The Latest

21 May 2008
Africentric school to open in 2009
Parentcentral.ca - The Toronto Star

20 May 2008
Police urged for schools
The Toronto Star

16 May 2008
May deadline for board to decide its future
Town Crier Online

13 May 2008

TDSB to examine ban on sale of plastic water bottles
The National Post

Board urged to can bottles
The Toronto Sun

Africentric high a premature idea
The Toronto Star

Trustee Josh Matlow's St. Paul’s Ward Forum

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Host School: Cottingham Junior Public School

85 Birch Avenue.  416 393-1885

Summerhill TTC stop. Birch Ave. is 1 block south of TTC stop, on west side of Yonge. Parking on Birch Avenue or school parking lot on Cottingham Street,

only accessible from Avenue Road.

 Gym- Just inside front door of the school on Birch Ave. 

Let's Make Waves &
Save our Pools!

Save Toronto Pools Rally - May 1st 4:15-6:15pm at Queen's Park (front lawn)

Please click here for details and ongoing updates. You can also visit www.letsmakewaves.ca

28 April 2008

Africentric school plan takes shape
Toronto Star

27 April 2008

TO test scores down, but don't tell whole story
Toronto Sun

23 April 2008

Board bans sale of bottled water at its schools
Toronto Star

22 April 2008

TDSB future murky
Toronto Town Crier Newspapers

Plug pulled on pools
Toronto Town Crier Newspapers

18 April 2008

In the event of a TTC Strike on Monday...

In the event of a TTC strike on Monday, 21 April 2008, the Toronto District School Board will remain open and normal Board operations will continue. We will closely monitor the situation and issue further updates as necessary. Your co-operation in helping us ensure our students continue to ... More

NO immediate scheduled school closures in St. Paul's

Although he TDSB will now begin a process to use its facility space more efficiently, there are NO schools in St. Paul's on a "School closure list".

As the school board moves forward with finally using our property assets more responsibly, any schools that could be considered for closure due to a lack of enrolment would not be affected until there is a genuine public consultation process completed with parents, students and residents.

Today, we experience crumbling schools, muddy play fields and pool closures and a lack of support staff and programming in many schools. This simply cannot and will not continue. The funds currently sitting in half-empty buildings should be used for ensuring that the schools we need to educate our students are in good repair and have all the resources they need to be successful.The school board has finally come to terms with the fact that its enrolment is declining and it must use it assets more wisely.

I will continue to be in touch with any schools that could be impacted by this process before the board makes any decisions on its future.

To be clear, Cottingham is well-enrolled and will not be affected by this process. Davisville has various options that we will consider before closure would even be on the table for discussion.

17 April 2008

CBC News report on the aftermath of the school pools closure vote

Global Morning News report on the school pools closure vote

Crombie asked to save pools
Toronto Star

Small schools on the block
Toronto Star

School trustees tap 'tiny, perfect mayor' to mediate in swimming ...
Globe and Mail

Former mayor Crombie to lead talks on school pools
National Post

Ex-mayor named to save pools

National Post

Homework banned on holidays

National Post

16 April 2008

TORONTO STAR EDITORIAL- Try again on pools

Against the wishes of a growing lobby of angry parents, Toronto public school trustees will move a step closer to closing 23 school pools when it votes tonight on a motion to lay off 32 lifeguards at the end of June.

While they are legally required to give the lifeguards notice, the trustees should also support a motion from trustee Josh Matlow to reopen the debate and begin looking for other ways to pay for the pools, including an appeal to the private sector for help.

Board chair John Campbell says he will vote against Matlow's motion, but he adds that parents and others don't need the board's support to begin fundraising drives to keep the pools open at their schools. True, but by supporting the motion trustees would be sending a positive signal to those behind these efforts.

Toronto is the only Ontario city where pools were built in schools instead of community centres. But when it lost its ability to levy school taxes in 1998, the school board had to find other sources to cover the $12 million annual cost of operating the pools. And in a classic case of buckpassing, the province says pools are a municipal matter, while the city says it is the province's problem.

From Matlow's perspective, the matter should be kept open until June, when the board votes on its overall budget, to give everyone involved time to "look under every rock" for the money to fund the pools. That seems like a sensible proposal.

The vote
Globe and Mail

Trustees resigned to closing 23 pools
Toronto Star

Five possible lifesavers for TDSB pools
National Post

15 April 2008

Trustee wants pools kept open with private funds

CTV

A Toronto District School Board trustee will propose private funding be used to save school pools from closing down. In the meantime, students rallied to protest the closures at Queen's Park.

School board faces crucial vote on pools
Toronto Star

Global News report on imminent vote on school pool closures

14 April 2008

Josh Matlow talks about City Hall, Queen's Park, the school board and all things political on the John Downs Show- every Monday at 8pm.

Tonight, John and Josh discuss the Mayor's trip to China and the looming closure of dozens of school pools.

To call in: On-air: 416.870.6400 or (star) *640 on your cell

Click here to listen to tonight's show in mp3 format.

Corporate 'hero' sought to save pools
Toronto Star

13 April 2008

Pools down the drain
Toronto Sun

11 April 2008

32 layoffs at school pools recommended
Toronto Star

Plea for school pools
Toronto Sun

Parents, children protest TDSB move to close pools
National Post

10 April 2008

TODAY- Rally for our school pools!

To all who want our school pools funded,

Join us at 5050 Yonge Street at the the TDSB Headquarters (5050 Yonge Street) on April 10th at 6:30PM to show our support in keeping the pools open in our schools. The Planning and Priorities Committee is meeting to discuss the future of our pools and if we rally together we can hopefully make a difference. Schools with pools in St. Paul's include, Deer Park, Hillcrest, Winona, Brown, Forest Hill CI, NTCI, and NSS.

Trustee urges more debate on pool closings

Louise Brown, Toronto Star

Students don't want to wade through the blame; they just want their pools back

Murray Campbell, Globe and Mail

Global News report on student rally to protest school pool closures

9 April 2008

7 April 2008

TorontoSun Editorial-Toronto is a global city now

Toronto Sun

Our school board has foolishly decided to set up a token "Africentric" school for a few hundred students more than a year from now, instead of confronting and addressing an unacceptable, system-wide failure rate of up to 40% for black students. Then the board becomes indignant when one of its own trustees, Josh Matlow, rightly asks how it plans to address similarly high failure rates among students of Portuguese, Hispanic and other origins

Global Morning News discussion on school pool closures

5 April 2008

Homework review worth it
Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre

TDSB to close 23 school pools in June

CFRB

Toronto District School Board releases list of 23 pools

National Post

Rally for our school pools!

To all who want our school pools funded,

Join us at 5050 Yonge Street at the the TDSB Headquarters (5050 Yonge Street) on April 10th at 6:30PM to show our support in keeping the pools open in our schools. The Planning and Priorities Committee is meeting to discuss the future of our pools and if we rally together we can hopefully make a difference. Schools with pools in St. Paul's include, Deer Park, Hillcrest, Winona, Brown, Forest Hill CI, NTCI, and NSS.

History of the Budget Discussion on Pools

TDSB Staff has prepared a short briefing note on the history of pools in the budget discussion.  I hope this is helpful in understanding what has happened over the years on this issue and where it currently stands.

Schools identified for decommissioning in June 2008:

Elementary Schools:, Carleton Village Sr PS, Earl Grey Sr PS, Fern Avenue Jr & Sr. PS, Keele Street Jr PS & City Community Centre, Kensington Community School, Queen Alexandra Sr. PS. and Winona McMurrich Jr PS

Secondary Schools: Bickford Centre, Central Commerce Collegiate, Central Technical School (2 pools), Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute, Downsview SS, Forest Hill CI, George Harvey CI, George S Henry Academy, Jarvis CI, Monarch Park, North Toronto CI, Riverdale CI, Rosedale Heights SS, SATEC @WA Porter and Ursula Franklin Academy at Western Technical

School identified for decommissioning in June 2009:

Allenby Jr PS, AY Jackson SS, Deer Park Jr & Sr PS, Glenview Sr PS, Bloor CI, Harbord CI, Humberside CI, Lawrence Park CI, Malvern CI, Northern SS, Oakwood CI, Parkdale CI, RH King Academy, Stephen Leacock CI, Western Technical-Commercial School, and Westview Centennial

Breakdown of 84 Pools in TDSB schools:

*The pool at Annette PS is owned by the City of Toronto.

Sink or swim for school pools
Inside Toronto

Letter to St. Paul's residents on swimming pools in schools from Trustee Josh Matlow and Councillor Joe Mihevc

Trustee Matlow's Op-Ed in today's Toronto Star on the question of Deamalgamation

Ten years ago, Queen's Park hastily pushed through a plan to create the amalgamated Toronto District School Board, merging the city's seven smaller public school boards. Now, after massive amounts of energy, staff hours and tax dollars were doled out to integrate the "legacy" boards, the current government is musing about splitting Canada's largest school board apart.

I did not support amalgamation when it was initially introduced. It was done by the Mike Harris government in a manner that was punitive and blindly ideological rather than one that meaningfully engaged stakeholders, such as parents, students, residents and the school boards themselves, into the decision-making process.

To the Liberal government's credit, it has asked the TDSB to offer recommendations on reforming its own governance structure – an unprecedented move as the government has essentially allowed the trustees to frame the public discussion.

However, while the board is grappling with curbing the student dropout rate, a plummeting enrolment, dispensing with its surplus property, combating youth violence, finding a new director and balancing its budget while still burdened by a flawed provincial funding formula, many trustees justly believe that the question of governance should be a discussion for another day.

Some trustees will argue that the board should have an executive committee that would see a handful of trustees with more power than the whole, some would prefer a group of community boards like Toronto's community council system, and some would choose the devolution proposal.

I personally believe the province should study how New York and Chicago reformed their education systems by breaking down silos between their school board and city governments. However, until we arrive at the ultimate destination, I suggest we look for ways to improve upon our current model.

As an amalgamated board, the TDSB has indeed streamlined many of the costly services and bureaucracies once duplicated by Toronto's legacy boards. It offers specialty schools to residents across the city and shares facility space and recreation services, such as school pools, with city hall. It is better able to negotiate with its several employee groups, distribute staff and programs equitably among schools and, with roughly 250,000 students, is better positioned to leverage funding out of the province's education coffers.

In fact, Toronto already has four school boards (public, Catholic, French public and French Catholic) and simply does not need more expensive political fiefdoms replicating bureaucracies, fighting over turf, competing over the existing dearth of resources, with each inheriting many of the challenges the TDSB faces today.

To be honest, no reasonable and informed person could argue that the TDSB is the poster child for an effective and functional governance model. However, let us remember that while our school buildings continue to crumble, our pools are threatened with closure and too many of our students are either not being served well enough or are falling into harm's way, we must not be distracted by the priorities of politicians that too often take precedence over those of our parents, students and residents.

Josh Matlow is the Toronto District School Board trustee for Ward 11.

3 April 2008

Rally for our school pools!

To all who want our school pools funded,

Join us at 5050 Yonge Street at the the TDSB Headquarters (5050 Yonge Street) on April 10th at 6:30PM to show our support in keeping the pools open in our schools. The Planning and Priorities Committee is meeting to discuss the future of our pools and if we rally together we can hopefully make a difference. Schools with pools in St. Paul's include, Deer Park, Hillcrest, Winona, Brown, NTCI, and NSS.

History of the Budget Discussion on Pools

TDSB Staff has prepared a short briefing note on the history of pools in the budget discussion.  I hope this is helpful in understanding what has happened over the years on this issue and where it currently stands.

TO committee recommends less-homework policy
CTV

Trustees recommend less homework
Toronto Star

Kids' burden eased?
Toronto Sun

Toronto school board to determine whether students do their homework
Canada.com

CTV News viewer talkback on homework policy issue

2 April 2008

Ethnic-education issue goes to the vote
Globe and Mail

Keeping immigrant kids in school
Toronto Star

Blacks not only pupils in need
Toronto Sun

OmniNews report on dropout rates

1 April 2008

Trustee revisits ethnic education issue

JAMES BRADSHAW, The Globe and Mail

Little more than two months after the Toronto public school board approved the creation of an Afro-centric school, trustee Josh Matlow is set to ask the board tomorrow to address the needs of language groups with distressingly high dropout rates.

Global News report on homework policy issue

No homework on holidays? Board aims to lighten load

Toronto Star

Review homework policy, Wynne says
Toronto Star

31 March 2008

CityTV News report on new homework policy in Toronto schools

Click on this icon to read recommendations that could dramatically change how your children receive homework.

New Report Suggests Some Kids Shouldn't Get Homework
CityNews

Bell tolls for school board
Kristin Rushowy, Toronto Star

Toronto trustees have two more months to figure out a way to create a better school board – possibly by breaking it into smaller pieces – or Education Minister Kathleen Wynne will do it for them.

TDSB to deamalgamate?

Please click here to read my letter to Minister Wynne (December 20, 2007) regarding the Toronto District School Board's possible deamalgamation. I wrote this to her in December after the school board's Governance Committee suggested the possibility that the TDSB be devolved into separate boards within the city of Toronto.

30 March 2008

CTV News report on dropout rate in Toronto schools

26 March 2008

To All DPSA Parents!

Just a reminder to parents that the next DPSA meeting is on April 1st at 7:15PM in the school library. Our school trustee, Josh Matlow will be there to address the potential closure of our swimming pool. Please join us as everyone's voice needs to be heard.

25 March 2008

Provincial Budget Announcement Impact on School Boards

Today’s budget announcement presented a total increase over the prior year Grants for Student Needs (GSNs) of $315M or 1.7%.   Details of individual school board grant allocations will be released tomorrow, March 26th.   

A large portion of the grants announced today, were previously announced by the government prior to today’s budget.  These include the following:

Funding Previously Announced

Date                    Amount                           Grant Increase

Aug 2007          $127M                               $10M Administration benchmarks to small boards

                                                                      $10M Transportation

                                                                      $10M ESL

                                                                      $10M Program Enhancement Grant

                                                                      $10M Growth Schools

                                                                      $10M School Operations benchmark

                                                                      $10M Special Education

                                                                      $50M Benefits benchmarks

                                                                      $ 7M Continuing Education

Sept 2007          $43M                                 Safe schools and implementation of Bill 212

Jan 2008            $147M                            $103M for end of contract provision of 0.7%    

                                                                      $44M for 10 minutes of additional prep in Elementary

Feb 2008           $13M                                 Community use of schools including $6M for

community outreach workers

New GSN Funding Announced

Today’s announcement included a further increase of $57M for Special Education.  This funding increase is intended to provide stable funding for high needs students until Special Education funding review is completed.  Increases have also been provided for the claims based portion of Special Education funding (SIP, SEA and Section 23).

A further $10M will be targeted to urban high schools to help address additional resource requirements to promote safety in these schools. 

$5M has been identified to further support Aboriginal Education.

The total of grant increases identified above amount to approximately $402M.  The difference between the $315M increase announced in the Provincial Budget and the actual program grant increases totalling $402M results from the reinvestment of some of the funds generated through declining enrolment province-wide.  (The projected decrease in enrolment province-wide is 26,000 students).

Funding for Capital

The Province also announced additional funding for capital of $750M.  This includes $250M to continue with GPL funding for 2008-09 projects.  This increase is over and above previously announced GPL funding.  Also included is $500M for new capital projects to be identified and approved by the Ministry of Education.

Additional Funding for Specific Provincial Initiatives

Additional grants outside the GSNs were also identified for specific provincial initiatives.  These are one-time funds, targeted for specific purposes and require separate Ministry reporting.  Today’s announcement included the following:  

$8M for Literacy and Numeracy

$10M for Student Literacy (including library staff and resources)

$16M for Pathways to Education

$50M for Students at Risk

$10M for Student Nutrition

$2M for additional parenting centres

$3M for environmental education

$14M for Safe Schools

$24M for Special Education

Summary

The Ministry of Education will release the detailed GSNs tomorrow.  It is expected that there will be some improvements to the benchmarks for utilities and transportation. There are no funding announcements on school pools and aquatic programming.

Budget staff will prepare a detailed analysis of the impact of the grants for TDSB following tomorrow’s announcement and will work on revising the funding gap calculation for 2008-09.  Staff will be presenting the revised funding gap, grant impacts and detailed expenditure analysis at the next Trustee Budget Information session on April 8th .

I will keep this site updated to keep you informed as details become available.

15 March 2008

Sink or swim for school pools
Inside Toronto

Homework Reform

Click here to read Frank Bruni's guest blog entry on Sara Bennett's Stop Homework Blog.

Sara Bennett is the co-author of The Case Against Homework.

7 March 2008

Trustee Josh Matlow's Earth Hour motion, passed at Board-March 5th, 2008

Whereas, the Board, along with other levels of government, both locally and internationally have a responsibility to respond to the serious implications and challenges of global warming; and

Whereas, it is important that communities are inspired to take action on climate change and Earth Hour 2008--the global campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions--is an opportunity to do just that as over 20 cities, a range of organizations both private and public (including school boards) worldwide are participating; and

Whereas, as a significant community stakeholder, the Board, through its 557 public schools has the opportunity by virtue of its consistent response to the challenges of global warming to make a difference within its immediate community and the city of Toronto; and

Whereas, Toronto City Council has designated March 29, 2008 at 8 to 9 p.m. as Earth Hour with the stated goal of ensuring at least one million Torontonians participate, to make the city as dark as possible for one hour in a show of support for action on climate change;

Therefore, be it resolved:

(a)           That staff register the Board as a participant in Earth Hour 2008;

(b)          That the Director issue a communication to the system encouraging all staff and students to fulfill the Board’s commitment to the objective of Earth Hour by turning off their lights at home between 8 and 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

3 March 2008

Letter to St. Paul's residents on swimming pools in schools from Trustee Josh Matlow and Councillor Joe Mihevc

27 February 2008

History of the Budget Discussion on Pools

TDSB Staff has prepared a short briefing note on the history of pools in the budget discussion.  I hope this is helpful in understanding what has happened over the years on this issue and where it currently stands.

Despite her success in career and life, this product of black-focused schools is, surprisingly, against the idea ...
Toronto Sun

26 February 2008

Josh Matlow talks about City Hall, Queen's Park, the school board and all things political on the John Downs Show- every Monday at 8pm.

Please note: This week, I'll be on 8pm Tuesday, February 26th due to AM640's live coverage of the Leaf's game on Monday night. Will Sundin (and John Tory) stay or will he go?

Josh Matlow Toronto District School Board Trustee, AM640 Political Insider.
Josh joins us this Tuesday to help articulate the newly-tabled budget. Also on Josh's mind is the turmoil in John Tory's camp of late [yes, he's got some insider information, as usual].

Click here to listen to tonight's episode (mp3)

New administrative support for our constituents

Please join me in welcoming Andrene Browning to our team. Andrene replaces Dan Nortes, who's done a remarkable job in supporting my work on behalf of the residents in St. Paul's. Thank you Dan and a very warm welcome to Andrene!

To contact Andrene for support, information or advice, please call or email her at:

Andrene Browning

Tel. 416-393-8809

Fax 416-397-3114

Email: Andrene.Browning@tdsb.on.ca

25 February 2008

School Pool Closures? This is a copy of my response to a constituent's email.

To begin with, thank you for your advocacy. I too care very much that we find a solution to pool funding and have been working very hard to find one, along with many of my colleagues at the board and at council.

The reason I did not focus on the school board's meeting on March 5th is that the board has already resolved to close all 78 school pools by this spring (as was discussed at the ward forum). Therefore, the question of whether or not the board will cut school pools from the budget is not in question.

The sincere and honest focus should be on how we find funds to salvage as many school pools as possible from these planned cuts.

As neither the school board or the City currently receives any provincial grants for pools (neither for capital or operating costs), it is the Ontario government's decision whether or not the pools continue to serve local communities. Thus far, the Minister of Education has said she will not fund the school pools.

I believe that the City will wish to fund the operating costs of many of the pools we currently share in joint use of (and I believe we should sign the proposed MoU championed by Councillor Davis that could save dozens of pools, at least in the short term), however, we are still searching for a funding source for the majority of the pools. And for full disclosure, there are certainly some trustees who believe that the pools should be shut down for good.

Candidly, it is shameful when no one level of government will take responsibility for funding such an important community asset. My position is that school pools teach children safety skills and can promote healthy living and fitness. As you know, learning to swim at an early age can save lives.

Yvonne, I would hope Torontonians send a clear message to the Minister that they believe that their taxes should be spent on keeping our school pools open. I spoke about the potential closings at our ward forum so that residents in my ward might contribute to this important message. You are doing this and I thank you.

Sincerely,

Josh

Ps- As for the your assertion that the board deliberately leaves stakeholders out of controversial discussions, I think that does happen far too often. There is a lot of information that is guarded from the media and the public until the very last minute (so that there's no time for the public to rally around an issue before a decision's been made). It's not right and I do what I can to share information whenever possible.

24 February 2008

Portuguese kids get help: Trustee
Toronto Sun

Chris Bolton was the trustee who moved the Africentric school motion and Maria Rodrigues supported it. I don't imagine they asked the trustees who have the largest black populations (all of whom voted against the Africentric school) their opinion or about what programs the TDSB already has in place to offer Africentric curriculum and other supports to black students.  

Trustee Bolton and Rodrigues' comments about turf are petty and unhelpful. As trustees, we all should be working on what is in the best interests of students in Toronto, no matter where they come from or what they look like.

23 February 2008

`Togetherness has to be there'
Toronto Star
Canada's Governor General has weighed in on the controversy over the Toronto public school board's decision to open a black-focused school. ...

Trustee targets Portuguese students
Toronto Sun

Please note that this Sun article reads, "Portuguese-Canadian students will get some after-school tutoring if one Toronto public school trustee gets his way."

That is incorrect and I have never suggested that. Rather, my motion requests that, "staff present a report directly to the Board on May 21, 2008, with a framework of how to move forward on the development of:

(i) a critical path which outlines the recommended approach to ensure that Portuguese students are receiving all needed supports and services which will provide for and foster significant and measurable achievement gains within the Portuguese community;

(ii) a detailed outline of all program, staffing, and budgetary implications that will result from the plan.

20 February 2008

Students helping out in the community

Dear St. Paul’s High School Principals,

I am writing to you today with an observation and a suggestion that I would ask you to consider sharing with the appropriate Guidance staff in each of your respective schools.

As each of us can no doubt attest this winter has brought extremely severe weather, with numerous heavy snowstorms, and extreme cold.  While the winter season is a challenge for all of us; it can in some instances pose extreme hardships for seniors and the disabled in our community.

I would like to suggest that consideration be given to the encouraging of our students to earn community service hours by volunteering themselves to assist local area residents who are elderly or physically disabled, and who are in need assistance.  This strikes me as a very tangible and timely way in which students can earn service hours; but more importantly can make a positive impact on their community, by helping in such a practical manner as this.

I appreciate your consideration of my comments and trust that each of you will find the most appropriate manner in which to communicate this message to your school community.

With thanks

Josh Matlow

St. Paul’s Trustee

19 February 2008

18 February 2008

Happy Family Day!

Josh Matlow talks about City Hall, Queen's Park, the school board and all things political on the John Downs Show- every Monday at 8pm.

Today Josh is wondering what everyone is doing for Family day - since nothing is open and there's nowhere to go.

Greg Sorbara Former Finance Minister
Greg Sorbara left politics while at the apex of a powerful career. Aside from Premier, Finance Minister is the most powerful cabinet position inOntario, but following his tenure there, Sorbara decided to hang it up and put family first. John and Josh ask Greg about what it was that motivated such a drastic lifetstyle change.

17 February 2008

Toronto Star photo of Dave Bradley, He's one of our School Based Safety Monitors- Supporting students, building school spirit and all while saving young lives each day, I consider him one of our heros!

School hall monitors keep the peace

Toronto Star

16 February 2008

Afrocentric school supporter apologizes

National Post

An Afrocentric school proponent has written a letter of apology after a Jewish trustee said she used anti-Semitic language.

15 February 2008

Expanding African cultural awareness across Toronto

 A celebration of African culture at Forest Hill Collegiate

600 students from elementary and secondary schools will participate in the first TDSB Afrofest, an event to celebrate African culture through music, song and dance performances. Students and teachers will participate in a variety of performances inspired by African culture.

Date:               Wednesday, February 20, 2008

                        10 – 11 a.m. and 12:15 – 2 p.m.

Location:         Forest Hill Collegiate

                        730 Eglinton Ave. W (Eglinton Ave west of Bathurst St.)

14 February 2008

CFRB 1010 The Motts

The Motts speak with Josh Matlow about having Toronto students shovel snow as part of their school program. The Motts speak with Toronto District School Board Trustree Josh Matlow about a Toronto student school program that dictates that they must spend 40 hours doing community service and how shoveling snow could be included to help the community.

Listen Download

The Canadian Nazi's "take me to task" on Africentric schools!

Click here to read how the Canadian Nazi Party "takes me to task" over my stand against the Africentric school proposal. Nazis are clearly hateful, disturbed and terrible writers.

TDSB to deamalgamate?

Please click here to read my letter to Minister Wynne regarding the Toronto District School Board's possible deamalgamation. I wrote this to her in December after the school board's Governance Committee suggested the possibility that the TDSB be devolved into separate boards within the city of Toronto.

13 February 2008

Afrocentric schools
Globe and Mail

Please read this editorial from the Globe and Mail. The Globe joins the Toronto Star and hundreds of newspapers across the country that have written editorials expressing concern about the Africentric school proposal. In addition, please scroll down to read my action alert.

12 February 2008

Will the TDSB's 80+ school pools dry up and shut down this year?

Essentially, the TDSB has funded pools since 1998 (when the funding model came into effect), without provincial funding, therefore spending $13M it doesn't have.

The board now suggests it will now close all of its school pools this spring (there's a board resolution to that effect) if the government doesn't give them the means or ability to keep them (through a grant or tax levy).

Post Spin: This is at a wet game of chicken between the school board and Province over important community assets-the game has now extended to the City.

Wildcard: Will the City pick up the tab for some of the pools? Sources tell me that some would like to pay for half of them (theye already give us about 4M to permit 33 pools). Some will stop talking with the school board. Look out for cancelled meetings with the school board.

There's some political games going on here about who's going to take the fall with voters when the pools are closed.

Exceptions: Councillor Joe Mihevc and TDSB Chair John Campbell who are two people I believe are sincere in their efforts to find solutions.

Queen's Park's position: They have absolutely no plans to fund them

The losers because politicians bicker over turf and money: You and your kids

Action Alert

Don't Divide Our Students by Race

On Tuesday, January 29th, Toronto school trustees not only voted to create race-based schools, but did so without even sourcing where the funding would come from.

At the upcoming May 2008 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) meeting there will be another opportunity for trustees to vote down the Africentric School proposal when staff bring forward their final report coming out of a Program Area Review Team (PART) process.

Please tell your trustee that you do not want them to support dividing children by race. Rather, they should support proposals that would expand upon Black and African studies, along with other cultural studies, throughout Toronto's 558 public schools and they should be accessible to all students.

Moreover, please tell your trustee to support meaningful and responsible ways to support our youth-at-risk.

Please send an email to: david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca (TDSB clerk) and request that he forward it to all trustees.

Please send me a copy of your email(s) for my records (josh@joshmatlow.ca)

Please pass this action alert on to your friends!

Trustees will decide on the final recommendations for the Africentric School in May 2008 and your emails can make a big difference. We only need one or two trustees who initially voted in favour of black-focussed schools to support Torontonians of all colours and backgrounds who believe that while we must help our kids stay in school, our public schools should not be based on race.

Toronto board holds to Afrocentric school

JAMES BRADSHAW , The Globe and Mail

Overwhelming public opposition to plans for an Afrocentric alternative school will not deter the Toronto District School Board from pressing ahead with the project, according to board chair John Campbell.

An Angus Reid poll released Saturday reported 79 per cent of respondents across Ontario oppose creating the school, and 59 per cent are strongly opposed. Of the 15 per cent in favour of the school, only 3 per cent offered strong support. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty's decision not to provide the board with extra funding for the school also proved popular with 82 per cent of respondents.

But Mr. Campbell said the board will not be swayed by public opinion, though he acknowledged it is sensitive to criticism from Mr. McGuinty and Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

Mr. Campbell also said the board understands the public's many concerns, especially as nine of 20 trustees voted against the school. But he thinks most of the wider criticism arises from a lack of understanding of the proposal's goals and methods.

"I think what trustees did was respond to a request from a community to set up an alternative school, and perhaps those responding to the poll don't have a complete appreciation of just what this school will be about," he said. "People read headlines and they respond to headlines."

Trustee Josh Matlow said he thinks opposition arises not out of ignorance of the issues, but rather from a philosophical difference akin to Mr. McGuinty's.

"I think people generally understand what this is," he said. "They understand that there are some people with good intentions who want this school for all the right reasons, but [those objecting to the school] hold a principled position that dividing kids by the colour of their skin, even for the best of intentions, is not the way to arrive at a just society."

Opposition is even greater in the GTA, though the regional numbers have a higher margin of error. In the 905 area, support for the school sits at just 11 per cent, compared with 85 per cent against it.

Across Ontario, equally lopsided numbers of people said they see the plan as a form of segregation and would oppose any ethnically focused school.

Find way to keep pools
Toronto Star Editorial

11 February 2008

Josh Matlow talks about City Hall, Queen's Park, the school board and all things political on the John Downs Show- every Monday at 8pm

AM640- Tonight (February 11th) Josh and John will discuss Scientology, the the City's new Lobbyist registration, the Africentric schools update, family-friendly Queen's Park, and reforming the way our kids do homework! Call in and tell us your opinion at: On-air: 416.870.6400 or (star) *640 on your cell!

Click here to listen to the entire show (mp3).

Kids are pawns in ESL shell game
Toronto Sun

10 February 2008

A snow parking zone
Toronto Sun

9 February 2008

Homework a homewrecker: Report
Toronto Star
Trustee Josh Matlow believes the process will lead to profound changes in the way homework is dealt with in Toronto schools.

Poll shows resistance to black-focused schools

Toronto Star

More than four-fifths of residents in the Greater Toronto Area are opposed to the Toronto District School Board's plan for an alternative Africentric school, according to a new Angus Reid poll.

Sixty-four per cent of the 451 GTA respondents stated they were strongly opposed to black-based schools, while 18 per cent said they were moderately opposed. Two per cent strongly supported the move, while 12 per cent expressed moderate support.

Conducted over three days earlier this week, the poll surveyed 1,097 people from across the province; similar results were found in all areas of Ontario.

Last week, the Toronto District School Board narrowly approved creating an Africentric alternative school as a way to tackle high dropout rates among black youth.

Premier Dalton McGuinty opposes the move and has refused to provide funding for the school. Four out of five GTA residents surveyed supported that position.

About the same percentage in the GTA stated a black-based school amounts to segregation and is a step backward. Eleven per cent said black-focused schools are needed to help black students achieve.

Eighty-five per cent said they oppose creating ethnically focused schools in their own municipality.

7 February 2008

From the TDSB: Winter Storm Conditions

Due to the road conditions this morning, February 7, buses and transporation will be running slower than normal. Please expect some delays. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Province rejects tax levy for pools

Toronto Star

Below are a couple of updates on my constituents' requests for action on local issues

Hillcrest PS:

The existing library/corridor half wall will now be extended to the underside of ceiling with a drywall partition. The extension will have sound attenuation batts placed vertically between the metal studs and horizontally above the suspended ceiling. Mechanically there will be minor work required to modify the return air and electrically there is a need to move one light fixture to allow for the wall extension.

Forest Hill PS:

Due to the safety concerns at the open breeze-way we will be installing wrought iron fencing in 4 of the 6 arches and installing 2 sets of exit doors in the remaining 2 arches. This will secure the breeze-way and allow children and staff to move safely between the two buildings during school operating hours. We will also be installing a timed electric strike at one of the doors (Day care main entrance) to allow the day care to continue operating as per their drop-off and pick-up schedule.

6 February 2008

Harassment, bullying rampant in schools: Survey Feb. 06, 2008 Violence, bullying and sexual harassment are rampant in high schools across southwestern Ontario and female students rarely escape the unwanted sexual attention, according to new research released today.
CAMH harassment report (.pdf)

Effort to stop black-focused school fails

Poor slip through cracks

School pools on chopping block
Toronto Star

4 February 2008

Josh Matlow talks about City Hall, Queen's Park, the school board and all things political on the John Downs Show- every Monday at 8pm.

Listen to tonight's episode of the John Downs Show in mp3 format right here.

Board has embraced model that already is a proven failure

Courtney Betty

Public Meeting Notice

Homework Policy Review Meeting

Monday, February 11th

at Central Technical School from 7 – 9:00 p.m.

A team comprised of parents, teachers and administrators from St. Paul's and Trinity-Spadina will be there to hear from you!

Blue Rodeo star headlines show at school

Toronto Star

It's a little Blue Rodeo for the Red Knights to get some new green turf.

2 February 2008

Reopen Africentric school vote: Trustees

Toronto Star

Threats follow tough vote
Toronto Star

Mix-up over schools' early closing
Toronto Sun

1 February 2008

Weather Warning-TDSB Update

Due to the inclement weather the Toronto District School Board has cancelled all buses and transportation as well as Island Public School for Friday, February 1. All other Schools remain open.

We are continuing to monitor the weather.  The latest update indicates the intensity of the storm is increasing throughout the afternoon with the potential of freezing rain and higher winds.

With the anticipated deterioration of weather conditions, we are requesting Supervisors to facilitate an early dismissal of staff beginning at 1:00 p.m., as long as appropriate telephone coverage is ensured until the end of the school day.

Global News report on snow day

Dear parents,

The information above is from the TDSB. However, my personal opinion is that the board should have given parents an option beforehand, knowing full well that a major storm was approaching Toronto, to either keep their kids at home or send them to school where they would be cared for. I guess we're really not used to snow in Toronto anymore :)

Josh

Ontario will quash black-focused schools if they become a trend ...
The Canadian Press

The Africentric school- The wrong path of our students and society

-Josh Matlow

When the board first passed the Africentric school recommendations, my first impulse was to challenge the Province to do something to prevent this from happening. Perhaps they could change legislation...or regulations...or make a decree...tell us where the money was going to come from......anything!

However, with some time and sober thought, I realise that it would not be right for the government to step in and bar the TDSB from making irresponsible choices-beyond the Province's wise decision not to fund this wrong-headed folly.

In my opinion, the school board not only voted for race-based schools and opened up a Pandora's box for potential charter challenges, but it also did what a responsible board of trustees should never do- it committed hundreds of thousands of tax dollars that it could neither source nor honestly spend on a proposal that had no clear shape or details.

Schools boards have for years have told the Province that they are a responsible level of governance and their duly elected trustees deserve respect and trust. Trustees have made it very clear that they want autonomy and do not appreciate the government micro-managing their affairs.

Therefore, the trustees of the TDSB deserve to own both their decision and it's inevitable consequences. Queen's Park neither initiated the Africentric school proposal nor has suggested that it will support it.

I predict that the consequences of the board's decision are much greater than the trustees ever considered. The government will be less likely to want to bail the board out of its annual deficit, there will be every group and community under the sun demanding their own publically funded schools and I suspect that voters will have something to say to their trustees come the next municipal election in November 2010.

CP24 interview with Josh on black focused schools decision

Please click here to read and watch more of Trustee Matlow's comments

30 January 2008

Trustees narrowly approve black school
Globe and Mail

Board okays black-focused school
Toronto Star

Black school okayed
Toronto Sun

Click here to read more.

29 January 2008

CityNews report on decision to move forward with black focused schools

CityNews report on impending black focused schools vote

Black focused schools in Toronto?

Watch exclusive coverage on Rogers Television of the TDSB Public Meeting

Tuesday, January 29 at 6pm

Board had a plan to limit safety-report backlash

Globe and Mail

Black schools plan called 'immature'
National Post

28 January 2008

Toronto plans Canada's first black school

The Washington Times

Toronto poised to launch all-black school to combat under- achievement
Black Britain, UK

Josh Matlow talks about City Hall, Queen's Park, the school board and all things political on the John Downs Show- every Monday at 8pm.

Click here to listen to this week's show - mp3 file.

25 January 2008

Public school fundraiser to attract stars from the news media and music industries

“A Knight Out” with CNN’s Ali Velshi, City TV’s Hugh Burrill and Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy to fix Northern Secondary School’s sports field

 (Toronto) Famous alumni of Northern Secondary School (NSS) will rally around their Alma mater to help the cash-strapped Toronto District School Board pay for a major retrofit of the school’s historic Clarke Pulford sports field.

 “A Knight Out”, named for NSS’ legendary Red Knights football team, will be a night of entertainment, dance and music in support of the field revitalization. All profits will go towards the field fund.

 Hosted by City TV’s Hugh Burrill, with special appearances by CNN’s Ali Velshi, Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy along with a Rod Stewart tribute, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson impersonators and a fashion show, this will surely be a “knight” to remember.

 Where: Northern Secondary School, 851 Mount Pleasant Road (one block north of Eglinton)

 When: Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 7pm

Backgrounder: Northern Secondary School – The Clarke Pulford Field revitalization project

 Northern Secondary School, along with its students, parents, alumni, trustee and local residents is currently in the process of raising funds to build a state-of-the-art playing surface with field turf and a rubberized track to replace their current field- which is in state of disrepair.

 The school’s fundraising goal is $900,000 that will go towards the $1.64 million cost of the field and track complex.  The Northern school and residential community is actively involved in an aggressive grassroots, targeted campaign towards reaching this goal, which needs to be reached by March 2008 for construction to begin in June 2008.

 The proposed facility, named in memory of one of Northern Secondary School’s most beloved physical education teachers, Clarke Pulford, will provide Northern students, as well as students from other community schools, an opportunity to practice, partake in structured physical activities such as running and walking groups, rugby, and other educational curriculum activities.  Additionally, families in the community will be welcome to use this safe and well-constructed field for activities such as kite flying, Frisbee, running, and much more.

 The need for a field such as this one is unequivocal.  The Toronto District School Board, with a dearth of funding for facility upgrades, has collaborated with a wide variety of stakeholders to determine the most effective plan that will service the highest number of students. Activities will be offered before and after school.  The proposed field, to be constructed with field turf, can be used in three seasons (all but mid-winter).

 For tickets, please contact Jim Hutton, Northern Secondary  School at 416-393-0284 ext. 20030  

24 January 2008

TDSB report recommends black-focused high school
CBC Toronto

23 January 2008

“A Knight Out” – Wed. February 6th, 2008 – 7 pm at Northern Secondary School– A night of entertainment, dance and music in support of the Clarke Pulford Field revitalization.  All profits go towards the field fund.  Hosted by Hugh Burrill of City TV, with special appearances by Ali Velshi – Host CNN Money Line, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, “Forever Young” – a tribute to Rod Stewart and others, Ron Moore – recognized North American #1 Elvis impersonator, performances by the NSS recent Fashion Show “Toys”, NSS own Michael Jackson impersonator and more…..Tickets $50.- Student Price is $35.  You can contact Jim Hutton directly for tickets at 416-393-0284 ext. 20030 or via email at james.hutton@tel.tdsb.on.ca

22 January 2008

Trustee Matlow's alternative motion to the Africentric School Proposal– African and Black Studies

(students learning together)

Whereas the Toronto District School Board, along with other levels of government, community agencies and parents has a responsibility to respond to the fact that there is a disproportionate number of black students in Toronto who are either failing to graduate, dropping out or experiencing incidents of racism; and

Whereas, it is imperative that the Toronto District School Board act in a substantive manner to do all it can to ensure optimum and equitable learning conditions, that meet the needs of all students; notwithstanding their place of origin, across each of its schools; and   Whereas, Toronto’s students, no matter the colour of their skin, want to go to school together, learn about each other’s cultures and identities and succeed in the world, fully cognizant of all its intricacies and differences;

Whereas, the Toronto District School Board must positively and collectively take action to combat racism and tackle the challenges students face in all of our 557 public schools in an approach that expands, not limits choices for our students; and   Whereas, one of the principle goals of our schools should be to bring students together; not divide and potentially stigmatize them through artificially created divisions

Whereas, all students, no matter the colour of their skin or their ancestry, should have an opportunity to learn about their own family's culture and those of their fellow students

Therefore, be it resolved:   That staff be directed to report back to the April 2008 regularly scheduled meeting of the BOARD with a framework of how to move forward on the following;   A critical path which outlines, the recommended approach by staff on the best way to ensure that the Toronto District School Board support students toward the fulfillment of the following objectives; achieved across all board schools:

1. The equalization and expansion, where appropriate, of African and black studies and other world culture curriculum course offerings across all quadrants of the TDSB which ensures that students in all areas of the city can access and benefit from such subjects in order to achieve a greater understanding of the great contributions of African and other societies contributions to world and Canadian history.

2. That all African and black studies course offerings be delivered in a non-colonial context and in a manner that encourages students, no matter the colour of their skin, to learn about these subjects together rather than divided

21 January 2008

AM 640 Toronto Radio

Josh Matlow Toronto District School Board Trustee
Josh joins us, as he does every monday evening to help us cut through the spin and get to the bottom of what is happening in toronto's schools. Today Josh and John are discussing the prospect of black-focused schooling, a controversial propsal that's been spurring alot of public debate lately.

Click here to listen to Josh on the John Downs Show on AM640 Toronto Radio

Black schools wrong answer

Toronto Star Editorial

Action Alert on the Africentric School Proposal

Please contact all TDSB school trustees and express your support for our city's black students and your opposition to dividing Toronto's public schools by race. Click here to read more.

Please be advised that the Chair of the Board has called a special meeting as follows:

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

6:00 p.m.

5050 Yonge Street

Board Room

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the staff report related to the Africentric alternative schools proposal.  The agenda will be ordered so that the first item will be to resolve into Committee of the Whole, in public, to hear delegations that wish to address the staff report.  Following delegations the Board will reconvene to consider the staff report.

All persons wishing to speak to the issue must register as delegations prior to the special committee meeting by contacting Board Services at: david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca.

You can send an email to all Toronto District School Board Trustees c/o David Tomczak (clerk):
david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca

Please send me a copy of your email(s) for my records (josh@joshmatlow.ca)

NEW!

Click here to read staff recommendations that Trustees will consider at the January 29th meeting.

19 January 2008

Education minister not out of the woods yet on school violence

Given the gallons of ink spilled in the past week on the subject of violence in Toronto's schools, it is surprising that Education Minister Kathleen Wynne isn't covered in stains.

Murray Campbell, Globe and Mail

Student Hotline

Rather than the TDSB set up a student hotline (as suggested by the School Community Safety Panel), let's allow the pros with the Toronto Police Service handle this. The school board is simply not equipped to run a program like this effectively and may even do more harm than good while trying to score a few PR points. The Toronto Crime Stoppers Program is a success and it already exists.

If the school board is to set up a new, unique and important phone (and perhaps web/email) hotline, it should exist to offer parents and guardians immediate information about the welfare of their children in the case of an emergency at a school. During last year's tragic day at C.W. Jefferys, several parents told me that there was no one identifiable to answer their questions about their kids and no updates on the TDSB website all day- these parents, while learning from the media that there was a shooting at their child's school, were justifiably worried and needed comfort, support and information.

The School Crime Stoppers Program-Police and community working together

This program encourages students with information concerning a criminal activity to call 416-222-8477 (TIPS) anonymously. The program aims to bring students, community and the police together to create a safe and harmonious learning environment. Why School Crime Stoppers? When you step forward and call 416-222-8477 (TIPS) you are taking control of your community. Crimes such as bullying, threatening, assault, theft, graffiti, vandalism, pulling fire alarms, weapons, drugs, etc. will be reduced by calling 416-222-8477 (TIPS). You will never have to identify yourself or testify in court. A cash reward may be issued pending an arrest or successful school conclusion. School Crime Stoppers is a pro-active program, which allows the students to remain anonymous when they report a crime they have witnessed either at or outside of school. It gives the caller an alternative to avoid any recognition or retaliation from suspects or contact with police or school officials. School Crime Stoppers target audiences with students approaching or above 12 years old, the age of criminal responsibility.

Africentric schools- Neighborhood Schools, Bussing, and the Struggle for Equality

A very interesting historical walk through segregation and integration in the city of Milwaukee,  the article posted below speaks to the very recent history, through to 80’s and efforts to bus black kids out of predominantly white schools and vice-versa.  Interesting for the context of why that city had embraced, at least perhaps initially, the concept of a black-focus school.  Clearly that support has waned (and of the two Africentric schools opened in Milwaukee, one has closed due to a lack of enrolment and the other is reportedly struggling with student achievement) – this article is a good eye-opener on the political and social issues in Milwaukee that may have spawned Dr. Fuller's ambition and allowed him to implement his agenda.

In addition, many Africentric school advocates have cited Dr. Fuller and the Milwaukee example to me without fully recognising Milwaukee and Toronto's historical and contemporary differences.

 http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/12_03/bus123.shtml

18 January 2008

Water-main break under Yonge and Woodlawn

Traffic was restricted on Yonge St. south of St. Clair Ave. this morning after the pavement sagged near a broken water main.

Toronto police closed the road around 8 a.m. at Summerhill Ave., near the Summerhill subway station, to investigate the sagging asphalt. Toronto Water had been investigating the leak since yesterday afternoon.

Police said water from the broken pipe left an open hole in the ground.

Yonge St. was initially closed in both directions between Shaftesbury Ave. and Woodlawn Ave. while the area, which police feared would collapse, was inspected. One lane has since been reopened in each direction.

(courtesy-Toronto Star)

17January 2008

CTV NewsNet interview with Josh Matlow on black focused schools

CP24 interview segment on black focused schools

TDSB Staff Recommend Black-Focused School
TORONTO/AM640 TORONTO - The controversy over black-focused schools in Toronto is heating up once again.

Toronto District School Board senior staff are recommending creating at least one black-focused school in Toronto's northwest end, and implementing black-focused curriculum at three others. The schools would be open to all students.

Budget Chief and former School Board Chair Shelley Carroll tells AM 640 Toronto's John Downs show that it's an idea worth serious consideration.

"The time has come, we have to do something. They've been looking at it for some time and they're backing it up with serious data."

But School Board Trustee Josh Matlow disagrees, saying schools should be preparing students for the real world.

"I think it narrows their academic experience...that's not the real world in Canada. Canada's about coming together, working together and learning about each other."

The board will decide whether to move ahead with the idea at the end of the month.

School board to discuss black-focused schools
Toronto Star

Board trustees mull proposal for black school
Globe and Mail

Board closer to Afrocentric school
National Post

Clck here to read Trustee Matlow's column on the Afrocentric School Proposal from the November 2007 North Toronto Post.

CityTV News noon hour report on black focused schools

CityTV News evening report on black focused schools

Hillcrest Community School Wall- Success!

At long last, TDSB Facilities Staff have agreed to construct an addition to the wall that separates the hallway and library on the main floor of the school in order to protect the library from external noise.

Thank you again to the parents, and Principal Nancy Lerner, who have advocated so well for our students!

School Community Safety Panel Report

Trustee skeptical of school report
insideTORONTO.com

16 January 2008

Cedarvale/ Arlington/ Forest Hill Attendance Areas

Thanks to the advocacy of community parents and residents, there will now be an official review process initiated by the TDSB to change the attendance area boundaries for this community's schools. More information will be posted at www.joshmatlow.ca within the next two weeks.

For background information, please click on the icon below:

Cemetary project starts with clearance
Toronto Town Crier Newspapers

Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence

Nomination Deadline: January 28, 2008

Do you know a special teacher who makes learning come to life? A support staff member who makes a difference for kids? A school or board leader who rallied a community to make a difference in the lives of their students?

There are many ways to be an outstanding educator, and as many reasons to nominate someone for a Premier's Award. Click here for more information.

Falconer Report

Although they got the price wrong (it cost the board about $840, 000 to recieve the Falconer Report, please read this wonderful article in today's Globe and Mail

School violence blamed on poverty, gangs
Globe and Mail

Global News report on black focused schools

15 January 2008

Dead teen's mother blasts school board
Globe and Mail

CTV News report on School Safety Panel Report

14 January 2008

Tonight on AM 640 Toronto Radio-The John Downs Show

Click here to listen to mp3 of the program (note: first 12 minutes are missing)

Josh Matlow Toronto District School Board Trustee
Josh joins us today, as he does every Monday evening to help cut through the spin and get to the heart of what's happening in Toronto's schools. This week Josh is concerned about the fate of the city's school aquatic facilities, which will be shut down mid February if they can't negotiate with the province to secure the required funds.

Bruce Davis Toronto District School Board Trustee
Bruce joins in the discussion about Toronto's school pools, and helps crunch the numbers.

And of course, John puts it to you, the listener - and asks you if you think the province should be on the hook for the TDSB owned-and-operated pools.

11 January 2008

Globe commentary

Panic in the blackboard jungle

Margaret Wente, Globe and Mail

Yes, there's some bad news. The report's advice is so stupid, it could make the problems worse

St. Paul’s Ward Forum on School Safety

Monday, January 21st, 2008

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Host School: Deer Park Jr & Sr Public School

23 Ferndale Ave.  416 393- 1550

St Clair TTC stop.     Ferndale Ave. is two blocks east of Yonge, north side of St Clair.

Parking at the back of the school down laneway on the south end of the school off Ferndale.

10 January 2008

Drastic improvements needed to tackle school violence: report

National Post

The School Community Safety Panel (Falconer) Report

AM 640 Toronto Radio-Josh Matlow Toronto District School Board's trustee for St. Paul's

7-9pm

The thousand-page, $800,000 document highlights more than 170 incidents of sexual assault, kids with guns, robberies and fear among students and teachers. And it doesn't mince words on who the members believe is to blame. John Downs and Josh Matlow take your calls and talk about the good, bad and weird parts about the TDSB report.

School Community Safety Panel Report

Executive Summary: (PDF file).

Volume 1: (PDF file).

Volume 2: (PDF file).

Volume 3: (PDF file).

Volume 4: (PDF file).

7 January 2008

Global TV report on new problems at CW Jefferys