Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

This is horrible what Tdsb is doing. Keep the enrichment in the arts alive.

I want to keep my arts school open and keep on benefitting students in the arts.

These are extremely important programs that help students who participate in them in any and all careers they might follow after graduation.

TDSB, The students in specialty programs aren't in there because of their outstanding grades, their genius, or their talent. They are there because they need help. As a Claude Watson student at Earl Haig who went through five years at CWSA, I understand first-hand the struggle that specialized kids have to go through: they need this special environment to grow healthily, both socially and academically. Our case is no different from disabled people needing their own special accommodations to succeed in life. These kids cannot get the support they need from anywhere else: not from their family, from strangers, or from an unsuitable school. If you dare touch these programs, you will be ruining the lives of thousands of kids who need them to succeed. You would show that you would be just as comfortable throwing blind kids, or ESL kids, or kids forced to use wheelchairs, into a crippling environment where they would be hopeless to fend for themselves. And TDSB, if you still believe that you’re listening to the thousands of people of your school board, and you still have not decided to scrap your horrid plan, you aren’t really listening to your people. So if you want to keep the reputation that you still have, listen to the people who need these programs to survive, and cancel this plan.

I have attended arts focused schools since the 4th grade, and I cannot imagine my life without having that experience. Art school, or even any kind of specialized school is not for everyone, but having the opportunity allows students to shine in areas that would normally be neglected or disregarded. Toronto is so fortunate to have so many specialized programs, and as a result an ability to offer such enriched education because of it. It is so important to keep these programs going.

I am a graduate of Etobicoke School of the Arts. It is an incredible institution and it would be such a shame if these schools closed down.

I am a product of special programs at Earl Haig, which I found extremely beneficial. Please don't discontinue these programs.

I am a student at UFA, it is one of the only places of education of that I think I could actually be myself and succeed in creating a better future for myself

We need the program for our students

some barriers are need to be removed? It's wrong! Working hard to pass those barriers are the right thing to do! Kids need to learn to work hard through out their life, "no kid left behind " is a false statement. There is no such thing existed!

I attended CWSA and feel that it changed my life and made me what I am today. It has helped so many kids hone their creativity and it would such a shame to lose for future generations.

Part of my husband’s academia success came from his association with the Claude Watson program. It would be a terrible shame to see successful, specialized programs such as this disappear or be altered. Please consider keeping these programs as there is a great need.

god dam tdsb ruining the education again

Specialized programs are incredibly valuable for learners with differences.

This is not good to talented students,I don`t agree this action

Specialized programs--whether they are for gifted, talented students, special needs children, children who can only be successful in alternative programs--are imperative and to phase them out would be an abomination. This is plan by the task force is regressive and unacceptable.

Please keep this significant program!

Please keep this program .

This is a mistake. Without the specialized programs in the TDSB I would have never learned my craft and I shudder to think where I'd be right now.

please keep this program!