While most were expected to return to class Wednesday, “we’re hoping to try to do something more organized next week to show we don’t like being kids caught in the middle,” said Talia Duarte, 13, a Grade 8 student at the school near St. Clair Ave. and Oakwood Ave. Friend Sarah Kuburi, 12, said “we should get our extracurriculars back if other schools still have them.”
Some 200 students stayed outside Monday “in a respectful protest against the legislation and the lack of extracurriculars,” said Principal David Ehrlich. He sent a letter to parents noting that, “while we understand students want their collective voice heard on this issue, it is also important that students understand the expectation that they attend all of their classes while at school.”
When about 70 students continued to stay out of school Tuesday, Ehrlich and the vice-principal consulted their parents by phone. About 35 students got their parents’ blessing to continue to stay outside, but Ehrlich said he has encouraged the young activists to look for ways to voice their concerns while returning to class.
Teachers at about half the elementary schools across the GTA have taken an indefinite “pause” from running after-school programs to protest the imposition of Ontario’s new Putting Students First Act, which removes teachers’ right to strike for two years.
Many schools were unable to take part Tuesday in a meet at Toronto’s Centennial Park and Ashbridge’s Bay because their teams were not registered, often for lack of coaches.
Original Article
Source: the star
Author: Louise Brown
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