CBC8sep2009

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matteis-afrocent-090904

Although junior classes attracting pupils, figures show only six registered for Grade 5 at alternative facilityBY KATE HAMMER, THE GLOBE AND MAILTORONTO -- Recruitment has lagged among older students and only six have registered for Grade 5 at the city's controversial Africentric Alternative School, set to open this fall.

by Louise BrownTORONTO STARFourteen years after a royal commission suggested it as one way to lower the dropout rate among blacks, Toronto will open an Africentric alternative school this fall with at least four classes from kindergarten to Grade 5 with more teachers from diverse backgrounds and fewer European-based lessons.The Toronto District School Board announced today that 56 students have enrolled in the new program – enough to plan at least four classes in an unused wing of Sheppard Public School; a combined junior and senior kindergarten; a Grade 1 class, one combined Grade 2/3 class and a combined Grade 4/5 class.

By Dave Bowden, National PostAfter an aggressive months-long enrolment campaign, Toronto’s Africentric school barely mustered the 40 students needed to open in September, prompting some trustees to wonder whether the school should – or even can – open as scheduled.The Toronto District School Board announced it will go ahead with the controversial school after enrolling “nearly 45” students by last Friday’s deadline,  just a handful more than the minimum 40 students the board required. According to trustee James Pasternak, whose ward will include the new school, about 25 more families have expressed interest.But the enrolment numbers have only fueled the fire among the school’s opponents, who say the low turnout indicates a lack of community support that could doom the school before it ever opens.“If, come September, not everyone of those [students already enrolled] keep to their commitment, are we still going to go ahead with it?” said trustee Josh Matlow, a vocal opponent of the school.

By Dave Bowden, National Post It’s official: the proposed Africentric school will open in September, now that the minimum number of applicants has been enrolled, according to school board trustee James Pasternak.Mr. Pasternak, whose ward will include the new alternative school, confirmed this morning that “nearly 45” students from an original list of about 70 who expressed interest have now enrolled. The school required at least 40 students to register by Friday before it was given the green light.  Mr. Pasternak will meet with Toronto District School Board staff this afternoon to discuss enrolment and leadership, referring to the upcoming selection of a principal for the new school.“Enrolment in schools is a moving target,” he said. “It's always changing [and] we're hopeful that we can grow ... and convert more of the expressions of interest [into firm enrolments].”The much-debated school will include students from kindergarten to Grade 5 when it opens within vacant space at Sheppard Public School this fall. The school, which aims to curb the dropout rate among black students by integrating elements of African culture into the curriculum, has sparked much debate within the school board and the public since the idea was originally floated in 2007. Trustee Josh Matlow continued speaking out against it as recently as January, when he proposed instituting board-wide African studies programs as an alternative to the school.  To see this story, visit: the proposed Africentric school  

TVO1Mar05

By Frank Peebles, Prince George Citizen (British Columbia, Canada) In Saturday's Citizen, reporter Frank Peebles spoke to several proponents of an aboriginal choice school in Prince George. Today he presents the views of two people on the other side of the issue.* * *

By Don Peebles, Prince George Citizen (British Columbia, Canada) An aboriginal choice school would either be a dark monument to racism or the pearly gates of educational salvation.

by Don Peat, Toronto Sun

Toronto's first Africentric school will have enough students to open this fall.

But even before the enrolment drive has finished, one trustee is asking how much the Toronto public board spent to sign people up.

Josh Matlow, a vocal opponent of the school, says he wants to know how much the board spent in its campaign to drum up enrolment.

"I will raise questions about how we have managed finances on this project and the need for a costly enrolment and public relations campaign," Matlow vowed in a letter to his St. Paul's ward parents and residents.

Matlow told the Sun he'll want the costs of the board's multiple information meetings, fairs and media advertisements.

'VERY COST-EFFECTIVE'

The school's launch has been "very cost-effective," trustee James Pasternak said, adding final numbers won't be available until the recruitment campaign is over.

The campaign relied heavily on volunteers to spread the word door-to-door and through the media, he said. Much of the cost will come out of existing departmental budgets.

Toronto District School Board spokesman Kelly Baker confirmed yesterday there already is more than the 40 students needed to open the doors of the black-focused alternative school in September. The school can accommodate up to 125 students.

Board chairman John Campbell said he expects the primary school could have mixed grades.

To see this story, click here

Dear St. Paul's community,

The TDSB has arrived at the required enrollment indicators that will allow for the Africentric School to open in September 2009. Although I disagree with this path, I wish success on any school in Toronto that has students in it. It is always important to move forward.

However, reasonable questions still remain unanswered. I will be asking at board about how the school will functionally accommodate 40-60 kids, coming from grades ranging from K-5, in two consecutive classes. Aside from the differences of opinion on the Africentric school proposal itself, it is my candid observation that the school board has not put this together in a prudent, realistic or sensible manner from the start. I will raise questions about how we have managed finances on this project and the need for a costly enrollment and public relations campaign.

The debate over the Africentric School has always been, for most of us, about how best to support students and communities in our city who are marginalized and in need of our support. There are well-meaning and thoughtful people on both sides of this discussion and I believe that the very fact that this discussion has happened, and continues, is a very good thing for us all.

I will continue to advocate for a reformed curriculum that is better reflective of the diversity of Toronto and more meaningful equity training for our system so that, eventually, all of our city's 557 public schools will be accessible, supportive and reflective of each and every one of our students. I believe that our students want to go to school with their friends, no matter what their respective backgrounds might be.

This has always been our common destination. There has simply been a passionate disagreement on exactly how to arrive there.

Sincerely,

Josh MatlowTrustee for St. Paul'sToronto District School Boardwww.joshmatlow.ca

VINCE TALOTTA/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO Oniah Chandler, 6, and Aaron Higgins, 7, are enrolled in the program. (Feb. 5, 2009)

by Louise Brown, Toronto Star

Nearly 60 children have signed up for the proposed Africentric alternative school – 50 per cent more than the target of 40 needed by the deadline in two weeks – meaning the controversial program almost surely will open this fall.

Dave Bowden, National Post 

The Toronto District School Board's curriculum is too ''colonial,'' and the board is resistant to change, according to one of its trustees.

Board members stymied Josh Matlow's push at a Wednesday committee meeting for curriculum changes that better reflect Toronto's diverse student body. Mr. Matlow said yesterday he suspects it is because he has been such an outspoken critic of the planned Africentric school.

"The very fact that I was the individual trustee to [propose changes] means that it must be in some way an affront to their Africentric school project," he said, referring to his fellow trustees.

Mr. Matlow has opposed the Africentric school idea since it was first floated in late 2007. He said it does not do enough to address the concerns of marginalized students within the school system -- be they of African descent or otherwise.

CBC News

A Toronto school trustee is floating the idea of bringing an African and black culture course to all Toronto public school students.

Trustee Josh Matlow says the Toronto District School Board needs to focus on bringing children of different backgrounds together.

"I would like the priority and certainly the energy and the limited resources of our school board to go towards ensuring that all of our students learn about their own backgrounds and their own heritage while also learning about their friends," he said.

Last week the TDSB reported that only 15 students have registered for the proposed Africentric Alternative School, raising the possibility that the school may not go ahead next fall as planned.

The final deadline for a minimum of 40 students to register is not until March.

Matlow says he'll propose the motion at Wednesday's school board meeting as a means of keeping the idea moving forward in case the school doesn't get the numbers it needs.

Matlow says he wants to ensure "that our curriculum, that every student learns from, is reflective of the diversity of the city of Toronto. So what I'm hoping to see is that kids, no matter what their background, and no matter what school they're in, learn more about black and African studies along with other world cultures together in the same classroom," said Matlow.

The school that has been chosen for the Afrocentric classes, Sheppard Public School, is at Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue West.

Initially, the new school is supposed to teach children from kindergarten to Grade 5, with the desired aim of combating the disproportionately high drop-out rate among black students in the Toronto school system.

The registration deadline is March 9.

To see this story, visit:Trustee wants Toronto schools to include course on African culture

Louise Brown

EDUCATION REPORTER

On the eve of the early sign-up date for the most controversial new public school in the province, the Toronto District School Board will not say how many students have registered yet for the Africentric alternative school — but insists it is “within sight” of the goal of at least 40 children.

But official Lloyd McKell says that with interested parents calling each day, volunteers working to spread the word and a surge of publicity expected during Black History Month in February, the board has set a final deadline of March 6 to decide for sure whether the school will open in September.

By DON PEAT, Toronto Sun

The Toronto public board is being tight-lipped about the enrollment numbers for their black-focused school set to open this fall.

Last month officials said only 15 students had enrolled for the school – that's about 25 below what they need to hire staff.

But with the early registration deadline approaching Friday, the board wasn't willing to speak about enrollment numbers today. Lloyd McKell, the board's executive officer of student community and equity, would be available for media interviews today, a board spokesman told the Sun.

Board officials said registration for the school could continue into February.

"If the (board) was happy with the numbers they'd tell you," said trustee Josh Matlow.

Matlow said he's not surprised the school is having trouble meeting enrollment, even after three community enrollment information sessions.

The controversial school was approved by trustees last January after an emotionally charged meeting. Proponents of the school justified it as a way to combat high dropout rates among black youth.

Months later, they selected an empty wing of Sheppard Public School as a site.

Matlow, a vocal opponent of the school, has long predicted the lack of enrollment interest.

An enrollment drive for the school began in the fall and culminated with three information sessions before Christmas.

To see this story, visit:Board tight-lipped about black-focused school numbers

Trustee Josh Matlow

By Natalie Alcoba, National Post

Toronto’s first Afrocentric public school has enrolled only eight students so far, a sign, according to one critic, that support for the controversial concept was never widespread. The Toronto District School Board said there must be at least two consecutive grades of 20 students each in order for the school to open its doors in September. The JK-to-Grade-5 school will be housed in an existing elementary school in North York.

 

Read more...www.joshmatlow.ca

7 February 2008

After approval, many questions await 'Africentric' school proposal

24 Hours Toronto

Mr. Premier, butt out

Now Toronto

6 February 2008

Effort to stop black-focused school fails Toronto Star

No plan to revisit Africentric school StarPhoenix

5 February 2008

Trustees Not Keen To Reopen Vote National Post

McGuinty doesn’t see Africentric school trend National Post

New black school debate? Toronto Sun

4 February 2008

Trustee wants to revisit Afrocentric school decision National Post

Listen to Josh tonight on AM 640 Toronto Radio, The John Downs Show in mp3 format right here.

2 February 2008

Reopen Africentric school vote: Trustees

Toronto Star

Threats follow tough vote Toronto Star

Mix-up over schools' early closing Toronto Sun

Afrocentric schools unlikely in other parts of Canada: expert The Daily News (Halifax)

1 February 2008

Global News report on snow day

580 CFRA Ottawa Radio

Ethno-Centric School in Toronto Madely in the Morning - 8:10am --- Steve Madely is joined by Josh Matlow, Toronto District School Booard Trustee. He opposes the proposal for a black-focused school in Toronto. mp3 (click here to download)

 

31 January 2008

What's next for Toronto's Africentric school? Macleans

More black-focused schools? Toronto Star

'Show us the money' Toronto Sun

Multiple Afrocentric schools suggested Globe and Mail

Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... Standard Freeholder

'Afrocentric' school faces hurdles

Hamilton Spectator

Decision unlikely to spread; Black-focused schools not expected in ... Chatham Daily News

A Class act, finally

Now Magazine

30 January 2008

CFRA News Talk Radio Ottawa

Ethno-Centric School in Toronto Madely in the Morning - 8:10am --- Steve Madely is joined by Josh Matlow, Toronto District School Booard Trustee. He opposes the proposal for a black-focused school in Toronto. mp3 (click here to download)

Trustees vote yes

Metro News

 

Canada AM interview with trustees on black focused schools decision

CTV News update on the black focused schools decision

CTV NewsNet interview with Josh on black focused schools decision

CP24 interview with Josh on black focused schools decision

Questions abound for Afrocentric school National Post

Many details to be determined on Africentric schools Alaska Highway News

Many details to be determined on Africentric schools Dose.ca

Many details to be determined on Africentric schools Canada.com

Details of Afrocentric schools up in the air National Post

Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... Canada East

Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... Winnipeg Free Press

Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... 940 News

Black-focused schools unlikely to pop up in other parts of Canada ... The Canadian Press

A Class act, finally Now Toronto

Province Won't Fund Black-Focused School: Wynne CityNews

What Will An Afrocentric School Be Like CityNews Trustee Josh Matlow spearheaded the no side, but was willing to give the idea a try when his opposition was defeated. "Although I ideologically disagree ... Debate rages over Afrocentric schools after vote CTV.ca However, Josh Matlow, a Toronto school trustee, said people in the black community don't just want to learn about cultural experiences but are asking for ...

Board closer to Afrocentric school Canada.com

Board closer to Afrocentric school Windsor Star

Toronto school board votes in favour of creating a black-focused school

680 News Radio

Trustees narrowly approve black school Globe and Mail

Board okays black-focused school Toronto Star

Black school okayed Toronto Sun

Black school okayed Canoe.ca

29 January 2008

Africentric school decision tonight

   A decision concerning whether to establish Africentric Schools is to be made tonight by Toronto District School Board Trustees.

   The TDSB proposes an Africentric school be opened in September of next year.  Also proposed are pilot projects in three schools starting this September.

   Trustees will hear and respond to deputations from 17 people, before debating and deciding.

   They'll also discuss an alternative proposal by Trustee Josh Matlow.  He suggests rather than opening an Africentric school, the board focus on increasing cultural studies of a whole host of heritage groups in existing schools in the regular curriculum and in optional classes.

   The meeting will be broadcast on CFRB 10-10 between 6 and 8pm.

 

CityNews report on decision to move forward with black focused schools

CityNews report on impending black focused schools vote

CP24 discussion on pending black focused schools vote (half an hour)

Black-Focused Schools Could Soon Be A Reality In Ontario CityNews

Board had a plan to limit safety-report backlash

Globe and Mail

Black leaders to come out against proposed Afrocentric school National Post

Black schools plan called 'immature' National Post

Africentric school decision tonight | EZRock

EZ Rock

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

Black school for 'success' Toronto Sun

Josh on the John Downs Show on AM640 Radio - click here for mp3 file.

24 January 2007

TDSB report recommends black-focused high school CBC Toronto - click here to listen to mp3 of CBC Radio report

Toronto trustees to vote on setting up alternative schools for ... Montreal Gazette

$800Gs price tag for 'Africa school'

Toronto Sun

23 January 2008

'This would be a step backwards' Toronto Sun

21 January 2008

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

17 January 2008

Trustee skeptical of school report insideTORONTO.com

Trustees mixed about black-focused schools idea CTV

Toronto steps closer to Africentric school Canada.com

Matter of trust School safety tome shockingly calls for a narrowing of trustees’ role

Now Toronto

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

School board discusses black-focused schools to battle high drop ... 680 News

Toronto Board Leaning Toward Black-Focused School

CityNews

CityTV News noon hour report on black focused schools

CityTV News evening report on black focused schools

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.

 

16 January 2008

AM 640 Toronto Radio-The John Downs Show

Shelley Carroll Toronto City Councilor, former Toronto District School Board Chair Josh MatlowToronto District School Board Trustee Shelley Carroll and Josh Matlow stop by to discuss the Toronto District School Board's recommendation on an Afro-Centric school.

Toronto steps closer to Africentric school Calgary Herald

Toronto school board considering Africentric school National Post

Global News report on black focused schools

15 January 2008

Dead teen's mother blasts school board Globe and Mail

Last chance for public to weigh in on Africentric school option Toronto Sun

Motts26Nov2008

CityTVNews25nov2008

The following will apparently come as a shock to Toronto school trustee James Pasternak.

It's the fact that just as he has the right to support a black-focused, junior kindergarten to Grade 5 public school scheduled to open in his ward in September, so trustee Josh Matlow has the right to oppose it.

Or to ask the board to reconsider its 11-9 decision earlier this year to open it.

For Pasternak's benefit, this is how democratic institutions work.

In that context, Pasternak's notice of motion to the board last week seeking to gag Matlow from criticizing the school, and indeed to silence any trustee critical of any board school or the philosophy behind it, was appallingly anti-democratic.    Read more...

By BRIAN GRAY, TORONTO SUN

A Toronto public school trustee said his desire to stifle criticism of his colleagues was just an idea written on a chalkboard, not chiselled in stone.

James Pasternak said yesterday he was simply trying to generate debate when he circulated a proposed motion for tomorrow's monthly Toronto District School Board meeting and that he never intended to present it to the board.    Read more....

By DON PEAT, TORONTO SUN

A Toronto public school trustee is trying to gag his colleagues from openly slamming schools.

After putting up with months of Trustee Josh Matlow's criticisms about the board's yet-to-open Africentric school, Trustee James Pasternak is trying to ban all trustees from making statements attacking any school.  

"Trustees shall not make public statements in the print or electronic media or in any new media vehicle, includingwebsites, that specifically name or allude to, and then criticize, ridicule, undermine or besmirch, a school," the motion obtained by the Sun states. "Trustees shall not make statements in the media that undermine or distort the philosophy of a school."

Pasternak had staff send trustees the motion last week in a failed attempt to find another trustee to support it in time for Wednesday's board meeting -- two trustees have to support a board motion. Read more...

by Don Peat, Toronto Sun

One Toronto public trustee won't stop ringing alarm bells over the city's first Africentric school.

Trustee Josh Matlow told the Sun yesterday that nothing good can come of the fact that Toronto District School Board officials continue to downgrade enrolment forecasts for the proposed school that is supposed to open next fall.

"When they first initiated this project, they implied that students from across the system would be knocking on our door, that this is something that was of such great need for our system," Matlow said.

"Now they have to push an aggressive marketing campaign to see if they can get the minimum of 40 students.

"They've said that they'd be able to maintain an Africentric school if they have the minimum of two classes, roughly 40 kids."

Matlow questioned why the JK to Grade 5 school, to be located in the largely empty Sheppard Public School, should have its own principal when many alternative schools in the city share principals. "To hire a whole principal for 40 students seems unreasonable and mismanagement of our funds."

Matlow, who has long been a critic of the creation of an Africentric school, made the comments after the board held a media update on the initiative Friday.

Three public information sessions on the school will be held in the next few weeks.

Lloyd McKell, executive officer of student and community equity, stated in a news release that the school is ready to start taking enrolment requests.

NOT ENOUGH INFO

But Matlow said not enough information about the school's curriculum has been released. "They weren't able to tell us what the curriculum will be although they're asking parents to enrol their kids there."

Trustee James Pasternak, whose ward will house the school, said the philosophy and teaching will be Africentric but sciences and math courses will still meet ministry of education requirements.

To see this story, visit:Low enrolment alarms trustee

Africentric School Cheryl Camack

The city’s first Africentric school is set to open next September. On Friday school trustees and supporters of the new school announced pre-enrollment for classes had officially opened.

Listen to CFRB’s Cheryl Camack

Board officials stress the program is open to any students from junior kindergarten to grade five.

“It’s not about a political philosophy, the end-result is creating an environment that promotes success,” said Lloyd McKell with the TDSB.

With declining enrollment at Sheppard Public School in the city's west-end, it’s set to share its roof with the first Africentric program.

Sheppard Public School will set aside at least five classrooms and make room for about 120 new students when the Africentric school opens next fall.

But some are still skepical about the success the program will have. Board trustee Josh Matlow has been against the school since its inception, 

“Whether you're well-meaning or not, anytime you divide based on the artificial divisions that have done us no good, I think it’s the wrong direction to go.” 

Parents interested in the program are urged to visit the TDSB website. Information meetings will be held in various schools across the city over the next couple of months.

CTVNews7nov2008

There will be a TDSB media briefing (PR pitch) on Friday November 7 at 12:45 pm in the Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St.

Open the attachment to read the notice sent to trustees today.

Click here for more information/background on this subject.

 Mentors, diversity plan key to 5-year strategyLouise Brown, Education Reporter, The Toronto StarCanada's largest school board is poised to set tough targets to chop the alarming 40 per cent dropout rate among black students to 15 per cent within five years.Through mentors, teacher training and close tracking of the most needy students, the Toronto District School Board's sweeping new Urban Diversity Strategy – to be voted on tomorrow by a board committee and by all trustees next week – would aim to make all intermediate and high schools across the city more sensitive to the demographic roadblocks often facing students of differing backgrounds.The action plan would also target the 25 most racially diverse, low-performing schools for extra youth workers, outreach staff to work with parents, summer programs for Grade 8 students who fail any of the 3 Rs, and a network of teachers who feel passionate about working in such challenging schools.

Louise BrownParentcentral.caclick here to read original article

After years of debate that has divided communities of every colour, Toronto's public school board voted tonight to open an Africentric alternative school in September 2009. The junior kindergarten to Grade 5 school – believed to be a first in Canada – is expected to help tackle a 40 per cent dropout rate among black students. Approved by a 13-8 vote after a heated debate in which one trustee called another a racist, the school will be located in an empty wing of Sheppard Public School on Sheppard Ave. W. near Keele St.

EditorialThe Toronto Star

Bureaucrats at the Toronto public school board have barely begun the effort of launching an Africentric elementary school this coming fall. But now some trustees are calling for an Africentric high school to open just one year later.The trustees on the board's program and school services committee met last week to approve the location of the Africentric elementary school, which will be housed in an unused wing of Sheppard Public School, at Sheppard Ave. W. and Keele St. But after hearing demands from the 15 community members on the board's Africentric education advisory panel, the committee went further and tacked on the proposal for an Africentric high school.

Louise Brown Education ReporterThe Toronto StarSome say it's too watered down, another says it's overblown, so Canada's first Africentric "school within a school" continues to draw fire, even as the blueprint begins to take shape.Toronto District School Board staff have proposed the pilot program start in September 2009 with junior kindergarten through Grade 5 in an unused wing of Sheppard Public School near Sheppard Ave. W. and Keele St.While staff call it an "exciting opportunity" for a large school struggling with falling enrolment, champions of the Africentric school say a school-within-a-school elementary program falls short of their vision of a self-standing school up to Grade 12.

Afrocentric Schools in TorontoForty percent of Toronto’s black youth aren’t graduating from high school. Is an Afrocentric school the solution or a part of the problem?By Andrea Warner, Passion MagazineAmidst a media feeding frenzy, Torontonians Angela Wilson and Donna Harrow became unlikely spokespeople for the biggest education controversy to hit the city in years. For the past several months, school board meetings have served as the backdrop for the heated debate over Wilson and Harrow’s proposed Afrocentric schools. In January, a narrow majority voted 11-9 in favour of one school to be opened in 2009. Reaction has been mixed, to put it mildly.The proposed Afrocentric school aims to provide an alternative for black youth who are falling through the cracks of the current administration —approximately 40 percent of Toronto’s black youth do not graduate from high school — by creating a curriculum that is more engaging. Louis March, a spokesperson for the African Community Heritage Association, feels the timing is crucial.

JAMES BRADSHAW, The Globe and Mail

Portuguese community leaders are anxiously awaiting the verdict of tonight's Toronto District School Board vote on a series of motions aimed at addressing high dropout rates among students from several linguistic groups by tailoring programs to their needs.

Click here to view original article.

Researchers suggest new teaching approach will engage those new to English languageLouise Brown, Education Reporter, The Toronto StarNever mind special programs for struggling students of different cultures.Canadian schools can do more to help troubled immigrant children by how they teach in regular classrooms, by providing almost twice as much help in English and by requiring all teachers be trained in how to work with these complex learners, say two leading researchers.

OmniNews2april2008

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.

Click here to view original article.

CTV30march2008

Governor General weighs in on Africentric schools

 

Natalie Alcoba, National Post

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

By: Matthew MelnykThe Brock Press

On Jan. 30, the Toronto District School Board voted in favour of what they describe as Canada's first 'Afrocentric alternative school', set to open its doors in 2009. This proposition seems to have touched a nerve amongst Ontarians, and highlights the exclusivity of our course curriculum.

JAMES BRADSHAW The Globe and Mail

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.

CP2430jan2008

CityNews29jan2008

CityLate29jan2008

CityTV17jan2008-B

CityTV17Jan2008-A

CP2417jan2008

CTVNewsNet17jan2008

Global16jan2008