enough how much my arts background has shaped the kind of lawyer I aspire to me. Claude Watson fuled my creative side which helped me emmsenly in all my academics. The very purpose of education is for the students and if students are telling administration how benecial an arts enriched program was to their success, it makes absolutely no sense as to why they would get rid of it. Extremely disheartening to know something so vital to an education system could be viewed as optional and disposable.

"Enhancing Equity Task Force" really means marginalizing any student that has any interests outside of the forced government standards for education. These programs will provide us all with many of tomorrows leaders. Ending these programs would be catastrophic for all, not just the participants.

I am currently a Grade 9 Claude Watson Visual Arts student. I really enjoy this program and would be devastated if the program were to be phased out. There are many people that look forward to enhance there career with specialized program and it would be unfair to remove all programs in the TDSB.

This would affect so many students who have the opportunity for enrichment. In fact I think that this will become for expensive for an already under budgeted school system. What will happen is that no one but the rich who can afford private schools will benefit.

I love this school. Kids should be givin the opportunity to express their talents

No

The tdsb is dumb

As an alumnus of one of these programs, I can speak to their ability to shape students into outstanding members of the community. By having merit-based entry, they foster a constructively competitive and focused environment where the teachers and the students are mutually driven to achieve excellence in their field, whether it be the arts, sports, or academics. Furthermore, by being part of the public system, it ensures that students can still participate despite lacking the financial ability to benefit from a similar program as part of a private academy.

Dear TDSB, As a former student and very recent graduate of the CyberARTS program, I am extremely disappointed at the news of the removal of such specialized programs. These programs teach students valuable skills to be used in everyday life that you will rarely find anywhere else. I, for one, have learned to use many different computer programs that have helped me bring something to the table when it comes to group projects and extracurriculars, that most other students cannot. The tight work schedule has helped me, as well as many others in the program, to adapt to post secondary life. I understand that especially in today's world, there is an increasing concern surrounding equity. However, I believe that negating the special talents and hard work of certain students prevents them from pursuing life to the best of their abilities, which becomes a whole other issue. Students in these specialized programs have gone through great lengths to get to where they are, going through several interviews, entry examinations, portfolio presentations, and much more. Every individual is unique and we shouldn't forget that. Sincerely, A concerned former TDSB student

As a student at ESA, my heart would be broken if the TDSB were to shut the specialized programs down. Shame for even considering ending them.

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

A public Arts education is invaluable and should not be eliminated from the TDSB. It is through The Arts that we truly demonstrate the uniqueness of being human. Without The Arts we are merely another animal species on this planet.

Promoting mediocrity for the sake of equity is detrimental to the future of society. Rather, invest in creating similar programs and learning experiences in more schools.

I was an alumni at Etobicoke school of the arts and I can say that this school changed me into a better person and let me experience my art freely and was an amazing school, please keep it going

I’m an Ib student and really enjoy it

This is an outrage. We work very hard and deserve our right to particpate in the arts.