Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

I went to Etobicoke School of the Arts and now I am about to graduate from one of the best acting programs in Canada with. BFA. I never would've been able to do it without specialized arts programs.

The arts have changed me forever and it’s a shame to see apecialoed programs gone

can’t even imagine the enormous negative impact this would have on thousands of students.

All you have to do is read through this comments sections (and particularly the comments written by students and graduates of these programs themselves) in order to understand how detrimental and tragic this move would be. As a student of the arts, that is where I thrived and felt successful, but I can acknowledge I would never have had the skills or intellectual ability to join a TOPS or IB program. We are not all built the same, and that is a beautiful thing! Please do not strip students of their right to learn in environments that lift them up and change them for the better.

Big mistake

Equitynof what? Salary and job opportunity as well? Can we?

Please consider compromising.

This proposed change is absurd and destructive to our education system.

As a graduate of the full Claude Watson program (grade 4 to 12) I am saddened that this is even being considered. Yhese programs are vital and through their focus and achievements have created some of our best artists while insipiring the lives of so many others. "Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about." (Mr. Holland's Opus 1995)

Please don't phase out specialty tdsb schools

The programs are helpful for children who need advanced education and they are important for the future of Canada.

We have to accept that every kid has different talent and ability. Equity in education means that we should have an educational system that can accommodate the kids with different needs. These specialized programs are the best ways to help these kids to develop their talent into passion and achievements which can eventually contribute to the diversity of our society no matter this talent is in art, science or sports. Is it fair to suppress those talented kids to make the mediocre ones somewhat equal to them?

specialized kids should stay together

A sad example of the assault on public education here in Toronto.

I would not be where I am today without the Claude Watson program and schools like that give kids the opportunity to thrive in an enriched environment that is a once in a lifetime experience. Getting rid of arts schools would be a detriment to the education system as I strongly believe most kids do not thrive in regularly funded schools in their area.

Please i worked so hard to get in and still work hard to complete it

Us specialized kids stay together.

Why head for the middle when excellence is attainable? More opportunity not less is what's needed.

Former music teacher who had a big impact on kids! Don't drop the programs!

I am a grade 9 student there and I’m enjoying it so much. If you were to stop these programs it would mean that others don’t get the experience. At other schools you wouldn’t be able to provide the professionals to teach so having one or two specialized schools helps the kids who enjoy doing these things and want to go into that field as a profession. My homeschool has a terrible music program and that’s what I want to be when I’m older. If I attended that school I wouldn’t get the tools and techniques I would need to know to be a singer or player. With a sister who would also like to peruse music I want her to be able to learn just like I am but she sing if you close them. It’s not for me it’s for the future and that’s what matters because soon they we will be running the world.