JUSTCAWS

As June begins I thought it would be appropriate to have a discussion about the pride flag being flown at Ontario schools. Recently, I opined publicly that the Canadian flag should be the only flag flown at schools as it should represent all of us. It is our symbol of unity, pride and progress.  That opinion, however, was liked and commented on by people who were not sharing my enthusiasm for the maple leaf, but liked the exclusion of anything pride. Their derogatory, inflammatory rhetoric made me realize we have not progressed  as far as I had thought or hoped. The importance of the Pride movement hit me more this year than any other. Some comments did give me pause though, to wonder if progressive voices were losing the room.  Even my own support of progressive causes and awareness campaigns is not absolute or without hesitation,  I’ve tried not to become numb to the constant awareness campaigns being pushed at schools for a variety of worthy causes and movements. ...

I do appreciate the importance of always looking at something with a fresh set of eyes. We should always be looking at how we can do things better.  The desire to improve should also come with some reverence for how we got here.  Without that understanding we tend to tear down rather than build upon. This is happening in so many ways now that you can’t help but think we are moving backwards.  Take for example the decision from some Ontario school boards to remove uniformed officers from visiting or working within schools.   The rationale is that the police uniform is a negative emotional trigger for people and communities who have faced police brutality and mistreatment. I do not doubt their fear and concern.   Children from war torn countries have also have legitimate feelings of fear and anxiety seeing people in anything that resembles a military uniform. So, one might make the simple call to remove the source of that fear from the safe space schools hope ...

Dark clouds are hovering over Ontario public education, right now.  Whether you blame the government or the unions it doesn’t matter, schools are closed – again, and parents are fed up. This will be a pivotal week in determining if the Ford government cares about public education or is purposely creating havoc in the system to undermine it in the eyes of Ontarians.   As for the education unions, from my experience at the negotiation table – I know they don’t care about public education – it’s not their job.  They work to get their due paying members the best compensation deal they can. Since their union dues are a percentage of gross pay – it is in the union’s self-interest to get their member pay raises. I don’t begrudge them for that, but they spew a whole of bunch B.S. when they say, “we are doing this for the kids”. If you believe the government is making public education, stronger by finally ending the constant work stoppages and disruption – then this the end ju...

A strong Public Education system is vital for a functional democracy. So many important parts of our society are supported by an educated electorate that learns perspective in an environment that reflects the society they want to change. Equity within public education is vital, but it must be done right. An uncompromising push for equity is going to push out families that have time, money and influence. Their absence will disrupt the diversity needed for the magic of public education to work.   Removal of student fees, attacks to meritocracy and destreaming are blunt remedies to address equity issues in Ontario public schools. They will throw the baby out with the bath water if not done in a thoughtful, non punitive manner.    Making student fees optional - will not raise enough funds.  Covering students who can’t afford to pay is not good enough. Many will not participate rather than suffer the embarrassment of coming forward and announcing their families'...