Rally at Bowmore Road school calls for return of fired and suspended teachers, demands transparency from school board and province
By KAT BERGERON
Parents and students met in front of Bowmore Junior and Senior Public School on Wednesday afternoon to rally and protest against the many changes the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has made recently to staff and education at the East Toronto school.
The Wednesday, Feb. 4, rally took place from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. as students from Grade 7 and 8 classes, parents and community members brought awareness to their concerns.
Recently, the TDSB fired two and suspended eight teachers, amounting to the entire grade 7 and 8 staff, as well as transferred out the principal and vice-principal at the school, following the implementation of changes in educational models. There have also been parental concerns about discipline and incidents of violence and bullying at the school
“Bowmore, like many schools in the TDSB, is under attack, and we are here today specifically to say that we as a community, we’re not going to stand for an attack on public education,” said Bowmore parent Mercedes Lee.
“We’re not going to stand for an attack on our teachers, and that we are together, advocating for better, for a system for all kids.”
The TDSB, in an earlier statement to Beach Metro Community News, said it was “limited” in what it could share regarding the changes at Bowmore for “private and legal” reasons.
“We are in the midst of a teacher shortage, and so we have 10 classes who are without their teachers. They’re having supply teachers who I’m sure are doing their best, but many of them don’t have the appropriate credentials, like teaching French immersion, for instance,” said Bowmore Road Parent Council Co-chair Jenn Engels, “It’s yet again, more disruption in a year where there’s already been a lot of disruption.”
In a two-page letter sent to the community on Monday, Feb. 2, the TDSB stated that it has requested Bowmore Road school be put on a list for a safety audit to review rules, procedures and adherence to them. The Regional Internal Audit Team, which is funded by the Ministry of Education, would be performing the audit.
The letter also stated that new principal and vice-principal assigned at the school, and Interim TDSB Director Stacey Zucker recognize the uncertainty taking place at Bowmore Road and the TDSB’s focus “remains on providing stable leadership, consistent support, and a positive learning environment for all students.”
Beaches-East York TDSB Trustee Michelle Aarts, who also has a child attending Bowmore Road school, was among those taking part in Wednesday afternoon’s rally.
“The supply teachers are lovely, but they’re not our children’s teachers. They don’t know them the same way,” said Aarts. “This was done in such a way that the supply teachers didn’t even get planning, so there’s not been any lesson plans left for them. So with the principal being dismissed and the teachers being dismissed, it was done in such a manner that there was no continuity to ensure stability for the kids.”
Parent Alvaro Lemus, who was taking part in the rally, said the lack of communication from the TDSB on what is happening at the school and why has been frustrating.
“There’s a lack of transparency and communication from the board, from the school to the parents and the students. So I think that’s the key component that we are missing here,” said Lemus.
At a rally on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in front of the TDSB offices in North York, the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT) said the firing of the two teachers was “unjust” and the suspensions of eight other teachers “a serious” blow to the Bowmore Road school community. The ETT is the union representing elementary school teachers at public schools in Toronto.
“These teachers are beloved, dedicated educators who were abruptly removed with no regard to the impact on students or families” said Helen Victoros, president of the ETT in a statement on Feb. 3. “What happened at Bowmore is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing pattern under provincial takeover where decisions are being made without transparency and without regard for the well-being of students or staff.”
The TDSB has been operating under provincial Ministry of Education control since the end of June of last year when Rohil Gupta was appointed as Supervisor by the province.
